DESTINATIONS
CROATIA | SHORT BREAKS CITY
& SEASIDE
PAIR RIJEKA WITH THE OPATIJA RIVIERA
While Rijeka has several long stretches of beaches, it’s also easy to combine a visit to the Opatija Riviera to enjoy some Habsburg elegance by the Adriatic. Located a 30-minute drive from Rijeka, the Opatija Riviera is the birthplace of Croatian tourism thanks to the Habsburgs’ desire for a seaside playground. The town of Opatija is the centrepiece, filled
FROM FAR LEFT: St Vitus Cathedral;
City Clock Tower; Boonker restaurant; Governor’s Palace; Rijeka Fish
Market; Trsat Castle; and Croatian National Theatre, all Rijeka
PICTURES: Shutterstock/Maja Tomic, Massimo Parisi, Marrilena, Dava Tario, Trabantos
with absurdly pretty and elegant 19th-century villas and numerous coves and beaches. There’s a palpable air of wellbeing and relaxation – possibly a combination of beautiful architecture, an agreeably slow pace of life and the calming deep blue of the Adriatic. The lavish gardens of the Villa Angiolina
20.00: Head back to Korzo for a nightcap on one of the cafe terraces, including sophisticated Caffe Bar Filodrammatica or the convivial Fiorello Pub.
Day two
10.00: Clients who fancy a bit of a hike can tackle the 538 stone steps at Trsatske Stube behind the Hotel Continental. These lead to one of Rijeka’s most compelling attractions, Trsat Castle. This sprawling 13th- century fortress is free to explore and is one of the best places for sweeping views of the city and the Kvarner Gulf. There’s also a bus from the city centre to Trsat. A few minutes’ walk away is the Franciscan monastery and shrine to Our Lady of Trsat, a popular place of pilgrimage, and the adjoining gardens are a tranquil attraction to wander.
travelweekly.co.uk
15.00: While other beaches in the Kvarner Gulf vie for clients’ attention – particularly those on the islands – holidaymakers can still combine city and beach in Rijeka and its immediate surroundings. Just to the west of the main port is Ploče beach, which also features a large indoor-outdoor swimming pool. For something more rustic, go east to the six miles of beach at Kostrena.
20.00: After a pre-dinner stroll along the Molo Longo pier that
faces the harbour, fill up on seafood fritto misto in the funky surroundings of Boonker restaurant on the Riva.
TW
13.00: Head back towards the harbour near the fish market for a sumptuous seafood lunch at Konoba Na Kantunu. Make your choice from the day’s catch swimming around in a large tank.
are an inviting place to start a tour, as the park also includes the Croatian Museum of Tourism. A stroll along the Walk of Fame reveals a stone wall with huge portraits of illustrious regular guests, including Gustav Mahler, Albert Einstein, Isadora Duncan and James Joyce. Towards the seafront is the summer open-air theatre as well as one of Opatija’s bigger beaches. Follow the path to Opatija’s compact harbour, where the Bistro Yacht Club provides a delectable introduction to the fresh seafood caught daily by Kvarner fishermen. Along the Opatija Riviera lies one of the most enjoyable trails of the Adriatic. Starting in the attractive fishing village of Volosko, the Lungomare wiggles along the coast past Opatija and down to the village of Lovran. It’s hard to find a more pleasant way of exploring the coastline and getting to know its appealing villages, including Ičići and Lovran itself, which has a tiny and enchanting old town to discover. Clients who don’t want to do a round-trip can just hop on a bus back to their starting point. Hovering over the coastline is the Učka Nature Park, where hiking and cycling trails meander
along to breathtaking mountain viewpoints. Book it: Prestige Holidays has a seven-night package to Opatija from £639 staying at the four-star Remisens Hotel Admiral, including flights and transfers, departing in May 2022.
prestigeholidays.co.uk
25 NOVEMBER 2021
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