As foodies and lovers of the outdoors, there are myriad reasons why we adore this pretty part of rural Istria. The landscape here is a pleasing melange of olive groves and vineyards interspersed with pastel-hued hilltop villages, and a glistening coastline is never far away. Local restaurants showcase the best of the region’s produce, like truffles and wild asparagus, and, of course, the wines and oils are top notch. It’s heaven for gourmands and walkers.
Villa Moncitta captures the essence perfectly. A former farmhouse, it’s been lovingly converted into a seven-bedroom retreat with two living rooms, a big country kitchen and striking original features – just look at that open stone fireplace! But it’s the outside that steals the show. Expansive gardens are perfumed with jasmine, herbs and fruit trees (help yourself to produce whenever you please). The heated pool comes with long, rugged views, there’s a garden pergola for lounging in the shade, and a separate annexe houses a private gym and yoga studio. Other facilities include a chef on request, free bicycles and table tennis – plenty to keep kids happy. This is the ultimate retreat for a big family holiday or group getaway that won’t break the bank.
Highs
- Great value for an exclusive villa with all the trimmings: private swimming pool, gym, yoga studio, chef on request
- Peaceful hilltop setting with blissful views over the unspoiled 'Croatian Tuscany'; Istria’s tourists are nowhere to be seen
- Lots of original features from the building’s former life as a farmhouse
- Fantastic for big family getaways, with heaps of kid-friendly activities on-site and nearby
- Close to some of Istria’s finest attractions, including pretty Oprtalj, hilltop Motovun and the beaches of Porec
Lows
- This is a rural location with no provisions within walking distance - you’ll need a car
- Don’t expect cutting-edge design; interiors are rustic, in keeping with the traditional style of the area
- There’s a minimum stay of 7 nights in summer (but arrival days are flexible)
Best time to go
Istria is at its busiest and warmest in July and August, when the tourist season is in full swing. For hiking or cycling, spring and autumn months bring the best temperatures. Foodies will love Inland Istria in autumn, when it stages the grape and olive harvest, various truffle festivals, plus a chestnut festival in Oprtalj.
Our top tips
Keen cyclists should try one or more sections of the lovely, car-free Parenzana Trail, which follows an old railway line near the coast. It runs from Trieste (in Italy) all the way to Porec (in Croatia), which is just 30 mins' drive from the villa. Here, if the villa's bikes aren't sufficient, various outlets (including well-reviewed Labinci) can rent you bikes or e-bikes, as well as delivering or collecting you. The gradients are not challenging, and the whole route is very child friendly; the 500m-long Valeta tunnel is a highlight, as is the swim at the end of the day!
- Boutique Villa
- 7 bedrooms
- Self-catering (chef on request)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Heated Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car essential
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Laundry Service
- E-bikes and bicycles available
Rooms
The three-storey villa has been carefully restored to retain its rustic farmhouse style. Original stone walls, shuttered windows, exposed beams and open fireplaces are characteristic features of its interior, with bright fabrics and artworks adding colour.
The ground floor houses an open-plan kitchen/living/dining room with seating for eight and plenty of cooking space. There’s also a very tranquil second living room on this floor with squishy seats and patio doors. The seven bedrooms (four doubles, two twins, one single) are spread across the first and second floors, alongside three bathrooms and a big, shaded balcony.
The outside space is vast, with leafy lawns, a patio with dining table, and an inviting garden pergola with lounge seats and cushions. The annexe houses a gym and a yoga studio, while the summer house has a WC and a mini kitchen for rustling up poolside snacks.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Microwave
Eating
The main kitchen is well setup for cooking, with a good stock of equipment, basic essentials and a dishwasher - as well as the two bottles of wine you receive for booking through i-escape. During summer months you’ll want to dine on the patio, which is framed by climbing grapevines and pink roses. Herbs and figs grow in the garden – pick your own and incorporate them into your cooking.
Or don’t cook at all and splash out on a private chef, available on request whenever you please. Meals can be tailored to your tastes but expect locally grown produce and delicious cellar wines.
For eating out, head into nearby Motovun or Oprtalj. Restaurants tend to focus on local cuisine, with specialities like wild boar goulash or steak with truffles, wild asparagus in spring and home-cured ham (prsut). Within 10 minutes drive is family-run Benvenutti winery in Kaldir, which has some of the best Malvasia and local Teran red wine, the Polleti winery in Markovac - also family run and offers a variety of good quality whites and reds - and the local agriturismo Tikel in Spinovci which has great home-produced olive oil. All welcome people for tasting and sales.
Features include:
- Microwave
Activities
- Pack a picnic and spend a day hiking or cycling through the green hills of inland Istria; the villa has three mountain bikes to borrow and the lovely coastal Parenzana Trail runs nearby
- Visit the hill-town of Oprtalj (30 mins) to explore its cobbled alleys, 16th-century church, Venetian-era loggia and monthly antique fair
- The many historic buildings and sights hereabouts include beautiful 15th-century frescoes in a little chapel near Beram, 6th-century mosaics in the Euphratian Basilica in Porec, a Roman amphitheatre in Pula, and the cathedral St Euphemia in Rovinj
- And don't forget nearby medieval Motovun (15 mins), which has an annual international film festival
- Go wine tasting or olive oil tasting, truffle hunting in season and honey tasting
- Book a session with a fitness instructor or yoga teacher
- For the seaside, Porec and Rovinj are within easy reach (30-40 mins). There you can find lovely beaches, Venetian architecture and seafood specialities
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cooking classes
- Cycling
- Hiking
- Shopping / markets
- Wine tasting
- Yoga
Kids
The villa is a fantastic retreat for a big family getaway. Kids can splash about in the heated pool (fence available if required), play table tennis on the lawn, explore the gardens or go for a bike ride. There are two waterparks nearby, plus great beaches within driving distance (Porec).
Best for:
All ages
Family friendly accommodation:
Rooms come in double, twin or single. The two master bedrooms on the top floor are best if you're bringing small children as they have sofabeds (which sleep 2 kids apiece) and space for baby cots.
Cots Available, Family Rooms
Baby equipment:
- High chair
- Baby bedding
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Kids Activities on site:
- Swimming pool
- Bicycles to borrow
- Games room
- Table tennis
- Kids DVDs
Kids Activities nearby:
- Farm animals
- Aquapark Istralandia
- Aquacolors waterpark Porec
Distances:
- Airport: 40-minute drive
- Hospital: 20-minute drive
- Supermarket: 5-minute drive
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Villa Moncitta is situated near the small village of Karojba, in central Istria. It's a 15-min drive from Motovun and a 30-min drive from Porec.
By Air
Most will fly into Pula, which is a 50-minute drive away (56km). Alternatively, try Rijeka (100km), Trieste (120km away in Italy), or Ljubljana (180km away in Slovenia).
From the Airport
Hire a car from the airport to drive to the villa. Check that you are (where relevant) allowed to take the car across borders into Croatia. There's on-site parking.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Pula Airport 56.0 km PUY
Other:
- Beach 17.0 km
- Shops 4.5 km
- Restaurant 4.5 km