Land and sea meet in the "Port of Roses."

Heralded as the Mediterranean's next big thing, Istria is a small, wedge-shaped peninsula shared by Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia. A jewel of past empires that ruled it -- Holy Roman, Napoleonic, Austro-Hungarian -- it became a royal playground on the placid shores of the northern Adriatic. As such, palatial estates run along its tranquil waterfront, including the Kempinski Palace Portorož, opened in 1910 and declared a cultural monument in 1980. After an extensive refurbishment meant to restore the original Art Nouveau, Vienna Secession, Bauhaus, Cubist and Art Deco influences, the Palace Portorož reopened in October as one of Slovenia's premier resorts and wellness spas.

Guests immediately get a taste of the finer things in life. Those lucky enough to nab the 2,475-square-foot Presidential Suite, in the hotels most historic wing, can luxuriate with a Bang & Olufsen entertainment-system, a dining area for up to 10 people, a master bedroom connected to a premium bathroom, a guest bedroom, a library and terrace overlooking the Bay of Piran. Traditional mud baths relax the body, while golf and tours of the otherworldly Postojna Cave invigorate it. Two restaurants, European-style saloons, a champagne and wine bar, plus a grand ball room all combine to create an atmosphere of style and grandeur once enjoyed only by famous (Yul Brynner) and high-born (the Archduke Francis Ferdinand, before his one-way trip to Sarajevo).

In short, it's the biggest thing on the Mediterranean's next big thing.

kempinski-portoroz.com

David Perry

11/7/08