Rijeka is the principal seaport and the third-largest city in Croatia (after Zagreb and Split). It is located on Kvarner Bay, an inlet of the Adriatic Sea and has a population of 190,000 inhabitants. Because of its strategic position and its excellent deep-water port, the city was fiercely contested, especially among Italy, Hungary (serving as the Kingdom of Hungary's largest and most important port), and Croatia, changing hands and demographics many times over centuries. The city's economy largely depends on shipbuilding and maritime transport. Rijeka hosts the Croatian National Theatre Ivan pl. Zajc, first built in 1765, as well as the University of Rijeka, founded in 1973 but with roots dating back to 1632 School of Theology. Rijeka has efficient road connections to other parts of Croatia and neighbouring countries. The A6 motorway connects Rijeka to Zagreb via the A1, while the A7 motorway, completed in 2004, links Rijeka with Ljubljana, Slovenia, via Ilirska Bistrica and with Trieste, Italy. The A7 acts as the Rijeka bypass motorway and facilitates access to the A8 motorway of the Istrian Y network starting with the Učka Tunnel, and linking Rijeka with Istria.

CULTURAL LIFE:

Theaters - Croatian National Theater "Ivana pl. Zajc", Rijeka's City Theater, HKD "Theater", Cultural Center "Kalvarija" - Ri Teatar

Museums - Maritime and Historical Museum of the Croatian Littoral, Museum of Natural History, Museum of the City of Rijeka, Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Museum of Informatics, Children's Museum, Sacred Collection of St. Vitus Cathedral

EVENTS:

"Fiumanka" - June "Fiumara" - May / June; "Ri Rock" - December; Rijeka summer nights - June / July; Gradina Summer - June / July; "Hartera" festival - September; Rijeka Carnival - January / February; "Homo si tec" - April; International Festival of Small Scene Theater - May; Days of St. Vitus - June; Zajc Days - October / February; Rijeka Advent - November; Jazz time - November; "MALIK fest" - June; Mary's days - May; Puppet Theater - November; River tatto expo - December

Important phone numbers:

Emergency number 112
Police  192
Fire department  193
Ambulance   194
Traffic service 0800 51 01
Traffic police 335 521
Police Administration Primorsko-goranska 430 333
Rescue at sea 9155
Rescue Service - Emergency Service 091 721 0000
Harbor Master 214 031
HAK - Croatian Auto Club 1987
Road conditions 060 10 2102
Veterinary Station 091 214 8822

Karlovac, situated 55km southwest from Zagreb, is the best place in Croatia for those who look for a special rafting and kayaking adventure, provided by the confluence of four rivers: the Kupa, Mreznica, Korana and Dobra rivers. Karlovac canbe easily reached by bus and can turn out to be a nice day trip for those staying in Zagreb.

What makes Karlovac unique is its star-shaped design. It is necessary to point out that, while not many towns can brag about the knowledge of the exact date of its founding, as well as the fact that they were a town from their very establishment, Karlovac is one of them. The construction of Karlovac  began in 1579, or to be precise, 13 July 1579 , and the ideas to make it a "Renaissance town", and for that reason, a special attentionwas given to its beauty and harmony, but also to serve as a defense against Turkish invaders. This old town in the shape of a six-pointed staris comprised of 24 equally divided blocks.

Besides wandering the streets and rafting the rivers, Karlovac has  a lot more to offer. For, instance, Korana river with Foginovo beach is a famous tourist attraction, as well as bathing spot known for its medicinal properties of the pristine waters of the river.

The new and exciting Karlovac freshwater aquarium, Aquatika, was designedin sucha manner as to allow its visitors to follow a series of ramps that recall a river's flow. Besides the specimens from Karlovac’s rivers, the museum also exibits astounding flora and fauna from all over Croatia, with background effects such as evocative lighting and water sounds.

Main town square -Josip ban Jelačić square: The planning of the city was carefully done and the streets within the walls of the city are arranged at right angles. After the plague epidemic in 1691, a votive column (the Plague Pillar), with a statue of the Madonna on top of it, was built on the main town square. A well, ornamented with allegorical representations of the town’s rivers, was built in the geometrical centre of the Star and square in 1869 on the location of a baroque fountain. 

The Vrbanić gardens: The gardens were designed as an open-style botanical garden. Named after the Mayor Josip Vrbanić, the gardens bear a resemblance to English and French parks and contain rare trees and plants. Convenienty located in the southeastern part of the town, between the Korana river and the Karlovac ''Star" (Zvijezda), is a favorite place of tourists who like to unwind after a long stroll around Karlovac.

Dubovac Castle: The Old Town of Dubovac, situated on a hill with a beautiful panoramic view over the city, is regarded as one of the best preserved, as well as most captivating architectural monuments of the feudal age. On the site of the present-dayfort, there are still traces of an Early Stone Age settlement, while the castle was built at the end of the 12th or beginning of the 13th century. During the tours around the castle, spectators can enjoy the exibition of history that made Karlovac what it is today. In the vicinity of the castle is one of the oldest and most beautiful town shrines, the Early Baroque church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Snows.

The Church of The Holy Trinity, built in the same timeas the fortress, is the oldest building in Karlovac, while  monastery was built in the 17th century. They are situated on the main square (Ban Jelačić Square). The whole complex is baroque and has a rich inventory. 

Beside its rich history, Karlovac and its surroundings offer interesting hiking tours in its nearby forests, especially the Kozjača trail, while during summer months visitors can enjoy a variety of events, such as the Beer fest and numerous fairs.