Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WHERE TO STAY
There are very few hotels in the center of Pula, but private accommodations are plen-
tiful. Most hotel and beach options are south of the center in on the
Verudela Penin-
sula,
at
Pje
sc
ana Uvala,
or at
Stoja,
reachable on the nos. 1, 3, and 7 buses.
Expensive
Valsabbion
is a boutique hotel 5.6km (3
1
⁄
2
miles) south of the center at Pje
s-
c
ana Uvala IX/26 (
&
052/218-033
) with a stylish blend of comfortable rooms,
beach, award-winning
restaurant
, and spa services that help guests switch off
€
stress. Room prices, which start at 166
($200) for a double, do not include break-
fast, which can be added for 8.30
($10). Half-board is pricey, but you'll never for-
give yourself if you miss the opportunity to eat as many meals as possible here.
Moderate
Book early because rooms go fast at
Scaletta
at Flavijevska 26 (
&
052/541-025
),
a family-run hotel in central Pula that is one of the cheeriest, best-run hotels in town.
Guest rooms start at 750kn ($130/£68) for a double and they are done in soft colors;
bathrooms are roomy and gleaming. Scaletta is within walking distance of the Arena
and Old Town and its
restaurant
has been recognized as one of the seven best in
Istria. The only downside is that access to reception requires some stair-climbing.
Inexpensive
Autocamp Stoja
(
&
052/387-144
) is about 3.2km (2 miles) southwest of the
center in suburban Stoja and has 670 spaces for tents plus a bank of mobile homes
that sleep up to five people each. A mobile home with air-conditioning starts at 114
€
€
($136) with a minimum 7-day stay. There are a beach, shops, a market, a restaurant,
and sports equipment for use on the property or in the waters off the peninsula, which
are some of the best for swimming and watersports.
Pula Youth Hostel
at Zaljev Valsaline 4 (
&
052/391-133
) is in a tranquil set-
ting 4km (2
1
⁄
2
miles) south of the center on Valsaline Bay and reachable via the no. 2
bus from Giardini near the Sergi Arch. Rooms start at 98kn ($17/£8.95) per bed and
are dorm-style with four to six beds each; rates include breakfast.
WHERE TO DINE
There is no dearth of decent restaurants in central Pula, but most of the better
(upscale) restaurants are in the suburbs south of the center.
Expensive
Valsabbion
CREATIVE MEDITERRANEAN Unique, superb, a don't-
miss experience: This is dining at Valsabbion, where Istrian specialties meet artistic
sensibilities and expert preparation. Even a simple lunch can be spectacular with the
“Petit Delice” or “Taste of Istria” samplers of Istrian cheeses, tapenades, or fish
mousses and olives accompanied by house-made breads. Dinner is the
pièce de résis-
tance
here, and if you can't make up your mind between the scampi rolled in Istrian
ham or the chicken breast in vermouth sauce with grapes and artichokes, then try the
degustation menu with 11 small portions of Valsabbion's best recipes. Don't miss the
olive-oil aperitif either—three cordial glasses filled with Istrian olive oil, olive tape-
nade, and olive butter, with crusty bread for dipping.
Pjescana Uvala IX/26.
&
052/218-033.
Fax 052/383-333. www.valsabbion.net. Reservations required. Entrees
90kn-120kn ($16-$21/£8.20-£11). AE, DC, MC, V. Daily 10am-midnight.
