Fodor's Expert Review Stancija 1904

This lovingly restored turn-of-the-century villa 30 minutes east of Rovinj is an excellent place to stay—and a good example of what you're likely to find if you venture into the agritourism section of the Istria lodging scene. A stay here gets you in tune with the countryside, breathing fresh air and seeing the stars at night. The agri part of the tourism here is a highlight; plenty of what you eat comes from the garden. The grounds are laced with stone walkways, and leafy trees provide shady corners to grab a lawn chair and doze in. Quiet it is—and in that sense, you are a world away from the crowds back on the coast. There are three immaculately furnished apartments, each with a private terrace, plus a full-fledged two-story house for rent. A generous breakfast is included in the price of the rental. The owner's meticulous attention to every detail of your surroundings ensures that no doorknob is left with grease or dirt. The farm is in the tiny village of Smoljanci, just beyond the picturesque Renaissance-era town of Svetvinčenat (5 km [3 miles] from Kanfanar, which is near Dvigrad).