Summary
Villa Vanessa is situated in the town of Tar and has stunning views over the countryside. it's only 10 minutes' walk from a couple of shops and restaurants, meaning you won't need to rely on your hire car every day. The nearest beach is at Lanterna, on the way into Porec which has a much greater choice of shops, eateries and activities, including an alternative good pebbly beach and paved bathing terraces.
Local markets and shopping
There are small local shops in the town of Tar as well as a fresh fish market and a supermarket a few minutes' drive away. What's more, there are many other supermarkets located in Porec to stock up on those all-important holiday supplies.
Bars and restaurants
Tar has a few cafes and restaurants to choose from within 10 minutes on foot. During your stay the nearby larger resort of Porec is not to be missed, where you will find a much larger choice of places to shop and eat, some on the waterfront where you can relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery over the sea and further along the Croatian coastline - bliss!
Beaches
Beaches are mostly stone or shingle, with the closest in Lanterna, 5 minutes away by car. This pleasant beach also has a good restaurant overlooking the water. There is a small tourist train that operates from Tar to the beach.
For bigger beaches, the Porec coastline is dotted with pebbly bays as well as paved bathing terraces offering spectacular scenery as you sunbathe, where water sports are also available. The nearby areas of Pical and Brulo Plava Laguna also have lovely beaches. Or, for serious beach goers, take a boat from Porec across to the island of St. Nicholas which is rumoured to have the best beach in the area!
Family fun
There are 2 waterparks in the area as well the Funtano Dino Park (dinosaur park) and a tractor museum. Cycling, water sports and tennis are available throughout Istria. A trip to an adrenalin park, an outdoor activity centre, or to a go-karting track also makes a fun-filled family day out.
Place of interest
The Basilica of St Euphrasius is one of the cultural highlights of Porec Town, as well as a number of other fantastic attractions not to be missed! There is also an aquarium, submarine safari and tourist train for a more family orientated day out.
Golf
There is a golf course on Brijuni Island, however it can only be reached by boat which you can take from the resort of Fazana.
Other activities
Cycling is very popular in Istria with over 60 miles of marked routes taking your through some of its most beautiful scenery. The village of Motuvun is an attractive, historic village located on top of a hill which is perfect for strolling the streets.
Remember ...
Each villa comes with its own online manual, provided via the MyVillaPlus app/link before you travel. Here you will find lots of local information on the best amenities, bars, restaurants, supermarkets, public transport, things to see and do alongside detailed information on your chosen villa. Of course should you need any further advice or assistance whilst on holiday our local teams are just a call or email away and will be happy to help.
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 Umag
Although 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…