Featured Archives - Page 5 of 5 - Croatian Hot Spots

Be active

Cetina Adventure Race and City challenge – only for true adventurists

By Croatian Hot Spots 30/05/2019

The ninth annual Cetina Adventure Race does not need a special introduction for true adventurists. Year after year it becomes more attractive to adrenaline junkies, as well as those who enjoy breath-taking natural beauty. The Race tests one’s physical and mental abilities and teamwork, while the backdrops of Visoka, Visošnica, Kamešnica, Dinara and Svilaja mountains and the Sutina and Cetina river canyons reward all competitors participating in the race.

Date: Sinj, June 8 2019. at 7 a.m. i 5 p.m.

The race consists of 3 disciplines

One of them is trekking, which also contains canyoning. While the point of trekking is to find the shortest possible route, canyoning requires the competitors to exclusively use the canyon from the entry to the exit point, which is determined by the organizer.

Besides trekking and canyoning, the participants will compete in kayaking and mountain biking. The layout of the track and the control points is kept in secret until the technical meeting, which will take place a day before the race. The organizers only hinted at one detail: the mountain biking part of the race will be over 50 km long (out of the total 100 km length of the race).

The start is at 7:00 (handing over of equipment will be between 5:30 and 6:30 at the starting line). The organizer retains the right to change the starting hour if necessary.
The technical meeting will take place the day before the race from 17:10 until 19:00 (included in the meeting will be the handing out of starting packages) and the location is to be announced to all participants in an email.

The race will take place on 7 June 2018. The start and finish line are in front of the Youth Center (Piccadilly disco club). Men’s, women’s and mixed teams can participate in the race. The maximum number of teams is the first 30 ones to apply.

The teams that do not make the cut are put as reserves in case some of those applied cancel their participation. The time limit to complete the race is 14 hours.

For all additional information contact Cetina AdventureFacebook page.

City Challenge Cetina Adventure

Apart from the Cetina Adventure Race popular among the physically ready adrenaline junkies, the “Cetina Adventure” adventure sports club also organizes the City Challenge Cetina Adventure, open for participation for all, regardless of age and fitness condition.

The challenge is designed so that the participants have to discover certain points around the town of Sinj with the help of a map and directions. The city challenge can be completed in 30 minutes, or at walking pace with children, within the timeframe of 2 hours. The recipe is simple: you are all invited to have fun and discover the hidden nooks of the town under Kamičak. A good time in good company is guaranteed!

The city challenge will take place on 8 June. The starting and finish line will be in front of the Youth Center (Piccadilly disco club). The track is 8 kilometers long and there are a number of categories for participating – the adult categories (male and female) and children categories. Maximum number of participants is 500 and the time limit to complete the race is 2 hours.

The start of the race is at 17:00. The organizer retains the right to change the starting schedule if necessary. A technical meeting will take place an hour before the start, at 16:00.

Više: Tz Sinj

Keep Reading

Destination of the month

Explore Central Dalmatia along the Game of Thrones paths

By Croatian Hot Spots 29/05/2019

IF IN AN AFTERNOON WALK THROUGH STUNNING SPLIT’S CITY CORE you find groups of tourists gazing at Papalićeva street and Diocletian Cellars as if they are looking for something, there’s a great chance you bumped into ardent fans of the most watched series of all times – Game of Thrones!

LOOK FOR ATTRACTIVE LOCATIONS – IT’S WORTH THE EFFORT! These mega popular TV series have put our Dalmatia on a map of attractive film locations of the world; although it has always been attractive for sharp artistic eyes (just remember Winnetou and a mastermind enchanted by Zadar – Hitchcock!).

And while emblematic Dubrovnik Walls and baroque stairway, which act as King’s Landing in fantasy world of Game of Thrones are easily recognizable, just like cellars of Diocletian Palace – the center of Queen Daenerys’ power with dragons and a throne; stone alley in Split where slave mutiny occurred, Klis – conquered town of Meereen and locations on the area of Kašte Gomilica and Žrnovnica are somewhat more difficult to recognize as filming sets.

Nevertheless, they’re worth searching for, while recently opened Game of Thrones Museum in the centre of Split, with over 300 realistic exhibits on 100 m2 will make every true fan tremble with excitement!

DO NOT MISS A THING. To stop you from aimless wandering about, Tourist Board of Split-Dalmatia County has prepared an attractive map of shooting locations of Game of Thrones.

Game of thrones paths map

Leading man of County’s tourism, Joško Stella, proudly points out that the region is advertised on numerous tourist fairs as an attractive Game of Thrones destination and that the arrival of great number of tourists was motivated exactly by this series. .

“In the last two years, Tourist Board of Split-Dalmatia County has presented itself as an exceptional location for enjoying in filming sets – first of all of Game of Thrones, but also other series and films that were filmed on its area, like Mamma Mia – says director Stella, pleased with the non-declining interest for visits to significant locations, regardless of the end of the last season.

Image result for kaÃÂ¡tel gomilica game of thrones

If you do not want to explore by yourselves, choose attractive theme tours offered by local agencies, which will make sure you don’t miss any important detail! Tours include visits to Diocletian’s Cellars, Klis fort, Kaštel Gomilica (which became city on the sea Braavos in the series) and idyllic mills of Žrnovnica that perfectly blended in the scene of Missandei’s bathing in green oasis.

Guide Adriana Dada guides the group through the treasures of Diocletian s Palace scene of some of t...

Each tour, depending on the price and duration, includes at least two attractive locations, while we especially like the one that includes – all four of them – with a truly royal treatment! Apart from covering Diocletian’s Palace, Žrnovnica, Kaštel Gomilica and Klis, it ends in the tastiest way ever – with traditional Dalmatian dish under the baking lid in real Game of Thrones ambience!

The spectacular nature of Dalmatia was a theme of the trip. Game of Thrones filming location at Anto...

VISIT A MUSEUM THAT TURNS FAN’S HEADS! But, to get a great insight into the characters (in natural size!) and attractive props and clothes – you don’t have to go too far!

Image result for klis fort game of thrones

Emblematic Split’s Bosanska Street, at the very heart of Split, together with souvenir shops, small charming jewelry shops and typical Mediterranean ambience, since May also has fantastic Game of Thrones Museum, which has completely attracted the attention of fans!

This is not surprising since at the very entrance you will be welcomed by one of Daenerys’ dragons, while the entire space smells like cedar, jasmine and lavender; with dark painted walls that perfectly evoke a bit of a gloomy atmosphere of the series!

But, not to reveal just everything, set out to this fan ‘gold mine’ in 9 Bosanska Street, and don’t forget to take a few wacky photos and collect piles of likes on social media!

More: www.dalmatia.hr

Photo: www.dalmatia.hr , Game of Thrones promo photos

Keep Reading

Destination of the month

Experience Hvar – the sunniest island with the most UNESCO heritage in the world!

By Maja Zlokic 25/04/2019

EXPERIENCE OUR SUNNIEST ISLAND THE WAY UNESCO SEES IT!

THE SUNNIEST ISLAND WITH THE OLDEST THEATRE IN EUROPE, as if it’s used to be spoken of in superlatives. But, it suits it well, as it has abundance of contents and rich history and culture. Also, it is the island with the biggest amount of UNESCO protected heritage in the entire world!

Our Hvar has proudly established itself on a list that includes total of 936 monuments in 153 countries, of which there are 725 cultural monuments, 183 nature monuments and 28 monuments on both kind .

Some of Hvar’s symbols made it to the list, so make them an inevitable point of your itinerary – experience our sunniest island as UNESCO sees it!

EXPLORE IMPRESSIVE LANDSCAPE THAT RESISTS THE RAVAGES OF TIME. Starigrad field, which was 7^th location in Croatia to be included in UNESCO list, in 2008, together with old city core Of Stari Grad has the best-preserved cadastral division on the Mediterranean. Namely, it is basic architecture that stayed more or less untouched for no less than – 24 centuries

It is characterised by rectangular fields framed with drywalls, where in ancient times even wheat used to be grown! Enjoy the view of olive groves on low slopes, fragrant round bushes of lavender, green branchy rosemary bushes, and of course, sweet and healthy grapes, which give the best red wines in Dalmatia! This impressive landscape is best to be explored within one of theme tours – we like the cycling ones with attractive tastings included.

TREAT YOURSELVES WITH A TRULY UNIQUE SOVENIER, a fruit of dedicated and long labour of Hvar’s Benedictine nuns – agave lace!

The process of making this lace is truly very demanding – from a fresh agave leaf threads are being taken and processed in a specific way until ready for use. Since there is no pattern to be followed, each lace is completely unique, a result of imagination and creativity of the lace-maker.

It is so appreciated that it often serves as a gift in state visits (for example, it was given to Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis). Usually it is kept framed like an art piece, as it actually is! Agave lace mustn’t be wet, ironed or washed, but if kept carefully it can last for a very long time – there are even 100 years old specimens – buy, or at least see specimens of this gentle, magic handicraft!

ENJOY IN MEDITERRANEAN DIET…AND KLAPA PERFORMANCES. This will especially gladden gastronomads – is there a better way to ‘round up’ healthy and tasty Mediterraean dinne than enjoying in harmonious sounds of klapa (a cappela group) singing? Idyllic Hvar’s restaurants are aware of this beautiful synergy, so not rarely will your attractive fish menu, together with olive oil and aromatic herbs, be spiced up with performances of local klapa groups!

Skills, knowledge and customs tied to healthy and tasty Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes values of hospitality, intercultural dialogue and creativity, made it a part of UNESCO list of intangible world heritage in 2013; while klapa multipart singing, recognizable for its characteristic harmony, melody and internal musical structure, was included on the very same list a year earlier. To the joy of all gourmets, these two items that nurture body and soul blend perfectly – reach out for a dose of Hvar’s hedonism with UNESCO mark!

JOIN PROCESSION “ZA KRIŽEN” (FOLLOWING THE CROSS) – TRUE EXPRESSION OF HVAR’S AUTHENTICITY. The extent to which Hvar is a specific island can be experienced in pre-Easter time, and if you ask us, it is Hvar that is one of the most interesting locations for spending the biggest Christian holiday.

Apart from great Easter food (from sirnice and all sorts of Easter cakes decorated with colourful eggs in local homes, to cooked ham and eggs Benedict in luxurious offer of the restaurants), great motivation for a visit is procession “Za križen”, which has been held constantly for 5 centuries, and as such was included on UNESCO list of intangible heritage in 2009.

Being a part of the procession is a unique spiritual experience that will please the hearts of religious tourism enthusiasts, but also of all believers who want to celebrate the biggest Christian holiday in a very specific way. The procession starts at the same time in six different places (Jelsa, Pitve, Vrisnik, Svirče, Vrbanj and Vrboska), with a mass of believers, cross-holder who sometimes has to wait to get that honour for even 20 years and chosen singers that perform the most important part of the procession – passion text from 15^th century – Our Lady’s Weep.

More: www.dalmatia.hr

Photo: www.dalmatia.hr

Keep Reading

Be active

Šolta – a synonym for hedonism of all senses!

By Maja Zlokic 25/04/2019

IMPOSSIBLE TO RESIST. What could be the connection between the father of Croatian literature, Marko Marulić, famous emperor Diocletian and Illyric queen Teuta?

Image may contain: ocean, sky, outdoor, water and nature

An irresistible pearl on a salty surface of Split waters – the island of Šolta! Queen Teuta of divine beauty hid in its bays and allegedly built her court; Diocletian had a fish pond there; Marko Marulić wrote some of his most significant works there, enjoying in soft humming of the sea and silence of Nečujam, where he gladly gathered with his friends.

But, to have an imperial holiday on this island – you do not have to be of royal blood or an artistic soul – although the peace and untouched nature will be truly pleasant and inspiring there!

THEY SAY THAT A WAY TO SOMEONE’S HEART IS THROGH THE STOMACH, so we recommend starting with an adventure – for your palates! What about a portion of fresh, just caught grilled fish, seasoned with olive oil and wild aromatic herbs like marjoram or rosemary? This is the way to explore the island through your plate, for this emblematic, recognizable Mediterranean dish unites all the best of Šolta – fresh fish, awarded olive oil made of autochthonous varieties oblica and levatinka, wild herbs and of course, a glass of magic dobričić, homemade Šolta’s wine, which is one of the ‘parents’ of famous plavac mali!

This wine is a true gastronomic treasure – like plavac, but more elegant. Discover its deep dark red colour and aromas of dry fruit, blueberry and a dry tobacco leaf! Together with wine, Šolta’s brands include olive oil made of aforementioned varieties, and a result of years-long tradition of beekeeping – wild rosemary honey locally called Olintio; they are worth finding, buying and even taking home.

If you visit local beekeepers or oil refineries like Olynthie-nature in Gornje Selo, you can get familiar even with the process of production of these great gifts of nature, olive oil being even in the register of protected marks of originality and geographic origin of the European Commission.

HIKE, CYCLE, DIVE, SAIL…DISCOVER BEAUTIFUL BAYS AND BEACHES. You’re wondering where to spend tasty and healthy Mediterranean food calories? There are numerous possibilities!

Image may contain: ocean, sky, mountain, cloud, outdoor, nature and water

From seaside resorts like Maslenica, Stomorska, Nečujam or Rogač set out to explore the island’s inland or set out towards the shore from southern inland villages like Grohote, Gornje Selo, Srednje Selo or Donje Selo.

Image may contain: people walking, plant and outdoor

Depending on your preferences, in this beautiful ambience you can hike or cycle, all roads are charted on a map available in all tourist info centres.

Image may contain: mountain, ocean, sky, outdoor, water and nature

If you prefer water activities, set out on an unforgettable kayaking adventure – if your starting point is beach in Maslinica, you can expect a romantic adventure of discovering nearby islets and the most amazing sunset you have ever seen. If you choose main Nečujam beach, you will enjoy in heavenly beauty of Velika uvala and unique acoustic features – Vallis surda or deaf bay will turn every sound into just a silent whisper!

If you would like to explore underwaters of these stunning turquoise bays, you will be delighted by more than rich flora and fauna hidden by caves and vertical rocks of the south side of the island – and even by a few sunken ships or remains of Diocletian’s fish pond! Our warmest recommendation is a tour with a licenced guide, with whose help you can even dive at night – for a specially spectacular experience! If you are a true sailor, Šolta won’t disappoint you – yachtsmen have at their disposal two mooring places in Stomorska and Rogač, and modern equipped marina in front of Martinis Marchi Hotel in Maslinica.

Image may contain: sky, cloud, ocean, outdoor, nature and water

ŠOLTA’S JACKSON POLLOCK. Did you know that Šolta has given some excellent artists, like Eugen Buktenica Đenko, the most significant representative of Dalmatian naïve art? His artistic tradition was continued by Vicko Buktenica, who followed the footsteps of his famous uncle.

To naïve art he also added abstraction, so many have compared him to one of the most prominent figures of abstract expressionism, Jackson Pollock. It would be a shame not to visit Grohote and Gallery of Naïve art with permanent exhibition of paintings by Eugen and Vicko Buktenica, depicting charming donkeys with golden crowns, emblematic owls, idyllic churches and wooden boats, and – Mate Mišo Kovač, all bursting with joyful colours and positive artistic energy.? The name Grohote actually means come on up – so what are you waiting for?

More: www.dalmatia.hr

Photo: www.dalmatia.hr , archive TB Central Dalmatia

Keep Reading

Destination of the month

Dubrovnik Tourism & The End Of “Thrones”

By Maja Zlokic 23/04/2019

The hit book series and HBO adaptation Game Of Thrones has changed the nature of tourism in Croatia. Because the series is wildly popular around the world, and many of its most significant locations are filmed in Croatia, the country has seen a measurable uptick in visitors throughout the show’s run on HBO.

This is something you’ve undoubtedly heard about by now with particular regard to the capital city of Dubrovnik (which is the basis for the fictional capital of King’s Landing). However, it’s spread around the country as well; Hot Spots previously profiled a Game Of Thrones tour in Split, for instance.

It’s still Dubrovnik that’s experienced a legitimate tourism phenomenon though. Long recognized as a gorgeous Mediterranean city teeming with history, and a nice alternative to better-known destinations in Italy and Greece, it’s now one of the hottest places in the world to visit. Some simply want a glimpse of the closest thing to a real King’s Landing; some want to do specific tours and sightseeing related to the show; and some, in all likelihood, simply want to appreciate it for what it is, even if it came to their attention through Game Of Thrones.

It’s all quite exciting, though it certainly has its downsides as well. Dubrovnik has become susceptible to annoying crowds, and could be said to have lost a touch of its innocence or authenticity along the way. The Thrones-driven throngs of tourists have landed the city on lists of places being ruined by tourism, and it’s not a stretch to understand why, even if the word “ruined” may be somewhat harsh. Now, however, the city faces an interesting crossroads. Game Of Thrones will wrap up this spring with its finale season, bringing an almost decade-long cultural phenomenon to an end, and potentially changing things for this wonderful Croatian city.

In the immediate future there probably won’t be much of a change. It’s not as if the finale of Thrones will simply sever the public’s interest in it. In fact, one could even imagine tourism to spike immediately following the finale, both because it will coincide with the beginning of the summer season and because this is going to be one of the biggest fictional events in recent history, and will cause lasting, lingering excitement.

On top of the carryover effect, it’s also worth noting that Game Of Thrones is likely to endure in several ways:

HBO has already ordered a spinoff of the series, delving into the vast fantasy world and/or history created by author George R.R. Martin. Reports have been somewhat all over the place as to what precise topics the spinoff will concern, as well as whether it will be a one-off or one of many projects. It is fairly safe to assume that Thrones will live on through a second show though, and this could conceivably extend Dubrovnik’s relevance to fans – particularly if King’s Landing is part of the future project(s).
Game Of Thrones will also likely enjoy sustained popularity through gaming. To date, the show has been surprisingly weak on this front. Telltale had a decent but short-lived series revolving around the show, and a few disappointing mobile games have come out as well. Additionally, some of the online casino networks known for their inventive and alluring bonus structures as well as their vast collections of games have hosted a Thrones-based slot machine, which has actually been consistently entertaining. The slot game may be the most likely to endure, but the end of the show could also bring brand new games, which could conceivably keep people excited about the series for years more to come.
There may also be books still to come, though this is increasingly in doubt. Martin had originally planned two more large, jam-packed novels to complete his written series, and may still adhere to this plan. He’s a notoriously meticulous writer who’s been very slow about penning these final works, but if he does – and if they’re released over the course of several more years – it will keep people interested, keep people engaged in re-watching the HBO series, and potentially keep Dubrovnik crowded.

These three factors – spinoffs, games, and books – will all, together, keep Game Of Thrones relevant long after the spring of 2019. They may also mean that things remain unchanged in Dubrovnik. At the same time though, interest in the fantasy may not always translate to such massive interest in tourism.

It could simply be that as the story endures and extends in various forms, King’s Landing is emphasized less, and thus the Dubrovnik connection starts to lessen. It may be that other filming locations move to the forefront via the planned spinoff, or spinoffs. And it may simply be that interest naturally ebbs after a while, as Thrones remains popular but not as popular as it’s been.

In time, the tourism boom will likely subside one way or another. It may even be that when all is said and done, and the crowds dissipate some, the show will simply become yet another fascinating aspect of the city’s history.

Photo: Ivan Vuković

Keep Reading

Be active

ÖTILLÖ Hvar kicks off the 2019 season

By Croatian Hot Spots 01/04/2019

Vrijeme održavanja: 6. i 7. travnja 2019.

THE 2019 SWIMRUN SEASON STARTS ON APRIL 6 & 7

On April 6 & 7 the 2019 Swimrun season will start with a blast. ÖTILLÖ Hvar in Croatia will have the biggest starting field until date and with many of the absolute best teams in the world.

The last five months have been long and it seems as if the start of the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Series has been longed for.

ÖTILLÖ Hvar, off the Croatian coast is the ideal setting to start the season. Spring weather, crystal- clear waters and beautiful race courses over the whole weekend. More than 400 racers from more than 20 nations will travel to participate and to get the season started.

THE 2019 ÖTILLÖ SWIMRUN WORLD SERIES

The following races are the confirmed 2019 World Series races. One more might be added towards the end of the season.

Each of these races act as qualifiers and also generate ranking points towards ÖTILLÖ, The Swimrun World Championship; which is always held on the first Monday of September in the Stockholm Archipelago.

The races:

ÖTILLÖ Hvar Weekend (Croatia) 6 & 7 April 2019 Images from 2018
ÖTILLÖ Utö Weekend (Sweden) 18 & 19 May 2019 Images from 2018
ÖTILLÖ Isles of Scilly Weekend (England) 8 & 9 June 2019 Images from 2018
ÖTILLÖ Engadin Weekend (Switzerland) 6 & 7 July 2019 Images from 2018
ÖTILLÖ 1000 Lakes Weekend (Germany) 21 & 22 September 2019 Images from 2018
ÖTILLÖ Cannes Weekend (France) 18 & 19 October 2019 Images from 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=YC9bBXuYEHE

The World Championship

ÖTILLÖ, The Swimrun World Championship (14th edition) 2 September 2019 Images from 2018
75 km over and between 26 islands in the Stockholm Archipelago
Renowned as one of the toughest one-day races in the world (CNN 2012)

AN ÖTILLÖ SWIMRUN WEEKEND

An ÖTILLÖ Swimrun weekend is a full immersion into the sport of swimrun and its community. You can now be either a beginner or elite and find the right race for you.

We usually have around 20 nations participating over the weekend with 400+ racers.

We start the Friday afternoon with a #cleantheocean activity where we spend an hour picking garbage from beaches and land in the vicinity of the start & finish area.

On Saturdays we have our Sprint & Experience races. These you can either do as a team (two persons) or solo.

The Sprint is approx. 15 km and the Experience is approx. 7 km. These two races really make it possible for any one to participate. The courses are fun and the camraderie is great. If you want to be competitive the front of the Sprint moves quite fast.

On Sundays we have the World Series event which is approx. 42 km It serves as a qualifier for the World Championship. These events can only be done as a team.

This means that a weekend gives an opportunity for anyone to either try swimrun for the first time or to be extremely competitive all under a world- class organization.

Photo: ӦTTILӦ Swimrun

Keep Reading

Be active

Gastronomy of Split – Dalmatia county – an intersection of culinary cultures from all over the world

By Maja Zlokic 29/03/2019

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY about a cuisine that combines sweet and sour, Greek and Roman, Byzantine and Venetian, all linked by a truly special ingredient – a quantum of stubborn, originally Dalmatian spite?

Dalmatian cuisine will spoil your palates with homemade prosciutto and cheese, traditional fish stew (brodet) and thick fish soups, risottos and gnocchi seasoned with tasty dips, sea food stews; all rounded up with homemade olive oil, Mediterranean aromatic herbs and matched with wide range of exquisite homemade wines. If you want to give your palates a true adventure, it’s high time to taste these sensual dishes – true gastronomic ambassadors of Dalmatian cuisine!

- DIOKLECIJANOV VIJENAC,AUTOR-ROBI BRALIC

A QUEEN CALLED PAŠTICADA. A true example of sweet-sour dish (see how Dalmatian cuisine is always a blend of extremes of some sort, unmatched by anyone?) is luxurious pašticada, gastro heritage of Venetia ad Byzantium, made even today for special occasions (due to its complex preparation) of beef aitchbone in wine, prosecco, vinegar, spices and vegetables. It is often accompanied by homemade gnocchi. Pašticada is so characteristic for this region that almost every household has its own way of preparing it; and it shares the throne with exquisite fish or meat dishes made under the baking lid!

Namely, if you haven’t tried veal, lamb or octopus under the iron lid, which enables food to be cooked and roasted at the same time, from a gastronomic point of view, you haven’t even been to Dalmatia, so do not miss it! If you visit the islands, let the magic of small family restaurants overwhelms you.

There, apart form aforementioned Dalmatian classics, you can indulge in carefully prepared specialties like mutton baked on a juniper spear, which stimulates with resin wood aroma, or for example – crunchy vitalac – ancient dish made of lamb offal served in the “lamb capital”, the island of Brač, which is also a gastro connection to Greeks.

Of course, if you prefer somewhat more modern gastronomic interpretations, there is a wide choice of modern gourmet oases – make yourself infatuated with octopus stew or burgers, monkfish medallions, cuttlefish with broad beans, shrimps carpaccio with olive dust and fig pearls, or an entire pot of shells, shrimps and pasta!

WINES WITH CHARACTER. True gastronomads and wine enthusiasts could draw you a map of Split-Dalmatia County in a second – according to areas where the best autochthonous wines are made! It’s a common knowledge for all who ever tried Kaštela’s crljenak – the darkest of all Dalmatia wines, or bogdanuša and plavac from Hvar and vugava from Vis – that in an elegant glass of wine one can discover a whole new world!

With its classy barrique touch and mild tastes of blackberry, blueberry and cherry crljenak will most certainly comply with those in favor of fruity, bold wines. Although it was tied to Italian primitivo and Californian zinfandel, it has nothing of their sweetness and softness, it is a true – wine with a character!

Even Vienna Court could not resist Hvar’s bogdanuša, which was served only for holidays due to its elegance; while Vis’ vugava overwhelms with discrete aromas of peach, almond and orange! If you prefer red wines, enjoy in full, rounded, delicate woody taste of Hvar’s plavac mali, captivating like a nicely dressed girl walking along Hvar’s waterfront!

SOMETHING SWEET FOR THE END. What kind of a meal would it be without a good, tasty dessert?

Beautiful rožata dates back to Venetian times, and it was considered a pride of Dalmatian desserts! It is cooked in a caramel coat, while a magic addition to a simple recipe that contains milk, eggs, vanilla and sugar is a scented rose liqueur! Split Cake will enchant you with rhapsodies of figs, almonds, walnuts, dates, raisins and rum, and eager Dalmatian housewives discovered that the dough and cream are made of even 10 eggs!

Simple and delicious paradižet is made throughout Dalmatia, just as omnipresent fritule, kroštule and doughnuts, most commonly served in Dalmatian hinterland. Islands have their own trumps as well, just look at the list of Croatian intangible heritage goods and you will find there Dol’s hrapošćuša cake resembling the very Brač’s karst and famous Starigrad’s paprenjak! Combine them with a few drops of tempting lavender or carob liqueurs and you have finalized one great (and very tasty!) Dalmatian adventure!

Image result for HVAR PAPRENJACI HOTSPOTS

More: www.dalmatia.hr

Photo: www.dalmatia.hr , archive of Tourist boards of Split Dalmatia County, Dalmatia explorer

Keep Reading

Be active

Sacral heritage of the island of Brač – not to miss treats for culture enthusiasts!

By Maja Zlokic 26/03/2019

WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF OUR BIGGEST ISLAND? As a “capital” of the tastiest lamb, a place where you can have great cycling experience in idyllic Mediterranean ambience, an oasis of Robinson vacation or a perfect getaway for bathing, sunbathing and water sports?

Perhaps you did not know that together with many various and attractive aspects, Brač has even 116 sacral buildings, thus being a true heaven for culturists! In order to preserve them and make them marketable, four years ago an attractive guide was published in which sights have been catalogued in 5 cultural itineraries. We have singled out some that are truly worth visiting!

VISIT THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BELL TOWER ON DALMATIAN ISLANDS. Whoever watched “Little place” by Miljenko Smoje, must remember emblematic opening scene where the “main role” is played by picturesque place on the west side of the island – Ložišća!

Zvonik crkve u LoÅ¾iÅ¡Äima na BraÄu remek djelo I RendiÄa 1

Image of an idyllic place of steep and narrow streets with houses spread out like someone tossed out some pearls is dominated by the most beautiful bell tower of all – not only on Brač, but on all Dalmatian islands in general! Enjoy in sightseeing this magnificent, tall and decorated bell tower from 19^th century, a work of the great Ivan Rendić. Do not forget to take a few photos, which will be a real treat for aesthetes and cultural enthusiasts on social networks.

DISCOVER THE SPRINGS OF SACRAL TREASURES – BAROQUE AND MEDIEVAL CHURCHES. For those in love with sacral art we warmly recommend sightseeing parish churches all over the island (like the one in Selca!).

Enjoy in their mostly baroque features and worthy altarpieces, whose authors are Ridolfi, Bassano, Balestra, Diziani and even famous Tintoretto, whose great altarpiece is kept in Dominican Pinacoteca in Bol!

Image result for bol dominikanski samostan

If you want to visit medievalchurches, of characteristic hanging arches and bell towers which were several centuries later upgraded to the distaff, visit church of St. Peter in Dol with the oldest bell of that kind. The interior of these edifices usually keeps worthy altar reliefs, whose authors are famous artist slike JurajDalmatianac, Nikola Firentinac or Nikola Lazanić, a sculptor form Brač.

VISIT A CRADLE OF EARLY CHRISTIANITY – AND A CAVE WITH DRAGONS! For those in love with cultural heritage, early – Christian churches and churches on places of pre-Christian cults are a true curiosity.

It’s also worth visiting remains of basilica in Povlja and its baptistery preserved up to the roof, and a basilica in Lovrečina with preserved murals and renewed baptistery vessel; while a series of fragments of stone furniture from these churches can be seen in Museum of the island Brač in Škrip. Among the localities that date back to even earlier periods (like St. Vid on Vidova gora or St. Duh near Gornji Humac) Dragon’s Cave is especially interesting. It was named after a relief of a dragon, which presents a mixture of Slavic mythology and Christian iconography, thus fantastically depicting spirituality of the contemporary human – paganism reconciled with Christianity! Sightseeing of Dragon’s Cave is actually a great excursion, on which even the makers of “Game of Thrones” would envy you, since Bračhad its dragons for a while now!

VISIT BLACA DESERT – A STONE JEWEL IN ROCKY WASTELAND! We’ve left one of the most striking locations for the end – for centuries upgraded monastery in Blacadesert! Once it was a world-famous astronomical observatory, it had its own printing office, while due to extensive book collection, unique furniture, old weapons and clockscollection, it is attractive even today. Staying in an authentic ambience of former monks’ and Glagolitic priests’ residence – who wrote pages of rich monastery’s library in one of the three variants of Croatian Cyrillic – poljičica, for all those who truly enjoy in culture is a – real treat!

More: www.dalmatia.hr

Photo: www.dalmatia.hr

Keep Reading

Gastro

Gastronomy of Trilj region – meet the rhapsody of tastes that exhilarates

By Maja Zlokic 21/03/2019

MYSTERIOUS AND SOMEWHAT MISTIQUE TRILJ, has embossed its gastro map with a similar print. It originated in the place of old Roman camp Tilurium, and not only did it intertwine the roads of ancient people, but also the most diverse culinary influences!

In Trilj’s cuisine karst and river blend, while dishes are refined with honey, dates, figs and old Roman condiments! Besides characteristic Dalmatian specialties, Trilj will spoil your palates with veal under the baking lid, frog stews, Cetina trout and crab stews, but with successfully interpreted dishes with ancient mark as well! If you are eager to find out which specialties awaken a true pride among Trilj people, which delicacies date back to ancient times, which you mustn’t miss – it’s worth reading on!

A FEATURE OF IRRESISTABILITY. Favourite dishes renowned as true classics on Trilj area are by all means, veal and lamb on a spit or under the baking lid. Both ways of preparation give this food the same feature – you just can’t resist them! Namely, how else to describe tempting meat on a stick, which depending on a type of wood the stick is made of, captures sophisticated wood aromas that make your heart mellow? Or truly delicious, tender veal or lamb under the baking lid, heated with beechwood, cooked and roasted at the same time under the iron lid strewn with wine grape live coals?

SWEETEN YOUR PALATES WITH MEAT – OR EVEN RIVER SPECIALTIES. When an important dinner for a special occasion is prepared in Trilj, there is a great chance that aforementioned dishes will be on a menu. Even though exquisite octopus can also be found under the baking lid, very special Trilj delicacy is polestar (young rooster)! Bread is also often baked under the lid, and they are especially proud of their traditional dish made of lamb meat – Trilj’s šiša – made of three times boiled lamb offal and intestines, with addition of bacon, home-grown onions and tomatoes! A particularly typical of Trilj is also baby beef tongue in sauce, followed by kaštradina (dried mutton), and game meat prepared in various ways. This being a region of wild and powerful the Cetina river, it’s not surprising that, besides meat you get to sweeten your palates with an abundance of river trout and crabs, or frog stew.

ENJOY IN MEALS PREPARED ACCORDINFG TO A COOKBOOK – FROM 1^ST CENTURY! In Trilj you can taste the best sheep and goat cheese, fresh cow cheese, often accompanied by delicious doughnuts! Sacrificial bread Libum presents a true gastronomic sensation, and it’s still made in Trilj in ancient way!

The most interesting fact is that this bread, besides flour ad eggs, contains also sheep cheese and laurel leaves, while there are versions when it’s made with 5 types of cheese, one egg, and no flour at all! To make this gastro story even more interesting: this is just one of the many ancient dishes made in Trilj on specific gastro points – there are trout with Roman dressings, Lukanijeve sausages that are a combination od meat and honey, and dumplings made of cow cheese, honey, olive oil and poppy seeds. Together with Trilj’s grandma’s recipes, jealously kept for generations, to gastronomads’ joy, there is also a cookbook from the 1^st century – very much in use!

DO NOT FORGET SMOOTH WINES AND AUTOCHTONOUS DELICACIES. We haven’t forgotten about those in love with a sophisticated wine drop – after all, tasty and distinctive meals need to be finalized in grand style! Let it be homemade Trij wines of harmonious, luxurious and velvety taste, grown on the slopes of Strmendolac and Čaporice, like ninčuša, glavinka, plavina and babić.

Forgotten delicacies

Those with a sweet tooth should try Trilj Cake, the so-called Padišpanja.

Photo: TB Trilj

The Project “Sinj u sridu”, as well as promotional materials and their implementation was co-financed by the European Union from the EU Fund for regional development and operational programme Competitiveness and cohesion 2014-2020.

Content of promotional article is sole responsibility of JU RERA for coordination and development of Split-Dalmatia County and under no circumstances does it reflect the attitude of the EU and/or the governing body.

For more information visit www.strukturnifondovi.hr

More: www.cetinska-krajina.hr

Keep Reading

Be active

Omiš – adrenaline oasis for experts!

By Croatian Hot Spots 20/03/2019

DID YOU KNOW that Omiš is a true source of sports adrenaline?

This picturesque town – as if engraved in rocks that rise mighty above it – is recorded in history as a pirate’s town. Omiš’s monarchs Kačići were famous for piracy, and so courageous that they used to reach even Boka Kotorska and Italy with their boats!

This dynamic and energetic town’s spirit has been preserved even till today, and instead of pirate activity, it has been turned into an abundance of adrenaline contents. Therefore, if you wish to stride along the same steps where pirates would rush upon spotting Venetian ships, tackle the Cetina river rapids or take a tour of its canyon from a highly interesting point of view (bird’s view) stay with our lines!

FIND INSPIRATION IN – “A MILLION DOLLAR” – VIEW! One cannot tell a story of Omiš without mentioning forts Fortica and Mirabela, symbols of town and its rich history. Fortica fort, on the very top of Omiš’s Dinara, can be reached by excellently marked road starting at the centre of the town and leading through Baučići.

http://hotspots.net.hr/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DSC8457-1a.jpg

About an hour long walk to the top will award you with a beautiful view of the entire town, the Cetina river canyon and the islands of Brač, Hvar and Šolta. No less impressive is a viewpoint of Mirabela fort, which dates back to 13th century and offers a view of Omiš and the entire Brač’s Channel! You can reach it by very narrow steps, so if you’re not in your top climbing shape, be extremely careful both while climbing and descending! And one more thing, do not forget your camera – ”million dollar” views offered by these stone beauties will be an excellent addition for your Facebook or Instagram timeline!

TACKLE RIVER RAPIDS. Active vacation enthusiasts will not find it hard to set out to Omiš even from the most remoted places in order to enjoy in rafting on the Cetina, marked as the very best in the area by many! Tackle the river rapids – adrenaline rapid Z that brings your adventure to the fever pitch and Javornica through which you have to squeeze as through an eye of a needle!

Indulge yourself with an unforgettable experience of going thorough small, magic Studenci waterfall, and enjoy in wilderness sightseeing on calmer parts – crystal clear waters are swirling with fish, ducks are swimming calmly, and somewhat rarer but equally interesting guests can be turtles and sea dragonflies! With expert skippers you will tackle even the most demanding parts of the river, popularly called labyrinths; peek into a place called Tisne stine (Narrow rocks) where famous movie Winetou was filmed, and the whole adventure will be captured with a camera of a professional photographer. Besides rafting, both kayaking as canoeing will enable you to take a peek into the most hidden places, and we especially like bathing under Velika and Mala Gubavica waterfalls!

ZIP LINE – ADRENALINE BOMB FOR THE MOST DEARING! Wild beauty of the Cetina canyon can be enjoyed from a totally different perspective – for above! Zip line is an activity made popular several years ago, and it keeps attracting all the more visitors!

Namely, it is a flight over the rocky Cetina landscape with the use of a steel rope. One of the most interesting reviews of this exciting activity was left by an elderly gentleman from Great Britain, who rated it with 5 stars, with a comment: ”You only live once!”

He said that with this “venture” his grandchildren were immensely amused, and for the next couple of days all he did was relax, with a bear! If you’re not afraid of heights, and you would like a tour which is all but conventional, dare to try this adrenaline treat, hugely praised by satisfied users on numerous foreign travel portals.

More: www.dalmatia.hr

Photo: www.dalmatia.hr , arhiva Turističkih zajednica

Keep Reading