Rijeka, Croatia
A whiff of old Europe slowly soaks the atmosphere by the Kvarner Bay, with glistening golden light reflecting on the waters late in the evening. Dazzling white yachts and small fisherman’s boat communally parked by the port, all revelling in the same placid waters by the shore. The city is a maze beyond time; a grand old clock greets the vintage-dressed columns of expansive buildings, all adorned by bright green trees that create a vibrant stage against the breathtaking metropolis. It is the third-largest city in Croatia, a significant seat in maritime transport and shipbuilding.
There is an Italian vibe to Korzo, the heart of Rijeka, a captivating promenade where locals speak fluently of Fiuman, the Venetian language. Once surrounded by walls, the City Tower remains an iconic nostalgia of the 17th-century where until today, people arrange to meet sotto la torre, or under the tower. Surrounded with neoclassical buildings and Gothic churches, the old city is a lingering memento of the region’s transformation, a delightful metamorphosis from a turbulent 1800s, making it one of Europe’s most sought-after cities in 2020.
The majestic Trsat Castle sits on a hill, overlooking the views of the city from within its fortified walls, but the archaic wistfulness of the city is not its only best angles. In the east, Kantrida Beach lures with its natural beauty, being placed in proximity near the city football stadium. Sports enthusiasts find their way in the beach volleyball court or its bar. Preluk is destined for high-octane wind and water sports, most-visited during airy mornings. From the city centre, National Park Plitvice Lakes take less than 3 hours to be reached; the magnificent natural spectacle is worth the visit, with its glimmering waterfalls, crystal clear water, bounty of trees, slithering wooden bridges and abundant sunshine.