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Health tourism in Croatia has a history dating back to 1868<br />
when the Society of Hygienists was founded on the island<br />
of Hvar with the aim of building the first hotel dedicated to<br />
health and wellbeing.<br />
Thanks to the clean, salty sea and air, the wide variety<br />
of lush vegetation, thermal waters and curative mud, the<br />
Kvarner region has for many years been a destination for<br />
people seeking to restore their health. By the end of the<br />
19th century the resort of Opatija was already favoured by<br />
the Austro-Hungarian aristocracy as a spa town. <strong>In</strong> 1889,<br />
Opatija officially gained the status of a health resort.<br />
Other famous health resorts at the time were Crikvenica,<br />
Veli Lošinj and Mali Lošinj, each of which was registered as<br />
a health resort in 1892. <strong>In</strong> these places the air is rich in sea<br />
salt and essential oils from native medicinal herbs, and is<br />
very beneficial for the respiratory system.<br />
The influx of wealthy guests to the Kvarner region catalysed<br />
the development of seaside tourism as we know it today.<br />
Today, those in search of improved health and wellbeing<br />
can find the following services here: seawater treatments<br />
(thalassotherapy), spa treatments (mineral and thermal<br />
waters), specialised hospitals, and a range of clinics, dental<br />
surgeries, and wellness centres which operate either<br />
independently or within hotels.<br />
Health tourism has great potential for future development in<br />
this region due to the well-preserved natural environment,<br />
the attractiveness of the coast, highly-trained medical staff,<br />
medical services which meet European quality standards,<br />
prices which are significantly lower than in many other<br />
developed countries and proximity to most European<br />
capitals.<br />
Basics<br />
For all information related to health tourism, accommodation,<br />
events, gastronomy, culture and more, call into any tourist<br />
information centre in the region, or read more at www.<br />
inyourpocket.com/croatia/rijeka/hotel, www.inyourpocket.<br />
com/croatia/rijeka/concerts-culture-events-entertainments<br />
and www.inyourpocket.com/croatia/rijeka/food-drink.<br />
Climate<br />
The region surrounding <strong>Rijeka</strong> and Opatija falls within<br />
Primorsko-Goranska County, which is divided into three<br />
geographic regions: the coastal belt, the uplands region<br />
and the islands.<br />
The uplands region (known as Gorski kotar) is thickly<br />
forested with a wealth of flora and fauna and a large national<br />
park, Risnjak. With no polluting industry and very sparsely<br />
populated, this region has sparkling-clean air and a sub-<br />
Alpine climate. <strong>In</strong> the summer months, this is a great place<br />
to enjoy refreshing breezes and cool nights - a good night’s<br />
sleep is guaranteed!<br />
The coastal region occupies a crescent-shaped belt<br />
encompassing the gulf of <strong>Rijeka</strong> and the Vinodol channel.<br />
It stretches from the foot of Mount Učka, skirting the hills<br />
that fringe Gorski kotar to the north and northeast. Here, a<br />
mild and pleasant Mediterranean climate is tempered by<br />
rijeka.inyourpocket.com<br />
HEALTH TOURISM 49<br />
Thalassotherapia<br />
the proximity of the mountains. <strong>In</strong> the winter months the<br />
strong, cleansing bura wind blows from the north. There’s<br />
a considerable amount of rain in winter, and snow is not<br />
unknown. This temperate climate results in a proliferation<br />
of trees and plants that makes this coastline so attractive<br />
and the air so healthy. The island region is divided into two<br />
island groups. These comprise Cres, Lošinj and a number of<br />
smaller islands in the west, and an eastern group including<br />
Krk and Rab and several uninhabited islets. The climate on<br />
the islands is warmer and drier than on the mainland, and<br />
the environment no less pleasant for that. The four largest<br />
islands just mentioned enjoy more than 217 clear days on<br />
average every year. The sea temperature during the summer<br />
months is an enjoyable 26°C, while in the winter experienced<br />
sea swimmers brave bracing waters at 18°C.<br />
Disabled Guests<br />
All public parking areas have marked spaces for disabled<br />
drivers. <strong>In</strong> <strong>Rijeka</strong> most major junctions are equipped<br />
with signal-controlled pedestrian crossings, 49 of which<br />
have audible signals enabling blind and partially-sighted<br />
pedestrians to cross safely.<br />
The City of <strong>Rijeka</strong> provides transport services for disabled<br />
residents and tourists through the Autotrolej transport<br />
company. Please call 0800 11 66 Monday - Friday from<br />
07:00 to 13:00 to arrange services, which run from 07:00<br />
to 20:00 Monday - Thursday, and from 07:00 to 23:00<br />
Friday - Sunday. Services run each day of the year, including<br />
public holidays.<br />
Transport services cover the city of <strong>Rijeka</strong>, and it is also<br />
possible to arrange a ride to the following public health<br />
institutions outside the city: the thalassotherapy facilities<br />
in Opatija and Crikvenica, the orthopaedic clinic in Lovran<br />
and the psychiatric hospital in Lopača. More information<br />
(Croatian only) on www.autotrolej.hr.<br />
Most beaches have facilities for disabled bathers, including<br />
wheelchair access, disabled toilets and ramps for entering<br />
the sea. Licenced lifeguards are on duty on busy public<br />
beaches. Some hotels have rooms which are fully adapted<br />
for disabled guests, while many restaurants, swimming pools<br />
and campsites have wheelchair access.<br />
Summer 2012
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