Yugoslavia 1
Umag was our first taste of Yugoslavia and we found it strange to be holidaying on a "Tourist Complex".
Our hotel was quite a way from the town and a small diesel "train" used to drive up and down between the complex and Umag all day.
Umag was a small working town which seemed a little bewildered by tourism but there were still a few shops eager to sell local goods at very competitive prices.
The various trips that were organised by the State Tourist company were interesting and excellent value, and being Yugoslavia there was ample scope for a bit of skinny dipping! (If you've never tried it, don't knock it!)
The beaches near our hotel were non-existent and bathing and sun bathing was from concrete platforms direct into the sea via small ladders. Not as bad as it sounds, and there was no problem with sand between your toes!
Our two sons found Umag "boring" and on subsequent holidays to Yugoslavia we went on our own.
Carol and I must have liked it because we went again the following year.
DO NOT CLICK HERE!!!!
You have been warned!!!
Ron at Umag
Makarska
Makarska has lots of beaches, and if one walks past the wooded area outside the town there are other small beaches used mainly by the naturist holidaymakers. You can walk for several miles along the coast and there is the occasional hotel on the way to provide a welcome drink.
The beaches of Makarska are pebbly and a pair of flip flops is essential.
The hotels were state run and ours doubled as a sort of nursing and convalescent home for the local population, and locals visited regularly to receive the hydrotherapy treatments which the establishment provided.
Some tourists found this arrangement objectionable (we didn't) but they were warned in the brochure, and the various treatments were also available to guests at the hotel. And very good they were!
Makarska was much more geared to the needs of tourists than Umag and there was not an "enclosed" feeling.
