About Gonar
Our place Gonar is situated on the peninsula which carries the same name. Peninsula Gonar is a natural ridge between two biggest bays in the island: Kampor bay and Supetarska bay. It is one of the smallest places on island (about 50 houses) which means you will be able to enjoy in tranquility and privacy even in the peak of tourist season. Although small place Gonar has all needed tourist facilities. Among other things just few minutes away from the house you will find two diving bases, rent-a-boat & jet-ski, cafe-bar, restaurants...
History and culture of island Rab
City Rab registers long and fame-rich history. The name of the island (Arbe, Arbia, Arve or Arba) comes from the Illyrian word Arb which means dark, green and wooden. City walls, churches, portals and palaces with their most different architectural styles were witnesses to different rulers of the island. Among first were Illyrians, afterwards Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians and Hungarian-Croatians. Rab was first mentioned in year 10 BC in an ancient document, where Roman emperor Octavian August declared Rab’s independence by pronouncing it municipality. Its successors named Rab with a rare epithet “Felix” which means “happy” confirming just how Rab was civilized and developed already at that time.
Around the year 300 AD in the village Lopar boy Marin was born. He learned handcraft of stone-cutting and traveled across the Adriatic Sea in his search for work. He settled in area around today’s city Rimini. Thanks to his sedulousness and virtue he was appointed as a deacon by that time Rimini’s bishop Gaudenzio. Because of his Christian preaching he was relegated and he fled to the hill Titano where he established small church. Short after he created first republic in the world, San Marino which remained there until today’s day.
Patron of the island is Saint Christopher who, by legend, salvaged Rab from Norman occupiers in the year 1075. Since then, every year on St. Christopher’s day (27th July) traditional Knight’s Tournaments are held in his honor. Today, these games take place on the second day of an annual 3-day ceremony called “Fjera”. It is a reminder of Rab of those times, the city that celebrates its freedom and independence. “Fjera” is one of Croatia’s best known spectacles and year after year it continues to fascinate both local citizens and foreign visitors.
Blooming of tourism island experienced between two World Wars, precisely in 1936 when it was visited by English king Edward VII and his wife. The English pair was also one of the more famous naturists of that time and they wanted to enjoy swimming on the first naturist beach in Adriatic that had been officially opened just two years ago. Except from diverse beautiful beaches, another attraction for nature lovers is park “Komrcar” that lies above the city of Rab. Park was established at the beginning of 20th century by forester Pravdoje Belija. Today it is large walking area and enjoys high level of protection due to its beauty and variety of Mediterranean plants such as: figs, pines, firs and agaves.
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Gastronomy
The traditional way of living on the island relied on fishing and seafood and agriculture. Today, such a way of life has left a deep trace in island cuisine. Fish and seafood are basis of restaurants' offer. From pilchards through octopuses and groper to fish emperor - the dentex, all can be tried in new ways prepared by island's top chefs. Full list of Rab's restaurants you can find here
Different fish stews, octopus salads, stuffed calamari, seashell dishes, grilled blue fish, rolled groper, marinade, baked tuna and many other ways of preparing surely won't let you down. Cooking skills and exquisite service in the cozy Mediterranean restaurants and other catering facilities on island guarantee the pleasure of traditional food made from natural and healthy seafood and gardens of Rab.
Rab's climate is in favor of different plants: from olives, asparaguses and figs through garden products such as tomato, cucumber, peppers and artichoke. Spices that give specific Mediterranean scent to food are: lavender, rosemary, laurel. Also many kinds of fruits grow native on Rab: strawberries, cherries, plums (amul and mirabela), wild berries and exotic fruits, such a tangerines and lemon.
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Flora & Fauna
Rab has wealth of natural resources; Mediterranean climate is excellent for development of bio ecological system. In tender Mediterranean conditions variety of species can be found. Rab's forests seem forever green: oaks, holy, rhea odors of Spanish brooms, immortelle makes Rab a favorite place for every nature lover.
The unforgettable figs, olives, vines, lavender make the island an exquisite experience. Because of its ecological cleanness, the sea bottom around Rab is the living space to many kinds of fishes, crabs, shellfish and it is true discovery to well-intended visitors.
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Sport and activities
MOUNTAIN BIKING AND TREKKING
A special experience on island Rab are bike rides. With the multitude of roads where you can enjoy seaside, Mediterranean woods or some of the most amazing views; Rab represents a cycling oasis for all mountain biking fans. As well as bike rides, abundance of trekking paths of all levels of difficulty give great possibilities to fans of this activity.
DIVING
Rab's archipelago is known for its underwater world and number of visitors who choose Rab as a diving destination is constantly increasing. Large number of shipwrecks as well as remains from ancient times have been found around Rab. Caves, canyons and underwater tunnels swarming with fish add to the attractiveness of destination.
TENNIS
There are many sites with tennis courts on the island. Beside the courts you can get tennis lessons, a sparing partner. The bigger tennis sites are in Lopar - near Hotel settlement San Marino, in Kampor in Suha Punta and courts near imperial hotel in the old town.
MOTOCROSS
In the past few years' motor-cross and off-road competitions started to take place on the island. There is a racing track called "Mag" situated right by the sea side in a beautiful scenery. Motosports are popular even in winter times when it's easier to find accommodation for larger groups of riders.
WATER SPORTS
As a sea resort, rab offers great possibilities for almost all types of water sports. The weather conditions in May and September are especially good for windsurfing, but other months are possible as well. Except for sailing you can also rent different motorboats, jet-skies, kayaks, water-pedals.
Except for these possibilities Rab offers football, basketball, handball playgrounds, mini golf and table tennis courts as well as paint ball.
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Beaches
Clean and transparent Adriatic Sea surrounds the island making it an unique swimming site. On the island everyone can find a beach of his taste: rocky in the north, pebble in the east and sandy in the south.
Excursions
In the tourist offer of the island a special stress should be put on many nice and unforgettable day trips where you get to know the island and surroundings: sightseeing through the old town of Rab, fish picnics or panorama trip by boat , excursions to the nearby islands of Košljun, Lošinj, Pag, Krk, then the sea bottom sightseeing, organized visits to the national parks of Paklenica, Kornati, Plitvice lakes...
For one-day boat trips it is enough to take stroll down the coast in Rab's center where almost all the trip and excursion boats are moored. There you can chose one of the excursions from their rich offer. Prices depend on the specific boat and excursion but in general are affordable and various deals and/or discounts can be easily made.
A special treat is a ride by small taxi boats, visiting small beautiful coves, Zavratnica field, and fishing with a host.
