Istria & Kvarner
Famous yachting destinations in Istria are Umag, Novigrad, Poreč, Rovinj and Pula, each of them beautiful in its own way. You can moore your boat at their waterfronts and enjoy walking through narrow and crowded streets, discovering many hidden treasures and secrets. In Istria there are also many remains of ancient Roman empire. The most famous is well preserved amphitheater in Pula, standing there for two millenniums. Do not miss Brijuni islands, magnificent National park whose nature and beauty will doubtless leave you breathless.
Kvarner is a name for extensive North-Adriatic gulf between eastern coast of Istria and Velebit mountain, including five bigger and quite a few smaller islands. Those five are Krk, Cres, Lošinj, Rab and Pag, similar in many characteristics but different in their essence. Gentle beauty of Krk, steep coastline of Cres, viridity of Lošinj, multiformity of Rab and rough landscape of Pag will reveal deepest soul of each island and amaze you in a moment, discovering incredible pleasure destined for visitors like you.
Sailing in Istria & Kvarner
Sailing in Istria is nothing more than easy, but there are few facts that you should know in order to enjoy it to the maximum. West coast of Istria is much more accessible for the sailors than east coast of this large peninsula, furthermore it is more populated, with more towns, marinas and places where you could moore or anchor your boat. Sea there is more shallow too, with large number of coves ideal for day at anchor. East coast is more steep and intact, with fewer marinas and moorings, sea is deeper, but there are several deeply in land recessed and safe bays like bay of Medulin and Raša bay. East coast of Istria is practically a part of Kvarner, so from there you are only a step to islands of Krk, Cres and Lošinj.
These three islands, together with Rab and Pag, represent five largest Kvarner islands that are arranged circulary forming inner sea known as Kvarnerić. This is vast sea area with many attractive places to visit, mostly on the islands, including beautiful bays, secluded beaches, lovely towns and modern marinas. Distances between interesting spots are perfect for daily sailing under suitable weather conditions prevailing in the summer. Coastal area, especially lengthy Velebit channel, under the mighty mountain of Velebit, is less popular cruising destination with lack of nautical infrastructure and therefore boat traffic is infrequent.
Don't miss in Istria & Kvarner
On the coast of Istria there are numerous places to visit with a boat, but we advise you to take a daily car or even bike-trip to the magnificent hilly inland with medieval towns like Motovun or Grožnjan, to mention only the most famous. Almost every coastal town deserves to moore your boat there, but you should definetely not miss picturesque Rovinj with colourful houses at the waterfront, dozens of art galleries and nice small restaurants and bars. Brijuni islands are certainly the other highlight place to stop over and spend a night or two in the splendid national park with many rare animal and plant species, which Tito and his guests brought from all over the world.
Area of Kvarner offers many lovely places to visit as well. Apart from diverse and numerous secluded coves, centuries-old towns and small ports, you should not miss small but specific islands of Unije, Susak or Ilovik, sandy beaches and well preserved city centre of Rab where medieval fair is held, curative nature of Lošinj, wonderful stone village of Lubenice on Cres, and much more. If cruising Kvarner area there is great possibility to meet dolphins, one of the rare sea mammals that permanently inhabits Adriatic sea, and you could even spot Mediterranean monk seal. At least once you should visit some recommended local tavern and try tasty domestic food and quality wine.
- take a daily trip to Istria inland
- moore at Rovinj waterfront and enjoy wonderful scenery
- visit Brijuni islands national park
- overnight on a specific island of Unije, Susak or Ilovik
- visit sandy beaches of Rab, together with city centre where Rab medieval fair is held
- visit almost abandoned stone village of Lubenice, overlooking beautiful beach
- eat in local taverns and drink fine wines
Pula
Pula is world famous for its Roman Amphitheater (Arena) dating from the 1st-2nd cc. that dominates the area above the city port. It is the sixth in size preserved amphitheater in the world, which during the Roman Empire could seat 26,000 spectators. The city abounds in classical monuments; various monuments from the Roman period are exhibited in the park of the Archaeological Museum.
On the hill behind the Museum are the remains of a Roman theater. On the inner side of the main City Gate is the Arch of the Sergii, whereas outside the Gate lies the large Roman necropolis mentioned even in Dante's Inferno. On the hill above the old part of the city is the Kastel (1631) which today houses the Historical Museum of Istria.
