Thursday 26 September

 This morning is cloudy but not raining and 18 degrees after staying overnight in Rijeka. We have free time this morning before an early lunch then a 1 hr 50 min drive to Rovinj. We wander in to the markets and have a look around. Fresh vegetables, fruit, meat and fish. There does not appear to be any size limit judging by the size of some fish for sale. We then have time to pack for departure tomorrow.

At 12.30 we head off to Rovinji. Our guide is full of information on the history of the town which is on the coast and just 170 kms across the Adriatic to Venice. To get there we have to travel over/through the mountains to the other side of the peninsular. The roads are very good and there are a couple of long tunnels through the mountains. Once through the mountains the landscape changes dramatically. There are fields growing crops and far less limestone.

Our guide informs us that 80% of the limestone used in Venice came from Rovinj. The town is very different from the others we have visited, still narrow streets and lanes, but no walled city. It looks like it could be in Cinque Terre. Apparently there is a large contingent of Italians who reside in the area and Italian is spoken throughout the town. 

At one stage the town and surrounding area was sold to the Austrians so they could have a port. One 105 year old lady had five citizenships without changing her address. Italian, Austrian, Yugoslavian and Croatian. Quite a few have had multiplied citizenships.

We wander about the town and then head back to the bus for our return to the Princess.

We arrive back just after 6 so have plenty of time to finish packing and then attend the captain’s farewell dinner. Another good time is had by all.

The food has been great and plentiful and enough variety for everyone. The Croatians are very proud and protective of their freedom. One other thing that stood out was the cleanliness of their streets, very little litter, but in Reijka we did see graffiti and evidence of homeless.

Tomorrow we head to the airport for our flights to Bucharest. Our host has been in touch and provided us with door and key codes and wifi access. We are on the 7th floor but there is an elevator!

Using the airport wifi so photos to come later.