Pula

Effortlessly marrying the attractions of its resorts (sea, beaches and swimming pools) with centuries of history and culture, Pula is an excellent holiday choice. Blessed with year-round sunshine and warm May to October days, Pula also boasts one of the most well-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world and a handful of other relics from this period. The magnificent arena impressed the city's former Venetian occupiers so much that they weighed up the possibility of dismantling it and then rebuilding it back in Venice. Throw in family-friendly restaurants, an eclectic range of shops and the city's close proximity to lively nightspots and it is easy to appreciate why an increasing number of airlines are adding Pula to their flight schedules. Great transport links also make Istria's largest city a good base for exploring the nearby resort towns of Rovinj and Porec.

From May to September the majority of visitors to Pula are Western and Central Europeans flocking to the city's resorts to enjoy a relaxing coastal break with their families. Holidaymakers are also drawn to the historical and cultural fabric of the city centre, as well as Pula's acclaimed dining scene.

Pula is on the southwest coast of the Istrian peninsula in northwest Croatia. Pula is 70km (43 miles) south of Porec and 45km (28 miles) south of Rovinj. Pula airport is 6km (4 miles) from the resort.

Overlooking the port and backed by residential suburbs, Pula's waterfront old town is reasonably flat. Many of Pula's resort hotels are located in Verudela, 3km (2 miles) east of the city centre, and in Medulin 9km (6 miles) to the southeast.

The Pula Riviera has plenty of rocky and pebbly beaches, as well as concrete terraces from which you can ease yourself into the clear and warm waters of the Adriatic Sea. The best beaches are located in Punta Verudela, Banjole, Fazana and Premantura. In Medulin the Bijeca Beach even boasts a kilometre of sand. Watersports like windsurfing, kayaking and snorkelling can be organised locally.

Pula's Roman Amphitheatre (Flavijevska) is the front-runner when it comes to attractions. Like Roman remnants all over Croatia, the arena is no mere museum piece, instead it remains at the heart of the city's social and cultural life; the thrill of listening to classical music resonate around the colossal oval stadium is hard to beat. Pula's Roman walls, the Triumphal Arch of Sergius, the Temple of Augustus and Archaeological Museum (Carrarina 3) are other striking reminders of the city's former incarnation as Polensium.

Pula is an excellent resort for families with enough beaches, watersports, hotel swimming pools and sports courts to occupy children for days. Kids are also thrilled by the city's Roman remains and its aquarium (Verudela bb). Nearby go-karting tracks and cycle routes add to the fun. Restaurants are family-friendly.

Pula boasts all the trappings of big city shopping, as well as a raft of more tourist-orientated outlets. Find Croatian souvenirs and amphitheatre replicas in the market stalls that line Giardini or Sergijevaca Ulica. Self-caterers should visit the bustling fish market. Stock up on mouth-watering Istrian truffles at the city's Zigante Tartufi (Smareglina 7) (website: www.zigantetartufi.com) store.

Kandlerova, next to Pula's Roman Forum, bustles on balmy summer evenings, with visitors and locals filling the streets, restaurants, café-bars and pizzerias. If you are in the city when there's a concert or film screening at the amphitheatre then seize the opportunity to attend. For lively nightlife you need to head out of town; meet the in-crowd at the Bura Beach Bar (website: www.burabeach.com) in Lizjian.

Croatian eateries, Italian restaurants and pizzerias, cafés, ice-cream parlours and fast-food outlets crowd the centre of Pula. For a top-notch meal head to Verudela where two of Istria's best restaurants, Valsabbion (Pjeseana Ulva) (website: www.valsabbion.hr) and Vela Nera (Pjeseana Ulva) (website: www.velanera.hr), enjoy majestic views over Veruda Marina.

Pula has efficient local bus and taxi services. Hire cars are also readily available. Long distance buses and trains link the city to destinations in Croatia, Italy and Slovenia. In the summer, catamarans run between Pula and Venice.

The Brijuni National Park (website: www.brijuni.hr) protects the eponymous Brijuni Islands, although it is only possible to visit two: Veli and Mali Brijun. This natural wonderland, which was a favourite haunt of Tito, boasts a handful of manmade attractions. Look out for the ruined Byzantine castle, museum and, quite bizarrely, the safari park.

Impress at Valsabbion (Pjeseana Ulva IX/26) (website: www.valsabbion.hr). The main draw is the award-winning restaurant, which flamboyantly serves an innovative fusion of Croatian and international cuisine. If you can't bear to leave the attractive waterfront setting, then check into one of the stylish rooms. Residents can use the pool and fitness centre.

Pula Airport (PUY)