The day started with a classy b’fast at the hotel – table service instead of the usual buffet zoo. Barbara the guide from yesterday met us at the lobby and walked us to the parking lot on the edge of the ‘pedestrianised’ Town centre. The area of the small streets and alleyways was declared car free some time ago and enforced by installing hydraulic bollards. In the van and away for an hours drive to Groznjan (wiki ref here).
A hilltop Town and a tourist destination, the small streets and compact style make for easy navigation if you don’t mind big cobblestones that make for cautious walking. Quoting wiki, “Grožnjan is today known as “Town of artists”. It has about 20 art galleries, it hosts summer film school, and it has become an international center of Croatian music youth. Grožnjan has an annual jazz festival “Jazz is Back-BP”, that was 
started by Boško Petrović, attracting international musicians, such as Georgie Fame in 2007, Mike Sponza. In 2008 it won the European award for best small jazz festival.” Not just a music Town it is home to many artists and artisans who sell their works from their small galleries. It is obviously a stop on the “tourist train” as there were many buses parked on the road.
On to Motovun (wiki ref here) another hilltop Town. This area is famous for it Truffles (wiki ref here). These delicacies were on the lunch that had been arranged. A truffle hors d’oevres was first a black mix of ground truffles capers and something else was placed on the table to be eaten with bread and a touch of olive oil. Next was the first course of the four course meal – a green salad topped with very thinly sliced truffles. The second course was a creamy pasta again topped with sliced truffles. The third course was a sliced steak with roasted potatoes, again topped with sliced truffles and lastly the dessert was a creamy flan with crem – no truffles. Note to readers pics of the courses are in the days pics. The conclusion was that the truffles looked good but few of could discern the taste or even smell the supposed aroma. The waiter seemed upset when we refused wine – not in the meal so no order. The architecture was mediaeval as expected but they did have a ‘walk the walls’ route which was where we experienced great views of the valley. Also on house, with a plaque, was where Mario Andretti was born – a local piece of modern fame.
Back to Rovinj where shopping for a Tshirt was on the agenda, we found one. One thing noted here was the lack of the usual tacky souvenir stores – this place was full of upscale clothing stores selling Italian fashion. Not surprising considering that the County was part of Italy until 1947. Not hungry due to the four course meal, we meandered back to the hotel.
Tomorrow a trip to the National Park and the next hotel – Split here we come.