What are Morcici, or in Italian 'Moretti'?? They are ear-rings of antropomorphic shape (black head with a turban),but you can find the icon of Morcic in other jewellery items - brochet, rings, necklesses, tie-pins, etc. During the last three centuries, morcici were a part of a traditional city jewellery, but as well a luxurious and modern one. You could have seen them on married women (as a status simbol), while men usually did not wear them. Only fishermen and mariners, who wore moretti-s (one on the right ear)as an amulet protecting them from the evil, while on the sea. Later on, in the 19th century, moretti became a luxurious jewellery, and excepted as one of the souvenirs and simbols of Rijeka. Today, the city of Rijeka has continued being the production centre of Morcici, due to that also named "rijecki moretti". Nowadays, morcici simbolise connection and belonging to Rijeka and the coastal area of Croatia. They are very popular and alot of people, young and old, like having them; whether as a jewellery or a souvenir in their homes.

So, you happened to be in Rijeka, whether you are visiting your girlfriend (as a surprise!) or looking for one :), or simply want to explore the beauties of Croatia, and you can afford a nice hotel, Bonavia is definitely THE place in Rijeka to stay! Just recently restaurated, Bonavia hotel is shinning again! You can book your room on-line, check out the facilities it offers and services (like hotel limousine and chauffeur to take you wherever you wish, a really cool jazz bar,...). If you cannot afford a night in Bonavia, you are still able to visit one of its restaurants and have a delicious Croatian sea-food cuisine!

Cres and Losinj are the next two islands after Krk, reachable only by a ferry boat (or your own boat!). Mali Losinj is among those places with the most sunny days per year in Europe. One of the special attractions is a very unusual natural phenomenon: the freshwater lake of Vrana (Vransko jezero) on the island of Cres (5.75 sq. km). The surface level of this lake is above sea level, and its bottom is 74 meters below sea level. This is one of the last habitats of a very rare bird, the 'whitehearled vulture'. Along with the beauty, Cres and Losinj have to offer you an amazingly clean sea and air, tranquility, and an insight into the history ( protected relics, churches, cathedrals)! Losinj's special feature is a colony of dolphins, and there are some 150 registered so far. Dolphins are one of the best indicators of the clean sea and Losinj is the first one in the Mediterranean to be proclaimed the dolphin reservation. During Summer, in the month of July and August, "The Evenings of Osor" (Osorske veceri) are organised, filled with concerts, street parties, art happenings,... The climate of Losinj is very mild, due to its forests among other things, so it has developed into a health resort; specialised in Astma and other respiratory sicknesses. So, having in mind all this, what you can expect from Cres and Losinj is beautiful nature (pine forests to protect you from the Sun and for some help you with breathing, clean sea and quiet, empty beaches), great weather, delicious food and tranquility; all it takes to fill in your empty batteries from the hectic life in the cities , smog, people and worries.

Visiting one of the small villages in Krk, you can happen to hear sopile: one of the ancient musical instruments of Croatia. You can hear them during the festivals, which are organised mostly during the Summer, together with the traditional costumes and dances. One of the musicians that is a specialist in ancient musical instruments (including sopile) is a friend of mine: Stjepan Veckovic. On his web site, you will be able to get more info on our ethno instruments, and costumes. Furthermore, you can even listen to him playing them!! So, check it out! And, once you happen to be in Krk, definitely check if there is a festival. The sound of sopile is unique!!

Vrbnik has always been a favourite venue for poets and artists, a romantic attraction due to its beautiful panorama on top of the hill. Taking a walk along the pine-forrest while watching the waves break on the rocks and the sunset, fills you up with an amazing mixture of astonishment, happiness and fulfilment. The entire settlement is one historic monument, the best known croatian castle-town, packed with glagolitic messages (it was Krk's centre for glagolitic scholars for many centuries).

It is Summer. After a long week in the Rijeka city, whether working, studying or just hanging around as a turist, you are definitely dying to jump into the beautiful Adriatic sea. You definitely do not wanna do that in Rijeka's harbour!! So, the best place to visit, that is not far away from Rijeka, is Krk! You can reach it easily since there is a bridge connecting it with the coast-land. The possibilities include: a car (if you have one! Pay attention that there is a fee you will have to pay for crossing it), a bus (you catch it from the bus station Zabica, which is in the centre of Rijeka city), a bike, a boat, a ferry, a plane, even walking (there is a great view from it). However, remember that occasionally, when the winds are very strong (the wind called BURA is the strongest), the bridge gets closed off - luckily, never for much longer than a day or two. Once you reach Krk, get ready to enjoy!!

Restaurant Dopolavoro is situated at 1000 m above sea-level on the Ucka mountain range in a refreshing environment. The restaurant offers the best specialities of venison, wildboar and bear, as well as excellent roasts under the *peka* or *crpinja* (a traditional roasting pot) - breast of veal, lamb and leg of veal. A wide choice of soups, hors-díoeuvres, dishes prepared with forest mushrooms, wild asparagus and truffles, home-baked cakes and selected wines from renown cellars. During your visit to Kvarner, a meal in the Restaurant Dopolavoro is an absolute must!

Many Croatian traditional festivities are distinctly linked with food;whether they are related to strenuous labour (crop harvesting or threshing, the grape harvest and Christening of wine,...), religion (mostly Catholic - Christmas, Easter,..), or to memorable moments in an individual's life (baptism, wedding, birthday,etc). Every holiday has its typical dish. Pork and potato stew is eaten on pilgrimages and at fairs; cod is prepared for Christmas Eve and Good Friday; pork is eaten on New Year's Day; doughnuts are an inseparable part of carnival festivities, and in the south they prepare a similar fried sweet dish known as 'hrostule'. Ham and boiled eggs with green vegetables are served at Easter, while desserts comprise traditional cakes. Kulen (hot-pepper flavoured sausage) at harvest time, goose for St. Martin s Day, turkey and other fowl, as well as 'sarma' (meat-stuffed cabbage leaves), are served on Christmas Day. At weddings, a variety of dishes with cakes and biscuits are served, including 'breskvice', shortbread bear paws, gingerbread biscuits, 'fritule' - plain fritters, etc. And not only that we love to eat good, but we like to drink good! Wine and beer is our favourite!

Rijeka is a town where people work very hard, but also on special days enjoy to party!! One of those special ocasions is the city carnival!! The carnival has its roots far in the past, when people from the surrounding villages used to mask colourfully in order to make sure the following year would be fruitful. The most important groups were ZVONCARI:men dressed like mariners with sheep skins on their backs, with big bells behind their bottoms! :) The way they move (quite interesting moves) makes the bells ring like nuts! At the end of the whole January and February of parties, there is a final walk, where all the masked groups meet in the centre and walk the korzo (ramblas).. This can take ALL DAY!! That night, everyone parties on the main street (Korzo), there is alot of music, food stands and drinks (beer and wine!).

During the day Rijeka is a very busy city.. All the streets are packed with people and cars! But, when the night arrives, you will be faced with a question: where can I have fun? If you don't have a car, and don't feel like grabbing a bus, you have these options: -2 Irish pubs (where you can meet alot of young people enjoying real Irish imported beer and music, and other pubs which you can find all around the city centre -Palach club- one of the best clubs in Rijeka, (Rock, Metal scene is very strong in Rijeka!) & HAD club, close to Kantrida Football stadium, is another cool Rock/Metal club, both organising concerts of local bands -A meeting place in front of Rijecka Banka (Rijeka Bank) is THE PLACE for meeting your friends, hanging around... Still, after 11PM, the night life sadly dies in Rijeka, but starts in Opatija, a city that is 15 min away from Rijeka. So, get into bus 32 and continue there, where you will enjoy a huge amount of clubs, pubs and people (especially during Summer, when everything is absolutely packed with people)!