Description
Book SynopsisWritten by two Croatia experts, this new, thoroughly updated third edition of Bradt's Croatia: Istria, with Rijeka and the Slovenian Adriatic remains the only full-length guide to this well-heeled, varied part of former Yugoslavia to include detailed background and practical information. Catering for all types of travellers (from outdoors enthusiasts to culture vultures, foodies to oenophiles) and budgets, the guide offers revised listings for accommodation, restaurants, and what to see and do. Istria crams remarkable diversity in a conveniently compact region: it takes under an hour to drive almost anywhere on the peninsula. The region boasts some of Croatia's most famous sites, including Pula's spectacular Roman amphitheatre, Porec's UNESCO-listed Byzantine mosaics (every bit as good as Italy's Ravenna and Istanbul's Aya Sofya), picturesque medieval hill towns (such as Motovun and Draguc) and frescoes, and the Brijuni Islands National Park. In 2020, the transport hub and carnival city of Rijeka in the Kvarner region became Croatia's first ever European Capital of Culture. Istria is renowned for its cuisine, particularly pasta, game, seafood and truffles (until recently Istria held the world record for the world's largest truffle), and also produces fine wine and world-class olive oil. There is plenty of pampering on offer, too, with luxury and boutique hotels, excellent restaurants and inexpensive spa treatments. Istria makes a great base to explore nearby Capodistria on Slovenia's coast, and karst limestone areas with beautiful and uncrowded coastal towns, castles, Lipizzaner horses and the UNESCO-listed Skocjan cave. New or expanded coverage in this edition include advice and information on the Vivapa Valley, Slovenian wines, recently opened hotels, travelling to Istria by rail, and vegetarian or vegan restaurants. With extensive sections on trekking, cycling (including the Parenzana long-distance cycling route) and diving, plus information on windsurfing, paragliding, wreck diving (including sites such as the Coriolanus and the Baron Gautsch) and sailing, and detail on wildlife (30 species of orchid grow on Cape Kemenjak alone), numerous festivals (including celebrations of film, fish, truffles and prosciutto), music, travelling with children and ancient history, this Bradt guide provides everything you need to plan and enjoy a visit.
Table of ContentsContents Introduction PART 1 GENERAL INFORMATION *= if relevant, so please delete if not using Chapter 1 Background Information Geography, Climate, Natural history and conservation, History, Government and politics, Economy, People, Language, Religion, Education, Culture Chapter 2 Practical Information When to visit, Highlights, Suggested itineraries, Tour operators, Tourist information, Red tape, Embassies, Getting there and away, Health, Security and safety, What to take, Money and budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays and festivals, Shopping, Arts and entertainment, Outdoor pursuits, Media and communications, Business, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positively PART 2 THE GUIDE Chapter 3 Pula and Southern Istria Pula, South from Pula, North from Pula, Brijuni Islands Chapter 4 Rovinj History, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Entertainment and nightlife, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Activities Chapter 5 Porec and the Northwest Coast Porec, Novigrad, Umag, Savudrija, South to Limski kanal Chapter 6 Inland Istria Pazin, Around Pazin, South to Pula, Motovun, Around Motovun, Groznjan, Buje, Buzet, Around Buzet Chapter 7 The East Coast and Opatija Opatija, Volosko, Lovran, Labin and Rabac, South to Pula, Ucka Nature Park Chapter 8 Rijeka History, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Entertainment and nightlife, Festivals, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do Chapter 9 The Slovenian Adriatic History, Getting there and around, Tourist information, Koper, Izola, Piran, Portoroz, Skocjan Caves, Lipica, Postojna, Vipava Valley PART 3 ACTIVITES Chapter 10 Hiking in Istria Maps, Footwear and clothing, Trail markings, Huts and camping, Water, 1. Lovran to Vojak (Ucka), 2. Raspadalica and Kuk, 3. Pazinska jama, 4. Pazin Waterfalls, 5. Rt Kamenjak Chapter 11 Biking in Istria Bike rental, service and parts, Routes and maps, 1. Groznjan to Livade on the Parenzana, 2. Coast to the Mirna River and the Parenzana, 3. Decumanus Maximus Agri, 4. Mali Sv Andeo Observatory to the Limski kanal, 5. Groznjan to Koper on the Parenzana Chapter 12 Diving in Istria Planning the dive, Events, Diving centres, 1. HMS Coriolanus, 2. Koversada wall, 3. Baron Gautsch, 4. Banjole Spilja Cave, 5. Rt Peneda, Brijuni National Park, 6. Fraskeric Island, 7. Nikolai's Cavern, 8. Brsec Pinnacle Appendix 1 Language Appendix 2 Marinas and Sailing Clubs Appendix 3 Further Information Index
