Dear traveler, my name is Natasa Lakota – your host at Atelier Lakota! After years of studying, traveling, and working abroad, I returned to Istria. To Brtonigla. To my father’s house, the story of my childhood, the brushstrokes of my uncle – an artist whose spirit still lingers in the air. To memories of days spent in the fields of my grandparents. I took what was always mine – what had been waiting for me – and turned it into something meaningful. For myself. And for you. For many years, I ran my own travel agency – guiding, organizing, and accompanying others on their journeys. Today, I no longer search for the path – I create a space. A space where we can slow down, breathe, let go. A space I would want to stay in – and now offer to others. Because what we truly need is not an escape – but a return. A return to ourselves. Atelier Lakota is not just a holiday home. It is a house that embraces. A meeting place of authentic Istria, personal history, and a holistic approach to travel – one that nurtures, restores balance, and reconnects us with nature, with place, and ultimately – with ourselves. I remain active in the world of travel, now guided by my studies in holistic therapy. I believe that tourism can be more than entertainment – it can be healing. I don’t believe in tourists. I believe in travelers. Nomads. Seekers. Those who want to feel a place – not consume it. As your host, I don’t offer experiences from the outside – but an invitation inward. Welcome to my home – a place of memory, childhood, joy, and love. A place where you may just find what you once left behind.

In the heart of Brtonigla, where the scent of bay leaves meets the whispers of the past, stands a house filled with memories, color, and a warmth that gently embraces. Atelier Lakota is not just a holiday home – it's a piece of my childhood, my father's house, a story still told through its walls, the fire, and quiet evenings beneath the Istrian sky. In the same village once lived my uncle, Paolo Lacota – an oil painter in love with Istrian landscapes, whose small atelier was always open to curious passersby. This two-story house blends authenticity with the warmth of a true home. Inside, you'll find rattan details, soft tones, pastel green stairs, and a striking wall mural featuring the Istrian kažun – all designed to create a relaxed and honest atmosphere. Whether you're enjoying the peace of the private garden or exploring nearby wineries and nature, Atelier Lakota offers a sincere, soulful experience of Istria – without glamour, but full of heart. Our canvas, your story.