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Croatia – Mediterranean Florida for north Europeans

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An exceptional potential for development of the third age tourism

AMERICAN COUNTRY FLORIDA BASES A LARGE PART OF ITS WEALTH ON THE CARE FOR TOURISTS IN GOLDEN AGES AND OF HIGH PROPERTY POSSIBILITIES. CONSIDERING EXCEPTIONAL NATURAL CHARACTERISTICS COUPLED WITH EXCELLENT TRAFFIC POSITION, CROATIA COULD BECOME ITS EUROPEAN COUNTERPART.

Experts hope for a positive trend of development of health-related tourism, for which they say, we have heaven-sent conditions. Health-related tourism is very demanding because every link in the chain of offer is equally important and requires the quality as well as the good compatibility of all its elements

Our advantages would be, with respect to other countries, competitive prices, the fantastic availability of future medical centres to the Central Europe, and the possibility of combining health contents with the sight-seeing and natural heritage.

Constructions of settlements in fewer used areas, from the Dalmatinska zagora and  Lika to the Kordun and Banija, close to thermal sources and already existing medical capacities,  would have a stimulating effect on the vitality of mentioned areas and the would facilitate the extension of tourist season to a whole year.

In addition, active third age tourists from foreign countries are of exceptionally high payment abilities, so it is not surprising that in this tourist branch lies the huge potential. Third age tourists are in search of prevention and pleasure in warmer regions or even of the therapies and particular medical interventions. If we seriously start to deal with investing in this tourist branch and follow shinny examples of foreign practice, the success is guaranteed.

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Favourite accomodation units for young people

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HOSTELS ARE FAVOURITE ACCOMMODATION UNIT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY FOR  THE SO-CALLED BACKPACKERS, WHICH ARE  GUIDED BY A PHRASE ALL MY BELONGINGS I CARRY WITH MYSELF, SO THE  WHOLE LUGGAGE COMES DOWN TO ONLY ONE LARGE BACKPACK.

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It is not surprising that accommodation in hostels has developed into a large trend among young people – prices are ever so much affordable than in hotels, while the atmosphere is more relaxed and more favourable for socialising and sharing experiences.

Hostel as an accommodation unit means renting of bed along with sharing joint bathroom, kitchen and the living room.

This aspect of tourism very much suites the guests of younger population and of ‘shallower pocket’– you can get a bed in a hostel by a very affordable price, which is about ten euros.

Croatian hostels get very high marks which refer to comfort, hygiene and other parts of service.  The creativeness is also at price – young people do not appreciate mere bedrooms, but imaginatively and interestingly designed area.

Many of our hostels often find themselves on the top of the charts of the most prestigious foreign media, such as British The Guardian, CNN TV- network and the famous New York Times!

Among them is Goli i Bosi (The Naked & the Barefoot) in Split, previously second best in the whole world due to the excellent imaginative futuristic design.

Indigo at the core of the old town centre in Šibenik and Chillout in Zagreb, which with its lively colours reminds of the scenery of some Almodovar’s film, have also been praised.  Tckhaikovsy and Silver Central Hostel in Split, Buzz Backpakers in Zagreb and Green Lizard on the island of Hvar also got great reviews.

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Hot Spots destinations

Dubrovnik one of the prettiest european cities

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The winners in the ‘contest category for 10Best Readers’ Choice are as follows:

  1. Riga, Latvia
  2. Bergen, Norway
  3. Innsbruck, Austria
  4. Dubrovnik, Croatia
  5. Chester, England
  6. Prague, Czech Republic
  7. Budapest, Hungary
  8. Santorini, Greece
  9. Venice, Italy
  10. Bruges, Belgium

Voting was heavy in this contest;  congrats to all our winners!

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It became apparent early on that a trip to Europe makes a very lasting and positive impression upon a traveler.  Therefore we’d like to suggest this list of winners be used as a Bucket List for future travel.

Source: 10best.com
Photo: Tz grada Dubrovnika

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Attractive location for moviemaking

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CROATIA – THE SEVENTH ART SCENERY

Although the beauty of our country has been perpetuated and celebrated many times in poems, paintings and in written word, we are particularily proud when our familiar and well-known landscapes stand in for a movie – that powerful media of the present and one of the most impressive forms of art. Thus, for example, rocky parts of Istria once „played“ Afganistan, and a number of our national parks american wild west. The masters of visual in art recognized the value and potential of our landscape – many words of praise have been recorded, coming also from the biggest of them all – Alfred Hitchkok, that demanding and critical-minded genius, without any hesitation declared the sunset of Zadar the most beautiful in the whole world!

While areas along the coast are usually among the most attractive, our national parks played an important part in the world of seventh art. In nineteen sixties, as much as 7 movies were filmed at the area stretching from Paklenica to the Prezid Pass on the southern side of Velebit Mountain, so our national treaures played a role themselves, of „Wild West“ in this case. National parks Paklenica, Plitvice Lakes, Krka, the canyon of river Zrmanja, Vrana Lake and many other locations, hosted numerous works of a western genre, including the most popular ones about Winnetou by Karl May. Nowadays there are numerous theme tours in his honor, and at the time of the shooting, friendly locals gladly accepted supernumerary roles!

When listing attractive film locations, we should not leave out our capital. Academy Award winner Meryl Streep in “Sophie’s Choice” walked through the streets of our metropolis, as well as charismatic Sean Connery as the most famous undercover agent in the world (scene from the main railway station in “From Russia with Love”), and action hero Jackie Chan who delighted the fans of this genre performing stunts on Dolac and Liberty Bridge. Zagreb was also the background of “The Trial” directed by Orson Welles – the Velesajam scene with thousands of machines, workers and typewriters that perfectly evoke the characteristic atmosphere of the famous work of Kafka, is especially remembered.

More recently, after several silent years, Croatia is becoming more recognized as an exotic and tempting location for the creation of seventh art. The makers of globally popular series “Game of Thrones” brilliantly took advantage of the ancient walls of Dubrovnik and the Fortress of Klis, which needed no computer processing; while Woody Allen’s and Pedro Almodovar’s muse – the Spanish beauty Penelope Cruz, filmed the scenes from her recent release “Venuto al Mondo” in Korčula and Pelješac. Beautiful vistas, colorful sunsets, unspoiled nature and abundance of cultural treasures deserve to be immortalized on a movie, so we hope that our country will continue to follow upward trajectory and that, in addition to tourist ones, it will be drawn on another world map – that of filmmakers!

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Čazma Christmas Story

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13 December 2013 – 10 January 2014

All Christmas stories are romantic and educational, especially if you are a guest of the Salaj family in Grabovnica. At Christmas time, the Salaj family prepares a special treat for all the Christmas time enthusiasts, when their garden is alight with thousands of multicolored lights, offering all who come a magical sight and an idyllic atmosphere. The Christmas stable, the manger and the decorations all over the garden, including the multicolored Christmas lights and ornaments shining in the night, offer an unforgettable sense of a deep dream followed by awakening in a world of fairy tales, a world of a true Croatian Christmas story.

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Exhibition Piri Reis

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Cartographer in the service of Suleiman the Magnificent

15 November – 31 December 2013
Dubrovnik, Rupe Ethnographic Museum

On the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the publication of the world map by cartographer Piri Reis (1513), UNESCO has declared 2013 the Year of Piri Reis. For this occasion, exhibitions were organized in Rijeka, Poreč, and Zagreb, and now you can visit this exhibition in Dubrovnik, where you can see the most important works of this famous cartographer who lived during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent.

The aforementioned exhibitions are a part of the series of international events organized by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and Croatia was chosen as a host for these exhibitions because there are many maps that indicate Croatian cities and islands in Piri’s famous book entitled Kitab-ı Bahriye (Book of Navigation), which was written in 1521 and is comprised of maps and notes that are organized in 210 chapters.Many exhibits will be displayed, such as a replica of a portolan chart showing Eastern Adriatic ports from the Book of Navigation; a replica of the world map from 1513 (which is one of the oldest preserved maps showing America); depictions of Adriatic ports produced on famous iznik ceramics (a technique of decorating ceramics that was very popular during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent); navigation instruments dating back to the 16th century; and various portraits and other works of exquisite historical and artistic value. The authors of this exhibition are Ali Riza Işipek from the Turkish Foundation for Underwater Archaeology and Tea Perinčić from Maritime and History Museum of the Croatian Littoral in Rijeka, Croatia.

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Read more: www.dubrovnik.hr

 

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Ivanec Miners’ Days

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04 December 2013

The Miners’ Days in Ivanec demonstrate the importance the people of this area attach to keeping alive the memory of their traditional ways of social and cultural life, as well as to teaching the young people to cherish their cultural and historic heritage. This also provides all visitors with an exceptional opportunity to see the exhibition of the old tools and other equipment used by miners in the old days, and thus learn about the hardships of our ancestors. The exhibition is supplemented by children’s works on the subject of mining, and by the miners’ sculptures. Undoubtedly the most attractive part of the event is the procession of the historical Ivanec Miners’ Company that is in charge of receiving the guests and ensuring that everyone feels welcome.

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Traditional Festival of Chocolate

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06 December 2013 – 08 December 2013
OPATIJA

Can you imagine a better entry into December, a month of great events, than the Chocolate Festival? Chocolate, the sweet pleasure which fulfills us with optimism and satisfaction, has always been the symbol of richness, happiness and delight. That is why we cannot resist it. The sweetest beginning of December may be experienced only in Opatija at the already traditional Festival of Chocolate!

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Prestigious awards for Zagreb County Tourist Board

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20. INTERSAS, 16. ITF’CRO, 12. KEA/EFE-CRO

Zagreb County Tourist Board was, from 6th Nov to 9th Nov in Solin, presented  on  20th INTERSTAS 2013/International tourist, tour film, landscape festival – International Club of merited for tourism, 16.ITF’CRO 2013 / International tour film Festival and 12th KEA/Entente Florale Europe – CRO
On the final ceremony Golden flower of Europe ’2013. was assigned to Zagreb County Tourist Board and Povelja FEST to director – mr.sc. Ružica Rašperić.
A special recognition in 61 movie competition on 16.ITF’CRO 2013 won the Zagreb County Tourist Board and the film “Coutryside Poetry” by Mark Vrdoljak.

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Linđo– symbol of a city that aspires to future

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To be able to dance and sing in Linđo nowadays means to be sociable, popular and beloved. In nearly fifty years many generations of ensemble members have exchanged, many great friendships and loves were born. Today Linđo is important and indispensable cultural event in Dubrovnik.

Ensemble of Linđo has been active for almost fifty years. Established in 1964, it started operating a year later. The name originates from the name of the ensemble’s most popular dance that is danced for two hundred years in the same way, with small variations in the Dubrovnik area, Župa and Konavle. It is considered that the dance was named after the famous leader Nikola Lalo Linđo, the founder of Linđo hop dance, while some people think it is a folk name for lijerica player (an ancient instrument from southern Dalmatia). The ensemble primarily nurtures and protects its own tradition, which is the basis of its survival and of preservation of both Croatian and local cultural identity.

THE BEGINNINGS

Folklore group formed at the Pedagogical High School in Dubrovnik in 1964, already in 1965 turns into a folklore ensemble within the Tourism Society and makes its first independent appearance. At the initiative of the Atlas Traveling Agency and Tourism Society, after examining the performances of Linđo and considering self-financing capabilities of the ensemble, from 1966 Linđo acts wholly independently as a citizens association, and in 1998 it becomes an institution in the culture of Dubrovnik.

With choreography signed by the most significant choreographers of Croatia, Folklore Ensemble Linđo proves to be extremely successful:

– approximately 3500 concerts visited by more than 2 million local and foreign tourists
– almost 200 promotional tours
– over 3000 members passed through the ensemble by dancing, singing and performance
– constant gathering of 200-300 young girls and boys aged 12-28
– the first guest appearance of Linđo ensemble took place in 1966 in Italy
– guest appearances in almost all European countries, Northern, Central and South America, Japan
– Linđo Folklore Ensemble is particularly proud of the Gold Medal and the Gold Record won at the International Folk Festival in Dijon in 1973 whereby it was listed among the best European folklore ensembles.
– In February of 2012, it became the IIPT Ambassador for Peace, receiving the recognition of the Institute for Promotion of Peace through Tourism for their generous and humane activity.

Nowadays, under the guidance of headmistress Dubravka Sarić, economics graduate and former active member of the FA Linđo, Linđo is developing into a true brand and expects further achievements, performances, programs, projects, guest appearances and tours with the ambitious and hard working employees. Back in the distant sixties of the twentieth century, the objective of Linđo was to explore and collect artistic elaborations, and to stage the most beautiful examples of Croatian music and dance traditions. Today’s goal relies on that of the founders, it is stratified, socially and creatively stimulating, focused on Dubrovnik, Croatian and world community.

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Green sport for a dazzling future in tourism

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GOLF IN CROATIA

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The grandeur and stylishness of this sport originated in middle ages in Scotland, certainly cannot be denied, since it generates a variety of facilities and attracts visitors of a high financial leverage. But in the context of our country, it also has an enormous tourism potential, to the extent that in metaphorical terms, it was called a „magic wand“ that can revive our islands and contribute to the exclusivity of national tourist attractions. precisely in these facts lies our interest in this touristic phenomenon – except for what golf can undoubtedly do for us, let us consider what we can do for Croatian golf.

Given that golf attracts fans since 14th century with unabated intensity, in our opinion there must be something to that sport, that magical je ne sais quoi factor (in french, „that certain something“)! Nowadays an invitation to golf, is a very recognizable symbol in the developed countries, and additional amenities and facilities that the sport generates, are capable of effectively improving tourist offer of any area.

Given the current situation in Croatia, where exceptional efforts of tourism professionals are focused on the expansion of our off-season offer, we can say that golf is not just a good idea, but a necessity. In fact, it is interesting to note that Croatia lost several organizational candidacies of international character, just because of the inability to offer the possibility of playing golf to the participants!

RESOURCES

Ironically, thanks to its geographic features and a pleasant and mild climate, Croatia has a fantastic initial potential precisely for the development of this sport. Our abundant and diverse natural beauty contributes to the invigoration of body and spirit at the very heart of golf, as well as the dynamics of the game itself. In this regard foreign investors and experts are particularly interested in the area of Istria and the Croatian Zagorje castles, and in the Dalmatian coast and islands. Istria and Zagreb area are especially attractive because of the proximity of the existing golf courses in Slovenia and Austria (spatial distance is an important factor when it comes to motivation for players to go to another site), and Dalmatia and the islands due to the mild climate and the possibility of practicing golf all year round . The quality of the weather can really be crucial when it comes to the “fate” of a golf destination, as long rainy and cold periods can have a critical impact on their visitor frequency.
Development of golf on the islands, which enjoy beautiful weather even in the winter months, would be of particular importance, as it would encourage the expansion of tourist offer outside the summer season, which is the issue the tourism sector often faces.

LOCATIONS

Currently the most dominant golf destination in Croatia is Istria, which boasts as many as 14 potential sites for the development of golf tourism. First Istrian professional golf club, Golf Club Adriatic, is 6,360m long and stretches over 80 hectares, and there is an additional course of 4,690m in length. Undulating terrain and idyllic scenery make it equally interesting to the well-established players and beginners. Furthermore, one of the greatest golf courses in Europe is situated in Brijuni and was once the favorite destination of European aristocracy in the early 20th century. It offers the privilege of playing golf on the beach embellished by Mediterranean fauna. It is also necessary to mention a very active and competitive Golf Club “Motovun”, Golf Club “Medulin” and attractively designed driving ranges in Umag and on the Krk island.

In the area of Slavonia, there are plenty training grounds for long and short game, and Golf Center “Novi Dvori” in Zaprešić near Zagreb is one of the few sites that offers the possibility of playing at night.

In addition to the existing golf courses, there are new construction projects. One of the best known is the Golf Park Dubrovnik project, whose fields of 9 and 18 holes are personally designed by one of the greatest players in history, Greg Norman, who, according to the initiators of the project, believes that every playground must offer a unique, unforgettable experience.

CONTROVERSY

Unfortunately, the development of golf in Croatia elicited numerous discussions which insinuate that the investments in this sport hide personal interests of individuals. As a magazine dedicated to the promotion of national tourism, we welcome every sincere initiative to hasten its progress, and in this regard we recognize the extraordinary potential of golf. Another type of controversy relates to the ecological threat to the area which would be turned into a golf course. Since golf has always been in accordance with nature, we support adherence to high ecological standards of construction, which wouldn’t disturb the natural balance or include invasive interventions on the environment.
Finally, if, for example, few years ago Turkey skyrocketed as a hit destination for fans of this highly profitable sport, we don’t see any reason why couldn’t we work out our own place in the golfers’ sun as well!

Foto: www.golf-adria.com/

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Maria Theresa wore Pag lace

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Pag lace is a unique handicraft made by valuable and skilled hands of woman from Pag. It is believed that the Pag lace takes its origin from the city of Mycenae. In the town of Pag making lace began in the late 15th century for the church liturgical vestments. Making lace was initiated by the Benedictine convent that had a school of lace. Lace collection that Benedictine nuns kept and collected more than 150 years, the Ministry of Culture declared the Croatian cultural heritage. History remembers the time when women from Pag went to the court of Maria Theresa to make lace for her.
Eventually, lace has become an independent decorative item, decoration for furniture, framed on the walls, carved or sewn into clothing, decoration sheets, pillows, curtains, tablecloths and as decoration on church vestments.
Uniqueness of Pag lace is that there are no templates or blueprints for making lace, the way of making and sampling has been carried forward from generation to generation by word of mouth and practical work.
Word of its beauty and perfection was wide-spread, its production and expansion in world trade boosts after the founding of Lace School in Pag. The school was founded in 1906 and has continuously worked until 1945.
In order to prevent the extinction of Pag lace making, in 1994 at the high school “Bartul Kašić” was organized training for the profession of Pag lace maker.
With school, an important role in the preservation of Pag lace has The Pag Lace Association “Frane Budak.”
Nowadays, the Pag lace makers can be seen on the streets making the most beautiful needlework created by woman’s hands.
In the city center on the Square Petar Krešimir IV is placed Pag lace Gallery.

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Base Jumping

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RED LAKE IMOTSKI

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Red Lake in Imotski, once again was the scene of the adventure spectacle. Despite of the rain and the occasional wind, nine base jumpers jumped from the steep cliffs of the Red Lake into the water, at the same time falling and flying for about 300 meters in front of more than five hundred inhabitants of the city of Imotski who were bristling around the cliffs of this natural monument. Croat Vanja Šiljak, Italian Maurizio de Palma, three Austrians Edmond Guschall, Hirschi Thomas and Jurgen Schridi, two Hungarians Csaba Szorcnxi and Gergo Kovacs, and the German Tobias Preidel have marked this base jumping location among many other jumping locations they conquered.

“Well we finished the second halftime of incredible jumps in Imotski Red Lake. The first and the historical jump from 2007, and now, for the second time, I have experienced something amazing. Some of my friends jumped for the first time and felt the same way.” They said to me what I have already know, that many of them have jumped the cliffs from all around the world which was rather challenging; however they all agree in one thing – the jump from the Red Lake cliff is something incredible, something unique. They say that they will come again and that they will show off with the jump they performed here, in Imotski. We jumped into the abyss of the lake which is so scary and at the same time so beautiful. “We enjoyed”, says Vanja Šiljka, a base jumper from Zagreb who gathered a team of daredevil heroes.

Board of Imotski, members of the Mountain Rescue Service and Croatian Mountaineering Association Imotski has provided the logistics for base jumpers.
The whole spectacle of adrenaline on the cliffs of Red Lake was filmed with several cameras. One cameraman was Stipe Božić. Stipe will collect and direct documentary that will consist of shots gathered from all recorders including the recordings from cameras on helmets worn by base jumpers. We strongly believe that this documentary shell draw the attention of a wider audience.

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Magic world of wines of Hvar

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The tradition of wine production and viticulture on the island of Hvar reaches back to the ancient times. In the 4th century BC Greeks from the island of Paros established their colony Faros on the today’s territory of Stari Grad. They brought the field crop of vine from their original homeland. Metal coins bear witness to the importance of vine and wine for the old Greeks. The coins were forged in Faros and Issa (today’s Vis) and they portrayed a cluster of grapes with vine leaves on one side and a wine goblet (kantharos) on the other. With the arrival of Romans in 219 BC the cultivation of vine spread. Remains of wine-presses can be found in the ruins of Roman villae rusticae. The Statute of Hvar Commune from 1331 forbade the import of wine on the territory of the Commune of Hvar, unless it was a bad year.
In the middle of the 19th century, oidium, phylloxera and peronospora destroyed the vineyards in France and Italy, which led to the increase in the demand for Dalmatian wines which were characterized with its colour, higher percentage of alcohol and the specific aroma. At the time, grape farmers on Hvar, as well as the rest of Dalmatia, started to cut down olive, fig and carob trees in order to plant vines, and exclusively red sorts.
At the beginning of 1892 Austria and Italy signed a trade agreement which enabled the import of cheep Italian wines on the Austro-Hungarian market that caused the crisis of Dalmatian viticulture. Only two years after phylloxera appeared in Dalmatia and arrived to Hvar in 1909. Crisis in viticulture obliged a lot of agricultural laborers to leave for the New World in search for work. In those foreign countries a lot of people from Hvar were the pioneers of wine growing. Also, the burst of World War I prevented the restoration of vineyards.
The phenomenon of private wine producers at the end of 1980s introduced a new perspective in the production of islands’ wines. Unlike in the time of socialism, when the aspirations were on the quantity, private producers underline the importance of quality. Many rewards they won on international wine competitions are a witness of their success.
If you ever happen to be on the island of Hvar, do not miss to taste some of these wines:
Bogdanuša is the original sort from the island of Hvar. It is one of the best Dalmatian white wines with 11-12.5 alcohol percentage, light yellow in colour, somewhat sourish and mild scented. The largest quantities are grown in the area near Vrboska.
Parč was grown from ancient times on the eastern part of the island of Hvar. Its characteristics are scent of muscat, golden yellow colour and around 12 per cent alcohol.
Plavac mali is the most famous Dalmatian wine sort and the best quality wines of this red sort come from the south slopes of the island of Hvar. It is characterized with dark red colour, very pleasant bouquet and specific aroma of plavac with 13-14.5 per cent alcohol. This wine is the best Hvar’s viticulture has to offer.

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Foto i tekst: Siniša Mikulčić Matković – Secret Hvar travel agency
http://www.secrethvar.com/

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