Istria is a place that encapsulates the Croatian way of life quite beautifully, as stunning countryside and quaint rural charms meld seamlessly with fabulously opulent coastal living. An area famed for redefining luxury for a high-end tourist market - and an even higher-end holiday home buyer’s market - the contrasting sights over just a single square kilometre of Istria are simply out of this world. While much of the Croatian property market has been plagued with six straight years of losses, Istria has slowly but steadily become a focal point for investors. Property prices have fallen, but at the same time demand has increased. Rent yields remain moderate at around 5 per cent, but with the added bonus that comes with investing in a region that’s blessed with an undeniably stunning climate for most of the year.