nicknamed

SUN, sea and a hint of Vienna, that’s what you get when you visit this coastal town in Croatia.

The pretty town of Opatija sits by the Adriatic Sea and has beautiful colourful buildings with terracotta roofs set around the water, which has earned it a comparison to the Austrian capital.

Conde Nast Traveller said that Opatija is nicknamed ‘Vienna by the Sea’ because of its “Belle Époque architecture” and of course, proximity to the ocean.

The publication added that the city “boasts a number of grand cafes, well-maintained public gardens, tidy beaches, fine hotels, and excellent restaurants“.

It’s a great location for exploring other destinations in Croatia too like Istria, the green mountains of Risnjak National Park, or the Island of Krk.

The town was a favourite winter escape for royal families from the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.

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In 1889 the Habsburgs, a German-Austrian family that ruled a vast European empire for centuries, even declared Opatija an official climatic health resort.

Most activities around Opatija as you can imagine are on or around the water.

From walking the Lungomare promenade to visiting the statue called ‘Girl with the Seagull’ which was made in 1956 by sculptor Zvonko Car.

Another popular spot is Villa Angiolina, a summer residence turned museum and gardens – on the grounds are exotic plants from all over the world.

Then of course there are the beaches, and some of the most popular beaches are Slatina Beach, Medveja Beach and St. Ivan Beach – but don’t be expecting sand as these are mostly rocky.

Exploring outside of the main town, you’ll reach the charming fishing village of Ika, which has art nouveau architecture and a pebble beach.

From the UK, the fastest way to get to Opatija is to fly into Pula  which is just over an hour away by car.

Brits can fly directly from London Stansted, Luton, Gatwick and Bristol to Pula in two hours and 15 minutes.

The Croatian peninsula of Istria, has also been compared to looking like Italy.

Heart-shaped Istria has been compared to the Italian capital, Rome, thanks to the number of Roman buildings.

Pula’s Roman amphitheatre is the sixth largest in the world, drawing further comparisons between Istria and Italy.

There’s also the Triumphal Arch, the Door of Hercules, the Temple of the Emperor Augustus and a second small Roman theatre dotted about throughout the city for visitors to explore.

However, it’s the giant amphitheatre that people flock to visit, with gladiator reconstructions performed there in the summer.

One TripAdvisor reviewer wrote: “Like the Colosseum in Rome, the amphitheatre dominates the landscape. It’s a must-see destination.”

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Here’s more on Croatia’s largest island, Krk, which has hilltop towns, sandy beaches and it’s own airport.

Plus, here’s another Croatian town that Brits always skip is named one of the cheapest beach resorts in Europe.

A dating website for married people has warned couples against holidaying in a certain Spanish resort that has been dubbed the “marriage killer of Europe” thanks to its high number of infidelity

New research is urging couples to think twice before booking a holiday to one particular Spanish resort that has earned a new and rather infamous nickname – the “marriage killer.”

According to a recent survey by IllicitEncounters, a dating website for people seeking affairs, the holiday town of Magaluf has emerged as the number-one destination for Brits looking to cheat while abroad. Long known for its cheap drinks, sun-soaked beaches, and party-heavy atmosphere, Magaluf is now gaining attention for a less celebratory reason.

More than 2,000 users of the site were polled about the destinations they would choose if they were planning to be unfaithful. Magaluf topped the list, prompting the website to dub it the “marriage destroyer of Europe.”

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Jessica Leoni, a spokesperson for IllicitEncounters, explained that the town’s reputation isn’t just about nightlife — it’s the combination of freedom from routine, warm weather, and easy access to alcohol that creates the perfect environment for holiday flings.

She described this mix as a “trinity” that fuels romance, or something more fleeting and secretive. It’s not just a holiday affair either; according to the survey, 87 percent of those who cheated while in Magaluf kept in touch with their affair partner after returning home.

Back in the UK, another surprising revelation came from the site’s annual Infidelity Index.

Cheltenham, often admired for its elegant charm and home to the prestigious four-day horse racing festival, was crowned the UK’s “new adultery capital.”

According to the data, 6.98 percent of the town’s population engaged in affairs last year. Following closely behind were Farnham in Surrey with 5.99 percent, Motherwell in Lanarkshire with 5.63 percent, Warwick with 5.61 percent, and Braintree in Essex, which reported 5.55 percent.

Elsewhere, other towns showing high levels of infidelity included Rhyl in Denbighshire, where 5.36 percent of people were involved in affairs, and Borehamwood in Hertfordshire, with a rate of 5.35 percent.

Meanwhile, towns with slightly lower — but still significant — rates included Newbury in Berkshire (5.23 percent), Frome in Somerset (5.18 percent), and Wilmslow in Cheshire (5.12 percent).

Reflecting on the findings, Jessica said that although places like Cheltenham may appear peaceful and refined on the outside, the data suggests that many relationships behind closed doors tell a different story.

On the opposite end of the scale, Swindon was named the UK’s most faithful town, with just 0.35 percent of its population reportedly engaging in infidelity.

lose behind were Bracknell in Berkshire with 0.36 percent, Dewsbury in West Yorkshire with 0.39 percent, Castlereagh in County Down with 0.44 percent, and Rotherham in South Yorkshire with 0.58 percent.

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PITTSBURGH — Dave Parker, a hard-hitting outfielder who was set to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame next month, has died, the Pittsburgh Pirates announced Saturday. He was 74.

No further details about Parker’s death were immediately available. The Pirates informed the crowd of his death just before the start of their game against the New York Mets and held a moment of silence.

Nicknamed “the Cobra,” the 6-foot-5 Parker made his major league debut in 1973 and played 19 seasons, 11 for the Pirates. He was the NL MVP in 1978, won a World Series with Pittsburgh a year later and then won another championship in 1989 with the Oakland Athletics.

Parker won NL batting titles in 1977 and ’78. He finished his career as a .290 hitter with 339 homers and 1,493 RBIs. He also played for Cincinnati, Milwaukee, the Angels and Toronto.

Parker was elected to the Hall of Fame by a special committee in December. The induction ceremony in Cooperstown, N.Y., is set for July 27.

“We join the baseball family in remembering Dave Parker. His legacy will be one of courage and leadership, matched only by his outstanding accomplishments on the field,” Hall chairman Jane Forbes Clark said in a statement. “His election to the Hall of Fame in December brought great joy to him, his family and all the fans who marveled at his remarkable abilities.”

Born on June 9, 1951 in Grenada, Miss., Parker grew up in Cincinnati and was a three-sport star at Courter Tech High.

After playing for Pittsburgh from 1973-83, he signed with his hometown Reds and spent four seasons with the club. In 1985 he led the NL with 125 RBIs and was second in the MVP voting.

“He was such a big dude at a time when there weren’t that many ‘6-foot-5, 230-pound, dynamic defender, batting champion with power’ guys,” Hall of Famer and Reds teammate Barry Larkin said. “Everything about him was impressive.”

Parker was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2012.

He told reporters that he burst into tears upon learning of his selection to the Hall of Fame.

“Yeah, I cried,” Parker said after receiving the news. “It only took a few minutes, because I don’t cry.”

Parker homered for the A’s in the 1989 World Series opener and took credit for helping the Bash Brothers of Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire take the title with a four-game sweep of San Francisco.

He was a seven-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove right fielder.

“I was a five-tool player. I could do them all,” Parker said after his Hall of Fame selection. “I never trotted to first base. I don’t know if people noticed that, but I ran hard on every play.”