Basic HTML Version
even, the Opatija that we know today came into
being, or so it seems to its many visitors, as a
present. Although this inveterate tale is not actually
true, for these regions too have had their storms in
the past, the story most often runs: a gentleman, by
the name of I. S., gave his beloved Angelina the gift
of a villa, which he called after her. This was the
very first villa in Opatija as we know it today. This
will raise a sigh from many, who will say: what a
marvellous feeling, to get a villa as a gift.
But what makes Opatija special is the power to give.
It is a fine gift to receive, but much nicer to be able
to bestow.
Enhancing the gift of nature with hospitality,
realising that it is impossible to compete with a
thousand-year history filled with billowing
defensive walls, it gave every visitor the gift of its
own unobtrusiveness. And very soon it became a
starting point and a refuge for all travellers desirous
of rest. Among other things, a rest from the mass of
stories and legends that, every day and at every step,
demand that we be their witness. Therefore we need
not wonder at James Joyce who, having been
granted the retiring calm of Opatija, vowed that he
would keep silent about it.
But let it not be thought that we are not lovers of
legend and the past. The intention was really to
explain why we should start our journey through
Kvarner inOpatija.
The physiognomy of Kvarner is created by a
profound, regular, almost equilateral gulf, and a
few large islands. Faced with islands like Cres, Rab
and Krk, of which Cres and Krk compete for the title
of the Adriatic's biggest, mariners often wonder
whether to pass them by without stopping, aiming
at some more intimate destination, or to spend days
exploring their numerous bays and capes.
Cres, as well as occupying a very large area and
making a single unit with Lošinj, is an
exceptionally long island. Linked by a bridge, with
their geographical position, the two of thempresent
yachtsmen a natural barrier, and for many the
objective is to get round them as fast as possible, or
slip between them. One proof of this is the Osor
Canal, which has been in vigorous use since the
Roman period, for it considerably shortens the
voyage between the northern Adriatic and
Dalmatia.
But however big the islands are, those who get to
know Cres, Lošinj, Rab and Krk better more often
than not become aficionados of their diversity and
loveliness.
Irrespective of whether we want to linger on these
islands or bypass them at a fast lick, wanting to get
to some other place, it is very important to know the
weather conditions that we will most frequently
encounter in the Bay of Kvarner.
The reason: the meteorological features of the area