A warm story about a little girl and her plush cat has been turned into the freshest postcard from Northwest Istria – in the new tourist video "Where is my cat" which connects Umag, Novigrad, Brtonigla, Buje, Motovun, Grožnjan, and Oprtalj in a single cinematic, almost feature-film narrative. Instead of a classic promotional collage, the authors chose an intimate family frame: the search for the toy leads us through stone alleys and loggias, across the coast and capes, all the way to the vineyards and olive groves in the hilly hinterland. Through play, the shots blend into experiences – a shared breakfast, cycling, swimming, conversations with locals – creating an image of the region that is equally strong in emotion and offer.

For the Northwest Istria cluster, the video is simultaneously a creative step forward and a communication framework: dynamic editing, refined photography, and a narrative modernize the recognizable "Mediterranean" iconography, but do not suppress it. Instead of emphasized tourist rhetoric, the visuals do all the talking: morning on the waterfront, the peace of the afternoon shade of pine trees, the evening golden light crossing over the stone walls and the sea. The focus is on the feeling and the authentic rhythm of the place, not on the mere enumeration of attractions.

Cinematic language that builds a destination

"Where is my cat" uses the dramaturgy of a simple children's search to naturally open up a series of micro-experiences: the sound of footsteps on the cobblestones leads to an atelier in Grožnjan, the sound of the waves opens a shot of a family walk along the waterfront in Novigrad, and the smell of the earth introduces the Brtonigla vineyards and olive groves. The camera movement has the logic of a travel map: from the coast to the interior, from a lively street to the silence of a hill, from speed to slowness. This approach avoids the "postcard" cliché and presents the destination as a whole in which each place contributes its own tone.

Sound is just as important as the image. Instead of pathos, what remains in the ears is the clinking of glasses in a tavern, the murmur of the market, music practice in the street, the ringing of bicycle bells, and the distant voice of a fisherman. The narration is restrained and warm, like a family holiday diary, which gives the film authenticity and makes it "watchable" even outside of tourist channels.

Umag and Novigrad: a coast that connects sports, sea, and family

Umag is recognized in the film by its combination of sports and everyday life: alongside night shots of the coast and tennis courts, there are early fishing returns, walks by the sea, and family swims. The town is accustomed to major sporting events, but its DNA is made up of the micro-routines of its inhabitants – morning coffee on the waterfront, a leisurely bike ride, swimming in the coves under the pine trees. Novigrad is more intimate: the ramparts and loggia, the small harbor with boats, and a series of restaurants that nurture fishing heritage alongside modern cooking techniques. For families, the coast of these two towns means safety, cleanliness, well-kept beaches, and plenty of shade – the perfect backdrop for a children's search that turns into a game.

The sea here is both a backdrop and content. Blue Flag beaches and long promenades stretch right next to the town center, while more hidden coves offer peace to those looking to escape the crowds. In the video, this counterpoint is read without words: shots of the "open" sea alternate with intimate scenes of pine shadows, children's games, and short breaks for ice cream.

Brtonigla and Buje: the land of wine, olives, and slow afternoons

When the search for the plush cat moves from the waterfront to the hills, the story takes us to Brtonigla and Buje – the land of wine and olive oil. Four types of soil, short distances, and a dense network of wine roads create the ideal itinerary for a "slow" afternoon: tasting rooms where conversation spontaneously extends, cellar wood that smells of history, olive groves where one learns the difference between oils, harvests, and varieties. The video translates this into emotion: a child stops and watches the drops of oil flow from the press, parents toast with a smile over a glass of Malvasia – a shot that explains why people come here and why they return.

Here, short distances are enough for great diversity: from the coast to the first hills is only about twenty minutes, and along the road are lined up taverns, family farms (OPGs), and small oil mills. From the perspective of destination marketing, this means that a "day trip" easily turns into a multi-day stay – each new bend brings a different atmosphere and a new stop.

Grožnjan, Motovun, and Oprtalj: little towns with a view and character

Grožnjan has been synonymous with art and music for decades – in the summer, its streets echo with rehearsals and small concerts, and galleries and ateliers open their doors to the curious. Motovun, on a hill above a sea of green waves, is one of the most powerful visual symbols of Istria; in the film, it appears as a backdrop for a family shot where time is measured in steps along the walls. Oprtalj is the quietest, but perhaps the most poetic: loggias, portals, and vistas that demand a slower pace – exactly the one at which the children's search moves.

The inclusion of these small towns along with the coast reinforces the film's main message: Northwest Istria is not an "either-or" destination, but an "and-and" experience. Sea and hills, art and sports, tradition and modernity – everything is a short distance away and available in the same day.

Active holiday: Parenzana and the network of cycling trails

The region is particularly friendly to cyclists: from family sections along the sea to climbs towards the hills, the trails are marked and varied, and the iconic Parenzana – a former narrow-gauge railway converted into a recreational route – is a symbol of connecting the coast and the interior. In the video, the bicycle appears as a leitmotif of freedom: children and parents glide through the landscape, the wind carries laughter, and the camera follows the rhythm of the pedals.

For families looking for their "first serious" route, the coastal sections offer flatter terrain and many places for a break, while more ambitious recreational cyclists will enjoy the serpentines towards Grožnjan and Motovun, with recognizable views of the valley and vineyards. Many hospitality providers have already adapted their offer for cyclists – from storage and basic tools to carbohydrate-rich meals.

Gastronomy: fuži, truffles, Malvasia, and olive oil

Istria is a gastronomic meeting point: within a short radius, there are markets with the daily catch, taverns with recipes from grandmothers' notebooks, modern bistro addresses, and fine dining that combines terroir and technique. The film does not "lecture" this mosaic with words, but suggests it with scenes – a glass of Malvasia at sunset, sparkling wine on the waterfront, a plate of fuži with truffles, fresh sardines in paper. In the descriptions and accompanying posts, the emphasis is on the words the audience is looking for: authentic, truffles, olive oil, cycling, family.

For flavor explorers, the northwest of the region also offers specific "signposts": the wine roads of Brtonigla and Buje, olive oil houses, workshops and guided tastings, and small, authentic taverns where a conversation with the host also gets you advice for tomorrow's route. In this dialogue, gastronomy ceases to be an "offer" and becomes an experience you take home.

Digital distribution and target audiences

"Where is my cat" is tailored for the channels where travel is discovered today: dynamic for social networks, narrative enough for YouTube and portals, and suitable for "snippets" that are easily shared and commented on. Short teasers serve as bait, and the full video as an invitation for deeper exploration. The emotional, family line particularly hits the domestic market, while the combination of landscape, gastronomy, and art resonates with an international audience seeking authentic, yet comfortable Mediterranean experiences.

In practice, this means that one click from the video leads to guides, maps, calendars, and accommodation overviews. When communication is conducted "in the same tone" across all channels – from official websites to social networks – the destination gains a recognizable voice and a clear "personality".

Cluster cohesion: a joint voice is stronger than individual messages

The project further emphasizes the importance of cooperation between tourist boards and the private sector. The Northwest Istria cluster has been an example of cooperative branding for years – an umbrella identity has been defined, and local tones are harmonized so that the message is recognizable in the domestic and international markets. In this video, this cohesion is seen in the way the shots merge: Umag and Novigrad lead towards Brtonigla and Buje, then the camera moves to Grožnjan, Motovun, and Oprtalj – without "seams", as a single entity.

Joint content planning brings long-term benefits: it is easier to develop year-round programs, distribute attendance, protect resources, and build sustainable growth, all while maintaining the specificity of each place. This video makes that strategy visible and – more importantly – readable to a wide audience.

How to "read" the video and turn it into your own itinerary

Let the beginning be the coast: a morning swim and the first coffee in Umag or Novigrad, a short bike ride along the promenade, and choosing a beach with gentle access. In the afternoon, shift your focus towards the interior – Brtonigla and Buje are ideal for wine roads and oil houses. In the early evening, choose one of the hills: Grožnjan for its street musicians and galleries, Motovun for a walk along the walls and the view, Oprtalj for its loggias and "breathing" silence.

Devote the second day to an active holiday: choose a section of the Parenzana adapted to your fitness level or "hike" the marked trails with vistas. The third day belongs to gastronomy and craft workshops: learn the difference between olive varieties, taste Malvasia and Teran, try fuži with truffles and fresh fish – and on the way back to the coast, catch another late afternoon swim. Leave the fourth day empty: surrender to improvisation and what the locals suggest over a glass of wine.

Seven places, one cinematic thread

Umag – sporting spirit, long promenade and waterfront, accessible beaches, and practical infrastructure for families and active guests.

Novigrad – compact old town, ramparts and loggia, a small harbor with boats, and an enviable gastronomic scene that has earned a reputation on the Adriatic.

Brtonigla – a mosaic of soils, craft wineries, and oil houses; ideal for a "slow" afternoon with a conversation that lingers.

Buje – entrance to the wine and olive landscapes; the proximity of Momjan and its Muscat adds extra character and a "sweet" end to the day.

Grožnjan – town of music and galleries; a place where it's easy to turn from a visitor into a participant.

Motovun – symbol of the hills; a walk along the walls and a "breathtaking" view are a reminder that in Istria, the horizon always offers a new shade of green.

Oprtalj – hidden and elegant; loggias, portals, and vistas that demand a slower walk and a camera ready for the "golden hour".

Practical links and video

The promotional video "Where is my cat" is available on the official channels, and additional information, thematic guides, maps, and inspiration can be found on the cluster's website. Watch the film and continue exploring: ► watch the video on YouTube and visit the official Colours of Istria website. For an overview of the peninsula's wider offer, the region's thematic guides are also useful, which are regularly updated and offer ideas for year-round planning.