Zlatni Rat ( Golden Horn ) - The Most Beautiful Beach in the World

According to the British Daily Telegraph, the beach Zlatni rat in Bol on the Island of Brač is the most beautiful beach in Europe.

Also, the tourist guide publisher Lonely Planet has ranked Zlatni rat among the ten most beautiful beaches in the world.

Zlatni rat is located on the west side of Bol on the mid Dalmatian
island of Brač, positioned beneath the Vid’s Mountain, the highest
Adriatic insular mountain. It is half a kilometre long and is one
of the biggest natural attractions of the Croatian Adriatic coast.
The beach is spectacular on account of its triangle shape, and its
specificity is that it changes shape depending on the direction of
the wind. This makes it perfect for surfing and other water sports,
which is why many international sports competitions are organized
here. The beach is surrounded by a pine tree and oak tree forest,
and offers numerous possibilities for the organization of various
entertainment events. Numerous high quality hotels, suite resorts,
restaurants, cafes, taverns and nightclubs, as well as sports facilities
for both children and adults are located in close proximity to
the beach.

Split Dalmatia County Tourist Board: www.dalmatia.hr

Bol Tourist Board: www.bol.hr

Seasonal flights from Madrid to Zagreb

Beginning on July 4th, the Spanish airline Iberia will introduce two weekly flights between Madrid and Zagreb. These seasonal flights will greatly contribute to the movement of tourists between the two countries. Iberia will also continue with its seasonal flights connecting Madrid and Dubrovnik three times a week. Over the last couple of years, the movement of tourists between the two countries has greatly increased. The number of Spanish visitors to Croatia jumped 10 % last year, with 13 % more overnight stays.

Zadar - New air connections with Stockholm and Edinburgh

Beginning on April 1st, the City of Zadar will be connected by air
with Stockholm. Ryanair will offer flights twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, until October 24th. In January, Ryanair also announced a new air connection between Zadar and Edinburgh,
which will also begin its operations on April 1st. Ryanair already
connects Zadar with London and Dublin.

Croatia in the top 35 countries in competitive tourism

Croatia remains in 34th place this year among 133 countries in tourism competitiveness.

The new World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report, called "Managing in a Time of Turbulence," provides the country rankings.

This year’s report summarises the difficulties the industry currently faces, as well as the effect of energy prices on tourism and price competitiveness.

Croatia is still on the same level as Italy and Malta and ahead of some European countries such as Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria.

The most-competitive tourism countries are again Switzerland, Austria and Germany.

The rankings are based on the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI), which measures the different regulatory and business-related issues that have been identified as levers for improving travel and tourism competitiveness in countries around the world.

Croatia received low ratings for price competitiveness, air-price competitiveness, air-travel infrastructure and the education and availability of professional staff but extremely good marks for tourism infrastructure.

Commenting on the report, National Competitiveness Council head Darko Marinac said Croatia needed more than ever to think carefully about its price competitiveness in tourism in order to keep its returning guests and to attract new ones.

Marinac added: "On the other hand, Croatia needs to raise the quality of the domestic tourism product in order to balance value and price."


Article Source: http://www.croatiantimes.com/index.php?id=2972

Restaurant Review: Mondo Konoba in Croatia

Mondo Konoba may be the best little restaurant that you may never reach. It is what eating in the Old World should feel like. Just be warned that you’ll have to work for it.

Istria, the part of Croatia that’s closest to Italy, was under its neighbor’s rule until the end of World War II and was previously occupied by the mighty Venetians. It’s beautiful, cheap and largely free of the hordes of tourists that spoil so many postcard-worthy views in Italy. Think of it as Tuscany 50 years ago.

Mondo Konoba sits on a slope just outside the large gate to the beautiful medieval village of Motovun, which is on a hilltop deep in the Croatian countryside almost an hour from the nearest train station. Visitors can drive up the narrow winding road almost to the top, though they must leave their cars and make their way along the final stretch of narrow cobbled streets with misshapen and brightly colored houses on foot. Otherwise, it’s a stunning, but tiring, half-hour trek to Motovun.

Where does a weary traveler rest? In a tavern, which is the translation of konoba. The vibe is as relaxed as the word suggests, with an airy dining room and a few simple wooden tables outside. The menu relies heavily on local ingredients particular to the surrounding area.

Among the highlights are beef carpaccio with shavings of black truffle, a rich and creamy polenta with truffles and a delicious dish of tagliatelle — in a truffle sauce, of course. Truffles are abundant there, and are dug up by hunters and their dogs (or more traditionally with pigs) fresh in the mornings.

Nikola, the friendly and multilingual waiter, is great with helping to choose a glass of one of the crisp local white wines to pair with the food. Main courses range from 65 to 140 kuna (about $11 to $25 at 5.8 kuna to the dollar), a tremendous bargain when compared with the expensive dishes on tourist menus in Italy.

Before the sun sets, there should be enough time to enter the gate to the village, built in the 1400s, and soak in the breathtaking views. No surprise, then, that many Italians say the best place for a dream holiday is Croatia.

Mondo Konoba, 1 Barbacan, Motovun, Croatia; (385-52) 681-791.

By KABIR CHIBBER
Published: February 1, 2009

Article Source: http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/02/01/travel/01bites.html?ref=travel

Rail passes - the economical way to see Europe

By George Pandi, CanWest News Service

Rail Europe, the European railways' agency that distributes go-as-you-please passes, has just announced its new products and prices. The good news is prices remain close to last year's level, with the Eurail Global and Select passes going up just one per cent, French and Swiss passes about five per cent.

Four new passes came on line. The two-country, first-class Eurail Austria-Hungary Pass for four days of travel in two months costs $263. The two-class Italy-Spain pass for four to 10 days starts at $337 on second class; ferries between Italy and Spain offer reductions to pass holders. Two new national passes cover Ireland, five days of travel in one month for $218, and Croatia, three to eight days in one month, starting at $127.

Veteran travellers -- who had turned Eurailpass into a verb, as in "we will be eurailpassing this summer" -- panicked when they didn't see the word on the 2007 list. But the classic pass that took millions on summer-long explorations changed in name only, to Eurail Global Pass, in a minor branding exercise.

For those not familiar with the concept: Rail Europe's passes are valid on all trains -- often on buses and ships as well -- with unlimited mileage. With a consecutive pass you can travel daily from four days to three months; flexi passes let you choose the days of travel within a period, one or two months. The price varies with the number of travel days, the countries covered, and the class. For example, the single-country Czech Flexipass costs $98 for three days in 15, second class; the 18-country Eurail Global Flexi offers 10 days in two months, first class, for $880.

The favourite of nomads under 26 is the second-class Eurail Global Pass Youth: $1,361 buys three months of daily travel through 18 countries. The flexi version offers 10 days in two months for $572, 15 days for $751. Less peripatetic adults prefer the Eurail Select Pass that lets them choose three to five bordering countries and five to 15 days in two months. Prices start at $473 for for five days in three countries.

There are 22 more multi-country passes that combine from two to six countries and 19 national passes. Some are open-ended: you can buy additional travel days. The cost drops by about 15 per cent for two or more people travelling together if the pass has a Saver versions; as well, there are youth and senior discounts.

Passes include supplements, but not seat reservations, which cost about $5. However, on the French TGV the compulsory reservation increases with distance and is, in effect, a high-speed surcharge. Note that you can't reserve aboard the train and may have to pay the full fare as a fine. "Premier" trains (Artesia, AVE, Thalys, etc) are not free with passes, but those with a pass get considerable discounts, for example, on the Madrid-Seville AVE the first-class fare is $207, but pass holders pay $53.

See raileurope.ca or 1-800-361-7245.

Article Source: http://www.leaderpost.com

Lessons From Flight 1549

LAST Thursday evening, as Kevin Leibel settled into his seat on an American Airlines regional plane about to take off from St. Louis to Raleigh, N.C., he did something he had rarely done in the past: He actually paid close attention to the safety procedures being recited by the flight attendant.

It was less than four hours after US Airways Flight 1549 had splashed down in the Hudson River, with all passengers and flight crew eventually rescued, and which Mr. Leibel had watched with some amazement on the large-screen televisions in the Admirals Club at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. “The conversation in the room centered on how we all wanted to know if the passengers sitting in the emergency exit really knew what they were doing,” Mr. Leibel, a frequent flier from Chapel Hill, N.C., recalled.

So when his flight to Raleigh boarded for its 6:30 p.m. Central time takeoff, Mr. Leibel took his seat, 11C, in an emergency exit row and scanned his surroundings closely. “I did look at my row mates — one solo seat across the aisle and another seat next to mine — and briefly considered how they might perform,” he said.

Mr. Leibel was not alone. Interviews with several passengers and flight attendants who flew in the hours and days after the Hudson River crash suggest that passengers’ awareness of their surroundings, and what to do in a possible emergency of their own, was at a height few had ever experienced before.

“It was the first time I can remember when everyone paid attention to the safety announcement,” said Matt Davidson, an executive at a plastic injection molding company from Lake Forest, Ill., who flew from Chicago to Denver on Saturday. “Also, I and others around me checked for the red life-vest tab under the seat. The United attendant announced that infant life vests were available. I’ve never heard that before.”

Kidsflysafe.com, which sells a child safety harness for use on planes as an alternative to a car seat, reported a spike in visits to the site. “Apparently a lot of folks took a look at the crash and perhaps have travel coming up with their child and thought, ‘I need that,’ ” Lisa Orman, a spokeswoman for the site, wrote in an email message.

It wasn’t just the passengers who were on increased alert. Flight attendants also found themselves reliving the details of the US Airways crash, and reminding one another of what they had learned in training programs of their own.

“After the miracle-on-the-Hudson incident occurred, I started trying to imagine what I would have done,” said Debby Gravitt, a veteran flight attendant with American Airlines. “The first thing I did was get out my in-flight manual and study the ditching portion of the 757, which I am currently flying. Those flight attendants had to immediately pull everything from memory while maintaining calm.

“We have a 30-second review we are supposed to do in our heads before every takeoff, and we are supposed to pick out which two passengers we would choose to use to aid us in our emergency landing,” she added. “Without a doubt, I plan to do this every time from here on.”

And for passengers and flight crew members alike, the important role of people who sit in the exit rows was reinforced. Mr. Leibel, for one, found himself questioning the long-standing policy that those exit-row seats, with their extra legroom, often go to frequent fliers, as a perk, or are even sold by airlines like Virgin, Northwest and JetBlue, to passengers who are willing to pay a bit more for the extra space. “The competence of the passenger is never considered, and the screening questions online are a joke,” Mr. Leibel said.

Accounts of the evacuation of Flight 1549 indicate that one of the key reasons the passengers were able to escape was that a man, only identified in previous reports as Josh, followed the instructions printed on the laminated cards in the emergency exit rows.

Josh apparently had read the card and knew how to open the emergency door. When someone tried to pull the door in, The New York Times reported last week, Josh stepped in and, according to one of the thankful survivors, said: "‘No, you’ve got to throw it out.’ He twisted it and threw it out.”

Not everyone was as clear-thinking during what some passengers described as the “controlled chaos” of the evacuation, stopping to snatch bags from the overhead bins.

“That’s one of the things you constantly hear about,” said Lonny Glover, safety and security coordinator for the flight attendants union at American Airlines, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, who has debriefed passengers involved in accidents. “How things were slowed down because a passenger is reaching up to take a suitcase or laptop out of the overhead bin.”

Flight crews are trained to guide passengers in an emergency with calm but direct commands: Unfasten seat belts! Come this way! Don’t take anything with you!

In the case of Flight 1549, it appears the pilot expertly handled the emergency river landing, and flight attendants did their best to keep passengers calm while quickly evacuating the aircraft.

In a water landing, flight attendants are taught never to open the rear door because it could sink the plane. Indeed, some passengers who were at the back of Flight 1549 reported flooding nearly up to their necks. The flooding would have been much worse if one of the flight attendants onboard had not stopped a passenger from opening a rear door and letting in a gush of water, according to a report by The Associated Press.

The Federal Aviation Administration mandates that every crew member receive training in so-called ditching, or emergency water landings. Instruction must be specific to the aircraft and safety equipment onboard.

But the number of hours dedicated to training and the type of drills can vary from airline to airline. For example, some flight attendants are trained to fly both domestic and international routes. American Airlines flight attendants review ditching procedures each year during recurrent training at the company’s headquarters in Fort Worth, Tex., including use of flotation devices and what to say and do to evacuate the plane safely. But only American’s international flight attendants, who typically fly on aircraft outfitted with life rafts, flares and other emergency equipment designed for survival in large bodies of water, get into a pool and practice inflating and boarding a raft.

For passengers, Mr. Glover recommends the following safety tips:

Pull out the emergency briefing card in the seat back pocket and review it. “Most passengers unfortunately feel they know their own surroundings and have been on the planes frequently. This time the plane may be changed to a different type. The exits may be located in a different area and may operate differently than the ones you are used to.”

When you sit down, count the number of rows or seats to your nearest emergency exit — in front and behind. “If the plane is damaged or filled with smoke and you need to get out, it could be a very chaotic environment in the cabin. It is best to know how many rows you may need to go in the dark cabin to get out. Also, the exit closest to you or the one you boarded through could be blocked. Know where the next available one is and how close it is. It could be right behind you.”

In a smoke-filled cabin, breathe through a piece of your clothing. “Cover your nose and mouth with a piece of your clothing to filter out the smoke.”

During an emergency evacuation, leave your carry-on luggage behind. “Passengers trying to remove luggage from the bins in an emergency are taking up precious time to evacuate. You are blocking the aisle and delaying others trying to evacuate. Studies show everyone has approximately 90 seconds to get out. Key here: Which is more important — your laptop, your suitcase or your life? It’s an easy choice.”

By MICHELLE HIGGINS
Published: January 20, 2009

Article source: The New York Times

Hostels more wanted

For the young, Croatia is a favourite tourist destination, and they will find the accommodation suited to their needs in 40 hostels around the country to which 30 more should be added by 2012.

The hostels are already located in some of the most attractive
spots such as Dubrovnik, Pula, Šibenik, Zadar, Rijeka, Veli Lošinj,
and Zagreb. All the hostels, which have 900 beds, completely
correspond to the standards and the way of doing business of all
European hostels. Also, they all work throughout the year, with the
exception of the island hostel in Veli Lošinj, which is open from the start of May until the end October.

The Croatian Youth Hostel Association is a non-profit, non-government organisation and an independent association of youth hostels which is developing youth tourism, and last year it celebrated 55 years of activity. It is a member of international organisations which are promoting youth mobility: International Youth Hostel Federation,European Youth Card Association and World Youth and Student Educational Travel Confederation. As a member of a large hostel family, Croatian Youth Hostel Association ensures a host of opportunities to its members and the youth from around the world in accommodation and other tourist services.

www.hfhs.hr

Plitvice lakes the most visited

National parks in Croatia were visited by more than 2 million tourists,from which there were 1.7 million foreign. The most visited national park was Plitvice Lakes with the total of 891,000 visitors, of which more than 816,000 were foreign visitors. At the list of most visited, in second place was National park Krka with 664,000 guests, followed by Brijuni, Paklenica and Mljet, Kornati, Risnjak,Paklenica and North Velebit.

Croatia has a total of eight national parks, which, together with
other forms of protection, are in the area of one tenth of the total
space.

By avoiding over-building, Croatian tourist and total space – on
islands, on the coast and on the continental part of the country
– is one of the most important reasons for the country’s great tourist reputation and attracting numerous guests from around the
world.

www.lickosenjska.com

www.np-plitvicka-jezera.hr

Carnival in Rijeka

Rijeka, January 17 – February 25

This year’s Carnival will be packed with events and will feature more than 10,000 participants in traditional Carnival Parade taking place the last day.

Carnival in the city of Rijeka has become one of the biggest and most popular in Europe. Every year, it is a host to more than 150 domestic and international groups that take part in the final parade at the end of the celebrations. It is estimated that the Carnival will attract more than 150,000 spectators this year, with the number of tourists growing as it becomes known in more and more countries. Events will include Queen Pageant of Rijeka’s Carnival, Children’s Carnival Parade which has become city’s trademark as well (taking place one week before the final parade), concerts in specially built tents with performances of well known artists, exhibitions, carnival dancing-ball for dignitaries, sport events including car-rally, unique for its kind in Europe, and much more.

The only way to really experience this one of a kind Carnival, is to be there and take part in its festivities.

www.ri-karneval.com.hr

CROATIA – Destination for 2009!

Leading US Tour Operators call Croatia one of the top destinations for 2009 . This comes after December’s USTOA Conference held in Palm Desert, California, Dec 3-5. Croatian National Tourist Board was also present at the conference, and hosted traditional Luncheon on December 5 for more than 400 tour operators attending the Conference. During the Luncheon, Croatian-American composer Zeljko Marasovic and vocal group “Zhena”, performed the “Croleidoscope” , musical work combining Croatian ethno and modern music sounds.

Source: Croatian National Tourist Office, New York

New Easyjet flights to Naples and Dubrovnik

EASYJET will launch three new routes from Liverpool John Lennon airport this summer, increasing its routes from the city to 22 European destinations.

A new four-days-a-week flight to the Italian city of Naples will commence on June 1.

It will be followed the next day with a route to Dubrovnik, in Croatia, each Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, and a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday link with France’s great wine region of Bordeaux.

Single fares for Dubrovnik and Naples start from £26.99, including taxes and charges, while the Bordeaux flight will start at £22.99.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2009/01/06/new-easyjet-flights-to-naples-100252-22616251/

Guardian & Observer travel awards 2008

Croatia – the third most desirable european travel destination

Croatia took the third place in the contest for the best European
travel destinations. This was the opinion of over 17,000 readers
of the Guardian and Observer dailies in a survey that has been
carried out for 22 years in a row. The success of Croatian tourism
is that much greater considering the fact that Croatia jumped from
the 10th place to the third in a just year, right after Switzerland in
the first place and Sweden in the second place, leaving Austria
and Italy behind. The presentation of the Guardian & Observer
Travel Awards 2008 was held in mid-October in Morocco with over
120 representatives of the travel industry, advertisers and journalist
teams. Guardian and Observer have around 1.3 million readers
combined.

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Prime Spots Dot the Dalmatian Coast

WHO: Cora Yanacek, 57, of Falls Church.

DREAM TRIP: Croatia's Dalmatian Coast.

BACKGROUND: "Are you ready for a challenge?" e-mailed Yanacek, a Washington lawyer. She wants to explore Croatia's Dalmatian Coast in May but hasn't been able to decide on the best approach: Stay at one resort and use that as a base? Travel by bus along the coast? Take a cruise? She'll be traveling by herself and needs to stay under $2,000, including airfare.

OUR SUGGESTIONS: The bad news is that there's no way Yanacek can see the whole Dalmatian Coast properly in a week: There are simply too many ancient walled cities, achingly picturesque islands, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and miles of exquisite coastline to explore. The good news is that there are lots of ancient walled cities, achingly picturesque islands, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and miles of exquisite coastline to explore. She should zero in on four or five locations and spend a couple of days in each. As for the rest of it, well, she'll just have to go back.

Yanacek has chosen a great time to visit Croatia: In May, the weather should be nice, the summer hordes won't have descended, and the ferries along the coast will have picked up their schedules a bit from winter. (Full schedules don't resume till June.)

DAY 1: Fly from Washington to Dubrovnik. It's not easy getting to Croatia (no direct flights from D.C., not to mention nonstops), and it ain't cheap: The best price we found -- $1,050 round trip, including all taxes -- was through Croatia Travel Agency in New York (800-662-7628, http://www.croatiatravel.com). It's pretty much a full 24 hours of flying, with connections in London and Zagreb, the Croatian capital. But push on, because Dubrovnik, a stunningly beautiful medieval city, will make you forget your jet lag and is a perfect place to start your explorations of the coast.

DAYS 2-3: In Dubrovnik, don't miss the centuries-old Dominican and Franciscan monasteries and Rector's Palace (museums attached to each), any and all cathedrals and the 15th-century Jewish synagogue, the second-oldest synagogue in Europe. And, of course, walk the ancient city walls for unparalleled views of the rooftops and sea. But be sure to save plenty of time for simply sitting at an outdoor cafe on the Stradun (a.k.a. Placa), the walled city's main drag: The people-watching is sublime.

There aren't a ton of lodging options in Dubrovnik (or in the whole country, for that matter); choices tend to range from overpriced Communist-era monoliths to humble B&Bs. One exception: Hotel Stari Grad (4 Od Sigurate, 011-385-20-322-244, http://www.hotelstarigrad.com), an elegant yet affordable boutique hotel in a renovated mansion within the city walls with just eight rooms and a rooftop terrace overlooking the city. A single room starts at $178 in May and includes breakfast.


A B&B is a much more affordable option. Even if you're a hotel person, consider staying in a private room, or soba. Locals will approach you with "Sobe" ("Rooms") signs at ferry, bus and train stations, but it's safer to rent from a travel agency: There's a slight markup, but the places are vetted and rates are still eminently affordable, usually around $40 to $55 a night. Concrete behemoth with no character for $150 a night, or charming room with shared bath overlooking the Adriatic for $40? Pretty much a no-brainer.

Lots of choices at dinnertime: Fresh seafood places are everywhere. Lokanda Peskarija (Na Ponti, on the Old Town harbor) has great shrimp and fish dinners for about $15, and you can sit outside in nice weather, with neighborhood cats cruising for a handout. Orhan (1 Tabakarije), also on the harbor, is fancier, with fresh fish dinners at about $45, including wine.

DAYS 4-5: Take a ferry to Korcula, one of the many delectable islands off the Croatian coast, and spend a couple of days decompressing from city life. Croatia's main ferry company, Jadrolinija ( http://www.jadrolinija.hr), doesn't operate every day in May, but you can take a bus-ferry combo from the Dubrovnik bus station (Autobusni Kolodvor-Dubrovnik, http://www.libertasdubrovnik.hr/voznired.swf) for about $15. Once on the island, prepare to be dazzled: It's a miniature Dubrovnik, complete with medieval city walls, cathedrals and white marble streets. The city is laid out in a fishbone pattern, with streets radiating off the backbone like ribs -- designed that way to either catch the breezes or cut down on the wind, depending on whom you talk to. Other great island options: Hvar, Mljet, Brac, Vis.

Again, simply wander around the island for dining options. Gajeta (11a Kraljeviceva), with outdoor tables overlooking the sea, is especially appealing at night, with a grilled fish dinner running about $25.

Here and for the rest of your trip, stay with locals in private rooms.

DAYS 6-7: Continue up the coast to Split , another don't-miss city. Regular ferry service doesn't resume till June, but you can catch a Krilo catamaran (it leaves at 6 a.m., sorry; tickets from Marco Polo Tours, 011-385-20-715-400). Split may disappoint at first glance -- it's a working city, not a shimmery showplace like Dubrovnik -- but it offers a fascinating glimpse of the way Croatians live, and it's the site of some of the most amazing Roman ruins on the planet, Diocletian's Palace. Those ruins are hopping, too, with a maze of stores, cafes and apartments within the palace walls. Also check out the vibrant Riva seaside promenade, where locals romp day and night. If you have time, consider a day trip to the medieval island village of Trogir, across the bay; catch a bus from the main station.

DAY 8: Okay, so it's not on the coast. But Croatia Travel chief exec Boris Miketic says you simply can't visit Croatia without stopping at Plitvice Lakes National Park on your way back to Zagreb. "It's something that everybody raves about, an unbelievable cascade of waterfalls and lakes. I've gone there twice in the last year." Take the bus from Split, about two hours (see http://www.ak-split.hr/EN/vozni.red/VozniRedOdlazaka.aspx for a schedule). Don't miss traditional roasted lamb dishes at Licka Kuca restaurant in the woods; dinner is about $20. Then take the bus from Plitvice to Zagreb and spend the night in the capital, because you've got an early flight the next morning. There are lots of hotel choices in Zagreb, but not many you'd call moderate. One exception: the appealing, centrally located Hotel Ilica (102 Ilica, http://www.hotel-ilica.hr), with singles starting at about $80, including breakfast.

DAY 9: Fly to London, then home to Dulles. Spend all that connecting time planning your trip to Hvar, Zadar, Istria and all the other coastal destinations you couldn't squeeze in this time.

SPLURGE: Dubrovnik's Pucic Palace (1 Oc Puca, http://www.thepucicpalace.com) is a five-star hotel in the heart of the Old Town with antique-filled rooms, a rooftop terrace restaurant and all the amenities. About $550 a night.

COST: Airfare from Washington to Dubrovnik is $1,050. Bus and ferry trips run about $55, lodging about $600, museums and guides about $125. Total, not including food, tips and incidentals: $1,830. Okay, so you won't eat much.

-- K.C. Summers

Article Source: www.washingtonpost.com

The heart of nature - a country estate near Karlovac

The village tourist estate Srce prirode (The Heart of Nature) has been opened in Gorica Lipnička, around twenty kilometers from the town of Karlovac. This family village estate spreads over 12 thousand square meters and contains three autochthonous renovated houses. The accommodation part of the estate offers nine rooms (18 beds), and the guests can also use a restaurant seating 80 people, a wine tasting facility, a gazebo and a tavern seating 50 people. The family estate offers eco food such as different kinds of honey, juices, wines, cured meats, etc. The meals in the restaurant are prepared according to old recipes. Two conference halls are equipped with modern technology. In addition, visitors to
the estate can engage in the following activities: paintball, Village Olympics, culinary workshop, speleo-adventure, football, archery, volleyball, badminton, boccie and berry picking. The owner of the estate also happens to own the 4-star family hotel Korana in Karlovac, a historic and attractive town located around fifty kilometers from Zagreb, with the old town of Dubovac as its trademark.

The hotel is located on Korana River, one of the four rivers in Karlovac, offering 15 double rooms and 3 business suites, as well as gastro, recreation and other offers.

Karlovac County Tourist Board
www.tzkz.hr

Karlovac Tourist Board
www.karlovac-touristinfo.hr

Seosko imanje Srce prirode & Hotel Korana
www.hotelkorana.hr

Vrbnička žlahtina - Original Croatian

Croatia is well known for its excellent wines, so it is hard to say which one is the best. Although this primarily depends on the personal taste, many experts and “practical wine lovers” believe vrbnička žlahtina is among the best. It is made from the autochthonous grape variety called žlahtina, which is grown in Vrbničko polje, a winegrowing region of protected geographic origin. Depending on the yield, between 700 and 900 thousand bottles of this original dry white wine with controlled geographic origin is made every year.

Connoisseurs describe the wine as “elegant, high-quality, having
a unique aroma and freshness, while all fruity scents and harmonious
features of the variety are expertly preserved “. This is the
reason why the Croatian Chamber of Economy awarded vrbnička
žlahtina the respected Original Croatian mark, stating is “reflects
the traditional Croatian culture of winegrowing, winemaking and
lifestyle in the rural areas on the islands of the Croatian littoral
where survival and sustainable development depend on persistent
and diligent growing of agricultural varieties and their processing
into added-value products.“ The wine should be served chilled at
between 8 and 12 degrees Celsius, and you will enjoy it the most if
you drink it with Mediterranean food. Staying on the island of Krk,
and especially in Vrbnik, a small picturesque town built on a 48-
meter cliff, is certainly an opportunity to try some original Krk food. In addition to fish and seafood prepared with quality local olive oil, it includes homemade pasta and particularly the local lamb, sheep cheese and prosciutto.

Primorje-Gorski Kotar County Tourist Board
www.kvarner.hr

Krk Island Tourist Board
www.krk.hr

Croatia – a respectable camping destination

A meeting of the European Federation of Campingsite Organizations and Holiday Park Associations (EFCO & HP), an organization established in 1979 and bringing together around 25 thousand European campingsites and camp resorts, was held in Umag in late September. Such important convention in Croatia, the region of Istria and the tourist destination of Umag is an acknowledgement of the local camping offer providing the guests with holidays in a beautiful and ecologically preserved environment, keeping up with the growing camping services standards. Croatia has a total of around 226 campingsites and 278 private estate campingsites having a total accommodation capcity of 224,000 persons. The private state campingsites account for around 10,000 units.

According to the Croatian Camping Union, campingsites account for 23.7 percent of the country’s accommodation capacities and they have an approximately equal share in tourist overnights. Around fifteen campingsites having a total capacity of 22.5 thousand persons are classified as four stars, while 57 campingsites having a capacity of a little over 88 thousand persons are classified as three stars. High-category (4 and 3 stars) are mainly in Istria, which also has the most numerous camping capacities, followed
by Primorje-Gorski Kotar County and Zadar County in the third place. Dubrovnik-Neretva County, the southernmost part of Croatia, is the second in the number of four-star campingsites. The Croatian Camping Union evaluated with year’s camping season as successful. According to their estimates, Croatian campingsites had 12.624 million overnights in the first eight months, or 3.2 percent over 2007. Istria, the most developed Croatian camping destination, had 6.825 million overnights, or 3.4 over last year. The average annual campingsite occupancy is 59.1 days, the highest figures achieved in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County – 67.1 days. Of course, the longest stays are achieved in four-star camps – as much as 87 day. The average duration of stay in campingsites is 6.7, with Istria as
number one with an average duration of stay of eight days.

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, Germans are the most numerous campingsite guests, followed by Slovenia, The Netherlands, Austria, Czech Republic… Every year, the traditional markets are accompanied with new ones. The Croatian Camping Union plans to present the offer more intensively to such guests.

Croatian Camping Union
www.camping.hr

SAS introduces direct flights to Zagreb

On Monday the 31t of March, SAS introduced flights between Stockholm-Arlanda Airport and Zagreb, Croatia. The line between Stockholm and Zagreb will be operated with departures on Mondays and Friday afternoons. From the 30th of April there will also be departures on Wednesdays.

SAS Sverige has already announced the start of the line between Gothenburg and Split starting on the 7th of June and will continue to operate the line between Stockholm and Split on Tuesdays and Saturdays. With all these direct lines between Sweden and Croatia SAS Sverige will be the largest operator of direct flights from Sweden to Croatia.

"With the new lines we continue our important expansion in Europe. The destinations in Croatia are a result from an increased interest in our flights from Sweden to Croatia, as a destination for holiday but also as a destination for business trips, says Susanne Dahlberg, head of Commercial at SAS Sverige."

"We have been waiting for the line between Stockholm and Zagreb for more than ten years. A direct flight opens up for new travel possibilities such as group- and incentive travels, culture, sports and health travels and not to forget the business travels. With this line and segments we can expect the travel between Sweden and Croatia to increase further, says Dario Matosevic, head of the Croatian Tourist Board in Stockholm".

Source: Easier Travel

A romantic break in the city of hearts - Zagreb

Champagne, chocolates, abundant red roses in an elegant room in a five-star hotel. A relaxing bath drawn by the butler from the bath menu, a city tour by limousine and a candlelit dinner in an Art Deco restaurant.

Here, on Valentine’s Day, is a romantic package that is available all year at the Regent Esplanade Hotel in Europe’s city of hearts, Zagreb. And at €499 (£370) for a couple for two nights with breakfast, it is a fraction of the price of similar packages in many European cities.

Zagreb might seem a surprising recommendation, but it exudes a lively style and knows how to welcome visitors, young and old, romantic or businesslike. When the good and the great started to arrive in increasing numbers aboard the Orient Express in the early 1920s, a suitably stylish hotel was needed to accommodate them – and up went the Regent Esplanade on a field close to the railway station.

Just over three years ago, the hotel reopened after a two-year renovation that retained the marble and oak-lined entrance and lobby but freshened up the rest of the building. The piano bar and bright, airy Zinfandel’s Restaurant look out over the Oleander Terrace to the Fountain Park. The garden bistro has floor-to-ceiling windows and is famous for its strukli, the Croatian pastry and ricotta cheese speciality. The 209 bedrooms, even without the romantic extras, are comfortable and welcoming and the Emerald Ballroom, with a decorated glass oval in the centre of a ceiling covered with tiny blue lights, is the perfect place for a wedding celebration.

Zagreb can be just as romantic as the hotel and earned its soubriquet because of the tradition of giving decorated honey dough cakes called licitar hearts to loved ones, especially on Valentine’s Day. It is an ideal city for strolling around, hand in hand, dipping into the occasional jewellery shop, cosy café or cultural museum.

Gradec, known as the upper town, is the most charming quarter and most easily reached by a quick funicular ride from Ilica, the city’s main street. The ride takes you to the foot of the 13th-century Lotrascak Tower, from which a cannon is fired at noon every day.

In the quiet streets behind the tower are the Parliament building, the Prime Minister’s office and St Mark’s Church with a roof of red, white and blue tiles in a diagonal pattern, and with two coats of arms. A cluster of museums include the Croatian Museum of Naive Art, with half a dozen rooms full of intriguing and frightening images, and the Zagreb City Museum, with a collection tracing the city’s history.

There you will learn that the citizens of Gradec were often at loggerheads with the people on the neighbouring but lower hill, Kaptol, which has a cathedral with 105m tall spires at its centre. The districts were finally united in 1850, together with adjoining settlements, into the undivided town of Zagreb, leading to the development of the lower town – now the city’s business and shopping heart.

The planners ensured that it remained a pleasant place to wander by creating the “green horseshoe”: a line of parks running down from the main square to the station and linked by the botanical gardens to a parallel line of city squares to the west. The most prominent of these is Marshal Tito Square, which many locals hope will soon be renamed after the imposing building at its centre, the National Theatre.

Sunday afternoon is the best time to stroll around the city when all the museums and shops are closed. Timing is important if couples are not going to fall out on a visit. Weekend breaks should start with a Croatia Airlines flight from Heathrow on a Friday morning, returning on a Sunday afternoon or Monday. The only Saturday morning flight stops en route and the afternoon departure will only get you to your hotel by 9pm.

Shops in the city centre start closing from 3pm on Saturday but those in shopping malls stay open until 9pm. Museums close at 1pm on Sundays and reopen on Tuesdays.

Article Source: Times Online

Everything about Croatia on your cell phone

Ever since the Split-based IT company Gideon Multimedia
presented its new version of the mobiEXPLORE cell phone based
tourist guide in July of 2007 over three hundred thousand tourists
have accessed the guide to inform themselves of the tourist
offer, local customs and points of interest, to reserve a table at a restaurant, a room in a hotel or any of the many other contents the guide offers.

Although targeted above all to tourists, before coming to Croatia
or upon arrival, mobiEXPLORE has shown itself to be very
interesting to local users looking for information of daily culture and entertainment events, and the hospitality and recreation offer.

A tourist guide on the screen of your cell phone provides almost
160 destinations in Croatia and offers information on various
aspects of the tourist offer by way of text, photos and interactive
maps of cities and regions: culture, history, points of interest, active vacationing, accommodation, cuisine on offer, entertainment,
news, useful tips, a mini dictionary for quick access, local customs, events and more.

The project is unique on the global market, is entirely free of
charge to users and is also available at the Internet address www.
mobiexplore.com.
The project grew out of the independent production of Gideon
Multimedia, the only Croatian member of the Nokia PRO Forum,
a program backed by Finnish Nokia pooling advanced cell phone
program solution developers.

MobiEXPLORE won the gold medal at the ARCA 2007 international
innovation exhibition, and has been included among the prominent
applications on the Nokia web site as an “application that sets
entirely new levels of expression, efficiency and interactivity for
mobile tourist guides.”

The success of the first mobiEXPLORE Croatia project is
confirmation of the feasibility of the announcement of an entire
series of cell phone tourist guides for all of the key destinations
in Europe that the Gideon Company has already started in
collaboration with its strategic foreign partners.

www.gideon.hr