Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/897139
38 maltatoday SUNDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2017 Travel THE NATIVE Travelling is always a risky business, getting stuck in a touristy area, and terribile meals. The same can be same for sight seeing, hotels and nightspots. Travelling to a place when you know people who recommend the right places makes your stay all the more enjoyable. Valentina Santini, 34, was born in Rijeka and lived there for 28 years. If you are visiting Rijeka, these are the place she recommends to hang out like a native. NEED TO KNOW How to get there Air Malta offer regular flights to Dubrovnik, Zagreb and Split in Croatia. You will then have to get a connecting flight or a train to Rijeka. Best time to visit Late spring or early autumn are the best times to visit Rijeka as it is not cold but accommodation rates are still reasonable. As it is popular with tourists, rates increase over the summer months. During the winter it is cold in Rijeka though this is good for skiing and the Christmas markets are in full bloom in December. Currency Euro Visas Croatia is part of the European Union and therefore no visas are required when travelling on holiday BEST PLACE TO EAT As I am a huge foodie, you have definitely asked the right person where to eat. Choosing good food in Croatia is not difficult at all, so be prepared to take your taste buds on a journey they will never forget. These are just a few of my favourite places to eat and nibble - depending on the occasion. Bar-Bar – a unique concept of Croatian Tapas, where you can indulge in a good glass of wine and tapas of your choice. Conca D'oro – a charming little restaurant with very creative food put together by one of Croatia's best chefs at a very decent price. As they are always very innovative, simply go with whatever is on the menu and always ask for their suggestions! Mornar – this is definitely one of my favourite places. A traditional family run the restaurant which only serves fresh ingredients that have been delivered on the day. There are many more places where you can enjoy food in Rijeka, however these are the spots where I am never let down, and when I feel nostalgic, they always offer comfort food. Best part of it, they are within walking distance from each other. BEST SPOT FOR SHOPPING Rijeka has many shopping centres, ZTC and WTC are two of the best shop- ping malls in Rijeka with a wide variety of shops ranging from shoe shops, to major clothing brands and coffee shops that will spoil you rotten. In the winter months there are Christmas markets in all the shopping centres where you can find unique gifts made by local designers and artists – an ideal gift for your nearest and dearest. If you want to combine shopping with food and drinks, then head to the city centre, where you can also find all the major brands surrounded by traditional buildings. Women from Rijeka have always been considered to be the best dressed in Croatia, always keeping up to date with the style - but not being obsessed with exclusive designs. BEST SPOT FOR SIGHTSEEING Rijeka is a city with a rich history and culture and in 2020 it will be the Euro- pean Capital of Culture. The first thing you need to see when you visit Rijeka is Korzo. Korzo is a pedestrian area situ- ated in the centre of the city. Referred to as the heartbeat of Rijeka, you can really feel the spirit of the city. Another must-see place is Trsat, with a fortress that protects Rijeka and offers breath- taking views of the whole city. One of the gorgeous places I would recommend is Opatija. Summer home to the nobles and aristocrats of old, this beach-side town has been a popular resort destina- tion since the 19th century. While the place features architecture from the Renaissance, Venetian, Gothic and Ba- roque eras there is definitely more to do here than lie on the beach. Make sure you visit the botanical gardens that is made up of more than 100 species from around the world. One of my favourite places in the Opatija is a market in the centre of the city where you can take in the true atmosphere of the local life - buying fresh fruit, veg, fish meat, baked bread - you name it, you'll find it there. Rijeka, Croatia Valentina Santini, 34, was born in Rijeka and lived there for 28 years