Villa Millefoglie, a nature park retreat.

Experience Istria from this lovingly renovated stone house located in the lush countryside, a short ride from the peninsula's attractions and hidden gems. Villa Millefoglie is a restored 19th-century barn with a private pool and a garden, featuring an open-plan interior and a fireplace. It is located at the edge of a small village within the Učka Nature Park. Updated in 2023 to reflect our hospitality, the house offers well-equipped, comfortable accommodation for a large group. The space The lush surroundings of this countryside property nourish and invite lounging by the swimming pool, getting creative at the outdoor grill station and indulging in alfresco dining on a shaded patio overlooking the unspoiled beauty of the surrounding hills. A generous open-plan combination of living and dining area features a fireplace and is attached to a fully equipped kitchen for those inspired to experiment with the region's gastronomy favourites, or simply love a home-cooked meal. There is a bathroom with a shower and a utility/laundry room on the ground floor, while all three sleeping rooms are located on the loft, two of them with king beds and one with double single beds, and each comes with a private bathroom. The one in the master bedroom takes the wellness experience further with a built-in tub that offers a breathtaking view of the picturesque countryside. Above the living room stretches a gallery with a library, a cosy reading nook and a board game area that will keep you entertained during long summer days, and winter nights. Recent renovation in 2023 included a new solid oak kitchen with new appliances and dishes, new mattresses, linen and towels, a new set of deckchairs and umbrellas, along with some vintage furniture makeovers to preserve the character of this authentic Istria home. As you walk through the front door, you are overflown with nostalgia and instantly taken away to another time and place. We are sure if these walls could talk, they’d tell many captivating tales, but we find that even so they easily awake the imagination and encourage daydreaming. The pristine beauty of the surrounding nature and the garden itself, particularly the wild vine and wisteria climbing up the facade inspired the name Millefoglie which translates from Italian to a thousand leaves. It is our way of honoring the layers of her rich history, luxuriant environment, and loving efforts of restoration and care that all play together in creating her, in our eyes, irresistible appeal. Guest access Though the property is not fully fenced, you will have the entire house and the pool to yourselves. All the rooms in the house are at our guests' disposal, except the garage on the ground floor of the west wing. Other things to note Here are a few tips on getting around to help you plan your time at Villa Millefoglie. Filled with charming little hilltop towns and vibrant cities the peninsula's scenic roads will lead you from one place to the next, as you discover truffle forests, scenic coastlines, and secluded spaces along the way. If you feel like soaking up the sea air, the nearest beach is only 25 km away, in Opatija. It is a charming 19 ct small city famous for preserving the legacy of a popular Austro-Hungarian summer vacation destination. The road will take you past the olive gardens, vineyards and prolific wilderness of the peninsula. Beautiful and well-known Send Beach Rabac is also nearby, about 35 km away from the house in the same direction. Half an hour's drive away from the Vila you can find a ferry that will take you to the famous National Park Brijuni, consisting of a group of small islands which are now open to the public. They used to be Tito`s private residence so you can still have a true safari experience there, as he had animals brought from Africa that still roam the islands. If you will be in the mood for up to an hour's drive through the backcountry, I suggest a day trip to Rovinj. It is a charming waterfront city rich with history and gastronomy, famous for colourful historic architecture and buzzing energy. I strongly suggest you also visit Hum, known as the smallest city in the world, only 3 km away, where you will find a delightful little tavern with a breathtaking view, my personal favourite. And make sure to visit Motovun, for its unique, irresistibly eclectic mixture of traditional and modern influences. Even though Vila Millefoglie is surrounded by wilderness, the nearest shop is only a kilometre away, and there are at least 7, or 8 restaurants and taverns in the area of 5 km. Look for a tavern Danilea at the other end of our village, above mentioned tavern in Hum, also tavern Kolinasi in the nearby village Rim, or the one in tiny village Roc, also not far from the house. All homemade pasta kind of of places. Note that there are many marked hiking and biking paths, trails and roads surrounding our village, all of which you will surely enjoy. Villa Millefoglie is situated within Nature Park Ucka, rich with water springs, cliff canyons and various vegetation, whose tallest peak, about 1400 meters high, can easily be climbed upon, but not without careful consideration and preparation.