Travel News for Your next Holiday & Vacation in Croatia | Croatia Blog » Excitement http://www.croatia-blog.net/en Croatia Travel Blog provides everything you need to plan your holiday in Croatia including maps, list of beaches, accommodation, culture, transport and weather in Croatia. Learn about popular places to visit in Croatia. Fri, 13 Jan 2012 08:06:35 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Vinkovci – A place of culture, language and tradition http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/vinkovci-a-place-of-culture-language-and-tradition/ http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/vinkovci-a-place-of-culture-language-and-tradition/#comments Mon, 13 Sep 2010 10:15:53 +0000 Filip http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/?p=342

The people of Vinkovci often say : «Who experiences the atmosphere of Vinkovci in the autumn is sure to come back again!» And really, it is hard to describe all the events which take place in those ten autumn days that the people of Vinkovci, as tireless hosts, organize for their guests that come from all over the world. The whole town, along with its visitors is carried and lives in song and dance. The autumn days in Vinkovci represent folklore that does not only cherish the Slavonian traditions but also the traditions from all parts of Croatia, as to, in this way mark the coming of autumn, a season when nature awards the all year hard, unselfish work of peasants.

When Slavonia started adapting the busy rythm of modern life and when there was a danger felt of losing the special ways of Slavonians, there appeared a need of preseravtion of traditional culture of that area. It was brought to life by an original, folklore festival, first of Slavonija and Baranja, after which this manifestation went over the regional borders and began connecting everyone who loves and respects traditional culture, language and customs. Vinkovci, the heart of Šokadija, became a gathering place of original, national culture and way of life, with this unique festival, which year after year becomes enriched with new manifestations; science, tourism, economy, sports and fun . And it has been like this for 40 years. This year Vinkovci will accommodate lovers of folklore culture from the 10th to the 19th September.
Source: Croatia.hr

]]> http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/vinkovci-a-place-of-culture-language-and-tradition/feed/ 0 Sisak – Celtic night http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/sisak-%e2%80%93-celtic-night/ http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/sisak-%e2%80%93-celtic-night/#comments Mon, 13 Sep 2010 10:09:28 +0000 Filip http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/sisak-%e2%80%93-celtic-night/

In Sisak, every year in the first days of September at the time of the new moon on the promenade of the River Kupa the tourist-historical spectacle Celtic night is held. It is one of the most important and most impressive tourist manifestations in the Sisak-Moslavina county. On the rafts, Sisak legends are played out, and druids and priestesses hand out a magical potion to the audience. With the light of torches and spotlights images from mysterious Sisak legends come out from the night. On the 4th September visitors will see fairies and warriors dancing to the rythm of drums, Celts sailing their rafts on Kupa, tasting the magical druid potion and participating in the mystical rites of conjuring ancient warriors, beauties, bishops and their persecutors, warrior conquerors and defenders of life and freedom. On the rafts in front of visitors, scenes from the lives of Celts and Romans will be played out. This is a night where these rafts, moved only by the river, will show scenes from the history of Sisak and tell a three thousand year old story of wars, rebellion, magnificent moments from the past, successes and battles won and the rises and falls of mighty empires. The people of Sisak, in this one hour show, remember how their city used to look like once. Celtic night was last year proclaimed the best tourist manifestation in continental Croatia.

The Celts came to the Sisak area in the 4th century B.C. and conquered the old Ilyrian tribes with whom they etnically and culturally mixed and later formed the settlement Segestica. Ilyrian – Celtic tribes managed to resist the pressures of the Romans up until 35. B.C., when Octavian conquered and tore apart Segestica with 12.000 soldiers, after a thirty day siege. From the initial military camp, the Roman Siscia soon rose and got the status of a city with extremely strong military, transport and administration functions, developed trading and crafts and a famous mint that was used throughout the Roman empire.

The town Sisak is located in the southeast of Zagreb on the mouths of the Rivers Odra into Kupa and Kupa into Sava. Its geographical location and natural advantages influenced the development of the city, which beside the rich cultural-history offers its visitors many other interesting landmarks in its surroundings.

Downstream from Sisak, along the left bank of Sava, stretches the nature park Lonjsko polje. In most part it is a flood area of the River Sava, with an extremely preserved plant and animal world and picturesque villages located along the river. Lonjsko polje is well known for its indigenous breed of horses and pigs and also one of the biggest hatcheries of fish.

The unique architecture of the wooden houses with many stork nests on them represent an extra attraction, while the village Čigoč has been named the European village of Storks.

Here also is the archeological park Siscia. Protective archeological research resulted in the discovery of the urban complex of the Roman Siscija where visitors can see the city walls with the inner tower, a defensive moat and a part of the late Roman monumental building.

Sisak experienced its glory days in the times of battles with the Turks and the highlight was a magnificent victory of the Christian army over the Turks in 1593. The news of the first big Turkish defeat after hundreds of years of military dominance, spread fast and Sisak became the centre of attention for a short period of time, throught the whole of Europe.
Source: Croatia.hr

]]> http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/sisak-%e2%80%93-celtic-night/feed/ 0 Croatia – Destination of the famous http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/croatia-%e2%80%93-destination-of-the-famous/ http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/croatia-%e2%80%93-destination-of-the-famous/#comments Mon, 13 Sep 2010 10:01:37 +0000 Filip http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/?p=328

American TV network CNN was right to announce at the beginning of the year that Croatia would this summer be one of the most desirable destinations for famoust stars of the world. In support of this announcement are definitely the photographs of Hollywood actress Eva Longoria dancing and one of the best tennis players of all time, John McEnroe at Stradun in Dubrovnik. The Croatian coast and islands are visited each year by more and more famous guests.

Some of them did not hide their enthusiasm about Croatia, like Bill Gates, one of the richest people in the world who recommended Croatia as one of the ideal places for a holiday in Forbes magazine. The founder of Microsoft and his family visited Skradin, a town in central Dalmatia and the National Park Krka.

Eva Longoria and her husband, the famous NBA player Tony Parker and friends, amongst which were actors Amaury Nolasco and Jennifer Morrison, cruised the coast and visited Mali Lošinj, Zadar, Kornati, Šibenik, Skradin, Trogir, Split and Hvar, where they, judging by the photos published by the world's media, had an amazing time. They also ended up in a club in Vodice called Hacienda, where they held the «DJ Cut Killer and Tony Parker Show». They also visited Dubrovnik, which is the place visited by most celebrities. Amongst them was also the famous American actor Morgan Freeman, the guest of honor at the Dubrovnik Film Meeting Festival, which has been organized in the past few years in collaboration with the Sarajevo Film Festival. In the past few years Gillian Anderson, Mickey Rourke, Steve Buscemi and Kevin Spacey were also among those who visited.

Even at the beginning of the season, walking the streets of Dubrovnik were the world's most famous flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucia, the tv crime show star Dennis Franz and former German chancelor Gerharda Schroedera.

The first days of summer were spent in Croatia by the Hollywood couple Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, who arrived in Dubrovnik from Rome.

This year's Libertas film festival was marked by the new acting star Gabourey Sidibe, who was nominated for an Oscar for her first role in the movie Precious. At the opening of the festival there were many more famous faces to be seen, like the Czeck film director and Oscar winner Jiřij Menzel and one of the most productive film makers of Hollywood, Dantea Spinottija.

Dubrovnik was also host to a charity tennis match between Wimbledon winner Goran Ivanišević and one of the best tennis players of all time Johna McEnroea, who was accompanied by his wife Patty Smyth and their children.

The second ranked tennis player, Novak Đoković was having a good time in Split, and also spending his summer in Croatia after seven years, was the French handball representatives, who has Croatian roots, Nikola Karabatić. He visited his relatives in Poljice, close to Trogir, visited Dubrovnik and went to a concert in Primošten.

Some of the musical greats didn't only come to Croatia for a holiday but also for performaces, either individual of as part of the many summer festivals.

Concerts in Zadar were held by Seal and the soul-jazz diva Natalie Cole.

Because of the Garden festival, one of the best European summer events, a samll fishing village Petrčane next to Zadar was visited by many stars of electronic music such as Hercules & Love Affairs, 2020 Soundsystem, Crazy P, Dave Bee-ar, Tristan Da Cunha, Horse Meat Disco, DJ Stu Patterson, Greg Wilson, Norman Jay i Henrik Schwarz.

The Garden festival is highly ranked in the second position of the best summer festivals according to a leading European on-line magazine for electronic music Resident Advisor, while the British The Times last year included it amongst the twenty best European summer festivals, not just because of the choice of musicians but also because of the special location on the penninsula Pinija in Petrčani and the pine woods close to the sea.

Beautiful Croatian beaches, many hidden coves and excellent cuisine have already been discovered by stars such Steven Spielberga, Andre Agassi, Gwyneth Paltrow, Robert De Niro, Clint Eastwood, Sharon Stone, Tom Cruise, Bono Vox, Beyonce and Jay Z and many others. Apartments Dalmatia
Source: Croatia.hr

]]> http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/croatia-%e2%80%93-destination-of-the-famous/feed/ 0 Conference Visitors Arriving http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/conference-visitors-arriving/ http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/conference-visitors-arriving/#comments Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:23:42 +0000 Administrator http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/conference-visitors-arriving/

Though it opened its doors at the beginning of June, hotel Valamar Lacroma Resort, a true conference centre judging by its facilities and offering, is already solidly booked for the autumn conference season. It already was host to the Libertas Film Festival, and by the end of the year, this hotel located on the Dubrovnik peninsula of Lapad will be host to a series of events, including the 39th annual congress of the European Association for Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy and the general assembly of the European Association of Tourism and Hotel-Management Schools, each gathering around a 1,000 participants. Also taking place in the hotel is The European Conference of the International Society of Transport Aircraft trading (ISTAT), and the MICE Europe congress, gathering participants interested in making business in the MICE industry (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Exhibitions). The four-star Valamar Lacroma Resort is the biggest conference and spa hotel in Dubrovnik. It features 400 rooms and suites, the wellness centre Ragusa Spa, spread over almost 400 square meters, and a rich hospitality offering. The biggest conference hall is "Elafiti", with the accommodation capacity of 1,110 people. There is also a separate business centre, with seven more halls and offices for rent. The first summer season of the hotel is dynamic. Apart from hosting the Libertas Film Festival, it has been host to the many visitors that have chosen to stay in it while vacationing in Dubrovnik. Recommendations for hotels Dubrovnik.
Source: Croatia.hr

]]> http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/conference-visitors-arriving/feed/ 0 To the rhythm of dance http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/to-the-rhythm-of-dance/ http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/to-the-rhythm-of-dance/#comments Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:43:24 +0000 Filip http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/?p=273

From June 23rd to June 28th, the prominent tourist destination Rovinj will be the ideal place for all dance enthusiasts, especially fans of salsa, where they can combine two pleasures – salsa and a stay in this picturesque Istrian town. Salsa, the globally popular Latino music, has captured Croatia as well, where many dance to it in numerous dance-clubs. This is precisely why in 2005 the International Summer Salsa Festival was established. This year, at the end of June, salsa will again take over Rovinj squares and hotels. For six days and six nights, visitors will be able to take part in a unique multicultural dance event, intended for all those who enjoy dancing and want to be entertained. Rovinj will host some of the world’s most prestigious dance-instructors, artists and choreographers, and all true dance and salsa enthusiasts. A great time and playful salsa rhythms are waiting for everyone who wants to join them, both as dancers and spectators.

Source: press.croatia.hr

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]]> http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/to-the-rhythm-of-dance/feed/ 0 Sport and tourism hand in hand http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/sport-and-tourism-hand-in-hand/ http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/sport-and-tourism-hand-in-hand/#comments Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:11:15 +0000 Filip http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/?p=220

16 January to 1 February, Croatia will host the 21st Men’s World Handball Championship Croatia 2009 to be held in several cities: Zagreb, Zadar, Split, Osijek, Varaždin, Porec and Pula. Sport halls, most of them multipurpose, are built for the occasion and will be opened during December, ready to receive the best handball players from the entire world.

As major sporting events like this always have a tourist angle, it is quite clear Croatia will present itself as an excellent host in this segment as well. The event was preceded by the Croatian Handball & Tourism Days in November, during which the Croatian tourist offer was presented in 13 countries participating in the championship, namely in the cities such as Budapest, Oslo, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Bucharest, Moscow, Warsaw, Belgrade, Madrid, Skopje, Paris, Frankfurt and Seoul. The presentation included press conferences, presenting the Croatian tourist offer to the invited guests and business partners with emphasis on the cities where matches will be played. This was also an opportunity to try the Croatian wine & gastro offer and see an entertainment program featuring prominent Croatian artists. The presentations were aimed to send a special invitation to business partners and guests and express a welcome to be felt by the athletes and guests in both the host cities and across the country.

 

Source: press.croatia.hr

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]]> http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/sport-and-tourism-hand-in-hand/feed/ 0 Europe’s Best Tunnel is Croatia’s Brinje! http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/europes-best-tunnel-is-croatias-brinje/ http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/europes-best-tunnel-is-croatias-brinje/#comments Sat, 27 Oct 2007 19:44:48 +0000 Filip http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/2007-10-27/europes-best-tunnel-is-croatias-brinje/

Tunel Brinje

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 euros. Source: ?Croatia Tourist Board?

]]> http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/europes-best-tunnel-is-croatias-brinje/feed/ 0 Unlocking the Parenzana Code http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/unlocking-the-parenzana-code/ http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/unlocking-the-parenzana-code/#comments Fri, 26 Oct 2007 09:55:44 +0000 Filip http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/2007-10-26/unlocking-the-parenzana-code/

Istra

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?

]]> http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/unlocking-the-parenzana-code/feed/ 0 The Indian village of Chief Winnetou http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/the-indian-village-of-chief-winnetou/ http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/the-indian-village-of-chief-winnetou/#comments Sat, 20 Oct 2007 08:14:37 +0000 Filip http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/2007-10-20/the-indian-village-of-chief-winnetou/

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?

]]> http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/the-indian-village-of-chief-winnetou/feed/ 0 Idyllic village setting in the Vale of Kutjevo http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/idyllic-village-setting-in-the-vale-of-kutjevo/ http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/idyllic-village-setting-in-the-vale-of-kutjevo/#comments Fri, 19 Oct 2007 07:10:38 +0000 Filip http://www.croatia-blog.net/en/2007-10-19/idyllic-village-setting-in-the-vale-of-kutjevo/

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?

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