Trip code: W07IS 4.7 (72 reviews)
Self-guided walking
7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2
Moderate
10.0Kg CO2e
Free £150 National Trust gift card when you book by 17 September. Find out more.
This walking holiday opens up a timeless world that in the oldest towns takes you back 2000 years. The coastline sparkles with bays and inlets, while inland, castles and palaces in hilltop villages float in the early morning like stone battleships on a swirling sea of valley mist.
You begin in Motovun where walks follow high ridges and an abandoned railway offers panoramic views over truffle-rich valleys of oak and fruit orchards, and emerald ranks of vines. From Motovun you walk above the Mirna River valley to the fortified hill town of Buzet. You then head east to the bright lights of the Adriatic Riviera, summiting Istria's highest peak Mt Vojak (1401m) for incredible 360° views as far as the Dolomites and Switzerland. Your final two nights are spent in Opatija, once the playground of the wealthy classes in the 19th century. Impressive villas line the shore, shops and cafes cluster around 17th century churches, and fishermen land their catch just outside bustling local restaurants on crowded marinas. There are swimming opportunities every day.
You'll spend three nights in hilltop Motovun in a converted 17th century palace with a stunning spa and indoor pool. In Buzet, your accommodation for two nights is a beautiful converted townhouse with indoor pool, set within the original 18th century Venetian battlements. Finally in Opatija, your stay is in a waterfront property. Dining options are excellent and varied so you are free to enjoy local restaurants.
Walks on this holiday are on tracks, country lanes and forest paths. Some sections are stony. Walkers should be confident and moderately fit. Walking boots are essential, walking poles recommended.
Read more about this holiday in our blog.
Arrive at your hotel in hilltop Motovun.
You stay at Hotel Kastel.
Hotel Kastel is within the castle walls of Motovun, right at the very top of the hill. It is a converted family palace dating from the 16th century. There is a shady terrace with great views. Warrens of alleyways lined with artist studios and shops selling local produce surround the central square. It has some lovely outdoor gardens, a state of the art spa with pool and massage suites. Rooms are modern and spacious, with views either onto the square or of the surrounding hills.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
The Kaldir Valley below Motovun is well known locally for fruit, and your ascent through orchards of apples, peaches, cherries and plums passes country shrines and tiny hamlets. A high ridge affords excellent views east to Mt Vojak and west to the sea. Picnic amid olive groves; look out for honey buzzards and listen to lesser spotted woodpecker rattling the pines as you descend back into the valley. Stroll along the castle sentry's walkway around the ancient city walls before dining out in the village.
Today's shorter option starts with a transfer (10 mins) to Livade; the longer option departs from the hotel with a steady descent through vines before reaching Livade from where a panoramic walking track (originally a railway abandoned in 1935) leads over aqueducts and bridges. Then it's on through apple orchards and smreka bushes - the berries are used to make local raki - to reach the artists' village of Groznjan. Time to relax, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the views as far as Slovenia's Julian Alps and Venice whilst waiting for your transfer back to Motovun (20 mins).
After a transfer (10 mins) to the ghost village of Bartolici, a winding ascent on a forest trail sprinkled with green-winged orchid leads you high above the clear Mirna River. Church bells chime across valleys of beech from pointed steeples that crown every hilltop. Blue rock thrush flit between branches as you ascend an amazing stone-slab trail used since the Middle Ages by traders and travellers, before descending to Buzet, a Roman settlement on a hilltop with intact 18th century Venetian fortifications.
You stay at Hotel Vela Vrata.
Hotel Vela Vrata is enclosed within the city walls of the ancient part of Buzet, set on a hilltop at a bend in the Mirna River Valley. The hotel is a series of 4 converted townhouses that have been beautifully renovated, even including an indoor pool. It has a terrace out the front on the street with views of the hills across the city walls, while inside, still life paintings on the walls and period furniture in the public rooms on the ground floor create an old world atmosphere. Bedrooms are very modern and classy, with state of the art bathrooms. Much of the main (more modern) town of Buzet is a short walk downhill from hotel.
High above Buzet, a limestone escarpment runs east to west above shady oak woods peppered with smallholdings. Chickens scatter as you pass through villages leading up onto the ridge for uninterrupted views back to Motovun. You follow the escarpment edge across wind-scoured limestone as Buzet floats on a blanket of cloud below, and paragliders launch themselves into the sky. A descent past country churches and tumbledown villages leads back to the hotel.
Mt Vojak, Istria's highest peak, towers 1401m over the east coast in Ucka Nature Park, a haven for many protected flowers and plants. After a transfer (40 mins), you zigzag to the summit for 360° views of Croatia's islands and Alpine peaks in Slovenia, Italy and Switzerland. Look out for orange fire lily, amethyst sea holly and bee orchids on the descent. It's then a short transfer (20 mins) to Opatija, where your waterfront hotel in a converted 19th century villa awaits. Dine in one of the local restaurants near the marina.
You stay at Hotel Savoy.
Hotel Savoy is located in the centre of Opatija, right by the sea and the famous 12 km long promenade. The hotel is first mentioned as far as 1910. when Opatija was a favourite tourist destination of the Austro-Hungarian and Italian aristocracy. After World War II it was operating under the name of Dubrovnik and was listed among the protected monuments. Under the new owners, the Brko family, the hotel was completely renovated and reopened in July 2004 with its historical name and former glory. Today, Savoy is a luxury 4 star hotel open year round. The rooms have a luxurious and traditional decor.
The Adriatic Riviera was a playground for the social elite in the 19th century. Impressive villas with opulent gardens rich in local and exotic plants line the waterfront with views over to the Velebit mountains. A panoramic walkway leads along the sea between yachting marinas and swimming platforms, pretty coves, sea cliffs and azure bays for 6km into Lovran. Enjoy lunch (payable locally) on the waterside with a view over to Cres Island, then either catch the local bus back or stroll home above the waves.
These tour only prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement from £276.
These flight inclusive prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement from £276.
Our aim is to provide holidays that are unbeatable for choice and flexibility. We've listed our most popular travel options below, however you aren't limited to these - we can tailor-make virtually any holiday to suit.
Air prices include our standard flights/transfers
Out: Easyjet Gatwick to Pula and transfer to hotel 60 minutes.
Return: Transfer to airport 75 minutes then Easyjet Pula to Gatwick
Extra legroom seats are available on request.
Alternative Air Travel
Alternative flights, onward rail to your holiday area, and connecting private transfers can be arranged from most UK airports. If you would like to use one of the many 'low cost' airlines, we can book these on your behalf. We can also book UK shuttles to connect with your onward flight, please call for details and prices.
Alternative transfers
If you require alternative transfers (because you will be arriving at a different time to our standard flights), then we can usually arrange these for you (there may be an additional charge).
To find out more about the travel options available call our sales team on 01606 720199, use our live webchat (we're open until 5pm today) or email sales@headwater.com
Should you require overnight airport accommodation, airport parking or even a uniformed chauffeur to take your car from your departure terminal and park it for you, we can arrange this for you through Holiday Extras. You can book airport parking, airport hotels and executive lounges through their website or contact us for further details. Early booking is recommended to obtain the best availability and prices.
Self-guided walking
7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2
Moderate
10.0Kg CO2e