Travel in Croatia: our itinerary ideas to discover the north of the country: Current Woman The MAG

Close to Italy and Austria, the city of Rijeka was Hungarian, Austrian, Italian – under the name of Fiume, and was even erected, from 1920 to 1924, in an ephemeral "Free State", before d to be conquered at the end of World War II by Yugoslavia. It is this eventful history that tells the architecture of the city, which mixes Italian, Austrian, German influences, and the baroque, Renaissance, historicist styles… Inside the opera house, inaugurated in 1885, the balconies are worn. by graces. Three of the medallions that adorn the ceiling are the first works signed by Gustav Klimt and his younger brother Ernst. On the other side of the square, three pavilions (two built in 1880 and the fishmonger from the beginning of the 20th century) house the market which offers vegetables, olive oil, cheeses, wolves, langoustines and prawns from the Adriatic which make the happiness of restaurants.

Industry gives way to culture

Commercial ships, ferries and pleasure boats animate Croatia's largest port, and its former industrial sites have started to be converted. Thus, since 2017, the former sugar refinery has housed the Museum of Modern Art. With its renovation completed, the banana ship transformed into a luxury yacht by Marshal Tito, who ruled Yugoslavia from 1945 to 1980, will soon be anchored here. After receiving Elizabeth Taylor, Kirk Douglas and Sophia Loren, the Galeb (the seagull) will host a bar and a floating museum telling the story of Yugoslavia, a former federal republic now split into seven distinct countries.

Opatija, the aristocratic charm

About fifteen kilometers from the industrial and lively Rijeka, the seaside resort of Opatija stands out, nonchalant and aristocratic. The two cities share the exceptional beauty of the Gulf of Kvarner, enclosed by the islands of Krk and Cres. Coming from Vienna, the first summer visitors arrived in Opatija in 1844. Surrounded by mountains, renowned for its climate, this coast was home to Empress Sissi, the Lumière brothers, Albert Einstein and Robert De Niro. The villas with cream facades and the Kvarner, the first palace in the Adriatic, bear witness to this golden age. They are discovered by walking along the lungomare, a dozen-kilometer promenade by the sea, which leads to the statue of The Girl with the Seagull, symbol of the city, with the camellias of botanical garden, then to the sumptuous beach of Moscenicka Draga. An invitation to relax.

Convenient travel

Go

  • With Transavia. ParisPula flights (1 hour 30 minutes flight), from € 74 round trip. transavia.com

Stay

  • In Rijeka. Botel Marina: 11 cabins in an old cruise ship. Double room € 75 with breakfast. botelmarina. com. Jadran Hotel. Feet in the water, Double room from € 105. jadranhoteli. hr
  • In Opatija. Hotel Navis. Design. Double room from € 112. hotelnavis.hr. Hotel Milenij. By the sea. Double room from € 169 with breakfast. milenij.opatija.hotelsistria.net

Enjoy

  • In Rijeka. Konoba Feral. Local specialties. Around 15 €. konobaferal.com
  • In Opatija. Yachtclub On the lungomare, fish and seafood. Approx. 25 €. yachtclubopatija.com

Info

Read also :

⋙ Mljet, Korcula, Hvar, 3 jewels of Croatia

⋙ Croatia and its sweet wonders

⋙ Croatia: places to visit in Dalmatia