202409_Croatia in Autumn 2024 - Part-12: Opatija

Coming from Trogir, we take the motorway and after Zadar, it climbs steeply up into the Tulove Grede Mountains. It is 400 km to Opatija on the southern edge of the Istrian peninsula.
From the campsite, we take the bus into town. It is not actually a town, but a 12 km long promenade, which is called Lungomare here. Along this promenade are many villas that date back to the 19th century, when Opatija was still a sophisticated spa town of the Austrian Habsburg monarchy.
It used to be a winter spa town with a subtropical climate. Now the high season is over and the town is almost deserted. We follow the promenade, which takes us past the numerous exclusive hotels, the public baths and parks, the marinas and numerous bronze statues.
Opatija reminds me a bit of Brighton in England or Deauville in France. A lot of effort has been made to present the charm of the 19th century in a new, modern style. And yet I can't shake the impression of morbid charm.
Unfortunately, the next day our vacation ends and we drive back home via Italy and Austria. Croatia is certainly worth exploring further. Sept 2024

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Is this Joanna Van Kampen doing the commentary?