ISTRALANDIA AQUAPARKA few kilometres outside Novigrad, Istralandia is a large aquapark complex with six pools, including a children’s spray arena, and 15 kinds of slides. Kids can try the Black Kamikaze, Family Rafting and, for toddlers, Crazy Hills. As of 2019, there will be a new feature, Space Combo, offering nearly 200 metres of space adventure in a rubberised vehicle with full visual effects. Other attractions include beach football, beach volleyball, concerts and all kinds of courses and workshops. RESTAURANTSOverlooking the marina that this luxury hotel serves, the Restaurant Navigare offers top notch Istrian cuisine, prepared in an open kitchen, to guests and non-guests alike. Executive chef Nenad Lukač is on a mission to prove that the gastronomy of this region can challenge that of France or Italy, and your experience here is a memorable part of that process. The à la carte menu changes with the seasons, with local hams, asparagus and truffles a key feature according to availability. Ingredients are locally sourced whenever possible. The house sea plate to start would be a wise choice, the sea bass carpaccio if you’re saving yourself for a satisfying main, buzara Nautica, say, with scampi and mussels, or the hefty veal ispod peke. Nautica chocolate fantasy rounds things off nicely for dessert.WINERYJust past the bus station on the outskirts of town, Moreno Ivančić is a small, family-run winery where visitors may drop in to sample the goods any day of the week. No reservation is required. The small-batch reds and whites here have a slight mineral quality and may be accompanied by fine Istrian prosciutto. Also available is rakija, as the firm has also started producing its own strong, clear spirits. Everything takes place in convivial sit-down surroundings, with more structured visits, including tours of the cellar, on offer for groups of six or more.OBSERVATORYA short drive from Novigrad, the modest village of Višnjan is a popular destination thanks to its world-famous observatory. Thanks to the lack of light pollution in this part of inland Istria, some 100 minor planets, two comets and more than 1,000 asteroids have been discovered here. The observatory also lays on tours, workshops and viewing sessions on certain nights of the year, with English-language explanations provided. LAPIDARIUMThe Lapidarium in the heart of Novigrad is both a fascinating collection of local architecturalremains, and a prime exactly of how to design a contemporary, site-specific museum in a town’s historic centre. Designed by the award-winning Rendić and Turato, the Lapidarium contains pieces from pre-Roman times discovered around the former cathedral, today’s Church of St Pelagius. Early Christian symbols can also be discerned, delicately carved intertwining patterns and an array of animals and mythical beasts.
Poreč is a town located in the heart of the western coast of the Istrian peninsula, in Istria County. The city is almost 2,000 years old; the remains of ancient temples and forums are spread throughout the old city centre. The most valuable and recognizable cultural and historical monument is the Euphrasian Basilica, present on UNESCO World Heritage List, dating back to the 6th century.Today the city is a vibrant and modern place balancing perfectly between history and present. The language spoken in Poreč is Croatian, but due to its history, it is not unusual to hear Italian language on the streets. Last recorded number of Poreč population has shown that there are around 16,700 inhabitants; their main occupation includes olive and fruit growing, fishing and tourism.Poreč is a popular tourist destination famous for its beautiful natural landscape, a long tradition in tourism and several well-equipped tourist resorts. The Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm summers makes the city enjoyable to visitors all year round. Summer season is perfect for beach fun, swimming and sunbathing, while in the off-season you can avoid the crowds and enjoy the town peacefully .A few kilometres outside Novigrad, Istralandia is a large aquapark complex with six pools, including a children’s spray arena, and 15 kinds of slides. Kids can try the Black Kamikaze, Family Rafting and, for toddlers, Crazy Hills. As of 2019, there will be a new feature, Space Combo, offering nearly 200 metres of space adventure in a rubberised vehicle with full visual effects. Other attractions include beach football, beach volleyball, concerts and all kinds of courses and workshops.Situated on the west coast of Istria, Rovinj is one of the most popular and most developed tourist resorts in Croatia. The old town is built on the island, which was only connected with the mainland in the 18th century. Known as one of the most picturesque and romantic towns on Mediterranean, over the last few decades Rovinj attracts a large number of tourists, most of them faithfully returning year after year. Why do they come back? Maybe it is the breath of past times felt as you walk around old town's cobbled narrow streets. Or is it maybe its 22 islands and islets, the mild Mediterranean climate, carefully designed parks, the tidiness of its streets, the friendliness of the local population or numerous and varied town events. Or all of it!Rovinj manages to combine, in a very interesting way, its rich tradition with the modern times. As it is also an active fishing port, you can experience the atmosphere of a small fishing village, especially during the popular fishermen’s festivities or at one of the traditional taverns called Spacio (in the past, very popular among fishermen). On the other hand, the town has been developing an exquisite gastronomy and offers a high standard of tourist services in general.The city at the foot of the Church of St. Euphemia is the favorite gathering place of artists from around the world. Walking down its streets, you'll bump into many art galleries and studios, whilst once a year, in August, you have the possibility to attend the largest open-air exhibition of the Adriatic coast, which takes place in one of the main old-town streets - Grisia.It is almost impossible to list all Rovinj's attractions, so we suggest visiting it and surrendering to its beauty… We are sure that it will win you over and that sooner or later, you’ll come to visit Rovinj again.What to see and do in UmagAlthough it dates back to the ancient times, Umag has preserved only the Medieval architecture. The remnants of this are seen in the city walls, Venetian villas, picturesque streets… As already mentioned, the Old Town is now on a peninsula which was once an island. In the 10th century the city walls were built around the settlement and which was connected to the mainland by a drawbridge.The best preserved building is also the oldest one – the west tower which houses the Museum of the City.In the centre there is a square with the church of the Assumption of Mary.A little bit outside Umag, in Savudrija, you can visit the oldest lighthouse in Croatia. It was built in 1818 and there is a legend about its construction. Metternich, an Austrian count, fell in love with a Croatian lady at a Viennese ball so he had this lighthouse built only for her. However, she got ill and never got to see it, so the count decided to never again visit the lighthouse.In Umag, and some other Istrian cities as well, Sole Fish Days are held every year. This manifestation lasts for a month and is held in restaurants which offer 4 course menus based on common sole, accompanied by excellent Istrian wines and olive oil.In order to prolong the wellness season, Umag offers the days of wellness, Welldays, which take place during October. Three hotel wellness centres offer special packages which include staying in a comfortable hotel, half-board service and daily entrance to the wellness center.Music lovers can enjoy the UmagoBlues music festival and taste some of the local specialties.Another festival is Umagination which is a festival of electronic music taking place in Umag for four years.What Umag is most famous for is the ATP Croatian Open Umag tennis tournament which takes place every year in July.Generally speaking, in terms of sport, there is always something going on in Umag whether it is about tennis, football, golf…