Villa Aroma
Kaldir, near Motovun, Central Istria

A stone built Istrian house with swimming pool and views over countryside towards the picturesque historic hilltop town of Motovun.
3 bedrooms, sleeps 6-8. Coast 30 minutes, golf 45 minutes.

Villa Aroma (click to enlarge)

Villa Aroma is situated on the edge of the small village of Kaldir. The villa is on a hillside with an open vista across the valley toward the village of Kaldir and in the distance the dramatic hilltop town of Motovun. The house, which is built in stone in traditional style was completed in 2009. Local craftsmen have been able to create a villa with all the atmosphere of a traditional Istrian stone house but will all modern facilities. Outside the 550 square metre garden, 8x4 metre swimming pool and covered barbecue area provide ample space for relaxation.

Terrace and View (click to enlarge)

ACCOMMODATION

The villa has three double bedrooms. The master bedroom on the first floor has an en-suite bathroom with a jacuzzi bath and a separate entrance from outside.
On the mezzanine floor there are two further bedrooms each with double bed and en-suite shower or bathroom. A sofa bed in the living room can provide accommodation for two more if required. A cot can be provided on request.

Master Bedroom with Kichenette
Ensuite Bathroom	Bedroom
Bedroom	Bathroom

On the ground floor there is a spacious open plan living, dining and kitchen area with full width French windows opening onto the pool terrace and with views towards vineyards and the hilltop town of Motovun. For autumn and winter evenings the living room has an open fireplace. For entertainment the living room is equipped with TV, DVD and music system. There is an additional toilet on the ground floor. The kitchen is fully equipped, including oven and hob, microwave, fridge freezer, coffee maker, toaster and kettle.

Living Room
Kitchen	Dining Area

All rooms are air-conditioned with warm air heating for the wintertime.
Bed-linen and towels are provided.
At additional charge dial up or ADSL internet access can be provided. Bike hire can also be arranged.

Outside Area

There is ample terrace area for sunbathing around the pool (8 x4 metres) as well as a roofed area with barbecue and dining table. Sun loungers and sun shades are provided. There is private parking for two cars on the site.

It is an extremely quiet and peaceful location. The region is renowned for its food and wine and there are many excellent restaurants within easy driving distance whilst the interior of Istria with hilltop towns and beautiful landscape is ideal for touring, cycling and walking.

KALDIR AND THE SURROUNDING AREA

Things to do and places to visit

Food and Wine
Kaldir is known as the garden of Istria. As you walk through the village you pass through orchards of plums, peaches, pears and apples as well as olive groves and vineyards. The area is also one of the principal truffle regions in Europe. The largest ever truffle (as recorded in the Guinness book of records) was found in the Motuvun forest. The local restaurants specialise in providing dishes incorporating truffles and a grilled steak covered with a thick layer of fresh truffle shavings. On of the most highly regarded restaurants in Istria, Zigante, is just 10 minutes drive from Villa Aroma. In the autumn there are annual truffle festivals centred on Livade and Buzet. Within a 25 minute drive from Kaldir there is a wide selection of first class restaurants. We provide details and recommendations.

Excellent wines are produced in the area and well marked wine routes lead you through charming countryside to wineries where you can sample some of the very best Croatian wines. Local olive oil is another feature of the cuisine.

Hilltop towns in central Istria
Central Istria is studded with hilltop towns many of which offer breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. Motovun, within view of Villa Aroma, is the best known of the hilltop towns. Perched on a conical hilltop it provides a magical view from every direction. The town has well preserved fortifications and elegant 16th and 17th century architecture. It is a popular tourist destination with a good range of cafes and restaurants and features an annual film festival every summer.

Motovun

Also of interest are Groznjan, an ancient medieval settlement now restored as a centre for arts and music and featuring art galleries, bars and restaurants and Oprtalj on the crest of a hill with stunning views across the Istrian peninsula from Mount Ucka (above Rijeka ) in the east to the Adriatic coast in the west. Oprtalj has kept its town walls and its medieval lay-out of narrow streets, tiny squares and arched passages.

Oprtalj

There are many others worth exploring and we will provide you with our own suggestions of places off the usual tourist routes that should not be missed.

Seaside
Kaldir is 30-40km (30-45 minutes drive) from the western Adriatic coast. Easily reached from Villa Aroma is the popular resort of Porec, the charming town of Novigrad, with an attractive harbour crowded with local fishing boats and an old town surrounded by fortifications, and Umag with a historic old town and Venetian heritage. Further down the coast Rovinj is unquestionably the most picturesque of the medieval Venetian towns on the Adriatic. Every guide book features the colourful facades of the tightly packed houses that encircle this tiny peninsula with the cathedral of St Euphemia and its dominating 60 metre bell tower standing over the town. Other coastal towns well documented in guide books and easily reached are Porec, Pula, Vrsar and Piran (in Slovenia). On the east coast of Istria, Opatija provides a contrast with its grand villas built in the 19th century for the Austro Hungarian aristocracy, a delightful lungamare (promenade) and some fine restaurants.

Rovinj

Novigrad

Waterfalls and rivers
Central Istria is dissected by deep river valleys and with good directions you can find spectacular waterfalls and rivers to swim in.
The web site Istria Waterfalls has photos and directions to many of them:

Sopot waterfall, near Gracisce

Cycle routes
There are some excellent marked cycle routes in Istria. Cycle hire can be arranged on request.

Caves
Istria has a number of caves that are open to the public. For example Pazin, Baredine and Mramornica caves. For details go to the website: Mramornica Cave
The spectacular caves at Postojna in Slovenia are a possible day trip. This 20 kilometres long network of passages, massive galleries and spectacular chambers is the most visited cave in Europe.

Baths and spas – wellness centres
Istarske toplice
This thermal resort less than 15 minutes drive from Kaldir is located in beautiful and dramatic countryside. It has a hot mineral spring that is beneficial for the treatment of chronic rheumatic diseases, dermatological and other diseases.  The resort offers a variety of beauty treatments and massages and can also provide simple relaxation and swimming in the outdoor or indoor pools.

Istarska Toplice swimming pool

Day trips
Venice is a feasible daytrip (about 3 hour 20 minute drive). A days outing to go skiing is possible during the winter months. The closest ski resort is Platak (less than one and a half hours) in the mountains above Rijeka where the ski runs provide spectacular views over the Adriatic and Gulf of Kvarner (www.platak.hr). A little further inland is the Bjelolasica resort (www.bjelolasica.hr).

VILLA LOCATION

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GETTING THERE

Fly Ryanair to Trieste in Italy (1 hour 40 minutes drive) or to Pula in Croatia (1 hour 10 minutes drive. Ryanair flies daily to Trieste from London Stansted (2 hour flight time) and 3 days a week to Pula. Slightly further away but still within reach are Treviso (Ryanair) and Venice Marco Polo (British Airways and EasyJet). Another option is to fly EasyJet to Ljubljana in Slovenia (2 hours). This route opens up the option of a day or two in the beautiful Slovenian lakes of Bled and Bohinj.

Flyglobespan fly to Pula from Durham, Edinburgh and Glasgow. From Scandinavia, Scandjet fly directly to Pula from Stockholm, Gothenburg and Copenhagen. Croatia Airlines fly to Pula via Zagreb.

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
All rates are for the whole villa per week Saturday to Saturday and are in Euros. Payment can be made in GBP or Euros at the prevailing exchange rate. There are no extras. Tourist tax and cleaning are included. Prices are shown on the chart in the left hand (grey) column.

TO BOOK
Please email or telephone us to make a provisional reservation. Then download and complete the appropriate booking form.

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