Croatia
Istria
August 2010 • The Istrian peninsula was my first brush with the phenomenal beauty—and popularity—of the Croatian seaside during the month of August. Located at the northwestern edge of the country, Istria was once a vital piece of the Roman empire. Now it's a relatively affordable retreat for European middle-class families, most of whom seem to travel with at least one shrieking toddler and one barking dog. But even the hordes couldn't diminish the superb weather, and they couldn't steal the peace of mind that comes with a rented mountain bike and 20 km of gravel trails.
