Photogallery here...                                  

News

Zadar County: Rural tourism attracts more and more guests

Rural tourism is becoming an increasingly strong magnet for tourists arriving in Croatia. Living in autochthonous houses, enjoying food prepared in the traditional way and staying away from crowds are the advantages attracting more and more people for whom the Zadar County Rural Tourism Catalog is intended. In the catalog, the Development Agency presented 17 rural estates in the region, divided into three thematic segments – the Sub-Velebit Region, Ravni Kotari and Bukovica. In addition, they designed a website that will be constantly updated in line with the expansion the offer.

The catalog contains all information on the offer on rural estates in Zadar hinterland. The highlights of the offer are estates having a gastro offer with food prepared from homegrown ingredients – vegetables, bread, cheese, prosciutto, fruit, meat, homemade wine and brandy.
The development of rural tourism, which has been attracting more and more interest among guests, is becoming increasingly rapid – considering the potential in this region and local population’s interest, it is expected to become a real hit in Zadar County’s tourist offer.

Zadar County Development Agency
www.ruralni-zadra.com

Krk: Treasure Hunt – A new tourist product

Visitors to the town of Krk on the island of Krk in the region of Kvarner have conceived a boat excursion called the Treasure Hunt, based on this region's history.
The legend of the pirates dates back to the times when Krk was a target to tradesmen from all continents. As it happens, a horrible robbery took place at sea in front of Krk in 1524, during which the Pirates of Plavnik intercepted a commercial galley carrying valuable cargo in the strait between the two islands. The smoke from the burnt ship alarmed the duke’s guard who sank the pirate ship, while the only surviving pirate managed to save himself by swimming to the island of Plavnik where he buried the most valuable things from the robbed ship. All track of the pirate was lost, and years later he sought a guide to take him to Plavnik. His intention was frustrated by an unsuccessful hunt for him, which only resulted in a mysterious map containing instructions on how to get to the buried treasure. Despite the fact that the duke put a high price on his head, the search for the treasure continues.
The staging of the event, from the maritime battle in Krk Port to the pirate attack, is a two-day introduction to a daylong excursion to the island of Plavnik – in addition to pirate bandannas, the participants will also be provided with a map containing the position of the mysterious treasure. Even if they fail to find the buried valuables, the excursionists will surely benefit from the trip.
The Treasure Hunt excursion, conceived by the Krk Tourist Board and the Tourist Shipper Subsection of the Sole Traders Association of Krk, will be arranged on a weekly basis or as requested by closed groups.

Island of Krk Tourist Board
www.krk.hr

Rijeka: Cultural landmarks even closer to visitors

An increasingly great number of tourists visiting the city of Rijeka have as of recently been able to visit historical landmarks after obtaining information on them in a new way – on backlight boards detailing everything to know about each landmark in five languages.
Ten backlight info boards have been set up so far, explaining the history, interesting facts, traditions, analyses and archive pictures of sites and monuments in Croatian, English, German, Italian and French. The backlight info board project was implemented by the Rijeka Tourist Board in cooperation with the City of Rijeka; the Tourist Board takes credit for the entire project preparation, including the conception of the info board design, their content and implementation.
Rijeka has thus joined the numerous tourist destinations informing their guests on important historical locales this way. It is now easier for tourist to sightsee and understand the history of this city rich in cultural and historical monuments, cultural events and loads of entertainment for all generations.
The backlight info board project continues – thanks to it, the city of Rijeka and the popular religious destination Trsat in Rijeka are expected to become even more interesting.

Rijeka Tourist Board
www.tz-rijeka.hr

Presenting

Varaždin County: An attractive excursion destination

Situated in the northwest of Croatia, Varaždin County is a hilly region with numerous vineyards, its beauty, tidiness and extensive offer making it one of the most attractive excursion regions in the country. As many as 354 registered cultural monuments contribute to this, as well as its cultural events that make the Town of Varaždin, the county center, well known outside the Croatian borders.
The area contains the world famous Vindija Cave, showing the first traces of prehistoric man’s life in the broader European area. The Opeka Arboretum, which many put among the three most beautiful Croatian arboretums, is considered to be a masterpiece of landscaping. The medieval castle Trakošćan with its park forest, lake and promenade is one of the most beautiful Croatian castles and a popular destination for both local and international guests.
One of the highlights among numerous attractive destinations is Lepoglava, known for its magnificent church, as well as the art of making the famous Lepoglava lace, and the popular Ludbreg shrine. Varaždin Spa is the oldest Croatian spa and presently a popular thermal riviera with numerous health & recreation facilities.
Varaždin, one of the most preserved European medieval towns, has a rich cultural offer and is known as a town of baroque, music and musicians. The beautiful and preserved old town core of Varaždin has been nominated for the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Varaždin Cemetery is a natural monument of the highest category. The town also offers numerous events, including the street walking festival Špancirfest (this year it will be held 22 – 31 August for the tenth time) and the traditional baroque music festival Varaždin Baroque Evenings, which will be held 17 – 28 September for the 38th time.
Visitors to the region can choose between numerous hotels and other types of accommodation, while the excellent homemade food and local wines will only add to the delight.

Varaždin County Tourist Board
www.turizam-vzz.hr

UNESCO: Stari Grad Plain on the World Heritage List

As of early July of this year, Croatia has yet another site on the World Heritage List. The decision was made at the 32nd session of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee in Quebec (Canada) based on the candidacy coordinated and managed by experts from the Croatian Ministry of Culture.
Star Grad Plain on the island of Hvar is the largest and most fertile plain on all of Adriatic islands and the best preserved ancient cadastre in the Mediterranean and Eurpe. In the 4th century B.C., the plain was linearly divided into 75 parcels in the shape of an elongated 900 X 180 meter rectangle.
It is also important to say that the local community has recognized the value of the project and established a special institution to ensure future development of Stari Grad Plain. Stari Grad Plain on Hvar is the seventh site Croatia has added to the World Heritage List, in addition to five cultural ones – Diocletian Palace, Dubrovnik Old Town, Euphrasius Basilica in Poreč, the historical core of Trogir, and St. Jacob’s Cathedral in Šibenik – and a natural site – Plitvice Lakes National Park.

Croatian National Tourist Board
www.croatia.hr

ACI: A quarter of a century of successful business

In early July, nautical company Adriatic Croatia International Club marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of its establishment – the company currently comprises 21 marinas from the northernmost one in Umag to the one in Dubrovnik, in the southernmost part of Croatia.
There have been ups and downs in the company’s 25-year history, but the firm has consolidated and the revenues have grown over the past three years under the leadership of the new management.
In 2006, 28 million HRK was invested in the ACI system, including the investments in reconstruction and improvement of ACI marinas in Rovinj, Cres, Šimuni, Korčula and Dubrovnik. In 2007, the company invested a total of 42 million HRK in ACI marinas in Rab, Skrad, Palmižana and Jezera.
Investments continue this year, primarily focusing on replacement of pontoons, reconstruction of bathroom facilities, preparation of project documentation for reconstruction of reception buildings, and extension of breakwaters in several ACI marinas. ACI also invests in reconstruction of apartments in Cres and Korčula marinas, and is preparing reconstruction of Sorkočević Castle in ACI Marina Dubrovnik.
Further plans provide for expansion of capacities in the existing ACI marinas where permitted by physical plans. The plans for the ACI marina in Opatija provide for extension of the marina to accommodate an additional 80 large boats between 30 and 60 meters in length.
The ultimate objective of all planned investments is to raise service quality to a high level and offer additional services to navigators, as well to focus on the growing mega-yacht market – Croatian Adriatic has become a true hit among the owners of such vessels.
All ACI marinas will be provided with boat washing facilities, extremely important to prevent sea pollution by special wastewater separators.
In addition to its regular marina operations, ACI has become established as a superb organizer of world’s biggest sailing competitions. The most popular among them is surely the ACI Match Race Cup, which has brought together world’s best skippers and their crews for 22 years.
One of the new activities that will certainly be interesting to yachtsmen is the establishment of the nautical & tourist center in Aci Marina Cres. As it happens, ACI owns a fleet of 12 Jeanneau One Design vessels, sailboats that have been used in competition by world’s top match racers, including Russell Coutts, Dean Barker and Chris Dickson. The sailboats are completely converted and, in addition to further match race regattas, will be used for teaching fleet and match race sailing in the sea around the island of Cres. A complete center that is being formed will provide various activities relating to the island, in addition to sailing – learning about the island, visits to the Griffon Vulture Center, learning about the islands of Zeča, Silba and Olib, visits to landmarks on the island of Cres, parties in the world-famous Lubenice, etc. The center is conceived in the way that yachting crews from European countries will also be able to practice in any season. They will also build a botanical garden within the center so that the users could enjoy and learn about the Adriatic flora.

Adriatic Croatia International Club
www.aci-club.hr

Golden Pen 2008: Meet the Grand Prix winners!

The Croatian National Tourist Board has traditionally presented awards to foreign journalists for the most professional and highest-quality stories about Croatia in printed and electronic media. Two out of 35 international journalists deserved the Grand Prix according to CNTB’s jury: Tony Kelly of UK for written media and Jaroslav Skalický of Czech Republic for electronic media.
Let’s meet them. Mr. Tony Kelly of UK, a travel journalism veteran and a great friend and connoisseur of Croatian tourism, wrote a story entitled “Croatia, Behind the Façade” about its people, customs and offer for all tastes and ages, and published it in the exclusive eco-tourism magazine Wanderlust. He has won numerous journalist awards
Mr. Jaroslav Skalický of Czech Republic, a journalist with Czech Radio, created a 13-episode series entitled “Observations from Other Places – Croatia in the Eyes of Jaroslav Skalický” within a joint project of Czech Television/Studio Ostrava and Czech Radio. In 13 5-minute episodes, Mr. Skalický presented the Croatian everyday life, hospitality and natural beauties of Kvarner, Istria, Dalmatia and Zagreb with plenty of professional knowledge and sensibility. This series is a great contribution to bringing the Croatian everyday life, culture and tourist landmarks closer to Czech viewers, for which we present the Grand Prix to Mr. Skalický.

Croatian National Tourist Board
www.croatia.hr

Investments

Mali Lošinj: Hotel Aurora renovated

Hotel Aurora, operating within Jadranka Hoteli, a member of Jadranka concern of Mali Lošinj, was provided with four stars and new facilities following its reconstruction. The hotel has almost 400 accommodation units, including those adapted to the disabled.
In addition to thorough renovations of all areas within the reconstruction process, the hotel was also provided with a wellness center on two levels and a multipurpose congress hall seating 400 people, as well as a conference hall.
The reconstruction of Hotel Aurora is the first stage of the comprehensive project for reconstruction of accommodation facilities within Jadranka Hoteli. Reconstruction of Hotel Vespera will begin in October of this year and reconstruction of Hotel Punta will begin in the autumn of 2009, which will be followed by demolition of the present Hotel Helios and construction of a new one under the same name. The plan also provides for reconstruction of Hotel Alhambra. The entire project should be completed by 2012, and the total value of the investment, including substantial investment in HR training and scholarships, will amount to 80 million euros, 24.4 million euros of which will be invested by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Mali Lošinj Tourist Board
www.tz-malilosinj.hr

Jadranka d.d.
www.jadranka.hr

Zadar: Hotel Bastion opens

Hotel Bastion, a new facility in the very center of the Dalmatian city of Zadar, has recently been opened. The hotel has 28 accommodation units, a modernly equipped conference hall, a wellness center and a restaurant. Classified to the four star standard, the hotel was named after a 13th century bastion that formerly occupied the location, the remains of which are incorporated in the hotel.
Hotel Bastion is the second hotel in the very center of the city, supplementing the offer of Hotel Kolovare, which is occupied year-round thanks to its location near historical landmarks and quality. Hotel Kolovare is a modern and originally designed building adapted to the Mediterranean, having a capacity of 420 beds. The hotel also has a congress hall and other amenities.
More new hotels will be opened in the city center thanks to the increasing tourist popularity of Zadar.
Zadar Tourist Board
www.tzzadar.hr

Hotel Bastion
www.hotel-bastion.hr

Samobor: Construction of four-star and five-star hotels

In July, construction of a hotel complex began at the Šmidhen Spa in Samobor, a small tourist town near Zagreb. Two hotels will be built, classified as four and five stars, respectively, which will be part of the future amusement & water park covering an area of 22 thousand square meters.
The design of the hotels will depict two symbols of the region – crystal, which will be a basis for the design of the five-star hotel in line with the glass manufacture tradition in Samobor, and water, as the spa was built on rich sources back in the 19th century. Glazed in the shades of grey, white and blue, the hotel will have 71 rooms, it will be connected to the old Kalimero swimming pool, and will have a distinctive appearance with a concrete dome, while the other hotel will have 166 rooms and a green and blue façade melting into the environment. An aromatic herb garden will be provided on the roof, and it will also have a fountain with cascades and water pouring over them with an appropriate sound, light and scent background.
The construction should be completed in a year and a half when Samobor will restore the old glow of the Šmidhen Spa, and the citizens of Zagreb and their guests will have an additional motive to visit this popular excursion spot.

Samobor Tourist Board
www.tz-samobor.hr


Split: A hotel with a view of Diocletian Palace

The new four-star Hotel Marmont has recently been opened in the historical core of the city of Split, in Diocletian Palace. This is a luxury hotel having a total area of 750 square meters. The value of the overall investment is around 10 million euros.
The hotel has 21 rooms arranged on three floors and a luxury 150-square-meter suite in the attic.
The investor is SEM 1986. The hotel is located in a reconstructed building of a former shopping mall. A story was added during the reconstruction and a 15th century defensive wall was reconstructed as instructed by conservators, and has thus become an integral part of the interior.
In addition to Hotel Peristil and Hotel Vestibul, Marmont is the third hotel in the strictest center of Split, in the historical Diocletian Palace.

Split Tourist Board
www.visitsplit.com

Hotem Marmont
www.marmonthotel.com

Us in the world

New York Times: Recommendation: Visit Zadar!

The summer edition of New York Times recommended its readers to visit the north Dalmatian city of Zadar, justifying this by numerous benefits: millennia-old cultural heritage, close proximity of numerous islands and five national parks, and accessibility by plane.
Saving no compliments for this three-millennia-old city of cultural heritage, New York Times highlighted the rich heritage from the Roman era when the city was provided with the present urban structure, enriched with medieval buildings. Beside suggesting the readers to visit the nearby national parks and dozens of nearby islands ideal for exploring, the author of the story published in the Travel section recommended they stay in Zadar for a few days to learn about its architectural treasure. The fact that the city is not just about historical attractions is documented in the article by mentioning some of the new projects – the Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun installation that have attracted numerous tourists. The author recommended hotels, catering facilities and clubs worth visiting.
An additional reason for US tourist to come stated by the writer is the favorable exchange rate for dollar and accessibility by plane, including low cost carriers.

Croatian National Tourist Board
www.croatia.hr

Hvar: Spa Hotel Adriana in world’s elite

The Spa Center within Hotel Adriana in Hvar, operating within Sunčani Hvar, has become a member of the prestigious group called Leading Spas of The World. The spa in Hvar is the first one in Croatia to join the group.
The US company Spa Concepts International participated in the design of this center occupying an area of over 1400 square meters, and the overall investment was worth over three million dollars.
The interior design of the spa center was inspired by Croatian landscapes, and the indoor and outdoor facilities are arranged across four floors.
Hotel Adriana, containing the spa center, is situated on the waterfront in the very center of the town of Hvar, so the pleasant stay will be supplemented by a view of town landmarks and the sea.

Sunčani Hvar
www.suncanihvar.com

Events

Dubrovnik: Wait for New Year 2009 in one of the most beautiful cities in the world

If you are one of those people who start to plan their Christmas and New Year destination immediately after your summer holiday, make sure you include Dubrovnik in your itinerary.
This city, one of the most beautiful in the world according to many surveys and a destination for many global jetsetters, once again arranges an attractive program this year, which traditionally attracts numerous guests from across the world. The holiday program will begin as early as 7 December by the Christmas Fair that will go on until 24 December, offering traditional products and souvenirs. The central Advent event will be the gala Christmas concert given by the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra in Revelin Fort, scheduled for 19 December.
On Christmas Eve, 24 December, Dubrovnik harmony singers and Linđo folklore troupe will sing traditional Duborvnik songs called kolende. The Dubrovnik Jazz Workshop will be held 27 to 30 December for the second time, featuring renowned international jazz stars.
The wildest party will, of course, be held on the last day of 2008 while waiting for the New Year 2009, when the traditionally excellent atmosphere on Stradun, Dubrovnik’s central square, will be additionally spiced by the famous Croatian dance band Colonia, the Jinx band, and Dubrovnik Christmas Gala Jazz Band. The first day of New Year is traditionally reserved for Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra.
In addition to all this, there are also numerous programs arranged by luxury hotels and tourist resort in Dubrovnik, so the New Year party in this city will surely be a memorable event for all its guests like every year before – an announcement of a happy and successful 2009.

Dubrovnik Tourist Board
www.tzdubrovnik.hr

Dubrovnik: Great Picasso’s exhibition

Until 28 September, Art Gallery Dubrovnik will have an exhibition of graphics produced by one of the greatest painters of the 20th century – Pablo Picasso. The exhibition includes a total of 135 graphics from three Picasso’s graphic series – Suite Wollard, La Tauromaquia and Suite 156. All graphics are owned by the Kunstmuseum Mülheim am der Ruhr not far from Düsseldorf, representing its greatest graphic treasure.
Art critics consider the Suite Wollard series to be one of the most significant graphic series of the 20th century, which Picasso painted between 1930 and 1937. It comprises a hundred graphic sheets, 89 of which are displayed in Dubrovnik and owned by the German museum. Scenes of life, death and love, with which the painter was preoccupied, prevail in the graphics.
The German museum is also in possession of the La Tauromaquia series from 1957 comprising 26 graphics presenting bull fights, while the twenty pieces on display from the Suite 156 collection are owned by an anonymous collector from Switzerland. All tourists and modern art fans who decide to spend their holiday in September in Dubrovnik will have the opportunity to see exceptionally valuable graphic collections produced by one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. Of course, Dubrovnik has prepared a rich cultural & music program for its guests, featuring many renowned musicians from Croatia and abroad, as well as various other events taking place within the walls of the most beautiful city in the world throughout the year.

Dubrovnik Tourist Board
www.tzdubrovnik.hr

Split: Apoxiomen in the ancient city

After a voyage through many cities in Croatia, the famous statue of Apoxiomen will be on display in the Ethnographic Museum in Split until the end of September. The magnificent ancient statue of a young athlete dating back to the 2nd century B.C. has not ceased to attract the attention of domestic and international public ever since its discovery. In 1996, a Belgian tourist spotted the statue underwater next to the islet of Vela Orjula not far from Mali Lošinj, after which it was extracted from the sea and restored by experts from the Croatian Conservation Institute with support of experts from Florence. The statute has so far been exhibited in Zagreb, Osijek and Rijeka, and it has also taken a trip to Florence where around eighty thousand visitors saw it.
The statue is considered to be a true masterpiece of ancient art, it is fully preserved, and was most probably made by Lysippus, a famous ancient sculptor. It is one of the few large preserved Greek bronze statues in the world – a similar one was found in Ephesus in the 19th century and is currently in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, while a head without the body is kept in Texas. There are several more replicas of Apoxiomen in the world, but they are made of different materials.
After it completes its voyage across Croatia, the unique statue of Apoxiomen will be permanently exhibited in Mali Lošinj, in the area where it was found.

Split Tourist Board
www.visitsplit.com

Varaždin Baroque Evenings: Israel – this year’s music partner

The 38th Varaždin Baroque Evenings to be held 19-28 September will once again have an extensive and interesting musical program. This year, Israel will be the partner country, so the baroque music composed by Croatian authors will be performed by Barrocade Israeli Baroque Collective, which will perform the same repertoire in Jerusalem.
In addition to the concerts in Varaždin and the surrounding area, the Varaždin baroque festival will include concerts in castles and churches in other towns and cities in Croatia such as Ludbreg, Lepoglava, Krapina, Sisak, Čakovec, Koprivnica, Varaždinske Toplice, Osijek, Vukovar, etc. Concerts will also continue in six European countries – Slovenia, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Switzerland and Hungary, and will be given in Jerusalem for the first time. A detailed schedule is available on the Varaždin Baroque Evenings website, which also provides the possibility of ticket reservation.
On 29 September, upon completion of the festival events, a formal concert will be held, marking the 180th anniversary of musical education in Varaždin and the 95th birth anniversary of Marijan Zuber, the founder of Varaždin Baroque Evenings.

Varaždin Baroque Evenings
www.vbv.hr