Suitcases in hand, for us the month of August was “forced leave” and so had arrived for me the time of the fateful question: “But where are we going, dear?”.
Seaside – again the answer – in fact after a week spent touring in June in search of the best beaches on the island of Elba.
But this time we were looking for a destination “around the corner”, to spend some days at sea in style low-cost airlines. Discarded the sea of Italy for the insane prices in August, we came up with the much acclaimed Croatia is famous for its crystal clear sea, beaches “back-breaking” and low prices …. but is that really so?
So we hopped in the car and off to explore the Croatian coast which, says the guidance of Lonelyplanet, “extending to 1778 km, which become 5790 km when taking into account also the islands.” In fact just to discover we did not go because our destination is Premantura, in Istria, a hundred miles from Trieste, and only 15 minutes from Pula (Pola).
Why ‘Premantura? To visit the Nature Park Kamenjak that extends about 4 km from this town until the tip of the homonymous peninsula “Cape Promontore”. The village would have in fact served as a base for exploring this natural oasis accessible only during the day free to walk or bicycle – not recommended as the dirt roads and dusty – or car after toll of 25 kuna (about 3.50 euros).
I can not deny it, the sea has no relation with that of our coastline on the Adriatic (eg Jesolo, Riviera Romagnola ..) but honestly – do not please excuse me, but maybe we saw the beaches wrong – did not have that factor “WOW”.
The sandy beaches are also in Premantura nonexistent, but we knew this already – the Croatian coast is often rocky – but it’s the sea that we were not excited, the water is not exactly crystal clear rather than green or deep blue and still in some places the water is too muddy.
Last but not least, at night from our campsite on the seashore (€ 30, not quite so cheap) we are not even able to sleep. Across the other side of this fact lies Medulin bay, popular with young clubbers coming from the East, where they dance on the beach with music until dawn … and beyond.
Perhaps for this reason that we were not in the “mood of the holiday” that even the pebbly coves and inlets in the cliffs overlooking the park Kamenjak have managed to fascinate us, nor the deep water “displaced”, the very barren and desolate area of park yet is home to numerous species of orchids, or the relaxing atmosphere which we breathe in Kamenjak and throughout the surrounding area so relaxing that you forget someone’s costume;) well at least there is’ someone who enjoys dive into the blue.
Premantura, Me driving
Very well, this part of Croatia there have conquered but to see the photos of friends returning from their holiday on the island of Pag (Pago) I’d say it’s worth inoltrandoci luck again the next time a little ‘more’ in the ‘from the Italian border.
Some of you have already been here or in other places in Croatia? In which case expect your comments and suggestions.
I forgot … you’re asking if Croatia is indeed a destination for a summer low-cost? Click here for our review and some tips on local restaurants and other practical information on the park Kamenjak.
