The largest and probably best-known resort on the Istrian Riviera, Porec stretches for several miles along the coast road on a series of neighbouring headlands. At its heart lies a picturesque, Roman-built town with quaint, narrow streets and Venetian-style pastel stone houses crowned with terracotta-tiled roofs. It has a 6th-century basilica and a fine church tower among other ancient treasures. The animated harbour has a pleasant, tree-lined quayside promenade and a little "minitrain" that trundles around the bay.

Middlemarket families, groups and couples of all ages and nationalities.

Most is situated N and S of the old town in 4 main areas: Zelena Laguna (Green Lagoon) and Plava Laguna (Blue Lagoon) to the S, Materada Laguna to the N and the town itself. The former trio are self-contained, village-style complexes boasting several hotels, apartments and campsites, and equipped with their own shops, sports facilities and entertainment. Some accommodation is situated on St Nicholas, a small island opposite the harbour.

Fairly poor but numerous. The nearest to town is little more than a large concrete platform jutting into the sea. Most of the tourist complexes have a mixture of rock and pebble beaches, often punctuated by boat jetties. Some are a short but stiff walk from their respective accommodation.

The old town boasts a good selection of boutiques, souvenir emporia and handicrafts, augmented by myriad waterfront stalls selling cheap and cheerful bric-a-brac and trinkets. Regular food market. The tourist complexes provide their own minimarkets and beachwear huts.

Daytime: beach or pool; water sports including windsurfing, water-skiing, sailing, diving, canoeing, paddle boats and jet-skis; tennis; volleyball; minigolf; horse riding; bungee jumping; several gyms; exploring the old town including Euphrasius Basilica with local museum and 15th-century Round Tower. Nightlife: liveliest resort on Istria's W coast with a choice of music bars, cafes and several unsophisticated discos inside the tourist developments; most hotels host live bands and dances on the terraces.

Several informal restaurants and snack bars line the beachfront promenades inside the tourist developments, offering mainly traditional Italian-style pizzas, charcoal-grilled meat, burgers and chips. Large complement of colourful harbourfront cafes in the old town. Locally caught seafood is a speciality.

Regular buses call at the main accommodation areas as well as stopping at several points inside the town. Several hotels provide courtesy minivans. Abundant taxis. Motor launches from the town harbour to outlying islands.

Half day: nearby resort of Rovinj; fishing trips. Full day: Pula by boat; Lim Fjord by boat; Venice (long day) by hydrofoil; Baredine Cave.

In the extreme W of Croatia, centrally placed on the rugged W coast of the Istrian Peninsula. 45 mls NW of Pula and its airport. 5½ mls N of Vrsar.

The old town occupies a rocky headland jutting out into the Adriatic Sea, with a small island just offshore.

Telephone Area Code: 52
Website: www.istra.com/porec

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