Vacation rental is a term in the travel industry meaning renting out a furnished apartment or house on a temporary basis to tourists as an alternative to a hotel. Vacation rentals are becoming increasingly popular in Europe (especially in the UK) as well as in Canada. In some cities, like Barcelona, local authorities determined that vacation rentals were becoming a threat to the hotel industry and passed some legislation placing regulations and limits on the industry.

Many property owners contract a vacation rental management company to manage the business of their vacation rentals. These management companies market the vacation rental property, providing information and photos to guests and handling reservations and billing in the homeowner’s stead. These companies also handle details such as guest check-in, housekeeping and property maintenance.

Guests who book through vacation rental management companies may experience benefits including quality control, housekeeping services, professional reservations agents and on-site or on-call staff.

Many such companies are members of the Vacation Rental Managers Association.

Aside from those represented by a few large property management companies, vacation rentals may be offered through aggregation portals. Aggregators typically display property information and photos provided by the homeowner, however the listing services bear no legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information. Also, because the listing services do not verify the information, they strongly encourage guests to request references from past renters and to procure a lease agreement prior to sending money to a homeowner.

A vacation rental may not be booked directly with a listing service. Because each property owner has his or her own deposit and payment requirements, cancellation policies, key-pick-up procedures, etc., a guest must contact the property owner or owner’s agent directly in order to book.

A guest who books through a listing service or direct from owner may experience the benefit of lower rental rates.

Get to know Istria through the typical architectural venetian buildings, churches, bell towers, its coast and beaches. With its inland, Istria makes an unavoidable tourist destination. The Istrian peninsula is located in the northern part of the Adriatic sea, between the gulf of Trieste and the gulf of Kvarner. There are three rivers flowing through Istria; Dragonja, Raša, and Mirna, and in the northern part is the mountain Učka.

BLUE ISTRIA: vacation and holidays in Istria
Blue Istria makes the eastern and western coast of Istria, comprised by a beautiful sea, beaches with amazing numerous bays, which brought to a development of tourism in Istria, and where most accommodation in Istria is located, such as hotels, apartments, private houses, residence, vacation villages, camping, bungalow, and others. Most structures offer sport amenities, a rich gastronomical offer, and a variety of other amusing contents.

Amphiteater in Pulasurely one of the most significant cultural and historical inheritance in Istria, from the Roman age. The amphiteater in Pula was built in the first century, from the time of the emperor Vespazijan, and by its size is the 6th in th World. During that time, the amphiteater was used as a theater for gladiator fights, whereas today it is used as stage for various cultural events, mostly concerts.

National park Brijuni3 bigger and 12 smaller islands make the archipelago of Brijuni, located in the south-west coast of Istria. Brijuni are particular for their dense Mediterranean vegetation, and a safari park with inhabitated by rare animals. Furthermore, the islands of Brijuni have many archeological remains from the Roman, or more specifically the Byzantine, era. Because of its specificity, Brijuni was a tourist destination in the beginning of the 19th century for politicians and aristocrats. Today, Brijuni offers cultural events, such as opera in the open, and others.

GREEN ISTRIA: agrotourism , wine roads
Green Istria represents the inland of Istria, the area deep in the green of nature, and surrounded by the ancient of the cities and medieval villages. All these things have influenced the growth of rural tourism, where it is possible to have a quiet vacancy, such as being in one of the farmhouses and discovering the culture, customs, and typical foods of the Istrian inland. You can visit small cities and medieval villages located on the hilltops.

Agrotourismthe inland of Istria has a large offer of agrotourism for those who wish to have a quiet vacancy, surrounded by the green of nature. There you can stay in the typical Istrian taverns, called konoba. In the area there is also the possibilty for hunting. The hosts will welcome you with Istrian ham and cheese, as well as good red wine, called Terran, or an excquisite white wine, called Malvazija. You may also accompany paesants during the grape harvest, or olive harvest, as well as during the pasture of animals.

Roads of olive oil and wineIstria is known for olive growing and viticulture. Both olives and good wine are part of the Istrian gastronomy as well as the mediterranean diet. In fact, an old Istrian sayings goes Bread for the body, wine for the soul, representing the wine as a healthy part of living, love, and culture. The red soil and the vicinity of the sea insure a tasty and unmistakable wine. Extra virgin olive oil was being produced in the ancient Istria by small local grinders. Olive oil in Istria represents the symbol of good diet, and it is characteristic for its bitterish essence. There are many roads of olive oil and wine in Istria with purpose of exposing oil mills and cellars to the people.

Country's suburbssare small medieval cities located on one of the many area's hilltops. These small cities are surrounded by antique walls, mostly Roman, of cities and towers, with breathtaking views. By walking through these suburbs you will have the impression of going back in time.

Events in Istria
Festival of the cinema in Pulathis is the oldest festival of the cinema in Croatia, which has been presented since the half century. It takes part in the amphiteater of Pula, Arena. During the last years it has seen famous guests, such as Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Miloš Forman, Sam Peckinpah, John Malkovich, Jeremy Irons, and others.

Festival of the cinema in Motovunit is a festival that shows small movie productions, mostly on a national level. It takes part in Motovun, a small medieval town situated in the heart of Istria.

Biker daysit is a bike reunion, which takes part every year in Istria. It takes place usually in the evenings, and it continues through the night. There are very interesting happenings during that time, such as the biker competition, the wall of death, the hand made bikes show, and many others. The event is entertained by local bands.

Concertsmany concerts are organized mostly during the summer season . The most important ones take place in the amphiteater, in Pula. Many national and international guests come to these events, such as Pavarotti, Carreras, Anastasia, Maksim Mrvica, Boccelli, and others.

The Collegium Gladiatorium Cultural Society and Traditional Fighting Clubit has been established to direct attention to the culture and history of the once-prospering ancient Roman Empire by performing gladiatorial fights as spectacular shows. They recruit new members on an annual basis, usually twice, but they accept applications of people interested in this antique martial art at all times of the year. Tour Operator Uniline together with Tourism Office Pula, are the sponsors of Gladiator Nights, an event which is held from 22/05/09 to 24/05/ in Arena.

NOVIGRAD: hotels and apartments in Novigrad (Istria, Croatia)
Novigrad is a small town and port on the west coast of Istra, built during the Roman period. The old part of Novigrad is located on a small peninsula, near the mouth of Mirna river, the largest river in Istria. Novigrad is known for its narrow medieval streets, the old town walls and the basilica of St. Pelages in the center of town.

HISTORY AND CULTURE OF NOVIGRAD
An interesting fact is that Novigrad had its first official tourist guide in 1845, thanks to Pietro Kandler. The residential part of Novigrad is in Baroque style, and it was built in 1762. The famous palace Rigo was built by instruction of the count Carl Rigo, member of the city's aristocracy.
TOURISM IN NOVIGRAD
Today Novigrad is a known tourist center with a wide variety of activities like water sports, excursions, etc. You can also find a rich gastronomical offer. In summer, there are also traditional events like Jazz Festival Heineken Music Nights and folk feast of St. Pelagus. For your pleasant stay you can choose hotel Laguna and hotel Maestral.

MEDULIN: hotels and apartments in Medulin (Istria, Croatia)
Medulin is located 8 km east of Pula. The archipelago of Medulin has some uninhabited islands that during the summer days become resorts for yachtsmen and other guests. The islands are connected by boat taxis in summer.

TOURISM IN MEDULIN
Located on the south-east part of the Istrian peninsula, Medulin offers accommodation capacities such as hotels, apartments, private houses, vacation villages, camping, bungalows, and others. Part of Medulin's beach is known for its sandy part, which makes it favorable for families and children. Yuo can find all year long accommodation in Medulin in Hotel Belvedere for example.

COMMUNITY CENTER
Medulin offers a wide variety of activities, several soccer fields are available, along with indoor swimming pools, gyms in hotels, massages, and cuisines on request. In the countryside, many bike tracks can be found. Medulin offers possibilities for riding, diving, volleyball, mini-golf, tennis, table tennis, and wind surfing.
VRSAR: hotels and apartments in Vrsar (Istria, Croatia)
Back in the day, Vrsar used to be a fishing community. Today its a small tourist town located between Rovinj and Poreč on the west coast of the Istrian peninsula.

HISTORY AND CULTURE OF VRSAR
An interesting fact is that in the 18th century Vrsar was twice ( 1743. and 1744. ) visited by the Italian adventurer and writer Giacomo Casanova. In his famous memoirs he wrote about his stay in Vrsar.
TOURISM IN VRSAR
Vrsar borders with the beautiful Lim bay that is 9 km long, about 600 m wide, and 30 m deep. In front of Vrsar is one of the most beautiful archipelagos with 18 unpopulated islets. Sorrounded by pine forest, olive groves and vineyards, the Vrsar area is also characterized by numerous bays and beaches. It also holds Koversada nudist camp, which is the largest nudist resort in Europe.
 POREČ: hotels and apartments in Poreč (Istria, Croatia)
Poreč is a city of long history. At almost 2000 years old, it is located on the west coast of Istra between Lim Bay in the south and mouth of Mirna river in the north, protected by the island of St. Nikola.

HISTORY AND CULTURE OF POREC
The city plan is based on structures of the so called roman castrum. Major streets: Decumanus and Cardo Maximus are conserved in their original form. Marafor is the major square with two historical monuments: one of them was built in the 1st century and was dedicated to the roman god Neptun. Some houses in Poreč were built in roman style, but there is also evidence of the gothic era with the palace Franciscan; furthermore, the church and center of the Istrian parliament show a baroque style. Euphrasius basilica from the 5th century, and expanded in the 6th century under the rule of byzantine bishop Eufrazij, is the major cultural monument in Poreč, which has been under the protection of UNESCO since 1997.
TOURISM IN POREC
Poreč has a rich tourist tradition and it offers a wide variety of activities, like beach volley, tennis courts, mini golf, table tennis, volleyball, water-skiing, bungee jumping and numerous others.
Poreč offers accommodation capacities such as hotels, apartments, private houses, residence, vacation villages, camping, bungalow, and others. The biggest accommodation units are located around two beautiful world known lagoons, Plava Laguna (Blue Lagoon) and Zelena Laguna (Green Lagoon).
EVENTS
Other interesting activities include Parenzana truffles tour, Vinistra (exhibition of wine) and bicycle race Istra Terra Magica Bike.

 PULA: hotels and apartments in Pula (Istria, Croatia)
Pula, one of the oldest cities in Istra is a city of rich history. Over 3000 years old, Pula shows its history at every step.

HISTORY AND CULTURE OF PULA
Pula shows its history at every step, from the ancient roman monuments like Amphitheater (Arena), which is also the symbol of the city, Arch of the Sergii and the Temple of Augustus to the Medieval and Renaissance buildings from the Venetian and Austro-Hungarian Empire times.
TOURISM IN PULA
Today Pula is a cultural, economical, and tourist center of Istria. Situated at the southern tip of the Istrian peninsula, surrounded by beautiful beaches, Pula has a large number of hotels to stay in. In the surrounding area there are Vacation villages like Bi-Village and a variety of private houses.
In the close vicinity of Pula lie two beautiful nature parks. One is the Nature park Kamenjak, south of Pula, near the town of Premantura, and the other is a Croatian national park Brijuni, north of Pula.

RABAC: hotels and apartments in Rabac (Istria, Croatia)
Rabac is a small town, port, and tourist center located on southeast coast of Istria and only 5 km from Labin.

TOURISM IN RABAC
During the sixties and seventies Rabac started to develop thanks to investments in tourism, especially hotels and apartments. Today Rabac is known as the pearl of the Kvarner Bay and can accommodate a large number of tourists in hotels, apartments and aparthotels. Rabac offers a wide variety of sport activities, boat excursions and other recreational facilities. The town also has a fine gastronomic offer, beautiful beaches and is a destination of choice for families.

EVENTS
In summer, Rabac comes to life, with plenty of interesting events, like regattas, summer carnival and summer festival.

ROVINJ: hotels and apartments in Rovinj (Istria, Croatia)
Rovinj, one of the most beautiful cities in Istria, is situated on the western coast of Istrian peninsula, between Porec in the north and Pula in the south. This picturesque city is a popular tourist resort and an active fishing port.

HISTORY AND CULTURE OF ROVINJ
Rovinj was first mentioned under the name Castrum Rubini in the Cosmography by the Anonymous of Ravenna in the 4th and 5th centuries. The old part of the city is situated on s peninsula with the church of St. Euphemia that dominates the city skyline and is a prime example of baroque architecture in Istria.
TOURISM IN ROVINJ
Rovinj Archipelago has 22 islets among which St Andrew and St Catherina are the biggest and the most beautiful. In the Rovinj area there are numerous places of great natural value: the Lim bay, St. Andrea's archipelago, forest park Punta Corente, the Palud marsh, and Monfiorenzo cave.
Rovinj offers a wide variety of accommodation units: hotels, apartments, private houses, vacation villages and others. A rich gastronomic offer, as well as a variety of cultural events, excursions and entertainment will not leave anyone wanting more.
EVENTS
Rovinj has plenty of cultural events and entertainment to offer. Festivals like Val Kulture, Rovinj open summer festival, fishermen fiestas, as well as Rovinj heritadge museum, the 100-year old aquarium. For lovers of nightlife, the Monvi Center is not to be missed.

UMAG: hotels and apartments in Umag (Istria, Croatia)
Umag is a small town and port located in the northwest part of the Istrian peninsula. It is built around a horse shoe shaped bay in roman times.

HISTORY AND CULTURE OF UMAG
Today, Umag is a city that combines the old and the new in a unique way. Among the remains of the city walls stands baroque church of St. Mary from 18th century.
TOURISM IN UMAG
Umag, thanks to its beauty, surrounding nature and closeness to west and central Europe is a very attractive tourist destination. For accommodation Umag offers hotels, apartments, private houses, vacation villages, camping, bungalow, as well as plenty of indoor and outdoor activities like diving, sailing, water skiing beach volley, tennis, table tennis, mini golf, bowling, basketball, handball, volleyball, billiards and plenty more.
EVENTS
Umag also hosts the world famous yearly Croatia Open ATP.tennis tournament. Besides the Croatia Open Umag ATP tournament, the city holds the festival “Organum histriae”, as well as the international festival of the chamber's theatre Zlatni lav.

OPATIJA: hotels and apartments in Opatija (Kvarner, Croatia)
Opatija is tourist destination with the longest tradition on the Adriatic coast. Opatija is situated on the Kvarner bay coast, geographically on the east coast of the Istrian peninsula. With a long tourist tradition, it welcomes guests from all over the world.

HISTORY AND CULTURE OF OPATIJA
Opatija is first mentioned in the 15th century, and the name comes from the old abbey, San Giacomo della Priluca. The city tourist history begins in 1844 when Villa "Angiolina was built and it welcomed mostly Austrian and Croatian aristocracy. The first hotel named “Kvarner” was built in late 19th century and it was the first hotel on the east coast of the Adriatic.
TOURISM IN OPATIJA
Opatija, as the center of the Opatija riviera, is again the elite destination on the Mediterranean. You can find many luxury hotels like Hotel Palace Bellevue or Grand Hotel Adriatic) as well as other hotels.
Today Opatija is the destination of choice for congresses and convention tourism, as well as wellness programs. This, along with its moderate climate, makes Opatija an attractive destination all year long.