Lovely choice Julia! :thumbup:
I've been in the Basilica and I agree. It is totally awesome. I missed the amphitheatre too and am glad to see that is included on this trip.
I loved Rabac, but I agree that it is a little bit out of the way for accessing public transport if you do want to do your own thing. Lovran is in a great location. From reading up I believe that the regular local bus passes the hotel to go into Opatija, or of course you can walk on the Lungomare, and get the bus back.
The hotel is getting very good ratings on Trip Advisor, and usually gets good ratings anyway, but even more so since its' refurbishment this last winter. Great also that Rijeka is being used as the airport this time as it is such a hike to and from Zagreb.
I've been, in my time on most of the excursions. I went on the included Istrian Coast tour, to Pula, Porec and Rovinji and it's a really good one. You get included time in each resort and I really enjoyed Rovinji. Nice to see that lunch is included in Pula this time, although there is a nice little included food and wine tasting included in the afternoon.
Mark and I were talking about this trip whilst we were on the Battlefields Tour and he loved Plitvice. It's many years (I think 1985) since I was down there, and yes the walking is strenuous but the waterfalls are just incredible.
:)
