{"id":8023,"date":"2023-10-03T16:47:33","date_gmt":"2023-10-03T15:47:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mylifelongholiday.com\/?p=8023"},"modified":"2023-10-14T13:50:09","modified_gmt":"2023-10-14T12:50:09","slug":"istria-croatia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mylifelongholiday.com\/istria-croatia\/","title":{"rendered":"Discovering Istria, Croatia: Insider Tips For An Unforgettable Holiday"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Nestled at the northern edge of the Adriatic Sea, Istria in Croatia is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, an adventure seeker or just a beach-loving holiday maker, the Istria peninsula beckons with open arms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Picture charming coastal towns bathed in the warm glow of the Mediterranean sun, rolling vineyards, vibrant cities and diverse landscapes – there really is something in Istria, Croatia, for every traveller. Add to all of that a rich tapestry of traditions to enjoy that have been woven into the fabric of the enchanting Istrian peninsula. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plus, it’s a food-lovers paradise with a farm-to-table philosophy, a thriving wine culture, and some of the finest seafood, olive oil and truffles in the world. You certainly won’t go hungry on your tour of Istria, Croatia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In our comprehensive guide, we’ll unveil the secrets of Istria, help you figure out where to stay, and provide you with all of the essential information to make your time in Istria, Croatia, unforgettable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Everything You Need To Know About Istria, Croatia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

THE HISTORY<\/strong> OF ISTRIA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ancient history has Istria beginning with a tribe called the Histri’s, which of course is where the name Istria originated. But come the 2nd century the Istrian peninsula was conquered by the Roman Empire leaving the most indelible heritage that survives to this day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Istria’s location on the Adriatic Sea made it a strategically important hub with strong trade routes and a massive contribution to the Roman Empire’s prosperity. This lasting heritage continues to be a prominent part of the region’s identity, from the poker straight roads, towns built out of Roman wealth, a proper Italian vibe, and impressive Roman structures like the well-preserved amphitheater in Pula. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More recently in the history books of Istria, the Habsburg Dynasty, specifically the Austro-Hungarian Empire, left golden threads of cultural evidence in the opulent Istrian Riviera town of Opatija. And, of course, its unfortunate involvement with the war in Yugoslavia has left a few scars that the region is only just recovering from in some respects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, if you have ever visited other parts of Croatia further South and noticed the ghost towns and half-built hotels that were reverberations of the war in Croatia, the region of Istria is not like that at all. Istria wasn’t affected as badly by the war and you won’t find overgrown shelled-out buildings or the ugly remnants of former Yugoslavia. The Venetian-style towns and villages still stand, and being an area that has always relied economically on small-scale tourism rather than industry, Istria has emerged relatively unscathed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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THE GEOGRAPHY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Istrian peninsula is a distinctive triangular shape jutting out from the Northern end of the Croatian coastline. And, whilst the interior is a lush combination of vineyards, olive groves, and ancient hilltop towns, the fringes of Istria are made up with beach towns, fishing villages and important Venetian cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s quick and easy to cross the Istrian peninsula by car as the roads are well-maintained and quiet. But if you want to visit Istria and not hire a car, you may be limited to the coastline and larger towns if you are relying on public transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Where To Stay In Istria, Croatia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Croatian peninsula of Istria is abundant with places to stay, it really does just depend on what kind of holiday you are after. We have visited several times and also broken our holiday up into sections before, so we really do have some fantastic experiences to share with you. Honestly though, it would be difficult to go wrong with where to stay in Istria – all of the towns are wonderful and unique in their own way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF ISTRIA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our first holiday in Istria was two weeks of road-tripping with a pretty packed itinerary and a desire to really get to know the area. So, we chose a central location, and really lucked out! We booked Villa Borgo<\/a> in the ancient hilltop town of Motovun<\/strong> and had no regrets. We received the warmest welcome, ate our breakfasts with the most incredible view, and appreciated that nowhere was too far away for day trips. The town of Motovun itself was a delight too and we had no idea before our trip how much great food there is in this area, especially Motovun. We would definitely recommend Villa Borgo<\/a>, or anywhere in Motovun<\/a>, if you were visiting Istria to explore and make day trips. The town is laden with great places to eat too, so you’d never run out of choice.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Breakfast on the terrace at Villa Borgo in Motovun<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We wrote more about the town of Motovun in this<\/a> post<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FAZANA – A QUIET RESORT IN AN OLD FISHING VILLAGE WITH GREAT ACCESS TO ISTRIA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second time we were visiting Istria, with kids and grandparents, we were seeking a beach town for relaxing days and a location that worked for day trips. It was also important the town had enough going on so that evenings would be fun and there were plenty of restaurant options. We had already scoped out Fazana<\/a> on a previous tour of Istria and knew this was the perfect spot!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fazana<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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We stayed at this 5 bedroom holiday home<\/a> <\/strong>and could not fault it. It was close enough to the beach to let the teenagers off on their own and just a short walk for us adults back from the local restaurants at night. But in Fazana you are spoiled for choice with accommodation, covering every budget too. Check out the best deals on hotels, villas and apartments in Fazana here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fazana would also be a good option if you were visiting Istria without a car as you are not too far from Pula airport and a taxi would not be too expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A LUXURY EXPERIENCE IN ISTRIA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have plans to return to the Istrian coast soon for a short romantic break and have our eye on a beautiful hotel that is part of the Small Luxury Hotel Collection. The Palazzo Rains Hotel <\/a><\/strong>is for adults only and has a spa and the most luxuriously dressed rooms. And with not many plans to actually do anything, except maybe a short trip out to one of our favourite romantic villages in Istria, Groznjan<\/strong>, we would be quite happy to let the staff at the Palazzo take care of us for a few days. There’s also the Moreno Ivancic<\/strong> Winery<\/strong> within walking distance and the local town of Novigrad<\/strong> is really cute too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Alternatively, book yourself a stay in the town of Opatija<\/a><\/strong>, the Istrian riviera town on the northeast coast. Opatija has long been known as the Saint Tropez of Istria and is teeming with Oligarchs, luxury chocolate shops, and boutique shopping opportunities. There are plenty of luxury hotels and most of them with incredible views over the Kvarner Gulf. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay at the beautiful, yet very reasonable, beachfront Grand Hotel Adriatic<\/strong><\/a> and take advantage of their breakfast and dinner package for a really relaxed holiday in Istria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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OTHER POPULAR PLACES TO STAY IN ISTRIA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some other popular choices of places to stay in Istria would be the picture-perfect coastal city of Rovinj <\/strong>and the well-equipped resort town of Porec<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not too unlike Dubrovnik, the enchanting city of Rovinj is an old Venetian fortified city right on the water’s edge. Complete with terracotta rooftop views, narrow cobbled streets, and hidden bars that cling to the city walls, Rovinj is a popular spot for aesthetics! And whilst it can get a little crowded, it’s nothing like its Southern sister Dubrovnik, and the buzz of the place just adds to the charm. The downside – expect a cobbled-climb with your bags to your hotel, and by nature of the architecture hotel rooms can be a little cramped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Porec, on the other hand, has a lot of purpose-built hotels and has been catering to the tourism industry since the mid-80s. Expect a much livelier nightlife in Porec and popular cuisine choices along the water’s edge, but it’s by no means a Benidorm or Magaluf. Porec has a well-preserved old town with historical UNESCO sites, and a beautiful coastline with scenic landscapes and some of the best beaches in Istria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n