Discover Izola through the eyes of Matej
Set on an active adventure with Matej – from the sea, all the way to the countryside, and experience Izola as he does.
To the water sources with a bike
"From since I can remember, my favourite mornings are those, when I'm in the countryside. My family has been in the wine-growing business for many years, so I've been spending my days in the nature since childhood – in our vineyards that offer one of the best views of Izola. Apart from that, I also like adrenalin, so I love riding a bike – especially on not the most usual terrains."
For a good morning, Matej took a visitor named Anja biking to the Izola's countryside, where they enjoyed breath-taking views of Istrian hills, relaxing in the shade among the trees, searching for unknown paths, and got to know the water sources up close.
"I wanted to take our guest to the beautiful nature of our countryside which only rarely finds its way into the itineraries of our visitors. I also think that most of them don't know the story of Izola's water sources, and they don't know that preserved pools of water, which once served as the only source of drinking water for the people in the countryside, can still be seen today."
From Istrian soil (straight) to the plate
"I find Izola's countryside as an undiscovered jewel. In addition to biking, it can be discovered on foot as well. There are a lot of paths, and every one of them offers something new – either breath-taking views of the sea or of the hills; you can take a walk past vineyards, olive tree groves, and you can do it all in the company of constantly singing birds. And especially, you will find some sort of peacefulness there. I don't know if you are aware, but most of land around Izola is covered by farming land, and agriculture here is well developed. For that reason, I often choose to eat the products from our land for lunch – local and healthy food. And the best part is that everyone can gather certain ingredients by themselves."
Matej took his visitor Anja into the unspoiled nature once again – this time to a "green lunch" in line with the "Zero km" philosophy, where they gathered the ingredients along the way by themselves. Matej knows well where in Izola's countryside one can find the greatest number of asparagus in spring.
To Izola's most beautiful beach on a SUP
We're moving from the countryside to the sea. Matej still has to share his sea-related secrets with Anja – we are at the coast after all.
"I truly love the countryside, but we do live by the sea. And you can never grow tired of seeing the sea. I'm more of an adrenalin-loving guy, therefore, lying on the beach is not my favourite activity; I very much prefer to discover the life under water, as diving is one of my hobbies. But since Izola has so many diverse beaches where one can basically have fun half a year long, I like to set on a sea adventure on a SUP in addition to diving.
Matej took Anja to the most beautiful of Izola's beaches, White Rocks beach (Bele Skale), which lies in the Strunjan Natural Park. But getting there was not easy – first they had to overcome numerous waves and turns. But the view at the end of their journey was worth it.
"An extra thing that I find San Simon beach lovely for is that it is located close to an archaeological park. This is just one more hidden spot that not everybody knows about. Most people don't know that in the summer time they can read under olive trees, that various workshops are organized at the park... And this year, they say they will prepare a very special experience. Do we reveal it now?"
What is your favourite view, or višta, as the locals say?
"I like living by the sea. It would be very hard to find as many days of sunshine in other parts of Slovenia as there are in Izola. And these beautiful sunsets that colour the sky in another colour every evening... I especially like to watch them from higher up."
Matej took Anja to an evening stroll, starting by the sea and ending at Belvedere, above Izola. As the name itself suggests, this is where the most beautiful views of the town are found (bel-vedere, meaning "a nice view"). And you never know what else, besides views, is hiding at view points in the evenings.
"Maybe we locals are so hospitable also because we know each other very well al like the company of one another. We take the time be by ourselves and in the company of friends. We like to be spontaneous, and we don't always plan everything ahead. Those little sweet surprises that happen when you live in a place like this and meet a friend on every corner. When you never know, how the evening will turn out ... this openness among ourselves, to really respect and love one another – that is the charm of small towns."
