"Why Opatija?" Opatija by hquittner

O. (especially out of season-Nov,) is a dull resort Dalmatian Riviera town full of "empty" hotels which make deals with tour organizers to fill their rooms. Seniors who can no longer go independently avidly search for new (in)sights therefor end up here! To soften the blow included and optional tours are made. O, thus becomes a "base" to eat and sleep in.The fall weather is mild BUT driving rains and variably severe winds compromise sightseeing (you take your chances along with the low price}.

Scenic O. below our hotel

O. offers little sightseeing. There is a 7 km "promenade" with "fishing villages" at each end {with restaurants).If you tire the local bus will get you to or from each end or an expensive taxi.Altho it was not swimming weather the miniscule beaches and large hotel pools indicate that those in the know go to the off-lying islands.The budget eater relies on pizza, flabby pasta or (grilled)squid.

Besides the coffee shops,banks, and innumerable hotels, the center of town contains a peninsula area with a yacht basinand next to it the Villa Angiolina (look in) a botanical garden and St. Jakob church {maybe open). The best (high-price) restaurant is at the land end , the Bevanda.To divert the tour group we were offerred an included trip to Rijeka and optional tours to the island of Krk and the Istrian peninsula{Rovinj and Pula). (Covered in other pages).

• Pros:Could be a base of operations
• Cons:I hope you have a better reason to go here.
• In a nutshell:Empty nut