Croatia newsletter 02 12

PREFERRED DESTINATION OF THE YEAR 2011/2012

Newsletter

02|2012

Contents News

A pocket guide about the architecture of Zagreb 2 Šibenik - A guide for lovers of the sea depths 3 Zadar - Iadera Hotel in prestigeous company 3 Pag welcomes the newest Carrera 4 Dubrovnik - Sun Gardens receives a prestigeous award for excellence 5 Low cost airlines increase flights to Dalmatia 6 Croatian winemaker Krauthaker’s Merlot among the best in Europe 7 Zagreb - A new tourist information centre 7

Projects

Zadar - A new youth hostel 8 Dubrovnik - The refurbishment of Belvedere Hotel has started 8 Pula - Štinjan Forts are a new tourist attraction 9

Investments

Rabac - Narcis Hotel receives a fourth star 10 Slavonski Brod - Art enriches the hotel offer 11 Split gets one of the most luxurious hotels on the Adriatic 11 Zaton - New contents at the tourist resort 12 Osijek - A water park on the banks of River Drava 12

Events

Dubrovnik - The Feast of St. Vlaho 13 Samobor - The oldest and the biggest masquerade 14 Grožnjan - Brtonigla Adventure Trekk 15

PHOTO: IVO PERVAN

Introducing

Lovran - A medieval tower as a tourist attraction 16 The most beautiful Croatian castles 17 Selce - 130 years of tourism tradition 21 Mrkopalj - The cradle of Croatian skiing 22

News The French Pavilion in the Student Center, the Zagreb Dance Center, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Villa Klara and Ivan Goran Kovačić Primary School are just a few of the133 buildings which are represented in the recently released pocket guide about the architecture of Zagreb, which was issued, after nearly two years of work, by the Youth Section of the Architects of Zagreb Association.

The aim of this guide is to introduce Zagreb and its architecture in a simple way, using the publication, which is equally as interesting for the tourists as it is for the residents of the city.

Made in the form of an A2 size map, the guide can be folded into a size slightly larger than the size of a packet of Kleenex and comfortably fit into your pocket. On one side there is a map of the city with locations of buildings, while on the other there is a list of the 133 most representative buildings.

The guide is ideal for anyone staying in Zagreb for two to three days who wants to make a first contact with the city in a faster and cheaper way. As many as 35 buildings are especially highlighted with drawings, photographs and a brief text, and buildings are color coded for easier reference.

Pink, for example, indicates the buildings built before the First World War, the ones built in the period from 1971 to 1989 are indicated by yellow, and the city’s parks and historic sites like the Lotrščak Tower, the building of the Croatian National Theatre or the Mirogoj Cemetery are marked in grey.

The pocket guide is free and can be picked up at the Association of Architects and the Zagreb Tourist Board, and soon in all major bookstores in the city. For now, it has been issued in English only, but the plan is to publish a Croatian and also an online edition.

PHOTO: IVO PERVAN

A pocket guide about the architecture of Zagreb

The Tourist Board of Zagreb www.zagreb-touristinfo.hr

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Zadar - Iadera Hotel in prestigeous company

PHOTO: DAMIR FABIJANIĆ

PHOTO: ROBERT BALAŠKO

Šibenik - A guide for lovers of the sea depths

The Šibenik area has recently received its first diving guide “Diving in the most amazing parts of the Mediterranean”, which was created through the collaboration of the COAST Program of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Public institution for the management of protected natural areas and the Diving tourism section at the Croatian Chamber of Economy (HGK).

The Diving Guide’s educational and promotional task is to create a valuable tool in the promotion of diving tourism in the Šibenik-Knin County, which has for many years been noting an increase due to the exceptional clearness of the sea and richness of the underwater world in the Šibenik area and has been attracting a growing number of enthusiasts into the depths of the sea. The Guide points out the need to preserve the rich and diverse underwater biodiversity, and should help assist in educating employees of the diving centers about the types of habitats, characteristic and protected species and the rich sea flora and fauna that can be encountered in the depths of the sea.

Representatives of the diving centers and the National Park Kornati have supplemented the guide with their own photographs and information about important and valuable diving locations.

Falkensteiner`s five star Iadera Hotel, located in Punta Skala, near Zadar, has recently been added on the list of the world’s finest hotels by The Leading Hotels of the World Association. Its members must adhere to strict quality standards to win and preserve their position. This is the first Croatian hotel to be entered in the above association, and the goal of Falkensteiner is to include other hotels from their group on the list.

The architecture of the hotel with the signature of the internationally renowned architects Boris Podrecca and Matteo Thun, a fantastic spa and wellness area across 6000 square meters, the first-class position at the top of the peninsula of Punta Skala and an excellent service and culinary concept all significantly contributed to Iadera beeing included in the elite company of the world’s top hotels.

The designer hotel Iadera opened in early July of last year.

It is a luxurious property owned by the Austrian group Falkensteiner in Croatia. The hotel offers accommodation in 210 rooms and suites, and is distinguished by its spa and wellness oasis. First-class restaurants and the concept of the Alpine-Adriatic cuisine which is complemented by regional specialties, complete the offer of the hotel which many describe as a combination of lifestyle, freshness, a feeling of comfort, luxury and exceptional design.

The hotel has a 600 square meter conference centre, which is equipped with the latest technology and is ideal for conference tourism. Guests looking for activities are offered pools, a water sports center, a diving base with diving equipment, surfing and jet-ski, a multifunctional playground suitable for individual and team sports, as well as the possibility of organized trips.

The Tourist Board of Šibenik-Knin County www.sibenikregion.com

The Tourist Board of Zadar County www.zadar.hr The Tourist Board of Zadar www.tzzadar.hr Falkensteiner www.falkensteiner.com

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The Croatian island of Pag has recently been host to the latest model of the legendary Porsche Carrera, the new 911 Cabriolet. Indeed, a promotional video of this latest luxury sports car was recorded on this island. The most famous German super sports car manufacturer cares exceptionally about its reputation and always tries to introduce a new model in the best possible way. The Porsche is in the foreground of the promotional video, but you will not miss the landscape through which the 911 Convertible is driving, as well as numerous panoramic shots that show the beauty of Pag, mainly of the Pag Bridge and the area of Dinjiška.

This is not the first time that the automobile industry has used the unique natural beauty of this island for marketing purposes. The commercial for BMW X5, and soon afterwards for the BMW Coupe were filmed a few months ago at the world famous beach Zrće on Pag and the surrounding landscape. After the BMW team, a team from the U.S. Chrysler Group LCC arrived, and also recorded a commercial for a new car model. An announcement was also made that Bentley Motors from England will also be filming a commercial on the island of Pag. With its 63 km, Pag is the second-longest island in the Adriatic, with a highly indented coastline and a total length of 269 kilometers, with numerous rocky and sandy beaches.

The part of the island facing Velebit resembles a lunar landscape due to strong winds and no vegetation. The island is known for its cheese, lace, salt, white wine “Žutica” and the very beautiful Pag national costume.

PHOTO: MILAN BABIĆ

Pag welcomes the newest Carrera

The Tourist Board of Zadar County www.zadar.hr The Tourist Board of Pag www.tzgpag.hr

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PHOTO: SUN GARDENS DUBROVNIK

Dubrovnik - Sun Gardens receives a prestigeous award for excellence Dubrovnik Sun Gardens, one of the newest Croatian resorts, completed the last successful season with valuable recognition by the Overseas Property Professional pannel which awarded it the ‘Gold Award for Excellence 2011’ in the ‘Best Developer in Southern Europe’ category.

The winners of the Overseas Property Professional awards are selected by a 50 strong jury of independent experts from around the world.

“Nobody can deny how much careful planning and effort was invested by the development team to create Dubrovnik Sun Gardens. It is a well presented and top quality example of projects needed by Croatia. It deserves good business results, and the team that manages it obviously knows very well what it takes to achieve good results. The Dubrovnik Sun Gardens project can serve as an example to others and show how well and with what great enthusiasm, a large-scale existing tourist facility can be refreshed”, says the report of the jury.

Satisfied with the recognition among demanding competition, the management of Dubrovnik Sun Gardens emphasize that their plan is to become one of the five leading European integrated resorts.

Dubrovnik Sun Gardens is one of the few tourism projects in the country that offers the possibility of buying a property, that is, one and two bedroom apartments within the resort itself.

Along with one of the largest wellness centers on the Adriatic coast, the resort offers a protected beach, a total of 13 bars and restaurants, three pools and a large selection of sporting activities in their own sports club.

The Tourist Board of Dubrovnik-Neretva County www.visitdubrovnik.hr The Touirst Board of Dubrovnik www.tzdubrovnik.hr Dubrovnik Sun Gardens www.dubrovniksungardens.com

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The German low-cost airline Germanwings will this year expand its offer of flights from Stuttgart to Croatia and also introduce flights to Split and Dubrovnik. The new flights are the result of the deepening of the cooperation with the parent company Lufthansa, which will, starting from the summer of 2012, let Germanwings overtake all European destinations.

This way the passengers from Stuttgart will be able to fly to the Croatian tourist center of Dubrovnik once a week, from April. Given the track record of the Stuttgart – Split line, Germanwings has decided to introduce an additional flight on that line on Fridays, starting from June.

Europe’s largest low cost airline Ryanair will also introduce three more flights to Croatia this year.

From 24 March, aircrafts of this Irish company will connect Zadar and Billund Airport which is located near the famous Legoland in Denmark. The aircrafts will fly twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Two days later, on 26 March, Ryanair planes will begin flying between Zadar and Marseille, the second largest French city.

They will fly twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays.

From 2 July, Ryanair will connect Zadar with the East Midlands airport, located near Nottingham in the UK. They will fly twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays until the end of the summer.

Ryanair will then have ten seasonal links from Zadar to the UK, while it already has 16 in the whole of Croatia.

The airline Jet2.com has announced that it will introduce flights between Newcastle and Dubrovnik, which will enable a large number of English tourists from the north of the country to spend their holidays in the South of Croatia.

Croatia is advertised as a country with crystal clear waters, unspoilt charm and great value compared to other destinations in the Mediterranean, and Dubrovnik as an ideal destination for families, couples and group tourist arrivals.

Jet2.com aircraft will also fly to Split and Pula.

PHOTO: ANDRIJA CARLI

Low cost airlines increase flights to Dalmatia

Germanwings www.germanwings.com Ryanair www.ryanair.com.

Jet2.com www.jet2.com

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Zagreb - A new tourist information centre

PHOTO: DANI CELIJA

PHOTO: NINO MARCCUTI

Croatian winemaker Krauthaker’s Merlot among the best in Europe

A Croatian wine producer, Krauthaker, won a gold medal with wine Krauthaker Mercs 2009, and a silver medal with the Krauthaker Merlot 2009 at the International Merlot Wine Competition - Mondial du Merlot 2011, recently held in Lugano, Switzerland.

300 wines from 21 countries participated in the competition, which was dominated by the wines of Switzerland as well as the wine superpowers, Italy and France.

The judges awarded one large gold medal, 33 gold and 53 silver medals.

Awarded as the Best Merlot in the world and winner of the great gold medal was the Italian Cour di Vigna Veneto Igt 2007, produced by Sandra di Campodipietra di Salgareda from the surrounding area of Treviso.

The City of Zagreb is richer for another tourist information center which recently opened at the main Bus Station. This is the fourth tourist center which is situated at one of the most important points of entry into the city. There are already centers in the main square – the square of Ban Josip Jelačić, at the airport and the main railway station. Visitors of Zagreb can get all the information they might need about the city from the specailly trained staff in all of the centres.

The opening of a seasonal tourist information center, Vrata Zagreba (The Zagreb Gate), near the Plitvice Hotel is also planned this year.

The Tourist Board of Zagreb www.zagreb-touristinfo.hr

Krauthaker www.krauthaker.com

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Projects

A hostel with around 90 beds is soon to open in the old part of Zadar. Specifically, the Zadar hotel company Turisthotel plans to convert the former administration building situated at the Forum, in the heart of the old town, and open a contemporary, furnished youth hostel at the beginning of the tourist season, which will enrich the offer of the city`s peninsula. The value of the investment is about a million and a half euros. The hostel will offer rooms with bathrooms.

The Tourist Board of Zadar County www.zadar.hr The Tourist Board of Zadar

Dubrovnik - The refurbishment of Belvedere Hotel has started

PHOTO: MARIO BRZIĆ

PHOTO: SERGIO GOBBO

Zadar - A new youth hostel

The new luxury hotel with 300 rooms, a concert hall with a capacity of between 600 and 1300 seats, a congress hall with a thousand seats and a new public garage with around five hundred parking spaces are all part of the renewal plan for the old Dubrovnik Hotel Belvedere. There is a plan to landscape parks and build playgrounds within the new recreational area in the area between the current rundown hotel and the coast. The draft of the plan meets the conservation guidelines for the protection of views and green spaces as well as meeting the public interest with the construction of pathways and the music and congress hall.

www.tzzadar.hr The Tourist Board of Dubrovnik-Neretva Coutny www.visitdubrovnik.hr The Tourist Board of Dubrovnik www.tzdubrovnik.hr

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Pula - Štinjan Forts are a new tourist attraction

PHOTO: DAMIL KALOGJERA

Pula could soon offer its growing number of visitors a new tourist attraction - five forts from the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is an architectural and cultural heritage located in the suburb of Pula, Štinjan. In addition to the reconstruction of the forts, the plans of the project also envisage the landscaping of the hiking and biking trails of Štinjan Peninsula, which cover 52 000 square meters and are marked with signs and information points. The trails would link the old fortified structures, including the coastal Punta Christo, an armored fortress with two artillery batteries, which will be converted into an international educational and documentation centre. The project also includes the coastal horse-shoe shaped fortress of Monte Grosso with the accompanying artillery battery and battery Valmaggiore.

At the circular fort Munida, the paths and surroundings would be landscaped, while on the coastal artillery battery Zonchi access roads would be built and the surrounding area landscaped.

The project valued at 2.2 million euros includes organized visits to the forts by local tourist boats from Pula harbour via Muzil and Stinjan to the Brijuni Islands, but transport is also available by land. The completion of the project is scheduled for November 2014.

The Tourist Board of Istria County www.istra.com The Tourist Board of Pula www.pulainfo.hr

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Investments

PHOTO: IVO PERVAN

Rabac - Narcis Hotel receives a fourth star The hotel company Maslinica in Rabac should, at the beginning of March this year, complete the renovation project of the Narcis Hotel, which should then receive the fourth star. The investment amounts to about a million and a half euros. The key procedure is the expansion of the rooms at the expense of the existing terraces so the whole cascading structure of the building will protrude forwards.

Accommodation units will be modernly equipped and feature a day and a night area, and their terraces will be separated by small walls and a glass “fence”.

The all Inclusive Hotel Narcis was fully refurbished in 2006.

The seven-storey hotel has 224 rooms, a swimming pool and a children’s pool. There is also a mini club for children aged 6-12, all-day entertainment for adults and children, parking, and many sports and entertainment facilities which can be found on the beach. Within the hotel there are tennis courts, basketball courts, a small soccer and handball court, a football pitch, mini golf and table tennis whilst guests can rent bicycles, motorcycles, pedal boats, kayaks, motor boats or surfboards.

The hotels Narcis, Hedera and Mimosa create an attractive complex situated in the gulf of Maslinica, not far from the center of Rabac.

The Tourist Board of Istria County www.istra.com The Tourist Board of Rabac-Labin www.rabac-labin.com

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Split gets one of the most luxurious hotels on the Adriatic

PHOTO: SERGIO GOBBO

PHOTO: BORIS KRAGIĆ

Slavonski Brod Art enriches the hotel offer

The construction of a new five-star hotel should commence in Split at the beginning of next year. The new facility of Slavonski Brod has recently got a new hotel. It is a three- the Bluesun Hotel house will carry the name of Diocletian, star Art Hotel, which offers 72 beds, a restaurant, a large and will be built in a prestigious location near the sea, in hall with equipment for meetings and conferences and a Trstenik Bay. As it is situated on the beach it is conceived terrace. Guests of the hotel are also offered a wellness with as a resort hotel, but will also offer conference facilities. sauna and swimming pool for recreation. The restaurant The convention center would stretch across 1500 square and cafe situated at the top of the hotel offer a panoramic meters and the wellness spa center across about 3500 square view of the surrounding area. The hotel is suited to people meters. The hotel will have 190 rooms, eight suites and two with disabilities. presidential suites. The architecture of the hotel will feature big terraces and green roofs.

The Tourist Board of Brod-Posavina County www.tzbpz.hr

The Tourist Board of Split-Dalmatia County www.dalmatia.hr

The Tourist Board of Slavonski Brod www.tzgsb.hr

The Tourist Board of Split www.split.hr

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Each year the tourist resort of Zaton marks the arrival of an increasing number of domestic and foreign tourists, which at the same time creates an increase in the need of additional accommodation space. Therefore, the owners decided to start building additional tourist and catering facilities within the existing hotel. Also envisaged by the proposed plan is the construction of a new reception, which will provide services throughout the resort, campground, apartments and the future hotel. The most contemporary water park on the Adriatic should be constructed in the central part of the resort spreading over an area of 50,000 square meters and featuring 11 pools, rapid rivers, water slides and all other forms of aquatic fun. In addition to the water park, the plan is to construct a hotel with 250 rooms, an outdoor entertainment center, and a facility which will be able to hold congresses, fairs and sporting events as well as an indoor swimming pool. The largest part of the project will be the “Dalmatian Village” with 550 mobile homes spreading out on 80 000 square meters of pine forest.

Zaton is a famous resort and destination for many tourists, situated between the two historical cities of Nin (2 km away) and Zadar (15 km) away.

Zaton represents a unique blend of Dalmatian architecture, pleasant Mediterranean climate, untouched nature, rich cultural and historical heritage and lively tourism.

PHOTO: DAMIR RAJLE

PHOTO: ANDRIJA CARLI

Zaton - New contents Osijek - A water at the tourist resort park on the banks of River Drava

A water park worth more than seven million euros will be built in Osijek, on the left bank of River Drava in the current swimming area and recreation center Copacabana.

The completion of construction is planned for May 2013, and the investor comes from Spain.

According to the project, the water park will have several swimming pools and 16 water slides, of which the highest would reach a maximum height of 20 meters and a length of nearly 160 meters. Some of the slides will be closed and feature special lighting effects. The Osijek water park will be designed in multiple sections. The first section will be for those looking for adventure, while the second will be made from various pools one of which will resemble a beach splashed by artificially created waves. There will also be pools for relaxation and massage. The third unit will be suitable for children and this area will include three swimming pools.

A construction of an artificial river, by which visitors will be able to slowly descend and tour the whole water park, is also planned. The park will be able to accommodate 3500 visitors.

The Tourist Board of Osijek-Baranja County www.tzosbarzup.hr

The Tourist Board of Zadar County

The Tourist Board of Osijek

www.zadar.hr

www.tzosijek.hr

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Events

PHOTO: MARIO ROMULIĆ & DRAŽEN STOJČIĆ

Dubrovnik - The Feast of St. Vlaho Dubrovnik, the most popular Croatian tourist destination has for more than a thousand years celebrated the feast of their patron St. Vlaho (St. Blaise). It is a tradition deeply rooted among the population of Dubrovnik and its surroundings, and its value is increasingly recognized by the tourists. Two years ago UNESCO put the festivity of St. Vlaho on the list of protected world intangible cultural heritage confirming that it indeed represents a richness which spreads beyond the local framework. This happened 30 years after the city of Dubrovnik itself was listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 1979.

St. Vlaho has been celebrated since 972 when, according to legend, the saint defended the city from Venetians. Rarely can you find a city whose identity is so inextricably connected with its patron saint, as is Dubrovnik’s. Numerous cultural, entertainment, music and sporting events are held in his honor during the Feste in early February. At that time the city is specially lit and decorated, and is visited by locals from the surrounding areas, attracting attention with the richness of the original national costumes.

The celebration begins on Our Lady of Candlemas, on 2 February, with the release of white doves, symbols of freedom and peace, in front of the saint’s church and by the raising of Vlaho’s flag at a central location in the Old Town - Orlando’s Column.

On 3 February, the festival day tself, a mass is held in the open, where a religious procession of banners and many believers who flock to the city from across the Dubrovnik hinterland, and members of the church, commences. The relics of St. Vlaho are carried through the city streets and Stradun, whilst the largest of all relics of the Dubrovnik cathedral - the shroud of Jesus is carried under a canopy.

This is an occasion to show off this special skill, as well as the wonderful, rich folk costumes which attract attention with their originality and beauty.

The festivity of St. Vlaho attracts a large number of domestic and foreign tourists each year, and is certainly the most important church and secular event of the local population, but also a unique tourist attraction which best exemplifies the slogan “Mediterranean as it Once Was”.

The Tourist Board of Dubrovnik-Neretva County www.visitdubrovnik.hr The Tourist Board of Dubrovnik www.tzdubrovnik.hr

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Samobor, a town in the northwest part of Croatia, located along the border with Slovenia, near Zagreb, has for almost two centuries nurtured the tradition of carnival. The Samobor carnival is among the oldest and largest Croatian carnival festivities, which has grown into a modern festival and become the trademark of the town and a sort of cultural heritage. This is a tourist and entertainment event that is annually visited by around 200 000 people.

The largest and oldest in the continental part of Croatia, the Samobor carnival is a place of fun, joy, satire and social criticism. During this time the residents of Samobor dress in fancy dress costumes while the city and its streets, squares and bars also completely change their appearance. During those days Samobor, which is a favorite weekend destination for locals, is the merriest place to be at, as masks, parades, jugglers, clowns and pantomimists rule its streets every day.

Along with a variety of workshops, concerts and circus stunts, its youngest visitors are not forgotten either, so every Saturday and Sunday the Children’s Carnival is also held.

The 186th Samobor Carnival will be held this year from 11-21 February. As always, it will begin with the declaration of the Free Carnival Republic and with the ceremonial handing over of the keys of the city, Prince Carnival and his entourage will take over the governing of the city for 10 days. The participation of 2500 children from schools and kindergardens, and 1000 participants from carnival groups from all over Croatia are expected.

It all began in the 1820s. Rare written documents from that period show that a carnival and a fancy dress ball were held in the streets of Samobor. Preserved in the Museum of Samobor are the minutes from the meeting of the Municipal Council from 1828. In it there is written proof that a local innkeeper requested the rental of a hall for a fancy dress ball, noting that he had already used it the previous year for the same purpose. It is, in fact, the first written document about the Samobor carnival, where it is evident that it had already been held in 1827. Since 1904 the Carnival has also had its official journal, Sraka. Every February Sraka is a true barometer of social events and an indication of the political situation of its time. The Carnival paper has since then regularly recorded the times and traditions, mocking authorities through humor and irony.

PHOTO: IVO PERVAN

Samobor - The oldest and the biggest masquerade

The Samobor Carnival was interupted by the Second World War, and the tradition was restored only in 1965.

In addition to the Carnival, Samobor offers many other tourist attractions. In the vicinity of the city lie the Samobor and Žumberak highlands, which offer numerous natural resources, cultural and religious sites, archaeological sites, hiking and biking trails and mountain huts and restaurants.

There you can enjoy the rich gastronomy, based on old recipes, such as the Žumberak lamb, trout and venison.

Finally, a recommendation to all who visit Samobor - culinary specialties like bermet (sweer wine), mustard, garlic sausage, Samobor salami and the famous Samobor cream cakes, that are probably the only ones in the world to be eaten warm, must be savoured. This favorite cake has become a tradition and is one of the symbols of the charming little town, located some 20 kilometers from the center of Zagreb.

The Tourist Board of Zagreb County www.tzzz.hr The Tourist Board of Samobor www.tz-samobor.hr Samoborski fašnik www.fasnik.com

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At the time when most of the continent is studded with snow and ice, on the 18 February, in the picturesque little town of Grožnjan, the hosts organize a famous trekking race along the beautiful countryside overlooking the valley of River Mirna. The race passes through forests, vineyards, olive groves, across hills and typical Istrian towns, which offer unforgettable views.

The trekk consists of three races - Fun and Run, mountain and ultra.

Fun and Run is a 10 km race and is designed for walkers, beginners, families and recreational runners who have decided to have fun in nature, but also fast athletes who want to have a good training session on a cross country and trail run terain. Orientation is simple, the path is marked with hiking signs, ribbons and arrows, so this category does not require otherwise necessary equipment such as a map, compass, or mobile phone.

The mountain race is about 25 kilometers long, and is intended for all nature lovers, amateurs, trekers, hikers, Nordic hikers, serious athletes and trail runners.

The trail of the ultra race is about 50 kilometers long and the only sportsmen expected to take part are the trained and experienced trail runners, athletes, adventure runners, hikers and athletes who are looking for a challenge and are testing the limits of their abilities.

Grožnjan is an ancient town in northwestern Istria, about fifteen kilometers away from the sea. It abounds in many cultural and historical monuments which are today the stage for many cultural and entertainment events, such as classical and jazz concerts, festivals and other artistic events.

It is also known for its large number of private galleries and is therefore called the city of artists.

Brtonigla, which was first mentioned in written documents in 1234, also has an interesting history like many places in Istria. The village is perched on a picturesque hill, at the site of a former fort or castle. After the Roman conquest, the castles were transformed into towns and then into feudal castles. The area of Brtonigla is rich in remains of prehistoric settlements from the Bronze Age which have been declared monuments of culture.

The area of Brtonigla boasts one of the largest natural monuments, the beautiful Istrian cave - Mramornica.

PHOTO: IVO PERVAN

Grožnjan - Brtonigla Adventure Trekk

The Tourist Board of Istria County www.istra.com The Tourist Board of Borough of Grožnjan www.tz-groznjan.hr The Tourist Board of the Borough of Brtonigla www.tzo-brtonigla.hr

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Introducing

PHOTO: RENCO KOSINOŽIĆ

Lovran - A medieval tower as a tourist attraction Lovran recently became richer for one more attractive tourist area – the converted old tower which offers a range of new contents. The beautiful Lovran tower, which offers a fabulous view of the Kvarner Bay as well as the island of Cres, Učka Nature Park and the centre of Lovran, is open for individual and organized visits.

The massive imposing building is the remnant of a fortification system from the Middle Ages, and is located at the very entrance to the Lovran Square of St. Juraj. The tower is a square shape. A part of it dates from the Middle Ages and the original carved stone blocks can still be seen today, while the upper part of the tower is from more modern times - annexed after the destruction of war in the seventeenth century.

The interior of the tower has recently been completely renovated and converted into an art studio where permanent exhibitions are held. They will take place on all levels - from the ground up to the third floor.

This winter, visitors to the tower can see a large exhibition of old pictures and postcards of Lovran from the period of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, through the Italian rule, until today. The tower is enriched with a permanent exhibition, with motives from the expedition to the North Pole and the discovery of Franz Josef Land, whose members were Frane Letiš from Opatija, Jakov Sučić from Volosko and Vicko Palmić from Lovran.

While visiting the tower, visitors can buy some of the typical souvenirs from the area of Lovran – featuring the famous Lovran chestnuts, cherries and asparagus, as well as the city tower.

Apart from the artistic and historical significance, the tower also offers another attraction. On the third floor it provides a view of all four sides, the Kvarner Bay, Lovran`s Old Town, the center of town, the island of Cres and Nature Park Učka on Mount Učka. To warm up the visitors during winter sightseeing, the hosts offer a delicious homemade honey brandy.

The Tourist Board of Primorje-Gorje County www.kvarner.hr The Tourist Board of Lovran www.tz-lovran.hr

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Kutjevo The former residence of the Jesuits in Kutjevo, built on the foundations of a medieval Cistercian abbey Honestae Vallis, from which a famous wine cellar is preserved, was built by the Jesuits in the period from 1721 to 1735 as a baroque complex with a church and the residential part – a castle.

The structure preserved the remains of some walls of the medieval abbey.

The legend of the secret casual encounters of the Empress Maria Theresa and Baron Trenk is also bound to Kutjevo.

The legend says that under the auspices of the night, the Baron and Empress would meet in the wine cellar, and having ordered the servants to leave them alone, were swept away by the aphrodisiac traits of the Kutjevo wine and would not come out from the cellar for as many as seven days.

PHOTO: DRAGUTIN OLVITZ PHOTO: SERGIO GOBBO

The Croatian cultural heritage is enriched by hundreds of castles, forts, villas and manors. In the past, they were built as guardians from the enemy at intersections of roads. Most of them have been greatly ravaged by time, but many have been preserved almost entirely. Some of them are real jewels of cultural, historical and architectural heritage.

The Trakošćan Castle is certainly among them. Built in the 13th century as a small fortress, it got its final look in the 19th century when it was reconstructed and refurbished in the neo-Gothic style by its owner at that time, Count Juraj Drašković, into a residential castle with romantic gardens and artificial lakes. Today it is one of the most visited castles in Croatia with more than 65 000 visitors a year.

It is a unique place of exquisite beauty and a true paradise for everyone who wants to spend time in nature and discover the secrets hidden within the old castle walls.

The monumental castle is beautifully equipped and has high architectural value, with walls decorated with frescoes depicting hunting, fun and other motifs that had entertained the intellectual circles of Vienna, Budapest and Paris, revealing the secret lives of the high nobility of the bygone era.

As a museum, the castle is divided into four levels and a few interior units, such as the knights and hunting hall, music room, library, Juliana Erdödy`s studio, as well as the kitchen, armory room and prison. Besides the valuable specimens of preserved furniture, paintings and a number of practical items, each of which tells its own story and reveals the secrets of the castle, there is a particularly interesting and valuable collection of weapons which tracks the military history of the Drašković family, and contains about 300 examples of cold and fire weapons and equipment from the 15th to the 19th century.

Hiking trails which convert this area into a unique walkway, and certainly one of the most beautiful environments within the surrounding area are maintained around the lake. The chapel of the Holy Cross, now famous for performing Trakošćan marriage ceremonies, is situated within the park.

PHOTO: SERGIO GOBBO

The most beautiful Croatian castles

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The Nehaj fortress in Senj Built as a fortress on the hill Nehaj in 1556, during the reign of the Austrian duke Fridrih I, in order to protect the town of Senj from frequent attacks of the Turks and Venetians, it became a symbol of this city. Military tactics were to destroy all churches, monasteries and buildings outside the city so that the enemy would not build their camps in them. The fort is the shape of a cube, oriented towards the cardinal points of the world and is 18 meters high and 23 meters wide. The outer walls are 2 - 3.3 meters thick, and the battlements consist of 5 small corner turrets.

PHOTO: SERGIO GOBBO

The fort of Petar Hektorović in the Old Town on the island of Hvar This property combines the defensive and rural type of architecture. It was built and personally designed by a Croatian Renaissance poet Petar Hektorović in the 16th century. Hektorović himself put a few dozen Croatian, Latin and Italian signs on the fort, from which the most important and central one is Omnium Conditionality, since the whole complex is dedicated to the Creator of everything.

According to other signs, one can conclude that the castle was built by Hektorović for himself and his friends, but that he was also providing hospitality to travelers and the poor.

The biggest attraction of the whole complex is a pond with brackish water with residing mullets, behind which there is a carefully kept garden. It is considered that the pond was built on the ruins of some ancient piscine or port device.

PHOTO: MILAN BABIĆ

PHOTO: HTZ

Veliki Tabor This is a heritage monument, which was rebuilt after extensive conservation and restoration works, and opened to visitors after a completed second stage of renewal. It is located in the municipality Desinić in the Croatian Zagorje.

The oldest parts of this fortress date back to the 12th century, and its final look was created in the 16th century during the time of the Rattkay family, which ruled the city for three centuries. There is a famous legend linked to Veliki Tabor about Veronika Desinićka and Fridrih Celjski, whose love story ended tragically. Veronica and Frederick were married secretly after they eloped, but the army of Frederick’s father Herman of Celje caught them and detained Fridrih in the Tower in Celje, and drowned Veronica before sealing her into the walls of the castle. Another version of the legend is that Veronika saved Veliki Tabor from the Turkish siege with her charms: she turned chopped straw into horrible hornets which drove the Turkish invaders away

There are about a hundred loopholes for muskets and 11 for cannons. The building consists of a ground floor - which had a fireplace and room for the crew and weapons - with a yard and a cistern. Today, of course, the fort is intended for tourism purposes. From the very top of it there is a nice view of the Croatian coast, the islands of Rab, Goli, Prvić, Cres and Krk, as well as the mountains Učka and Velebit.

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The Old Town of Čakovec Also known as the Old Zrinski Town - named after the Zrinski family which played an important role in the development of this part of the Habsburg Monarchy, is today a symbol of identity and tradition of the area of Međimurje. It was first mentioned in the 13th century as a fortress that was founded by Count Demetrius Čak. The castle constantly changed owners who gradually changed its appearence.

It consists of external defensive walls, bastions, which are unique in Croatia, since they are made from brick instead of earth, and are in the form of a quadrangular palace. It got its current form during the Althan family ownership around 1743, which turned the old Zrinski Renaissance palace into monumental Baroque castle. Once, its park stretched a few miles to Šenkovec, where the Zrinski family mausoleum is located. Today, encircling the castle is the Zrinski Park. The Museum of Međimurje is also located in the Old Town of Čakovec.

PHOTO: SERGIO GOBBO PHOTO: IVO PERVAN

The Old Town of Varaždin The monument of the city of Varaždin was created as a fortress in the 14th century, through the ownership of the Counts of Celje, who renovated it in the Gothic style.

With the reconstruction in the 16th century, when the owners Ungnadi brought Domenico de Lalija, the most famous European Renaissance architect, it took the form of a Renaissance fortification. Walls were built with circular towers, earthen ramparts and a moat filled with water so the fort appeared with many characteristics of a “Wasserburg” (watercity). Near the end of the 18th century the Erdody family preformed minor adaptive procedures in the Baroque style. Today, the castle houses the City Museum with a permanent exhibition. This symbol of the city of Varaždin found itself on the Croatian 5 kuna banknote which is a rare sight nowdays.

PHOTO: SERGIO GOBBO

The old town of Đurđevac The fort built on a hill in the middle of the swamp north of the former village of Đurđevac, was probably built around 1488 by the Pécs Bishop Sigismund Ernušt. The fort was built because of the imminent threat of Turkish invasion and continued conflict of the nobles. Today it is a monument of the first category with a museum - gallery space that contains the legacy of the Croatian naive painter Ivan Lacković Croata on the first floor and attic space and restaurants at ground level. The legend of the fort Picoki which is staged every summer lives to this day. It is a memorial of a cunning defense plan against the Turks who besieged the fortress in 1552.

The brave defenders did not want to surrender and having been left without food and with only one chicken, tricked the enemy by firing it at them. When the Turks saw the act, they thought that the castle still had plenty of food and retreated having not conquered the fortress, cursing the cockerels, which the legend is based on.

The Old Town in Đurđevac has been added to the network of 20 European destinations of excellence that nurture intangible cultural heritage.

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PHOTO: IVO PERVAN

Bilje – the hunting castle of Eugen Savojski Located 10 kilometers from Osijek, it was built in the first half of the 18th century, when this Renaissance-Baroque style was already obsolete in Central and Western Europe.

However, the castle Bilje justifies its style, since it was situated at the border with the Ottoman Empire. Erected on marshy land as a hunting castle, it provided accommodation for its first owner, Prince Eugene of Savoy, as many as seven times. There are only a few rare records about the castle.

Some indicate that it was built on the foundations of the Turkish city and that in its vast cellars there were large barrels of wine from the Ottoman era, while according to another story it used to be a prison. Remodelled along with the castle in the 19th century was a landscape park, which today covers an area of 800 acres. Meadows, forests and groves in the vicinity of the castle serve as a hunting park. Today, situated in the midst of the hunting castle are Croatian Forests administration offices and Administration of the Public Institution Nature Park Kopački Rit, and in the cellar area the exhibition gallery of Eugene of Savoy. This building offers priceless relaxation in nature to every visitor.

PHOTO: MARIO ROMULIĆ & DRAŽEN STOJČIĆ

The castle Pejačević in Našice There are two castles next to each other at the former Pejačević family farm in Našice: a large one, built in the early 19th century and a smaller one, built in the early 20th century, which has been occupied since 1907. The castle was a novelty in construction in what was then the Austro - Hungarian Empire, since it was built with reinforced concrete for protection against moisture and groundwater. The large castle changed its appearance several times since the beginning of 1811, and changed entirely in 1865 when it was upgraded and enlarged. With this, the modest Baroque castle was turned into a late-Baroque castle with rich architectural ornaments. The large castle is surrounded by a park, which in the past, unlike today, had great historic and artistic value because it contained the giant sequoia tree as well as the ginkgo, pine, yew and other trees. Today the castle is a museum.

Đurđevac www.tz-djudjevac.hr

Dvorac Trakošćan www.trakoscan.hr

Varaždin www.tourism-varazdin.hr

Kutjevo www.kutjevo.hr

Čakovec www.tourism-cakovec.hr

Veliki Tabor www.velikitabor.com

Našice www.tznasice.hr

Stari Grad www.stari-grad.hr

Bilje www.tzo-bilje.hr

Senj - Nehaj www.tz-senj.hr

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The coastal town of Selce is situated in a picturesque bay in the vicinity of Crikvenica, 35 km south of Rijeka. Once a village of fishermen and masons, Selce has turned into an attractive tourist destination in the past one hundred years. Its encircled urban complex with characteristic architecture of a small seaside resort: walking pathways, beaches, restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, art galleries and luxury stores, make it approachable to every guest looking for a pleasant and entertaining holiday.

The mild Mediterranean climate, with more than 2500 sunny hours per year makes it pleasant to stay there during all seasons. Thanks to the climate, the resort has developed the ideal conditions for the treatment of people with heart disease as well as rheumatic and respiratory problems. It also has the highly qualified Thermal Baths Selce for physical medicine and rehabilitation of sports injuries where many famous names from the world of sports have been treated.

Selce offers clean air and water with an average summer temperature of 23 degrees, the bathing season from May to October and modern beaches which have for several years been flying the European Blue Flag. Those who like active holidays are offered water sports, scuba diving and fishing tourism.

Accommodation is offered in five hotels (Marina, Selce, Esperanto, Varaždin and FC), two campsites, family lodgings and a large number of rooms and apartments in private homes.

Selce also offers day trips to the surrounding sites of interest regardless of the distance. The relatively small area of the Primorje-Gorje County offers the mountain winter resorts of Gorski Kotar, coastal tourist towns and a group of Kvarner islands. Other interesting sites are Vinodol and a visit to the remains of castles Frankopan - Drivenik, Grižane, Bribir and Novi Vinodolski. The National Park Plitvice Lakes and Risnjak are close at hand, and visitors are recommended to take a boat trip to Vrbnik and a panoramic boat ride across the Vinodol Channel and alongside the island of Krk. The first tourists came to Selce in around 1880 and were drawn to it by the pleasant climate and the sea air. This prompted a number of locals to establish a Cooperative Sea-bathing Resort, which in 1894 built the first wooden bathing area.

PHOTO: IVO PERVAN

Selce - 130 years of tourism tradition

The Tourist Board of Primorje-Gorje County www.kvarner.hr The Tourist Board of Selce www.tzselce.hr

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Mountain town Mrkopalj, also known as “the cradle of Croatian skiing”, is situated in the midst of the large Mrkopalj field, between the hills Bitoraja and Viševice in Gorski Kotar, along the Zagreb-Rijeka motorway. The first ski course was organized here in 1913 and a year later the first Croatian championship in cross country skiing was held.

The first ski jump “Pod Vrhin” (transl. under the hill tops) was built in 1934, and an international competition in ski jumping was held in 1936, when a Norwegian ski jumper Jahr jumped a whopping 46 meters.

Hiking associations with ski sections in the area of Mrkopalj, in which at least every other resident of Mrkopalj was a member, date back to the post war 1947. It is not surprising then that Mrkopalj gave us the first Croatian Olympian Nada Birk, who was named the best Croatian skier for almost five decades, until the arrival of the unprecedented Janica Kostelić.

Also near Mrkopalj is Begovo Razdolje, the village with the highest altitude in Croatia, and the winter Olympic Centre “Bjelolasica” with ski slopes. Natural landmarks in the area of Mrkopalj are certainly the White and Samar rocks that were declared a strict nature reserve in 1985.

Visitors can see what life was like in Mrkopalj in the ethno house Zaborac in Begovo Razdolje and ethno-room in the Stari Baća bistro in Mrkopalj.

For those who want to have a winter holiday, with the snow crunching under their feet, whipped by snow blizzards, sledgeing and skiing in a friendly atmosphere –Mrkopalj area is the right destination. The untouched nature of this area provides an active and healthy holiday.

But Mrkopalj and the surrounding areas are also attractive in other seasons. In spring and autumn long hiking trails and mountain bike trails will not leave lovers of nature and active holidays indifferent. Visitors who come to this area for their summer holiday will enjoy the rich fruits of the forest and walking in the hills which offer panoramic views.

PHOTO: HTZ

Mrkopalj - The cradle of Croatian skiing

The Tourist Board of Primorje-Gorje County www.kvarner.hr The Tourist Board of the Borough of Mrkopalj www.tz-mrkopalj.hr

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Contact Kroatische Zentrale für Tourismus

Croatian National Tourist Office

e-mail: kroatien-tourismus@t-online.de

e-mail: cntony@earthlink.net

Rumfordstr. 7, 80469 MÜNCHEN, DEUTSCHLAND tel: +49 89 22 33 44 fax: +49 89 22 33 77

Kroatische Zentrale für Tourismus

Hochstr., 43, 60311 FRANKFURT, DEUTSCHLAND tel: +49 69 238 5350 fax: +49 69 2385 3520 e-mail: info@visitkroatien.de

350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4003, NEW YORK 10118, U.S.A. tel: +1 212 279 8672 fax: +1 212 279 8683

Croatian National Tourist Office

2 Lanchesters, 162-164 Fulham Palace Road LONDON W6 9ER, UNITED KINGDOM tel: +44 208 563 79 79 fax: +44 208 563 26 16 e-mail: info@croatia-london.co.uk

Ente Nazionale Croato per il Turismo Piazzetta Pattari 1/3, 20122 MILANO, ITALIA tel: +39 02 86 45 44 97 fax: +39 02 86 45 45 74 e-mail: info@enteturismocroato.it

Ente Nazionale Croato per il Turismo Via Dell’Oca 48, 00186 ROMA, ITALIA tel: +39 06 32 11 0396 fax: +39 06 32 11 1462 e-mail: officeroma@enteturismocroato.it

Chorvatské turistické sdružení

Krakovská 25, 110 00 PRAHA 1, ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA tel: +420 2 2221 1812 fax: +420 2 2221 0793 e-mail: info@htz.cz; infohtz@iol.cz

Office National Croate de Tourisme

48, Avenue Victor Hugo, 75116 PARIS, FRANCE tel: +33 1 45 00 99 55 fax: +33 1 45 00 99 56 e-mail: infos.croatie@wanadoo.fr

Office National Croate du Tourisme

Vieille Halle aux Bles 38, 1000 BRUXELLES, BELGIUM tel: +32 255 018 88 fax: +32 251 381 60

Narodowy Ośrodek Informacji Turystycznej Republiki Chorwacji IPC Business Center, ul. Koszykowa 54, 00-675 WARSZAWA, POLSKA tel: +48 22 828 51 93 fax: +48 22 828 51 90 e-mail: info@chorwacja.home.pl

Kroatiska Turistbyrån

Kungsgatan 24, 11135 STOCKHOLM, SVERIGE tel: +46 853 482 080 fax: +46 820 24 60 e-mail: croinfo@telia.com

Kroatisch Nationaal Bureau Voor Toerisme

Nijenburg 2F, 1081 GG AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS tel: +31 20 661 64 22 fax: +31 20 661 64 27 e-mail: kroatie-info@planet.nl

Хорвaтckoe туристическое соовщество

Краснопресненская наб. 12, подъезд 6, офис 1502 123610 МОСКВА, POCCИЯ ТЕЛ: +7 495 258 15 07 ФАКС: +7 495 258 15 08 e-mail: htz@wtt.ru

e-mail: info-croatia@scarlet.be

Oficina de Turismo de Croacia Calle Claudio Coello 22, esc. B, 1°C, 28001 MADRID, ESPAÑA tel.: +34 91 781 5514 fax.: +34 91 431 8443 e-mail: info@visitacroacia.es

Horvát Idegenforgalmi Közösség

Magyar u. 36, 1053 BUDAPEST, MAGYARORSZÁG tel/fax: +36 1 266 65 05; +36 1 266 65 33 e-mail: info@htz.hu

Kroatische Zentrale für Tourismus

Liechtensteinstrasse 22a, 1/1/7, 1010 WIEN, ÖSTERREICH tel: +43 1 585 38 84 fax: +43 1 585 38 84 20 e-mail: office@kroatien.at

Chorvátske turistické združenie

Trenčianska 5, 821 09 BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA tel: +421 2 55 562 054 fax: +421 2 55 422 619 e-mail: infohtz@chello.sk

Hrvaška turistična skupnost

Gosposvetska 2, 1000 LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIJA tel: +386 1 23 07 400 fax: +386 1 230 74 04 e-mail: hrinfo@siol.net

Kroatische Zentrale für Tourismus

Badenerstrasse 332, 8004 ZÜRICH, SWITZERLAND tel: +41 43 336 20 30 fax: +41 43 336 20 39 e-mail: info@visitkroatien.ch

Croatian National Tourist Board Japan Ark Hills Executive Tower N613 Akasaka 1-14-5, Minato-ku Tokyo 107-0052 tel: 0081 03 6234 0711 fax: 0081 03 6234 0712 e-mail: info@visitcroatia.jp

Editor: Croatian National Tourist Board www.croatia.hr

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