Why Istria? The Istrian peninsula, located in the western-most part of Croatia, has a great deal to offer the incentive market. Its luxury bedstock has been boosted recently with a new Kempinski, and new properties from Maistra are also in the pipeline. The region also offers a range of modern event spaces, while incentive delegates can explore the region's culinary delights, such as olive oil and truffles.

Getting there Seasonal scheduled services (April to October) operate to Pula from Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol with Thomson Airways, and from Stansted with Ryanair.

Where to stay Discerning clients should head to the Kempinski Hotel Adriatic, which opened in August, with claims to be the first Croatian five-star luxury seaside golf and spa resort. It offers 186 rooms with Mediterranean decor, three restaurants, the Greco-Roman-style Carolea Spa, a ballroom and two boardrooms.

Located two miles from the historic town of Pula, the 242-room, beachside Hotel Histria is a good fit with the C&I market, because of its 700-capacity congress hall.

Where to meet The region's cities and towns offer an array of meeting spaces. Recent developments include Maistra's Hotel Lone, set to open in 2011 in the quaint town of Rovinj, offering 253 rooms and three conference spaces - the largest of which will have capacity for 600. Meanwhile, the five-star 252-room Sol Coral has an appealing location next to the beach and a pine forest some two miles from from Umag. It also offers a conference centre with six meeting spaces with a capacity for 350 delegates.

Incentive ideas A must-see is the Pula amphitheatre, the sixth largest in the world, which dates back to the first century AD. For sporting enthusiasts, Kempinski Golf Adriatic, the first championship course in Istria, offers views of the Adriatic from every tee, green and fairway. Delegates may not be aware of the region's reputation for wine, so book them in for a half-day wine tour with Kompas DMC, where they can visit to a typical Istrian family farm to sample home-grown beverages. Delegates can learn and take part in olive oil production during the olive harvest at Brijuni National Park. For luxurious tastes, DMC Venevent offers truffle-hunting - and cookery class - opportunities.

Where to eat and drink Rovinj's Monte Mulini hotel offers several dining options including Restaurant Wine Vault, which serves French-Mediterranean cuisine and a selection of more than 500 local and international wines. Pula, meanwhile, is home to the Valsabbion restaurant, which promises fine dining using local produce, and Hotel Milan's award-winning seafood restaurant, which also features a wine cellar with approximately 700 Istrian and world wines. The nearby Vela Nera restaurant is also worth a visit for sea views and a range of wines.

DIRECTORY
Croatian National Tourist Office
Contact Meri Matesic
Tel 0208 563 7979
Email info@croatia-london.co.uk
Web www.croatia.hr