|
With the
help of this site you can make your own holiday-arrangements. You can
directly contact, by e-mail, by telephone or by fax, the owner of your
choice. An easy and money-saving way of making reservations!
|
Opatija, often called the Nice of the Adriatic, is one of
the most popular tourist resorts in Croatia and a place with the longest tourist
tradition on the eastern coast of the Adriatic. In 1844 the powerful merchant
Higinio von Scarpa erected Villa Angiolina, with beautiful green and a lavish
park around it, visited by distinguished guests - the Croatian Viceroy Josip
Jelacic, the Austrian empress Maria Anna - which soon made Opatija a popular
excursion destination of the inhabitants from Rijeka, then of the Italians and
Austrians. Opatija was the first in the region of the Adriatic to introduce
tourist statistics already in 1884, and the first hotel on the Adriatic, called
Kvarner, was built by the Society of the Southern Railways in 1884; situated on
the very coast and luxuriously furnished, it attracted exclusively elite guests.
With the construction of the hotel, Opatija became an elite summer resort, so
that, apart from the 12km-long promenade (Lungomare) from Volosko - Opatija -
Opatija, a mountain path from Opatija to Veprinac and farther to Ucka was laid.
Already in 1889 Opatija was declared the first climatic seaside resort on the
Adriatic, which strengthened its position as the most fashionable tourist
resort. Numerous tourists and owners of the villas contributed by planting
exotic plants to the horticultural grandeur. Opatija was so attractive that, at
the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, it was visited by the
then most prominent personalities of the noble rank - Princess Luise von Sachsen
Coburg, the Romanian king Charles I, the Swedish-Norwegian king Oscar, etc.
Tourist development is Opatija's main feature even today. Favourable climate,
well-maintained landscape, maintained beaches and lively entertainment
throughout the year make this place one of the most elite summer resorts in
Croatia today. The offer includes 20-odd hotels, a large number of catering
establishments, sports and recreational facilities, and especially entertainment
opportunities. By the hotel Admiral there is a marina open throughout the year.
Very many events in Opatija have a long tradition and offer a high-level
entertainment: carnival (January/February), International Yachting Regatta (in
May), the Opatija Yachting Cup (in November). Opatija is also a national centre
in which Porin, the prize for the best musical pieces is awarded (in March), as
well as one of the most important congress centres in Croatia. One of the best
restaurants in Croatia is open in Opatija throughout the year.
Admiral
Marina has 200 berths in the sea and 40 places on the land.
OPATIJA, a town,
harbour, tourist, summer and climatic resort on the foot of Mt. Ucka, situated
at the eastern coast of Istria in the Rijeka Bay, 13 km southwest of Rijeka. The
coastal region formed of limestone, in which Opatija lies, is protected from the
north and northwest by Ucka. Climatic conditions are favourable,
with relatively mild winters; the mean air temperature in January attains 4.7 °C,
and in July 23.3 °C; 2,230 hours of sunshine
a year. The whole narrow coastal strip is covered with evergreen
vegetation; there are no loose soils or water springs. Ucka holds the moist air and clouds
driven by the westerly winds, so that Opatija has lower rainfall and more
hours of sunshine than Rijeka. The climate and the specific historic and geographic features favoured
Opatija's rapid development. The completion of the railway Vienna - Trieste (1857) and the branch railroad
from Pivka (then called Sent Peter) to Rijeka (1873) opened the way from Vienna to
Opatija. The climatic advantages of Opatija were famous already in the
first half of the 19th century. Chief occupation is tourism. The
harbour consists of a pier and a protected basin. The inner part of it
is protected from all winds except from those blowing from the
first quadrant; the bora is moderate, blowing from
the east; the sirocco and the easterly winds are rather strong
and heave the sea. The outer part of the port is designed for
larger vessels, and smaller vessels can land at the inner part. The anchoring ground lies 500 m off the coast, but is far
from being safe during strong easterly and south-easterly winds. The harbour comprises
a marina. Situated on the road (M2, E751) Rijeka -
Pula.
