Introduction
Istria is an amazing destination with so much to offer, and many visitors return again and again. It’s captivating landscapes, magical small hilltop towns, and a beautiful but diverse coastline are accompanied by amazing food, superb wines and worlds best olive oil. Add some truffles and homemade prosciutto with cheese, and you can understand why the late Anthony Bourdain called it heavenly. It’s almost impossible to condense everything one should experience into only one tour, but this gets as close as possible.
Welcome to the essence of Istria.
Istria
Accommodations
Description
- 7 days tour
- Accommodation in one of the most luxurious villas in Croatia
- Staff – chef, house assistant
- Private tours with a professional local guide
- Full day tour with a luxury yacht
- All meals
The tour is based on accommodation in a luxury villa with an indoor and outdoor pool and an artificial lake with a platform in the middle. The property includes two houses, main one for up to 10 guests in 5 rooms with ensuite bathrooms, a SPA zone and a wine cellar, and a smaller house with two bedrooms for staff. It also features a separate tavern with a professional kitchen for the chef and your meals, guests have another kitchen in the main house. The offer also includes groceries/drinks for the house and groceries for the meals that chef prepares. The groceries are based on the Istrian cuisine and are fresh and local. Tour transportation is done with a luxury Mercedes van with a driver, and all tours include meals and tastings, coffee and drinks on sightseeing’s, with a professional local guide.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival
Upon arrival you will be greeted by the staff and your tour guide and learn more about the upcoming days while enjoying a welcome dinner prepared by the chef. The rest of the evening is off so you can get to know the villa and its’ amenities.
Day 2 – Brijuni archipelago
After breakfast you will go to the Brijuni Islands national park with rich history and amazing nature. It was the residence of Tito, the president of Yugoslavia, and many international stars like Richard Burton, Kirk Douglas, Sophia Loren and Elizabeth Taylor amongst others, visited him there. Today the archipelago is an exceptional example of harmony achieved by the intertwining of nature and the human touch. It is partly cultivated into a harmonious landscape of lawns and parks, and besides exceptionally valuable remains of architectural heritage, it contains preserved vegetation types typical for the western Istrian climate and numerous species of free-roaming animals and a living 1.600 years old olive tree. After sightseeing you will get a golf cart and free time to explore on your own, or enjoy one of the sparsely-populated beaches.
Day 3 – Wine, olive oil, traditional food, hilltop towns
Today you will get to taste best istrian wines and olive oils, have a superb traditional lunch and discover amazing old towns. The day starts by visiting the best olive oil and wine producer on the east Istrian coast where you will have a tasting of their products. This is followed by a ride to an old, nearly abandoned village where you will have lunch in one of the best traditional taverns in Istria. The day will be brought to an end with a short walk in one of the most magical hilltop towns and another wine tasting at the best winery in Istria.
Day 4 – Luxury yacht day tour
Day four is reserved for a luxurious experience on a yacht and a visit two islands in the Kvarner archipelago. After breakfast you will head to the harbour where you will board one of our luxurious yachts and head for Kvarner gulf. There you will visit two amazing islands and enjoy their beaches, visit a town and have lunch in one of the restaurants only accessible by the sea. Truly a wonder for all your senses.
Day 5 – Truffle extravaganza
Today you have most of the day off to enjoy the villa, with a luxurious dinner in a truffle restaurant that succeded to amaze the famous late chef Anthony Bourdain. The dinner will be followed by a short walk through the magnificent town of Motovun, one of the highlights of Istria.
Day 6 – Pearl of the Adriatic
No visit to Istria would be complete without visiting Rovinj, the pearl of the adriatic. And if we add in the best kept secret of Istria, the little town of Bale, we have all the ingredients for an absolutely amazing day. The days starts with the town of Bale, where after a short walk you’ll have a glass of wine in the prettiest wine/jazz bar in Istria. After Bale you will go to the city of Rovinj and have a walk through its narrow and charming cobbled streets. Finish the tour with an amazing seafood lunch in a restaurant by the sea.
Day 7 – Pula and Cape Kamenjak
The last day is reserved for the biggest urban area in Istria – the 3000 years old city of Pula. Visit the local market and roam the streets to discover the amazing history and architecture, most notably the collosal roman amphitheatre. After Pula you will enjoy the rest of the day by the sea in the protected natural park Kamenjak. With an unusual landscape, miles of rugged coastline and beaches to enjoy, coves and caves to explore, a quirky ‘safari bar’ and even some animals to (hopefully!) see, it’s definitely worth of being the one to end this amazing tour
Day 8
Breakfast and departure
Starting price
$2,800
This trip is customizable for your private travel.
What’s included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Private tours with a professional local guide
- Full day tour with a luxury yacht
- All meals o Expert trip planning
- 24×7 support during your trip
The starting price is based on travel during the low season per person staying in luxury private house. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.
