Recommended by Lonely Planet
The stunning heart shaped peninsula of Istria is tucked into the north west corner of Croatia, just two and a half hours by catamaran across the Adriatic from Venice. Lonely Planet placed the Istria region at number two position in its ‘Best in Travel 2011’ list.
When describing Istria, many travel writers mention the similarities with Tuscany: pretty little hilltop villages with churches and towers, medieval towns, cobbled streets, terracotta roofs and lush, rolling green valleys bursting with vineyards and olive groves. There are numerous bays, coves and islands, fantastic award winning wines and olive oil so good they’re on sale in Paris. Some of the best restaurants in Croatia are in the Istria region together with numerous festivals of food, wine, music, dance and sport, so it’s easy to see why the Lonely Planet experts were so impressed. There’s a riding ranch not far from Pula, Medulin & Banjole where you can swim in the sea with the horses.
PULA
is the capital of the Istria region and is probably best known for the jaw droppingly impressive first century Roman amphitheatre, the sixth largest in the world and, built from local stone. Intact and lovingly maintained, the amphitheatre is home to the Croatian Film Festival and the Histria festival featuring world class artistes who usually perform in July and August. In recent years headliners have included Gloria Gaynor, Sir Elton John, Michael Bolton and Jose Carreras.
The oldest part of the city also contains Roman walls, the Triumphal Arch of Sergius, the ancient Forum and the Temple of Augustus.
With a population of around 50,000 Pula is a real working town with some good nightlife and a shipyard still turning out freighters and cruise ships. The Verudela area, where our hotels are located, has Pula’s best beaches, sports facilities and coastal walking paths.
VRSAR
is a picturesque hilltop village near the mouth of the beautiful Lim Fjord, famous as it is one of the few fjords in southern Europe. Vrsar is a labyrinth of patios, squares and alleyways. It’s said that Casanova was a frequent visitor here to serenade his conquests and there’s a ‘Casanova Walk’ through the centre of the village. The large marina boasts some excellent fish restaurants and one of Croatia’s most celebrated sculptors, the late Dusan Dzamonja, has his sculpture park in the garden of his home just a 20 minute walk away.
MEDULIN
is a pretty little resort about 10 kms from Pula, connected by a good bus service. Its traditional stone houses and jumble of cobbled alleyways create a ‘villagey’ feel, yet it boasts a good selection of bars, cafés, restaurants and shops.
Hotels are located along the waterfront where wide lawns and gardens reach down to the shore. Unusually for Croatia there is a sandy beach alongside some of the pebbly coves, and water taxis can be hired by the hour or longer to take you out to Ceja island. Cape Kamenjak Nature Park is close by with a variety of secluded bays and beaches.
ROVINJ
was once an island, is now a peninsula and is renowned as one of the prettiest spots on the Croatian Adriatic. The old town is a weave of tiny streets where washing is hung out above the many galleries (artists started coming to Rovinj in the 1950s) and the architecture is a mix of Venetian, Gothic and Baroque. The church of St Euphemia stands at the top of the hill. There are some fantastic bars and restaurants and a buzzing evening scene especially in high season. Every June, Rovinj gets dancing as it hosts the Croatian Summer Salsa Festival, now in its eighth year. Our guests staying at hotels Istra, Eden and Park will receive a free ticket to attend one salsa event (three and six days passes can be bought in resort).
POREC
is probably the best known resort on the Istrian coast and a long standing favourite of visitors from Britain. Known as Parentium in Roman times, the Basilica of Euphrasius is a UNESCO World Heritage site where there are frequent concerts among the exquisite mosaics. There are pretty piazzas and beautiful gardens at almost every turn and Porec is a regular winner of tourism awards for best kept resort. Some quirky bars and eateries exist – we will just say “look out for the towers with rooftop terraces”. An excellent daily market just off Trg J. Rakovca is the place to stock up on ingredients for picnics, and the island of Sveti (Saint) Nikola, just a five minute shuttle boat away, is a great place for sunbathing and swimming in addition to the resort’s own beach areas. Guests staying in Valamar Riviera, Diamant, Club Tamaris and Island Fortuna hotels will receive a free ticket to one of the Valamar Jazz Festival concerts in early July.
FAZANA
is a small fishing village with its very own sardine academy where visitors can join in workshops, talks and even go out with local fishermen in their boats. A pretty seafront of pastel coloured houses and a choice of bars, restaurants and small shops in a quiet resort. There are some good beaches and the famous Brijuni islands are just a 20 minute boat ride away where you can learn about Tito’s time in residence there. Visit the safari park and dinosaur footprints, explore the Roman ruins, enjoy a round of golf on the 18 hole course or find your very own private cove for a day of relaxation and swimming. The village of Vodnjan, five minutes from Fazana is home to Chavalion olive oil producers, recently placed in the top three of the world’s best.
SAVUDRIJA
is a pretty fishing village, a tranquil spot, with a few bars and restaurants and the oldest lighthouse in Croatia, built in 1818, the most northerly one too. The village is close to the border with Slovenia and the lights of Portoroz (in Slovenia) are clear, just across the water from the Kempinski Adriatic hotel. Good location for exploring the inland, hilltop villages including Motovun and the surrounding forest famous for truffles.
A local bus service operates along the coast connecting most resorts.
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