A spacious 4-bedroom villa with superb outdoor spaces, Villa Fabi is located just 2km from Novigrad in Croatian Istria. With highlights of the region including Pula, Rovinj and Poreč to the south, this villa features modern interiors and a fantastic private pool and hot tub.
An attractive covered terrace features a lounge area with TV and a dining table with seating for six, and you can also make use of a barbecue. The adjacent pool terrace has an array of sun loungers alongside the private pool. A separate roof terrace has another seating area and a large hot tub overlooking the pool.
Styled in monochrome shades, the open-plan living area inside offer a comfortable, air-conditioned space where everyone can relax. There’s ample sofa seating, a wall-mounted, flatscreen TV and a dining area. The well-equipped kitchen offers a dishwasher, coffee machine, microwave, large fridge freezer and all the essentials. You have access to satellite channels and Wi-Fi at Villa Fabi.
The four bedrooms offer lots of storage space, comfortable beds and access to the terraces. The stylish en suites provide walk-in showers and perfectly complement the bedroom décor.
A pretty town at the northern end of the Istrian peninsula, Novigrad offers excellent restaurants, many serving locally caught seafood, and a landmark church, the Church of St Pelagius and St Maximus. A modern museum, Lapidarium, stages regular art and cultural exhibitions.
Also nearby, you have the popular theme park, Aqualand Istralandia, around 7km from Novigrad, and the impressive cave of Špilja Mramornica. Around 25 minutes’ drive away, the resort of Poreč hosts a variety of jazz and classical concerts during summer, as well as an annual festival. You could also head north and reach the spectacular coastal town of Piran, in Slovenia, in about 45 minutes.
In northern Istria, the small town of Novigrad is less well known than the likes of Rovinj and Pula, but it offers a pleasant alternative, with a marina and some acclaimed seafood restaurants among its attractions. Only about 25 minutes from the Slovenian border, Novigrad’s location offers the opportunity to explore two beautiful Balkan countries in one trip.
Many people visit Novigrad for the restaurants, which include highly rated establishments such as Marina and Damir & Ornella which both offer fresh fish and seafood, and you will find a number of good pizza and pasta places too. The town hosts various festivals throughout the year, including the foodie Gnam-Gnam Fest and the intriguing Lunasa Astral Party.
Notable sights in the town include the old town walls and the Church of St Pelagius and St Maximus with its distinctive bell tower. Also check out the Lapidarium Museum for contemporary art and artefacts from the church crypt, or the maritime history museum, Gallerion. Croatia’s first water park, Aqualand Istralandia, is not far away and one of the highest-rated water parks in Europe.
A drive down the coast will soon take you to Poreč. Now a hugely popular resort, its historic gems include a Roman Old Town, where you will find the 6th-century Euphrasian Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its wonderful gold mosaics, and the beautiful Zuccato Palace. The old Roman street, Decumanus, is now a shopping hub but well worth a look for the well-preserved buildings.
There’s also the opportunity to walk, or cycle, the Parenzana Trail, which was once a railway track running all the way from Trieste to Poreč (about 60km). This scenic route provides an opportunity to get away from the crowds and appreciate the natural beauty of the region. Also pleasingly peaceful is the beautiful Zelena Laguna beach, south of Poreč, while the town’s Baredine Cave is a must-see attraction with its impressive grottos 60m underground.
If you head inland, east of Novigrad, you could discover the lovely hilltop town of Motovun, which these days pulls in the crowds with its annual International Film Festival, as well as some good bars and restaurants. Go further and there’s the mountainous Učka Nature Park – wonderful hiking territory – and the glamorous resort of Opatija.
Further south, medieval Svetvinčenat is home to annual wine and cheese festivals, as well as a castle, Morosini-Grimani. It’s just a 30-minute drive from stunning Rovinj, a wonderfully pretty town with an Italianate feel. You can best enjoy its coastal views from the 61m bell tower of the Church of St Euphemia, the highest in Istria.
The Villa
Villa Fabi is a spacious 4-bedroom house with great outdoor spaces. It can accommodate up to 8 people
Interior
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Lounge area with ample sofa seating, a wall-mounted, flatscreen TV and a dining
area
- Four double bedrooms
- Four family bathrooms
Exterior
- Heated swimming pool
- Covered terrace with lounge area with TV and a dining table
- Barbecue
- Pool terrace with sun loungers
- Separate roof terrace with seating area and a large hot tub
