Author: roccariviera

For all reservations made until 29.11.2021, get a Black Friday 30% discount !!!

The discount applies to stays until 11.06.2022.

After the pandemic that took over the world, many people were forced to change their profession, their job, the place, and the time where and when they worked. Whether you just decided to become a digital nomad or you “have experience” with this lifestyle, our city of Umag is ideal for living not only during the summer months but also during the fall and winter. 

The general idea of digital nomads is freedom of movement and work no matter where you are in the world. In this way, you can, despite your work, visit fantastic places around Istria, learn about different cultures, try other foods, meet locals, etc. Complete freedom- while still having an income and an online job.

Digital nomads in Croatia can stay for a year without paying income tax

At the beginning of 2021, Croatia opened its borders, welcoming all digital nomads allowing them to get long-stay visas. New Croatian regulations define a digital nomad as a person outside the EU working remotely in the IT sector or having their own company registered abroad. If you are interested in becoming a digital nomad, you don’t need a tourist visa to enter our country, you can apply for a one-year residence permit after you come to Croatia. But don’t forget you’re not allowed to provide services to Croatian companies, and you don’t have to pay income tax for a year.

If you are searching Google and the topic of digital nomads, most forums will tell you that this kind of lifestyle reduces productivity. Can you imagine you not be productive in the Mediterranean? Hard to believe. Just picture this, you are waking up every morning to the sound of the sea, overlooking the city, and having the opportunity to go to the beach and swim from May to October. Yeah, this is Istria!

If this didn’t convince you, have you heard that CNN and Lonely Planet recognized Croatia as a perfect digital nomad destination? 

Read more here: https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/croatia-digital-nomads/index.html

and here https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/croatia-residency-scheme-remote-work

Apartments for long-term rental in Istria

Despite the excellent weather we also have a rich history, beautiful architecture, the most fantastic sea coast in the Mediterranean and of course delicious food and wine. Yeah, don’t forget the dragons. In addition, the cost of living in Croatia is much lower than in other EU countries.

We offer you luxury accommodation in Umag at affordable prices, with a private pool for residents, a sauna, and a gym. Rocca Riviera consists of nine apartments, encompassing a living room, two bedrooms, bathrooms, a kitchen, and a terrace enjoying the beautiful view of the horizon. Every apartment is equipped with a TV, an AC, a hairdryer, an iron, a coffee machine, a washing machine, and a dishwasher. We provide a WIFI connection to our guests, free of charge.

If you go outside, don’t worry, WiFi connections and the Internet are widely available all over the city. Most of the passwords are printed on menus and receipts. Our country is one of the safest in Europe, with lower crime rates and less pickpocketing, so don’t worry, behave appropriately and enjoy your stay. 

On your first visit, you will be able to see that Istria is reminiscent of Italy. Narrow streets, stone houses, wine, and olive trees. We are proud of the heritage that we have preserved for years. Numerous art and music festivals held in our city, as well as sports activities, are another excellent reason to spend a year in Umag. We definitely suggest that you visit two small towns near Umag – Motovun, and Grožnjan, which are only 20 minutes away and are ideal for a one-day visit. In addition, Vodnjan, Bale, Labin are small towns that will delight you with their romantic and easy way of life.

Did we mention to you that you should definitely try our truffles? They are one of the most expensive and luxurious foods in the whole world, and the taste is unforgettable, but in Istria, you can eat them on a budget. In almost all local restaurants, you will find dishes with truffles at affordable prices. Our recommendation is to order traditional pasta with truffles and definitely try the homemade Istrian wine.

The airport in Trieste is only 1 hour and 15 minutes away (direct flights to Frankfurt, London, Valencia…), and the airport in Ljubljana is 2 hours from Umag (direct flights to Amsterdam, Tel Aviv, Berlin, Zurich, Brussels, Tokyo, New York…) so that friends and family can always come to visit you. 

If this is enough for you to embark on an unforgettable adventure, find the form you need to fill out for a one-year visa at the following link: https://mup.gov.hr/UserDocsImages/dokumenti/stranci/Obrazac%201a.pdf

Also, check this https://www.expatexchange.com/ctryguide/5651/376/Croatia/Immigration-Croatia-Croatias-Digital-Nomad-Visa

For any additional questions, feel free to contact us info@roccariviera.hr 

Email subject LONG-TERM RENT

We will be happy to help you and forward any answers.

ROCCA RIVIERA TEAM

When you live at the seaside everybody will ask you is it hard to let go of summer? What makes it easier for us to say goodbye to summer is the fact that autumn is coming and brings more pleasant weather and lower temperatures, as well as colorful nature. After a summer filled with lots of sun and fun, autumn is an ideal time for all of us to slow down, get cozy, rest, and enjoy.

People like to visit Istria throughout the year. Whether you are interested in city architecture and culture, or you intend to use the time for gourmet trips, here is why an autumn vacation in Istria is a great idea.

Colder and more pleasant weather between 

September and November, you will see that the weather is much colder in the Mediterranean. So, exploring the city is definitely much more comfortable. However, be sure to pack something warm for nights. Usually, during the day, the temperatures reach up to 25 degrees Celsius; however, at night they drop to around 15 degrees Celsius.

Fewer tourists and crowds

At this time of year, the city of Umag is not too crowded with tourists, so you can easily find all the attractions such as The Museum of Umag, Savudrija lighthouse (the oldest in Croatia), Parish Church of Annunciation, Church of St. Roche or even modern art gallery Marin to visit. 

More vacancies in Rocca Riviera Umag

Although the swimming season in Istria is not over yet, according to the tourist website, you will be able to see that during the autumn, there is a much more extensive selection of accommodation for rent, and the prices are more favorable. This is definitely another reason to visit us. Experience the comfort of the luxurious Rocca Riviera Umag residence, with a separate gym, sauna, and swimming pool. And let’s not forget the great, stunning view of the city from our apartments.

Let’s go to the beach!

Just because it’s autumn, doesn’t mean you can not enjoy the beach, in fact, in Istria you can expect many beautiful bays, which are perfect for swimming from around May to October. Our recommendations are beach Savudrija with boats hanging on wooden pillars, which have become a landmark of the region. An insider tip is to visit it in the evening during sunset when nature is creating romantic shades of red and orange across the sky.

If you are looking for a natural sandy beach, Zambratija is a real insider tip, especially for families with children. The sea is crystal clear and very shallow, so you can wade through the water. Beautiful and another landmark of the city is the picturesque Polynesian beach. Turquoise sea, the sunken city of Sipar, and a site with Roman remains. No, you are not dreaming. This is Istria!

Sport events in Istria

Numerous athletes and recreationists will find enough reasons to visit Istria even in the autumn months. This year we are especially looking forward to the 8th edition of the ultra trail race 100 Miles of Istria. Since 2016, 100 miles of Istria have been included in the Ultra-Trail World Tour (UTWT), which is an elite group of only a few prestigious world races. The trail stretches from the eastern part of the peninsula, over the highest mountain peaks, and ends on the west coast of the peninsula, in our city of Umag. 

The youngest runners can expect Ledo 1 miles of Istria, a race for the kids in which they will have fun. Information related to the race can be found at www.istria100.com

If you love bikes, we have something for you too. This year’s CRO Race will take place from September 28th to October 3rd. What is specific is that this race consists of 6 stages, which will cover more than a thousand kilometers throughout Croatia, and the penultimate stage will be run in Istria on Saturday, so we invite you to spend that weekend with us. Also, mark the calendar from October 15th to 17th October 2021, and register for the 

Istria Granfondo International Cycling Marathon.

And of course, you can always play tennis in Umag, the most famous tennis destination in Croatia and home to the largest tennis tournament in Croatia.

Drive an oldtimer

If you like oldtimers and that retro vibe, another great festival to enjoy at this time of the year is happening in Umag. This usually takes place during the first week in September, and you really get the opportunity to experience some genuinely retro vibe at exhibitions and while driving oldtimers.

Amazing food in Istria

Istrian wine is recognized in the world as one of the best, so do not overthink it and be sure to go on a tour of the vineyards. Along the way, you will learn all the details about the wine production process, but also enjoy wine tasting during your visit to the city of Umag. Eat at local gourmet restaurants, try Istria’s craft beer at San Servolo, and visit local olive oil producers, such as Buscina, Cluj, and Farma Jola. 

And the most important thing is that September is the beginning of the truffle season- so get ready! 

As you wander the streets of Umag, you will smell freshly roasted chestnuts, which are perfectly reminiscent of autumn. Trust us, wandering around the city is really more romantic if you have a pack of freshly roasted chestnuts with you.

We hope you enjoyed this autumn walk through our beautiful city of Umag, and be sure to let us know what inspired you to visit us.

Guests staying at Rocca Riviera will now be able to pay for their stay using cryptocurrency.  Fans of Bitcoin, Ethereum and other popular virtual currencies will be able to make secure transactions for bookings and staying.

The northern Adriatic Istrian peninsula is featured on the covers of six Austrian tourist magazines and an influential weekly supplement, Istria County Tourist Board said on Monday, calling this “excellent news.”

ADAC Reisemagazin, Alpe Adria Magazin, Dumont, Der Feinschmecker, and Merian are prestigious tourism and lifestyle magazines that present Istria as a close and attractive destination and bring a wealth of travel and accommodation information and advice on Croatia’s largest peninsula and Austrians’ closest to the Mediterranean, the Tourist Board said.

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The weekly supplement in Saturday’s edition of the influential Kurier Freizeit has Istria on its cover and an eight-page spread, the Tourist Board said, adding that this was Austria’s largest-circulation daily with up to 250,000 copies sold.

In a press release, County Prefect Boris Miletić said that “Istria is a world tourism brand today, as confirmed by frequent and numerous features and articles in respectable world media.” He called the fact that Istria was featured on the covers of as many as six magazines in one day “a historic success.” Miletić said that “according to the indicators so far, this season will surpass all expectations, which means that we have been recognized as a safe and desirable tourist destination.” He said Istria would continue to invest in tourism, primarily ecologically sustainable tourism, and culture, food, and nature.

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Istria County Tourist Board director Denis Ivošević said the appearance of Istria on six Austrian magazine covers represented incalculable promotion.

The Tourist Board also carried a statement by ART Redaktionsteam director Wolfgang Neuhuber, who said, “Neither Tuscany nor Piedmont nor South Tyrol nor the French Riviera, but Istria.”

For all you need to know about coronavirus specific to Croatia, including travel, border, and quarantine rules, as well as the locations of vaccination points and testing centers across the country, make sure to bookmark our dedicated COVID-19 section and select your preferred language.

If you are anything like me, then the thought of a monotone holiday sends chills down your spine.

But luckily, in Umag it is practically impossible. Thanks to its location, Umag is surrounded by an abundance of activities suitable for everyone.

If you are a water activities and adrenaline lover, check out Istralandia. It was Croatias first waterpark, welcoming visitors from all over. Istralandia is perfect for families, as it offers a wide variety of amenities for children of all ages as well as adults.

You have to check out the Fantasy Hole, it is a closed slide that you ride in a rubber boat.

Istralandia is located only 20 minutes from Rocca Riviera Luxury Apartments.

Or if you are a fan of sightseeing, a day in Porec might be the place for you. It is a beautiful city, featuring an amazing marina with local restaurants and cafes. To add some fun to your day, try Cross Kart. The Porec Motodrom offers a separate track for children to safely race, or a double seater if driving is not your thing.

The Motodrom also offers paintball, quad rides, an adventure park and other team building activities. 

The Porec Motodrom is located only 30 minutes from Rocca Riviera Luxury Apartments.

Thanks to its perfect location, Umag is a fantastic for people who love to sightsee. Beautiful cities such as Rovinj, Porec and Novigrad are only a short drive away. However, if you want a full day excursion, try taking a ferry to Venice, Italy. It is definitely an amazing experience and you get the opportunity to see Venice without the pressures of booking accommodation or finding parking.

Additionally, Portoroz is also a must see. Only a twenty minute drive from Umag, Portoroz is a luxurious Slovenian town perfect for a shopping trip.

When I say holiday in Croatia, what is the first word that comes to mind?

And why is it Istraian truffles?

Truffles hold a special place in the hearts of culinary fanatic across the globe, however Istrian truffles are unlike anywhere else in the world. The thick forests near Buzet and Motovun, hide an underground truffle paradise.

Autumn is a special time for all truffle lovers, as the white truffle is hunted from September until December and this is the best time to try it. In October, in Giancarlo Zigante’s restaurant ‘Livade’,

Istrian truffles do not only provide a gustatory experience, but represent years of tradition. From truffle pasta to truffle cheese and even honey, it is a rollercoaster of different flavours. Autumn months are prime truffle times, so Istrian accommodation fills up pretty quickly, attracting truffle fanatics from all over the world.

My personal favourite is Istraun fuzi with truffles. It may be the most common dish, as it is served in nearly every restaurant, however rightly so. The creaminess of the white truffle compliments the shape of the Istrian fuzi pasta, flows together in perfect harmony.

And you might be wondering where you can find the best truffle delicacies…. Well I have got you covered!

Konoba Nono is a local, family owned restaurant, located only 6 short minutes from Rocca Riviera Luxury Apartments. It is perfect for a late lunch or dinner, as well as very kid friendly. It even has a miniature zoo, featuring farm animals such as horses and donkeys.

If you prefer to get out of Umag for a while Giancarlo Zigante’s restaurant ‘Livade’ might be your perfect pick. It is a very popular restaurant, as Giancarlo Zigante found a truffle that holds the Guinness World Record for the largest truffle ever found! It is only a 30 minute drive from Rocca Riviera Luxury Apartments.

Or if truffle delicacies are more up your alley, try exploring Umag’s old town for the best truffle oil and cheese.

Make sure to put truffle festivals on your Croatian holiday to-do list, and your perfect accommodation to do so can be Rocca Riviera Luxury Apartments.