Istria Holiday Homes, Croatia.

Istria is the largest peninsula on the Croatian coast and, partly because of its easy transport links with close-by Italy and Austria, one of the country's major tourist centres. The ancient city of Pula dates from the 5th century BC, and its Roman amphitheatre is still in use. Pula's coastline stretches for some 190km (119 miles) and has long been a popular destination for beach holidays. Pula is also a good starting point for excursions to the nearby Brijuni National Park (see also National Parks below). On the cultural front, Pula has a number of interesting Roman buildings and the city also hosts Croatia's annual film festival. More Roman origins can be seen on Porec, Istria's second major tourist resort, which is also home to a UNESCO World Heritage listed complex of sacral buildings, with the Euphrasius Basilica as its centrepiece. The city centre of Rovinj, another major regional resort, is situated on a small island that was once connected to the mainland. Scattered along the Rovinj coast are 22 further small islands, forming a protected natural area. Other well known resorts in the Istria region include Umag and Vrsar, an old fishing town.