Croatia Part 2

Our second stop in Croatia was in the Istria region and at a campsite called Polari, about 4km South of Rovinj. 

Rovinj is situated on the north Adriatic Sea with a population of 14,294 (as of 2011). Located on the western coast of the Istrian peninsula, it is a popular tourist resort and an active fishing port.

Rovinj was already a settlement of Illyrian tribes before being captured by the Romans, who called it Arupinium or Mons Rubineus, and later Ruginium and Ruvinium. Built on an island close to the coast, it became connected to the mainland much later, in 1763, by filling in the channel.

 Rovinj was one of the most important towns in Istria governed by the Republic of Venice. During this period three town gates were constructed and Rovinj was fortified by two rows of defensive walls.  Nearby the Rovinj pier you can find one of the old town gates, the Balbi's Arch, dating from 1680, and a late-Renaissance clock tower. Oh yes and Philippa eating an ice cream.

Rovinj has a strong Italian influence and this is evident in the food and architecture.

The walk to Rovinj is probably one of the most scenic strolls you could take. It takes in pine and olive trees, small coves, Roman ruins and a few naturists.......well there's always a compromise.

 The pitch at Polari was not as close to the sea as the last but it was under 100 paces

The local area is a matrix of rough cycle paths which turned out to be ideal for long walks with the dog to isolated beaches for cooling swims.