Note:
This itinerary does not include hotel/motel names and prices. Means of travel will also only be briefly mentioned. The main focus are on places that I would like to go to. Finding places to stay are on my low priority. I would probably make use of Trip Advisor for that - as long as it's a place to crash for the night and where I can store my belongings safely for the day while I'm exploring, then it's good to go
DAY 1
I often use SkyScanner to view the cheapest flights. I’m not a huge fan of switching flights and going on and off planes so I guess that if I got to pay a little more for a direct flight, I’d probably take that option. One of the blog posts I reviewed in my previous blog suggested that one of the easiest ways to get Kvarner would be to fly to Rijeka first.
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The main concern after touching down would be to get to the hotel and find myself an affordable meal. In Singapore there are food apps like Burpple and HungryGoWhere where food bloggers submit posts of which part of the city has delicious food and you can even select a range of what price that you’re looking at. Maybe at the hotel I can ask the locals if such an app exists in cause well… I love food. In fact, who doesn’t?
DAY 2
My first stop would surely be to visit the University of Rijeka. These blogs are part of a collaboration with this University so the obvious thing to do would be to visit the very institution that I’m working with.
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Following this I would visit Trsat Castle. It’s often the first thing that pops up when Googling things to do in Rijeka. As mentioned, I’m more a beach person than castles and museums, but it’s definitely good to change up the scenes every once in a while. As you’ll find out, the subsequent days are very much spent by the ocean. Given the remaining time, I would choose to either visit the Peek and Poke Computer museum or head to the Rijeka Central Market to get some souvenirs and hopefully… cheap food.
DAY 3
Krk is one of the largest islands in Croatia. There are even bus routes into the island from Rijeka that take just over an hour. I chose to spend two days here just because there seem to be so many things to do and well… I’d just love to spend the night chilling with the sea breeze. Baska beach seems to be a big hit online so that’ll be my first stop for the day. If it begins to get too hot, I’d include going to the Baska aquarium that’s air condition. Reviews indicate that the place is small and actually better off for children, but I’m a lover of any marine animals and it would be my little place to chill out from the sun.
Following the beach exploration, I might probably head North of the beach to Church of St Lucy where I would learn much about Croatia’s history from some artifacts there. Following which I can end the day by Porto Club – watching live acts and enjoying budget drinks promotions.
DAY 4
As a licensed scuba diver, I would make my way to Dive Center Krk at Dunat beach, from there I would be able to go ship wreck diving. Diving though expensive, also happens to be my greatest passion. If I’d get a little kick out of seeing marine animals at a small aquarium, then this would certain by the highlight of the time at Krk. 2 or 3 dives later is enough to tire oneself for the rest of the day. I would end off my Krk journey taking a 30min educational guided tour around the cave of Biserujka.
DAY 5
Day 5 would be spent getting to Losinij. From Krk, I can travel via Croatia Ferries to this more secluded town. Other travel blogs have already begun sprouting how Losinij is an island not to be missed and is more scenic than more well-known places like Split and Dubrovnik. So before the rest of the world starts to file in and over crowd the tiny island, I’m definitely going to be headed there for this trip.
From the past 4 days of exploration, I would take the time here to really just rest and relax. Sometimes we move so fast that we forget to stop and stare for a moment. From research you could apparently just spend the time walking along the harbor of Mali Losinj (the island’s city) and it would take up a whole afternoon. I could also explore the Aromatic Garden there. Apparently, this island is also a home to 120 dolphins so I would hope at some point to see them. Following this I would like to make a visit to the Blue World Institute to learn how Marine Conservation Organizations are protecting all these beautiful species of marine life.
DAY 6
From Mali Losinj, Croatia ferrys takes around 2.5hours to reach ferry port Zadar. This is back on the main land already. According to on of the blogs researched previously, Zadar was listed as Europe’s best destination from 2016.
I can begin by visiting any of the three museums: Gold & Silver Museum, Museum of Ancient glass or the Archeological Museum before heading over to one of the things I must see here – the Sea Organ. Apparently, air is pushed by waves through 70m underwater pipes, the sounds then come out from a promenade. This would be really cool to see and hear. Just observing the kind of sound nature creates. I can then end the day watching the Sunset at Greeting to the Sun where the same artist who designed the Sea Organ created a solar powered glass floor that changes colour and creates a magnificent light display.
DAY 7
Apparently, there is a Sphinx in Zadar. I doubt I’ll have enough budget to head to Egypt after both Perth and Croatia so I’ll make do with seeing this one that was built by a local artist. Followed by that I would like to also see the local market known as Zadar Pijaca and maybe do some last-minute shopping before making my way to Zadar airport.
And so, this concludes my seven-day journey around the Kvarner region. It’s definitely rather jammed packed and involves a lot of hopping around with not much time spent staying over at the same place. But while I’m younger, energetic and all ready to get lost and explore … this would certainly be a one of a kind experience for me
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Below are the blogs and websites used that aided in making my itinerary
https://www.timeout.com/croatia/things-to-do/20-great-things-to-do-on-krk-island
https://bucketlistjourney.net/losinj-bucket-list-11-fun-luxurious-things-croatian-island/
https://croatia.hr/en-GB/experiences/active/cycling/kvarner-region
https://unforgettablecroatia.co.uk/kvarner-island-hopping-guide/
https://www.chasingthedonkey.com/kvarner-region-katarina-line-croatia-cruise/
https://www.chasingthedonkey.com/things-to-do-in-zadar-travel-blog/
https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-things-rijeka-croatia/
https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/