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PULA, a town and port in the south-western part of Istria; population 62,378. Situated in the inner part of a bay, divided by the islands of St. Catherine, St. Andrew and Uljanik into three port basins. According to the size of the con-structed coast and level of equipment, Pula is the most important and biggest port in Istria, and the well-protected Pula Bay places it among the best natural harbours on the Adriatic. Due to its size, exposed location, two accesses (the one directly from the sea and the other through the Fazana Strait), low coastline and easy construction of fortification systems, provided the Pula Bay a special strategic importance. The landscape of Pula includes low and open relief largely covered by red soil. The original forests of oak have been reduced to low shrubs; the surroundings of Pula was reafforested with pine. The average air temperature in January reaches 5 °C and in July 23.2 °C; the average annual rainfall attains around 800 mm. In winter, the bora and the sirocco blow; the bora is sometimes extremely strong, and blows in the outer port. Pula is the economic centre with developed shipbuilding industry (Uljanik), textiles, metal industry and building trades as well as glass manufacturing. Tourist centre (marina). The importance of Pula as a traffic intersection in the whole Istria has particularly increased by the modernization of the airport. Situated on the main road (m2, E751), and connected with Divaca by a railroad.

The first tourist excursions to Pula were recorded at the beginning of the 19th century. Giovanni Carrara, a conservator of antiquities in Pula, guided the sightseeing tours for distinguished personalities and organized groups in 1828. In 1832 Pula was visited by the Austrian emperor Ferdinand I. The first tourist guide on Pula (Cenni al forestiero che visita Pola - Tips for a Foreigner Visiting Pula), published by the Austrian Lloyd from Trieste, compiled by Pietro Kandler, was printed in 1845. The first public beach, Bagno Polese, for the citizens and tourists, located between the islet of Uljanik and the administration building on the coastal promenade, was opened in 1885. After that, two other beaches were constructed, "Sakordana" and the marine officers' beach on the islet of St. Peter, where men and women could swim at different times of the day. During the First World War the Zelenika beach was opened, and in 1936 the Stoja beach (Stabilimento bagni di Stoia). The first modern hotel in Pula - Hotel Riviera - was opened in 1908. Under the Italian rule, the hotels Miramare, Bologna, Milano and Centrale were operating as well as the children's summer camps Principe di Piemonte on Stoja and Sandro Mussolini on Vargarola. In the 1930s Pula had several travel agencies. Tourism in Pula experiences its peak in the 1960s, when on the beautiful, well-indented and green coast south of Pula the construction of modern tourist resorts was initiated (Zlatne Stijene, Ribarska Koliba, Verudela).
Today Pula offers a variety of excellent opportunities for tourists. Together with well-equipped hotels and other types of accommodation facilities, the tourist offer includes many sports grounds, recreational facilities and entertainment programs, terraces with live music, discotheques, casinos, inns and restaurants, as well as diverse excursions. The town disposes of two marinas, so that yachting tourism is increasingly developing. Pula is also a well-known congress centre (the large congress hall in Hotel Histria). The town can be reached by various means of transport, and there is an airport in the immediate vicinity of Pula (6 km), constructed to meet the requirements of international air traffic.
Events: the Croatian Film Festival has been organized traditionally every year since 1954 in Arena (July), the Pop Music Festival "Arena" is also held in Arena (July), Art & Music Festival - the rock music festival (in August).
Pula is also a centre of sport tourism because domestic and international sports teams and athlets find the favourable climate, quality sports facilities (tennis courts, sports halls, football stadiums, football fields, track-and-field courses, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, water sports facilities, etc.) suitable for winter training season. Apart from the traditional sports on the ground, there are opportunities to enjoy a variety of water sports.

POREC, a town, port and tourist resort on the western coast of Istria; popu-lation 7,585. The peninsula represents the natural border of the town in which remains of the Roman architecture can be found even today: cardo - decumanus. Landscape is formed of predominantly low and tame limestone plain situated between the Mirna valley in the north and the Limski Kanal Fjord in the south. The climate is extremely mild, free of oppressive summer heat; an average air temperature in August, the warmest month, reaches 24 °C and in January 4.5 °C. The average annual rainfall of 920 mm is equally distributed all over the year, supporting luxuriant vegetation; forests of pines and stone pine reach the sea in places. Chief occupations include farming, viniculture, olive growing, fruit growing, fishing and tourism. The old part of the town is situated on a small peninsula separated from the mainland by an artificial canal, and protected from the maritime influences by the island of St. Nicholas, distinguished by its rocky and sand beaches. The bathing beach and a large campsite are located in a nice cove south of the town, ringed by a pine forest. The tourist resorts of Plava laguna (Blue Lagoon) and Zelena laguna (Green Lagoon) lie farther in the south. The tourist resort Pical is located north of the town. Situated at the intersection of the main road (m2, E751) connecting Porec with Pazin and Pula, and of the regional road running along the western coast of Istria.
Porec is a tourist centre famous for its beautiful natural landscape, long tradition in tourism and several well-equipped tourist resorts: Plava and Zelena Laguna (Blue and Green Lagoon), Brulo, Pical, Spadici. In 1844 the steamers society, the Austrian Lloyd from Trieste, opened a tourist line which included Porec, and already in 1845 the first tourist guide of Porec was printed. After having founded a meteorological station in Porec in 1863, Marquis Polesini had a castle built on the islet of St. Nicholas, in which many prominent persons stayed after visiting St. Euphrasius' Basilica. In the 1880s Porec had many distinguished visitors: Archduchess Stephania, Archdukes Karlo Stephan and Karl Ludwig, and the Duke of Parma, even the Chinese ambassador Li Fong Pao! The first hotel (Alla citta di Trieste) was built in Porec. The first public beach in Porec was constructed in 1895 on the islet of St. Nicholas, and in 1910, together with the construction of the first large hotel (Rivijera), which has survived until the present day, the beach of the same name was arranged on the southern part of the town. Since 1900, when the regulation about the price lists for dishes, drinks and rooms was passed, Porec has been investing much in tourism, and in the 1970s it became one of the most prestigious Croatian tourist resorts. Being a tourist resort with the largest number of hotels, apartments, campsites, rooms, Porec has a diverse tourist offer. There are numerous tennis courts, gyms, sports grounds, together with horseback riding, water-skiing, bungee jumping, yachting and diving opportunities. Many cultural events are organized throughout the year: classical music concerts (from May to September) in St. Euphrasius' Basilica, jazz evenings in the Museum of Porec (stone collection department) or picturesque folk feasts in nearby Tar and Funtana. A tourist train runs regularly through Porec. There is also a marina. A small airport for aerial sports, Crljenka, is located in nearby Vrsar.
Brulo - Porec. Brulo is a hotel resort in a pine forest, situated above a rocky beach, with several terraces, maintained paths and swimming pools.
Plava Laguna - Porec. Tourist resort Plava Laguna spreads over two peninsulas. It is one of the first hotel resorts in Istria, located in a well-maintained evergreen forest near the rocky, flat coast with maintained beaches.
Zelena Laguna - Porec. Tourist resort Zelena Laguna lies along a forested and well-indented coast, with a flat and maintained beach. The resort disposes of around 20 tennis courts, basketball grounds, football fields and miniature golf -courses. The recreational offer includes also jogging trails, a gym, horseback riding and other opportunities. Apart from hotel and apartment capacities, accommodation can be found in the campsite. There is also a small marina with 100 berths.
Parentium Marina has 200 berths in the sea and 50 places on the land.
The islet of St. Nicholas - Porec. The islet can be reached by boat which starts regularly from the town promenade. The rocky coast has many maintained beaches, and there are several tennis courts.
Pical - Porec. Pical lies a few-minute walk from the old part of the town, in a rich forest above a beautiful beach. There are 12 tennis courts, one indoor and one outdoor swimming pool, and several congress halls.
spadici-Materada - Porec. The location includes one of the first nudist campsites on the Adria - Ulika, situated near a long, beautiful, rocky but well-maintained beach and ringed by large olive-groves. A path along the coast of the Cove of St. Martin leads to the hotels Materada, Turist and Luna with their annexes. Preserved nature and crystal clear sea.

ROVINJ, a town and port on the western coast of Istria, 36 km north of Pula; population 12,910. Its geographical location is very good: in the hinterland is the lowland part of southern Istria; in front of the coast are numerous islands and shallows abounding with fish. The town core developed on a peninsula, which had been a coastal island under natural conditions, and was connected with the mainland in the 18th century by levelling and filling up. Climate is Mediterranean; an average air temperature in January is 4.5 °C and in July 20.9 °C; an average annual temperature reaches 12.1 °C. Vegetation is sub-tropical. Rovinj has two harbours: the northern, which is more open, and the southern, which is much smaller and better protected. North of the old town core is the cove of Valdibora (Sjeverna Luka, Northern Harbour), and south of it the coves of Juzna Luka (Southern Harbour) and Vestar; the harbours are well protected from the bora and the sirocco, however they are exposed to westerly and south-westerly winds. In front of the coast are numerous islands, islets and rocks: Figarola (Figarola Vela, Big Figarola), Figarolica (Figarola Mala, Small Figarola), Sveta Katarina (St. Catherine), Banjole, a double island called Crveni Otok (Red Island - Sveti Andrija (St. Andrew) and Maskin), Samer, Sveti Ivan (St. John), Sveti Ivan na Pucini, Sturag, Pulari, Piruzi, Dvije Sestrice (Two Sisters), Montauro, Skolj Magaraca (Donkey's Shore) etc. Anchorage for larger vessels is provided 500 m northwest and 300 m southeast of the island of Sveta Katarina, as well as 600 m southwest of the islet of Banjole. Ships drawing up to 5 m may dock along the wharf of the Northern Harbour (filling station); a buoy in front of the wharf is provided for large vessels (sea depth 20-24 m). The Southern Harbour has a jointed breakwater. Vessels drawing up to 5.5 m are berthed on the outer side, while those drawing up to 3 m may dock on the inner side; along the wharf are berths for sports boats and smaller yachts. Economy is based on farming, viniculture (malmsey), fishing, food-processing industry (fish cannery, production of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks), tobacco industry and tourism. In Rovinj is also the Maritime Research Centre of the Ruder Boskovic Institute. The regional roads Rovinj - Rovinjsko Selo and Rovinj - Bale connect the town with the main road (m2, E751) Slovenian border - Buje - Pula.
Rovinj is one of the most developed seaside resorts in Croatia, offering a whole range of visitor opportunities in a picturesque ambience of the ancient town, surrounded by luxuriant pine forests (the cape of Zlatni Rt is designated as a park forest, while the coast and islands of Rovinj are set aside as a protected landscape). The beginning of tourism was marked by the introduction of a steamship line between Rovinj and Trieste (1845) and the construction of the railroad to Vienna (1876). In 1896 the town had a well-maintained public beach, Val di Lone, and several boarding houses (Alla citta di Trieste, Al Miramar, Alla porta antica and Al vecchio albergo). The year 1888 may be considered the official beginning of tourism in Rovinj, when the health resort Maria Theresia was opened in the town. This oldest institution of that kind on the Adriatic coast was established by the Viennese society for the establishment and development of maritime health resorts and asylums for poor children and scrofulosis and rachitis patients. The health resort was visited by children from the entire Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and other countries. The development of tourism was continued with the construction of Hotel Jadran (today Centar), which was built before the First World War by the Society for the Construction of the First Hotel in Rovinj, to meet the needs of an increasing number of tourists and eminent persons who spent their vacation in Rovinj. The Polish count Ignac-Karol Korwin Milewsky bought the island of Sveta Katarina in 1905, carried out its afforestation and built two castles. In 1890 Baron Georg von Hüterodt purchased the island of Sveti Andrija and turned its former monastery building into a hotel; the island thus became the favourite seaside resort of the Austro-Hungarian clientele (memorial book Cissa-Insel). Between the two world wars the construction of hotels stagnated. After the Second World War many deserted buildings were transformed into workers' rest homes, and the island of Sveta Katarina has been frequented by children from Zagreb since 1947. An important date in the development of tourism in Rovinj was 1959, when the problem of potable water was finally solved by connection to the Istrian Waterworks from Buzet. Most of the existing accommodation facilities and tourist infrastructure was built by the company Jadranturist.
The riviera of Rovinj features a great number of hotels, tourist villages, campsites and marinas, as well as many catering establishments. Important is the Entertainment Centre "Monvi". Hotel guests (in the hotels owned by Jadranturist) are offered numerous visitor opportunities: morning workout, aerobics, entertainment for children, table tennis, social games, sightseeing tours in the town, visits to the Museum, the Aquarium, the park forest Zlatni Rt (Golden Cape) - Punta Corrente, chess, dancing school, pool games. Evening programs include tombolas, Sweet Nights with dancing, cakes and sparkling wine, beauty contests (Miss/Mister of Rovinj) and dancing nights.
Events: Rovinj Grand Prix - international cycling race (in February), Istrian Riviera - ATP tennis tournaments (in April), Regata Rovinj - Pesaro - Rovinj (in May), Modri Biser (Blue Pearl) - international youth pop music festival (in July), Grisia - art exhibition in the open (in August) - many Croatian and European artists exhibit their works in the most famous street in the town, Rovinj Fiesta (in August), Sv. Euphemia (16th of September), day of the patron of Rovinj with an exceptional gastronomic and entertainment offer and fireworks.
Sports and recreation play an extremely important role within visitor opportunities offered in Rovinj. Competitions, tournaments, sports schools (tennis, diving, windsurfing etc.) and trainings are organized. Sports grounds, facilities and equipment are rented. Among sports facilities important are various playgrounds - football, basketball, handball and volleyball, as well as the multi-functional sports hall, the eight-lane bowling alley, outdoor (Olympic) and indoor pools for swimming and water-polo, gyms, recreational and cycling trails. Water sports opportunities include yachting, rowing, windsurfing and water-skiing.

BRIJUNI, a group of islands and a national park (since 1983) in front of the western coast of Istria; separated from the mainland by the Fazana Strait; located 6 km from Pula; area 36 sq km. Brijuni Islands comprise the following islands: Veli Brijun (Big Brijun, 5.6 sq km), Mali Brijun (Small Brijun, 1.1 sq km) and Vanga (0.18 sq km), as well as several islets (Sveti Marko, Gaz, Obiljak, Supin, Galija, Gruni, Pusti, Vrsar, Jerolim, Kotez) and reefs Kabula, Crnika and Stine. The coasts of the islands are well indented; the total length of the indented coast is 37.8 km.

The surface of the islands is fairly levelled (an extension of the South Istrian plateau), covered with a thick layer of red soil which holds water. Due to its favourable geographical location and low terrain, Brijuni Islands are known for their mild climate; winters are mild with an average temperature of 5.8 °C, summers being relatively warm with an average temperature of 22.8 °C. The average temperature in spring is - 12.5 °C, in autumn 14.8 °C. Relative humidity is fairly high. The vegetation of the islands is extremely rich - Mediterranean: holm oak, laurel, pine, olive, rosemary and underbrush. Brijuni Islands are of great maritime importance.

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