Local Insight: Pula’s Arena is one of only six remaining Roman amphitheaters in the world with all four side towers intact. For centuries, its stones were quarried for other buildings, but its core survived, later serving as a venue for medieval knights’ tournaments and, since 1954, the prestigious Pula Film Festival.

The Brijuni Islands were Yugoslav President Tito’s private summer residence for nearly 30 years. He received world leaders there and maintained a safari park with gifts like elephants from Indira Gandhi and zebras from Haile Selassie—some descendants still roam the islands today.

Istria’s hilltop towns like Motovun aren’t just pretty—they’re strategic. Built high for defense, their winding streets were designed to confuse invaders. Today, they offer breathtaking views over truffle-rich forests and vineyards, perfect for a glass of local Malvazija wine.

Pula’s history isn’t locked in museums—it’s lived in. You can touch the same stones Roman gladiators walked on, gaze from a Venetian fortress, and hear stories of Yugoslavia from someone who lived it, all in one afternoon. It’s a place where every era is still present.