Around Europe by Train: Part 3 (Pula & Rijeka) | Romania Experience Around Europe by Train: Part 3 (Pula & Rijeka) Tweet on Twitter It’s time for part 3 of 4 in the mini-series that covers our Vacation this year around Europe. After we did enjoy some great time in Germany and Italy , it was time for Croatia to be checked off the list of countries that we have visited – and we went for Pula & Rijeka (alongside Zagreb which will be covered later on). These are not the most popular destinations in Croatia, but we mainly chose them because of their proximity to each other and the other cities we had on our list. So how was it? Read on to find out, if you will! Pula It was fun to choose to visit this city because its name is a really nasty word in Romania. I just couldn’t help get my friends “I love Pula” magnets and t-shirts and use all the puns in the world to describe how enjoyable Pula actually is. But really, jokes aside – it’s really beautiful and the way to getting there was absolutely spectacular: Sea on both sides.

You don’t get to see that often… Yes, we did choose to travel by bus through Croatia because during my research, I found out that it’s faster than by train. And it sure looks great – just as our little apartment does: one that was filled with toys by our AirBnb host who knew we were bringing a 2 year old with us. We also had a really nice garden just for us Again, we were pretty unlucky weather-wise in Pula, but we still made it to the beach one day. It was not that hot and pretty windy, but not that bad either. It was our only day at the beach during the stay. There might also be better beaches in Pula, but we chose the one that was closest to us and it was spectacular. Apart from the beach and a really nice central area filled with pubs and shops for tourists, Pula doesn’t have a lot to offer. It has a beautiful Amphitheater near the beach – Pula Arena – where concerts and big events are held. It’s extremely impressive because it’s so well preserved – it’s actually the only remaining Roman amphitheatre to have four side towers and with all three Roman architectural orders entirely preserved (according to Wikipedia ).

There is also a nice castle that offers a great view over the city. The castle was built in the 1630s and it’s also well preserved. There’s also a museum in there, one that sends you back in time and shows how the pharmacies looked back in the days. View of the Amphitheater from the Castle A visit to the drug store certainly felt different back in the days… “Do you want some cough syrup? I’ll prepare it right away!” During our stay in Pula, we had the wackiest selection of sweets ever (it was mostly jelly, shaped as fried eggs, croissants, frogs and so on). Insanely sweet and not as great as you’d expect them to be, flavor-wise, but it was fun to try out each shape and find its flavor. We also had a really unwanted visitor during our stay there, and we found it in our room hours after arriving there: It was tiny, at most 2 cm, but it was still a scorpion. Yup, that is a real scorpion and we were shocked and scared when we found it.

After doing some research, though, and talking to our host, we learned that they are actually pretty common in Croatia and they are not dangerous, even though if you get stung, you’ll have some pain. Despite all that, we slept all nights with the lights on and thoroughly inspected the room when we got back after a walk. All in all, I was expecting Pula to be way cheaper than it actually was. It seems that being a touristy place does bring the prices up – they are definitely higher than prices by the beach in Romania and similar to what we had in Italy or Germany. Rijeka Apparently, near Rijeka, there’s a beach that keeps getting awards in Croatia. Guess who didn’t visit it because of the craptacular weather? Yup… we were again unlucky with bad weather which kept us indoors and within the city limits. At least we stayed at the 4th floor in an old building, right in the city center, so there were no worries for Scorpions. No elevator, either… A nice view from our room to the Maritime and History Museum But we were already used with all the climbing and Rijeka also had a ton of it.

Croatia itself is developed on hills so you are really kept in shape there. I just think that as you get older, things get more and more complicated… The promenade offered some spectacular views Unfortunately, Rijeka is the most unspectacular city that we visited – fighting with Trieste for our least enjoyable stay. There are a few old buildings and some hilarious Roman ruins (just a few walls that could’ve been a public toilet back in the days), but they do have a leaning tower: a sign there says that it’s 45 centimeters, but you can’t really see it. But, well, anything that’s at least slightly interesting here is worth seeing as there’s not much else left to do. The City Tower in Rijeka The Roman gate These are the Roman ruins… And the leaning tower, near a church. If you look carefully, you see that it’s indeed leaning a bit. We did manage to find an amazing place to eat, though. My wife got a complete feast: grilled ribs served on a wooden platter with bits of onion, as well as three side dishes: potatoes, the most delicious beans we had in recent times and a cucumber salad that resembled the Greek tzatziki.

All this was just 4 Euros and we actually paid more on the bottle of mineral water! We couldn’t finish the ribs: even though I couldn’t help to eat some, too! Not looking great, but delicious! Eric had to have the first bite! First time he had something that greasy… and of course he loved it! I wanted to go light and ordered a shrimp salad. Wasn’t expecting the bacon, though :) That’s the place to eat if you ever get to Rijeka. Trust me! Rijeka came like a solid break for us – the bad weather and the fact that there wasn’t anything to do in the city because of the bad weather kept us inside for a long time: we did sleep a lot and filled up our batteries, so it was, in the end, an enjoyable break. However, Rijeka itself should not be the first city on your list if you decide to visit Croatia. And this concludes our third episode – stay tuned as I have one more, detailing our final two cities, Zagreb and Belgrade! TAGS Croatia » Where is Croatia located? Where is Croatia located? Croatia The country Croatia is located on the continent of Europe.

Neighbouring countries are: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, Hungary, Montenegro, Serbia & Slovenia. Distances from Croatia to other countries China ca. 7,192 km Croatia Map / Geography of Croatia / Map of Croatia - Worldatlas.com Print this map Present day Croatia was first inhabited during the prehistoric age by Neanderthals, as evident by fossils discovered in the northern reaches of the country. During the 4th century BC Liburnians and Illyrians moved into the region, and remained there until the Roman's conquered the land in 168 BC. The Roman empire lasted until their final emperor, Julius Nepos, was killed in 480 AD, and by the 7th century AD Croatia's early history had ended with the invasion of the Avars. Roman survivors of this invasion retreated towards the coastline, and founded the modern city of Dubrovnik. Croats arrived soon thereafter, and were organized into two dukedoms. The northern part of the country fell under the duchy of Pannonian Croatia, while the south became the duchy of Littoral Croatia.

In the early 900's, the two duchies were united under the first Croatian King, Tomislav, and it was during the reign of King Petar Kresimir IV between 1058 - 1074 that the medieval Croatian kingdom had reached its peak. After the Battle of Gvozd Mountain towards the end of the 11th century, the kingdom became unified with Hungary , and fell under the rule of Coloman. Croatia remained an autonomous kingdom over the next four centuries under Hungarian rule, but with the Hungarians came the introduction of feudalism. And in 1526, the union between the two countries dissolved. After the Hungarians were defeated by Ottoman forces during the Battle of Mohacs, the Croatian assembly appointed the Habsburgs as their new rulers, provided they ensure protection against the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman's raged war against Croatia, and over the next two hundred years many Croats fled the area. This prompted the Habsburgs to urge Orthodox Bosnians and Serbs to aid in the Croatian Military Frontier, which peaked the already set-in-motion Serb migration into this region.

By the 19th century, the Illyrian movement (an advocation for the unity of all Serbs ) began to gain momentum, and because of its popularity, Croatian replaced Latin as the official language in 1847. Croatia declared its independence on October 29, 1918, and made the decision to join together with Slovenia and Serbia to form the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. Under the new constitution a unitary state was proposed, and Croatia lost their autonomy as a country. This, of course, did not sit well with the people of the nation, and a movement to restore their freedom began swiftly under the guidance of the Croatian Peasant Party (HSS). Tensions mounted and grew worse as the president of HSS, Stjepan Radic, was assassinated in 1928, prompting King Alexander to completely void the constitution, and announced a new royal dictatorship. The Kingdom of Serbs , Croats and Slovenes officially became the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.

At the onset of World War II, German and Italian forces invaded the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, forcing Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina , as well as the region of Syrmia to incorporate into the Independent State of Croatia run by Nazis. At the end of the war, the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was formed, and Communistic rule was put into place. By the late 1960's, Croatian's began demanding more civil rights, but were dismissed by Yugoslavian leaders. However, in 1974 the goals of the movement were accomplished, as Yugoslavia ratified the constitution, granting more freedom to the individual republics. In 1991, Croatia officially declared their independence from Yugoslavia, which instantly sparked a war against Serbia and Croatia. Largely due to economic reasons, Serbia was against Croatia's separation from Yugoslavia, and the Croatian War of Independence raged until the summer of 1995. For the Croatian's it was a victory, and the country became a member of the Council of Europe in late 1996. For the next couple of years, as the country recovered from the war, they set their sights on improving their economic conditions. Today, Croatia maintains a thriving tourism industry.

With medieval castles and ancient architecture punctuating the Dalmatian coastline, and the interior capital city of Zagreb replete with museums and theater halls, the Croatian experience is certainly timeless. See Also Pula travel guide - Wikitravel Understand[ edit ] Zlatna vrata Its history started about 3000 years ago when it was built by Illyrians. Romans occupied Istria in 177 B.C. After destruction of Western Roman empire, Istrian peninsula was devastated by Ostrogoths. Slavs came in Istria during migration period in 7th century but mostly lived on countryside. At that time Pula was still inhabited mostly by Italians. Landlords in Pula changed quite frequently in middle ages from republic of Venice to Genoa to Illyrian Provinces to Austria–Hungary and many others. Pula was a principal port of the Austro-Hungarian navy during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Between 1918 and 1947, the town was part of Italy and since the end of the Second World War it has been part of Croatia .

After the war, many autochthonous Italians were forced to flee and seeked refuge in Italy and Croats began moving into the town. Although most of the population still consists of Croats, there are large minorities such as Italians, Serbs, Bosniaks and Slovenes. Most tourists visit in the summer months (July, August, September), with most tourist spots and restaurants closing between October and May. Great deals are abound if you visit off season. The Irish writer James Joyce lived in Pula with his wife Nora in 1904. He taught languages to Austro-Hungarian naval officers at the local Berlitz school. The Joyces lived in Pula for only one year before moving north to Trieste. Like Umago, Pola too is officially bilingual - Italian is also spoken by part of the population, while road signs are in both languages. By plane[ edit ] Pula has its own international airport [1] with daily flights to Zagreb , and direct services from many European cities including Amsterdam , Dublin , Edinburgh , London , Manchester , Oslo , Vienna and Zurich . Ryanair operates direct flights from London three times a week.

Many flights to Pula are charter rather than scheduled, while other flights are seasonal (summer only). There is a seaplane service operated by European Coastal Airways with daily flights to Split through Mali Lošinj in the winter and destinations like Split, Rijeka, Zagreb in the summer. There is a scheduled bus service from the bus station in town to the airport. Buses are operated by Brioni [2] and connect to most major flights. The cost of a one-way ticket is 25kn. A taxi [3] from the bus station to the city should be around 85 kuna in the low season and much higher in the summer. It is possible to also consider Rijeka Airport [4] on the island of Krk and Trieste Airport [5] in nearby Italy to access Pula as they are close by and offer flights to different destinations. By land[ edit ] The large and modern bus station is on the edge of the 'old town' district and is the hub of local, domestic and international bus routes. There are direct buses from Zagreb, Rijeka , Split , Trieste , Ljubljana , Belgrade and Venice .

Online timetables are listed at [6] and [7] . There is also a train station near the waterfront with services serving Istria and into Slovenia due to historical circumstance rather than back towards the rest of Croatia (though a connecting coach service operates for services to Rijeka and Zagreb). Ticket prices, timetables and other information are on the Croatian Railways [8] website. Hitchhiking from Zagreb works very well. In Zagreb start from the petrol station after the "Billa" supermarket on the southside of the Sava river. In Rijeka ask people to drop you off at the little SOS stop after a pretty sharp right bend of the motor way around Rijeka. By sea[ edit ] Hydrofoil services operate from the wharf both around the Croatian coastline, and across to Venice. These are pricey, though provide a quick journey and provide some great views. Venezia Lines [9] ferry connects Pula with Venice. It runs five times a week, travel time is around 3hr. Services are only during summer months. Get around[ edit ] Forum There are five ways of getting around Pula: by foot, by car, by bus or by taxi and by hired scooters.

Pula is a small town, so walking around is not a big problem. All the tourist points are in the historic center and require no other mean of transport than your legs. Entering Pula with a car in the summer months may not be the best idea, more so if it rains. Being an old town, many streets are narrow, there are many bottlenecks and there is very little parking space. Use the car only if you really need to. Scooters are perfect for this reason. Traveling by bus is by far a better idea than taking the car. There are 3 main bus routes connecting the city center with the tourist cores (Verudella and Stoja) and they run on a 20 minute basis from early in the morning to early in the evening, slowing down to a 30-45 minutes routine before ending around midnight. Beware that the buses tend to get crowded and tend to be late. You might get denied entry if the bus cannot hold more passengers and support buses don't usually get dispatched.

Buses can seem costly depending on where you are from(11kn per card, per person, per ride), however, if you plan on using the city bus company (Pulapromet) actively, you should make yourself a BusCard. The BusCard is a electromagnetic ticket that you can fill with money and then use for cheaper bus rides. The price of a buscard is 30kn but they sell them for 70kn since they are prefilled with 40kn you can use on the bus. The BusCard reduces drastically the price of the ride making it 7kn per hour on the city lines (lines 1 to 9). Also, up to 5 people can use the same BusCard at the same moment, for the same bus. Besides, the credit on the BusCard lasts forever, meaning you can save it for the next time you come to Pula without fearing money loss. You can buy it at the main bus station in the Pulapromet booth, on newsstands that show the BusCard sticker or in the bus by the driver. Ask for a Vrijednosna. Refills are bought at the bus station or at newsstands.

Taxis are mostly reliable in Pula. The current start price is 15kn and 7kn per kilometer, Sundays and nights are 20% overcharged. Be sure to have the meter running and be sure to seat only in taxis displaying the Pula Taxi sticker with the city coat of arms and the taxi number. Alternatively, try and set up a price with the driver especially if going to the neighboring towns of Medulin, Štinjan, etc. As for inter-town buses, Pula is well connected to other Istrian towns and Croatian destination with a few international destinations as well.Tickets and information may be found at the bus station. The Brioni booth serves as the main information desk and sells tickets for all companies besides Autotrans whose tickets have to be bought on the opposite desk. Beware that all buses have a luggage area. The service is charged separately from the ticket and it usually costs 7kn. There should be no problem taking a small backpack or a small suitcase on the bus as long as you can fit it in the overhead compartment (which is rather small) or under your seat/legs. Every ticket can be refunded at the ticket office (a fee will be charged).

See[ edit ][ add listing ] The Roman Arena The Arena, the 6th largest surviving Roman amphitheatre. Towering over the nearby buildings this huge structure was barely saved from destruction several times during its life, mostly by various Venetians with plans to take it to Venice stone by stone as demonstration of the might of the Venetian empire. Many stones were taken to build houses and other structures around Pula, but fortunately this practice was stopped before the whole structure was destroyed. Entry (20 kn) gives you access to wander the inside of the Colosseum and visit the caverns beneath. The audio tour is very worthwhile. Once a month the areans hosts mock gladiator fights which is a really good value for money. Hit up the city website to get dates and other details. The Forum is the main square in the center of the city. The square is built on the place of the ancient Roman forum. On the square there is city hall that was built in 10th century (parts of an old temple were used for the building as it can be seen on the rear side of the hall) and the Temple of August, from the first century. Archeology Museum (12 kn).

Zlatna vrata (Triumphal arch, 1st century BC), Dvojna vrata (Twin gate, 2-3rd century), Herkulova vrata (Hercules gate, 1st century BC). St. Francis church and monastery, 14th century Serbian Orthodox church of Saint Nicholas from the 6th century, located in 45 Castropola Street, just under the citadel (Kaštel). It was extensively rebuilt in the 1200s, and from the XVII century it belongs to the city’s Orthodox faithful. There is only one priest serving the city and the nearby village of Peroj, residing in Peroj, so if you wish to visit the church, you should arrange it beforehand with the priest [10] . Kaštel, a Castle from the 17th century features Istrian history museum Malo rimsko kazalište, Little Roman theatre behind the Archeology museum Mornaričko groblje, Sailors' cemetery (1866.

- about 150 000 soldiers of Austro-Hungarian nations were buried there) and Mornarička crkva, Sailors' Church Karlo Rojc, former military school, and later barracks, built by Austro-Hungarians (1870.) They are used since 1998. as a cultural and social center. [11] Many non-government organizations have their offices here, also there are music studios and venues, and art colonies. It is worth to go and walk inside this building, because over the years walls were painted with murals and art installations. [12] Do[ edit ][ add listing ] Visit Brijuni. Group of islands famous for their scenic beauty. They are a holiday resort and a Croatian National Park. They were also setlement in roman times and were part of Republic of Venice. There is also now famous Tito (leader of former Yugoslavia) residence. Boats go from small town near Pula named Fažana [13] . Try Scuba diving on one of many beautiful underwater locations around Pula. Fun dives as well as PADI scuba diving courses available just a few kilometers from the historic centre of Pula.

Scuba diving & snorkelling trips to Brijuni National park. [ Open every day 9.30am-6pm, +385 98 255 820, Address: Stoja 35,Pula (the dive center is located inside the Autocamp Stoja) Go on Fish picnic. You can take a walk through local marina and check out timetables and prices. Prices are usually around 30€ (250hrk)per person. Visit Pula Film Festival [14] takes place in Arena and lasts from 13th to 27 july. Walk down the Sergijevaca street where are many small shops, souvenir shops, bars and even sweet shops. Spend a whole day on beaches of Kamenjak [15] , near Premantura (8km from Pula). This peninsula is southernmost point of Istria, and features stunning landscapes and protected nature. Outside the summer season, it is very popular both with locals and visitors as a destination for hiking and mountain-biking.

Discover abandoned Austro-hungarian fortresses [16] , constructed just before WWI, when Pula was the most fortified city in Europe. Some of those fortresses are hidden in the forests, and some are now occupied by Pula residents for different purposes, including Punta Christo, which operates as a summer club and music festival venue [17] . Visit Uljanik club, the main hub for alternative music events in the city and one of the most famous rock clubs in former Yugoslavia. Truffles. Istria is famous for its truffles and various truffle products. Malvazija and Teran. Autochthonous Istrian wine sorts. Medica. A honey rakija , Eat[ edit ][ add listing ] Restaurant Farabuto [18] . Excellent light and delicious slow food. Restaurant Galeb. You won't find this one in any tourist guide, but everyone in the city knows the place: they serve best "chevapchichi" (minced meat, 2in long, 1/2in wide) in the city. Restaurant Gina [19] . Excellent food in a unique setting that combines elegance with history. Restaurant Asterix. The best pizza in town.

You should try the Asterix pizza, which means you can have a pizza divided into thirds, with a different set of toppings (kinds of pizza) on each one. Pizzeria Bambino. Good quality pizza and grill. Pizzeria Jupiter. Near Arena, the Roman amphitheatre - very good pizza. Restaurant El Pulari. A mexican restaurant. Restaurant Biska. Amfiteatar restaurant, Amfiteatarska 6 (80m from Roman Arena), ☎ 00385 52 2375600. 7am-11pm. Croatian/med food from good local ingredients in a lovely indoor/outdoor setting close to the Arena. Menu has something to suit all tastes, and the food is simply prepared at affordable prices. €5-€25. edit Peekaboo, Flavijevska 12 (70m from the Amphitheater), ☎ 052/381 981, [20] . 10-22.

Indoor playground, pizzeria and kids hair salon, with great food and great fun for kids and adults, edit Konoba Dub, Puntižela 78 (Štinjan), ☎ 00385 52 354 241. Konoba Dub is a real authentic Istrian tavern/restaurant where You can taste local specialities and wines at special prices. The property is surrounded by a large garden and includes a childreen playground, spacious gazebos with a direct sea view to enjoy Your evenings and a outdoor coctail bar which will offer happy hours on a daily basis. edit Sleep[ edit ][ add listing ] Tourist information can provide you with a list of accommodation in Pula, although they will not make reservations for you. Hotel Riviera (1-star). Fabulous looking hotel built in 1907 for the high-ranking officers in the Austro-Hungarian army. Never properly refurbished since then it is now showing its age, but structurally it is impressive and looks oh-so-grand from the outside.

The rooms are currently decked out with 1960s/70s fittings (orange bedcovers, brown wooden panelling, lime green phone), with the sparseness showing the lack of funds for upkeep. Having said all that, it's clean, tidy, and comfortable. No doubt within a few years someone will make the investment to bring it back to its former glory. Quite expensive for its facilities. Youth Hostel Pula, Zaljev Valsaline 4, (central booking office: +385 1 4829 296; booking@hfhs.hr ). The hostel is situated in the beautiful Valsaline bay and boasts of a location right on the beach. It can provide amenities such as table tennis, chess, kayaking, pedal boats and scuba diving. The hostel is located only a few minutes’ drive from the city center and the main bus station, by car or a public transport. Youth Hostel Pula has 216 beds divided into 41 dorm rooms with private and shared bathroom facilities. The hostel offers a bar, restaurant and a hall ideal for organizing meetings and seminars.

The peaceful surroundings, friendly staff and the location of the hostel guarantee a pleasurable stay for individuals and groups. Dorm beds starting from 95,00 kn (12,70 €). Villa Mihaela [21] 3 apartments for 2to4 persons.Each of the apartments has a parking lot, and is equipped with air conditioner, SAT TV, and all other appliances that will make your stay pleasant. Pine & Lime Apartments [22] A 5 minute walk from the famous Lungomare (eng. Seafront) beaches and 15 from Pula city center. ​Pine&Lime apartments includes a total of four spacious Apartments all with a different character, featuring a Swimming Pool, Jacuzzi bath, designed and equipped with the comforts you need for a relaxing holiday in Pula. Apartments Alexandra & Erika, Kozada 12/a, Štinjan, Pula, ☎ +385 52 223505, [23] . Attactive apartments in the proximity of the well known Brijuni Islands national park. A quiet place in a family house, built in 2004.

in Štinjan only a few kilometers away from the center of Pula. Air condition, SAT TV, fridge with freezer, kitchen with all the accessories, cooking stove (electricity+gas), washing machine, balcony. edit Pula Art Hostel, ☎ +385(0)95/846-65-17, [24] . Small, family-run, newly refurbished art hostel in the centre of Pula. The hostel offers 2 fully equipped kitchens and beds for couples; grill on terrace. edit Pula Hostel Pipištrelo, Flaciusova 6, ☎ +385 (0)52 393 568 ( info@pipistrelo.com ), [25] . Youth hostel, located in the center of Pula, all locations in Pula and its surroundings are available in a short time, historical monuments (Amphitheatre, Triumphal Arch, Twin Gates, Hercules Gate, Augustus Temple, Chapel St.

Mary Formosa, Roman Theater, Pula Fortification and many others), natural sights (National Park Brijuni, Nature Park Kamenjak and amazing Adriatic Sea and undersea) , places of entertainment and a variety of restaurants and pizzerias. edit Apartments with Swimming pool Slivar (Apartments pool Pula), Samagher 17 (veli vrh, Pula North), [26] . checkin: 14:00; checkout: 10:00. 3 modern fully equipped apartments for 2-6 persons in a calm part of Pula 150m from the sea and 3km from the beach. The spacious swimming pool in situated in our award winning garden (over 1500m2). Apartments feature: SAT TV, microwave owen, coffee machine, and two apartments also offer a wash machine and air condition. They also have free of charge the use of grill and bikes and a save place edit Amfiteatar Hotel Pula - Amfiteatarska 6 - HR – 52100 Pula, Istria, Croatia [27] .

Telepone +385 52 375 600 • Fax + + 385 52 375 601. Small modern hotel with en suite, flat screen TV, A/C, free WIFI and a top class restaurant. Conveniently situated for bus, rail and ferry, just 12 minutes from the airport. Hotel Valsabbion, [28] . Small hotel located outside Pula center. Nice furniture. Good breakfast. edit Pula Apartments Softic (Apartmani Softic Sajma), Skokovica 48, 52100 Pula, Istria, Croatia (near Medulinska cesta), ☎ +385 95 8203971, [29] . checkin: 13:00; checkout: 12:00. Private budget accommodation with long tradition, 4 fully equipped apartments (each accomodates 3-4 people - with sleeping room, living room, fully equipped kitchen, bathroom with washing machine, lovely terrace) with free parking. Nice garden if front of the house.

About 2 Km from the city center and 3 Km from the beach. (,(info@pula-apartments-softic.com) edit Hostel Step, Puntižela 78, ☎ +385 (0)52 354 526 ( hostel.step@gmail.com ), [30] . Hostel Step offers you a complete experience specially designed for young travellers. Hostel Step is located in a small suburb of Pula - Štinjan, about 15 minutes drive from the city center and just a few minutes walk from the beach where guests can enjoy the breathtaking views of beautiful beaches, unspoiled nature and romantic sunsets. edit Get out[ edit ] National Park Brijuni - The beautiful Brijuni islands ( Italian : isole Brioni) [31] stretch alongside the south-west coast of the Istrian peninsula. The national park offers too many attractions for all of them to be described here (dinosaur footprints, archaeological finds and sites, a little zoo, extremely rich flora and fauna, beautiful beaches, a former resort for European royals) so visit their website for more information [32] .

Rijeka – Travel guide at Wikivoyage Understand[ edit ] Panorama of Rijeka with river Rječina The city of Rijeka is a unique cosmopolitan city with a very turbulent history, especially during the 20th century. For instance, Rijeka was ruled by eight different countries between 1918 and 1991, so theoretically, a citizen of Rijeka born in 1917 could have had eight different passports without ever leaving the city limits. Such rapid changes of events led to a strong local identity for the city. Rijeka is a major Croatian port, in the very heart of Kvarner Gulf. Because of its location, Rijeka is a crossroads of land and sea routes, connected with the rest of the world by air, bus, train and ship lines. Despite often being described as a predominantly industrial and port city, Rijeka is an interesting city with beautiful architecture of mostly secession style, a good choice of museums and quality night-life. In the beginning of the 20th century, Rijeka was one of the main European ports and had weekly passenger service to and from New York.

The famous ship Carpathia, which saved most of the survivors from the Titanic, was heading from New York to Rijeka, and most of the crew on the ship was Croatian. Thanks to that, one of life-belts from the Titanic is preserved in the Rijeka Naval Museum. Unfortunately, Rijeka was also the first fascist state in the world, before Mussolini's Italy or Hitler's Reich. A mixture of fascism, anarchism and elements or dadaism was the basis for the constitution of Reggenza Italiana del Carnaro (Italian Regency of Kvarner), short lived state created in 1919, after a coup d'etat of Italian war veterans led by Gabriele D'Annunzio, often called the pioneer of fascism. To make it more awkward, this unusual state was the first international state that recognized Lenin's USSR. On the bright side, from 1920 to 1924, Rijeka was an independent neutral state. A status very similar to the later status of Gdansk provided Rijeka with independence and neutrality.

The official language in the Free State of Rijeka were Croatian, Italian and Hungarian, in order to provide maximum care for all minorities in the city. Square on the bridge over the river Rječina Woodrow Wilson, President of United States, recommended Rijeka in 1919 as a head of the League of Nations. After Second World War, Rijeka was one of candidates for hosting the headquarters of the United Nations. The idea was to reintroduce Independent State of Rijeka as a special United Nations neutral state. Modern Rijeka is actually made from two original cities that were separated by river Rječina. On the west was Fiume or Rijeka and on the east Sušak, the rival counterpart of Rijeka mostly inhabited by Croatians and most of the 19th and early 20th century under Yugoslavian or Croatian administrative rule. Those two cities were merged in 1945. To symbolically connect the city, a wide pedestrian bridge was built in front of Hotel Kontinental which was turned into a square. Most of the people are not aware that there is actually a river under this wide square.

It is popular place for meeting and socializing, especially for the younger generations. With coming to Rijeka, you are joining to the list of people together with Che Guevara, James Joyce, Franz Liszt, Dora Maar, Enrico Caruso, Benito Mussolini, Gabriele D'Annunzio, Josip Jelačić, Bobby Fischer, Saddam Husein, Gamal Abdel Nasser, Johnny Weissmueller, Pope John Paul II and many others that have been in Rijeka before. Rijeka airport terminal By car[ edit ] Travellers heading from Zagreb (185 km) should take the A1 to Bosiljevo and then take the A6 to Rijeka. The A6 is a 4-6 lane motorway over hilly terrain with many tunnels, bridges and viaducts. Travellers from Trieste (76 km) should take A7 upon entering Croatia at Pasjak or Rupa border crossing.

Travellers from Split (380 km) can take A1 to Žuta Lokva and then proceed via Senj and Crikvenica to Rijeka, or A1 north to Bosiljevo and then A6 to Rijeka. By plane[ edit ] Rijeka airport [dead link] is situated on the nearby island of Krk, around 35 km from the Rijeka city center. Trade Air connects Rijeka to Split , Dubrovnik , Osijek and Zagreb . Bus shuttle from Rijeka Airport to city is operated by Autotrans . Price for a ride from Rijeka to Airport is 50 kn. See schedule here . There are regular bus services from Rijeka into Zagreb Airport for connections there. The Croatia Airlines website has more information. From Airport Rijeka to city it is possible to come with official Rijeka Airport Taxi Transfer Service. All information you can take on the official website .

By train[ edit ] Rijeka has been an important railhead since its early days as one of the major ports of the Austro-Hungarian Empire , and is connected with direct services to other major cities in Croatia ( Zagreb , Osijek ) as well as twice daily services to Ljubljana in Slovenia , and one train via Zagreb each day to Budapest (changing of the train in Zagreb ). Services to Pula by train are possible, though as the two cities are not connected in Croatia by rail (the connection is now in Slovenia), a designated bus is timed to take you that part of the journey. It is possible to travel to Pula by train, with a bus connection from train station to Lupoglav, from where you take a train to Pula . Bus is provided by Croatian Railways and you need to buy just one ticket. The Railway station is in 5 Krešimirova Street, at the northern edge of the town area. Information on rail services is available on the information counter, or on the telephone +385 60 333-44-44.

You can buy tickets or make reservations at the station ticket-office (+385 51 21-33-33). The railway station has a luggage lockers open from 9AM to 9PM, ans is charged 15 kn. There is also a tourism information office in the station building, but is open odd hours - although there is a large map at the front of the station building. There is also an ATM at the station. The Croatian Railways website contains good information on train times and prices, and there is also some information for travel Rijeka-Ljubljana on the Slovenian Railways site. By bus[ edit ] Rijeka is connected by bus with bigger cities in Croatia , Slovenia , Italy and elsewhere in Europe . The busy bus terminal is in the city center at the foot of the imposing Capuchin church, on Trg Žabica. You can find good information on timetable and fares at the Autotrans website or in their office (which also sells tickets), at Žabica 1 or by telephone +385 (0)60 30-20-10. Tickets purchased through company's website are 5% cheaper.

There is a left-luggage office next to the newspaper and cigarette stand, open from 5:30AM till 10:30PM (the latest of all the transport modes in Rijeka). Luggage safekeeping is charged 9 kn. Eurobusways operates a direct Budapest-Rijeka Bus line. By ship[ edit ] As one of the largest ports of the Austro-Hungarian empire, and the largest port in Croatia, ships play an important role in the life of Rijeka. Of best use to travellers from Rijeka is the Jadrolinija ferry service. The state-owned company operates small fast vessels to the nearby islands. Until 20133. there was as well large car-carrying ferries down the Adriatic Coast to Split and Dubrovnik , but they were canceled. Possible reintroduction of the line is for summer 2016. The passenger terminal is in the city center, and on the waterfront just near the Jadrolinija office building (where one buys tickets on the ground floor) is a left-luggage office.

By foot[ edit ] Most of Rijeka is accessible on foot, and traffic is actually banned on Korzo in the heart of the city. By public transport[ edit ] For those that are further away from the city or tired, an efficient local bus network operates operating in a single-direction, circular movement around the central city area, and fanning out in all directions. Buses #2 and #8, to Trsat, are probably the most useful for tourists, and a good alternative to the 561 stair climb to the top of the hill. By Taxi[ edit ] Rijeka has a cheap and well organized Taxi service, they will get you anywhere in the city for approximately €10 or less. In the centre of the town there are three taxi terminals, at the Bus station, tel. +385 51 335 138; in the Matije Gupca Street, tel. +385 51 335 417, at the railway station, tel. +385 51 332 893 and there is also a taxi van available.

Taxi Rijeka tel: +385 91 516 5236 Taxi Cammeo [dead link] tel: +385 51 313 313 Taxi Adria [dead link] tel. +385 51 301 301 Talk[ edit ] Besides Croatian , Italian is de facto semi-official and featured on many signs in the city. Most natives of Rijeka understand it well and some speak it fluently. Older native citizens speak their own dialect of Italian language - Fiumani, named after the Italian name for the city - Fiume. English is widely understood and spoken by younger people and hotel/restaurant staff. Some people also know some German . See[ edit ] Yellow cock on city tower and palace Wohinz on Korzo street The best way to see Rijeka’s Cultural and historical monuments is to follow the tourist path that gathers all of the most important sights for this town and its history. Most of them are accessible by foot, as they are mostly located in or near the city centre, but to see Trsat Castle you will need to take a short car/bus ride.

Other option, the more adventurous one, is to climb 561 Trsat stairs that lead from city centre to Trsat. The Trsat Castle is worth the effort. Also, a helpful travel companion is free AdriaGuide Rijeka mobile application , for smart phones and GPS navigation. Trsat Castle represents a strategically embossed gazebo on a hill 138 meters above sea level that dominates Rijeka. As a parochial centre it was mentioned for the first time in 1288. Trsat Castle is one of the oldest fortifications on the Croatian Coast, where the characteristics of the early medieval town construction have been preserved. Today Trsat Castle, beside the souvenir shop and the coffee shop, is enriched with new facilities – gallery space where art exhibitions are held as well as open-air summer concerts and theatre performances, fashion shows and literary evenings. City Tower, a symbol of Rijeka and a good example of a typical round tower access-point, which leads into the fortified town. Today it dominates the central part of Korzo and is often used as a meeting place for local people. The Our Lady of Trsat Sanctuary is the largest centre of pilgrimage in western Croatia.

It is famous for its numerous concessions and for the pilgrimages by numerous believers throughout the year, and especially on the Assumption of Mary holiday. No supermarket can replace the charm of the personal contact with the vendor or the excitement of the unpredictable purchase at the main City market – Placa. The harmonious compound of two pavilions and a Fish market building where, in the morning hours, the real Rijeka can be experienced. Torpedo – launching ramp The launching ramp from 1930s is an item belonging to the closed torpedo production factory. It is proof of the technical inventive of Rijeka during this period and at the same time is an important world landmark of industrial heritage. For other cultural and historical monuments of Rijeka such as The Governor's Palace, St. Vitus Cathedral, Molo Longo, The Old Gateway or Roman Arch, Capuchin church of Our Lady of Lourdes and many other interesting places visit the pages of Rijeka Tourist Board . Theatre of Ivan pl. Zajc Museums, collections and exhibitions – Rijeka is a city with an unusual, turbulent past. The best places to discover the whole story on Rijeka are its museums, among its rich collections and exhibitions.

Maritime and Historical Museum of the Croatian Littoral Located in the beautiful Governor’s Palace building, it preserves a large part of Rijeka's history and maritime tradition. Besides its continuous ethnographic exhibition, visit our collection of furniture and portraits of people from Rijeka’s public life. Natural History Museum . Besides the botanical garden, the museum is a multimedia centre with an aquarium containing species from the Adriatic Sea. Besides fish, sharks and sea rays, the museum also conserves species of insects, reptiles, birds and amphibians. Ideal entertainment for both children and adults. Rijeka City Museum The museum includes eleven collections: fine arts, arts & crafts, numismatics, valuable objects, medals, arms from the Second World War and from the Croatian War of Independence, a collection of theatre and film material, philately, photography, press and technical collections. Modern and Contemporary Art Museum . The museum collects works of art by Rijeka artists from 19th century and both Croatian and foreign artists from 20th and 21st centuries. [dead link]Peek & Poke - "Museum" of old computers .

In this continuous exhibition over 1000 expositions are exhibited from around the world and from Croatian computer history. Located in an area of three hundred square meters, in the centre of Rijeka it is the largest exhibition of its kind in this part of Europe. The St. Vitus Cathedral Sacral Collection The collection is located in an attractive location, in a gallery above the internal part and above the church's altar, whilst the thesaurus is located in the atrium of the Cathedral’s locale. The sacral “Jesuits' heritage” collection includes some very rare exponents. Thesaurus and Gallery of Our Lady of Trsat’s Sanctuary . The monastery treasury holds works of extraordinary esthetic and material value, paintings, reliquaries, lamps, chalices, ecclesiastical robes, while the Chapel of Votive Gifts houses gifts dating from the 19th century up to date. Memorial Library and the Mažuranić-Brlić-Ružić Collection . The library and Mažuranić-Brlić-Ružić collection are located at Pećine, in Rijeka inside the villa of the famous Rijeka's family, Ružić.

[dead link]Permanent Glagolitic Alphabet Exhibition . A permanent exhibition has been collocated in the Rijeka University Library known as “Glagoljica” in which the Glagolitic written and printed heritage has been presented, especially that of the north Adriatic area where the first Croatian (Glagolitic) books were printed. Do[ edit ] Korzo, main pedestrian street in Rijeka Theatres Should you wish to go to the theatre, you can choose from those suitable for adults or for children, go either at the Croatian National theatre or at one of Rijeka’s smaller independent theatres. When it comes to cinema], no-one can dispute taste – in Rijeka you can find art cinema and multiplex. For those who like to be active while they travel and maybe want to shed a bit of sweat here are a few recommendations: [dead link]Kantrida pools . Complex of five newly furnished pools, located by the sea with an amazing view over the nearby islands and Istria. If you miss the adrenaline, some ten kilometers from Rijeka is an auto-moto track Grobnik where you can try your riding skills or watch how the professionals do it.

Diving around the coast of Rijeka . The Adriatic has one of the most indented coasts in Europe and its northern part is especially attractive for divers who like to dive on the underwater cliffs. The area offers various diving conditions both for beginners and for advanced divers. Besides the extremely clear sea and wealth of underwater life, underwater cliffs with gorgonian corals and caves can be found here as well as ship wrecks. For nature lovers, the ones that like to walk, watch the stars or just lie on the beach, there are many places to indulge in such activities: [dead link]Astronomical Centre Rijeka . Learn about the stars in this unique astronomy centre both in Croatia and abroad. Besides sky objects, from Sveti Križ hill, where it is located, a beautiful view extends over the Rijeka Bay and mountain hinterland. Rijeka’s beaches . Rijeka has the beach for everyone’s taste and thanks to the Mediterranean climate, the bathing season begins in spring and lasts until late autumn.

With regard to the city location, Rijeka’s beaches are located to the far east and to the far western parts of the city, and you can choose your favorite – large and noisy or small and secluded, pebbly, concrete, rocky, hidden... City buses drive to all beaches and there is free car parking close to all of them. Parks and promenades . Nature lovers and more active visitors can discover the city in a different way – by researching Rijeka’s promenades by the sea, urban or forest areas, and for those less active, parks are the best option for taking a break during a walk around Rijeka. Buy[ edit ] Rijeka’s main market – Placa No supermarket can replace the charm of the personal contact with the vendor or the excitement of the unpredictable purchase at the main Rijeka market – Placa. The harmonious compound of two pavilions and a Fish market building where, in the morning hours, the real Rijeka can be experienced. Shopping in the city centre – most shops are open from 8am until 8pm, Saturdays and Sundays usually until 1pm.

There are several 24/7 stores, and if you need cigarettes or newspapers after 8pm they can be bought at the kiosk that works all night, at the main bus station, Žabica. You can purchase all that you need in one of the larger commercial centers in Rijeka, the biggest one is Tower Center Rijeka , while Zapadni Trgovački Centar is the newest. Souvenir shops – authentic souvenirs can be bought at the Tourist Information Centre, two Rijeka’s galleries that have received the “Authentic from Rijeka” and “Special quality” labels – Mala galerija Bruketa and Galerija Art, Zeleno i plavo (Green and Blue) – autochthonous products shop, La Mamma Delicije on Trsat, and Bazilisk Souvenir Shop located in the very centre of Trsat Castle. Rijeka also has an online souvenir web shop . Eat[ edit ] Restaurants. There are numerous restaurants offering domestic and international food. Try some of their local fish specialties and also meat and vegetarian dishes as well as exotic specialties.

If you didn’t walk into one of the more exclusive restraints in Rijeka, such as Zlatna školjka, Kamov or Municipium, you will find the prices to be mostly moderate. Taverns. Experience the relaxed atmosphere of Rijeka’s taverns which in a typical local environment will offer you their specialties at moderate prices. Pizzerias and fast food - there are also many fast-food restaurants, some of them open 24 hours, such as Žabica on the main bus station Žabica and Food City on the Korzo promenade. Drink[ edit ] Wherever you go in Rijeka, you will find a place to drink and relax. There are hundreds of bars and cafes across the city. There are three ships docked in the harbor (city center) with bars, casino, and a night club – Arca Fiumana, Marina club and Club Nina2. Club Palach One of the oldest clubs in Rijeka, with 3 bars, 4 floors, one small free cinema room, gallery for young artists and comic book store, it's also one of the most interesting cafés/clubs in Rijeka.

Stereo dvorana The centre of Rijeka’s urban culture. The program includes and bonds urban life and multiculturalism with maybe the best conditions in Croatia for concerts and events. Café bar Karolina – a coffee bar located by the sea with a large terrace and a view of the boats in the Port of Rijeka. In the evening hours coffee drinking is replaced by music and dancing. Cukarikafe bar – works with the same intensity during the day and during the evening. It is special for its creative furnishings, relaxing music and atmosphere which also moves on two terraces during the warmer weather. Pepe Rosso Bar is a tavern, but not a totally conventional one with tango and salsa nights, a variety of promotions – from wine to books, exhibitions and performances, entertainment with DJs or live music. Café bar Nad urom is located on the last floor of the Korzo shopping centre, with a view over Rijeka’s rooftops and the Korzo, during the day offers refreshments and relaxation after shopping and during the weekend there is live music. Budget[ edit ] Rijeka Youth Hostel .

Is located around a hundred meters from the sea, in one of the most beautiful locations of the city, at Pećine, just 5 minutes by bus from the city centre (it will take you 15 minutes on foot). Lounge Hostel Carnevale . A modernly furnished hostel located in Jadranski Square, in the centre of the city of Rijeka, the very heart of the pedestrian zone on the Korzo, the city’s main promenade. Hostel Aston Located at Rijeka’s bus station itself and is only one minute’s walk away from the main Korzo promenade. All rooms have a view over the Capuchin Church and close by are all important facilities and a large number of night clubs. Hostel Ana . Can be found in the very heart of Rijeka, on the waterfront in the port. Kantrida hostelery is located 5 kilometers from the centre of Rijeka, on the main road leading to Opatija. It belongs to the semi-opened category type. It is mainly used by the employees and subcontractors of the 3. Maj shipyard and vacant rooms are also offered to passers-by. Campsite Preluk .

Is situated in a small pine and laurel forest next to the sea and a pebbly beach. It is in Preluk, serviced by bus no. 32 which goes to Opatija and is 2 km. from the centre of Opatija. The capacity of the camp is for 500 people. Mid-range[ edit ] Grand Hotel Bonavia . The 125 old and completely refurbished 4-star hotel located in the very heart of Rijeka. First class accommodation consists of 114 air-conditioned rooms, six suites and a presidential suite and has its own car park and garage. Best Western Hotel Jadran . Is a four-star establishment located by the sea. It was reopened in December 2005 after thorough reconstruction. It has 66 single and double bedrooms. Every room is air-conditioned, and has a satellite TV and radio, direct telephone line, Internet connection, safe and mini-bar. Hotel Continental . A three star hotel built in 1888 with 37 double bedrooms, 1 single bedroom and 4 hotel suits on two floors.

All rooms are equipped with a TV and a direct telephone line, while the access to the Internet is possible via modem, using the telephone connection port in the room. A complete warm breakfast in included in the price of approximately 400 HRK (€57) per night for a single. Hotel Neboder . Renovated in 2007, this 14-story hotel is part of the complex of the Croatian Cultural Centre. The best part about the hotel is the amazing view of the eastern part of the Istrian peninsula and Učka, Opatija, Rijeka, the small towns of Kostrena and Kraljevica and the island of Krk. Go next[ edit ] Opatija , once the secluded seaside resort of the rich and famous, is just a short 20-minute bus ride along the coast from Rijeka. Bus #32 departs frequently. It is a great place to go swimming. There are many fine restaurants and hotels (both of which seem to be lacking in Rijeka). Try to get a table at Le Mandrac in Volosko harbour, it is one of the finest restaurants in Croatia.

Until 2014, there was possibility to travel by Jadrolinija Ferry to Dubrovnik , Split , Stari Grad , Korčula , and Bari in Italy . Since there are rumors to reintroduce this line in 2016, keep in mind this wonderful option for trans-Croatian coastline journey. Journey time was up to twenty hours, so getting a cabin is highly recommended. On the boat, the restaurant serves up some decent food at surprisingly reasonable prices, but bear in mind that the 23% tax is not included on the menu. There is nothing in the way of entertainment, so bring some entertaining company or a good book. Islands of Rab , Pag , Losinj , Cres , Susak , Unije and Ilovik also can be reached by daily catamarans, which leave Rijeka at afternoon. One-way prices for adults are up to 60 kn, depending on destination. Buses are available to: 7 of the Best Places to Visit in Croatia Contact Around Croatia in 7 Stops Ready to book your trip? Find the right hotel at the right place with the Plum Deluxe hotel finder .

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Rebecca Quin When it comes to Croatia, believe the hype about the glittering blue bays, postcard perfect Adriatic architecture and friendly, bustling night-life. Stretching along 1,104 miles of stunning coastline, the mysterious fusion of East-meets-West is shaded by a turbulent political past that has instilled a worthy sense of environmental and cultural stewardship amongst the Croatian people. The country also an ever-expanding range of hotels and accommodation, inexpensive wineries, and top dining, putting it high on the list of value luxury. The magnificently diverse landscape is best explored by coach – the main mode of public transport in the country – with an average three-hour journey costing around 15-20 euros. Coach journeys can be booked on the day of travel as they are usually quite frequent between major towns and cities, though one thing to watch out for is the cost of putting your luggage underneath the coach (about $2.50 each). You can begin your trip from the North and travel southwards, or come up from the Montenegrin border towards Italy.

The following route through the best places to visit in Croatia took two weeks and gave a near-complete and beautiful picture of this great country. Dubrovnik One of the country’s most famous cities, the magnificent walled city of Dubrovnik is poetically known as the ‘pearl of the Adriatic’. The gleaming baroque buildings and winding marble streets will charm the Renaissance pants off of any visitor, with a number of fascinating historical monuments dotted in and around the centre. Beyond the walls, the rising forested hills provide a stunning backdrop for the sparkling clear-blue waters and white beaches. Being practically perfect, the city bursts at its ancient seams with tourists in the summer – accommodation prices shoot up but many residents on the hills outside of the city walls open up their spare rooms to travellers for a fee and can give you a local’s perspective on the best places to eat/drink. Split Centred around the ancient Diocletian’s Palace, an awe-inspiringly well-preserved Roman retirement home, Split is the largest city on the Dalmatian coast and also one of the oldest at 1,700 years. The city combines its stunning Roman artistic heritage with an exclusive, cosmopolitan feel along the coastal promenades.

The many highlights include the underground caverns which house exhibition and craft stands and the magnificent St. Domnius Cathedral with great views from the top of the 13th century campanile. Look out for the giant Grugr Ninski Statue outside the Northern walls of the palace – it’s custom to rub his enormous bronze toe for luck before entering the Bronze Gate into the Palace which is now a buzzing collection of bars, cafes and value luxury apartments. Trogir A gorgeous and quaint historic harbor 10 miles from Split, Trogir was founded by Greek colonists in 3rd century BC and has experienced a chaotic history, razed to the ground by the Saracens before being occupied by the Austrians, French and Italians and finally Croatians. The best-preserved Romanesque complex in all of central Europe, the tiny town is also packed full of Baroque palaces, churches, and towers as well as a small island fortress dating from the 13th century. Trogir provides a great day trip from the busy Split and is easily reached by local bus. The first vacation resort in Croatia opened in Opatija in the 19th century, which turned into one of Europe’s hottest health resorts.

Today, Croatia’s thousands of islands are now home to cruising boats, mountain resorts, farm stays, and wonderful spas. You can even rent a lighthouse! Hvar Island Any trip to Croatia has to include a ferry across to one of the many islands, islets and reefs sprinkled across the Adriatic Sea. Hvar is the most populated of the Dalmatian islands, with a rich artistic heritage and cultural history, providing an escapist’s paradise of lavender fields, olive trees and secluded bays. The town of Hvar has a pretty marble plaza surrounded by bars and cafes serving local produce and provides a comprehensive bus service to other areas of interest inland, as well as a frequent connecting ferry service to Split. Don’t miss our future travel articles! Signup for our free weekly email newsletter and join us in our pursuit to discover life’s luxuries. No spam – we will never sell your email address. Unsubscribe at any time. Zadar Between Rijeka and Split, Zadar is often overlooked as a stop-off destination in Croatia for no justifiable reason.

The city has a beautifully preserved network of Roman streets that wind around the Roman forum built by Emperor Augustus in the 1st century and a number of important cathedrals from the 12th century. Like a classic Croatian city without the crowds, one of Zadar’s most surprising features is the world’s only sea organ, a series of pipes cut into the promenade that emanate organ-like sounds created by the movement of the ocean. Plitvice Lakes National Park The oldest and arguably most eye-wateringly beautiful national park in Southeast Europe, Plitvice Lakes lies inland, in the mountainous karst area of central Croatia on the border with Bosnia Herzegovina. Every year, over 1 million visitors come to gaze open-mouthed at the prehistoric caverns and waterfalls, separated by natural dams which create a kind of giant staircase of azure, green and blue lakes. The park is home to species of flora and fauna that existed before humans – it does feel as though you’ve stepped onto the set of Jurassic Park 4 – and the area’s rich biodiversity is key to our understanding of the history of the planet.

You can buy tickets for one or two days exploration but beware peak season as you’ll inevitably get caught in a slow queue of tourists following the established routes through the park. Rovinj On the western coast of the Istrian Peninsula, Rovinj is a popular tourist destination for neighbouring residents of Italy with its charming and elegant fishing port and heady air of Mediterranean romance. Pastel-coloured houses are clustered together along steep winding streets, topped by the famous Venetian bell-tower, while the harbour is picture-perfect with pine-covered bays on either side. The town has an open-air market selling truffles and local seafood; you can buy a picnic here before tackling the nearby rock-climbing area just outside of the city centre. While these are some of the best places to visit in Croatia, other highlights include the capital, Zagreb, the port Pula and cosmopolitan Rijeka as well as the numerous islands reachable from the coastal town. Take a map, get planning and explore.

Flickr Photo CC Credit: paullew, lena_li, tm_boris, meaduva, jan_k, m-gem, pocius Around Croatia in 7 Stops A Guest Writer Related About the Author 23 year old London-born student reading English and French at the University of St Andrews. Lived in Scotland for almost 5 years and still yet haven't got the hang of my wees and ayes. Favourite places to travel to so far have been the Dalmation coast and all over France but these are definitely subject to change! Slow Down. Live a Life You Love. Download our FREE worksheet to learn how: * Kingdom Quest Ministries » Croatia Kingdom Quest Ministries Austria/Croatia/Slovenia admin Trips Comments Off on Austria/Croatia/Slovenia The Shuey’s ministries in these nations have often been together. In most of these nations there are about 1% born again believers. John has been to this region twice and Kerry once. John’s first visit was a fact-finding mission along with Missions Pastor, Eric.

John preached at two house churches, one in Austria and the other in Slovenia.The second trip, taken by both John and Kerry, was a Prayer Journey that included 73 teams engaging in spiritual warfare at sites from Crete to Scotland. John and Kerry went to Rijeka, Croatia and prayed in two key locations there. John also preached in Rijeka, where one man gave his life to Jesus and they ministered deliverance to one lady. The Shueys will return to Austria in December to teach in BLAST Ministries Training School, which includes students from Austria, Slovenia and Croatia. They will also go to Croatia in April of 2006 to minister in three or four prayer trainings along with missionaries Clifford and Maria Luckhurst. Croatia and Slovenia – 2006 admin Trips Comments Off on Croatia and Slovenia – 2006 John and Kerry Shuey had been working for two years with Pastor Cliff Luckhurst to develop a prayer journey to Croatia. It finally happened in April 2006. There were several goals for the trip. First, we desired to teach on prayer. Secondly, we wanted to visit key sites and pray.

Thirdly, we wanted to meet with leaders to strategize about regional transformation. The trip exceeded all expectations. KingdomQuest ministered in two cities while in Croatia, Rijeka and Pula. Rijeka is a city of 175, 000 people with six protestant churches. Within the past two years, five of the six pastors began to meet for fellowship, prayer and strategy. The group loves one another and come from a diverse theological and ecclesiastical grouping: Baptist, Brethren, Lutheran and Pentecostal. During our time in Rijeka, we spent two days teaching on prayer for all who would come and then talked about regional prayer strategy with key leaders. We had an awesome time of prayer with this group. We later traveled to Pula, a 3000 year old city of 75, 000. There are three protestant churches in Pula. This city has had an interesting history, having been founded by the Druids and housing Roman temples to Diana and Augustus, where children were sacrificed. There is also a Coliseum type ampitheatre, where Christians were martyred.

However, we found a vibrant Pentecostal church lead by a wonderful pastor, who desires to see the entire penisula of istra filled with effective churches. The last stop in Croatia was Zagreb, where we fellowshipped with Pastor Zelko and Lydia. This wonderful couple preach in the street and disciple new converts. Each of the four pastors we spent time with invited us back. We are working on 2007. We also visited Slovenia during the trip. We prayed with a group meeting in Piran, the only possible place to hear the Word of God for miles and preached in the capitol of Ljubljana. Pastor Steve Telzerow has a dynamic church touching many parts of the nation through house churches. Croatia Area Code and Croatia Country Code Call Croatia with Rebtel - Get $10 in free calls now! Map of Croatia The Croatian country code and Croatia area code chart below gives you the necessary information for calling Croatian cities. For international dialing instructions to Croatia, use our drop down boxes at the top of this page or check out our easy-to-use country code search tool . First Page << 1 >> Last Page Area Codes 1-2 (of 2) Croatia Cities

Question: Pula and Rijeka are two cities in which country?
Answer: CROATIA