Croatia: Istria

Rudolf Abraham (www.rudolfabraham.co.uk) is an award-winning travel writer and photographer who specialises in Croatia and Eastern Europe. He is the author of a dozen books, many on Croatia and surrounding countries, and his work is published widely in magazines and online. He first visited Croatia in the late 1990s then returned to live in Zagreb for two years. A fluent Croatian speaker, Abraham continues to spend several weeks a year in his favourite country in Europe.Thammy Evans first travelled to Istria in 1989 when it was a part of Yugoslavia. She later learned the language, serving with NATO in Dalmatia and Republika Srpska. In 2003, she and her husband, both of mixed heritage, settled on the miniscule peninsula of Istria, attracted by the duality of its cosmopolitan and secluded nature. As a keen hiker, diver, an aspiring archeologist and a big foodie, the immediacy of the Istrian outdoors, vineyards, underwater world and sunshine are an Adriatic home away from Evans' childhood home in Wales. Involved with local friends in nature conservation and the local green agenda, Evans contributes to moving Istria to a renewable and regenerative future, and annually tracks the effects of climate change and warming seas in her diving endeavours there. As a travel writer, her other Bradt guides cover North Macedonia and the Great Wall of China.

• ContentsIntroductionPART 1GENERAL 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, CultureChapter 2 Practical InformationWhen 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 positivelyPART 2 THE GUIDEChapter 3 Pula and Southern IstriaPula, South from Pula, North from Pula, Brijuni IslandsChapter 4 RovinjHistory, 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, ActivitiesChapter 5 Porec and the Northwest CoastPorec, Novigrad, Umag, Savudrija, South to Limski kanalChapter 6 Inland IstriaPazin, Around Pazin, South to Pula, Motovun, Around Motovun, Groznjan, Buje, Buzet, Around Buzet Chapter 7 The East Coast and OpatijaOpatija, Volosko, Lovran, Labin and Rabac, South to Pula, Ucka Nature ParkChapter 8 RijekaHistory, 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 doChapter 9 The Slovenian Adriatic History, Getting there and around, Tourist information, Koper, Izola, Piran, Portoroz, Skocjan Caves, Lipica, Postojna, Vipava ValleyPART 3ACTIVITESChapter 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 KamenjakChapter 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 PinnacleAppendix 1 LanguageAppendix 2 Marinas and Sailing ClubsAppendix 3 Further InformationIndex

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