Cool season
Truffles, hill towns and slow Istrian days
From autumn into winter, Istria turns inward and gourmet. This is truffle season, the time for tastings along the wine and olive oil roads, and for wandering the empty lanes of Motovun, Grožnjan and Rovinj before the crowds return.
Villa Babudri near Višnjan is a warm, private base for all of it, come back from a day out to the sauna, whirlpool and a fire-lit evening. Everything below is an easy drive from the villa.
Truffle hunting near Livade
Join a guided hunt with trained dogs in the forests around Livade and Motovun, the heart of Istria’s prized white and black truffle country.
View on Google Maps →Zigante Truffle Days
Each autumn, Livade hosts the famous truffle fair with tastings, markets and the giant-truffle weigh-in, a highlight of the Istrian calendar.
Official site →Motovun & Grožnjan
Two of Istria’s most beautiful hilltop towns, medieval walls, art galleries, konobas and long views over the Mirna valley.
View on Google Maps →Wine & olive oil roads
Istria’s award-winning olive oils and Malvazija and Teran wines are best tasted at the cellars and oil mills along the signed country roads.
Rovinj & the Pula Arena
Wander Rovinj’s painterly old town, then visit Pula’s remarkably preserved Roman Arena, both calm and rewarding out of season.
View on Google Maps →Christmas markets
From late November, Istrian towns light up with Advent markets, mulled wine, music and seasonal food along the coast and inland.
Stargazing above Višnjan
Višnjan is known for its observatory and dark countryside skies. On clear winter nights, step out of the sauna, look up and count shooting stars from the garden.
Višnjan Observatory →Off-season stays
Three easy ways to use the villa off-season
The villa stays open all year, and shorter stays are often possible outside the summer months, message us with your dates and we will make it work.
Truffle weekends
Three or four slow days built around a guided truffle hunt, konoba lunches and the wine and olive oil roads, with the sauna and heated pool waiting at home.
Advent and New Year
Bring the whole family or crew, up to 10 guests, cook long dinners, tour the Advent markets and celebrate New Year with the fireplace lit.
Slow winter stays
Wi-Fi, four en-suite bedrooms and a quiet hamlet make the villa an easy base for longer winter stays and remote-working weeks in Istria.
Your base
A warm villa for cool-season escapes
Out of season, the villa is at its most peaceful. Warm up in the sauna and whirlpool after a truffle hunt, cook a long lunch with local oil and wine, and enjoy the fenced garden and quiet all to yourselves.
- Sauna, whirlpool and heated private pool
- Fully equipped kitchen and indoor dining
- Space for up to 10 guests
- Private chef option on request