A busy commercial centre and Croatia's second major port, Pula itself is still worth visiting if only for its well-preserved 1st-century amphitheatre (now host to open-air concerts) and other fine Roman remains. The main holiday area, Verudela, lies on a large headland 3 mls S of the town. This self-contained development consists of various accommodation, campsites, shops, restaurants, marinas and sports facilities.

Generally middlemarket families, groups and more mature couples. Very popular with Italians, Germans and Czechs.

Most is at Verudela, a few mls outside town. A handful of sizeable medium-quality hotels, an extensive villa complex and several campsites make up one vast holiday camp.

None in town. The Verudela headland is fringed by a poor rocky coastline equipped with tiered concrete bathing decks and numerous small jetties. Some water sports organised by the hotels.

The town has a selection of work-a-day retailers, a few boutiques and some tourist-orientated outlets. Beach paraphernalia, cheap and cheerful handicrafts and trinkets available at Verudela.

Daytime: hotel pools, sunbathing, waterborne activities including local boat excursions. Visits to Roman amphitheatre, Arch of Sergii and Temple of Augustus remains. Nightlife: reasonably lively with choice of unsophisticated discos, bars and restaurants at Verudela. The town has its own less frenetic alternatives. Amphitheatre hosts opera to rock concerts.

Unremarkable but perfectly adequate fare. Locally-caught seafood particularly popular as well as Italian-style pizzas and pastas. Usual choice of grilled, fried, stewed and barbecued meat, burgers and chicken. Local wine and beer is quaffable.

Efficient bus service links Verudela with the town centre attractions, commercial water front, railway station and airport. Abundant taxis.

Rovinj (half day); Porec (half day); Venice (long day).

In the extreme W of Croatia, on the SW tip of the Istrian Peninsula. 21 mls SE of Rovinj, 4 mls from the airport.

The hilltop town overlooks a large commercial port. The heavily indented coastline is made up of a series of headlands and narrow channels to the S.

Telephone Area Code: 52
Website: www.htz.hr

Airport : Pula
Airport Code: PUY
Flight time from ther U.K.: 2 hrs. 15 mins