OPATIJA CITY GUIDE - news, events, history, accomodation, photo gallery
In 1844 Hignio Scarpa,
a patrician from Rijeka built amidst the bay-tree
and oak-tree vegetation the villa "Aangiolina" - that was the beginning of
tourism in Opatija - a town where the royal families and man of
distinction (Wilhelm II, Franz Joseph I, Gustav Mahler, Isadora Duncan,
A.P.Chekhov... among others) used to winter. By the end of the
19th century, Opatija was the winter and
the health resort of the worldly Central Europe.
Today when winter
and
summer
display their charms, Opatija is the biggest
pearl in the kvarner bay; among others there are: the pittoresque Volosko
the old fishing places Icici and Ika, Lovran with its old center and modern
hotels, Meveja and Moscenicka Draga with large sandy beaches, Kraj and Brsec
high above the sea, and last but not least the medieval towns on the nearby
hills - Kastav, Veprinac and Moscenice. The Opatija Riviera is unique combination
of climatic, vegetative and cultural opposites. The average temperature in
Opatija is some degrees higher then in neighboring places, thus allowing
successful growth of camellias, magnolias, palms, bamboos, and other subtropic
plants in its parks. Surrounded by this luxuriant evergreen vegetation there
are hidden numerous hotels - classical historical and
secessional buildings from the last century, of refined beauty but modern
enough to keep up with the progress and satisfy all the exigencies the todays
tourist demands.
The
tourist tradition
of Opatija is as old as the town itself.
In numerous restaurants along the Riviera you can taste
the European national dishes as well as Oriental dishes. The choice
is up to you - either the livery waiters serving by candle lights or the
rustic ambience of the littoral pub. Beside chattering in cafes and coffee-houses
your entertainment can go on on dancing terraces ,
in disco clubs, in night clubs and you can try your chance in the Casino .
Moreover you can attend numerous concerts, operas, folk shows, fils, theatre
performances and exhibitions. Furthermore, Opatija is also a congress town
and a sport town (boasting tennis and other sport grounds and swimming
pools) and if you are traveling by boat you will be well satisfied when mooring
your yacht in its marina. And last but not least it is possible also to ski
or ride a horse on Ucka or on the nearby highlands. If you want to experience
even more we suggest you to make an excursion by coach, by car or by boat
to the famous places as Venice the islands, the marvellous Postojna caves,
Pula and all those nice places in Istria and along the Adriatic coast...,
then to return to bosom of Opatija.
The
Opatija
Riviera (25 km long) is spread along the eastern coast of Istria, at the
foot of Ucka (1396 m), sheltered from winds. It is accessible all year by
roads and in its vicinity there is also an
airport.
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