Testimonials
"The house was wonderful and everything was perfect. The view from the pool was breathtaking. We had an unforgettable time. The house is like heaven on earth!"
Ewa Kucharska, Poland, Casa Roma 16-23 July 2011
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"Our stay at Casa Sienna was outstanding. The villa was stunning We really enjoyed day trips to Pula, Motovun and Rovinj. And, of course, the town of Buzet and the village of Sovinjak were both beautiful. But the two real highlights were the private chef that we arranged to come to the villa, and our visit to Restaurant Toklarija in the village next to Sovinjak. My wife and I consider ourselves foodies, and one of the things we absolutely love is unpretentious, traditional food that uses fresh local ingredients and is prepared with love and soul. Both experiences were absolutely wonderful. The chef came to our villa from the nearby village of Vrh, and prepared a fantastic meal consisting of local ham (proudly cut by hand, because, we were told, the machine ruins the taste), fresh truffles over homemade pasta, fresh homemade bread,local Istrian ox stewed in a clay pot with local vegetables, and olive oil chocolate cake. All of it was accompanied by wonderful homemade wines and freshly pressed olive oil. The food was amazing,but the experience of sitting out on the terrace in the evening made it even better.
Restaurant Toklarija was a similarly wonderful experience. The restaurant is literally less than a kilometer from the villa, so close you could possibly walk to it. The feel is so intimate, it feels like you've been invited to someone's house. We went for lunch, and spent a lazy afternoon sitting at a table in the tree-shaded back garden as course after course of delicious local Istrian dishes came out. All of it was paired with wonderful Istrian wines. Occasionally, the chef or an older woman who we guessed was probably his mother would come out, pour more wine chat for a while, and then head into the garden to pick more herbs or vegetables for the next course. We turned up at around noon, and it was around 4:30pm when we finally left. It was just a wonderful day relaxing and eating and enjoying the food, wine and culture of Istria."
Vincent Procacci, New York, Casa Sienna 28 May-4 June
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""The Va-Va Voom Villa" "We had hired Casa Bella through istriadeluxe.com, a small company that offers luxury holiday homes in this rural area. We had astonishing views of the green valley below, our own pool, five double bedrooms, a badminton court, 10 bikes at our disposal, a verandah kitted out with a table tennis table and the whole place was wired for sound so you could hear your tunes outside. No doubt about it, this was a party house. And, split between seven of us, this plush pad was setting us back only £285 each."
Tracey Blake, featured in 'London Lite', July 2008
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"I spent a wonderful week in Casa Sienna with six friends last Autumn. Within minutes of arriving at the villa, I felt part of something magical. The sun shone, the pool glistened, and we walked down to dinner at one of the most incredible restaurants I have ever experienced. The days that followed merged into a haven of relaxation. The group split up each morning to explore Istria and play golf, tennis and sail. By mid-afternoon, we'd gather by the pool and doze in the freshest air imaginable. I can't wait to go back again."
Annabel Field
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"Casa Bella is the dream holiday venue for our family. The pool, croquet, table tennis and satellite TV meant that the kids didn't even want to leave the villa, whilst the views from the comfy poolside chairs were more than enough to keep the grown-ups entertained. The local supermarket in Buzet had everything we needed at half the London price, and cooking in the huge kitchen was a pleasure. We'll be back for two weeks next time round!"
Angus Donaldson
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"Wowed by the amazing views, bellies full of local specialities, wine, truffles, prosciutto, cheese, pumkin etc. Relaxed after hours by the pool... we set off home with many happy memories of a great villa and a wonderful holiday."
The Juliet James family
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"The bikes were fun and much appreciated - as was the table tennis and pool with speakers. Groznjan is definitely worth a visit and the best dinner out was Morgan's restaurant"
The Fox family (19th to 26th July 2008)
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"We were a group of 9 persons, 7 adults and two teenage girls, that spent a nice week in Casa Bella in Istria, Croatia in June 2010. The house is very beautiful and suited our needs very well. The scenery is pretty with valleys and hills and we spent a lot of time biking and hiking in the neighborhood. Close to the house there are several wine producers that offer wine tasting. One of the highlights of the week was one evening with dinner and an outdoor classical concert in Groznjan, one of the hilltop towns in the area. Groznjan is an extremely charming small town with many artists and galleries. A group of friends from Sweden"
Ann-Christin Soderlund, Casa Bella: 19-26 June 2010
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"We had a wonderful memorable time in Croatia and thoroughly enjoyed staying at Villa Sienna. Truly magnificent medieval villages are within easy reach by car and the villa itself is comfortable and well appointed, with great views of the stunning surrounding countryside. There are heaps of things to do with the kids, whether snorkelling in the very clear coastal water or racing around in go-karts. For adults, a trip to the nearby health spa is a must where the “Magic Honey Massage”, which involved being coated in oil and honey and wrapped in cling film was an unexpected treat. The food is excellent, particularly if truffles are your thing, though I would recommend staying away from the tourist menus in the coastal towns. Olive oil can be bought from the local farms and is some of the very best in Europe. Overall, a hugely successful holiday in unspoilt and peaceful surroundings – who could ask for more?"
James Geary, Casa Sienna: 14-28 August 2010
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"We had a very nice stay in Casa Sienna, its a lovely house in a nice area and should we visit Istria again I'm sure one of your houses will be of interest. Istria is a great alternative for people who like Tuscany and Provence, similar lovely environment and nice villages."
Bernt Sandell, Casa Sienna : 17-31 July 2010
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"Fabulous house in a beautiful setting, views to die for. Beautifully furnished , not usual rented house furniture and very comfy beds...the swimming pool which everybody thought was fab (not overly chlorinated and a great length to get some much needed exercise!)."
Judy Tolliday, Casa Roma: 3-17 July 2010
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Click here for a feature on Casa Roma from the Bravacasa magazine.
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