Magic Kvarner under the Učka's hills
From the top of Učka a view opens up towards Rijeka, towards Velebit and Gorski kotar; with the Alps discernable in the background; with the Istrian peninsula extending towards the Bay of Trieste and onwards towards Venice, as clearly as if it were all held in the palm of one’s hand, and with the eye reaching as far south as the islands of Kvarner and Central Dalmatia, and the wide, cerulean expanse of the Adriatic Sea.
The mountain massif of Učka stands as a natural barrier between cold air streams and Opatija and the mellow little places forming her necklace - Volosko, Ika, Ičići, Lovran, Medveja, Mošćenička Draga - each and every one of them a tourist destination located in one of the most pleasant climatic belts, where the Mediterranean penetrates deepest into the body of Europe.
Pleasant Mediterranean climate
It is this very mild and pleasant climate that has blessed the Liburnia Riviera (named after one of the ancient Illyrian tribes) and the islands of Kvarner with a luxurious mantle of diverse vegetation - from the camellia which is the symbol of Opatija, to the laurel, or rather lovor - hence the charming Lovran, and a wealth of Mediterranean flora.
Again, it is this climate which earned Opatija its reputation as a health resort that has been drawing visitors to these parts - from as far back as the times of the Austrian-Hungarian monarchy, when the imperial family itself, as well as many other members of high society chose Opatija as their summer residence, in fact it was in 1889 that the town was granted the official status of a tourist resort.
Fashionable Opatija and its promenades
Due to such an illustrious past, not only Opatija and its riviera, but also the islands of Lošinj and Krk are today tourist resorts with a long standing tradition, with luxurious hotels, elegant and romantic villas and exquisite parks.
Close to the Opatija's riviera, which is the most known, there are two more marvellous areas as the riviera of Crikvenica and Novi Vinodolski, along with Islands of Lošinj, Krk, Cres and Rab. Only Krk is linked to the mainland by a bridge, whilst other Kvarner Islands are accessible by ferry boats.
And when you have had enough of sea...
In this wonderful combination of sea and mountains, on these shores awash with the sun and yet shaded by lush Mediterranean greenery, cooled by blue waters and refreshing breezes, stand numerous hotels, villas, bungalows and apartments.
In the Kvarner hinterland the region of Gorski Kotar is situated, in a world of broad pastures and lowlands, divided by clilffs, mountain peaks, rolling hills and slopes and wild gulches. Gorski Kotar, this green beauty, is the ideal place for all nature lovers looking for peace and relaxation.