Rab - Felix Arba
Welcome to the island of Rab, a town and island of marvellous scenic diversity, a variety of beautiful beaches, a cultural milieu dating back to pre-Roman times, with its four characteristic bell-towers, a town of rich historic heritage further refined into a complete experience for the senses, long pleasant walks, more than 120 years of experience in organised tourism and to cap it all, the kindness, hospitality and diligence of the island's people.
A bountiful sea, rich in natural healing herbs, fertile fields, vineyards and olive groves but also, first and foremost, the people of Rab, genuinely glad to see every guest, each of whom they receive as a dear friend. That is what makes this Mediterranean Adriatic island a top holiday destination all year round.
How to reach us
From Rijeka, Karlovac or Zadar it is around two hours by car to the Stinica ferry dock on the mainland from where you can reach the Mišnjak dock on the south side of the island of Rab. A service runs here all year round, the trip takes 15 minutes, with departures every one or two hours out of season, and continually in the summer months, and this is the best connection between the island and the mainland (see www.rapska-plovidba.hr).
The ferry service from the port of Lopar on the north side of the island of Rab to the port of Valbiska on the island of Krk and back operates all year round, with departures twice a day, four times a day in the summer months. The journey takes one hour and 30 minutes. (www.lnp.hr)
A return catamaran service for passengers only runs from the port of Rijeka to the port of the town of Rab is maintained all year round, with departures once daily. The journey takes an hour and 45 minutes. (www.jadrolinija.hr)
Animals And Plants
Together with the Croatian island of Mljet, Rab is the greenest island in the Adriatic, and woodlands are a familiar symbol of Rab, with Mediterranean and coastal vegetation covering the ever-green euro-Mediterranean regions of Kalifront (meaning ‘green head’), Fruga, Sorinje and Loparski Gušć over a total area of around 4000 hectares. The most important tree on Rab is the crnika – the Holm Oak or Holly Oak (Quercus ilex). There are few examples of this tree in the Mediterranean that are so impressive in their girth, height and age as those preserved in the Dundo woodland. Among the trees we also come across the wild olive, the Manna Ash, Downy Oak, Service Tree, False Olive, Strawberry Tree, tree heath, Prickly Juniper, and many others, which create an unforgettable display with their array of colours, flowers and fruits, and draw us in with their heady aromas. There are also a number of climbers and creepers, as well as Mediterranean healing herbs – sage, dwarf everlast, basil, rosemary, laurel and others.
History of tourism on the island Rab
According to numerous records and documents left to us, it seems that the island of Rab was attracting travel writers and scientists as far back as 1774, and has to thank these numerous explorers of the island for its success. It was they who discovered it and spread the word about its potential as a prime tourist destination, not just for its exceptional natural beauty but also for the hospitality of the islanders.
On 23rd April 1889, Rab was paid a visit by Professor Schroetter, a doctor and expert on spas from Vienna and Professor Frischhauf iz Graza, old friends of Rab, familiar with the island. Their visit had special significance as they were there to report to the town on the increasing interest in the island on the part of foreigners and the potential for the further development of the tourist industry. The council chairman was presented with a written proposal concerning what things might be done on the island and how, in order to better capitalise on and strengthen the development of tourism.
On the basis of this proposal, on the 16th May 1889, the municipal council met in session and came to the agreement that they would follow up on the proposals and that Rab would become an island of rest and recuperation. That is why this date is taken as the official beginning of tourism on our island.