The self-styled smallest town in the world, the Istrian hilltop community of Hum (pop: 52) is also famous for its mistletoe-flavoured grappa, known as biska. Apparently concocted according to an ancient recipe originally from Hum and now available all over Istria, biska was originally used as a medicine.
It is one of many flavoured grappas being showcased at the Rakija Festival being held in Hum on October 28, rakija being the local term for this kind of spirit. Dozens of producers come from around the region to offer rakija varieties such as honey, walnut and sour-cherry.
Accordion players add to the atmosphere as visitors negotiate the narrow streets of Hum, stopping off to sample a different rakija from one of the many stalls dotted around the walled medieval town.