Natural Environment for a Good Holiday and Leisure Time Located at the crossroads of several bio-geographic regions, Croatia is an area of above average diversity of land, sea and underground habitats. This is a rare European landscape which on a small area boasts as many as eight national parks and eleven nature parks. Untouched natural landscapes and flora and fauna make an excellent itinerary for ecological tourism. Along with a rich cultural history, landscape diversity ranging from plains to high mountains and the sea, Croatia is also an ideal place for lovers of adventure. The unique Croatian seascape, beautiful coastline, bays, beaches with pine trees, picturesque coastal towns scattered throughout the land, and more than a thousand islands, simply grab one's attention with their uniqueness. The Purity and Beauty of Croatian Beaches Due to the beautiful beaches and clear waters, the Croatian coast has, in the past few years, attracted more and more visitors hungry for fun, rest and recreation. It has been recognized by the world's magazines, which continually and increasingly place it on their lists of the best summer destinations. In 2011, a number of world-renowned magazines included some of Croatian beaches on their prestigious lists of the best and according to the readers of the British newspaper The Sunday Times Travel Magazine, Croatia was declared the third best European destination in the category 'European Beach Destination' for 2011, in a strong competition of world famous destinations. The annual report by the European Environment Agency and the European Commission best speaks in support of the high environmental standards of the Croatian Adriatic. In 2012 the report showed that Croatian beaches were among the cleanest in Europe, with 97.3 percent purity, immediately after Cyprus, where 100 percent of beaches are pure. Countries which were ranked after Croatia are Malta (95.4 per cent), Greece (94.2 percent) and Ireland (90.1 percent). The data for Croatia refers to 913 beaches of which 887 are on the coast. The report stated that not a single beach had an unauthorized amounts of Escherichia coli and none had to be closed during the season. The results showed that the overall purity of European beaches remains high, however in 2010, compared to the previous year it was reported that the amount of water that meets the criteria of purity had fallen by 3.5 percent, while the number of those which meet the recommended criteria was down by 9.5 percent. In total, across Europe there were more than 21 000 coastal beaches and inland bathing sites on the territory of the European Union, Croatia, Montenegro and Switzerland. Another statistic which shows that the sea at Croatian beaches is of high quality and among the cleanest in the Mediterranean is the data of the Croatian Ministry of Environmental Protection, Physical Planning and Construction for last year by which the water was excellent at 94 percent of Croatian beaches. Also, from year to year more than a hundred Croatian beaches and marinas have been awarded the Blue Flag - a guarantee that the beach and the sea are clean and well maintained, that there are lifeguards watching over the swimmers and that you can get ice cream and juice without a lot of walking. At the beginning of the 2012 season, such a flag could be seen at 124 places. Along with the crystal clear sea, the main feature and specialty of the long Croatian coast with more than a thousand islands and islets are its many and varied beaches, where everyone can find their favorite part of the sea and shore: the shallow sandy or pebble beaches for families with children, romantic and hidden coves or rocks, the already famous beaches with entertainment and nightlife or sports programs, windy bays and channels for windsurfers, quiet bays and reefs for diving ... The coast and beaches are mostly stone, gravel and sand with countless bays and rocks. The vegetation is mainly conifers (pine, larch, cypress ..), but in some areas of Istria and the Kvarner one can find shade under pine and sessile oak. Tides have relatively small amplitudes at approximately 0.5 m DISTRIBUTION OF SANDY BEACHES ACROSS THE COASTAL REGIONS Istria Some of the most beautiful beaches in Istria and Croatia are located on the Medulin Riviera. It is not just the beauty of Medulin beaches that enchants but also their diversity. Featuring on Istria's 80 kilometers of coastline, are sandy, pebble and rocky beaches, bare rocks with no shelter from the summer heat or the shade of ancient trees whose branches bend over the sea, as well as bustling public beaches or almost Robinson solitude on one of ten islands of the Medulin Archipelago. Therefore, the southwestern beaches of Istria offer something for everyone: surfing or sailing in the strong mistral, which generally blows in the afternoon or children who carelessly build sandcastles and various sculptures in the sand. Bijeca Beach in Medulin Bijeca beach is the most famous sandy beach in Medulin that stretches a kilometer along the coastline. It is surrounded by numerous trees, whose shade is enjoyed mostly by the elderly. Because of the gentle entry to the sea it is also frequently visited by families with children. It is surrounded by beautiful islets, and besides the natural beauty, offers visitors the possibility of recreation. Guests will certainly try the gastronomy offer in the nearby bars and restaurants. The Beach Cape Kamenjak in Premantura Located on the southernmost part of the Istrian peninsula is Cape Kamenjak, a protected park which hides the secrets of nature. The coast stretches some 30 kilometers and hides many bays, islands and beaches. Clear water and pristine natural beauty attract many tourists, who are looking for peace. There are two sandy bays (Debeljak and Portić) on Kamenjak, which are suitable for families with children, but it is mostly a rocky coastline with flat rocks. It is also a known diving destination because of its rich underwater world. In the southern part, there can be strong currents so swimmers should take care, but these are ideal conditions for surfers. On the southwestern part of the cape there is the Safari Bar with soft drinks and simple meals. The Kvarner The biggest value of the Kvarner are the beaches, preserved environment and clean waters. The most beautiful beaches are marked by Blue Flags, symbols of a preserved, safe and pleasant environment designed for fun, relaxation and recreation, high quality service, clean sea, beaches and marinas. Rajska (Paradise) Beach and Beach Livačina in Lopar on the Island of Rab In Lopar on Rab, an island of wondrous landscape diversity and centuries-old tradition of tourism, there are two beautiful sandy beaches: Paradise Beach and Livačina Beach. Located in Lopar, 14 kilometers from the town of Rab is the 1.5 km long Paradise Beach. Because of its quality and crystal clear waters it was awarded the Blue Flag. Extremely shallow water and expert lifeguards, who are there from 9am-6pm , make it a perfect destination for swimmers and families with children. This beautiful sandy beach has showers, bars, restaurants, various playgrounds, cycling paths and a large offer of water sports. Livačina Beach is one of the nicest and most attractive beaches on the island, located near the famous Paradise Beach. The beach is sandy with gentle access to the sea and ideal for children, but also for all the fans of picigin (shallow water volley ball). Under the shade of pine trees, just above the beach, there are several restaurants with excellent food and drink. You can rent equipment for leisure and entertainment on the beach, as well as deck chairs and parasols. Crni Molo Beach in Crikvenica Crikvenica, a former fishing village just 35 kilometers from the largest Croatian port of Rijeka, also boasts a long tradition of tourism. Long sandy and pebble beaches with many facilities are linked with a natural walking path through the rich Mediterranean vegetation and provide the opportunity for everyone to enjoy themselves, from swimmers to walkers and cyclists. One of the most famous beaches of the Crikvenica Riviera is Crni Molo. This beach is located about 200 meters from the center of Crikvenica. Crni Molo provides a variety of sports opportunities, from practicing aerobics, beach volleyball, mini-golf, water slides, water skiing and more. Those who want to relax in the shade can rent parasols and deck chairs, and after swimming in the sea, they can freshen up in one of the showers. Restaurants, bars and hotels that surround it make it a favorite destination among young people, as well as families with children. The Town Beach Crikvenica in Crikvenica The most famous beach in Crikvenica is the main town beach which is located 200 meters from the center of Crikvenica. This beach has many qualities, and the sea is crystal clear, which is why it was awarded the Blue Flag. The beach is tailored for people of all ages, people with disabilities, as well as being an inevitable gathering place for young people. The beach is pebbly with sandy areas which attract families with young children. Above the beach you will find a pleasant shade of lush Mediterranean vegetation, which is a perfect hiding place during the hottest hours of the day. On the beach you can rent a variety of equipment for water sports as well as comfortable deck chairs and parasols. During the summer season, the entrance to the beach and beach equipment will be charged according to the price list posted at the entrance to the beach. Rokan Beach in Selce Located in the nearby tourist resort Selce, is the beach Rokan.