Archive for 'Food and Wine in Croatia'

The island of Pag has unusual looks that make it immediately stand out: at first glance, this barren, rocky island floating in the luxuriantly blue waters of the Adriatic seems like something one should stumble across in space, instead. In fact, the lunar-like and distinct nature of the landscape of Pag has even lead to its increasingly becoming popular as a filming location. Even Ridley Scott, king of space epics, has filmed a project there back in 2017. However, the unique visual appeal of Pag is not all that it has to offer. In fact, it’s got plenty to see and do so why not find a villa in Zadar and make Pag your next day trip destination during a gorgeous coastal vacation in Croatia...

Istria is often most popular as a seaside getaway destination as its beautiful coastline boasts lots of pretty coastal towns but, in addition to this part of the region in Croatia, there is the inland, “Green Istria.” This part of Istria is lush and green and scenic, with a landscape dotted by exceptionally pretty little villages, orchards, olive groves, vineyards, and rolling hills. It is also well-known for its incredible gastronomic heritage and, therefore, there are lots of delicious things to snack on as you explore this gorgeous part of the world. However, if you have found a villa in Istria and you are taking time to venture into Green Istria, whether you are staying on the coast or inland in the midst of it, then we recommend that you make a point to plan a day-trip to the unbelievably picturesque town of Motovun.

Motovun is a picture-perfect gem of a 14th century walled town that was fortified by the Venetians and rises up on a hillside that overlooks green pastures and hills all around in the Mirna River Valley. With the deep green Motovun forest at its base and the old walls, church tower, and pretty houses with terracotta roofs crowning the town, Motovun truly looks like something that has been plucked straight from the pages of a fairytale and that has been frozen in time. Throughout the streets of the town, once you have climbed the little road that stretches up the hill and passes through the houses and business on the outskirts into the wall historic core of the town, you will find an elegant and atmospheric cluster of astounding Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance buildings that house restaurants, coffee houses, artists’ studios, and little shops. 

Rijeka is a charming port city on Kvarner Bay in the northern Adriatic Sea that boasts endless character, authenticity, incredible seafood, stunning Austro-Hungarian architectural gems, a vibrant nightlife, and a rich cultural heritage. With a proud working class background in shipping and ship-building that sees cranes adorn the same skyline as Hapsburg rooftops, this is an enduringly fascinating place that is quite removed from mass tourism. For those who want to find a vacation rental in Croatia but also want to experience a version of the country that is somewhat closer to the Croatia that locals know, then a holiday rental in Rijeka is just the thing. And, as the foodie culture is one of the city’s biggest selling points then be prepared to eat really, really well during your trip!

There are, of course, plenty of great places to eat while on vacation in Rijeka and plenty of places to shop for incredible local ingredients to bring back to a villa in Rijeka and prepare wonderful meals with your loved ones but a destination that combines both is the Rijeka City Market. A hotspot for locals who claim it the best place to eat since the 19th century, the main City Market is next to the shore and near the pier, leaving it mere footsteps from where fishermen deliver the freshest fish and shellfish you could imagine. 

If you’re after both a vacation in Croatia and lush, scenic surroundings that produce delicious food and wine, then we cannot recommend anything more highly than browsing our villas in Istria and planning a getaway in this region. The most developed tourist region in the country, it is most famous for the so-called, “Blue Istria,” of the coast where there are endless lovely seaside resorts to choose from. However, if you head inland to, “Green Istria,” you will find quiet and peaceful little villages bursting with authenticity, a varied landscape of orchards, vineyards, and olive groves, and lots of delicious things to eat and an acclaimed culinary heritage. Therefore, it is well worth going beyond the places many tourists spend time in while on vacation in Istria and discovering the wealth of incredible things to see and do inland. In particular, this is where to head if you want to plan a day at a vineyard during your holiday in Croatia.