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The Kvarner Gulf is one of the closest points in the Adriatic Sea from central and West Europe. It is located in the northern part of the Croatian Adriatic, bordered by the Croatian mainland and the Istrian peninsula. Because of its nearness to the European mainland, the weather is mild and hence it has turned out to be a very popular tourist destination. However, Its popularity as a tourist destination dates back to the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 19th century.
CRES ISLAND
Cres is the second largest island in the Adriatic and is a must-see for the Karst landscape. The island has limestone and dolomite dominated littoral Karst sites with occasional snow-clad peaks and plateaus; gently sloping shorelines and steep cliffs; lush Mediterranean forest and sparse maquis. Another must see on the island is the Vransko lake, a natural reservoir fed by rainwater and subterranean channels. The surface of the lake is above the sea level, but its bottom is at a depth of 74m. |
The island is rich in plant life. The flora is typically sub-Mediterranean with oak and sweet chestnut woods. In the south, which is encircled by the hills, are evergreen coniferous forests. Wild herbs grow all over the place and localities use them to augment taste in their dishes.
Over 90 species of birds nest in the island along with eagles, falcons and owls. There is a dedicated ornithological reserve for the white-headed griffon vultures which nest, unusually, on rocks next to the sea. There are plenty of places to bike, walk, climb, swim and sail.
LOSINJ is a popular tourist destination with a long tradition in tourism that dates back to the 1880s.
KRK ISLAND: This is one of the islands in the Kvarner archipelago that is easily accessible from the mainland by a bridge that connects it with Croatian mainland as well as by ferry. Krk has it's own airport too, that serves surrounding islands as well as Rijeka.
OPATIJA: A costal town of Kvarner gulf. The town is famous for it's 12km long seaside promenade and is known as the Nice of the Adriatic. Opatija has been a tourist spot from the 19th century.
PAG is the island of the North Dalmatian group with surface of 284, 5 km2. Larger settlements on the island Pag are: Pag, Novalja, Stara Novalja, Lun and Caska. Geographically, the southwest coast of the island is flat, and northeast coast is steep and high with Pag bay and Stara Novalja bay. In Pag, you will find crystal clear sea in warm coves under a blue sky, magnificent underwater world, and the shade of pine forests, numerous sports and recreation facilities. Pag is well known for salt production. It's a traditional activity that has been happening in Pag for almost thousand years now. This island is also famous for Croatian cheese.
RAB is one of the islands of the Kvarner Bay archipelago in the north of the Croatian Adriatic Sea. In addition to the ancient town of the same name, there are seven other idyllic places scattered over the island: Barbat, Banjol, Palit, Kampor, Mundanije, Supetarska Draga and Lopar. There are about 9 thousands inhabitants on Island Rab mostly by agriculture, fishing, shipbuilding and tourism. Rab has tradition of organized tourism for more than 112 years. |
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RIJEKA is a major port. It is located in the very heart of Kvarner Gulf. Thanks to its location, air, bus, train and shiplines connect Rijeka. There are some very interesting places to go:
RIJEKA NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM has on display collections of methodology of oceanographic research, geological history of the Adriatic, geology of the Rijeka region, systematic of minerals, sea invertebrate, sharks and rays, osteichthyes and sea invertebrate. Other places of interest are the Ucka mountain and nature park near Rijeka and other Croatian cities located nearby like Zagreb, Osijek, Pula, Split, Sibenik, Zadar, Sinj, and Dubrovnik
HOW TO GET TO KVARNER AIR: Rijeka airport (located on Island Krk) is the only airport in the area that connects Zagreb as well as other European airports with Kvarner. Pula airport is useful alternative too.
BOAT: In summer, one can reach Kvarner by a catamaran that sails from Venice to Mali Losinj as well as to Zadar, Istria, Italy and Slovenia.
JADROLINIJA, national ferry line sails from/to Rijeka to Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik stopping on some of Dalmatian islands too. There are also, numerous local Jadrolinija ferry lines that connect Kvarner islands with the mainland.
BUS: A frequent bus service runs from Zagreb to Rijeka, as well as buses that run along Croatian coast all the way from Dubrovnik and beyond.
TRAIN: Rijeka has a train station, and is connected with Zagreb by frequent daily train service.
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