Učka Tunnel

The Učka (Croatian pronunciation: [ûːt͡ʃkaː], Italian: Monte Maggiore) is a mountain range in western Croatia. It rises behind the Opatija riviera, on the eastern side of the Istrian peninsula. It forms a single morphological unit together with the Ćićarija range which stretches from the Bay of Trieste to Rijeka. Učka is a limestone massif with numerous areas of karst, stretching for 20 km from the Poklon Pass (920 m) to Plomin Bay, and is between 4 and 9 km wide. It differs from all the other coastal mountains in Croatia because of its abundant vegetation on the seaward side. Best known are the forests of sweet chestnuts in the area around Lovran. Učka's highest peaks are considered nature reserves and memorial areas. The highest peak, Vojak, is located at 1,396 meters above sea level. It offers views over Istria, the Bay of Trieste, the Julian Alps and the Adriatic islands, right down to Dugi Otok. The subject of a degree of local folklore, Učka is visible from much of the peninsula and is snow-capped some months of the year. The town of Opatija (Italian: Abbazia) is said to have derived its popularity as a resort in Imperial Austria because it is located "in the shade" of Mt. Učka, which by legend shields it from the fierce Mediterranean heat in summertime. The area of Učka is designated as a nature park (park prirode) in Croatia. Historically, the Istro-Romanians, a Romance ethnic group of Istria, have been separated by the mountain range, forming two areas of concentration: one in the village of Žejane and one in the village of Šušnjevica and the surrounding settlements. Although these areas are 50 kilometers away from each other, there is a road around the Učka that connects them.

Ćićarija (Slovene: Čičarija; Italian: Cicceria, Monti della Vena; Istro Romanian: Ciceria; German: Tschitschen Boden) is a mountainous plateau in the northern and northeastern part of the Istria peninsula, 45 kilometers (28 mi) long and 10–15 kilometers (6.2–9.3 mi) wide. It mostly lies in Croatia, while its northern part lies in southwestern Slovenia (the traditional region of Inner Carniola). The highest peak is Veliki Planik at 1,272 meters (4,173 ft). At 7 inhabitants per square kilometer (18/sq mi) (2001), Ćićarija is sparsely populated, due to its karst landscape, poor economic development and rough climate.

Lovran (Italian: Laurana, German: Lauran) is a village and a municipality in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Croatia. It is situated in eastern Istria, on the western coast of the Kvarner Bay. Its name derives from Laurel (Laurus nobilis), as shown in the coat of arms.

Ika is a small village in Croatia.It is a suburb of Opatija settled in Kvarner bay area under the Učka Mountain. It is connected by the D66 state road with Rijeka and Pula. As a part of Opatija it has been developed from fisherman‘s village to tourist destination with access to Lungomare beaches and proximity of Nature park Učka. In Ika there are 2 beaches separated by an old pier. In this small place you can find restaurants and hotels located at the beachfront.

Ičići (Italian: Icici) is a small town located in Croatia in the north-east part of Istria County. It is located at the foot of the mountain Učka, on the north part of the Adriatic Sea. It is joined to Opatija since 2006.

The Carmen Sylva forest path (Croatian: Šetalište Carmen Sylve) is a trail in Opatija, Croatia. The forest path, which starts approx. 45°20'00.3"N 14°17'50.0"E and ends approx. 45°20'58.7"N 14°18'35.5"E, was originally called "King Carol's Forest Trail" (König-Carol-Waldweg). King Carol I of Romania came to Opatija in April 1896 and stayed in the Villa Angiolina together with his wife Elisabeth (née Elisabeth of Wied), also known by her literary name of Carmen Sylva. King Carol I is said to have discovered the trail during a horse ride in the woods beneath Veprinac. A plaque today commemorates Baron Arthur Schmidt-Zabierow, the former district principal of Volosko, who constructed the path with funds donated by King Carol.

Mošćenička Draga (Italian: Draga di Moschiena) is municipality in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Croatia. It is situated southwest of Opatija under Mt. Učka. The settlement of Mošćenička Draga developed as a fishing port of the town of Mošćenice, and was first mentioned in 1436. The centre of the municipality is the former fishing village of Mošćenička Draga which is today a tourist resort with two beaches, small marina and walking paths. Above Mošćenička Draga there is the hilltop town of Mošćenice.

Opatija (Croatian: [opǎtija]; Italian: Abbazia; German: Sankt Jakobi) is a town and a municipality in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County in western Croatia. The traditional seaside resort on the Kvarner Gulf is known for its Mediterranean climate and its historic buildings reminiscent of the Austrian Riviera.

Hotel Imperial is a hotel in Opatija and was the second hotel on the Adriatic coast. It opened in 1885 and is built in the Art Nouveau style.

Rukavac is a village in western Croatia. It is located in the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County near the towns of Matulji and Opatija.

Volosko (Italian: Volosco, Volosca) is a part of the city of Opatija, located in the Kvarner Gulf in western Croatia. It is located in the north of Opatija, on the road towards Kastav and Rijeka. The toponym Volosko drives from the name of the Slavic deity Veles.

Matulji (Italian: Mattuglie) is a municipality in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Croatia. It is located 10 kilometers (6 mi) west of the city of Rijeka, north of the town of Opatija, and it borders Slovenia. Matulji is first mentioned in written historical sources in the middle of the 17th century, and it is preceded by the surname Matulja, which was originally recorded as Matuglia. As early as the beginning of the 19th century, official documents recorded the name of the settlement in its current form – Matulji.