Since my husband and I have been vacation in the old town of Porec in Istria, I even fell in love with elegant antiquity. My heart conquered paved bridge and vintage venetian mansions, strict, but excellent basilica and small cozy squares. A small town, built at the beginning of our era, Roman legionnaires, is able to compete with the tourist Rovin and its sea neighbor - magnificent Venice. Silence and peace reigns here. Low waves are measured about the shore, and the lonely seagulls are soaring over the secluded Island of St. Nicholas. The magical sleep of ancient streets is only occasionally interrupts the ringing of the bells of the Basilica of St. Ephrazia - one of the miracles of UNESCO, settled in the very center of Porec.
The old part of the settlement, which has seen francs, Slavs, Venetians, Italians and Napoleon's troops, is not flooded with tourists. This place is not intended for noisy parties and beach parties, and the only entertainment serve folk concerts on urban piazzans and evenings of live music in homely cute cafes. It is forbidden to move the movement of road transport, and all means that did not receive a special coupon on the entrance remain at the city bus station. In an ancient corner, awarded the glory of one of the most colorful attractions of Croatia, there are no large hotel complexes - all of them are within the new city.
In an effort to plunge into the past, we settled in the very center of the old part - at the Grand Palazzo Hotel. This is the old building of the XIX century towers on the cape, where huge ships go to Venice. A city harbor is located in two steps - a picturesque corner where there are luxurious yachts from around the world in the evenings. Although the hotel has no own beach, there is a small creek with stone plates nearby. A small transparent driver is ideal for kids and those who love warm, as if paired milk, a bath.
If you are in Porec, spend your own excursion. In order to visit the ruins of the ancient temples of Mars, Neptune and the Big Temple, stroll along the ancient street Dekumanus, once leading to the Roman forum, and admire the exquisite architecture of the Romanesque house and the house of all saints you do not need guides. And if you, like us, are ready to expect the whole world in search of an excellent panorama - pick up the top of a round, pentagonal or northern tower and have a dinner surrounded by the red roofs of the old pendel.
And if you want to spend a romantic date at the most beautiful corner of Istria - sit on the boat and spend a few hours, relaxing on the deserted beach of the Island of St. Nicholas.
This holiday in the heart of excellent Croatia has become one of the best in my life, and the soul still warms pleasant memories.
