 |
       
|
|
TOP DESTINATIONS Dubrovnik
|
you are here:
The Kvarner Gulf (Croatian: Kvarnerski zaljev, Italian: Golfo del Quarnero/Quarnaro/Carnaro; sometimes also Kvarner Bay) is a bay in the northern Adriatic Sea, located between the Istrian peninsula and the northern Croatian seacoast. The main islands within the Kvarner are Cres, Krk, Pag, Rab and Lošinj. The main portion of the Kvarner bay is that between the mainland, Cres and Krk. A smaller body of water located between Cres, Krk, Rab and Pag is called Kvarnerić (the little Kvarner). The bay is notable for its depth, which allows for the city of Rijeka at its northernmost point to have a sea port that can handle the largest ships such as tankers.
The economic and administrative center of this popular and busy island region is Rijeka, Croatia’s largest port. Other than Trsat Castle, built on a hilltop commanding splendid views out to sea, Rijeka has little of architectural interest, its main claim to fame being the exuberant celebrations it puts on each year in February for Carnival. The main tourist centers of the Kvarner region are Opatija, Crikvenica and Novi Vinodolski (sometimes referred to as the ‘three rivieras’), all of which have extensive pebble beaches complemented by good accommodation and recreational facilities. Opatija, Croatia’s oldest tourist resort, was popular with the Austro-Hungarian nobility and some of its former fin-de-siecle elegance remains. Of the many islands scattered throughout the Kvarner Bay, Krk, connected to the mainland by a road bridge, is the most developed as well as the largest, with clean beaches and extensive tourist facilities. Further out lie Rab, home to the delightful medieval Rab Town with a number of elegant Romanesque bell towers; Cres, which contains the Vransko Lake and is popular with nature lovers; and Losinj, which has pine woods and numerous bays with beaches. Inland from Rijeka, the Risnjak National Park is located in the mountains of Gorski Kotar and rises to 1528m (510ft) above sea level, making it a popular destination for hiking and climbing.
Get to Croatia by flying to Venice. Venezia Lines departs daily from Venice to all major resorts in Istria and to Lussino. Venezia Lines also operates out of Rimini and Ravenna. Day trip tickets available to Venice, to make your Istrian holiday even more memorable.
|
|
add to bookmark
|
