General: Torunament is held on Punta Verudela Peneinsula, that is about 5 km from center of Pula. Airport is on 13 km. There are 3 hotels and 3 apartment resorts at Peneinsula, from 0 to 2 km from the venue. All bridge players stay at Punta Verudela Peneinsula, where they can choose from budget accommodation for only about 10/euro/day, comfort for about 40 euro/day, and luxury for about 80+ euro/day. BOOKINGS To make bookings you should go to: www.arenaturist.com, chose accommodation, choose dates, put promotional code BRIDGE and other details they ask for. Credit card will not be charged it is only guarantee. You can cancel the booking up to 7 days before arrival without any charge (please see sales policy). For any additional information regarding accomodation best is to send mail directly to me at tihana@pilar.hr. ALL INCLUSIVE ARANGMENTS This arangements can be found on festival page. They cover accommodation (with or without food), tranfers to/from airports, sightseeing, entries to tournament and some other stuff (T-shirts, tournament materials and some other stuff). BRIDGE FESTIVAL It is one of the biggest in Europe. It has over 50 years of tradition. Over 100 teams, over 250 pairs at main events. Entry fees are quite low (15 euro/day). There are numerous prizes (over 30.000 euro) and different special prizes. Games are organized in the way that players have free mornings so they can enjoy swimming and sunbathing (tournaments do not start before 3 p.m.) Players that play are very heterogenous, from 40 different countries, all levels of bridge. All about festival can be found at www.pulabridgefestival.com. There is no pre-registrations, players for all events register once they arive to Pula, at Registration desk of the tournament. There are lot of helpful tournament staff around, that will help with everything. If you are looking for a partner or team-mates, we have Partnership wall, and staff that will help you to find partner. TRANSPORT There is regular bus line from Punta Verudela to the center of Pula. Taxi is about 10 euro. There is also possibility to rent a car to visit places around. Rent-a-bike is also available on site. If you need transfer from/to airport (Pula or other one) please contact us, we will do our best to help.

WEATHER Weather is very nice in early September. Average day temperature is 25, night 18, sea water is about 22. PULA Pula is best known of its fascinating Roman remains including one of Europe's best preserved Amphitheaters. We organize guided sightseeing of Pula for very reduced price (5 euro/person) for our guests. There is very interesting aquarium very close (500 meters) from Park Plaza Histria. There are many places near Pula worth visiting (see: Places to see at 4th page). PLACES TO EAT CLOSE TO THE VENUE If you are not taking half board option, but just bed, you can eat in many nice restaurants around. Park Plaza Verudela restaurant, Boškarin restaurant, snack bar Oliva, Espressamente Illy bar, pool bar, beach bar and Lounge Beach Bar Ambrela, Istrian Taverna at the nearby Hotel Histria, Beach Bar & Restaurant Yacht. PRICES in restaurants: coffe: 2 euro, glass of juice/wine/beer: 3 euro, pizza or pasta: 7-10 euro, steak with fries and salad: 10-15 euro; in shops: milk: 1 euro, cheese/ham/salami: 1-2 euro/100 g, fruits/vegetables: 1-3 euro/kg SPORTS There is a wide range of sporting amenities available at Punta Verudela Peneinsula, including two five-a-side football pitches, 18 tennis courts and amenities for mini golf, handball, basketball, volleyball, beach ball, squash and table tennis. There is also the option to rent a bicycle or take part in a variety of water sports. Guests are also welcome to participate in the daily program of entertainment which is aimed at both young and old alike. Members of Golf Club Pula are playing on Old Golf Course on Brijuni Islands. It is an old golf course, as it was back in 1922 when it was built, 18 holes with sand greens and tee offs, natural grass, ,so it is not a golf course you can expect. The course is situated on Brijuni Island which you can reach with boat (t leaving Fasana Harbour et 8, 9 ,...The trip is cc 15 minutes long. The green fee including boat ticket is cc 25 EURO. There are no handicap restrictions. KIDS A brand new kids club is situated at the adjacent Park Plaza Verudela Pula, as well as a well equipped baby corner (0-3 years). A popular mini-club as well as a teens club offering high tech interactive audio/video room are also on offer. Children will love the Robinson Crusoe Island, underwater caves and the daily performances at the small theater.

SWIMMING Every hotel/resort has its own outdoor pool with seawater, and some also have

inside pool. Well maintained rocky and pebble beaches awarded with Blue Flag, are only few

steps away.

NIGHT LIFE In Park Plaza Histria there is a night-club (we often go there after tournaments), open until morning, and Casino. During tournament we organize two parties: On Monday (karaoke party at Yacht club), and on Saturday (Victory ceremony, dance). After tournaments players usually stay at Park plaza terrace or go to Night club. PARKING Parking is free of charge. Rent-a-car office is in hotel Park Plaza Histria. Rent-a-bike is at 500 meters from hotel Park Plaza Histria. PETS Pets are allowed at apartments with additional fee. WIFI is free in all hotels.

PLACES TO GO OUTSIDE PULA

Brijuni National Park

Brijuni is an archipelago consisting of 14 beautiful islands, filled with life and beauty. Instead of raw data, we will describe them like this: imagine riding a bike next to a herd of deer, while the sound of crickets adds to the summer atmosphere. In a few hours, you will be playing golf in the outdoors, and meanwhile you can visit a Byzantine castrum and old frescos inthe 15th-century Church of St. German’s. Just beware of the dinosaurs- although they haven’t been seen in a while, their presence was confirmed by numerous foot prints.

Premantura

It is the southwestermost settlement on the Istrian peninsula, around 10 kilometers away from Pula. And it rocks. Literally. The near-by cape Kamenjak is a stony piece of nature’s art which can’t be avoided during your visit to Istria. Its remote coastline (about 30 kilometers in length) and lush plant life (over 30 kinds of orchid alone) makes it a perfect spot for a family excursion, but also for those seeking peace in nature. Kamenjak has been under national protection for almost half a century, meaning there are no huge houses, luxurious hotels or fancy casinos in the middle of natural beauty. Just you, the sea, and orchids…. And Premantura village if you suddenly desire to see a human face.

Lim Channel

The Lim valley (Limska draga or Limska dolina) is the 35 km long valley of the river Pazinčica, which transforms into the Lim Channel (Limski kanal), a 10 kilometers long estuary. Estuaries and coastal waters are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth, providing ecological, economic, cultural, and aesthetic benefits... The estuary is sometimes called a fjord. Although the movie The Vikings starring Kirk Douglas was shot there in 1958, it isn't a fjord but a ria, since it wasn't carved by a glacier but by the river eroding the ground on its way to the Adriatic Sea.

Motovun

Motovun is a city-monument, an ancient Istrian acropolis city situated on the top of a 277 meter-

high hill whose current appearance originates from the Middle Ages, the 12th and 13th century.

The longest Istrian stairway with 1052 stairs leads to the top of the Motovun hill and its Venetian

city square. From the rich construction heritage of Motovun, we give special attention to the city

door with a tower, the renaissance palace, the city lodge, the parish church of St. Stjepan, the

smaller churches of Madonna dei Servi and Madonna delle porte, the medieval arrangement of

the streets, the city tank and many emblems on the front of buildings. The position and landscape

of Motovun make it one of the most beautiful older cities on the Mediterranean. Vineyards are

spread all around Motovun where the grapes for the famous Istrian wines Teran and Malvasia

grow, while the Motovun forest, which spreads kilometres through the Mirna valley is the habitat

for the famous underground mushroom truffle.

DETAILED HOTEL DESCRIPTION HOTEL PARK PLAZA HISTRIA and PARK PLAZA HISTRIA WING. LUXURY. This is the venue. It is one of Croatian best hotels. The hotel's location on the beautiful south coast of Croatia's Istrian Peninsula offers breathtaking views across the Adriatic Sea, and the historic city of Pula is only minutes from the resort. The Park Plaza Histria, perfectly located on the Punta Verudela peninsula overlooking the sea, represents the symbol of Pula's tourist offer. The hotel Park Plaza offers two seawater swimming pools, conference center, wellness center with gym and saunas and health and beauty center with a sauna, treatment rooms and hairdresser. The hotel provides a number of dining options – from fine dining in the Taverna for the chef's daily specialties, to refreshments in the lobby and piano bar, whilst enjoying the sea breeze on the outdoor terrace. The Yacht Restaurant & Lounge Bar serves refreshments on the multi-level terrace, while the pool bar and the Luna's Lounge Bar. The Park Plaza Histria Pula is just 50m from the sea. A multi-level terrace with comfortable deckchairs, two seawater pools, one outdoor with a sundeck and one indoor are additional features. Front of hotel Park Plaza Histria

Room in hotel Park Plaza Histria

Back terrace of hotel Park Plaza Histria

Loby of hotel Park Plaza Histria

Welness in hotel Park Plaza Histria

hotel Park Plaza Histria Wing

HOTEL BRIONI AND HOTEL PARK. COMFORT. Both hotels are on aprox 1 km from the venue, nice walk. Both hotels are situated close to the sea where the waters are perfect for a swim, and have outdoor seawater pools. Guests can also take advantage of the outdoor sun terrace, which is idyllically positioned amidst pine trees. Hotel Brioni is older, but has better location (better views), while Park is more modern and has very nice bar at the swimming pool. All rooms feature satellite TV, telephone, hairdryer as well as a shower over a bath. All rooms come with a balcony. If you don’t want to be in the middle of everything, but want more peaceful vacation, these hotels are perfect. Hotel Brioni

Hotel Park

PARK PLAZA VERUDELA. LUXURY/COMFORT. About 100-200 meters from the venue. About 100-200 meters from the see. The apartments at the Park Plaza Verudela are completely refurbished and feature air conditioning as standard. Guests also benefit from Wi Fi access, a safety deposit box, a kitchenette with all modern conveniences, including a fridge, freezer, microwave and coffee machine, as well as a bathroom with a shower and hairdryer. Pets are allowed at the resort. There are also numerous dining options on offer at the Park Plaza Verudela Resort – with fresh Mediterranean cuisine on offer, local Istrian specialties – as well as the ever popular pizzeria and snack bars. Guests can also enjoy refreshments in the pool and beach bars as well as sip a cocktail in the sun. At the Park Plaza Verudela Resort (previously known as Punta Verudela Resort) there are three outdoor seawater swimming pools as well as a water slide, and deckchairs.

VERUDELA BEACH (ex Europa). COMFORT. About 1 km from the venue. About 100-200 meters from the sea, nice walk close to Park hotel. The idyllic peace and tranquility of Verudela Beach, harmoniously set amidst pine trees and medicinal Mediterranean plants, transforms your holidays into a delightful experience surrounded by nature. All apartments have a large terrace with a panoramic view, some with a view of the open sea, and are modernly refurbished and air conditioned. The resort includes a supermarket, hairdresser, souvenir shop, exchange office, ATM, café bar, pool bar, beach bar, restaurants, ice cream shop, pizzerias and other shops.

HORIZONT AND SPLENDID RESORTS.

BUDGET. About 2 km from the venue, nice walk, possible to rent a bike. About 100-200 meters from the sea. The Horizont Golden Rocks resort Croatia enjoys an idyllic situation, set amidst lush green Mediterranean greenery, on the beautiful Adriatic coast. The Horizont Golden Rocks Resort is the perfect place for a family holiday. The self catering apartments make the ideal choice for guests traveling with children – since they provide comfortable, spacious accommodation and the option to come and go as you please. Guests are afforded great views over the nearby peninsula, and can enjoy relaxing on the gently sloping pristine beaches, as well as swim in the crystal clear waters. The Horizont Golden Rocks Resort is also packed with scenic paths and trails – along with a seaside promenade – just perfect for an evening stroll. The scent of pine trees, and fine natural attractions will be some of the memories to take home from a Croatia holiday here. Located at the Horizont Golden Rocks Resort are a supermarket, exchange office, snack bar, café, restaurants, pizzerias and a kiosk. There is also allocated guest parking – and – visitors are allowed to bring a pet. Visitors can enjoy free Wi Fi at reception, and next to the pool.