Valamar's spectacular prize draw, through which guests could win a lifetime vacation in Poreč, has reached its epilogue: the names of the lucky winners are known, and the prize fund has been officially distributed. The draw was held on Friday, December 19, 2025, at the Valamar Diamant Hotel in Poreč, symbolically rounding off the first major marketing project ahead of the opening of the luxury Pical Resort 5*, Valamar Collection, in the spring of 2026.

The prize draw was organized on the occasion of the upcoming opening of the new resort located by the sea, with a view of the old town of Poreč and the Euphrasian Basilica. It is an investment worth about 200 million euros that should further strengthen Poreč's position as one of the leading Mediterranean destinations and offer a new standard of luxury vacation for all those planning accommodation in Poreč in the coming seasons.

Great interest in a lifetime vacation in Poreč

Valamar's prize draw attracted exceptional public attention. Over several weeks of its duration, more than 100,000 participants from Croatia and abroad applied, showing how strongly the idea of a lifetime vacation in Poreč resonated among travelers and Adriatic lovers. Participation was possible through the prize draw website, where interested parties registered, opened user accounts, and received their unique coupon codes.

The organizer further encouraged sharing the prize draw through recommendations: every time someone registered via the unique link of an existing participant, the link owner would receive an additional coupon for the draw. In this way, the prize draw, besides offering an extremely attractive prize fund, also became a powerful tool for promoting the new resort and the destination of Poreč itself, especially among guests who traditionally choose accommodation in Poreč for their annual vacation.

What the winners' draw looked like

The finale of the prize draw took place in Poreč, at the Valamar Diamant Hotel, where a public draw for the winners was held on the morning of December 19, 2025. According to the official rules of the prize draw, the draw was supervised by a three-member committee of the organizer in the presence of a notary public, and the winners were selected by a computer application that randomly generates winning coupon codes.

This draw model was introduced to ensure maximum transparency and the trust of participants, while the public nature of the event further emphasized the importance of the prize draw and the fact that it is one of the most striking tourist campaigns in Croatia this year. After the computer stopped the random selection of codes, the members of the committee confirmed the winners, followed by the official announcement of their names along with the corresponding prizes.

Who are the winners of the lifetime vacation and valuable prizes

Understandably, the most attention was drawn to the main prize – a lifetime vacation at Pical Resort 5*, Valamar Collection. The main prize was won by Krešimir Matovina from Zagreb, who from 2026 will be able to enjoy a vacation at the new resort on the Poreč coast every year.

Along with him, four more participants from Croatia and abroad were awarded. A total of five prizes were distributed, and the winners are:

• 1st prize: Krešimir Matovina, Zagreb – a lifetime vacation at Pical Resort 5*, Valamar Collection


• 2nd prize: Franziska Obersojer, Landshut – five nights at Pical Resort 5* for two people in 2026


• 3rd prize: Mario Vadlja, Hodošan – Parenzana Epicurean Journey, three dinners for two at the restaurants Spinnaker, Harry’s Piccolo Poreč, and JAZ by Ana Roš Poreč


• 4th prize: Martina Strapač, Pula – Purobeach Poreč Experience for two (VIP sunbeds at Pical Beach Club with a food and beverage voucher)


• 5th prize: Jure Pirc, Tržič – dinner for two at Harry’s Piccolo Poreč restaurant

The complete list of winners, including all details about the prizes and terms of use, is available on the official prize draw website, as well as on Valamar's prize draws page.

What a lifetime vacation at Pical Resort means

The main prize, a lifetime vacation in Poreč, is designed as a long-term experience that connects the guest, the new resort, and the destination itself. The prize includes a total of 120 nights for two people, with the possibility of using up to four nights per year. This allows the winner to make Poreč their permanent vacation spot, whether they choose short weekend getaways outside the peak season or a traditional summer stay by the sea.

The concept of distributing nights over a series of years emphasizes the idea of a lasting relationship between the guest and the destination. Instead of a one-time luxury vacation, the prize is set up so that Poreč becomes a place the winner returns to again and again, year after year, following the development of the resort, the destination, and their own travel habits. For those already considering accommodation in Poreč, this type of reward model also carries a broader message – Poreč is not offered just as a short-term destination for one season, but as a destination for a lifetime.

In addition to the standard possibility of staying at Pical Resort, the winner is granted access to all resort facilities depending on the chosen type of accommodation and availability at the time of booking. The prize draw rules clearly define that nights are used depending on capacity and availability, which is common practice for such long-term prize packages.

Other prizes: from luxury stays to gastro experiences

Although the lifetime vacation is the most attractive part of the prize fund, the other prizes are also carefully designed to highlight the key advantages of Pical Resort and Poreč as a destination. The second prize – five nights at Pical Resort 5* for two people – allows the winner to be among the first to try the resort's new facilities in the first season after its opening in 2026. This is an opportunity to experience a new standard of luxury vacation in Poreč, with an emphasis on modern design, a high level of service, and a rich offer for guests who choose accommodation in Poreč with an emphasis on comfort.

The third prize, Parenzana Epicurean Journey, is dedicated to a gourmet experience. The winner and their companion are entitled to three separate dinners for two in renowned restaurants: Spinnaker, Harry’s Piccolo Poreč, and JAZ by Ana Roš Poreč. These restaurants are part of a broader gastronomic story Valamar is building in Istria, combining local ingredients, fine dining, and internationally recognized chefs. The prize is also an homage to the former Parenzana railway line, which connected Poreč with Trieste and today inspires many tourist projects in the region.

The fourth prize, Purobeach Poreč Experience, combines vacation and lifestyle. It brings the winners a day spent at Pical Beach Club with VIP sunbeds and an additional food and beverage voucher, allowing relaxation by the infinity pool with a sea view, but also an introduction to the new beach club concept that positions Poreč as an attractive destination for those seeking an urban, club atmosphere on the coast.

The fifth prize, dinner for two at Harry’s Piccolo Poreč restaurant, rounds off the prize fund with a high gastronomy experience. This restaurant, developed in collaboration with chefs behind Michelin stars, further underscores how important gastronomy is to the identity of the new resort and the entire destination for guests who choose accommodation in Poreč specifically for top-quality food and wine.

Pical Resort 5*, Valamar Collection – a new symbol of luxury in Poreč

Pical Resort 5*, Valamar Collection, is a project that stands out in the domestic and foreign public as one of the most significant in the history of Croatian tourism. The investment of approximately 200 million euros includes the construction of a modern resort with 514 luxury accommodation units divided into three complementary units – from family apartments with all-inclusive service and swim-up rooms to exclusive V level suites intended for guests seeking the highest level of privacy and personalized service.

The resort will offer as many as 11 restaurants and 10 bars, including signature restaurants where collaborations with top chefs like Ana Roš and Matteo Metullio will be developed. Poreč thus positions itself as one of the key gourmet destinations in the Mediterranean, which will certainly attract guests who, along with accommodation in Poreč, want a powerful gastronomic experience. In addition to restaurants, numerous bars, lounge zones, and beach club concepts are planned, combining relaxed daytime stays by the sea and evening outings.

An integral part of the resort will be the largest convention center in Istria, giving Poreč a strong boost for the development of year-round business tourism. Special emphasis is placed on the wellness and spa segment: Pical Resort 5* will host the first ESPA spa center in Croatia, which is a significant step forward in the premium spa offer on the Adriatic. Guests will have access to a rich selection of treatments, indoor and outdoor pools, thermal zones, and facilities adapted to different generations, from couples to families with children.

The resort is designed as an open, urban space that naturally continues into the city. Promenades, landscaped beaches, sports fields, and recreational paths will also be available to the local population, blurring the strict boundary between the hotel complex and the city. For all those who want to explore Istria by bike or on foot, Pical Resort is positioned along the route of the former Parenzana, today a popular route for recreation and excursions, further connecting it with local heritage.

Poreč as a destination developing through premium projects

The opening of Pical Resort 5* in the spring of 2026 continues the process of strategically positioning Poreč as a leading destination for premium guests. The city is already recording strong results in tourism, and the new project brings added value – both in terms of the number of high-category beds and through facilities that will be available throughout the year. The thoughtful development of infrastructure, new promenades, and public spaces by the sea make Poreč an attractive place to live, but also for those planning accommodation in Poreč outside the main season.

For the local community, the project means new jobs and additional income from tourism, and for visitors, a richer offer of facilities – from congresses and business meetings to gastronomic festivals and cultural events. Given the size of the investment and the announced level of service, Pical Resort is expected to become a kind of landmark on the Istrian coast, recognizable by its architecture, landscaping, and stay experience.

Valamar's prize draw, which ended just as the work on the resort is approaching its final stage, was a kind of introduction to a new era of vacationing in Poreč. Thus, the first guests – the prize winners – became ambassadors of the new resort, but also of the destination as a whole. Their experiences from 2026 onwards will be followed by everyone considering spending their next vacation in the new resort or in another facility where accommodation in Poreč is synonymous with comfort, quality, and an authentic Istrian experience.

For everyone else who did not win prizes, Pical Resort 5*, Valamar Collection, remains one more reason to plan a future vacation on the Istrian coast. Along with the lifetime vacation of one lucky winner, the top gourmet experiences of the Parenzana Epicurean Journey, the Purobeach Poreč Experience, and the high level of service in the new resort, Poreč enters 2026 as a destination that raises the bar for luxury tourism in Croatia.