Verudela Beach and Villa Resort - Pula, Croatia 

We've just returned from a week's stay at Verudela Beach & Villa Resort and have to say we are so pleased we booked these apartments and not the Punta Verudela apartments 5 mins walk away. There is just no comparison, the Punta Verudela apartments looked like a run down prisoner of war camp, in need of some serious painting and they all looked over one-another, so very little privacy. They have been built so close together that there is an echo when you talk whilst walking between them. I would have cried if I had booked these. Whereas the Verudela Beach & Villa Apartment we stayed in was set in beautiful woodland in a block of 8 and it was very peaceful with great modern and clean self catering facilities (3 ring hob, new kitchen equipment and utensils and a family size fridge) the only downside was the lack of kettle and microwave, but to be honest we survived for a week without these. We had our bedding and towels changed halfway through the week, which was sufficient as I am all for being green and saving the environment and anyway, there was a spare set in the wardrobe should we have needed to change them more frequently. We even had our special request met of a first floor apartment with a sea view and it was wonderful to watch the boats sailing out to sea and to hear the waves crashing against the shore. Unfortunately the weather wasn't great the first half of the week and there was very little to do to entertain our 19month old in the rain. It may have been too early in the season, as most of the on-site facilities looked closed and the children's playground consisted of a couple of old run down swings, no slide or climbing frame. However, when the sun did shine we made the most of the swimming pools, which although were freezing, my daughter didn't seem bothered. We also took some beautiful and peaceful walks through the woodland surrounding the resort of Verudela and there is access to some beautiful secluded coves but beware the beaches are very stony. Other things to note are that the on-site supermarket was overpriced and understocked. They never seemed to have much bread left and the fruit and veg had seen better days, but it was fine to get milk and ice-creams from. We did our main shop in Pula, 20 mins on the bus away. The other thing to watch out for is the cost of the taxi to and from the airport -either bargain hard or insist the meter is used. We were quoted 200 Kuna from the airport, but after some firm conversation the meter was put on and it only came to 135Kuna on the meter! And then for some reason, when we booked a taxi for our return it cost 180Kuna, because the taxis start charging from their office to where they pick you up from and then your journey, which is scandalous! Pula and the peninsula of Veruldela just outside it though are really lovely places to stay for a short trip I would say. I would go back, but I dread to think what it is like in peak season when the children are off school and poolside entertainment kicks in, not my thing I'm afraid but I bet the weather it better.