Pula Arena Croatia Adventure
We savored a delightful breakfast and hit the road for a day packed with exploration. Our first stop was Lim Bay, dubbed the Istrian “Fjord” after the 1950s movie, The Vikings. We wandered through the ruins of an 11th-century monastery and tackled the Briars Path down to the water. It was a challenging trek, but we were thrilled to get some stairs in for the exercise!
Plaža Knez and Rovinj
Next, we headed to our first beach on the Adriatic! Plaža Knez was a serene little spot, but unfortunately, swarms of harmless moon jellyfish made swimming unappealing. Still, it was a relaxing place to soak in the clear water’s beauty.
Nearby, we strolled through the romantic alleys of Rovinj, a seaside town dating back to Roman times and established by the 7th century. Ruled by the Venetians and later the Austrian Empire, Rovinj’s worn, smooth walkway stones gave it an almost surreal, picture-perfect charm. Despite the bustling tourists, the town was absolutely stunning.
Pula Arena Croatia
The day’s highlight was the Pula Arena Croatia, a Roman amphitheater built between the 1st century BCE and the 1st century CE during Emperor Augustus’s reign and completed under Emperor Vespasian, who also commissioned the Colosseum in Rome. Designed for gladiatorial contests, it was a hub of entertainment for Roman citizens, hosting up to 20,000 spectators for public gatherings, performances, and fierce battles between gladiators and wild animals.
One of the best-preserved arenas in the world, the Pula Arena Croatia still boasts all four towers. We were awestruck by the massive, precisely cut stones stacked into towering columns and elegant arches. Parking in touristy towns can be tricky, but a lot at the arena’s base made access quick and easy. Inside, we met a lovely lady from Florida who shared stories of her motorcycle adventures across Europe. Her Croatian guide offered us some fantastic trip recommendations.
Off to Dinner
After the Pula Arena, we made our way to Resort Centinera, our next hotel. This place felt like a retirement resort with tons of amenities and a prime spot right on the water. The resort offers single-room mobile homes, camping for tents and RVs, rooms, and apartments. After checking in, we headed to Bistro Klaudia for dinner. Jason tried his first European bottled Coke, and for mains, he got a mixed meat plate with fries while I went for fried calamari with Swiss chard and potatoes. The food was decent, and the ambiance was pleasant, though the cigarette smoke was a bit overwhelming.
For Tomorrow
We’re leaving Pula, but not before attempting a quick dip in the water—hoping for fewer jellyfish! Tomorrow kicks off the island-hopping portion of our trip with our first ferry ride to Cres (pronounced “Tsres”) island, where we’ll stay in the charming town of Valun. We might squeeze in a short hike too. Until then, keep exploring!
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