Aventura Adriática: Eslovenia y la Península de Istria

About the destination: Often forgotten by tourist seeking the sun and coastline, Zagreb is an alluring destination on its own. The capital city of Croatia is a perfect mixture of Western and Eastern Europe. The sober Austro-Hungarian buildings are surrounded by chic restaurants and boutiques that contrast with the seedy pubs and loud beer halls. Zagreb offers a wide choice for visitors. From trendy art galleries to more traditional music halls and museums, and outdoor leisure, a lot of outdoor leisure. Maksimir Park, in the east, is filled with joggers, bikers and strollers. In the southeast of the city, we find Jarun Lake, where locals and tourists alike go to swim or sail and to, afterwards, dance the night away in a lakeside disco. Just a ride away on the shine new trams, we find Mt Medvednica that offers hiking, skiing and great views over the city. Either you are looking for a city break or a break from your lazy beach holidays, Zagreb won’t disappoint visitors in the slightest.

About the destination: At first glance, Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, seems almost too good to be true. Tucked up against the town’s e-topped hill, the baroque and folk-painted buildings of the old town are like something out of a fairytale. In fact, Ljubljana is very much a part of the real world; industry and the arts flourish here, and commerce is booming lively, lovely, and oh-so-easy for the foreign visitor, modern, sophisticated Ljubljana may well be one of the most pleasant city in Europe. Ljubljana has plenty of places to visit whether they be the city's castle which offers great views over the area from its hill top position, the fine museums and art galleries or taking in the local culture with good local food and drinks, especially beer. The hill with Ljubljana castle is situated in the city centre and narrow river Ljubljanica is slowly circulating around it. The old city centre is situated below this hill on the banks of Ljubljanica River. The focus of the city is Preseren square with its 3 bridges, Tromostovje. From there walk down Stritarjeva street to reach old Ljubljana and Ljubljana castle. Stroll down Copova street to reach Tivoli Park, a gorgeous park, famous for its boulevards, its flower garden and lake. Inside the park we have the International Centre of Graphic Arts. But to really enjoy Ljubljana walk along the Ljubljanica river banks in the evening, listen to the street music, sit in one of the numerous restaurants and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.

About the destination: The most recognizable symbol of the lake is the Church of the Assumption with its long and diverse history, however the lush greenery also hides other interesting island buildings, like the bell-tower, church, chaplain's house, provost's house, small hermitage and some mysterious legends. The most renowned symbol of the island is the Church of the Assumption which demands a climb up the 99 stone-step staircase. In case you visit the island in just the right time, make time to witness a wedding in the romantic environment. As far as the wishing bell is concerned. Don't just watch it. Ring it.

About the destination: Many visitors to Slovenia say they’ve never seen a more beautiful lake than Bled…that is, until they’ve seen Lake Bohinj, just 26km to the southwest. We’ll refrain from weighing in on the Bled versus Bohinj debate other than to say we see their point. Admittedly, Bohinj lacks Bled’s glamour, but it’s less crowded and in many ways more authentic. It’s an ideal summer holiday destination. People come primarily to chill out or to swim in the crystal-clear, blue-green water, with leisurely cycling and walking trails to occupy them. There are lots of outdoor pursuits like kayaking, hiking and horseback riding if you’ve got the energy, and the charming villages to the lake’s northeast, remarkably, have remained faithful to traditional occupations like dairy herding and farming.

About the destination: At first glance, Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, seems almost too good to be true. Tucked up against the town’s e-topped hill, the baroque and folk-painted buildings of the old town are like something out of a fairytale. In fact, Ljubljana is very much a part of the real world; industry and the arts flourish here, and commerce is booming lively, lovely, and oh-so-easy for the foreign visitor, modern, sophisticated Ljubljana may well be one of the most pleasant city in Europe. Ljubljana has plenty of places to visit whether they be the city's castle which offers great views over the area from its hill top position, the fine museums and art galleries or taking in the local culture with good local food and drinks, especially beer. The hill with Ljubljana castle is situated in the city centre and narrow river Ljubljanica is slowly circulating around it. The old city centre is situated below this hill on the banks of Ljubljanica River. The focus of the city is Preseren square with its 3 bridges, Tromostovje. From there walk down Stritarjeva street to reach old Ljubljana and Ljubljana castle. Stroll down Copova street to reach Tivoli Park, a gorgeous park, famous for its boulevards, its flower garden and lake. Inside the park we have the International Centre of Graphic Arts. But to really enjoy Ljubljana walk along the Ljubljanica river banks in the evening, listen to the street music, sit in one of the numerous restaurants and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.

About the destination: The area is known to have been populated since the paleolithic period due to the discovery of a cave settlement near the town of Postojna called Betal Rock Shelter. The town lies on the Pivka River. Written sources first mention the settlement in the 13th century and in 1432 it became a borough. It was proclaimed a town in 1909. From the late Middle Ages, it was part of the Duchy of Carniola and hence of the Habsburg Monarchy. It was under Italian rule between 1918 and 1943 (nominally to 1947) and was part of the province of Trieste as Postumia. The area is especially known for its majestic cave, the Postojna cave and the Predjama castle, a castle built into an overhanging rock. Postojna Cave is a 24,120-m long karst cave system near Postojna. It is the second-longest cave system in the country as well as one of its top tourism sites. The caves were created by the Pivka River. The cave system forms a spectacular underground web of tunnels, halls, passages and alleys, while showcasing the diversity of Karts features along the way. Predjama Castle is one of the most picturesque castles in the country. It is built into a karst cave and situated just a few kilometres from the entrance to Postojna Cave. The castle became known as the seat of the knight Erazem Lueger (or Luegger), lord of the castle in the 15th century and a renowned robber baron. He was the son of the Imperial Governor of Trieste, Nikolaj Lueger. Nowadays, it is a museum on five floors that shows the life in the 16th century, with an armoury, dungeon, halls, living quarters and other castle facilities. Interesting is the dialogue between man-made architecture and natural structures that combine into the castle’s fortification system. A guided tour of the castle is highly recommended, where visitors can learn about the legends and stories that were made throughout centuries.

About the destination: Opatija is a town in western Croatia, just southwest of Rijeka on the Adriatic coast. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • The Anglina Park. It is the building that marked the beginning of the tourist epoch in this town. • The Park of Sv. Jakov. It is a horticultural monument and is dividen into 60 fields and about 159 plants species grow there. • The fountain (Helios and Selena). It is located in a beautiful park opposite the imperial hotel near the church of St. Jacobs. • Maiden with the Seagull. • St. Jacov´s Church. • Monument to Friedrich Julius Schuller

About the destination: Effortlessly marrying the attractions of beach and sun with centuries of history and culture, Pula is an excellent holiday choice. Once the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s chief naval base, Pula is an engaging combination of working port and brash Riviera town that has managed to retain a friendly small-town appeal. The highlight of the city is definitely the remarkably well-preserved Roman amphitheatre. It is the sixth largest amphitheatre in the world and was constructed in the first century BC. The amphitheatre itself is spectacular and it present the perfect backdrop for plenty of pictures. The Forum is the main square in the centre of the city, where the Temple of Augustus and the Town Hall are located, in addition to some of Pula's more famous cafés. The Forum is the perfect place to start or to end exploring Pula or for the first morning coffee or for the last drink in the hot summer nights. The Triumphal arch of Sergii is another reminder of the Roman settlement. This majestic arch was built in 27 BC to commemorate 3 members of the Sergii family who held important official duties in Pula. Walking along the short and narrow streets of the old town is a good opportunity to see the succession of styles and exterior influences in the city. There's a lot to see in Pula. It's not all about Roman remains and historic monuments. Pula today is a lively busy city that smoothly combines past and present.

About the destination: Rovinj is a beautiful and picturesque small town situated on the western coast of the Istria peninsula. Because of its mild climate, sunny days, warm sea, attractive scenery as well as its historical monuments and old town, it is popular destination throughout the whole year. The islands of Rovinj archipelago, make for a pleasant afternoon away; the most popular islands are Sveta Katarina and Crveni Otok (Red Island), also known as Sveti Andrija. The Old Town is lovely with beautiful cobble-stone paths and Mediterranean-style old houses adorn the streets. Grisia is the lifeblood of the town, the main street of the old core, a street with a vast array of art galleries and a place no visitor of Rovinj should miss. This winding street of irregular shape rises up to the cathedral. The street is paved with the same white Istrian stone that was used to build many prestigious palaces and churches in Venice. The cathedral of St Euphemia dominates the skyline of Rovinj. The church originated in early Christian times. It was rebuilt in 1736 with its facade added in the middle of the 20th century in Venetian-baroque style. At the top of the 60 m. high bell tower, there is a copper statue of St. Euphemia, the patron saint of the town, that turns as the wind changes. Zavicajni muzej, the Local Museum, has an archaeological and an ethnographic collection, a gallery of paintings made by old and contemporary masters, a library and an archive. The museum is housed in the 17th century Baroque palace which once belonged to Califfi counts. Besides being museum the palace serves also as an important exhibition space. Red roofs, yellow walls, blue sea and a constant flow of boats, cosy up together in picturesque perfection. To state the obvious, Rovinj is very beautiful, probably one of the most beautiful places in Europe.

About the destination: Porec is the most popular holiday resort in Istria and is frequently named the top resort in Croatia by the Croatian National Tourist Office. There are over 100,000 beds available in the area, but hotels and other facilities are widely spread so the place never feels too crowded. The main tourist areas are two bays south of the town, called Zelena (Green) and Plava (Blue) Laguna (lagoon). They are almost like small towns, with several hotels in each, as well as camping facilities, a marina and shopping and entertainment areas. Most visitors stay in one of the two. If you’re in the main part of town and fancy a bit of swimming and sunbathing, head to nearby Sveti Nikola island which you can reach by a regular boat (the journey is only a few minutes).

About the destination: Rijeka, located on Kvarner Bay, an inlet of the Adriatic Sea, is Croatia’s largest port. The city retains some traces of his past, and is a charming place to visit as it has a great architecture in the old parts of the city, as well as some very interesting places to go. Korzo, the old part of the city, is dominated by the City Tower. The tower was originally a gate from the sea into the old town. It has a crest of the double headed eagles holding an urn of flowing water, the symbol of Austria. The tower has several Baroque style features form various time. St. Vitus' Church is the big draw of the old town in Rijeka. It is a unique Baroque rotunda of monumental dimensions inspired by the Venetian church St. Maria della Salute. The most impressive part of the church is the large crucifix on the altar. Korzo is the very heart of the town and numerous cafés welcome you for a drink on shaded terraces. The views from the Trsat castle sitting on top of the highest hill is magnificent. It reflects the large city size, as well as the wonderful building structures. Trsat stairs lead to the famous centre of pilgrimage, the Franciscan monastery. Walking west you will reach Trsat Castle, which has a long heritage, and was the original settlement of Celtic tribes. Beneath the castle there is the old church of St. George, Sv. Juraj, which, for centuries, has been the parish church of Trsat. The town of Rijeka has been well known for its carnival festivities since the Middle Ages. The carnival festivities take place mainly on Korzo. The colourful parade of masks can be seen every year on the last Sunday of carnival festivities in Rijeka.

About the destination: Often forgotten by tourist seeking the sun and coastline, Zagreb is an alluring destination on its own. The capital city of Croatia is a perfect mixture of Western and Eastern Europe. The sober Austro-Hungarian buildings are surrounded by chic restaurants and boutiques that contrast with the seedy pubs and loud beer halls. Zagreb offers a wide choice for visitors. From trendy art galleries to more traditional music halls and museums, and outdoor leisure, a lot of outdoor leisure. Maksimir Park, in the east, is filled with joggers, bikers and strollers. In the southeast of the city, we find Jarun Lake, where locals and tourists alike go to swim or sail and to, afterwards, dance the night away in a lakeside disco. Just a ride away on the shine new trams, we find Mt Medvednica that offers hiking, skiing and great views over the city. Either you are looking for a city break or a break from your lazy beach holidays, Zagreb won’t disappoint visitors in the slightest.

About the destination: Within the boundaries of this heavily forested national park, 16 crystalline lakes tumble into each other via a series of waterfalls and cascades. The mineral-rich waters carve through the rock, depositing tufa in continually changing formations. Clouds of butterflies drift above the 18km of wooden footbridges and pathways that snake around the edges and across the rumbling water.

About the destination: Often forgotten by tourist seeking the sun and coastline, Zagreb is an alluring destination on its own. The capital city of Croatia is a perfect mixture of Western and Eastern Europe. The sober Austro-Hungarian buildings are surrounded by chic restaurants and boutiques that contrast with the seedy pubs and loud beer halls. Zagreb offers a wide choice for visitors. From trendy art galleries to more traditional music halls and museums, and outdoor leisure, a lot of outdoor leisure. Maksimir Park, in the east, is filled with joggers, bikers and strollers. In the southeast of the city, we find Jarun Lake, where locals and tourists alike go to swim or sail and to, afterwards, dance the night away in a lakeside disco. Just a ride away on the shine new trams, we find Mt Medvednica that offers hiking, skiing and great views over the city. Either you are looking for a city break or a break from your lazy beach holidays, Zagreb won’t disappoint visitors in the slightest.