We decided to rent an apartment in Pula as my daughter Selina and her partner Dom were visiting us for their holiday. Also, Graham’s new granddaughter was due to be born around the same time leaving him to fly home without worrying about me being in a campervan.
The apartment we rented was just on the outskirts of Pula, opposite a pine forest on the coastline. The location was within walking distance from the town centre, about 20 minutes. Although the apartment was lovely inside it was in a traditional Croatia block of flats! Not quite what we are used to, I must admit we did find it weird at first, however putting the aesthetics aside we got use to the place and settled in.
Upon exploring the area, we found a wonderful beach bar in a lovely coastline spot, a rustic bar right on the coastline with palette seats and benches and a real beach atmosphere with good music. Inside the bar had a pool table and a party ambiance, and we spent quite a few evenings here, drinking and playing pool. Also, a little further along the coastline was a harbour complex with an excellent restaurant and yacht club. Although it was a good 40-minute walk, it offered us a chance to get some exercise in by having to walk there, and a good location to go to.
Selina and Dom joined us for their holiday, and we spent the first day in Pula centre just having a good look round the city. Pula is the largest city in Istria and is situated on the southern tip of the Istrian peninsula. It’s well known for its multitude of Roman buildings including the site of Pula’s Colosseum, one of the best preserved Roman amphitheatres dating back to 1stcentury AD. A lovely first day spent in Pula in a bar overlooking the Colosseum and with the sun being out it was a lovely spot to chat and relax.
Pula is a mishmash of styles with Roman, Venetian, Austro-Hungarian and socialist architecture evident. Being a larger city, it is not as idyllic as the likes of Poreč and Rovinj but does offer a good atmosphere with a historic feel, worth a visit but I wouldn’t prioritise over some of the other areas we have visited if time is short.
We visited the centre a few times during our stay. One evening that stands out was when we sat at a bar in one of the historic narrow streets listening to a fantastic jazz band, the ambiance was idyllic and thoroughly enjoyable.
Another place worth visiting is the charming fishing village called Fazana. The pretty little harbour offers picturesque beaches, a lively promenade with wonderful restaurants and bars. Fazana was such a lovely place we visited again just to sit on the beach, relax in the sun and enjoy the atmosphere of the small quaint harbour.
One day we rented a speed boat from Fazana and headed towards the Brijuni National Park, an expanse of sea with a group of 14 islands, with the largest of the islands called Veli Brijun. We skirted around the shoreline of Veli Brijun in our little speed boat, then headed towards Rovinj. We were keen to share this delightful historic town with Selina and Dom. After mooring our boat, we strolled around the narrow-cobbled streets and then settled in a lovely harbour bar for drinks and tapas. Such a delightful day out. We ended the day with an evening meal in Fazana prior to us heading back to Pula. I would really recommend both Fazana and Rovinj as must places to visit.
Whilst in Pula, Selina and Dom experienced a trial scuba diving session. They did this down in the harbour at the yacht club home to a very good scuba diving school. Dom thoroughly enjoyed the experience, so much he did another dive the next day and was taken out on a boat to different dive site. Selina did extremely well, however I’m not sure she is excited about doing it again soon, a little encouragement and I am sure she will!! Both nailed their buoyancy, one of the most important elements of being a good diver. I’m excited to see if they do it again and if they will start their PADI qualifications, it will open up another exciting world under the sea and give them another element to holidaying.
We visited the yacht club a few more times as it was a lovely place to just sunbath, relax and sip cocktails. Love a yacht club! We also spent many an evening in the beach bar playing games of pool.
Had a fantastic week with them both and at the end of their stay Graham flew back to welcome his new granddaughter Catalaya into the world, such a cute and beautiful baby.
Travel adventures 