Villa Lovro

This villa is perfectly placed in Košinožići, within a tranquil garden setting close to Poreč. With its charming main square inside the Old Town, winding charming cobblestone streets, Roman walls and colourful cafes Poreč is like a step back in time. There is a harbour where you can go on a boat trip to spot dolphins during technicolour sunsets.

Around Poreč there are plenty of stunning beaches, such as Borik beach, which is less than a kilometre from Poreč. Enjoy a swim in the dazzling crystalline waters and take a stroll along the fine white pebbles. At this beach you can play mini golf or beach volleyball. This beach is accessible for wheelchair users and it is very family friendly. You can also enjoy a great view of the Old Town from Borik beach.

Poreč also has a city beach which is popular thanks to its easy access from the town. For a more wild, natural beach, blue-flag Oliva beach is superb. The beach is on the island of St. Nikola and accessed by a five-minute boat ride from the harbour. Oliva has a forest of oak and pine trees, a pebbly shoreline and a calm atmosphere.

The villa is part of Istria, which has Italian influences, as it is just two hours from Venice. It's so easy to hop across the border and spend a day exploring and enjoying some authentic Italian cuisine during your holiday. Istria's heart-shaped coastline is so picturesque and the area is a little less touristy than other destinations in Croatia.

The Euphrasian Basilica is one of the most important sights in the Istrian area. It is a World Heritage Site and dates back to the 6th century. The basilica was inspired by Byzantine art and features breathtaking blue and gold mosaics, carved arches and geometric marble designs. Climb up the bell tower to get an outstanding view of Poreč. For more culture, check out the Zuccato Gallery and admire some vibrant art in a Gothic palace. There's an array of temporary exhibitions bound to capture the imagination.

Istria is famous for its tasty regional cuisine and fresh ingredients. A local favourite is pljukanci, a hand-rolled pasta dish served with all sorts of sauces. In the winter, the aroma of hot roasted chestnuts wafts around the main square. Istria is also famous for its wine you can tour many vineyards in the area and sample Refošk or Malvazija by the glass as you look out over the rolling countryside and rows of grapes.

Brijuni National Park is a fantastic day trip for the whole family, an archipelago of 14 small islands that can be reached by boat from Fazana or Pula, Istria's capital. The islands are famous for their natural beauty and indigenous flora and fauna. Before you arrive you will enjoy a scenic boat ride with views of the southwestern peninsula before you reach the archipelago. There are dinosaur footprints in four areas on the largest island, Viliki Brijuni, and several other archaeological wonders to discover.

This heart-shaped peninsula was the birthplace of modern Croatian tourism, and it’s easy to see why. Its history has bestowed it with Italian sophistication, most obviously seen in pastel-painted coastal towns, like romantic Rovinj. But, tear yourself away from the Istrian coast, through the vineyards, olive groves, and dense forests, and you will discover brilliantly preserved medieval towns and villages, where cobbled streets reveal quaint galleries, sweet squares and sea-views.

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