Istria Hot Spot
Istria is the most accessible part of Croatia from Western Europe. Bordering Slovenia and close to the Italian city of Trieste, it's a huge triangle of land that juts out into the Adriatic. Istria's commercial centre, Pula, is a busy port city with a beautifully preserved Roman amphitheatre. South of the city, the Verudela Peninsula has a few beaches and a marina.
Further up the west coast, Rovinj is a medieval harbour port with a distinctly Italian feel. The old quarter has some great seafood restaurants and numerous small art galleries.
Istria is the most accessible part of Croatia from Western Europe
Vrsar is a small, hilltop village. Just south of the marina, below the village, is Koversada, a large nudist colony, while ten kilometers north is the region's busiest resort, Porec. The old town is home to a few ancient buildings, temples and churches. However, the centre gets very crowded in high season.
Novigrad is more restful, with just a couple of hotels and superb restaurants, while Labin sits on the opposite side of Istria. The old town retains some medieval buildings and there are several museums and galleries.
Prices on the west coast have experienced steep rises in the last couple of years and there are increasing numbers of Western Europeans buying in the area. A one-bedroom flat averages at about £50,000.
Away from Istria's coast, the land gives way to fields and forests that are punctuated with vineyards and orchards. Many of the towns and villages are perched on hillsides, unaffected by the growth of the tourist industry on the coast.
Motovun is home to a large artistic community, many of whom live in the medieval stone buildings that skirt the top of the hillside. It's also home to a small hotel and a yearly film festival.