The Country of a Thousand Islands

Many people can not determin the colour of the Adriatic sea, it is sometimes deep blue, sometimes greenish-bluish. The true fact is that, depending on the time of the day and the angle at which the sun beams dive into the sea, it glitters in thousands of shades. But it is always beautiful and unique. The Croats can not agree on which island is the most beautiful one. We shall leave it up to you to decide

A bit of the statistics for the start. The sea territory of the eastern Adriatic coast from Savudrija peninsula in the west to the Prevlaka peninsula in the east belongs to the territory of the Republic of Croatia . This magnificent part of the nature with the coastal line of 5790 km is among the best indented coasts in the world. The Croatian islands encompass almost all the islands of the eastern Adriatic coast and its middle part, forming thus the second largest Mediterranean archipelago. Out of the total number of 1.185 units, 718 are geographically entitled as islands, 389 as cliffs and 78 as reefs.

The Sand Island

We shall start the story about the islands at Brijuni. These 14 islands are scattered within seven kilometers distance between Pula and Rovinj. At Brijuni you can repose in the shade of the rich conifer vegetation, with the pheasants, deer and doe roaming freely along the island. You can enjoy the peace and quiet under the holm oak and olive trees that are centuries old.

Zlatni or Zeleni Krk (Golden or Green Krk) both is and isn't an island. So it is one due to the idyllic nature and the peace of an oasis far from daily living, and it is not an island due to the traffic connections.

The island of Krk has got a small airport, and though separated by the sea from the mainland, it is connected to it by a bridge. If you are searching for an island that will fit you, you will discover it in Krk, since the places of Plavnik, Kormat, Galum, Prvić and Zec are particular tourist destinations with unspoiled nature. If you are after the city excitements and extreme hospitality, you have to visit the island cities of Baška, Malinska, Omišalj, Njivice, Krk and Punat, that has got the largest marina at the Croatian part of the Adriatic .

Cres and Lošinj. One island or two of them? Long ago they were connected by a canal excavated by the ancient Romans, but nowdays they are separated. The northern part of Cres shelters the Riječki gulf, and is exposed to the strong blows of the northern winds, and its top is sometimes whitened by the sea foam. The southern part is protected from the northern wind and has got the Mediterranean climate. The city of Cres is the center of the island. You can enter the heart of the city through three city gates, and you will meet the signs of history all over.

The island of Lošinj has got a very pleasant climate, and is rich with forests, hence it is equaly valuable as the tourist and remedy destination.

Among 1185 islands and cliffs scattered along the Adriatic coast, formed out of hard and sharp stones with a handful of earth, the Susak island is among the rare ones made of sand. Twenty million m3 of sand provide a special taste to the wine produced at Susak. It is claimed to be amenable to barren women due to the remedy mud.

The full article can be found on pages 68-69 of Vol 2
2007 issue.