Ben Fogle Discovers Authentic Istria
2.6.2026
One of the United Kingdom’s most renowned travel writers, television presenters, and advocates of sustainable living, Ben Fogle, visited Istria, where he explored some of the peninsula’s most important natural, cultural, and gastronomic treasures.
Fogle, known to millions of viewers around the world through the BBC series New Lives in the Wild, began his journey in Pula, where he toured the Arena, visited the Aquarium, and explored the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre. The programme continued on the Brijuni Islands and in Vodnjan, where he visited the family-run Chiavalon estate.
His stay in Rovinj offered an encounter with the Mediterranean spirit of Istria. A walk through the old town’s narrow streets, views of St. Euphemia’s Church, and the story of the traditional batana boat and the Batana Eco-Museum—which preserves Rovinj’s fishing heritage and is protected by UNESCO—further highlighted the importance of safeguarding local identity in an era of global tourism trends.
The journey then continued into the interior of the peninsula, to Motovun and the Motovun Forest, where Fogle discovered a completely different side of Istria. The final stage of the tour included visits to Grožnjan and Momjan.
During his visit, Ben Fogle emphasized that he is increasingly drawn to destinations that have managed to preserve their authenticity, noting that this was precisely the impression he gained of Istria.
“I have travelled to some of the most remote places in the world, but what I seek most today are not spectacular sights, but places that have remained true to themselves. That is exactly what I found in Istria – a sense of authenticity that cannot be artificially created.”
