Slowing Down In Rovinj, Croatia

As I sip on a cocktail in my hotel lobby in Venice, Italy I find myself reflecting on the most recent FloYo Travel's adventure… in Rovinj, Croatia.

Let's backtrack a bit…It is January 2023 and I have just had my first call with SoulFire Collective, a yoga studio based in Rehoboth Beach, DE and Bethesda, MD. They are dreaming of taking their dedicated community of yogi's somewhere luxurious for a retreat. We discussed Sardinia, a yacht retreat to the Croatian Islands, Dubrovnik and then ROVINJ. A tiny town of only 14,000 people perched on the edge of the Adriatic Sea, Rovinj is a surprise to most people who visit. Located in Croatia's Istria region, you feel almost as though you are in Italy as you wander the twisting cobble stone streets that make up Old Town. The region is know for their wine, olive oil, truffles and delicious pasta and seafood.

As you enter our retreat hotel, The Grand Park Rovinj, your breath is literally taken away by the view. The town looks like it is straight out of a fairy tale. The colors are earthy and vibrant and the entire city is set amidst the gorgeous turquoise Adriatic Sea. Just a 10 minute walk into town and you feel like you have been transported back in time.

We quickly discovered that the pace of life in Rovinj is much different than back home. Here there is no rush. You walk slowly and take in the views, you drink your coffee leisurely to savor every sip, you take long swims in the sea and you mingle with locals and visitors to pass the time. We quickly settled into the pace of life and appreciated the opportunity to slow down.

Rovinj also presented us with countless opportunities to let go of plans and to embrace the beauty that surrounds us. We paddled around St. Katarina Island and several brave souls cliff jumped into the sea. We embraced the autumn air and experienced a sunset batana cruise. A batana is a traditional flat bottom wooden fishing vessel, we felt as though we had transported back in time when on board this fun boat. Even on the cloudy and rainy days it was impossible not to feel the energy and beauty of this seaside village. We walked through the town in search of the perfect local swimming hole and took a refreshing dip in the sea. We biked through the Golden Cape Park and lounged at the rooftop pool at our hotel.

It is rare to find a place as special as Rovinj. Visiting in mid-October definitely added to it's charm as there were very few tourists in town. We had a true locals feel of this Croatian town and I think it is safe to say the memories we created on this retreat will stick with us for a lifetime!