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This new 2nd edition of Bradt's Croatia: Istria, with Rijeka and the Slovenian Adriatic has been fully updated and remains the only full-length guide to the region including background and practical information. Istria has some of Croatia's most famous sites, including Pula's Roman amphitheatre, UNESCO-protected Byzantine mosaics in Porec, picturesque medieval hilltowns and frescoes, and the Brijuni Islands National Park, home to Tito's summer residence. This guide also includes the transport hub and gateway city of Rijeka in the neighbouring Kvarner region, which is set to become European Capital of Culture in 2020. Istria makes a great base to explore the nearby Capodistria region of the Slovenian coast and Karst areas, including beautiful coastal towns, Lipizzaner horses and UNESCO-listed caves, all of which are given expanded coverage in this new edition. Also new is increased coverage of the Parenzana cycling and hiking route. With detailed sections on trekking, cycling and diving, plus information on windsurfing, paragliding, wreck diving (including sites such as the Coriolanus and the Baron Gautsch) and sailing, Bradt's Croatia: Istria, with Rijeka and the Slovenian Adriatic is ideal for adventurous people of all ages and on all budgets, who are curious about this well-heeled part of the former Yugoslavia. There is also a comprehensive wildlife section. Croatia is renowned for its cuisine (and particularly its truffles) and there is plenty of pampering on offer, too, with some excellent luxury and boutique hotels and restaurants, as well as cheap spas and treatments compared to the rest of mainland Europe. Festivals, music, travelling with children, buying and maintaining property in Croatia, dinosaur tracks and ancient history are all included, as are inland areas which often receive comparatively little attention (and with the exception of Motovun see far fewer visitors than the coast).
Introduction
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION
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 TWO 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
PART THREE ACTIVITIES
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, Event, 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 Caver, 8. Brsec Pinnacle
Appendix 1 Language
Appendix 2 Marinas and Sailing Clubs
Appendix 3 Further Information
Index
Rudolf Abraham is an award-winning travel writer and photographer specialising in Croatia and Eastern Europe. He is the author of more than ten books, many of these on Croatia and surrounding countries, and his work is published widely in magazines and online. Rudolf first visited Croatia in the late 1990s, returned to live in Zagreb for two years, and continues to spend several weeks a year in his favourite country in Europe.
