:: Travel News for Your next Holiday & Vacation in Croatia | Croatia Blog ::

Funtana welcome to the world of dinosaurs!As of recently, Funtana, an Istrian tourist and fishing town, is welcoming its guests in a new fashion: by enabling visitors to spend time with enormous dinosaurs in its Dinosaur park Funtana. There, moving dinosaurs await visitors, of interest to both adults and children, for which the park has prepared special activities and the possibility to get close with the huge herbivores. The eight dinosaurs have come from Germany, Australia, Korea and Great Britain, and can make sounds, contributing to the special atmosphere of the park. Their number is about to increase very soon. Apart from "socializing" with the dinosaurs and riding them, visitors are also entertained by a magician and other entertainers. The first Croatian and second European dinosaur park is spread over an area of 40 thousand square metres. The investors are one Croatian and two German companies, and the investment is valued at EUR 1.2 million. Over the summer, interest for the Dinosaur Park Funtana was great. Seeing as it will be open year-round, visits by tourists and school children are expected over the following months.The fishing and tourist town Funtana is located on the western coast of Istria, between two eminent tourist destinations, Vrsar and Porec.
Source: Croatia.hr

>> Bookmark this article!

Hide Sites

The City of Dubrovik, the destination of numerous visitors in the summer as well as year-round, has decided on one more way of saying welcome to its visitors: by introducing the tourist card for the price of EUR 15. The card enables visitors to take a tour of the remarkable city walls, three museums, the fortress Revelin, the Dubrovnik art gallery, the home of Marin Drzi and the Dulci ­ Masle ­ Pulitika gallery with a 50% discount compared to regular ticket prices, making cultural monuments of the city more accessible to all.The daily tourist card was introduced at the beginning of August of this year, and in 2010 a weekly card will be introduced. The cards are sold at info centres of the City of Dubrovnik Tourist Board at the following locations: Siroka ulica, Gruz, Lapad, Lopud, Sipan and the Dubrovnik Airport. Dubrovnik, whose old city centre is on the UNESCO world heritage list, is visited by more than a million tourists every year, half of which stay more than one day in this city known for its high quality accommodation facilities. The rest visit the city as part of Mediterranean cruises, which always necessarily include Dubrovnik as one of their destinations.
Source: Croatia.hr

>> Bookmark this article!

Hide Sites

Apart from its basic activity, the production of salt, the salt pans in Nin, near Zadar, are also devising tourism programs. A couple of years ago, the Nin salt pans became a sort of natural park with organized guided tours for visitors.The Nin salt pans, along with the ones in Ston, are the only ones of their kind on the Adriatic, where salt is manufactured in a traditional way, as was done thousands of years ago, with sea water perspiring from shallow pools. This is why a procedure has been launched to protect the entire area as a natural good, a protected landscape of flora and fauna, with the end goal being protecting the entire laguna area, partly through the UN project Natura 2000. The Nin salt pans are spread over 55 ha of the Nin Laguna, right next to the ancient Croatian city of Nin, in the Zadar County. The salt pans date back to the Roman era. Venice purchased the pans and closed it down in 1550 to maintain its monopoly in salt production and trade on the Adriatic. It was re-established four centuries later, in 1955.Numerous tourists visit the salt pans during the summer and buy interesting souvenirs made from salt. The salt is produced in an entirely natural way, with the sea water perspiring from the pools because of the sun and wind, and natural sea salt crystallising. Nin salt has a high concentration of Iodine because of the algae in the sea water, which gives it a special place on the market. It is also sold as scented bath salt, enriched with natural oils (lavender, rosemary, rose, lemon, sage), thus combining several characteristics of the Mediterranean.
Source: Croatia.hr

>> Bookmark this article!

Hide Sites

In the second half of August and beginning of September, the City of Varazdin will host two extremely interesting cultural events. Though extremely different in content, and most probably the audience, both traditional events will turn this beautiful baroque city, north-western of Zagreb, into a place of enjoyment for art enthusiasts: the 11th annual Spancirfest festival and the 39th annual Varazdin Baroque Evenings. Over the last ten years, the City of Varazdin Tourist Board has, with the help of the citizens of Varazdin, created the most important urban festival in the area. This year's Spancirfest will be held from August 21st to August 30th on the most beautiful open stage of them all: the streets and squares of the Varazdin historical city centre. During the festival, concerts will be held on a stage beneath the walls of the Stari grad (old part of the city), on the Stanci Square, the city boulevard, streets and other locations. The festival will also feature Vindiland, an entertainment park for the young, the Pan street festival with street performers from 16 countries from all over the world, children's plays from 10 am to 6 pm, plays for adults at 9pm, the Kreativfest festival with workshops on the Sloboda Square (Square of Freediom), traditional arts and crafts, a culinary square and many other events and surprises. You can find a detailed program of this year's Spancirfest at www.spancirfest.com, and in the official festival bulletin, to be published in August. The 39th annual Varazdin Baroque Evenings, to be held from September 18th to September 28th, are completely different in their artistic expression, representing another face of the city. This year's partner of this ten day festival of classical baroque music attracting increasingly more visitors each year is the Czech Republic. Concerts will be held in churches, music institutions, salons and facilities near the beautiful Castle Trakosan. Varazdin, a city ideally positioned with regard to Austria, Hungary and the Croatian Capital Zagreb, boasts an amazing historical and artistic heritage, with the most preserved and rich baroque urban centre.
Source: Croatia.hr

>> Bookmark this article!

Hide Sites

In the Museum of the Town of Kastela, an exhibition was recently opened on the occasion of celebrating 100 years of organized tourism in this town. The exhibition is organized by the Town of Kastela Tourist Board, the Town of Kastela, the Split-Dalmatia County and the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board. The important anniversary has also been marked with the publication of the book "A Chronological Survey of Tourism in Kastela ­ 100 Years of the Soulavy Pension", by Sanja Acalija. The dawn of tourism in Kastela is considered to be the opening of the first tourist pension with a developed beach in Kastel Luksi. It was opened by the Czech physician Henrik Soulavy in 1909, who bought the castle Tartaglia there. 1909, therefore, is the year when the development of tourism officially begins on the Kastela Riviera. Almost two decades later, Petar Kamber opened the Hotel Palace in Kastel Stari, a representative tourist facility for the time. To raise the quality of the tourist offering even more, in 1936 a Municipal Bathing Committee was established for the "Lower Kastels" (Kastel Stafili, Kastel Novi, Kastel Stari and Kastel Luksi). Located to the northwest of Split, the town of Kastela is comprised of what used to be seven villages ­ Suurac, Gomilica, Kambelovac, Luksi, Stari, Novi and Stafili. Each one of these is specific in its own way. Though they are connected, they differ in the mentality and interests of its inhabitants, and all boast a rich cultural heritage and numerous monuments. The Kastela Riviera features many private accommodation facilities and a couple of hotels. Yachtsmen can use the marina located in Kastel Gomilica. Characteristic for the entire area is its rich park architecture. The most renowned park is the Park Vitturi in Kastel Luksi, the oldest park on the Riviera, built in the second half of the 18th century. It is spread over 7,450 square meters and was proclaimed a nature park in 1968. Also well known are the Botanical Garden of the Ostrog Elementary School and the Bibilical Garden, built in the honour of the second visit of Pope John Paul II to Croatia and located in the Marian sanctuary Lady of Stomorija. The garden features numerous plant species mentioned in the Bible and sculptures of eminent Croatian sculptors Vasko Lipovac, Kazimir Hrasto and Matko Miji. The arrival of the Czech physician Soulavy to Kastel Luksi, which he never left, intrigued the great Czech director Jiij Menzel enough to put the story in his documentary filmed in Croatia. Menzel is shooting the film, entitled "My Croatia", in cooperation with the crew of the Croatian national television, and wants to show through it that it is precisely the Czech who were the very first tourists in Dalmatia.
Source: Croatia.hr

>> Bookmark this article!

Hide Sites

To everyone who has already visited Sibenik and taken a tour of its cultural and historical sights, as well as those visiting it for the very first time, this northern Dalmatian city always has a new face to discover, as well as numerous natural sights, attracting visitors. Though, after its renovation, the medieval monastery garden Sv Lovre (St Lawrence), located in the city centre, has been open for visitors for the past two years, it still attracts tourists with the same intensity. The renovation of the medieval Mediterranean garden was completed at the end of 2007, after an entire century of neglect. It was led by the renowned landscape architect Dragutin Kis, who received the millennium Flora award in Japan in 2000. The garden is a rare monument, the only one of its kind in Croatia and one of very few in this part of Europe. It is conceptualized in line with a medieval layout, comprising a cross path with a small well at its centre. The entire garden is enclosed by bushes and old scented roses. At the centre of the rich Mediterranean greenery is the collection of decorative thyme. Another special feature of the garden are its capers, which, according to legend, were brought to Sibenik by the well-known architect Juraj Dalmatinac. The entire garden is open to the public, and features educational programs for both schools and visitors. As it is part of a monastery, visitors can also visit the Gospina Spilja ("Cave of the Lady") and the St Lawrence Church, both part of the St Lawrence monastery. Visitors can also enjoy a café, restaurant and souvenir shop. In the summer, the garden is open from 8am to 11pm, and in the winter, until Easter, from 9am to 4pm. Sibenik also attracts visitors on account of its proximity to the national parks Kornati and Krka and its many cultural and historical monuments, the most important being the St Jacob cathedral, under the protection of UNESCO. Interestingly, the cathedral was built for longer than a hundred years, and is a testimony to the perseverance and faith of several generations of Sibenik's citizens. The cathedral is unique in many ways, not only in Croatian, but European architecture, as it is entirely made out of stone, without the use of any other material. According to experts, it is also unique on account of its bold construction: stone plates and frames have been put together without the use of bond. Other singularities, when compared to other renaissance churches, include its trefoil-shaped front and the harmony of the architecture and the series of 74 realist portraits on the apses.
Source: Croatia.hr

>> Bookmark this article!

Hide Sites

If you visit Baška, a popular tourist center on the island of Krk, in 2009, you will be able to enjoy the diverse cultural project called Sarcen glagoljaj or Speak With Your Heart, in addition to the beautiful nature, sea, gastronomy and the rich offer. As it happens, this year in Baška will be marked by the Glagolitic script, an old Slavic script created in the 9th century and originating from the island of Krk, which also has the most famous Croatian monument to the Glagolitic script.

They decided to proclaim the Year of the Glagolitic Script after the Baška Road of the Glagolitic Script was completed by mounting of the letter B at the very entrance to Baška. This is the 34th stone Glagolitic monument, which is the cause for the major celebration with participation of the students from Croatian, Slovenian, Austrian and Czech academies who took part in the mounting of the stone monuments. In addition to them, they expect representatives of numerous local, regional and national institutions and corporations that enabled the creation of the Road by their sponsorships. Starting from Easter, the Year of the Glagolitic Script will be marked by numerous professional, musical, artistic, sporting and other events. The logo of the Year of the Glagolitic Script will also be found on all newly printed promotional materials of the Baška Municipality Tourist Board, local hotels, travel agencies, restaurant menus, etc. The Glagolitic heritage will thus mark this year in both Baška and on the entire island of Krk. The most famous Croatian monument in the Glagolitic script is the Baška Tablet, a national cultural monument of the Croatian people. It is a Glagolitic inscription, a document carved in 13 lines of text, referring to a donation made by the Croatian King Zvonimir (1075–1089) to St. Lucy’s Church in Jurandvor where the Baška Tablet was found.

Source: press.croatia.hr

 Here are some useful links for you:

• baska24.com
• travel guide for Island Krk
• all about Baska
• Videos from Baska
• Vacation in Baska
• Holiday Krk

>> Bookmark this article!

Hide Sites

Plitvice Lakes, a Croatian national park with a beauty that delights numerous visitors from the entire world, has entered the second round of the competition for the new seven wonders of nature. It was among a competition of 261 natural beauties from 222 countries and 77 natural attractions and entered the semifinals based on the votes cast by visitors to the www.new7wonders.com web portal. The campaign has begun in 2007 and votes can be cast via the above website until 7 July.

After the vote counting, an expert jury will elect 21 finalists and leave the final decision to another round of Internet, telephone and SMS voters who can make their final judgment on the seven world wonders of nature until 2011. Often referred to as the most beautiful European garden of preserved beauty, Croatia has eight national parks, Plitvice Lakes being the most popular among them. It consists of sixteen lakes connected by falls. Due to the characteristic karstic base, the waters of Plitvice Lakes are rich in calcium bicarbonate, which is decomposed into calcium carbonate due to water breaking on the barriers. Calcium carbonate is then deposited with the presence of algae, moss and other organisms. All this enables growth of gypsum barriers with magnificent falls splashing over them, their beauty leaving no one indifferent.
The national park, located in the interior of the country but easily accessible from the coastal area thanks to the modern roads, stretches over almost 30 thousand hectares, its prehistoric dense forests accounting for over 22 thousand hectares. The exceptional beauty of the lakes and falls, strolls around the forest paths and over wooden bridges, comfortable hotels and restaurants offering local delicacies attract visitors from across the world throughout the year. Plitvice Lakes are on the UNESCO’s list of world heritage.

Source: press.croatia.hr

Here are some useful links for you:

• adria24.com
• all about Croatia
• Videos from Croatia
  
• Vacation in Croatia

>> Bookmark this article!

Hide Sites

The Sea Organ, and the somewhat newer urban installation Greeting to the Sun by architect Nikola Bašić, are two landmarks of the city of Zadar attracting public attention and representing a contemporary addition to the cultural/historical and ambience-related values of this city. Next to the famous Sea Organ on Zadar quay and near the cruiser pier, the Greeting to the Sun by the same architect now shines as well. The Greeting to the Sun consists of three hundred multi-layer glass panels set on the same level as the quay paving, in the form of a circle having a diameter of 22 meters. Beneath the conducting glass panels are photovoltaic solar modules providing symbolic communication with nature for the purpose of communicating – by sound in case of the Sea Organ, and by light in this case. Concurrently with the “most beautiful sunset in the world”, the lighting fixtures built into the circle are activated, producing an exceptionally impressive game of light to the rhythm of the waves and the sound of the Sea Organ according to a preprogrammed scenario.

In daytime, the photovoltaic solar modules absorb solar energy, transform it into electricity and deliver into the voltaic distribution network. The info display reads the current electricity consumption, and the entire system is expected to produce around 46,500 kWh a year. This is actually a small power that will be used both for the Greeting to the Sun installation and the lighting of the entire quay. The energy will be up to three times cheaper that the existing energy, while the project itself is a unique example of combining renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and urban space development. In cooperation with Prof. Maksim Klarin of the Zadar Maritime School, the names of Zadar saints, after which the present and former churches on the Peninsula were named, have been entered into the ring surrounding the
Greeting to the Sun. Each name is accompanied with the declination and height of the Sun and duration of sunlight on the relevant holiday and in that place on the quay. This highlights the connection between Zadar and the Calendar of St. Krševan who made a great contribution to indication of time and astronomic navigation in its very beginnings. As a solar system model with the accompanying planets, the Greeting to the Sun installation is connected with the Sea Organ. This is actually a piece of specifically formed coast in several rows of stairs descending to the sea for around 70 meters in length. Beneath them 35 pipes of different lengths, diameters and inclinations are built into the coast. The pipes contain whistles playing seven accords and five tunes, providing for the music of sea-driven air. Both installations situated on the Zadar quay attract great attention of both the visitors and the professional audience, representing an additional motive to come to Zadar, a city of rich monumental heritage, including among others the Church of St. Donat from the 9thcentury, the most famous medieval basilica and a city trademark.

Source: press.croatia.hr

Here are some useful links for you:

• Zadar24.com
• travel guide for Zadar
• all about Zadar
• Videos from Zadar

>> Bookmark this article!

Hide Sites

New projects are being prepared on Pelješac Peninsula in South Dalmatia that will significantly enrich the tourist offer of both the region and the entire Croatia – the reconstruction and tourist validation of the historical Napoleon Road and opening of a wine museum. Both projects were supported by the Croatian Ministry of Tourism. Although it is still not quite certain whether the tourists will be able to see them next year, the projects will certainly save this region’s past and tradition from falling into oblivion. The wine museum is merely one of the attractions that should bring tourists here. In addition to an oil mill, a winery and former wine and oil production methods, the tourist complex would present a collection of written
materials and items from the ancient times, so this museum would enable the guests to see the life and some customs of Pelješac over several centuries, even millennia. Built two centuries ago, the Napoleon Road goes through the most beautiful parts of Pelješac with several zero-category monuments alongside, which certainly increases its tourist value. In the section of the route to Ston, which many refer to as Small Dubrovnik, Ponikve, the mountain of Sveti Ilija (961 meters), and further along the peninsula, the road is mostly well preserved, which enables its tourist validation. The project should continue toward Dubrovnik, Neretva and Split. Situated in the Croatian south, Pelješac Peninsula is the second biggest Croatian peninsula, right after Istria in North Adriatic. Covered with evergreen vegetation and Mediterranean plants, the region has been known for winegrowing, olive growing and vegetable and fruit growing for centuries. Thanks to the exceptionally beautiful nature and close proximity of Dubrovnik and the island of Kor?ula, Pelješac Peninsula is very attractive for tourists. The most important tourist center is Orebi?, well known for its extensive tourist offer and as a ferry port providing the shortest connection between the mainland and the nearby island of Kor?ula.

Source: press.croatia.hr

 Here are some useful links for you:

• Dubrovnik 24.com
• travel guide for Dubrovnik
  
• all about Dubrovnik
• Videos from Dubrovnik
  
• Vacation in Dubrovnik

>> Bookmark this article!

Hide Sites