Villa Domenico Heritage Relais in Slovenian Istria

Villa Domenico is a personally hosted heritage relais in Slovenian Istria, where authentic Istrian character meets contemporary comfort, understated luxury and warm, personal hospitality. Built around 1790 by our ancestor Domenico Turco and cared for by the same family for generations, the house has been thoughtfully restored while preserving its craftsmanship, atmosphere and connection to the land.

Created for travellers who value authenticity over excess, Villa Domenico combines the warmth of a carefully curated family home with the discreet elegance of a boutique retreat. Original stone walls, natural materials, professionally restored antique furniture, locally inspired colours and handcrafted details tell the story of the house without making it feel like a museum. Modern comforts have been integrated with equal care. All three bedrooms are air-conditioned, while mosquito screens on the windows and selected exterior doors allow guests to enjoy the Istrian air in comfort.

The villa comfortably accommodates up to six guests in three individually designed bedrooms. The three bedrooms are arranged along the house’s original historic corridor, reflecting the traditional layout of an Istrian home. Each bedroom has its own independent access, so guests never need to pass through another bedroom to reach the corridor or the bathrooms.

Villa Domenico offers generous indoor and outdoor living spaces, three fully equipped kitchens, including a spacious summer kitchen created for relaxed shared meals, two bathrooms and a private wellness area with an infrared sauna. Outside, guests can enjoy a hot tub, a secluded Mediterranean garden, outdoor dining, a barbecue and sun loungers for all six guests. Fast Wi-Fi and private parking are also provided.

Across the three kitchens, guests will find everything needed for leisurely breakfasts, relaxed lunches and evenings spent cooking together, including a KRUPS coffee machine, a French press, a moka pot, a microwave, an electric kettle and a blender.

Villa Domenico is ideally placed for discovering the many contrasts of the region, from the historic coastal towns and hidden villages of Slovenian Istria to nearby vineyards, the Karst, Trieste and the Croatian Istrian peninsula. After a day of exploring, guests can return to the garden, unwind in the sauna or hot tub, share dinner beneath the trees and experience the slower rhythm of Istrian life.

More than a place to stay, Villa Domenico is an invitation to experience a family home, a living heritage and a side of Istria that rarely appears in guidebooks. We invite you to experience a unique boutique stay that goes beyond accommodation.