Krk Island Holidays, Croatia Croatia’s largest island, Krk is joined to the mainland by a bridge. The top resort is Baska, a wide bay with a row of modern hotels overlooking a two-kilometre pebble beach. Krk’s sights include the 15th -century Franciscan Monastery on the islet of Kosljun, near Punat, home to Croatia’s largest marina; Krk Town’s impressive 12th-century cathedral complex; and the wine cellars of Vrbnik, where the dry white iZlahtina/i wine is made.
Losinj Island Holidays, Croatia Kvarner (area)
Opatija Holidays, Croatia Fifteen kilometres west of Rijeka, this sedate 19th-century seaside resort comprises grandiose Vienna-inspired Art Nouveau buildings and smartly refurbished socialist-era establishments. A lovely 12-kilometre seaside promenade runs from Volosko, known for chic seafood eateries, through Opatija to pretty Lovran, home to 19th-century villas and food festivals. Seven kilometres southwest of Lovran at Moscenicka Draga lies the area’s best beach.
Rab Island Holidays, Croatia Rab’s capital, Rab Town, is a huddle of medieval stone buildings occupying a slender, fortified peninsular lined with four elegant Romanesque bell towers. The old town hosts rustic taverns and boutiques, with a palm-lined seafront promenade giving onto a marina. Rab was one of Europe’s first nudist resorts: King Edward VIII apparently bathed naked here in 1936. Some of Croatia’s best sand beaches lie on Lopar Peninsular, on Rab’s northern tip.
Rijeka Holidays, Croatia Croatia’s main port, the industrial city of Rijeka boasts grandiose 18th-century Austro-Hungarian architecture. Don’t miss hilltop Trsat, home to a pilgrimage church and Romantic castle with a terrace-café affording views over the gulf. Join locals for the evening ivolta/i (promenade) along the pedestrian Korso, the main shopping street. Each year, Rijeka hosts a raucous Carnival, one of the largest in Europe.
Selce Holidays, Croatia Forty kilometres southeast of Rijeka, this low-key seaside resort lies on the coastal road linking Kvarner to Dalmatia. Built around a small cove backed by limestone slopes, it faces the sea channel to Krk Island. Just northwest of Selce lies the 19th-century resort of Crikvenica, offering open-air cultural events in summer. Six kilometres southeast of Selce is the resort of Novi Vinodolski. All resorts offer scuba diving and bikes for hire.
