The Kvarner Riviera:
sea views for $175,000-and the smallest town in the world by Steenie Harvey 
| Not far from the old world charm of Opatija is the island of Krk where you can find apartments by sea for less than $170,000. Photo courtesy of the Croatian Tourist Board © Ivo Pervan. |
Between the Istrian Peninsula and the busy port city of Rijeka lies the so-called "Kvarner Riviera." At its heart is Opatija, a fin-de-siècle beauty that was the Austro-Hungarian Empire's most fashionable seaside resort (you can read about it again in Issue 36 of The European, Aug.14.). It remains a sophisticated retreat-properties here are among the most expensive in coastal Croatia.
But back in the hills of the Tuscany-like hinterland, 20 minutes' drive away, the walled town of Hum gets lots of curious visitors. That's because it claims the title of "the smallest town in the world" in the Guinness Book of Records-it only has 20 inhabitants. Maybe it was a town once, but don't expect the usual urban lifestyle from a place you can stroll around in less than five minutes! Girdled by a medieval wall, it has a church, two narrow cobbled streets-and looks exactly like a movie set. New sea view apartments for $175,000
You can find an apartment in the countryside close to Opatija-about half a mile from the sea with two bedrooms and a living area of 840 square feet for less than $250,000. One has a 235-square-foot covered terrace with a view of green hills and the sea in the distance for $233,000 from Croatian Sun. The nearest airport is 37 miles away. Website: www.croatiansun.com A new development under construction is just minutes from the small marina in Cizici village on nearby Krk Island-only 20 minutes' drive from the international airport. Prices start from $168,000 from Croatian Sun. Website: www.croatiansun.com A two-bedroom apartment in a newly built house close to the shore on Krk island offers a sea view from its 130-square-foot loggia. The apartment is 700 square feet, is completely furnished, and comes with shaded parking space. Price: $175,000 with Vantage Croatia, e-mail: info@vantagecroatia.com. Opatija is easy enough to get t It's only around an hour from airports in Trieste in
Italy, Pula on the Istrian Peninsula, or Rijeka. Once you arrive, there's plenty here to fall in love with. EasyJet runs direct flights to the island of Krk from London and Bristol. |
