ISTRIA
Imagine yourself in a rustic, unspoilt landscape of rolling hills, medieval hilltop towns, malvasija vineyards and olive groves as far as the eye can see, and then picture all of this surrounded by the sparkling Adriatic Sea. Welcome to Istria!
The small heart shaped peninsula of Istria is located in the north-east tip of the Adriatic. If you are in search of a cultural and gourmet retreat in Croatia, far from the madding "Game Of Thrones" crowds, then look no further. It is a land of plenty, with it's intricate web of olive oil roads, wine roads, truffle laden forests, and generous coastline. Steeped in history, you have the opportunity to literally walk in the footsteps of the Romans, Byzantines, Venetians and Austro-Hungarians as you explore the cultural gifts of bygone empires.
If you are seeking an active holiday, then all the amenities that you could wish for lie within close reach: from sailing and water-sports, to endless cycling routes through tuscan-esque landscape and golf courses to keep your handicap up to par. Having built up an appetite from all that exercise, you will find yourself totally spoilt for choice when it comes to food options, with superb fine dining restaurants, in addition to high quality traditional "konobas", eager to offer you the bounty of this great region, everything from steaming plates of home-made pasta topped with shaved truffles galore to the Adriatic's freshest catch of the day.
It is a land that is so very easy to fall in love with, as I myself have ... I invite you to join us at Villas Oliva or Picholine and experience terra magica for yourself!
BAREDINE, KRASICA & SURROUNDINGS
Villa Oliva is located in Krasica, and Villa Picholine sits just across the valley in Baredine. Both villas are just a few kilometres from the charming hillside "art colony" of Groznjan, and less than 20km from the historic medieval walled town of Motovun.
If you are looking to explore the Adriatic coastline, the charming fishing villages and towns of Novigrad and Umag, along with their Blue Flag designated beaches, are within 20km.
The culturally rich towns of Pula, with its famous roman amphitheatre, Rovinj, the picturesque "little Venice" of Croatia, and Porec, with its extraordinary Euphrasian Basilica, are all within an hours drive.
