POREČ
Founded by the Romans, conquered by the Venetians – Poreč is a chest full of historical treasure and cultural heritage complemented with modern tourist amenities and natural beauty.
Positioned between Rovinj and Novigrad on the western coast of Istria, Poreč hides many wonders and beautiful historical sites, namely the 6th-century wonder of Byzantine architecture, the Euphrasian Basilica and the Bishops Palace. Here since the earliest Christians, this sweeping complex built by a Bishop Euphrasius will take you a few hours to explore. If you don't have time, go straight for the glittering mosaics painted with gold and inlaid with semi-precious gems looking as fantastic today, as the day they were first made.
Further down Decumanus (the main street since the Roman times) you'll find a gothic palace of the Zuccatos built from stone all the way from Korčula (an island way down south, near Dubrovnik) whose interior has recently been made into an art gallery.
Along the city walls, you'll come to the pentagonal tower, or as the locals like to call "The Key to Poreč" whose top terrace hides a restaurant with majestic views. The view is worth the climb.
Walking the Decumans end to end, you start at Trg Slobode or the Roman forum now called Trg Marafor. Stretching east to west, narrow and high-sided, the street of Decumanus is the spine of Poreč, dotted with historical sites and crowded with tourists and stands selling all kinds of memorabilia.
Marafor, the main Roman forum is not in great shape even if you can tell the twin Roman temples from the leftover stones. Here you can take a break and enjoy a glass of wine or a coffee on one of the many suggestive bar terraces that also have often live music shows going on.
If you want to get out of the city and see something unusual, why not rent bikes for the entire family and go along the Parenzana trail, a narrow-gauge rail from the Austro-Hungarian times now revived bit by bit by the outdoors enthusiasts, cyclists and hikers who enjoy the beauty of the green Istrian inland.
When ordinary pools and beaches lose their magic, why not pack up the kids and friends and head of to Aqua Colors Poreč, the largest water park in Croatia, just outside Zelena Resort. It has 13 slides of all kinds, two large pools, artificial waves that come on every half hour or so, along Lazy River and everything else you might need for a fun, friendly and family day out. Playgrounds, sports courts, even whole body massages.
Another thing near Zelena Resort is Ski Lift Poreč, whose 650 meters of cable offers several kinds of water activities, like wakeboarding, monoski slalom and the standard water skiing. If none of these are your cup of tea, the bar and the restaurant by the Ski Lift are a great spot to chill before hitting the Byblos club.
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