Croatia holidays in Istria
| country: | Croatia |
| location: | Istria |
| departures: | This trip can be tailor made all year around. Minimum two people |
| price: | From £969 - £1655 (8 days) excluding flights, minimum 2 people. We can arrange flights from the UK |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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introduction to Croatia holidays in Istria
Istria lies in the northwest corner of Croatia – a crossroads of culture and commerce, ruled in turn by Romans, Venetians, Hapsburgs and Italians, and until recently Yugoslavia. The legacy of its rich, turbulent history can still be seen today in the walled hilltop villages of central Istria; in the layout of vineyards and olive groves along the coast; in faded frescos and Gothic reliefs; and in the tiered, arched symmetry of a Roman amphitheatre.
Our gourmet Istria holiday invites you to experience Istria’s timeless rural landscape, its food and wine, its olive oil, its people and distinctive lifestyle. It features two private journeys:
The first is a relaxed, informal day trip that takes you to the vineyards and cellars of two of the area’s leading vintners. It includes your own personal driver and guide, all tastings and tours at the wine estates, a three-course lunch at our favourite country taverna and an informal city walk of the Venetian seaside town of Rovinj.
The second is a self-drive day trip that takes you to the peninsula’s heartland – to the medieval hilltop towns of Motovun, Grozjnan, Oprtalj and Zavrsje - and to the hamlet of Ipsa for an olive oil tasting and gourmet lunch. It includes a comprehensive itinerary with background and notes on each of the suggested destinations – how to get there, what to see and where to eat.
This holiday can be tailor-made to include a day or two of private cooking classes. The programme focuses on specialties of the region – pork, lamb, prosciutto and cheese, homemade pasta, black and white truffles, wild asparagus, seafood, figs and olives. Itineraries feature shopping at the farmers’ market in Pula, visits to local organic smallholdings, the Renaissance town of Svetvincenat and a guided city walk of Pula’s Roman ruins and Arena.
Stancija 1904 is a beautifully restored 100-year-old country estate in the heart of southern Istria near the Renaissance town of Svetvincenat. The property features a large three-bedroom traditional stone farmhouse and three smaller self-catering studio residences. All have been authentically restored with modern amenities, and enjoy the privacy of a walled country garden. Accommodation includes breakfast/brunch and optional half-board.
Hotel San Rocco is a family-run, boutique hotel offering first-class accommodation and dining in an elegant traditional environment. The property is located at the edge of a small quiet village just fifteen minutes from the coast. The courtyard and grounds are meticulously landscaped and feature a covered outdoor terrace and swimming pool with views of the sea and countryside. The hotel’s a la carte restaurant is one of the best in the area and specialises in slow-food Istrian cuisine.
Hotel Villa Annette is a stylish boutique hotel set above the Bay of Rabac on Istria’s stunning eastern coastline. A contemporary fusion of Mediterranean and Istrian traditions, the property features twelve generously-proportioned suites and terraces with mountain and sea views. Other amenities include a beautiful lagoon-shaped swimming pool, sun decks, restaurant and private hillside garden.
Casa Garzotto, tucked into a narrow, cobbled lane in the heart of Rovinj’s old medieval centre, offers four studio apartments in a restored nineteenth-century townhouse. Open plan sitting-dining-sleeping rooms evoke the simplicity and charm of a country inn. Features include French-style armoires and dressing tables, wrought-iron bedsteads, marble wash basins and open-hearth fireplaces.
Our gourmet Istria holiday invites you to experience Istria’s timeless rural landscape, its food and wine, its olive oil, its people and distinctive lifestyle. It features two private journeys:
The first is a relaxed, informal day trip that takes you to the vineyards and cellars of two of the area’s leading vintners. It includes your own personal driver and guide, all tastings and tours at the wine estates, a three-course lunch at our favourite country taverna and an informal city walk of the Venetian seaside town of Rovinj.
The second is a self-drive day trip that takes you to the peninsula’s heartland – to the medieval hilltop towns of Motovun, Grozjnan, Oprtalj and Zavrsje - and to the hamlet of Ipsa for an olive oil tasting and gourmet lunch. It includes a comprehensive itinerary with background and notes on each of the suggested destinations – how to get there, what to see and where to eat.
This holiday can be tailor-made to include a day or two of private cooking classes. The programme focuses on specialties of the region – pork, lamb, prosciutto and cheese, homemade pasta, black and white truffles, wild asparagus, seafood, figs and olives. Itineraries feature shopping at the farmers’ market in Pula, visits to local organic smallholdings, the Renaissance town of Svetvincenat and a guided city walk of Pula’s Roman ruins and Arena.
choice of accommodations
Stancija 1904 is a beautifully restored 100-year-old country estate in the heart of southern Istria near the Renaissance town of Svetvincenat. The property features a large three-bedroom traditional stone farmhouse and three smaller self-catering studio residences. All have been authentically restored with modern amenities, and enjoy the privacy of a walled country garden. Accommodation includes breakfast/brunch and optional half-board. Hotel San Rocco is a family-run, boutique hotel offering first-class accommodation and dining in an elegant traditional environment. The property is located at the edge of a small quiet village just fifteen minutes from the coast. The courtyard and grounds are meticulously landscaped and feature a covered outdoor terrace and swimming pool with views of the sea and countryside. The hotel’s a la carte restaurant is one of the best in the area and specialises in slow-food Istrian cuisine. Hotel Villa Annette is a stylish boutique hotel set above the Bay of Rabac on Istria’s stunning eastern coastline. A contemporary fusion of Mediterranean and Istrian traditions, the property features twelve generously-proportioned suites and terraces with mountain and sea views. Other amenities include a beautiful lagoon-shaped swimming pool, sun decks, restaurant and private hillside garden. Casa Garzotto, tucked into a narrow, cobbled lane in the heart of Rovinj’s old medieval centre, offers four studio apartments in a restored nineteenth-century townhouse. Open plan sitting-dining-sleeping rooms evoke the simplicity and charm of a country inn. Features include French-style armoires and dressing tables, wrought-iron bedsteads, marble wash basins and open-hearth fireplaces.tailormade holidays
As this trip can be tailormade to your requirements it would be helpful if you could you provide the following information: Rough budget per person (without flights), preferred date of travel, length of trip, number of passengers, specific interests, type of accommodation, your address, postcode and contact phone number.how this holiday makes a difference
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This holiday is designed for travellers to Croatia who wish to experience the lifestyle and culture of their destination. It is operated exclusively by locals – individuals, families and small businesses who have partnered with our company and who are uniquely positioned to tell their stories and present their destination from an insider’s point of view. Your host, cook, sommelier and guides are all local people, as are the vintners, olive oil producers and restaurant owners.
The relationships we are building with our partners in Istria support private initiative and give back to the communities. This in turn has a direct impact on the quality of experience our guests come away with. Our food and wine presentations, cookery courses and meals in local tavernas support endeavours to preserve and revive gastronomic traditions. The fish, meat, cheese and produce we use in our cookery courses and serve during this holiday is grown, fished or produced locally, using traditional, organic farming methods. This holiday is designed for couples or small groups of family and friends looking for a one-on-one experience of their destination. It highlights Croatia’s unspoilt natural beauty, traditional lifestyles and local culture. Because it encourages individual travel, its impact on the environment, services and infrastructure is negligible. The venue for our cookery classes – a 100-year-old country estate in the heart of southern Istria – is located on the edge of a small rural village. Its owners, active members of the community, have restored the complex in keeping with local traditions and building materials. A stone cistern, originally built for collecting rainwater, provides a natural source of water for irrigating the lawns and garden. Thick stone walls and insulted roofing materials keep the farmhouse and individual residences cool in the summer, precluding the need for energy consuming air-conditioning. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
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