Istria Named One of Europe's Top Destinations for Summer

Istria Named One of Europe's Top Destinations for Summer

With expanding flight connections from the UK and across Europe, it’s never been easier to explore Istria, a heart-shaped peninsula in the far north of Croatia. Whether it’s the limestone Riviera, ancient Roman monuments or fondness for fine foods - and weakness for wine - there’s a touch of the regal about Istria – perhaps that’s why it proved such an object of desire for the Romans, Venetians and Austro-Hungarians, who tussled over this beautiful, fertile land for centuries.

Continental Croatia meets the Adriatic in Istria; the rural interior of rolling hills and lush valleys attract food-lovers and culture-vultures to Istria’s hilltop villages, country hotels and rustic restaurants, while the rugged coastline is popular with the sun-and-sea set. Despite its desirable Mediterranean temperatures and Blue Flag beaches, Istria is still the lesser-discovered part of Croatia, and coastal towns seldom feel crowded. Gourmands will revel in fresh-from-the-ocean seafood, prime white truffles, wild asparagus and world-class olive oils, while families take a boat trip around the coastline, bathe on award-winning beaches, or head into the woods with a resident truffle hunter and his sharp-nosed hounds.

A destination for luxury travelers, the peninsula has no shortage of five-star hotels; stay at the new Grand Park Hotel, a design-led property with panoramic views over the Venetian-inspired town of Rovinj, or head inland and explore recently-opened Roxanich Wine & Heritage Hotel set in the shadow of Motovun, a hilltop town in the truffle-rich Mirna Valley.

For more information, visit istra.hr/en

Photo credit: Boris Kacan/croatia.hr