In a world of fast travel and constantly new destinations vying for attention, stories of decades-long loyalty to one place become rare and precious. Precisely one such story comes from Opatija, a town that has been attracting visitors with its unique charm for almost two centuries. German Gerd Rosenkranz recently marked an incredible 60 years of connection with the pearl of Kvarner, becoming a symbol of the deep affection that Opatija manages to weave into the hearts of its guests.

His first encounter with the Opatija Riviera occurred way back in 1965. At that time, as a young bus driver for the renowned German travel agency Gimmler Reisen from Wetzlar, he brought a group of tourists to this region. It was love at first sight, as he himself says. Opatija and its surroundings charmed him so much that he has been returning ever since, and today he proudly calls Croatia his second homeland.

Mr. Rosenkranz was not just a passive visitor; his connection with Opatija grew into actively promoting its beauties. For decades, working in tourism, he organized trips for numerous German guests, revealing the charms of the Kvarner Bay to them. His dedication did not wane even in difficult times. During the Homeland War, he showed exceptional solidarity and was one of the key initiators of collecting and sending humanitarian aid to Opatija, further strengthening ties with the local community. One anecdote from his early days is particularly dear: when their bus once broke down right in front of the house of the legendary Ivo Robić, the singer invited them in for a glass of wine, which started a long-lasting friendship.

Although officially retired, his passion for travel and Croatia does not rest. For almost thirty years, he has been actively collaborating with the renowned domestic agency Katarina Line, a leading specialist for Adriatic cruises and tours. For groups of his friends from Germany, he organizes arrivals to the Opatija Riviera, doing so purely out of enthusiasm and love, without any financial benefit. Many of his friends have followed in his footsteps; as he himself says, half of the "hard core" of his group has also been regularly visiting Opatija for more than 50 years.

Recognition for the Diamond Jubilee of Loyalty

Recognizing this exceptional devotion, the Opatija Tourist Board organized a ceremonial reception for Mr. Rosenkranz on the occasion of his 60th anniversary of arrivals. Along with a suitable gift and words of thanks, the importance of such guests for the destination was emphasized. Suzi Petričić, director of the Tourist Board, stressed how proud they are of the decades of loyalty shown by guests like Mr. Rosenkranz. "A loyal guest is the best guest. Their long-standing presence is a confirmation of the quality of our destination, tourist products, but above all, a recognition of the effort and warmth of our people," stated Petričić, adding that such guests become the best ambassadors of Opatija in the world.

Mr. Rosenkranz himself does not hide his enthusiasm and plans for the future. "Over the years, I have brought countless groups to the Opatija Riviera. Today I come here to enjoy with my wife and friends, many of whom have also been returning for decades. This region is simply wonderful. I have already booked my stay for September 2025 and I hope I will be able to come for many, many more years," shared the celebrant his impressions.

Opatija: Cradle of Tourism and a Magnet for Loyal Visitors

Opatija is not accidentally a place that inspires such long-lasting affection. With a tourism tradition spanning over 180 years, often called the "cradle of Croatian tourism," Opatija began its development in the mid-19th century. The construction of Villa Angiolina in 1844, which the Rijeka patrician Iginio Scarpa built for his wife, is considered a turning point. Alongside the villa, a lavish park with exotic plants from all over the world was arranged, known today as Park Angiolina, home to more than 150 plant species, including the camellia, the symbol of Opatija.

With the arrival of the railway in 1873 and the construction of the first hotel on the Adriatic, Hotel Kvarner in 1884, Opatija became a fashionable spa and resort for European aristocracy and dignitaries. As early as 1889, it was officially declared a climatic health resort, thanks to the mild Mediterranean climate and the efforts of prominent physicians like Julius Glax. The construction of the famous coastal promenade Lungomare, connecting Volosko, Opatija, Ičići, Ika, and Lovran over a length of 12 kilometers, further enriched the offer and enabled enjoyment of the unique blend of sea and lush vegetation. This long history, preserved architecture, parks, and the uninterrupted feeling of elegance make Opatija a place guests gladly return to.

Incredible Stories of Loyalty to the Opatija Riviera

Gerd Rosenkranz's story, although impressive, is just one in a series of incredible testimonies of loyalty to Opatija. The Tourist Board proudly preserves memories of other guests whose love for this region has become legendary.

Absolutely the most striking example is Mrs. Marion Spiero from Milan. Her connection with Opatija lasted an incredible 81 consecutive years of arrivals! During this fascinating period, she spent 73 years in the oldest Opatija hotel, Hotel Kvarner, and, almost unbelievably, always stayed in the same room. Her story testifies to a deep, almost ritualistic connection with the place and the hotel that became her second home.

A French couple, Mrs. Simon Denis Maudet Odile and Mr. Guy August Jozeph Maudet from Nantes, also wrote pages in Opatija's history of loyalty. In 2014, they celebrated a full 40 years of continuous summer holidays in Opatija, showing how the charms of Kvarner attract guests from different parts of Europe.

Half a century of loyalty to Opatija was also marked by Mrs. Helma Graf from Frankenthal, Germany, and Mrs. Helga Nüchtern from Vienna. Their golden jubilees testify to the lasting appeal of the destination for guests from Austria and Germany, traditionally the most important source markets.

Particularly touching is the story of a family tradition of loyalty. Father and son, Duško and Zoran Đermanović, celebrated 50 years of arrivals together with the Opatija Tourist Board in 2019. Their uniqueness lies in the fact that they stayed in the same hotel for all those fifty years – the renowned Hotel Ambasador. This hotel, built in 1966 according to the design of the esteemed architect Zdravko Bregovac, represents one of the most significant examples of modernist tourist architecture of the 1960s on the Adriatic, and for the Đermanović family, it became an indispensable part of their Opatija memories.

Dutchman Cornelius Mellaart set the bar even higher. In 2022, he marked an impressive 65 years of continuous arrivals to the Opatija Riviera, specifically to Opatija and Ika. His story began by chance; as an eighteen-year-old traveling with a group of motorcyclists towards Macedonia, fatigue forced them to stop in Opatija. An encounter with the extremely kind Mrs. Blaženka Kinkela, who offered them accommodation and refreshments (even giving them her bed), was decisive. He came to stay with her for years, and when her children grew up, he moved in with the family of Dušan Kadmen in Ika, where he has been staying continuously for 55 years. During the jubilee celebration, Mr. Mellaart emotionally stated: "We feel at home here, this region is like our second home. This is paradise, you can't wish for anything better than this."

Last summer, specifically in the summer of 2024, another significant anniversary was marked – 60 years of loyalty to Opatija, but also an equally long friendship. Mr. Ralf Forst from Cologne first came to Opatija as a four-year-old boy, on July 17, 1964, with his parents and their friends. They first stayed at Motel Ičići, but soon found accommodation with Mrs. Dolores Prijić at Villa Esperia, who happily looked after the children while the parents enjoyed the rich nightlife of Opatija. Ralf immediately befriended her son Denis, and this friendship lasts to this day, a full 60 years. Mr. Forst loved Opatija so much that he learned the Croatian language, gladly sings songs by local artists like Mišo Kovač and Matko Jelavić, and is particularly fond of "Serenada Opatiji". He proudly states: "In my head, I am German, but in my heart, I am Croatian. Opatija is my second home and I will come as long as I can."

These stories are not just statistical data about the number of arrivals. They are deeply human stories about connection, friendship, memories, and love for a place that obviously has the ability to permanently capture the hearts of its visitors. The loyalty of guests like Gerd Rosenkranz, Marion Spiero, Cornelius Mellaart, Ralf Forst, and many others is the most beautiful confirmation of the value of Opatija as a destination that offers more than sun and sea – it offers a feeling of home.