Motovun is the perfect base for exploring Istria and this is the perfect house to stay in while you’re doing so. Beautifully restored over the last five years by a London-based photographer this four-floor, this 18th-century home is now available to rent by the week. Arranged across 200 square metres, it’s ideal for groups of up to six, with a huge master bedroom, two further large double bedrooms, three toilets, two showers, one bath tub, two living rooms/reception rooms, two terraces and a mature herb and fruit garden overlooking the truffle-packed forest below. The traditional character – original stone walls, an olive grinder – is complemented by the work of local craftsmen and modern technology (flatscreen TV, cable, WiFi, range cooker, dishwasher). Children are very welcome and a cot and baby-feeding chair are provided; pets can be accommodated too. One living room/library has a large open fireplace; the garden comes with a barbecue; there is a dining table and chairs for up to ten, and you can park just ten metres away.
Motovun has just the one hotel but there’s an increasing number of private villas, houses and rooms to rent, from the basic and clean bookable by the night to the impressive and high-end – most notably the Hilltop Retreat (www.motovunvilla.com).
