Motovun to Buzet

Today we traveled to Buzet from Motovun via Pazin.  Coming down the cobblestones in Motovun was almost as much fun as going up.  But there were a lot fewer tourists so it wasn't too bad.  Valerie walked down and joined me on the tandem at the bottom of the cobblestones.  It was about 20 km of rolling hills to Pazin.  Pazin is called the heart of Istrian country.  We stopped there to look at Pazin castle.

From Pazine we headed back north toward Buzet up into the hills.  We stopped for lunch in the little village of Pagubice.  After lunch we continued climbing for a while before beginning a stunning descent into Buzet.  David (from Motovun) road with us as we descended along spectacular sweeping turns.  Later in the week-end these roads would be used for the european motor sport championships.  There did seem to be a few cars out practicing when we were coming down, including a close encounter with a white BMW that seemed to prefer our lane over his.  When we got Buzet it was all abuzz over the upcoming races.

Race cars lined up for viewing outside our hotel in Buzet.

Yep, that is Mike on the hotel balcony in Buzet.

Also from the hotel balcony a view of the ridge we cross tomorrow as we leave Istria.

Like most towns in Istria, Buzet has quite a history.  But in Buzet the old and the new are quite separate.  Most of the current town is down on the valley floor where our hotel was.  The old town is up on a hill overlooking the valley and dates from the 1500's when it was headquarters for Venetian Istria.

The old town of Buzet as seen from our hotel in the valley.

A beautiful fountain just outside the gates to the old town.

To bed early tonight.  Tomorrow will be a big day as we have to cross the hill to exit Istria.