About this property
A modern 3-bedroom villa with a great range of features, Villa Colonna is situated in Nova Vas, around 8km from Novigrad in Croatian Istria. The quiet location makes this the perfect place for up to six guests to relax, and you can all enjoy the use of an outdoor pool, a sauna and tempting hot tub.
Right beside the pool, you have a fantastic, covered terrace offering seating and dining areas. There’s a barbecue for those chilled out days in the sun, and the lounge area even has a TV. You can enjoy sun loungers beside the pool, and inside you have a large hot tub with great views of the surrounding area. The addition of a Finnish sauna offers another irresistible option for destressing.
An open-plan living area is comfortable and air-conditioned. You have 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 Colonna.
Three bedrooms are equipped with comfortable beds, TV and an en suite bathroom with a walk-in shower. Direct access to the terrace is another plus.
Nova Vas enjoys a convenient location, just a 5-minute drive from the Aqualand Istralandia water park and about 10 minutes from Novigrad. Located towards the northern end of the Istrian peninsula, Novigrad has top-notch restaurants, including a couple listed in the Michelin Guide. Fresh seafood and great pizza are among the treats found around town. Also nearby is the cave of Špilja Mramornica.
You will be well placed to visit other highlights of the area, such as Poreč and Rovinj, and the vast Učka Nature Park is also within reach. About 20 minutes from Nova Vas you will also find Motovun, a pretty town on a hilltop which hosts a popular, annual film festival.
A pretty, coastal town of Croatia’s Istrian peninsula, Novigrad is one of the area’s lesser-known gems. Further north than big names like Pula, Rovinj and Poreč, Novigrad will charm you with its harbour, Mandrac, lined with colourful houses, and its relaxed waterfront promenade.
Lovely beaches and a picturesque old town offer yet more reasons to visit Novigrad. Installations of colourful umbrellas provide a talking point, along with the 14th-century town walls and eye-catching, arched gate to the sea. Perhaps the main landmark beside the walls is the Church of St Pelagius and St Maximus with its distinctive bell tower.
Look out for contemporary art exhibitions at the Lapidarium Museum, which also contains artefacts found in the church crypt. For something family-friendly, Croatia’s first water park, Aqualand Istralandia, is not far from the town and has a huge assortment of fun rides and activities.
Novigrad’s restaurants are notable too, with highly rated establishments such as Marina and Damir & Ornella which offer fresh fish and seafood. An annual food festival, the Gnam-Gnam Fest, also demonstrates the town’s love for good eating. Be sure to try some local wine with your meal – Istrian Malvasia is highly regarded, and Northern Istria also produces Teran, Muscat, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
It’s best to use a car to get around the region, and there is plenty to see within a reasonable driving distance. Poreč is well worth a visit for its Roman Old Town, where you will find the Euphrasian Basilica, a unesco World Heritage Site known for its wonderful gold mosaics, and the beautiful Zuccato Palace.
The town’s Baredine Cave, 60m underground, is another spectacular sight. Visit between April and October and you can experience a guided tour of its breath-taking rock and stalactite formations. If you prefer to be out in the open air, try the scenic Parenzana Trail, running from Trieste to Poreč, a former railroad which is now a lengthy walking route.
East of Novigrad, the hilltop town of Motovun hosts an annual International Film Festival, but it’s a spectacle at any time as the views from the Old Town are amazing. The town is surrounded by vineyards and green countryside, and is considered one of Istria’s most beautiful places. Go further and the mountainous Učka Nature Park will impress you too.
The delightful Umag is little more than 20 minutes north of Novigrad, and is another old town with gorgeous views of the sea. Whether you relax with a coffee in the main square, Trg Slobode, or head out to the landmark Savudrija Lighthouse or the nearby beach, you can enjoy the relaxing vibe of this attractive town.
Not far from the Slovenian border, Umag is known as the Gateway to Croatia. If you fancy popping back across, you’ll find the peaceful salt pans of the Sečovlje Salina Nature Park about 30 minutes away.
Accommodation
The Villa
Villa Colonna is a modern 3-bedroom villa with a great range of features. It can accommodate up to 6 guests.
Interior
- Open-plan living and dining area
- Well-equipped kitchen
- Three bedrooms are equipped with comfortable beds, TV and an en suite bathroom with a walk-in shower
- Hot tub and finnish sauna
Exterior
- Heated swimming pool
- Covered terrace with seating and dining areas
- Barbecue
- Sun loungers