Istria is the heart-shaped peninsula located in the northwestern portion of Croatia that juts out into the Adriatic Sea across from Venice. This is perhaps the country's most popular region with a rocky coastline dotted with historic coastal towns and resorts, an interior of rolling hills and medieval hilltop villages, breathtaking views and great food and wines. During the summer months Istria becomes crowded with vacationing Central Europeans who flock to its beaches and resort areas. Due to the historic influence of Venice, Italian is widely spoken here. On the 14th day of our tour, a group of us took a day-long excursion inland to visit two of the region's famous medieval hilltop villages: Motovun and Hum.