San Canzian Village Hotel

Croatia

Embracing Mediterranean slow-living comes with the territory in rural Istria, where you’ll find San Canzian Village & Hotel in a setting of vineyards, olive trees and Venetian architecture. Located in the medieval village of Mužolini Donji, a short distance from Buje and Grožnjan, the hotel is at once close to the Adriatic Sea and perfectly off-grid. Once a 14th-century fort, the stone-clad remains have been transformed into 24 rooms, suites and villas with uber-modern interiors. Minimal and art-forward by design, tribute is paid to raw materials and earthy tones, while a 600-bottle wine cellar and contemporary restaurant highlight local produce from land and sea. As the most northern spot olive groves can flourish, remnants of co-owner Leopold Botteri’s olive oil producer past echo throughout, a connection best admired from the grove-lined infinity pool or with a private tasting session. When it’s time to step beyond the grounds, a guided tour of Roman ruins on a day trip to historic Pula beckons.

Doubles from £188. 00 385 99 302 0000, san-canzian.hr

Words by Megan Dickson.

This review was taken from the 250th issue of Food and Travel. To subscribe today, click here.