Kvarner

Kvarner is an area that, due to its heterogeneity of climate and vegetation; its combination of shores, islands and highlands, architecture and culture; and its proximity to several European tourist-generating regions, has been developing tourism for around 160 years.

Along with quality accommodation, a rich gastronomic range and many sports programmes, numerous events enriching the tourists’ sojourn are also held in the Kvarner region.

The longest tourist tradition in Croatia, the year-round range of varied programmes and the development of unique forms of tourism, constitute a variety of tourist attractions’ which meet the needs of present day tourists, with all their different requirements, throughout the four seasons.

To sojourn in the Kvarner region means to enjoy nature on the coast, the islands and in the mountains.

All the features specific to Kvarner can be found in the Kvarner “pot”: the abundance of the sea and coastline, the barrenness of the rocky ground and of the hinterland, the wildness of the mountain, and the tameness of the valley. Instead of recommending what to taste, let’s just say that fish, crabs and shells come from the clear sea, that vegetables and fruit grow on unpolluted soil and that lambs and game breathe fresh air. Healthy food is served here…

In order to get a more complete idea of the natural alimentary wealth that gave the regional cuisine its origins, we must make a distinction between coastal and mountain cuisine, their differences being attributed to natural and geographical conditions.

The seaside cuisine, owing to its Mediterranean and maritime influences is based on fish, shellfish and squid, on lamb, pasta, Mediterranean vegetables, fruit and herbs, on olives and olive oil, on chestnuts (“maruni“), and wine, while the mountain cuisine is based on game, milk and cheese, meat and mushrooms, frogs, snails, freshwater fish, vegetables – potatoes or cabbage in particular – wild fruits and spices, as well as on strong drinks, brandy, juniper brandy, and honey brandy.

In addition to the distinction between coastal and mountain cuisine, different methods of food preparation are also found in the micro regions themselves. Each island, even each village, has its own food preparation methods.While you are in Kvarner, in the littoral and mountain area, do not miss a taste of either the island or the mountain cheese (“skripavac“), the smoked ham (“prsut“), green or black olives, lamb (roasted, or cooked under a baking lid: “pod pekom”), octopus salad and the local “brodet” (fish stew), bear prawns and dormice, shellfish and octopus, batter-fried frogs, the well known “scampi”, grouper and venison, asparagus and mushrooms, the typical pasta “surlice” and gnocchi, cherries and blueberries, chestnuts and wild strawberries, “povatice” and fritters (“fritule“).

It is possible to plunge into Kvarner’s natural, historical and other heritage and to enjoy in it in various ways. One of the best ways to discover the riches of this treasury are excursions. The word excursion gives a hint of the unknown and of adventure, while Kvarner adds something familiar to it – the pleasure that remains after a trip in the Kvarner region.

Kvarner’s excursion-trails offer a wide range of opportunities, and which of them to choose is a matter of personal choice. They are half-daily, daily or several days’ duration trips, by bus or by ship, along the coast, on the sea or in the mountains. They combine Kvarner’s attractions in various ways and on demand they can also include some attractions from neighboring areas.

The Kvarner islands

The Kvarner islands are so close to each other, yet belong to different worlds. And this is wonderful because each of these worlds fascinates visitors in its own specific way. Key stations on the island of Cres are places like the impressive Lubenice, ancient Osor, and the ornithological griffon vultures’ reserve. With its famous maritime tradition, the island of Losinj has been the cradle of old sea dogs, but its sea is also the favorite habitat of dolphins. You can even adopt a dolphin here!

Krk fascinates with its rich history (stories of Glagolitism, and of the feudal Frankopan family). Even in Roman times it was said that Rab was a happy island, and its present-day guests, while attending performances by the Rab crossbow men, share the same opinion.

Gorski kotar

Gorski Kotar is an ideal destination for guests who appreciate the values – forgotten in noisy cities – of silence, peace, relaxation, and fresh air. Gorski Kotar is a synonym for a return to nature, in its most pleasant form. Gorski Kotar attracts guests with its lakes (Lokvarsko, Bajer, Lepenica), it invites them to mountain peaks (from some of which the view reaches as far as to the sea or the Alps), it incites them to unveil its natural secrets (the caves Vrelo, Lokvarka), offers the excitement of natural reserves (the Bijele and Samarske Stijene, (White and Samari Rocks) the Vrazji Prolaz Canyon, and the protected Kamacnik landscape). The natural treasury of Gorski Kotar is amply crowned by the Risnjak National Park.

National park – Plitvicka jezera

Plitvicka jezera – the best known Croatian National park, included in the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites. The main attraction of this park, unique in the world, consists of 16 small lakes mutually connected by means of cascades created by travertine (a type of limestone) sedimentation.

National park – Risnjak

The beauty of the forests, and of the rocky grounds and river sources, (the Park also includes the source of the Kupa river) as well as the magnificent sights, attract numerous mountain-climbers and other nature lovers to Risnjak.

National park – Brijuni

Brijuni – are a group of islands consisting of two fairly large islands and twelve islets along the western Istrain coast, near Pula, covering a total surface of seven square kilometers only. There is also a safari park here with exotic herbivores and a valuable cultural heritage from Roman and Byzantine times. Because of their extraordinary beauty the islands have been a favorite holiday resort of world statesmen and aristocracy since the beginning of the 20th Century.

Slovenia

Places worth visiting in neighboring Slovenia are the breeding farm of Lippizaner horses in Lipica, Postojna – under which the biggest European cave open to visitors extends – as well as the wonderful locality of the Bled and Bohinj lakes.

Small Istrian towns

Some other very attractive places in the vicinity of Kvarner are also worth visiting. Heading to towns and villages in the Istrian hinterland, which have been built on hills from which they overlook the landscape, visitors will enjoy extraordinary vistas. Have you known that town of Hum is officialy listed as the the worlds smallest town?

Italy

The Italian city of Trieste is also not very far from the Kvarner region, with the castle Miramare opening its doors to visitors, and if one goes further the famous city of Venice is ready to display its sights. Trips by boat to Venice from Porec or Pula are common amongst tourists who visit Kvarner area.