Vrsar/Funtana
In your search of the perfect vacation, be sure to visit Vrsar and Funtana. These two small fishing settlements situated between Poreč and Lim canal will offer you the splendour of their irreplaceable idyllic island archipelago, the green environment and the crystal clear sea.
The most indented coast in Istria with many bays and islets represents a true paradise especially for navigation experts, who have on their disposal 2 marinas with 380 permanent berths as well as all the necessary accompanying equipment. If you do not have a vessel here, you can still enjoy the magical sea from numerous excursion boats that sail during the daily and nightly panoramic excursions from Vrsar-Orsera over the Lim canal to Rovinj-Rovigno. You can participate in fish-picnic excursions or undergo the experience of fishing with trawl.
Since ancient times, Mediterranean sailors supplied themselves with drinking water from the nearby springs on the coast, by which both places got their names. In the Roman period an aqueduct was built from the Funtana-Fontane spring to the Poreč surroundings. Also, make sure not to miss the 17th century Kaštel in Funtana-Fontane, built by Bernardo Borisi.
On the top of the Vrsar-Orsera hill, you can see the remnants of a prehistoric settlement that used to be enclosed by defensive walls. It stayed unchanged during the Roman period, when Vrsar-Orsera became a significant Christian center. Kaštel-palace, a fort protected with a defensive rampart with towers, was built on a place where a smaller and humble-looking Romanesque palace used to be, today housing the gallery of Edo Murić, one of the most famous Croatian painters.
After that, you should visit the cave of St. Romuald, the Benedictine monk and ascetic who brought to Istria the learning of St Benedict of Norcia,and then continue on to visit Benedictine churches and monasteries on the northern coast of Lim Bay. Yes, in Istria you can see the sources of the western civilization!
More than a holiday!
Vrsar-Orsera and Funtana-Fontane are modern tourist centers that managed to preserve their rich tradition. Most prominent is the culture of preparing food, recognized by numerous generations of guests as the special quality of this climate. Thus, today you can taste specially prepared traditional meals that will satisfy your need for the authentic Mediterranean dish and forgotten gastronomic delights completely! Very famous Istrian prosciutto, pork fillet and sausages have a specific taste and scent, and the seafood and fish come from the idyllic archipelago in which beauty, pleasure and tradition all melt together.