Welcome to Istria – the region of the finest olives
Olive oil in Istria is always regarded with a deep feeling of reverence and an understanding that the finest olive oil could not be produced here without the interplay of the microclimate, soil quality, human care and attention, and a thousand-year-old tradition. For an authentic experience, taste the best Istrian olive oils in taverns owned by famous olive oil makers, who will tell you all about the rules of pairing different varieties of olive oil with well-known delicacies.
The tradition of olive growing in Istria is more than two thousand years old, ever since the ancient Romans realised that Istria had the perfect conditions for olive trees to thrive in. Testimony to this fact can be seen in the many sites of mills and presses from the age of classical antiquity, as well as the many amphorae used to store and transport olive oil.
Since then, Istria has grown into a true olive-growing region with global relevance. Many olive growers from Istria have been awarded the most prestigious prizes for their oils at numerous international competitions. The influential Flos Olei magazine has pronounced Istria the world’s best region for olive growing no fewer than six times.
There are many olive varieties in Istria. The imported ones include Leccino and Pendolino, while some of the best-known local varieties are Buža, Istarska Bjelica, Crnica, Oblica and Rošinjola. Each of these varieties results in olive oil that has its own unique story – some are gentle and so subtle that you’ll keep wanting more, while some are so pungent that just a few drops are enough.
Olive oil is the main ingredient of Mediterranean cuisine. A drop of good-quality olive oil elevates the flavour of many delicacies, but be careful when you use it – mild oils pair well with fish and salads, whereas the more pungent ones work better with meat, stews and spicy dishes. Did you know that some oils pair perfectly with desserts, like the local Oblica variety?
Join us on our visit to the carefully selected and world-renowned oil mills and try the world’s best olive oils with soft home-made bread, guided by professionals who will tell you all about the rules of pairing different varieties of olive oil with well-known delicacies.
For more information, please contact the concierge. They will be happy to help.
Holidays in Istria
The modern rooms are located right by the sea, ascending along a gentle slope with a beautiful view of the 18 islands of the Vrsar archipelago. In just a few minutes of easy walking along the seafront promenade, you will reach the centre of Vrsar, or explore the surroundings by bike. You can relax and have fun on the natural beaches or at the large swimming pool with a water slide in the centre of the resort.
Enjoying sweeping views of the sea and the islands of the Rovinj archipelago from our modern suites, followed by breakfast in a historic villa – can you think of a better way to start your day? To top it off, treat yourself with a visit to Island Wellness & Spa for maximum relaxation. With miles of promenades and beaches as well as restaurants and bars, this is one place you will want to come back and visit again.
Camp at this top-quality resort with natural beaches in the shade of fragrant pine trees overlooking Rovinj, and enjoy all the amenities on offer. Choose from spacious pitches with electricity, water and drainage hook-ups, comfortable mobile homes with private terraces, and 20 glamping tents. There are also three outdoor swimming pools by the sea, and restaurants and bars for refreshments. A fantastic entertainment programme for children and teenagers, as well as an excellent choice of sports on land and water, will make your holiday at this campsite fulfilling and revitalising.
Koversada Naturist Park is located at the entrance to the beautiful Lim Bay, surrounded by a typical Mediterranean landscape, the sea and natural beaches. This campsite with the longest naturist tradition in Europe is a relaxing paradise in the heart of pristine nature, offering a variety of accommodation choices: from camping places and pitches, comfortable mobile homes, tents on the car-free island of Koversada, to rooms and suites in bungalows. Explore the local flavours of Istria in our restaurants and bars, and enjoy an active holiday with our sports and entertainment activities.
Maistra’s largest campsite, Polari, is located in a serene bay near the town of Rovinj, where you can wake up surrounded by the sea, centuries-old olive trees, rows of cypresses and a fragrant pine forest. The campsite features numerous sports and entertainment activities for the whole family, a large pool complex and spray park, natural beaches, and bars and restaurants for quick refreshments during the day, or dinner savouring the local specialities. Rovinj is only 3.5 km away and can be reached by bike or on foot along the coastal cycling and walking trail.
If you ever feel like spending time in Istria, Porto Sole Campsite is open throughout the year. You can stay on pitches by the sea or in mobile homes embodying the special ambience of a winter holiday surrounded by nature. Explore the charming town of Vrsar not far from the camp, or roam around the beautiful countryside cycling along the attractive nearby trails. Besides the diving club and outdoor fitness zone, the campsite offers a wide range of sports amenities by the beaches and pools.
Valkanela Campsite is situated in a beautiful bay with a view of Vrsar and the islands. Here you can find a unique offer of amenities and entertainment for a great family holiday. Choose from accommodation on well-positioned spacious pitches or in comfortable mobile homes with a shared pool or private hydro-massage bathtub on the terrace. The campsite features attractive natural beaches, a pool complex, and restaurants and bars right by the sea and pools.
Visit the campsite situated in a peaceful bay with the most beautiful pebbled beach, just five kilometres from Rovinj. Choose from well-equipped pitches up to 140 sq. metres in size and comfortable mobile homes with a terrace. Alongside diving, an aqua park and an array of water sports, the campsite also offers a large swimming pool complex and a spray park. The attractive locations by the beach and the pools feature restaurants and bars serving local specialities and your favourite beverages.
You will find endless opportunities for exploration and fun as soon as you set foot in the most modern family hotel in Croatia and your children see the big blue climbing net and immediately embark on an adventure. The Family Hotel Amarin is located on a green peninsula in a Mediterranean park with playgrounds for outdoor entertainment. Most of the 280 rooms offer great views of the sea or the town of Rovinj. Explore the beaches around the hotel, check out the fun and educational programmes of the unique Amarin Kids Club, and try the spa treatments for children and adults.
The Grand Park Hotel Rovinj provides a holiday experience that comes to life. It is harmoniously situated on Rovinj’s eastern shore, offering remarkable vistas of its old town and a revitalising wellness & spa experience. The Grand Park hides many small pleasures. Take time to discover them.
This chic boutique hotel is located in Rovinj’s historic centre and is entirely inspired by art. Every part of the hotel is decorated with art by Croatian artists made exclusively for the hotel. And if you feel inspired to create a piece of your own, the view of Rovinj’s rooftops from your room is an excellent motif with which to start.
A unique hotel with a charming atmosphere located in Lone Bay, in the shade of the fragrant Golden Cape forest park. With first-class service and a long tradition of individual approach to every guest, you can relax to the fullest with our Mediterranean beauty treatments and fragrances of Istria at our wellness and spa centre or stay active by playing tennis, swimming or cycling.
Combining a unique and functional design over six floors, located by the sea and the centuries-old Golden Cape forest park, this hotel is a year-round leisure and business destination. Just like a contemporary art museum, every detail of the Hotel Lone, awakens your desire to explore.
Enjoy the carefully curated cuisine in one of three high-end restaurants, soak up the sun at the Beach Club with a refreshing cocktail in your hand or simply relax in our boutique wellness and spa designed to offer you pampering for the body and relaxation for the mind. Monte Mulini, an adults-only experience that will revitalise you in true hedonistic fashion.
Located on top of a hill in the stone pine forest after which it is named, the Pineta Hotel offers a unique view of the old town of Vrsar, the Adriatic Sea and the surrounding islands. With numerous bike trails in the area, the hotel is well equipped for cyclists. Fans of active holidays can also enjoy trekking, tennis, diving, swimming, and other sports in the area. In parallel with your active holiday, take a break in the intimate atmosphere of the Wellness & Spa centre.
The Island Hotel Istra, located on the island of St Andrew, has everything you need for a relaxing holiday: miles of beaches and promenades, a swimming pool complex, and a Wellness & Spa oasis with a Mediterranean garden. La Serra Restaurant, Anno Domini 547, located in the same building which was once Baron Hütterott’s summer residence, offers a modern take on traditional Mediterranean specialities.
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Visit Golden Cape forest park.
Also known as Punta Corrente, the Golden Cape is one of the most significant nature parks in the northeast Adriatic.
Only a 15-minute walk from the centre of Rovinj and spreading over an area of 52 hectares, the forest park hides a world of unbelievable diversity, numerous plant species and deep shade that provides cool shelter during the long summer days.
Dubrovnik’s city walls are considered one of the largest and best-preserved medieval fortification systems.
The city walls of Dubrovnik that surround the old city centre were built as a defence system. Today, they are one of the most popular attractions in Dubrovnik, as well as the best-known Dubrovnik monument protected by UNESCO.
The Festivity of St Blaise is the most important event for the city of Dubrovnik and its residents. It is a day of celebration and appreciation of the patron saint who, according to legend, appeared during the invasion of the Venetians and helped the folk of Dubrovnik defend their city.
The festivity includes a series of events, the most prominent of which is a procession carrying the relics of St Blaise through the city while the people touch them with reverence. The Festivity of St Blaise was pronounced intangible world heritage by UNESCO, which, together with the city walls, has put Dubrovnik on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
