Vespa Ride from Piran to a Persimmon Harvest

A November morning in Piran begins a little differently. At 8:30 AM, you’ll meet at Maona Gallery, Cankarjevo nabrežje 7, for an introduction to the experience, a brief overview of the Vespas, and preparations for the ride.

Once you're ready, you'll set off with your guide from Piran towards the Istrian countryside. The road takes you past villages, vineyards, and orchards, all transformed by the colours and atmosphere of late autumn. Your destination is Gramona Farm, where persimmons ripen in November.

Upon arrival, your hosts will welcome you and introduce you to the story behind this characteristic autumn fruit. You'll discover how persimmons grow, which varieties thrive in Slovenian Istria, how to recognise the perfect time for harvesting, and why these delicate fruits require a little more care than many others.

Before heading into the orchard, you'll also receive all the necessary instructions on harvesting techniques and equipment use.

From Tree to Crate

Next comes the most hands-on part of the day – harvesting persimmons in the orchards of Gramona Farm.

For approximately two and a half hours, you'll join the local farmers in picking persimmons and experience everyday life on an Istrian farm during the autumn harvest. You'll learn how to identify fruit ready for picking, carefully cut it from the tree, and arrange it in crates to prevent damage.

This is much more than a farm visit. It's an opportunity to roll up your sleeves, take part in the harvest, and become part of the autumn rhythm of the Istrian countryside for a few hours.

The harvesting experience includes:

• guided persimmon picking in the orchard,
• use of the necessary equipment,
• a demonstration of proper harvesting techniques,
• guidance and explanations from the local farmers,
• an introduction to persimmon varieties, ripening, and storage.

A Taste of Istria After the Harvest

After a morning in the orchard, it's time to relax over a traditional Istrian lunch at Gramona Farm.

The table will be filled with local and seasonal flavours that perfectly complement the atmosphere of late autumn. Lunch is followed by a persimmon tasting and a conversation with your host.

You'll discover how persimmons change as they ripen, how to store them properly, and the different ways locals incorporate them into their cuisine. Depending on the farm's seasonal selection, the tasting may include fresh persimmons or a variety of persimmon-based products.

The culinary experience includes:

• traditional Istrian lunch,
• a non-alcoholic drink,
• a tasting of persimmons and/or persimmon products,
• an introduction to their uses and ripening process.

Each participant will also receive a small gift from the farm as a keepsake.

An Autumn Ride Back to the Sea

After your visit to Gramona Farm, you'll hop back onto your Vespas and head towards Piran.

The return journey is all about enjoying the ride through the Istrian hinterland, where charming villages, vineyards, olive groves, and orchards create an ever-changing landscape. In November, the countryside is quieter, softer, and painted in autumn colours, making the ride a completely different experience from the summer months.

You'll return to Piran at approximately 3:00–3:30 PM.

The experience lasts around 6–7 hours, combining a Vespa ride, hands-on farm activities, encounters with local people, and the seasonal cuisine of Slovenian Istria.

Available: November

Additional Information

This is a seasonal experience, subject to persimmon ripeness and weather conditions. The programme may be slightly adjusted depending on conditions at the farm.

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