ITV AND BRITBOX WILL FEATURE OPATIJA ON A NEW DRAMA SERIES

The filming of the new drama production, Hotel Portofino, has started in the town of Opatija, Croatia, as one of their locations for the series.

Created and written by Matt Baker, Hotel Portofino brings along a huge crew of English and Croatian creatives working together with a great cast that include Natascha McElhone (Ronin and Californication), Mark Umbers (Home Fires), Anna Chancellor (Four Weddings & a Funeral), Daniele Pecci (Orgoglio), Lorenzo Richelmy (Marco Polo) and Rocco Fasano (Skam Italia).

“They are currently filming in Croatia in a range of locations from Opatija (where the main building for the Hotel is located) to Rovinj to Lovran and beyond – in partnership with local Croatian Producers Drugi Plan”, said Walter Iuzzolino, one of the Executive Producers and CEO of Eagle Eye Drama.

“We have been filming for about four weeks and the show is coming out starting from the UK, America, Australia and Italy and then the rest of the world at some point in 2022. This creative partnership is incredibly rewarding for us all, and we are finding Croatia extraordinarily versatile in terms of locations, geographical variety, and architectural range. The country is providing a visually stunning backdrop to the series, and offers an incredible set of options for cast and crew”, added Iuzzolino.

Set in 1926 with the rise of Fascism in Mussolini’s Italy, the show captures the comic and idiosyncratic traditions of British people living abroad but it also touches more serious storylines and entertain with mystery and lots of drama.

Opatija, once upon a time the grand dame of Croatian tourism, is a seaside resort town on the east coast of Istria. Back in the 19th century, it used to be the most fashionable holiday resort during the Austro-Hungarian Empire for the international upper class.

“I have no doubt that viewers around the world will be enchanted by the beautiful settings and I hope this will encourage them to visit these incredible locations in person”, said Iuzzolino.

Hotel Portofino is directed by Adam Wimpenny (Blackwood), produced by Julie Baines (Four Kids and It), and executive produced by Eagle Eye’s Jo McGrath and Walter Iuzzolino. BetaFilm Group co-produces and is handling worldwide sales. The show has been pre-sold already to ITV/BritBox (UK), Sky Italia (Italy), PBS Distribution (North America) and Foxtel (Australia).

TRADITIONAL ELEGANCE WITH UNFORGETABLE EXPERIENCES

Many fine hotels, residences and houses were built during the 19th century in Opatija but the town still retain much of its charm and offers a variety of options and memorable experiences including spa hotels, nice food, spectacular viewpoints and lovely weather.

Hotel Kvarner (4*) Opatija offers a special holiday experience on the Opatija Riviera tailored to the needs of each guest. This was the first hotel to be built along the Adriatic Coast in 1884 and it has been completely renovated in 2014 with excellent standards for elegance and sophistication. The hotel also boasts one of the most beautiful terraces in Opatija, where guests can enjoy excellent Mediterranean cuisine, top-quality wines and selected desserts such as the Opatija Camellia cake.

Not so far away, the five-star Hotel Ambasador invites everyone to revitalize the body and soul at their spa center while tasting delicious local wines. It features spacious and luxurious rooms with a stunning design, world-class restaurants and a lounge bar.