Villa Magnifica is an ideal retreat for those looking for complete peace in a natural environment, yet perfectly located near the most popular places – historic towns, beaches, top restaurants and wineries of Istria. This holiday home is located in the small Istrian town of Žminj and is ideal for family activities, romantic trips and relaxation. A villa in Istria provides an excellent refuge for everyone who wants a relaxing vacation, but at the same time they don’t want to be too far from bigger places. Enjoy the warm Istrian summer evenings on the terrace and relax with a cold drink. Whether you’re looking for a fun vacation or a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of modern life, Villa Magnifica has everything you need! If you choose this villa, we can guarantee you the best vacation of your life!
Explore the unexplored jewel of istria and rest in a beautiful villa!
Žminj – a small town in the heart of Istria
The town of Žminj is a small town in the heart of Istria, where numerous Istrian products originate. It has been an important traffic hub since ancient times because it connected the entire Istrian peninsula. The place is ideal for enjoying nature, hiking or cycling. Take a walk through the medieval core, see the frescoed churches, the remains of the city walls and towers. Centuries-old Istrian stone houses have been converted into agritourisms, so you can taste local Istrian cuisine. On the way through Žminj and its surroundings, you will come across round stone houses located next to dry stone walls. They used to be used as tool storage and shelter. Such a stone house in Istria is called kažun and there are over 5,000 of them throughout Istria.
Come and meet Žminj and Villa Magnifica!
When you are anywhere in Europe, then it is said that all roads lead to Rome, but when you are in Istria, then all roads lead to Žminj! Peace, local products, authenticity, immediate experience, unique experiences and connections between producers are some of the basic characteristics of Žminj. Forgotten recipes, frescoes, speech, customs, oral tradition, music, the festival kingdom cave, sausage to go, Žminj coffee, Žminj macaroons, Lord’s Žminj cake Christ’s crown, numerous puddles, donkey milk, homemade mozzarella, yogurt, cottage cheese, butter, cheese , prosciutto, wines, oils, as well as chapels, forests, bosques and viewpoints, are part of the tourist offer and can be found in the contents of numerous events.
The guests of Žminj enjoy peace, greenery, proximity to both coasts of the Istrian peninsula. And that’s why Villa Magnifica is an ideal place for vacation! Guests can treat their taste buds in Žminj taverns, restaurants, agritourisms and pizzerias. At numerous events, you can take part in workshops for making Istrian paste, sweet bread and Easter cakes, and you can also sign up for a last-minute meeting of self-taught accordion players, which has been held on the second Saturday in July for more than a quarter of a century.
Discover the magical cave
In the heart of Istria, near the village of Feštini, not far from Žminj, the Feštinsko kraljevstvo cave stands out for its natural beauty. When entering the cave, the first thing you hear is the harmonious sound of drops, which since time immemorial have created a beautiful underground jewelry, under which the ponds full of drip water are reflected. The cave also abounds in beautiful sigmoid shapes, among which you will easily recognize the ‘wizard’s hat’, the ‘tower of Babel’ and the huge ‘bat wings’ unusually covered by a branch of the vine root that is fed by water from the cave floor. By visiting this ‘kingdom’, in addition to the beauties of the underground, you can also enjoy the idyllic landscape enriched with accompanying facilities, such as a children’s park, a mini farm, a bar, a souvenir shop, a meadow ideal for football, jogging or cycling, a sandpit, a lookout point, large wooden hand made toys, such as: Mickey Mouse, Pinocchi, a train, a real Istrian barn in a miniature version, an airplane, or a hedgehog’s house. The Kingdom of Feština regularly hosts participants of numerous races, for whom the lawn in front of the cave serves as a place for refreshment.
Try Caffe Monte
One of the younger, but equally recognizable and beloved Žminy products, is certainly Monte coffee. About thirty years ago, local coffee lovers decided to try their hand at producing coffee according to their own taste and thus created a recognizable brand, so you will be able to taste the aroma of Žminj in numerous catering establishments throughout Istria and beyond.
Try the flavors of childhood from the heart of Istria
Latus dairy, a small family business surrounded by pastures, is located in Žminj. Local residents and tourists can buy and try dairy products from fresh milk to yogurt, cream and cheese. Available products, except at the points of sale, can be tasted during a visit to the dairy, with prior notice.
Enjoy the traditional flavors of macaroni, fudge and gnocchi
In the last few years, Žminj has established itself as a place for tasting and making pasta (pasta). Thus, the pashto festival has been present in the two-day program for 6 years in the summer months. Under the old chestnut trees, in the pleasant ambience “Behind the Castle”, visitors can taste and enjoy the traditional flavors of macaroni, gnocchi, and fuži, and participate in the preparation of pasta dishes, while at the same time helping the preserved and protect traditional Istrian cuisine.
Try the award-winning Istrian prosciutto
The Jelenić ham shop from Žminj is one of the most famous ham shops in Istria. Founded long ago in 1999, this prosciutto factory has built a cult status that has been recognized by numerous domestic and international agencies and awarded them with gold awards for quality. In Pršutarna Jelenić, you will find a wide range of excellent cured meat products, and the basis of the entire production is the widely known Istrian prosciutto. Prosciutto salted with sea salt, pepper, garlic and bay leaf matures for more than 12 months, and due to the noble mold, the prosciutto acquires a specific enticing taste and smell. Be sure to try this Istrian prosciutto prepared according to a traditional recipe.
Now that you have visited Žminj and its surroundings, return to Villa Magnifica for a well-deserved rest! Book this incredible vacation home in the heart of Istria now, and treat yourself to the relaxing vacation you deserve. Enjoy the evening breeze and the beautiful starry evening sky from the comfort of one of the lounge chairs.