:: Croatia Blog ::

The Croatian tunnel Brinje, located in the A1 Zagreb – Split motorway is the best tunnel in Europe in 2007! This top recognition for the 1540-metre-long twin tunnels was won in a field of 51 other tunnels covered by the EuroTAP project testing which this year pooled 12 national automobile clubs from 11 European countries. The recognition of the Croatian tunnel, opened in 2004, is all the greater because Croatia is the only non-EU member encompassed by the testing.

A total of 51 tunnels were tested across Europe. 18 tunnels received a mark of very good, 11 good and 12 satisfactory, while 10 tunnels did not earn a passing grade.

The Brinje tunnel was opened in 2004, the total value of the investment being 36 million euros. It is equipped with the latest system for the 24-hour control and regulation of traffic, video cameras, a system that automatically detects a stoppage in traffic and the use of lighted road signs to inform drivers. It also has a developed communication system in the event of an accident, an automatic fire detector and fire alarms along the length of the entire tunnel and a number of other solutions and advantages that increase passenger safety and driving pleasure. Croatia has a total of 42 kilometres of tunnels on its motorways of which 11 are over a kilometre in length.

The closest “competitor” to the Brinje tunnel in this test was the German tunnel of Spreebogen opened last year in the Berlin Mitte district.

EuroTAP (European Tunnel Assessment Programme) is one of a total of eight tunnel safety research projects, worth 4.2 million euros and supported by the European Commission with 1.5 million €.

Source: ?Croatia Tourist Board?

A new tourism project was recently launched in Istra called Parenzana – Route of Health and Friendship in the frame of which is the Parenzana Code Kit guidebook, which offers an intriguing game for all tourists with wanderlust, a desire to explore and for adventure.

For a start a quick reminder of what the Parenzana is – an old railway track from the early 20th century that linked Trieste, Kopar and Porec, passing through much of the Istrian interior. The railway has now been completely overgrown, but the route passing through luxuriant wilderness, right next to many Istrian towns and old fortifications will take tourists on an adventurous trip to unusual places that offer a primeval experience of places and people, incomparable to the traditional form of tourist sightseeing of the usual destinations.

The Parenzana Code Kit is an exploratory and enigmatic guide book through which, step by step, parts of the fascinating mosaic of the past and present of Istra and the highlights of the Parenzana are revealed. Concretely, it is a volume of maps with directions on how to orient oneself along the Parenzana and information necessary to break the code. The maps are numbered and the basic assignment is to discover the proper order they are to be read in order to solve the Parenzana Code.

The code covers the area from Buje to Vižinada, and tourists can head out on foot, by bicycle or car to solve the enigmatic code, all with the help of the maps, and depending on the mode of transport one can solve the riddle in a day or more.

Adventure tourists will certainly find this very interesting, and along the 123 kilometre route they can get to know some of the most attractive places in Istra: Buje, Motovun, Grožnjan, Oprtalj, Završje and Kostanjice. The project will be further developed and the opening of a small Parenzana Museum in Livade is in the works, as are ethnological workshops and cycling races. A DVD is being produced with 3D effects of the train passing, cycling maps as is other promotional material and the installation of information and road signs.

Source: ?Croatia Tourist Board?

On a large plateau in the craggy Obrovac region a real small Indian village recently appeared, and not just any village…

42 years ago, namely, a film was shot here about one the best known of the Indian chieftains - Winnetou. That was the motivation to set up this, the latest tourist attraction here, given that for years now fans of Winnetou have come to Obrovac and the nearby sites where the movie was shot. They initiated the development of this Indian village that consists of typical Indian tepees and other elements such as totem poles, campfires and even horses that have been brought to the village for the occasion.

For next year there are plans to widen the village whose offer will certainly be enriched by an indigenous culinary offer and programs for organised tourist visits. With the new Indian village near Obrovac, Zadar County has gotten yet another appealing tourist attraction.

Source: ?Croatia Tourist Board?

Just under the heights of Papuk in Požega-Slavonia County, in the heart of the Vale of Kutjevo, is the village Vetovo and near it a farmstead that has been drawing tourists for almost two decades now. A large number of visitors have come to the Schon Blick estate over these many years, many of which return on a regular basis because the homey atmosphere, the gentle landscape and the hospitable hosts are an excellent formula for a relaxing vacation.

Once there was only a single pond on the grounds, and the estate now boasts a large log house with a rich culinary offer of local meat and fish specialities, in front of which ponies move about freely.

Accommodations are offered in bungalows; five of them, and the estate is now surrounded by three ponds, giving it the appearance of an island in the midst of waters.

There is also no lack of facilities for fun – two tennis courts with night time lighting, a beach volleyball court, a children‘s playground and, what the kids love most – a small zoo where peacocks, rabbits, chickens and other small wild animals are free to roam, and deer often happen by.

Another reason to go is that fact that the estate is located close to the vineyards of Ivan Enjingi, Vlado Krauthker, Petar Majetic, the Kutjevo estates and other lauded Croatian vintners.

Source: ?Croatia Tourist Board?

In the search for interesting indigenous souvenirs from Medimurje County our trail has lead to a family farmstead in Kotoriba where they make a very practical and attractive edible souvenir.

The souvenir, namely, is the very healthy oil extracted from the seeds of the pumpkin. The bottles are decorated with motifs of the Medimurje region.

Pumpkin oil made from naturally cultivated pumpkins are rich in substances that reduce cholesterol in the bloodstream, while the braver have dubbed it an aphrodisiac.

Pumpkin oil contains unsaturated fatty acids, a great quantity of beta-carotene, vitamin E and potassium. The lecithin in this oil helps prevent atherosclerosis (gathering harmful plaques on the walls of blood vessels which lead to heart disease), and contributes to reducing the level of cholesterol in the blood.

100 grams of pumpkin oil has 900 calories. If you are calorie wary, remember that only a small spoon of this oil is enough to impart its wonderful flavour to salads. And just like with olive oil, the best quality is extracted when using the cold pressing method of production.

Source: ?Croatia Tourist Board?

Along with numerous tourist attractions, natural phenomenon, cultural, historical and other attractive points of interest, Istra in its tourism offer also has at first glance simple, but very attractive excursion tours. One of these is certainly the tour of the macadam roads, popularly known as „white“ roads, which crisscross its interior, and lead for the most part to sparsely populated areas where the natural surroundings have remained perfectly preserved.

The tours of the interior are interesting because they offer the possibility of relaxed walks through an attractive landscape. One such tour passes through the settlements of Zudigi and Fineli, situated on the way from Pazin to Karojba. Just a few kilometres off the paved road the view shoots out across an attractive hill country, just made for romantic strolls and a worry-free vacation.

Especially interesting in the area is an excursion grounds with a fireplace that is situated in the direct vicinity of a small lake and the Cize creek. Only a few families live in this wide expanse and they are true examples of what are known as mini villages where an exceptional natural harmony, silence and serenity surrounded by greenery rule.

Source: ?Croatia Tourist Board?

The newly renovated Hotel Frankopan recently opened its doors in Ogulin, a town of fairy tales and mystery. This small four-star hotel situated in the very town centre is housed in a building that was built in the 18th century for the local administration. It was expanded in the 19th century, and converted at the end of that century as a hotel and hospitality area and has now been renovated once again, respecting all conservationist regulations.

In the direct vicinity of the hotel is the 16th century Castle Frankopan and so it has itself been declared a cultural monument and judged to be a building of exceptionally urban architecture and historical significance. It is surrounded by a stunning landscape and a view shoots out from it over the picturesque valley of the Dobra River and the mystical Mount Klek, the inspiration of many fairy tales and stories.

Ogulin is the right spot for people looking for a quiet vacation.

Pleasant strolls in the town where Croatian writer Ivana Brlic Mažuranic – the Croatian Andersen – was born on April 18th of 1874, leave a deep impression on visitors any time of the year, but especially during the Ogulin festival of fairy tales, traditionally held for two days in June. Old legends and tales of the mystical land under Mount Klek come to life then.

During your stay in Hotel Frankopan an active outdoor holiday can be organised, with extreme sports, exploration of the natural beauty and whatever else you desire.

There is also an offer of mountain biking on mapped cycling trails, horseback riding, diving, hiking, speleological excursions and mountain climbing. A trip to nearby Lake Sabljaci, to the valley of the Dobra river or to the 20 kilometre distant Bjelolasica with its ski trails, is something that will certainly provide for collecting some strength from nature – earth, mountains, fresh air, healthy food and hospitable people.

Source: ?Croatia Tourist Board?

With the send-off of a caravan procession from Opatija that passed the old roads leading to the interior came the close of this year‘s Summer on the Lujzijana and Karolina Roads culture and tourism event. In the past these roads were used to transport passengers from the Kvarner coast to Karlovac and Zagreb by carriage, passing through the Gorski kotar area, under the peaks of Risnjak and Bjelolasica, and along the stunning Kupa and Dobra rivers.

Developing this thematic route for tourism today vividly illustrates the significance of these roads in the development of Primorje (the littoral region), Gorski kotar (the highlands) and Pokuplje (the Kupa River basin). These traffic routes were once also used as key caravan routes used in the transport of spice and other vital goods, marking various cultural periods – from the period of the Dukes Frankopan and Zrinski, Emperor Carlo VI, Empress Maria Theresa and Joseph II during whose rule the Karolina was constructed, right up to Austrian Emperor Francis I, the Napoleonic wars and more.

The Delnice-based Lujzijana Association is the organiser of the entire project, which launched the project in 2006, and whose realisation will run through to 2013. Also in the works is their linking with other Croatian and international thematic routes, where the „Lujzijana and Karolina in the Network of European and Tourism Routes“ will be a Southeastern Europe pilot project.

There are a total of 20 towns on the thematic route, linked by fast modern highways, starting with Opatija in the Kvarner area, where the info point is located, to Zagreb in the country‘s interior. Each of the towns on the route feature a wealth of history, offering travellers a number of local points of interest and an offer of various attractive tourism and hospitality facilities.

Source: ?Croatia Tourist Board?

At the very border with Bosnia & Herzegovina, on the banks of the Una River, is Hrvatska Kostajnica – a small town that derives its name from the surrounding forests, rich in chestnuts. It is precisely the chestnuts that play the lead role in the traditional October event in Kostajnica – the Chestnut Fair at which the many lovers of nature, strolls, chestnuts and the traditional culinary specialities of the region gather.

The Chestnut Fair of Kostajnica has been held for seven years in the first weekend in October. As a part of the Kestenijada – the chestnut harvest on the surrounding hills and forests, the local populace from year to year does its best to entertain tourists who traditionally come to the chestnut harvest.

And so, besides the relaxing and entertaining harvest, a lavish culinary offer is also organised during the Chestnut Fair – all of the specialities are, naturally, made of chestnuts – visitors can sample cooked and baked chestnuts and many chestnut sweetmeats. Visitors can also participate in the harvest and in the traditional bicycle tour and other kinds of fun.

Hrvatska Kostajnica is a small town nestled on the left bank of the Una River. Historical documents dating from the year 1240 attest to its 762 years. The Croatian noble family of Zrinski left their mark in this town‘s history – they fought the Turks for Kostajnica, from which time the large fortress on the Una River dates.

Source: ?Croatia Tourist Board?

Like many European cities, Dubrovnik this year has gained two open-air buses intended for tourist sightseeing of the city, and one of the main tasks of the bus is not only driving of tourists but awakening memories of the Dubrovnik tram which once long ago used to travel along the city streets.

The appearance, colours and recognisable bell of the bus already now irresistibly remind one of the tram which travelled along the Dubrovnik streets from 1910 to 1970.

After a few days driving in regular city transport, the open-air bus has completely reverted to driving along the outlined tourist route. Tourists will therefore be able to traverse the areas of the city from Pila to Babin Kuk by bus, and the bus also drives to two belvederes – the bridge of Dr. Franjo Tudman and one with a view of the city centre.

Modern technology has made it possible for a system of expert audio guide to be built into the open-air bus with whose help tourists during the tour which lasts about an hour and a half will be able to hear the “story about Dubrovnik” in ten world languages.

Source: ?Croatia Tourist Board?