Casa Iveta
Casa Iveta is located in Nova Vas - Villanova (Villanova is the italian name as Istria is a bilingual region), a small and quiet village in northwestern Istria. The village overlooks the valley of the Mirna-Quieto (the name in both languages literally translates to quiet) and is surrounded by olive groves, vineyards, and gentle hills facing the Adriatic Sea.
Its location is particularly convenient: the village is close to the Istrian highway (A9, also known as the "Istrian Y"), with direct access from the Nova Vas - Brtonigla exit, which quickly connects Nova Vas to both the Adriatic coast and the Istrian hinterland, both easily reachable in a few minutes by car.
This makes Nova Vas the perfect place for those who want to relax in a peaceful and authentic atmosphere, away from mass tourism and the hectic pace of big cities, while still offering the possibility to quickly reach the liveliest and most vibrant coastal towns.
There are several places to visit. The first you can reach is Novigrad-Cittanova, a small and charming coastal town in western Istria. Its origins date back to Roman times, when it was called Civitas Nova (from which the Italian name derives). In the Middle Ages it was under Venetian rule and even today you can clearly perceive the architectural and cultural influence of Venice.
One of the most beautiful experiences is undoubtedly the walk along its seafront, at the foot of the ancient medieval walls, especially at sunset.
Of course, Novigrad is just one of the places to discover: to the north Dajla-Daila, with its Benedictine monastery and beaches, Sveti Lovreč-San Lorenzo and Umag-Umago; while to the south Poreč-Parenzo, with its Euphrasian Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Finally, for those who want to alternate culture and fun, just a few minutes from Nova Vas is Istralandia, a renowned water park in Istria, perfect for a day of pure fun.
The Istrian hinterland surrounding Nova Vas is a mosaic of hills, vineyards and ancient villages suspended in time.
In less than half an hour you can reach places like Motovun-Montona, Grožnjan-Grisignana, Buje-Buie and Hum-Colmo, ideal for a walk among cobbled alleys, views opening onto the Mirna valley and typical flavors of central Istria.
For those who love nature and history, the surroundings offer fascinating natural beauties and traces of the past: waterfalls winding through woods and rocks, caves and karst cavities such as the Marble Cave of Brtonigla-Verteneglio and the remains of the medieval castle of Sveti Juraj (San Giorgio or Saint George) in Srbani-Serbani, wrapped in ancient elegance.
Perched on a hill overlooking the Mirna Valley, Motovun is one of the most iconic villages in the Istrian hinterland. Its medieval walls enclose stone-paved alleys and cultural landmarks such as the 16th-century municipal loggia, built as a belvedere with sweeping views over the Mirna Valley.
A small artists' village, Grožnjan is a magical place where time seems to have stopped. The stone houses host art galleries, ateliers and ceramic workshops, and in summer the streets come alive with music thanks to the international jazz festival Jazz is back! BP.
Called the sentinel of Istria, Buje stands on two hills that dominate the landscape between sea and mountains. It is a larger and livelier town, with a historic center full of Venetian palaces, the cathedral of San Servolo and several taverns where you can taste local wines and oil.
Known as the smallest town in the world, it has everything that defines a medieval fortified town: city walls, city gate, parish church and civic loggia. Hum has just a handful of inhabitants, but it has a unique charm.
They are real hidden gems of the Istrian hinterland. Here are some of them
The Butori Waterfall, located near Momjan-Momiano, is one of my favorites.
Hidden by vegetation, you would never guess it's there: if you didn't know its location, you would hardly suspect its existence — let alone its beauty.
The Kotli waterfall is part of the famous Seven Waterfalls Trail (in Croatian "Staza sedam slapova"), a nature trail near Buzet.
I won't reveal the name or location of this waterfall: let it be your first little Istrian adventure, to discover and experience with curiosity, perhaps during a day of exploration among woods and paths.
But if you can't find it and really want to see it, we will be happy to tell you where it is.
