Svantevid

Svantevid: Istria

On the Croatian coast, in the Istrian town of Novigrad, you’ll find this villa sitting pretty near a winery, a number of restaurants, and the beach. The latter can even be spotted in the distance from this home’s balcony, which is why we recommend slow, indulgent sips of your morning coffee as you look out over the Adriatic Sea. When you’ve been sufficiently caffeinated, make your way back inside to cook up a hearty breakfast for everyone to enjoy around the dining area.

Remember that winery we mentioned? Well, you might want to visit it if you’re in the mood for a taste of the regional wines. Bring a couple of bottles back to enjoy as you light the barbecue for lunch. In a home where everything feels sleek – cue the minimal corner sofa, the glass balustrade, and the streamlined kitchen – you’ll find the garden furniture no different. Elegant, but plush, you can enjoy the drinks and nibbles here whilst a Mediterranean feast is sizzling away on the grill.

Whilst the home is grand – we especially love the option of opening the sliding doors in the bedrooms to allow some more of the beautiful fresh air to breeze through – the outdoor area is where its true beauty lies. Spend long, lazy days poolside simply enjoying the sun, and when the heat becomes a bit much, well, then the pool is right there to dive into.

On days out, visit the Novigrad marina, beach, or town centre, always stopping off at one of the local restaurants to enjoy fresh seafood. Novigrad is, after all, a fishing town, so it seems a shame to not take full advantage of it whilst you visit.

Home truths:
*Due to the location of this home, we recommend hiring a car to get the most out of your stay
*There’s free parking here
*This home is spread over two floors, with no internal lift
*For those with reduced mobility, there's a ground floor bedroom and bathroom here
*You'll have your own private entrance here
*Though there isn't a dedicated desk here, the dining table doubles up as a laptop-friendly workspace
*The swimming pool isn't fenced, so children will need to be supervised at all times
*There's an outdoor shower here