Luxury Holidays in Istria

Where is Istria?

Istria is Croatia's most western region and largest peninsula. It has over 500 kilometers of coastline that hides numerous bays, beaches and coves with crystal clear sea just waiting for you to discover them and dive in.

Istrian coast

Istria's inland is over 35% covered with forest and almost every town is situated on a hill, surrounded by vineyards and olive trees.

The excellent network of highways and motorways, Istrian Y, crisscrossing the peninsula makes navigating through this beautiful region easy.

Also, having 3 international airports nearby, Trieste, Pula, and Rijeka has made it a popular airline destination in the last couple of years.

Must-visit Towns in Istria

If you are planning to visit Istria be sure not to miss cities like Porec, a charming place most famous for its UNESCO-protected Euphrasian Basilica, Rovinj, a picture-postcard town surrounded by sea on three sides that will mesmerize every visitor, to Pula, the largest town in Istria and home of the only Roman Amphitheater that have four side towers entirely preserved.

Roman Amphitheater in Pula from pixabay.com

Also, Istrian inland is a true undiscovered gem. It's becoming more and more popular among travelers. Charming medieval towns like Motovun or Buzet sit on top of the hill, overlooking fruitful Istrian land filled with vineyards and olive groves.

Town of Motovun from pixabay.com

Motovun hosts an International movie festival every year at the end of July or the beginning of August. While in Buzet visit the world's smallest town, Hum. According to the latest census, Hum had just 30 citizens. Buzet, the center of the Istrian truffle region, is an excellent destination to taste this world-class delicacy.

Istria Nature Parks

In Istria, you will find several amazing places of untouched nature and unparalleled beauty.

Istrian countryside from pixabay.com

One such place, National Park Brijuni is made of 14 small islands in front of the coast of Pula.

If you visit Brijuni islands you will see beautiful nature and wildlife that roams freely. You can discover many archaeological treasures on the islands. From Roman Villa Rustica to the Gothic Church of St. German from 1481 testify to the long and rich history of the Brijuni islands' inhabitants. Also, you can visit the dinosaur fossils from the Cretaceous period.

Brijuni National Park from pixabay.com

Nature Park Ucka, named after the mountain it is located on and that dominates the Istrian peninsula is special for its meadows rich with numerous endemic, endangered, and protected plant and animal species. From its highest point, Vojak, you can see the whole Istraian peninsula, Kvarner island, and even the Italian Alps. Ucka Nature Park is an ideal place for hiking enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Nature Park Ucka from commons.wikimedia.org, author Ana-Marija V. B.

Lim Bay is a protected marine reserve located near Vrsar. Although the waters of Lim Bay reach only 13 kilometers inland, this sunken karst valley extends all the way to Pazin town and creates a larger Lim Cove. The total length of Lim Bay and its land extension is some 35 kilometers long.

The bay is famous for its shellfish farms. Many restaurants along the Istrian coast serve excellent dishes from shells from Lim Bay.

Lim Bay from commons.wikimedia.org, author Aconcagua (talk)

Where to stay during your luxury holidays in Istria

Needless to say, you will need a place to stay on your luxury holidays in Istria. You can find numerous villas in Istria, both on the coast and inland. Here are some of our top choices!

Luxury Villa La Bellissima with Pool

This magnificent 5-star villa with a royal-like sea view is situated near Vrsar. Overlooking Lim Bay, this villa is perfect for indulgence in privacy, far away from curious glances.

Luxury Villa La Bellissima with Pool

Once you reach this 3780m2 large property you will be amazed by its beauty. Luxury vacation home boasts 5 luxury bedrooms and sleeps up to 10 persons.

Luxury Villa La Bellissima with Pool

The modern interior and exterior of the villa will surely leave you breathless.

Luxury Villa Majestic with Pool

Luxury Villa Majestic with Pool

Luxury Villa Majestic is an ideal choice for all looking to spend a peaceful vacation surrounded by every luxury imaginable.

Luxury Villa Majestic with Pool

This beautiful modern villa for 10 people sits on the slope of a quiet peninsula near the tourist town Rabac and offers an unforgettable view of the protected bay.

Energy Villas Complex

Energy Villas Complex

Villas complex consists of 3 private villas in Central Istria. It can accommodate up to 34 guests at a time.

This complex is a perfect choice for large groups. Several families traveling together or travelers on a special-themed trip to Croatia here will feel comfortable and have fun. Energy Villas Complex near Pula is the perfect place to hold a private party or a wedding celebration.

Energy Villas Complex

The complex of 3 private villas is located on a large property of 11,000 m2. The property includes a private forest with beautiful trails and benches for relaxing in nature.

Energy Villas Complex

Next, you will find a golf pitch, a volleyball court, a bocce (petanque) court, and a badminton court.

What to do on holidays in Istria

If you would like to stay active during your vacation, Istria has many well-maintained cycling and hiking routes. One of the cycling routes with the most beautiful scenery is surely route Flanatica.

Cycling route from pixabay.com

This, 35 kilometers long route runs through amazing Istrian inland and offers magnificent scenery for all cycling on it. You can also observe the astonishing sea views from the high points.

Istria has a few adrenaline parks for a full adrenaline experience, offering an ultimate experience to all who dare to try out their courses. Different difficulty levels, from children-appropriate courses to trails suited for hardened veterans of adrenaline fused vacation, allow everyone to partake in these activities.

Paragliding from pixabay.com

Glavani Adrenaline Park near Vodnjan has one of the toughest trails, Devil`s Passage, for true adrenaline seekers. The course consists of 120 meters long zip line (the highest part of the zip line is 20 meters above the ground). Then follows the most demanding part, the suspension bridge with a unicycle.

After a full day of various activities and exploring this beautiful Croatian region, you will surely be famished. Here are a couple of Istrian delicacies you could try.

Traditional Istrian dishes you should try

It is not a complete vacation if you do not experience Istrian cuisine and wines.

Truffles are surely the world-famous Istrian delicacy. You can find both kinds of truffles (white and black) in Istria.

Truffle season lasts from September to December, but truffle products can be tasted year-round. Look for restaurants and taverns with the sign “Tartufo vero”. This sign means they are recognized as places where this delicacy and guests are treated with respect.

Pasta with truffles from pixabay.com

Mussels are found locally, which means they are fresh and often prepared “on buzara” (gently cooked in white wine, olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs). Also, they can be grilled and served au gratin. As mentioned before, the best mussels in Istria are farmed in Lim Bay.

Mussels from Hippopx.com

Fritaja is a Istrian dish similar to omelet. What sets this dish apart from classic omelets are the ingredients added to mixed eggs. So you have Fritaja made for eggs and mushrooms or ham and even with bacon. But especially delicious Fritaja is made with fresh asparagus and spring onions.

You have to visit Istria in spring, the asparagus season, to taste this delicious dish.

Fritaja from commons.wikimedia.org, author TICKoper

Supa is an old traditional dish prepared in Istrian houses for centuries. Nowadays this interesting dish is a bit harder to find on the menu.

To prepare true Istrian Supa you will need a ceramic jug in which you add olive oil, sugar, and black pepper. You then pour war red wine over the ingredients and add slightly over toasted bread into the mixture. This traditional Istrian dish is often considered a true Istrian comfort food.

Manestra from Hippopx.com

Manestra was the main dish in Istrian households in the past. This dish originated from the necessity and frugality of Istrian housewives.

Since food was scarce in the past almost everything eatable in the house was put in the pot and cooked. In this way rich and hearty dish was provided at minimum cost. The base of Istrian Manestra is boiled potatoes and beans. Corn is also added with various vegetables. Although the ingredients are suited for vegetarians, Manestra is often prepared with bits of cooked dried meat to add to the flavor.

We hope you have enjoyed our blog about Istria and that you will choose to visit this beautiful region soon. Be sure to write us about your dream holidays in Istria!