tip Travel magazine Croatia 003 (English edition) 11/2013 - 01/2014

ISSN: 1849-059X

www.tipTravelMagazine.com

CROATIA Number 3 • Year I • November - December 2013.

Travel and tourism magazine INFORMATION • RECOMMENDATIONS • EXPERIENCES

Samobor

A city of excursionists, carnivals, and films...

Weekend trip

Trakošćan

Other topics:

Advent Zagreb • Split-Dalmatia County

City break

Zadar

Cruising:

The Western Mediterranean November / December 2013. tipTravelMagazine

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www.tipTravelMagazine.com

CROATIA

Travel and tourism magazine

Travel and tourism magazine ISSN: 1849-059X Publisher: Tip Kreativa Ltd. Jordanovac 119, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia phone: +385 1 2348 488 mobile: +385 91 7958 016 info@tiptravelmagazine.com www.tiptravelmagazine.com www.facebook.com/tiptravelmagazine MB: 4055845 OIB: 21136573248 Erste&Steiermärkische Bank d.d.

IBAN: HR4524020061100663844 Editor in Chief: Željka Kunštek zeljka@tiptravelmagazine.com Graphic Editor: Robert Kunštek robert@tiptravelmagazine.com

EDITORIAL

Associates in this issue: Sanja Plješa Alma Radoš Translator: Marija Crnogaj Marketing: Tip Kreativa Ltd. marketing@tiptravelmagazine.com Photo source: tipTravel magazine archive, archives of Croatian Tourist Boards, fotolia Cover page: Samobor in winter photo: Josip Grđan (www.srceko.webs.com)

ISSN: 1849-059X

www.tipTravelMagazine.com

CROATIA

Travel and tourism magazine

Number 3 • Year I • November - December 2013.

INFORMATION • RECOMMENDATIONS • EXPERIENCES

Samobor

A city of excursionists, carnivals, and films...

Weekend trip

Trakošćan

Other topics:

Advent Zagreb • Split-Dalmatia County

City break

Zadar

Cruising:

The Western Mediterranean

Transmission of texts, in full or in part, is only permitted with the written approval of the editor or author. Any type of mechanical, optical, or electronic copying is forbidden. All rights are reserved. Texts and photographs are sent in electronic form. The opinion of the author of the next is not necessarily the opinion of the editor. The editor cannot guarantee the permanence of published information, and is not responsible for the content of advertisements.

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tipTravelMagazine November / December 2013.

Interactivity for a better reading experience

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s confident as you are that you know your city, or any other city you frequently visit, be sure that there is always a hidden trait or fact that you're still unaware of. We experienced the same recently, when, preparing a report on Samobor, a city we often visit, we found out that it is often used as the backdrop for filming various movies, both domestic and foreign productions. However, finding out that Pierce Brosnan, Steven Spielberg, and Jackie Chan recently walked the streets of Samobor was just one of the interesting facts we revealed during our recent repeat trip to Samobor.

You can find out the rest on the 20-page report we have brought you in this issue. In the upcoming winter period, it is a true delight to visit Zadar, enjoy its Mediterranean climate, and sunsets that it is famous for, as well as getting to know more about its attractions. Find out more in City Break. If you don't know what to do for the weekend, visit Trakošćan, a dreamy castle in northwestern Croatia. It is truly harder to say if it, with its park, is more attractive in the summer or winter, when the surface of the lake beneath

the castle often freezes over. We also bring you the cultural pearls of the always attractive Split-Dalmatia County, and Zagreb's Advent offer, which is the reason more and more tourists visit the Croatian metropolis every year.

In the large report on cruising the Mediterranean, read about the firsthand experiences from the ship decks, discover exotic destinations, and sail away to them... Why not this year? To make reading even more interesting, we have further enriched this issue with interactive content so that you can take a virtual walk through Zadar and Trakošćan castle, and if you're an adventurer, definitely take a look at the short film, "Legends of the light".

Since 2013 is drawing to a close, treat yourself to at least one more trip this year, in good company. Travelling enriches you, opens up new horizons, and most often evokes positive emotions. We wish you such a new year - full of positive vibrations and great trips - in 2014.

Enjoy reading and travelling, Željka Kunštek

www.tipTravelMagazine.com

CROATIA

Travel and tourism magazine

Download the tipTravel magazine iOS Newsstand application on App Store and read us free of charge on English and/or Croatian.

Download here:

November / December 2013.

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Content

www.tipTravelMagazine.com

CROATIA

Travel and tourism magazine

11-12/2013

The tipTravel magazine project has been commended by:

tipTravel magazine is the first Croatian online travel and tourism magazine and it is aimed at domestic and foreign tourists, travel aficionados. In each issue, through original reports and photos, it introduces readers to Croatian coastal and continental destinations and their diverse and rich tourist offer, it reveals the less known facts, brings news from the world of travel and tourism, announcements of events and festivals that shouldn't be missed, and first-hand advice and recommendations.

The magazine is issued in Croatian and English, and is available free of charge; you don't even need a computer, because it can also be read on smartphones and tablets.

Along with active links inside the magazine (that lead to certain web sites, videos and virtual tours), additional interactivity is enabled to all iOS Newsstand application users: view photos in larger formats

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56-57

42-49

58-63

8-9 CROATIAN NEWS 10-11 LOOKING BACK...

Croatian Tourism Days held 14-33 GREEN CROATIA Samobor: A city of excursionists, carnivals, and films...

In these circles within the magazine you will find helpful tips and recommendations for travelling and staying in destinations.

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34-35 TRADITION - Podolje castle: Protectors of family traditions 36-41 TIPS4YOU In November and December 2013, and January 2014 don't miss...

42-49 CITY BREAK - Zadar: Experience the city with the prettiest sunset 50 CARNIVAL - Crikvenica 52-55 INTERVIEW Boris Ĺ˝gomba, UHPA president: "Croatia is strengthening the brand of continental tourism more and more" 56-57 TOURIST ATTRACTION Christmas story in ÄŒazma 58-63 ADVENT - Zagreb: Advent Zagreb's way

Environmentally Friendly

not a single tree has been destroyed for the publication of this magazine

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96-97

82-83 100-115

76-81

88-89

64-65 HISTORICAL TRACES Stone Gate 66-71 WEEKEND TRIP Trakošćan: A fairytale castle in northwestern Croatia 72 DID YOU KNOW...

Alien from Poštak 74-75 NAUTICAL NEWS Lighthouse adventures 76-81 CULTURAL TOURISM Split-Dalmatia county: The Split-Dalmatia cultural postcard

82-83 UNESCO - Euphrasian basilica: Unique in the Mediterranean

92-93 UNICEF

84-85 CROATIA ONLINE Tourist offer at your fingertips

96-97 WORLD ATTRACTIONS Polar lights in Sweden

86 CROATIA THROUGH PHILATELY - Bridges and viaducts: Bridges in Zagreb and Tounj 88-89 GOURMET CROATIA Moslavina: Quincescented autumn

94-95 WORLD NEWS

100-115 WE'RE TAKING YOU TO...

The western Mediterranean: Eleven days in the exotic Mediterranean 116-117 SEND AND... WIN Around the world with a book

90 RECIPE November / December 2013.

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MAP OF CROATIA

Destinations in this issue TRAKOŠĆAN

Scale 1 : 1 000 000

Zagreb SAMOBOR

Čazma

Tounj

Poreč Crikvenica

Legend:

Poštak hill ZADAR

Split

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highway with junction motorway with junction main road (regional and local are not included)

INFO

General information on Croatia  Geographic position

Croatia extends from the furthest eastern edges of the Alps in the northwest to the Pannonian lowlands and the banks of the Danube in the east. Its central part is covered by the Dinara mountain range, and southern ends at the coast of the Adriatic Sea.

 Highest peak

 Power supply

 Climate:

 Drinking water

 Surface area

The mainland covers an area of 56.594 km² and coastal waters cover a surface area of 31.479 km².

 Population

Croatia has 4,29 million inhabitants (2011.).

 Demographics

The majority of the population are Croats (90,42%), with the largest minorities being Serbs, Bosnians, Slovenes, Hungarians, Czechs, Italians and Albanians.

 System of government

Croatia is a multi-party parliamentary republic.

 Capital

With 792.875 inhabitants, Zagreb is the economic, transport, cultural and academic centre of the country.

 Length of the coastline

6.278 km, of which 4.398 km is made up of island coastlines, solitary rocks and reefs.

 Number of islands, islets, solitary rocks and reefs

1.244. The largest islands are Krk and Cres. There are 50 inhabited islands.

Dinara, 1.831 m above sea level.

There are three climate zones in Croatia: in the country's continental interior the prevailing climate zone is moderately continental, while the mountain climate prevails at 1200m above the sea level. The areas along the Adriatic coast have a pleasantly mild Mediterranean climate with a large number of sunny days, summers are hot and dry and winters are mild and wet.

The average temperatures in the continental interior are: January -2°C to 0°C, with somewhat lower temperatures in the mountains; July temperatures reach 20°C to 22˚C, and around 13˚C in the highlands.

The average temperatures in the Littoral (Adriatic Coast) are: January 5°C to 9°C and July 23°C to 26°C. Winter sea temperature is about 12°C and it reaches approximately 25°C in the summer.

 Currency:

The official currency in Croatia is the kuna.

Exchange rate (7,5 kunas ≈ 1 euro). Foreign currency can be exchanged in banks, exchange offices, post offices and in the majority of tourist information offices, hotels and campsites.

Credit cards (Eurocard / Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Diners) are accepted in almost all hotels, marinas, restaurants, shops and cash machines.

Power supply: 220 V; frequency: 50 Hz

 Number 112

Tap water is safe to drink in all of Croatia.

 Travel documents

Since 1 April 2013, the visa system of the Republic of Croatia has been fully harmonized with the visa policy of the European Union. In 2013 all foreign nationals, who are holders of valid Schengen documents, are not required to have additional (Croatian) visa to enter Croatia and a enjoy short stay. More information: www.mvep.hr/en/

 Public holidays

1 January - New Year's Day 6 January - Epiphany Easter Sunday & Easter Monday 1 May - Labour Day Corpus Christi 22 June - Anti-Fascist Resistance Day 25 June - Statehood Day 5 August - Victory Day and National Thanksgiving Day 15 August - Assumption Day 8 October - Independence Day 1 November - All Saints' Day 25-26 December - Christmas Holidays

 Shops and public services working hours

During the tourist season, most shops are open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. on weekdays, and many are also open during the weekend. Public services and business offices generally work from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.

If you notice a natural, technical or technological threat or an accident which might threaten the life or well being of people, property or environment Dial 112, free of charge, 24 hours a day, from every telephone in the Republic of Croatia.

By dialling 112 you can reach emergency medical services, fire department, police department, mountain rescue, coastguard recsue, the help of other emergency services and protection and rescue operation forces.

When dialling 112 it is possible to communicate in: English, German, Italian, Hungarian, Slovakian and Check.

 Important telephone numbers

International country code for Croatia: +385; Information on international numbers: 11802; Weather forecast and road conditions: 060 520 520 (automated service); Road traffic information: 062 777 777; Road rescue: 1987 (If you are calling from abroad or from a mobile phone dial +385 1 1987).

 Speed Limits

Within settled areas 50 km/h; outside settled areas 90 km/h; on major roads designed exclusively for motor vehicles and on highways 110 km/h; on motorways 130 km/h; for motor vehicles with a trailer without brakes 80 km/h.

Driving with dipped headlights is obligatory during winter time.

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Croatian

NEWS

The season in Croatia is getting longer

Dubrovnik - photo: Željka Kunštek

Photo: Robert Kunštek

AHK celebrated its 10th anniversary in Croatia On October 30, 2013, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the opening of German-Croatian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, a formal reception was held in the Museum of Modern Art in Zagreb. Speeches were held by Dr. Dino Dogan, president of the Chamber, and Dr. Volker Treier, Assistant Director of the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce. On that occasion, under the support of H.E. Ambassador Hans Peter Annen, the Innovation Award of the German-Croatian Chamber of Industry and Commerce was awarded. The Entsorgungsverband Saar was presented the award, which was accepted by Dr. Heribert Gisch, president of the EVS board.

In the entertainment portion of the program, the guests were entertained

by Klapa Kampanel and DJ Igor Primec, and Croatian and German culinary delights and wine could be tasted at the event.

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St. Nicholas, Nin - photo: Mladen Radolović Mrlja

Photo archive: AHK

According to data from the Croatian Tourist Board's system, more than 547 thousand tourist arrivals were registered at the Adriatic, and in the City of Zagreb, which represents a growth of 8.5 percent, along with 1.9 million overnight stays, or 4.6 percent more than in comparison to October 2012.

Foreign tourists accounted for 10.7 percent more arrivals and 6.6 percent more overnight stays in comparison with October of last year. "The results achieved prove the fact that the season in Croatia is getting longer and that tourists coming to Croatia are staying longer than up until now. A prolonged season, or the strengthening of the preseason and postseason, is one of our main development goals, which is clearly defined in our Strategy, and the results so far have shown that we are on the right track to achieve that goal," said Croatian Minister of Tourism, Darko Lorencin.

tipTravelMagazine November / December 2013.

Continued education for the tourism sector During the autumn, courses for the application of modern marketing strategies, technologies, and tools has continued for employees of the tourist board system, as well as for representatives of the public and private tourism sector. The aim of the course, which is conducted by the Croatian National Tourist Board in cooperation with the Institute for Tourism and the Janus Pim and Algebra companies, is to advance marketing knowledge of the participants and to improve the efficiency of tourist promotion at the micro and macro level.

Courses are being conducted in five areas: product development, marketing in the travel industry, communication and management skills, information technology in tourism, and internet marketing, and they are being held in Zagreb, Osijek, Pula, Rijeka, Zadar, Split, and Dubrovnik.

The best photographs of Nin In late September 2013, a photo contest finished, the International tourist photo show "Nin - the Croatian Bethlehem, yesterday, today, tomorrow", which was active from July to September. A total of 46 professional photographers and amateurs from Croatia and abroad applied, and according to the judging panel's scores, the best three photos are "Sveti Nikola" by author Mladen Radolović Mrlje, "Stiže jesen", by author Ivan Čorić, and "Ninska batela", by author Boris Kačan. The winning photo, as well as the ones that received high scores from the judging panel, are exhibited as part of the exhibition in the Višeslav Gallery in the Baroque House in Nin, and the opening of the exhibition was on October 23, 2013.

TUI UK announced an increase in traffic to Croatia

Photo: Romeo Ibrišević

Valamar Sanfior Hotel - Babin kuk - photo archive: Valamar

Split - photo: Branko Ostojić (source: Split Tourist Board)

One of the biggest tour operators in the world, TUI UK (United Kingdom) is interested in increasing traffic from Great Britain to Croatia, especially Split, and is looking for another location in Istria to build a hotel. Moreover, this tour operator is interested in investing in Croatian tourism as a whole, especially in accommodation capacities, amongst which is the Kupari complex near Dubrovnik, for which the first call for bids should be published during November of this year. This was announced on November 5, 2013, by Croatian Minister of Tourism Darko Lorencin in London, at the World Travel Market, after a meeting with representatives of TUI at the Croatian booth. "It is clear that Croatia lacks hotel capacity for which foreign partners have shown greater interest than what we can currently offer", said the minister, adding that it is necessary to work on improving the product and new capacities with which the growth of revenue over the next few years will be guaranteed.

Photo: Robert Kunštek

An e-marketing workshop held in Zadar Dubrovnik - Babin Kuk merged with Riviera Adria Upon processing the application in the court registry in early November, 2013, the merger of daughter company "DubrovnikBabin Kuk" to the "Riviera Adria" holding company was completed, which was initiated with the aim of unifying the travel portfolio of the Valamar group. All the employees of the "Dubrovnik-Babin Kuk" are retained with all their rights upon this merger. As a reminder, Riviera Adria Inc. from Poreč, is the owner of 22 hotels, seven resorts, and nine camps, which can accommodate more than 40 thousand guests, which accounts for ten percent of the capacity of all the categorized accommodation units in Croatia.

The entire tourist capacity of Riviera Adria is managed by the Valamar hotels and resorts Ltd. company.

"Improving skills in developing, applying, and valuing the strategies and tactics of e-marketing" is the name of the workshop held shortly before the Croatian Tourism Days, on October 24 and 25, 2013 in Zadar, organized by the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Croatia, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and the European Travel Commission. The workshop gathered a hundred travel employees from Croatia and abroad, amongst which were numerous directors of Croatian tourist boards, and representatives of the Croatian National Tourist Board from around the world.

The UNWTO representative, Luigi Cabrini emphasized at that location that Croatia is a great "success story" in the field of tourism, and a good sign for the Croatian economy that tourism is on the rise this year, in regards to turnover, but also revenue.

Green Feet in a campaign for a more beautiful Croatia Once again this year, a group of enthusiasts from the Ecological Association "Green Feet", lead by the famous Croatian photographer Romeo Ibrišević, continued with their campaign for protecting and preserving nature and improving the quality of the environment.

Over the past ten years, since the establishment of the Association, as part of the "Clean Croatia from Auto Wrecks" campaign, more than 15 thousand car wrecks have been excavated from Croatian National Parks and Nature Parks, and sent to recycling centers! The association conducts campaigns on land, in rivers and lakes, underwater and in the sky, and has many more campaigns in plan. So far, around 500 professionals, 50 companies, 35 media companies, and 200 volunteers have participated in the campaigns.

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Looking back

EVENTS

Croatian Tourism Days held Photos: meeting of Croatian workers in tourism with representatives of the Government of the Republic of Croatia (top); opening of the Croatian Tourism Days (bottom).

Written by: Željka Kunštek Photos: Robert Kunštek

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T

he traditional annual meeting of Croatian tourism workers, the Croatian Tourism Days (CTD), were held October 24 and 25, 2013 in Zadar, in Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Iadera. During the two-day event, which gathered around 1400 participants, many professional congresses, presentations, and meetings were held, and after the grand opening, the 13th Croatian Tourism Forum was held on the topic "Tourism and the Global Economic Crisis".

As part of the Days, the draft of the "Strategic Marketing Plan for Croatian Tourism 2014-2018" was presented, as well as data from a survey where 11000 participants in nine European countries participated. The survey showed that Croatia, above all, was recognized as a land of sun and sea, and those who visited it mentioned the beautiful landscape as the main factor for their arrival, followed by the quality of the accommodations. The best-known Croatian tourist destinations

are, according to the survey results, Dubrovnik, Split, Istria, and Dalmatia, and the main competition, as far as summer vacation is concerned, are Greece, Italy, and Turkey. There was also talk of the reorganization of the system of Croatian Tourist Boards, of which there are currently 301 in Croatia, and the need for their stronger ties through the functioning of destination management organization was emphasized.

The presentation "Croatian Architecture and Design in Tourism" was held as part of the event, and the meeting of workers in tourism meeting representatives of the Government of the Republic of Croatia was held, as is tradition, as were work meetings of professional associations in tourism and professional congresses.

In the evening, the awards from the "Tourist Flower - Quality for Croatia"

campaign were awarded, which is handed out by the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, Croatian Radio Television, and the Croatian National Tourist Board. The tourist champion this year is Dubrovnik, which is also the best large destination on the Adriatic, the best mid-sized is Split, and the best small one is Cavtat, while Zagreb took the award for the interior. For the first time, the annual Croatian "Anton Štifanić" awards were handed out at the CTD for life achievements to Anđelko Leko of HUP Zagreb, as well as to Tullio Fernetich from the Primizia company, while the awards for institutes and companies were awarded to the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service and the Vukovar City Museum. Also, 24 individuals were given awards as part of the "Man - Key to Success in Tourism" campaign. 

Photos: handing out the awards as part of the "Tourist Flower - Quality for Croatia" campaign (top); UHPA meeting (bottom left); Minister Lorencin spoke to the participants of the 13th Croatian Tourism Forum (bottom right).

90th birthday of Atlas During the CTDs, a banquet marked the 90th birthday of the domestic travel agency Atlas.

At this important anniversary, the importance of further investment in technology and new products was emphasized.

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EVENTS

Photo: Robert Kunštek

Looking back

Aristos celebrated its 10th birthday In early October 2013, Zagreb's Aristos hotel celebrated its tenth birthday, or ten years of successful work, and organized a banquet for three hundred guests from public and business life in honor of that occasion. The birthday was celebrated with many musical and edible treats but was also of a charity character. Guests were invited to give a gift from their hearts - a coloring book, chocolate, children's book, picture book, toy, etc., which were then given to the Home for Children in Nazorova Street. Truly a nice gesture that resulted with the best gift - children's smiles.

Canadian Cuisine Week held

HUP Zagreb presented its wedding offer

Canadian Cuisine Week was held in the Kralj Tomislav restaurant at the Sheraton Zagreb Hotel from September 30 to October 4, 2013. Over the course of those days, guests had the chance to try traditional dishes that have marked Canadian cuisine, such as onion soup with beer, lobster with wild rice, duck medallions, and berry cakes with the unavoidable maple syrup. A few days earlier, the executive chef of the hotel, Matija Balent prepared the lobster with wild rice with the assistance of the Canadian ambassador to the Republic of Croatia, Mrs. Louise LaRocque. At that occasion, Ambassador LaRocque announced Canada Days, which were held to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Canada and the Republic of Croatia.

On October 12, 2013, four superb Zagreb hotels from the HUP Zagreb group: The Westin Zagreb, Sheraton Zagreb Hotel, Four Points by Sheraton Panorama Zagreb and Hotel International presented their offer for wedding receptions, as well as plenty of additional content for all those who are planning weddings.

The event was held in the Four Points by Sheraton Panorama Zagreb Hotel, where each of the four hotels presented three place settings for wedding tables.

Along with the wedding offer, they also presented the other content that is an integral part of wedding receptions: flowers, make up services, lighting, sound systems, music, photo studios, creative invitations and thankyou cards, etc. This event is the third of its kind organized by HUP Zagreb, and the goal of the organizers is to continually, every year, present new generations of to-be-newlyweds the luxurious halls, selection of food, beverages, and addition services of these four renowned Zagreb hotels.

Photo: Robert Kunštek

Photo archive: Esplanade Zagreb Hotel

At a formal reception held November 12, 2013, with many guests, diplomats, and representatives of the media, Zagreb's Hotel Esplanade celebrated a successful business years, and the awards it received over the past few months. At that occasion, the new issue of Esplanade View magazine was presented. Recently, the hotel received the Halal certificate and is able to provide Islamic guests with the entire Halal offer: accommodations, food, and a spa.

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Photo: Robert Kunštek

Hotel Esplanade celebrated excellent results

Photo archive: TKZN

Photo archive: TKZN

The African KwaZulu Natal region presented in Zagreb

Photo archive: TKZN

added that the area is also one of the leading African destinations for congress tourism.

Flights from the German airline company, Lufthansa, which connects two of the largest cities in South Africa, Cape Town and Johannesburg, with the Croatian capital via Frankfurt or Munich on a daily basis were also presented at the event. The "Da, da, da" travel agency presented its offer in regards to creating affordable individual trips to South Africa, and it was possible to watch the entire event live via live streaming. The honorary consul of the Republic of South Africa, Branko Mikša attended the event, along with numerous representatives from travel agencies.

The event was organized by the TCME Touristic Concept Marketing & Events International Company, and one of the media outlets covering the event was tipTravel magazine.

Open Door Days at Harley-Davidson in Zagreb

Photo: Robert Kunštek

In late September, Open Door Days were held at Harley-Davidson in Zagreb, when the new models of this superb motorcycle were presented as part of the "Rushmore project". Demo rides were also organized at that occasion, and the event gathered many fans of these motorcycles, who continued their get-together with good music and good food.

Photo archive: TKZN

On November 12, 2013, in Zagreb's Double Tree by Hilton hotel, the Republic of South Africa was presented, with special emphasis on the KwaZulu Natal region. In presenting the destination, the representative of the Tourist Board of this region, Werner Gordes, emphasized that the region is known for being the homeland of the Zulu people, but also for its natural beauty, diversity, and cultural heritage. "The sunny subtropical climate, beautiful beaches, easy accessibility, hospitable hosts, excellent accommodations, and plenty of possibilities for an active vacation, such as safaris, birdwatching, golf, diving, windsailing, etc. make KwaZulu Natal an incredibly popular destination for tourist from continental Africa, but it is also an ever more interesting destination for travelers from all over the world," said Gordes, and

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Green Croatia

SAMOBOR

Photo: Josip Grđan (www.srceko.webs.com)

Although it is best known for Mardi Gras, kremšnite, and its French vibe, and is one of the favorite excursion destination of Zagrebians, Samobor also has another story. The one intertwined with attractions, interesting events and legends.

For example, did you know that fairies once guarded the caves of Samobor, that the old name of Samobor was "Zumbur" or that Krištofor Erdődy lost the Old town of Samobor in a game of cards in Geneva?

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SAMOBOR CROATIA

A city of excursionists, carnivals, and films...

Written by: Željka Kunštek ◆ Photos: Robert Kunštek, Josip Grđan, Danilo Balaban, Romeo Ibrišević and Ivana Pavlović

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Green Croatia

SAMOBOR

D Photo: Danilo Balaban Pilot: Gordan Smadilo (Ecos pilot school)

id you know that Samobor is a wellknown film destination, which has been the backdrop for 38 films over the past 30 years, both domestic, as well as foreign productions? Amongst others, here parts of the movies "Transylvania 6-5000" and "Armour of God" were filmed here, as well as parts of the legendary Croatian film "Tko pjeva zlo ne misli".

Samobor has played host to Pierce Brosnan, Steven Spielberg, Jackie Chan, but also many other world famous individuals. Franz Liszt also visited it, meetings of Croatian revivalists were held here, and today it is a favorite destination of both the "elite", as well as other fans of its charm and warmth.

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There is a monument to the legendary "Samoborček" train, a narrow-railway that connected Zagreb to Samobor from 1901 to 1979 at the entrance to Samobor. The railway was 19 km long, and the average speed of the steam engine ranged from 15 to 20 km/h.

It was only when we headed out to explore Samobor, a city located 20 km from the Croatian metropolis, that October morning, accompanied by the curator of the Samobor museum, Luka Kazimović, where we regularly spent our weekends since we were children that I realized how little I actually knew about it. The visits to the city up until then mostly consisted of walks on the main square, then a walk alongside the Gradna stream up to the "Vugrinščak" sports center, drinking coffee in one of the pleasant cafes in Samobor, and everything would be, of course, topped off with the unavoidable "kremšnita".

Mardi Gras was also on our list of "must visit" events every year.

However, this time we decided to scratch beneath the surface of Samobor, literally, and headed off to the St. Barbara Mine in Rude, a place located five kilometers southwest of Samobor.

350-meter trenches On our way to Rude, we stopped off at the Church of St. Michael from the 16th century, also the first parish church in Samobor, located at the foot of the ruins of the Old City. Luka also showed us Čudomerščak, the "hill of miracles", where an archeological site was found, and to which legends of glowing money and other objects are tied. Close to the church you can also find the "turtle", or a hill that looks like a turtle, which, according to legend, blackmailed the countess and took its pay in children, and finally came to get her child. On the way you will also see the Chapel of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of travelers, which was built on a boulder by Franjo Reiser from the well-known Samobor family as a sign of gratitude. When he passed this place, the boulder rolled and stopped behind his wagon, miraculously avoiding an accident.

Photos: procession next to St. Anastasia's church (top left); St. Michael's church (top middle); chapel of St. Nicholas (top right); Samoborček, the train which connected Zagreb with Samobor (bottom middle); Samobor's main square (bottom right).

The patron saint of Samobor is St. Anastasia, whose name the parish church bears, located above Kralj Tomislav square, the main city square. It was first mentioned in 1334, and it was built inspired by St. Catherine's Church in Zagreb (the most beautiful Baroque church in northern Croatia).

Nearby is the Baroque church of Immaculate Virgin Mary, located within the complex of the Franciscan monastery.

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Green Croatia

SAMOBOR

The well-known Croatian writer, Miroslav Krleža, stayed in Kotari and it is assumed that he found the inspiration for and wrote his popular work "The Ballad of Petrica Kerempuh" there.

Photos: the entrance to St. Barbara's mine (top left); trenches in the mine (top right); the church of St. Leonard in Kotari and the main altar inside the church (bottom left and right).

tip: Since the temperature in the mine is 11°C, prepare layers of sportswear and sturdy footwear for touring the mine. Do not head out on this adventure if you are claustrophobic. Find more information at: www.samoborskimuzej.hr/ rudnik_sv_barbara/

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We arrive at the mine, don our overcoats and helmets, and head off to tour the trenches, 350 meters long. Here, mostly iron and copper ore were mined, along with gypsum, and from 1850 to 1859 alone, around 26 thousand tons of iron ore were excavated. The mine, currently managed by the Samobor museum, was active for about 140 years, and parts of various tools used by miners were found in it.

Church above the boulder and miracle water We continue on to Kotari, a community located at 520 m above sea level, where you can find the monastery and parish church of St. Leonard. Here we were awaited by Father Bernard-Ivan Rubinić, of the Glagolic-Franciscan monks of the third order, who gave us the tour, and

joked that, besides the three fathers, there were also three "piggies" that they raise. He also showed us the fruit orchards, gardens, and vineyards that they cultivate and told us the story of the interesting establishment of the church.

Long ago, this idyllic area, covered in lush forest, was ruled by the noble Erdödy family. One Saturday in June of 1525, one of the family members, Petar I, was hunting in the area and got lost on his way home. He reached a boulder which shone a great light that showed him the way home. The next night, St. Leonard appeared to him in his dreams and encouraged him to build a church in that place, which Petar did. A painting with the depiction of that moment is located next to the main altar of the church, which was originally made of wood, as was the monastery. Since the church soon became a place of pilgrimage for

In 1949, the Samobor Museum was established in the former family home of Ferdo Livadić, the famous Croatian composer, head of Samobor, and judge.

Here, Samobor's oldest identification is kept - the charter of Free Royal Trade given to Samobor in 1242 by Hungarian-Croatian King Bela IV. There is also the book of convictions from 1769, Livadić's piano where the reveille "Još Hrvatska nij' propala" was played in 1833, and a depiction of Celtic money from the 1st century B.C. Tiles and porch posts from Samobor's Old City from the 13th century have also found their new home, just like glass objects that were produced in the Samobor region...

Photo: Ivana Pavlović

Samobor museum

Photos: transportation methods of the old citizens of Samobor are now exhibited in the City museum (top left); King Bela IV's charter (top right); Samobor's City Museum, and a statue to Ivica Sudnik, the honorary mayor of Samobor (middle left); Celtic money, found in the Samobor area (middle right); the piano where the reveille "Još Hrvatska nij' propala" was played (bottom).

tip: While in Samobor, visit a gallery, such as Galerija Prica, or Photo Gallery Lang, and definitely stop by the Marton Museum. This museum exhibits art including glass, silver, furniture, clocks, and paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries, from the area of central and Western Europe, and the collection of European porcelain is especially admired.

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Green Croatia

SAMOBOR Part of the legendary Croatian movie "Tko pjeva zlo ne misli" was filmed on Anindol, and St. Ana's chapel was sung about in the song "Kraj kapele svete Ane", by Marko Vukasović. The feast day of St. Ana, the largest in the Samobor area, is held in July every year.

Photos: the chapel of St. Ana (top left); line from the song "Kraj kapele svete Ane" (top middle); pictures of Samobor's Old Town (middle); view of the ruins of Samobor's Old Town (bottom).

According to legend, the Old Town of Samobor was also ruled by Barbara Celjska, better known as the Black Queen. This evil ruler was well known for getting everything she wanted, and while she was ruler of the Old Town, there were outrageous parties. She was into alchemy and apparently cheated many salesmen by giving them fake gold instead of real gold.

Photo: Danilo Balaban Pilot: Gordan Smadilo (Ecos pilot school)

many believers, and so became too small, they later built a larger church and monastery in its place.

The church, which is dominated by the monumental main altar with the wooden statue of St. Leonard, also houses the tomb of the ErdĂśdy family, and the intricate tombstone can be seen in the middle of the church. At the foot of the altar is a little door behind which is the miraculous water where pilgrims, especially barren women, washed to regain their health. Three times a year, holy masses are held here in the Ancient Slavic language, and spiritual renewals are regularly organized here.

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The attractions of Tepec hill Walking down Anindol, the most beautiful promenade and the forested park on Tepec hill, is another experience that shouldn't be missed. There are two chapels here - St. George and St. Ana, next to which is a dance floor, or as the people of Samobor say "tanc-plac".

PROMO

Hotel Lavica

I

n the very heart of Samobor, as soon as you cross the romantic wooden bridge that crosses the Gradna stream, and where one of the most beautiful promenades of Samobor start, you will see Hotel Lavica. It is located next to the Samobor City Museum, and in a building that has been proclaimed a zero-category cultural monument, and the entire story started more than 250 years ago. The hospitality services tradition has lasted for more than a century, during which numerous

famous people from Croatian and European cultural, business, and political life have stayed at the hotel.

This hotel with a "family vibe" has newly equipped single, double, and triple rooms, and its own parking lot.

Among other things, many couples have danced their first marital steps in its banquet and wedding reception hall. Thanks to the functional and air

conditioned congress hall, which can accept up to 300 people, the hotel often plays host to various conferences, business meetings, and presentations.

The ambiance of the hotel restaurant, where you can try various homemade specialties, is especially interesting and pleasant, while the guests always find it delightful to drink their morning and afternoon coffee on the hotel terrace, while the Gradna gurgles along, with the view of the green promenade and impressive plane trees. ď ś

Hotel Lavica, Ferde Livadića 5, 10430 Samobor, Croatia, phone: +385 1 3368000, info@lavica-hotel.hr, www.lavica-hotel.hr November / December 2013.

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SAMOBOR

At the foot of the Old Town of Okić are the hiking cabin and "Etno kuća pod Okićem", where you will experience authentic village tourism of the Okić area. In the ethno house you will find a local collection of various useful tools of the partisans that lived there, and on this village property you can also try domestic specialties.

Reservations are mandatory.

Photos: Old Town of Okić (top left); "Etno kuća pod Okićem" (top right); ruins of Old Town Okić (bottom).

tip: If you plan on hiking up to Okić's Old Town, try to do it on clear day, and definitely take a camera. From Okić, you have a view of Zagreb, Medvednica, Posavina, Pokuplje, Zagorje, Slovenia,...

Between the two chapels is a stone way of the cross with 14 stops.

On the same hill are the ruins of the Old Town of Samobor from the 13th century, and only the defensive tower has been preserved, while within the walls are the ruins of the Gothic chapel of St. Ana. It was ruled by numerous owners: the counts Celjski, Frankopan, Kulmer, Erdödy, and others, and life in it lasted until the late 18th century, when it was abandoned by its owners. There is a wonderful view of Samobor and its surroundings from the Old Town, which can be reached on foot through the forest.

The Croatian Viewpoint The slope to the Old Town of Okić, located at the peak of a pyramid-shaped boulder

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is much steeper. Truly, few noble towns could boast such a dominant location that controlled such a wide area. So it isn't unusual that they call it the "Croatian Viewpoint".

Although it was first mentioned in 1193, it is assumed that it is even older and that the fortress belonged to Illyrian tribes, and later to Roman legionnaires. If you are well equipped, especially with sturdy shoes, hike up to the top, and it will immediately be clear why this is the ideal point for viewing the surroundings and giving light and smoke signals. This town of Frankopan and Erdödy was surrounded by the Turks thrice, other armies also tried to conquer it, but none succeeded.

Its guards and owners are the numerous tourists, hikers, hunters, and curious visitors.

Photos: entrance to Suban Botanical Garden (top left); bicycle paths (bottom left); entrance to the Chapel of St. Vid (top right); wooden keyhole in the Chapel of St. Vid (bottom right).

tip: Nearby the monastery in Kotari, in the small picturesque village of Manja Vas, definitely stop by the Suban Botanical Garden, with 200 types of herbs. Admission is free.

As of recently, you can search the tourist offer of the City of Samobor and find out useful information on city attractions, sites, and events, as well as accommodations, and food services via smart phones. Another novelty as of this year is "Tura Kultura", city sightseeing on bicycles.

A picturesque ancient chapel in honor of St. Vid, the martyr was built in the village of VrhovÄ?ak, northwest of Samobor. It is assumed to date back to the 14th century, and according to some estimates, it is even older. It is special for its wooden keyhole, which is truly rarely seen. The feast day of St. Vid is regularly celebrated here every June 15th.

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Photos: Grgos' cave is more than a million years old (top left and right); central square in Samobor (bottom left and right).

Along with the ruins of these two old towns, the Samobor region is also home to the ruins of the Old Town of Lipovac.

It is interesting that three noble cities in this area are placed at equal distances in the shape of an equilateral triangle.

Pretty cave Considering the fact that stone formations grow about 1 mm in 30 years, it is estimated that Grgos' cave is more than a million years old.

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From the hills, we head underground once again, but this time to Grgos' cave, the most beautiful cave of northwestern Croatia, which was accidentally discovered by Josip Grgos in 1973 while he was excavating limestone. This pretty cave is located in the village of Otruševec, five kilometers from Samobor, it is 30 meters in length, and consists of two halls rich in stalactites and stalagmites of

various sizes. In 1974, it was proclaimed a protected geomorphological natural monument only a year after its discovery.

The other, larger cave with three halls, was discovered later on, and it is 130 meters in length. The temperature in the cave is, regardless of the season, always between 8 and 9°C, and the humidity is between 95 and 100 percent. Since screen were placed above the caves, there aren't any bats. Due to its incredible beauty, the cave is a must-see tourist attraction, and often the backdrop for wedding photos.

Samobor food Samobor has always been a place to get great food, and its restaurants and

tip: Try the tasty home-cooked specialties in Samoborski klet, located on the main city square.

pubs, with their offer of domestic specialties still attract numerous fans of high-quality eating experiences today, as they did before. One such pub is "Gabrek 1929", with more than 80 years of tradition, which offers several indigenous dishes. The pub is traditionally visited by people from public life: politicians, writers, poets, singers, etc. Recently, a cookbook "Mala samoborska kuharica" (Little Samobor cookbook) was released, with recipes of original dishes from the late 19th to the mid-20th century, with the aim of additionally popularizing Samobor's gastronomy. Amongst other things, in it you can find recipes for terijet, zlevanka, aspic, krafle, Marija cake, and Cantilly sauce. Also, in late September

2013, a workshop titled "Samobor boss" was held, where under the guidance of famous Croatian culinary master Branko Ognjenović, Samobor's chefs prepared the traditional dishes of Samobor in a modern style. Samobor cutlet and trout, mushroom soup and garlicky sausages were just some of the dishes presented, and the novelty food item were doughnuts filled with chocolate and bermet, an old Samobor liqueur, and one of the city's brands. This red aromatic wine is prepared from chosen sorts of grapes, wormwood, and tropical fruit. Although there are currently four producers of this drink in the city, the Filipec family were the first to start production, and they still strictly keep the secret of preparation of this original

Photos: trout is one of the specialties of Samobor (left); as part of the "Samoborski ťef" workshop, Samobor's original dishes were prepared by famous Croatian chef Branko Ognjenović (right).

Restaurant "Samoborska klet" Trg kralja Tomislava 7 10430 Samobor, Croatia phone: +385 1 3326536, fax: +385 1 3326538 e-mail: martina.puhalo1@hotmail.com www.samoborska-klet.hr www.facebook.com/samoborska.klet November / December 2013.

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Photos: a package of Samobor products, also excellent souvenirs: Bermet, licitar, Samobor salami, Samobor kušlec, wine sticks, and Samobor's Muštarda (right).

tip: Try Samobor kremšnite, prepared according to original recipe, in the "U prolazu" patisserie on the main city square.

Here you can buy them freshly made every morning from 6:30 AM.

Croatian product. Besides Bermet, this family has also been producing Muštarda, a type of mustard that goes well with cooked and roasted meat, for generations. It is prepared using mustard seed, must of special sorts of red grapes, and seasonings.

Kremšnita as a brand

Trg kralja Tomislava 6 10430 Samobor, Croatia phone: +385 1 3366420

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The best known food brands of Samobor are Samobor salami, kremšnita, and Rudarska greblica. The recipe for kremšnita was brought to the city by Đuro Lukačić, who "learned the ropes" in the patisseries of Vienna and Budapest, between the two world wars.

That original, but complex, preparation process is still used today, without any changes, and the ingredients, unlike the preparation, are no secret: fresh milk, eggs, sugar, and a little flour.

Rudarska greblica, whose preparation has been proclaimed an intangible cultural monument of the Republic of Croatia, is a savory cake of cheese and walnuts, which was often the only

The preparation of Bermet in Samobor started in the times of Napoleon's army, around 1808, and was credited to the French for a long time. However, it was later discovered that similar drinks do not exist in France.

Muštarda, a type of mustard especially beloved by the French, was also created at the time.

It's best to enrich the food experiences with a fine drop. Excellent wines can be found on the Samobor wine roads, which connect seven wineries. Here they grow various sorts of white, red, and purple grapes, so you will often come across Graševina, white and red Burgundy, Silvanac, Frankovka, Traminac, Cabernet... We stopped by one of them at the Pavlin Guesthouse in the village of Vrhovčak, where they produce Kraljevina, Graševina,

Photo archive: Guesthouse Pavlin

Photo archive: Guesthouse Pavlin

Samobor wine roads

Photo: Mario Hlača / SWAN

Photo: Mario Hlača / SWAN

snack of Samobor's miners. Besides walnuts, sometimes yellow carrots, spring onion greens, stinging nettle, and spinach are added to the cheese.

An event called "Days of Rudarska Greblica" is held every year in honor of this cake in Rude.

green Silvanac, and Portugizac in their cellar, along with Bermet. In the tastetesting rooms, cabins, and cottages, the winemakers will offer you some domestic food to go along with the superb wine. They will also reveal and show you the way to several historical, natural, and cultural sites located near the road, which even has its own anthem.

You can also try excellent wines in a fairytale setting in the "Mlin iz bajke" winery, located next to the Bistrec creek in Bregana, a place near Samobor.

Here they have an old water wheel from 1904 and a water powered mill in function. Reservations are a must. Also in Bregana is the well-known "Vilinske jame" restaurant where, amongst other things, you can try fresh trout raised by the hosts in their own fish pond. Nearby is the Bio Park "Divlje vode".

Photos: rudarska greblica (top left); motives from Samobor's vineyards (top right); water mill at the "Mlin iz bajke" winery (bottom left and middle); various sorts of white, red, and purple grapes are grown on the Samobor wine road (bottom right).

Restaurant "Vilinske jame" Grdanjci 56 10432 Bregana, Croatia

phone: +385 1 3386 058

e-mail: vilinskejame@gmail.com web: www.vilinske-jame.hr

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SAMOBOR

Photos: hand painted ceramic licitar hearts in the "Srčeko" souvenir shop on the main city square (left); in Samobor, the tradition of hand grinding crystal is 170 years old (top middle); it is possible to buy licitars in all shapes at the "Arko" workshop (top right); Samoborski kušlec is a chocolate dessert with the flavor of Samobor's liqueurs (bottom right).

Samoborski kraluš is an extravagant necklace made by stringing glass beads on threads and forming them into "houses". The women of Samobor wore them at formal events.

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A tradition of craftsmanship Samobor has always been known as a city of crafts, where in the many workshops, craftsmen transferred their knowledge from generation to generation. For example, the tradition of grinding crystal by hand and producing unique objects has lasted here for more than 170 years.

Although the economic crisis affected this area as well, there are still masters of this trade in town who are actively working, and whose products are respected far beyond the Croatian borders. One of them is the "Kristal Tuk" workshop, where they still grind glasses, vases, bowls, and pitchers by hand and turn them into real one-of-a-kind crystal pieces.

The tradition of making licitars, colorfully decorated honey cakes, also has its history in Samobor. The "Arko" workshop has been preserving the craft in the family since 1941, and it makes licitars in various

shapes. Although hearts are the most popular, there are also horseshoes, horses, stars, angels... Licitars are the favorite ornament for Christmas trees in Croatian homes, and they are given at special occasions, such as weddings, baptisms, anniversaries, birthdays, etc. They also have the status of the original Samobor souvenir, so tourists often buy them as a reminder of the city.

Personalized souvenirs Other than honey dough, licitar hearts are also made of ceramic, and, after shaping and firing in the kiln, are painted using various techniques. Silva Krajačić from the "Srčeko" workshop, who prefers personalizing unique hearts, will be happy to explain the procedure. "After I decorate the hearts, I frequently leave the middle empty, so I often tell customers - tourists, visitors to Samobor, but also the people

Photo: Josip Grđan (www.srceko.webs.com)

of Samobor in the store, such as bermet, mustard, various wines and liqueurs, jams, licitars, etc.

Mardi Gras tradition We have already written a lot about Samobor and its attractions. Still, the main trademark of the city is "Samoborski fašnik", a tradition that dates back to 1827, when the fašnik festivities were held in the streets, and masked balls in the municipal offices of the then small Samobor. It is assumed that the tradition of fašnik craziness dates back even further, although there are no written records. However, it is certain that this fašnik is one of the oldest Mardi Gras festivities in Croatia. It is held every year, at the same time, defined by the Catholic calendar, before the 40-day Easter fast. The next, 188th, will be held from February 21st to March 4th, 2014.

Photo: Ivana Pavlović

Photo: Josip Grđan (www.srceko.webs.com)

of Samobor - to write the name of the person they are buying the heart for, or an appropriate message. People love to get personalized gifts", says Silva, who is also specialized in painting glass. In her cute souvenir shop on the main square, you can find various unique gifts and souvenirs such as paintings on glass, various gift sets with painted glasses and bottles, painted ornaments, plaques with wise sayings, calendars, postcards...

Once you get a personalized heart for one of the people dear to you, head over to the "Trešnja okićka" workshop and taste Samoborski kušlec, a chocolate dessert with the tastes of the traditional liqueurs of Samobor: bermet, medica, and šljivovica. Kušlec is the first handmade truffle in Samobor, and the trademark product of this workshop, which, amongst other things, also makes wine sticks and honey cookies. It is also possible to buy other original products

Photos: "Samobor's fašnik" is the main brand of Samobor (left); during Mardi Gras, it is difficult to find anyone on the streets without a mask (top right), the "Battle of Samobor" (bottom right).

tip: Besides visiting Samobor for Fašnik, we also recommend visiting for the "Bitka kod Samobora", "Samoborska glazbena jesen" and "Samoborska salamijada" festivals.

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Samobor and its surroundings are a relentless source of countless topics, which you will see for yourself when you visit this area. And once you're here, definitely take the time to visit

Žumberak and Samoborsko gorje, which has been luring hikers, excursionists, and nature lovers for decades with the beauty of its nature, idyllic meadows and pastures, springs and creeks, caves, and sacral and archeological monuments, whose past dates back to the late Stone Age. Due to the importance and wealth of this area, it definitely deserves to be a special topic in one of our future issues. 

Photo archive: Samobor's majorettes

Photos: the view from Plešivica (top); Samobor's majorettes (bottom).

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Samobor's majorettes have been nurturing the tradition of baton twirling for 25 years, and so far have won national and European championships.

Every year, they organize "SAMOBORfest" in Samobor, an international majorette and twirling competition, and in December they organize a children's festival "Božić dolazi" where dance groups and children's choirs from all of Croatia perform.

Photo: Romeo Ibriťević

City on a human scale Samobor Tourist Board Trg kralja Tomislava 5 10430 Samobor, Croatia phone: +385 1 3360044 fax: +385 1 3360050 e-mail: info@tz-samobor.hr web: www.tz-samobor.hr

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Souvenir

tip: The souvenir book "Samo Samobor" (Samobor only) is an original souvenir you can take as a memento of the city.

Traditions and motives from life in Samobor's villages are shown on the 220 pages of the monograph, with excellent photographs. It is true eye candy and ideal for a short escape from daily life, at least for your thoughts. Find out more at: www.srceko.webs.com/ aktualno.htm

Photo: Josip Grđan 32

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Tradition

PODOLJE CASTLE

Protectors of family traditions There are few noble families living in Croatia today, and even fewer who have been living in their castles, which managed to survive nationalization after WWII, for generations. One such family is the Praunsperger family, which has been living in the 17th century Podolje castle in Samobor for more than 400 years, and for generations has carefully guarded family mementos and traditions.

Written by: Željka Kunštek ◆ Photos: Robert Kunštek

Photos: entrance to the Podolje castle (left); an old painting of the Podolje castle (top right); the castle has been reconstructed and renovated several times, as it was in 1590 (bottom right).

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A

t first, Podolje castle was a defensive fort, or part of the defensive wall that protected Samobor from the Turks.

The tower was always connected to Samobor's Old Town, which was lead by the powerful Erdödy family, amongst others. The tower was also damaged in the strong earthquake that hit the area in 1590 and demolished the old town of Medvedgrad, whose ruins still watch

over Zagreb. It was later renewed and expanded in several phases throughout history, and Ferdinand Habsburg proclaimed it to be a castle.

The current owner of the castle, descendant Dorijan Praunsperger Bošnjak, tells us that according to records from 1590, Martin Szaÿch, descendant of the noble Czech de Pernica family, came to Samobor, and hid from the Turks here.

For his importance, the Erdödy family

granted him the tower, where Franjo Szaÿch was responsible for undertaking most of the work in reshaping it into a castle.

Marshall Marmont's bed Today, the family preserves its family heritage in the castle, which isn't open to the public, including various objects from medieval times: spears, shields, swords, furniture, paintings, Biedermeier clocks, dishes, ovens... There is also the bed where Marshall Marmont, Napoleon's marshall and general, and military commander of Dalmatia, slept while he was residing in Samobor when the town was occupied by the French.

El Greco or Caravaggio?

Especially interesting exhibits of this family museum include medieval iron armor, a Bible from 1722, written in Gothic and Latin, and a large painting of Jesus that was once located in the chapel of Samobor's Old Town. According to estimates by art historians, it is painting

by El Greco, or, more likely, Caravaggio.

When they were carrying the painting into the castle, it was too big, so they, unfortunately, cut off half a meter, exactly where the author's signature was, said Mr. Praunsperger Bošnjak, whose castle was once visited by the great men of the Illyrian movement such as Ljudevit Gaj, Stanko Vraz, Dimitri Demeter, Count Janko Drašković...

The family often lends many objects from the family collection such as spears, shields, swords, etc. for filming various movies, such as "The Winds of War", "The Dirty Dozen" and "Potonulo groblje" which were filmed in the castle itself.

Photos: one of the rooms in the castle (top); a Bible from 1722 written in Gothic and Latin (middle left); iron armor from the Middle Ages is one of the most interesting exhibits in this family museum (bottom right); the family still makes soap according to a 17th century recipe (bottom left).

According to a 17th century recipe One of the traditions of the Praunsperger family that continues on today is the production of soap according to recipes from the 17th century, written in old family books. Although the former recipe included lard and ashes, which were previously used to make soap, they have now been replaced with vegetable oil and alkali, and all soaps, and the packaging and various molds, are still made by hand in this little factory named "DIA Natural Cosmetics" located within the castle. They are available in the shape of roses, hearts, fish, shells, honeycombs, etc. as well as in about 30 various scents including olive, lavender, rosemary, honey, grapes, orange, rose. Along with the soaps, the family also produces hand creams, body peels, lip balm, suntanning oil, natural deodorants, etc.  November / December 2013.

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ing the follow n o t u o 13, s Don't mis cember 20 e D d n a r e ovemb events in N d January 2014 an

Photo: Robert Kunštek

u o y 4 s tip

Day of the City of Zadar On the feast day of St. Chrysogonus, patron saint of the city of Zadar, which is celebrated November 24, 2013, definitely try to be in Zadar. The city of Zadar also celebrates its day then, so there will be plenty of events. The doors to the Archeological museum, Museum of Ancient Glass, National Museum, and Permanent Exhibition of Religious Art will be open that day from 10:00 to 21:00, while the food festival "Zadarski pijat" will be held on the main city street, Kalelarga, where the caterers and winemakers of Zadar will present their selection.

Photo archive: Zagreb Eye

www.grad-zadar.hr

The Days of Adriatic Calamari will be held from December 1, 2013 to January 6, 2014, in the restaurants and taverns of northwestern Istria, in the cities of Umag and Novigrad. Guests will be able to try calamari, one of the food aces of the region, in various ways, as a part of specially designed menus at affordable prices.

What's a man without tricks?

www.facebook.com/ZagrebEye

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www.istra.hr

Photo archive: Istria Tourist Board

If you would like to have a good laugh and relax, then the show "Što je muškarac bez trikova?" (What's a man without tricks?) is the right choice for you! In a little more than an hour, the duration of the show, this project by illusionist Luka Vidović and director Mario Kovač will show you fantastic tricks and make you laugh with original video shots and a stand-up comedy approach.

The show is held every Saturday in November 2013 starting at 20:00 at the Zagreb Eye Viewpoint, on Zagreb's main square, and the performances will continue in December.

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Photo archive: Opatija Tourist Board

Days of Adriatic Calamari

Winter in Opatija "Winter in Opatija" is the name of a series of events and festivals being held in Opatija from December 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014. Some of the events include the Christmas Fair, which is to be held from December 1 to January 12, along with the Christmas Fairytale in the Učka Nature Park from December 13 to 15, the Christmas Old-timer Exhibition on December 26, the New Years' celebration... www.opatija-tourism.hr

Kvarner Pure Chocolate Festival

Photo archive: Dubrovnik Tourist Board

The Kvarner Pure Chocolate Festival, a concert of classical music, will be held December 6, 2013, in the Crystal Ballroom of Hotel Kvarner in Opatija at 8:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased for 150, 190 and 230 kuna. www.festivalkvarner.com Photo archive: Festival Kvarner

Advent in Baranja Several interesting holiday programs will also welcome you this winter in Baranja. The Christmas Fair will be held on Beli Manastir's main square from December 1 to 15, where it will be possible to buy traditional products, such as cakes, honey, wine, wooden toys, souvenirs, etc. There will also be mulled wine, hot chocolate, and Christmas songs, and romantic carriage rides have also been organized. The "Winter Fair" in Karanac, on December 8, will also offer various traditional country and craft products which is also an excellent opportunity to get suitable Christmas gifts. "Čvarakfest" will be held the same day in Karanac, with a competition in making čvarke (pork rinds).

Dubrovnik Christmas Fair

www.tzdubrovnik.hr

www.tzbaranje.hr

Photo archive: Baranja Tourist Board

A Christmas fair will be held from December 2, 2013 to January 6, 2014 in the attractive Luže in Dubrovnik, with the sound of Christmas carols. Traditional craftsmen who will exhibit their crafts, Christmas ornaments, candles, toy, glass, embroidery, ceramic and porcelain items, etc., will be presented as a part of the fair. There will also be Christmas cookies and sweets, arancina, and Dubrovnik's traditional sweets, such as kontonjate and mantale. This year, the Christmas tent on Pile will shine especially bright with special lighting, ambiance, and selection. A suitable selection of food will be presented here from December 14, 2013 to January 6, 2014, with a musical program, and chosen specialties from all over Croatia at an acceptable price.

Photo archive: Opatija Tourist Board

Chocolate festival As part of the "Winter in Opatija" festival, the "Chocolate Festival" will be held in Opatija from December 6 to 8, 2013. The central events will be held on the summer stage, where the Christmas fair and ice skating rink will be set up, while Croatian and international expert chocolatiers will present their chocolate products in the tent on the small summer stage, with taste tests, and affordable prices. The attractive chocolate program will also be held in the Juraj Šporer Art Pavillion, in Villa Angiolini, and in many hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops in Opatija. www.opatija-tourism.hr

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t Board Photo archive: Zagreb County Touris

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Lucia's Days

Photo archive: Istria Tourist Board

This year, as is tradition, most of the cities and municipalities of the Zagreb county will be holding Christmas fairs, New Years' celebrations and various events. So, for example, from December 6 to 13, 2013, Lucia's Days will be held in Velika Gorica, while in the same place, on December 6, St. Nicholas is coming to town, a winter ice-skating rink will be opened, and it will all be accompanied by a rich cultural-art and entertainment program. www.tzzz.hr

On December 15th, in honor of the 111th anniversary of the first train ride from Buje to Poreč, a pedestrian-bicycle tour will be organized from Buje to Grožnjan, along the renovated Parenzane route. The tour starts at 10:00 in front of the old train station in Buje, and all participants will receive refreshments along the way. In the past ten years, part of Parenzane, a narrow-rail line, were renovated into a walking and bicycle trail, unique for its viaducts, tunnels, and train station preserved along the way.

Photo archive: Agroturizam Konavle

Pedestrian-bicycle tour of Parenzane

www.istra.hr

Konavle Scents of Christmas

Enjoy the family adventure in Santa Claus Town, which will be open from December 5 to 31, 2013 in Centar Cvjetni on Cvjetni square in Zagreb. Here you will be welcomed by the adventure of touring the town, the show "Toy Guards" with the distribution of gifts, Story time with Santa Claus, and many programs, workshops, and surprises.

This year, Konavle Scents of Christmas 2013, a traditional tourist festival of the far Croatian south, will be held for the sixth time, from December 22 to 29, 2013. Open Door Days will be held on Friday and Saturday, the 27th and 28th of December, when, before the evening's entertainment program begins, Konavle's representatives of agricultural tourism will offer the chance to try the wine and food specialties of the area, at affordable prices, in an authentic Konavle ambiance. Sunday, December 29th is reserved for a food competition spectacle - The Green Maneštra and Wine Festival, a combination of traditional Konavle cuisine, and renowned Konavle wine from small family-owned wineries.

www.djed-mraz.hr

www.agroturizam-konavle.hr

Santa Claus Town

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Kristkindl Markt Kristkindl, a traditional custom where the people of the village of Zmajevac tour the town dressed as angels, will be held December 21st. On the same day, Kristkindl Markt, a cute Christmas fair with domestic products, will be organized on the wine roads of Zmajevac. The wine cellars will be opened for that occasion, and along with offering wine from Baranja, they will also offer specialty food. In the wine road, a large Christmas concert of Hungarian, Croatian, and German Christmas songs will be held at 17:00, and at 19:00, an acoustic guitar concert will be held at the Kovač family's wine cellar.

Photo archive: Ilok wineries

Photo archive: PHOTOnet.hr (Klara Bukovac)

www.tzbaranje.hr

Gorski kotar Sledding Championship

New Years' celebration in Ilok wineries A New Years' 2014 celebration will be organized at the "Principovac" tourist resort, located in the wineries near the city of Ilok. The guests will be entertained by the diverse musical repertoire of singer Igor Delač, and the Prva Liga band, and guests will be offered a bounty of food, games and prizes, and mini-fireworks. www.ilocki-podrumi.hr

Many people of Varaždin, and their guests, athletes, and recreationalists will traditionally run into the New Year. At the stroke of midnight, the six-kilometer race will start downtown. There are only two cities in the world that start the New Year running - Sao Paolo and Varaždin, where the first New Year race was run back in 1977. www.tourism-varazdin.hr

Photo archive: Varaždin Tourist Board

New Years' marathon in Varaždin

The Gorski kotar Sledding Championship will be held at several locations in Gorski kotar from January 11 to March 9, 2014, according to a preset schedule, every Saturday. The foreseen schedule is as follows: January 11 in Ravna Gora, January 18 in Lokve, January 25, and February 1 and 2 in Skrad, February 16 in Vrbovsko, February 22 in Delnice, March 1 and 2 in Čabar, and March 8 and 9 in Mrkopalj. If the foreseen host is unable to prepare the competition due to a lack of snow, they are moved to the end of the competition, and the competition continues according to schedule the following week. The competition calendar is subject to change, and depends on weather conditions, namely snow. www.gorskikotar.hr

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12. PRO.PR conference

Photo archive: Mali Lošinj Tourist Board

The 12th international conference for public relations, PRO.PR, will be held from March 26 to 2, 2014 at the Olympic Holiday Hotel in Sarajevo. The conference will bring together the leading regional and global experts for communication management who will share their rich knowledge and experience, and a total of 13 lectures and three panel discussions will be held as part of the event. Also, awards for contribution to the development of the public relations profession, the PRO.PR awards, will also be handed out. www.pro-pr.com

52nd New Years' Spearfishing Championship On December 29 and 30, 2013, the 52nd New Years' Spearfishing Championship will be held in Mali Lošinj. The City Championship will be held in the aquatorium of the island of Lošinj, and the most interesting part is the arrival of the competitors and the beginning of the weighing of the catches in the Bočac Sports Arena at 17:00. While the weighing is underway, visitors can buy a raffle ticket, and after the winner is announced, they can participate in the draw, and take home a nice fresh fish. www.tz-malilosinj.hr

Experience an idyllic winter in old autochthonous houses, lanterns, snow, homemade mulled wine and song, and come to the Old Village Kumrovec in Croatia's Zagorje on January 6, 2014. Here they still preserve the tradition of singing "Trikralskih popevki" (Songs for Three Kings' Day) by a group of singers that go from house to house. www.tzkzz.hr

New Years' Celebration at noon in Fužine

As an introduction to the celebrations of Christmas and New Years', Haddock Days are being held in Dubrovnik's restaurants from December 20th to 24th. Haddock soup, white haddock, haddock stew, haddock pate and the unavoidable fritters and dried figs are just a few of the delicacies to choose from. Haddock is one of the unavoidable dishes on the holiday table in Dubrovnik, and each housewife has her own little secrets and methods of preparing this traditional dish.

Once again, this year at exactly noon on December 31, 2013, a New Years' celebration will be organized in the center of Fužine. The unavoidable mulled wine and sausages, domestic orchestras, and firework show guarantee an unforgettable party for all the guests.

www.tzdubrovnik.hr

www.tz-fuzine.hr

Haddock Days in Dubrovnik

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Photo archive: PHOTOnet.hr

Trikralski zvezdari in Kumrovec

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VIP Snow Queen Trophy 2014 The "VIP Snow Queen Trophy" ski spectacle, which has been held the first week after New Years' for years on Zagreb's Sljeme, is a multi-day festival that gathers the best female and male skiers for two Audi FIS World Cup slalom races. The day race for the women will be held Saturday, January 4, 2014, with the first run at 10:00, and the second, at 13:00. The attractive night slalom for men is on schedule for Monday, January 6, 2014, with the first run at 14:45, and the second at 18:10. This year marks the 10th anniversary since the first women's slalom competition was held on Sljeme, so a big party has been announced with a fantastic level of sports and an unforgettable party for all the competitors and guests.

Photo archive: Studio Hrg

www.snowqueentrophy.com

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ZADAR

Photo: Velid Jakupović (source: Zadar Tourist Board)

City break

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ZADAR CROATIA

Experience the city with the prettiest sunset Written by: Željka Kunštek ◆ Photos: archive of Zadar Tourist Board (Velid Jakupović, Stjepan Felber, Tim Ertl, Marin Gospić, Mladen Radolović Mrlja)

City break ZADAR

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City break

ZADAR

Did you know that Zadar is more than three thousand years old, and that it is older than Rome? Did you know that the renowned Maraschino liqueur, which was served on the Titanic, and irresistible to the great conqueror Napoleon, English Queen Victoria, and even Casanova, Hitchcock, and Baudelaire is produced in this city?

City break ZADAR Photo: Stjepan Felber (source: Zadar Tourist Board)

Did you know that Zadar has the prettiest sunset in the world, but also its sphinx that fulfils romantic wishes? It is truly difficult to present Zadar and its attractions on only a few pages, but we will try to show you what you definitely shouldn't miss...

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1. Kalelarga When exploring Zadar, head from Kalelarga, or Wide Street, two thousand years old, which stretches through nearly the entire length of the historical city core, and follows the path of the main Roman road Decumanus Maximus. Here you will best feel the beat of the city. For the people of Zadar, Kalelarga is a legendary place, a place of socializing and entertainment, folk ceremonies, but also first loves... Very few streets have been sung about as much as Kalelarga, which even has its own anthem. It officially starts at Narodni trg, and interestingly, it was lit for the first time in the 16th century.

2. Church of St. Donatus One of the main symbols of the city, which you will see on most of the postcards and promotional material for the city, is the Church of St. Donatus. It is the best-known monumental building in Croatia from the early Middle Ages, or the 9th century. It is special due to its cylindrical shape, it is 27 meters high, and constructed from the remains of a Roman forum, from which a large portion of the architectural decorations of the church were taken. It hasn't been used as a church since the late 18th century, and due to its acoustics, it is often used as a venue for various concerts and musical programs, so amongst other things, also for the "Musical Evenings in St. Donatus".

3. Forum

4. Gold and silver of Zadar

When you are already at St. Donatus' church, then you're actually on Forum, the main square of the Roman Jadera (former name of Zadar), where you can now find the Episcopal complex with several cultural monuments.

Zadar's Forum is the best preserved on the eastern coast of the Adriatic, with a width of 45 meters and a length of 90 meters, and it was constructed between the 1st century B.C. and 3rd century A.D. Of the two triumphant pillars, only one has been preserved, which was used in the Middle Ages as a "Pillar of Shame".

Next to the Forum is the Church of St. Marija and the convent, where one of the most valuable exhibitions in Croatia "Gold and Silver of Zadar" is located. It is a permanent exhibition of church art initiated

by Croatian writer Miroslav KrleŞa. Here you can see various gold and silver objects, such as reliquaries, chalices, sculptures, paintings, tapestries, etc., and one of the most beautiful pieces is the crown of Queen Elizabeta Kotromanić.

Photo: Tim Ertl (source: Zadar Tourist Board)

Photo: Stjepan Felber (source: Zadar Tourist Board)

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City break

ZADAR 5. Zadar's promenade and sunset Zadar's promenade, or Obala kralja Petra Krešimira IV. is 800 meters long and a place to relax and one of the favorite promenades of the people of Zadar, but also a must see site for all visitors to the city. Nearly fifty years ago, while staying Zadar, the famous director Alfred Hitchcock concluded that the sunset in Zadar, which he watched from the window of his hotel room 204 of the then Hotel Zagreb, was the most beautiful in the world, and immeasurably more beautiful that the one in Key West, Florida. See for yourself why.

Photo: Tim Ertl (source: Zadar Tourist Board)

6. Sea Organ The promenade is also home to one of the recent main attractions of the city, the Sea Organ, designed by architect Nikola Bašić.

These stone steps are seventy meters wide, and divided into seven sections, beneath which 35 pipes of different lengths, dimensions and slopes are installed, which, with each hit of the waves, makes a unique concert that lasts 24 hours a day. Just as the energy of the sea is unpredictable, with the changes of the tides, the strength, and the direction, every concert of this "orchestra of nature" is a unique experience. Architect Bašić has received numerous domestic and international awards for his organ.

Photo: Tim Ertl (source: Zadar Tourist Board)

8. Five Wells Square Five Wells Square ('Trg pet bunara') was constructed during the time of the defense from the Turkish attacks in 1574. There was a large cistern with drinkable water with five decorated wells. The square is encircled by a medieval wall and the Captain's Tower, and today it is one of the places where tourists love to take photos.

7. Greeting to the Sun Right next to the organs is the Greeting to the Sun, an urban installation, which just like the Sea Organ, was designed by the same architect, Nikola Bašić. It is made of three hundred multiple layer glass plates set in a 22-meter diameter circle. As the sun sets, the light elements built into the circle are turned on, and they make an impressive light show, according to a specially programmed script, in the rhythm of the waves and the sound of the Sea Organ. The Greeting to the Sun also won over the world for its attractive appearance.

Photo: Stjepan Felber (source: Zadar Tourist Board)

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Photo: Tim Ertl (source: Zadar Tourist Board)

Photo: Tim Ertl (source: Zadar Tourist Board) Photo: Stjepan Felber (source: Zadar Tourist Board)

9. People's Square From the Renaissance to now, Zadar's People's Square ('Narodni trg') is the center of public life of Zadar. Here, your attention will be distracted by several sites: the City Sentinel with a clock tower that has been working continually since 1803, follows by the City Lodge and City Council, which dominates the square. The well-preserved pre-Romanesque church of St. Lawrence, with an atrium, is also there, and an interesting feature is the fact that the entrance is through the cafĂŠ of the same name. This photogenic square was the location of the first coffee shop in Zadar, opened

by Josip Carceninga, the first producer of Maraschino back in 1730.

Zadar's Cathedral of St. Anastasia is the largest church in Dalmatia.

It was constructed in two parts, and the beginning of construction dates back to the 4th or 5th century. Within the cathedral, there is a stone sarcophagus with the relics of St. Anastasia, the patron saint of Zadar, which were given by two popes: Alexander III, and later John Paul II, during his visit to Zadar in 2003. The view of Zadar from the bell tower is beautiful, so if you plan on climbing up, definitely take a camera with you.

Photo: Marin Gospić (source: Zadar Tourist Board)

10. St. Anastasia's Cathedral

11. Museum of Ancient Glass

Photo: Stjepan Felber (source: Zadar Tourist Board)

12. Zadar's Sphinx The neighborhood of Brodarica is one of the prettiest parts of the city, and it is recognizable for its old villas from the early 20th century, and its manicured gardens and parks. In front of one of them, Villa Attilia in the Maestral cove, to be precise, is the Zadar Sphinx, which often piques the interest of passersby and tourists. This replica of the Egyptian sphinx was constructed by Giovanni Smirich, a restorer, painter, and art historian from Zadar, in memory of his loving wife Attilia, so, according to legend, the sphinx fulfills romantic wishes.

Have you always wondered what kinds of glass objects were used in Zadar in Ancient times? And what production methods they used then? If you answered yes, then definitely visit the museum of Ancient Glass. Here you will see thousands of different glass objects from ancient times, found in the areas of Zadar, Nin, Starigrad at the foot of Velebit and near Benkovac. The glass blowing workshop is especially interesting, and within the museum, there is a souvenir shop where you can buy replicas of ancient glass, both jewelry as well as useful items, made in the museum workshops.

Find out more at: www.mas-zadar.hr

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City break

ZADAR

VIRTUAL TOUR

13. Archipelago Rugged coastline, untouched nature, and an archipelago of 24 larger, and 300 smaller islands are the reason Zadar's archipelago is a favorite destination of many sailors. There are three nature parks near Zadar: Telašćica, Velebit, and Vransko jezero, and a total of five national parks: Paklenica, Plitvička jezera, Kornati, Krka and Sjeverni Velebit. You'll admit, it's more than enough for placing Zadar and its surroundings amongst the leading Croatian tourist destinations.

Photo: Mladen Radolović Mrlja (source: Zadar Tourist Board)

tip: Do you know which coffee house has been at the same location since 1796? Or which street is older than the city itself? You can find out more about many legends, anecdotes, and interesting facts in the application "Secret Zadar". Here you will also find a lot of attractive photos of the best scenes of Zadar which you can then share with your friends on social networks, send e-mails, set them as the background of your mobile device...Find our more at: www.secretzadar.com

14. Maraschino Although there are many, Maraschino is the best-known souvenir from Zadar, whose characteristic bitter-sweet taste and aromatic scent will continue to remind you of the scents, flavors, and experiences of Zadar long after you've arrived home. The recipe for this original liqueur from Zadar, which is made from the ripe fruit of the Dalmatian maraška sour cherry and the leaves of its young branches, was written in the 16th century in Zadar's Dominican convent. Maraschino was consumed on the Titanic, it was written about by Honore de Balzac, and it was also enjoyed by famous conqueror Napoleon, English Queen Victoria, Russian czars and French kings, the famous Casanova, Hitchcock, and Baudelaire... What are you waiting for?

Photo archive: Maraska (source: Zadar Tourist Board)

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www.secretzadar.com

Zadar Tourist Board • Ilije Smiljanića 5 • 23000 Zadar • Croatia phone: +385 23 316166 • fax: +385 23 211781 • info@tzzadar.hr • www.zadar.travel facebook: www.facebook.com/LikeZadar • twitter: www.twitter.com/ZadarTourism November / December 2013.

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ik ve e: iv d ch oar B ist

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CRIKVENICA

Cr

Carnival

Carnival in Crikvenica Once again this winter, the Crikvenica Riviera will be playful and colorful with the bright carnival puns and original masks. The costumed groups will use loud drums and songs to chase away the winter spirits and to beckon spring, as well as visit the towns and greet the people and guests of Crikvenica, Dramalj, Jadranovo, and Selce.

The costumed craziness in Crikvenica will last from January 11 to March 5, and the large costume tent in the very center of Crikvenica will be the host for all people craving crazy fun, laughter, dance, and good music. On Saturdays, the costumed entertainment will include popular Croatian musicians: Jole, Jelena Rozga, Dražen Zečić, Jasmin Stavros, Mladen Grdović, Gustafi and Lidija Bačić, who will make sure the atmosphere is upbeat.

Crikvenica will also organize traditional outdoor festivals: a large costume parade will be held on January 26, and the Children’s Costume Parade will be held February 9, 2014. Guests will also be able to enjoy relaxing Sunday afternoons with tea, raffles, and a suitable entertainment program. www.maskare.net ; www.rivieracrikvenica.com

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Jadran Crikvenica Hotels (Jadran d.d. u stečaju) phone: +385 51 241 970 phone: +385 51 455 560 (Sales and marketing department) fax: +385 51 241 975 e-mail: marketing@jadran-crikvenica.hr www.jadran-crikvenica.hr

Hotel Esplanade (Crikvenica)

Hotel Kaštel (Crikvenica)

Hotel Omorika (Crikvenica)

Hotel Zagreb (Crikvenica)

Hotel International (Crikvenica)

Hotel and Pavilions Ad Turres (Crikvenica)

Harmony of tradition and modern The Crikvenica Riviera - an oasis of scents and diversity which lulls you to sleep with lavender and awakens you with rosemary! The centre awaits you with nine hotels, a tourist resort and auto camp, friendly staff, and more than 2500 beds ready for your arrival! The plentiful offer of excursions, the cultural monuments that take you back to the time of Pavlin and Frankopan, the tastes of the Mediterranean for everyone's tastebuds... all of that is Jadran d.d. with its rich tourist tradition for more than 60 years.

Walk the 15 kilometre long coastline, let at least one of the many sports activities become your own, relax on a beach with a blue flag, the sign of superb quality, and don't forget to visit us again because we are here for you!

Tourist resort Kačjak (Dramalj)

Hotel and Pavilions Slaven (Selce)

Hotel Varaždin (Selce)

Autocamp Selce (Selce)

www.jadran-crikvenica.hr

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BORIS ŽGOMBA Photo archive: UHPA

Interview

BORIS ŽGOMBA, UHPA president

How 2013 was for Croatian travel agencies, the plans for next year in tourism, the advantages of organized travel in comparison to individual, and much more is revealed to us by president of the Association of Croatian Travel Agencies (UHPA), Boris Žgomba

Croatia is strengthening the brand of continental tourism more and more Conducted by: Željka Kunštek Photos: archive of UHPA, Robert Kunštek, archive of the Croatian National Tourist Board (Mario Romulić & Dražen Stojčić, Marin Topić, Sergio Gobbo, Aleksandar Gospić, Renco Kosinožić, Damir Fabijanić)

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T

he greater part of the tourism year is behind us.

What was it like for Croatian travel agencies? Have all the expectations been fulfilled?

Generally speaking, regardless of the fact that it still isn't completed, the season that is slowly behind us has achieved growth in comparison to last

year. Even though the season started with somewhat poorer results during June and in early July, the results were successfully compensated for with the extremely busy months of August and September, and the trends continued throughout October. We are especially happy that, besides the traditional source markets, there is a greater percentage of

Photo: Mario Romulić & Dražen Stojčić (source: Croatian National Tourist Board)

Photo: Robert Kunštek

Kopački rit Nature Park

Photo: Marin Topić (source: Croatian National Tourist Board)

Zagreb

Photos: Ban Jelačić Square in Zagreb (top left); Kopački rit Nature Park (top right); Osijek in the winter (bottom).

Over the past few years, domestic agencies have been offering and developing continental packages more and more, especially in less developed tourism regions of Croatia.

Osijek

agencies coming from distant markets.

It is the result of excellent business achievements, but also the high-quality promotion that domestic agencies are conducting in cooperation with the Croatian National Tourist Board (CNTB).

Over the past years, along with the proven high quality offer at the Adriatic, domestic agencies are offering and developing continental tourism more and more. Special effort is invested in developing products in less developed tourism regions of Croatia, by creating high-quality destination programs.

This year, with the accession of Croatia to the European Union, a visa regime was implemented for tourists from Russia, the Ukraine, Turkey, and other

countries that aren't EU members. How much did that affect booking and the flow of tourists from those markets?

It is for certain that there were certain consequences since the visa regime didn't aid the development of the season in regards to arrivals from the said markets. In the meantime, measures were brought which should result with the return of guests from those markets in the future, mostly due to lighter and eased processes of issuing visas. That would help achieve the desired goal of integrating a great number of arrivals from the Russian market, but also from Turkey, China, and the Ukraine. This year, we compensated for the decrease in the number of tourists due to the visa regime with a larger number of tourists

from the other markets. If things do not get complicated in the future, it is to be expected that with an acceptable model of issuing visas in the future, the return of guests from Russia and the other countries should help achieve significant growth of the cumulative result of the tourist season.

In May, a contract on the collaboration of regional associations of travel agencies was signed. What are the goals of this step, and when can the first 'fruits' of this joint collaboration be expected?

Collaboration between regional associations of travel agencies presents the foundation for the development of tourism in southeastern Europe. Our November / December 2013.

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Photo: Renco Kosinožić (source: Croatian National Tourist Board)

BORIS ŽGOMBA

Photo: Sergio Gobbo (source: Croatian National Tourist Board)

Interview

Photo: Aleksandar Gospić (source: Croatian National Tourist Board)

Lake Peruča

Gospić

Photos: Lake Peruča (top left); Gospić, the capital of the Lika-Senj County (bottom left); Vrsar, a fishing and tourist center on the western coast of Istria (right).

Vrsar

The users of the services of travel agents prefer the security and quality of the services, as well as the comfort that agencies provide.

shared goal is the development of travel products and thematic trips that will be unique and characteristic of the regional countries. Such a model of collaboration has proved itself indispensable in the context of developing offers on distant markets. Excellent cooperation of tour operators in the area brings daily expansion of the business and a significant increase in the number of tourists. In the next few years, we expect further expansion and an increased volume of business within the operations.

The results are already measurable now, and in the future, they have the chance to bring even greater advantages for all tour operators in the region.

Besides being president of UHPA, you are also head of the European Travel Agents and Tour Operators' Associations (ECTAA), which creates

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travel trends. What is currently in focus for the ECTAA and how is the fulfillment of activities as a part of the "Incoming Europe" coming along?

The current focus of ECTAA action is mostly related to issues of legal legislations and relations between travel agencies with airline companies and other operators participating in travel arrangements. The ECTAA is incredibly active in uniting and creating legislation that regulates travel services at the EU level, with the aim of attaining shared legal legislation in all member countries.

In the Incoming Europe project, the ECTAA, together with the European Commission places the greatest emphasis on easing and simplifying the visa regime for countries that are affected by it. It is considered to be one of the key hurdles for better development of incoming tourism in Europe.

Photo: Damir Fabijanić (source: Croatian National Tourist Board)

When travelling, I expect trips to be primarily interesting and that they open new horizons, be they trips for business or pleasure.

How are Croatian travel agencies preparing for 2014 in tourism? What will UHPA place emphasis on next year?

According to all the indicators, the next year in tourism should be another demanding year where we can expect additional expansion of the economic crisis, both at home, as well as in a large number of countries throughout Europe. However, since we have been facing that situation over the past few years, I will jokingly say that there won't be any disruptions or drastic changes in comparison to the previous years. It will be necessary for the entire tourism sector to once again invest a lot of energy and hard work for the success of the upcoming years. Our activities, like all the companies within the sector, will be aimed at conducting the measures we need in order to ensure the arrival of the expected number of guests, while at the same time fulfilling set plans regarding the level of income.

With the development of the internet, the number of tourists independently organizing their trips is on the rise.

Still, why should they decide on having their trip organized by a travel agency?

From the moment the internet started to expand, the trends of travelers independently researching individual segments of their trip grew. However, it is important to emphasize that the number of users of the services of travel agents is much larger. Moreover, a large number of passengers primarily informs themselves using the internet, and after that they use the services of an agency based on their knowledge and data gathered. Those who use the services of travel agencies prefer the security and quality of the services they get, and won't change for sure. We

Lastovo

cannot disregard the comfort that travel agencies provide with their services.

Even before the development of the internet, there were people who preferred to organize their trips on their own. Regardless of that, the position of travel agencies and tour operators is stable, and we do not believe there will be dramatic changes in that sense.

As a travel expert, which Croatian destinations and attractions would you recommend to our readers? What is a must-see in Croatia?

Croatia's travel offer is truly wealthy and the basis for the success of the achievements in tourism over the past few years. Besides the Adriatic destinations that are known far and wide, such as Dubrovnik, Zadar, Split, Opatija, and destinations throughout Istria and the Adriatic islands, Croatia is strengthening its brand of continental tourism more and more. We are especially working on that in UHPA in cooperation with domestic agencies, the CNTB, and Ministry of Tourism, and the results are becoming more pronounced. The City of Zagreb has marked a constant growth of arrivals, and is becoming one of the leading cities of the region according to the number of tourists. Plitvička jezera are a well-known brand that attract a large number of domestic and foreign

Photo: dusk on the island of Lastovo (top).

guests. The far east of Croatia is well known for its food and beautiful nature.

Kopački rit is one of the world's leading locations for bird watching. Vukovar is marking an increase in visits... I could go on forever. Croatia truly has beautiful destinations, natural and cultural riches.

We have to be grateful, and, firstly, proud of the beautiful country we live in.

Which global destinations are on your list of future travels?

Over the past few years, I have often travelled as president of UHPA and the ECTAA. I recently visited Brazil, where I had the chance to meet the heads of their travel associations. In the near future, I will be traveling to London for the WTM and some other fairs. Also, I often travel on the Zagreb-Brussels line.

In the next few months, I also plan on going to China, Japan, South Korea, and the USA. When travelling, I expect trips to be primarily interesting and that they open new horizons, be they trips for business or pleasure.  November / December 2013.

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Tourist attraction

ČAZMA

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Christmas story in Čazma The Christmas story of the Salaj family is one of the most beautiful Christmas stories told outdoors, and it is an attraction that more and more domestic and foreign tourists, as well as international media, look forward to every year. More than a million lights, strung across several hundred different types of trees and plants, wooden bridges and paths, traditionally light up at the beginning of December every year on this large estate, and remain lit until mid-January. The estate is located in the village of Grabovnica, about 60 km from Zagreb, and 30 km from Bjelovar, and last year alone, they were visited by more than 45 thousand guests in a month.

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Advent

ZAGREB

Photo: the musical pavilion on Zrinjevac decorated for Advent

Advent Zagreb's way Although walking through Zagreb at any time of year is a story for itself, during Advent, it becomes a special experience. Magical, warm, and aromatic, as it should be during the holidays. Relinquish yourself this winter to the streets of Zagreb, their aromas of hot chocolate, mulled wine, cloves and cinnamon, the tastes of Zagreb's delicacies, the sounds of Christmas music, jazz, and blues coming from its squares, and the colorful lights that will guide you through the holiday magic of the Croatian metropolis.

Prepared by: Željka Kunštek ◆ Photos: archive of Zagreb Tourist Board

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Once again this winter in Zagreb you can visit "Fuliranje kod Uspinjače" in Tomićeva Street, which will take you back in time, more precisely to the thirties, one of the best periods in Zagreb's history.

Photos: Ban Jelačić Square during Advent (top); you can find refreshments within the tent on the main square (bottom).

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agreb has started to 'dangerously' approach the popular European 'masters of Advent', such as Vienna and Prague, over the past few years. Every year, its squares and streets offer a greater richer Advent selection, but they are also more crowded with the greater number of tourists who wish to experience the magic of Christmas and New Years' holidays here. Even Zagrebians, who previously often went to one of the other European metropolises to experience the "Christmas spirit", are staying in town more. They simply don't want to miss out on the positive holiday vibrations and events that rule their city in December.

The flavors of Old Zagreb While walking through Advent Zagreb, start at the central square, Ban Jelačić

square, which is, along with the large Christmas tree, also decorated with the lush Advent wreath around the Manduševac fountain, where one candle is lit for each Sunday of Advent. Next to the large stage, where you can see concerts, shows, and various programs every day, is a tent where you can find refreshments and take a break. You can continue your path from the heart of town towards the romantic park of Zrinjevac and the old musical pavilion, which will take you back to the holiday time of Old Zagrebians. Christmas classics, waltzes, and other musical treats will be the musical background while you browse the cute wooden houses full of original souvenirs and Christmas ornaments, where you might find a great gift for your loved ones. You

tip: From December 6 to 22, 2013 you can tour the parts of town dedicated to Advent and Christmas in the presence of other fans of the holiday ambiance.

English language tours are organized on Fridays and Saturdays, with departures at 18:00 from Zrinjevac Park. A Croatian language tour is organized Sundays at 18:00. The tour lasts two hours, and the price is 49 kuna per person.

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Advent

ZAGREB

Photos: various unique objects by Croatian craftsmen and artists can be found at the Christmas fair (left, top right, and bottom right).

can also enjoy the somewhat forgotten tastes of Old Zagreb: homemade pasta with cabbage, apple fritters, and baked štrukli, and the hot chocolate and mulled wine are sure to tempt you...

Something for everyone tip: The traditional Christmas fair, held in the streets surrounding the central city square, is the ideal place for holiday shopping. Here you can find various gifts, unique Christmas ornaments, souvenirs...

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Nearby, on Cvjetni trg, a completely different story. During Advent, this square lives for jazz and classics, dancing and suitors. If you prefer poetry, oldtimers, and waltzes, then definitely take a walk to the "most-Zagrebian" square, Britanski trg, which during Advent becomes the "Christmas Pinguin Market".

Are you creative and love new and different things? Then Artomat, the fair of unconventional art, held at Trg žrtava fašizma, is the right place for you.

Educational workshops and various

programs that gather creative people from various walks of life are held as a part of this inspirational fair.

While touring the squares, the bright lights of the traditional Christmas fair held in the streets surrounding the main square are sure to catch your eye.

Zagreb's craftsmen and artists await you here with Christmas present ideas, licitar hearts and honey cakes, Christmas ornaments and various souvenirs.

In short, the ideal place for holiday shopping.

A special attraction at Christmas time is the live manger on Kaptol, nearby the cathedral, traditionally organized by the Cenacolo association. Young men and women, amateur actors in costumes, and fantastic scenery will evoke the event of Jesus' birth. The show is especially interesting for children, and domestic animals participate in the show. 

Once again this Advent, the Happy Christmas Tram will delight Zagrebians and their guests, especially the youngest. There they tell stories, sing, play various games, and all in the company of Santa Claus and the elves. The tram departs from the corner of Praška and Jurišićeva Streets, at Ban Jelačić Square, the ride lasts between 25 and 45 minutes, and the tickets cost 25 kuna.

Photos: sweets and Christmas ornaments are an irreplaceable part of the selection at the Advent stands (top left); various concerts and performances are held on city squares (bottom left); the fountain on Zrinjevac (bottom right).

Treat Yourself with

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Advent

ZAGREB

Photo archive: Esplanade Zagreb Hotel

tip: Many hotels in Zagreb have prepared an attractive and interesting selection for Advent: from Christmas banquets and musical delights to Advent weekends, deluxe receptions, and New Year's celebrations. Immerse yourself, enjoy the flavors and scents of holiday Zagreb...

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PROMO

Old Hollywood Glamour in the

H

Hotel Esplanade

otel Esplanade, located in the very heart of Zagreb, is Zagreb's icon of style, elegance, and prestige, as well as being a shrine of superb food. It was open back in 1925 to offer accommodations to the passengers of the famous Orient Express. Elizabeth Taylor, Orson Welles, Hillary Clinton, David Beckham, Shakira, Robbie Williams, and many others, were guests. A lush and warm atmosphere runs through the hotel especially for the Christmas and New Years' holidays, where you will be welcomed with several attractive and irresistible offers. The New Year's celebration will be especially glamorous, with a red carpet, spotlights, superb champagne, the best delicacies, a luxurious five-course dinner, and one of the best disco bands in the region, Disco Inferno Magic 70', which will take you back to the crazy 70s. The combination of the energetic musical performance and popular disco-hits will be enriched by the piano bar master, a DJ, a performance by

attractive dancers, and a special Elvis Presley show, which will make you dance your socks off. Precisely at midnight, there will be a countdown, and a New Years' dance with the waltz. One of the interesting features will be the Mini Disco, or the children's New Years' celebration, under the professional guidance of animators. With great fun, board games, and music for dancing, the children will be welcomed with many surprises and a cool bedroom monitored by super nanny. Besides the New Years' celebration to remember, during December, Hotel Esplanade is also organizing Advent Sundays in the Zinfandel's restaurant with a deluxe family lunch, the Days of Chocolate and Cinnamon, and Haddock Days in Le Bistro, a restaurant with Parisian flair. A special holiday musical treat, ideal for socializing and relaxing, Xmas Thursday Night Chill Out, will welcome you every Thursday in the Esplanade's lounge & cocktail bar. ď ś

Hotel Esplanade, Mihanovićeva 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia, phone: +385 1 4566666, info@esplanade.hr, www.esplanade.hr November / December 2013.

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Historical traces...

TIDBITS

tip: Walking through Radićeva Street, and visiting Kamenita vrata, Zagreb's largest shrine, are unavoidable activities for every visitor to Zagreb.

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Stone Gate

Google maps street view location: http://goo.gl/maps/WKYqu Address: Kamenita ulica 10000 Zagreb, Croatia (EU)

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Prepared by: Željka Kunštek Photo: Robert Kunštek

Stone Gate

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n the 13th century, the citizens of Gradec, the old part of Zagreb, build a strong fortress encircling all of Gradec, and the town was entered through six gates, of which only one still remains standing today - Stone Gate (Kamenita vrata). Throughout history, it was often rebuilt, and it is shaped as a tower with a passageway through it. After a large fire hit Zagreb back in 1731, a painting of the Holy Mother miraculously remained undamaged so the widow Modlar had a chapel built there. From then to today, the Holy Mother of the Stone Gate remains Zagreb's greatest pilgrimage site, and Zagrebians come here every day, light candles, leave votive plaques and pray to their patron saint. Her feast day is celebrated May 31st every year, along with the Day of the City of Zagreb.

At the entrance to the Stone Gate, from Radićeva Street, is a statue of St. George, a gift from the Mažuranić family, who had the statue in their garden for several decades. 

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Weekend trip

TRAKOŠĆAN

It has been run by counts, military leaders and dukes since the 13th century, and today it is governed by the numerous tourists and visitors, fans of castles and legends, long romantic walks through century-old gardens and indescribable peace. Meet Trakošćan, one of the most picturesque castles in Croatia, and find out why it's becoming an ever-more popular weekend destination...

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TRAKOŠĆAN CROATIA

A fairytale castle

in northwestern Croatia Written by: Željka Kunštek ◆ Photos: Robert Kunštek

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Weekend trip

TRAKOŠĆAN There are two legends tied to the name Trakošćan.

According to the first, the castle got its name from the Trak fortress from ancient times, and according to the second, it came from the Drachenstein knights who ruled the area in the early middle ages.

Photos: entrance to the castle (left); the dragonfly is one of the inhabitants of the park (center); a view of the castle and the lake, which mirrors its image (right).

I tip: In the winter period (from November 1st to March 31st), the castle is open for visitors from 9 to 16, and in the summer period (from April 1st to October 31st) from 9 to 18. The price of admission for adults is 30 kn, and 15 kn for children.

For more information: www.trakoscan.hr

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f you leave Zagreb, the Croatian metropolis, and head northwest, towards Croatian Zagorje, within an hour of light driving (80 km), you will reach the Bednjan municipality where the Trakošćan castle is located. It is easy to recognize, because it truly looks like a fairytale castle, like the one you dreamt of as a child. It is located on a hill, surrounded by lush greenery, next to a lake which mirrors its image. Although there are many castles in Croatian Zagorje, Trakošćan castle bears the title of the most popular and most visited.

From fortress to castle However, when the fortress was initially built in the 13th century, its builders never dreamed that they had just started construction of one of the most attractive castles in Croatia. It was hard to imagine

that the fortress, which then served to oversee the path from Ptuj to the Bednje valley, after several additions, would later grow into a splendid castle, surrounded by a forest with a lake.

It is unknown who the heads of the fortress in the first years were, but it is known that the Celjski Counts managed it from the late 14th century, as they ran the entire Zagorje County. After the family died out, Trakošćan changed ownership, until the Drašković family inherited the right to use it and managed it for nearly 400 years. After they moved to Austria in 1944, the castle was nationalized, and in 1954 it was transformed into a museum with permanent installments.

Birthplace of photography Besides Trakošćan, there are few castles in Croatia that can boast a preserved

Throughout history, the castle changed owners, and it was ruled for the longest time, nearly 400 years, by the Drašković family. Due to the contributions of two members of the family in the area of photography and tourism, Trakošćan is considered to be the birthplace of photography and continental tourism in Croatia.

collection of items, closely tied to the life of the owners, in this case, the Drašković family. A walk through its rooms, 1200 square meters in total, will take your through the life of Croatian nobility from the 15th to 19th century and reveal a valuable collection of weapons, paintings, graphic art, furniture, books, and photographs. Definitely have a look at the Knight's Hall and the Hunting Hall, as well as the Music lounge, which houses a valuable early 19th century piano, which can still be played today.

Trakošćan is considered the birthplace of photography in Croatia, but also of continental tourism. One of the pioneers of photography in Croatia, Count Juraj VI Drašković, best known for renovating the castle, was a member of this family.

His nephew, Karlo Dragutin Drašković, also followed in his footsteps and is considered to be one of the pioneers of artistic photography in Croatia and the most important amateur photographer of the 19th century. At the age of 21 he was already a member of one of the most respected photography clubs in Europe, the Viennese Wiener Camera Club.

Several preserved guest books are proof that tourism was then being developed at the time. Besides that, there is also evidence that said Count Juraj VI had plans to use the castle before its renovation.

Photos: the castle is a common weekend destination for many visitors (top left); the informative plaque at the entrance to the castle (top right); the atrium with a well within the castle walls (middle); motives from the room within the castle (bottom left and right).

The renovation of Trakošćan in the 19th century was one of the first restoration procedures in Croatia.

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Weekend trip

TRAKOŠĆAN In the 18th century, a glass factory worked at Trakošćan for some time, where they produced green glasses, which salesmen sold throughout Croatia and nearby Styria.

There was also a lumber mill and textile factory within the castle, where serfs produced textile for coats called "darovec".

Photos: hunting trophies are a common detail on the castle walls (top); there are many paths and bike trails around the lake beneath the castle (middle left); one of the favorite activities of tourists and visitors is sailing paddleboats around the lake (middle right).

The 18th century chapel of St. Križ, built in the baroque classical style, is located in the park in front of the castle. It is open on Sundays at 9:30, when holy mass is served there.

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Bicycle paradise After you tour the castle, take a walk in its park, and if you come in the warmer part of the year, row on its lake, or rent a paddleboat. The lake is about 1.5 kilometers long, 2.5 meters deep, and equally photogenic all year long.

In the winter, it freezes over, and the ice stays around for up to three months. Long ago, other than serving for esthetic purposes, the lake also functioned as a fishing pond.

Besides the many walkways, there are about 500 kilometers of bike paths, where you can spend hours riding in direct contact with nature, and the area is also a favorite of fans of sail gliding and hunting.

VIRTUAL TOUR

tip: After touring the castle, take a walk or a bike ride through the park, row through the lake at the foot of the castle, or explore the surrounding area which hides many interesting features. When you get hungry, seek gastronomical delights in the restaurants of Hotel Trakošćan, or in the restaurant at the foot of the castle. They all offer delicacies of international cuisine and traditional fare of Zagorje cuisine, as well as innovative original dishes and desserts.

The castle and its park are often the center of various events and happenings. Over the course of the year, there are concerts, exhibitions, and festivals, and in spring, there is the traditional event, the "May 1st Excursion". 

Photo: Alen Kušćar

Photo: Božidar Breški

PROMO

Gaveznica volcano

Lepoglava lace

Only ten kilometers from Trakošćan is Gaveznica - Kameni vrh, a protected natural geological monument and fossil volcano that was extinguished 22 million years ago, and is the only one of its kind in the continental region of Croatia. The Gaveznica volcano is also the site of the semiprecious agate stone, also unique in Croatia. This is the ideal site for school excursions and field trips because the program includes a tour and workshops to present the formation of volcanoes and the geological history of the Earth, as well as the formation of rocks and minerals which are possible to see on site and at the mineral exhibit.

In the vicinity of Trakošćan is Lepoglava, a town well known for Lepoglava lace, for which it is believed that it was brought to the town by the Paulines centuries ago. The art of lacemaking was accepted amongst the village population and it was transformed into the tradition of the Lepoglava area. Lace experienced its peak in the late 19th and early 20th century thanks to lace workshops, course, and schools run by Zlata pl. Šufflay and Danica Brössler. At the world exhibitions in Berlin and Paris, Lepoglava lace won the gold and bronze medal, and the International Lace Festival, which has been held since 1997, has a special significance in its promotion. Lepoglava lace bears the title of "Croatian Creation", and has been part of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list since 2009.

photo&copyright by Godar

Hotel Trakošćan Located only 7 km from the Zagreb-Macelj highway, in close proximity of the castle, is the newly renovated 4-star Hotel Trakošćan. In the upcoming holiday and winter season, the hotel awaits you with several interesting and attractive offers: from December 1st to 23rd, 2013, the hotel is host to "Advent Days in Trakošćan", and to the "Family Winter Wonderland" from January 2nd to March 29th, 2014.

www.turizam-vzz.hr

Find out more at: www.hotel-trakoscan.hr

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Did you know...

POŠTAK

Alien from Poštak

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An unusual natural creation, a boulder that looks like the head of an alien with a mouth, eyes, and a neck is located beneath the Poštak mountain, about 20 kilometers from Knin. The boulder is several meters high, and most often called the "Martian". The mountain is almost completely covered in vast meadows, and has a lot of arid features, and it is especially interesting for its natural park of unusual stone sculptures.

Inte

Lošinj archipelago received international sustainable development award This year, the island of Lošinj, the island of vitality, was awarded the prestigious award by the Skal organization, which has been handing out awards for sustainable development in tourism for the past 11 years.

The primary evaluation criteria for this award is contribution to the preservation of nature and the environment, the preservation of cultural heritage, inclusion and promotion of the community/ destinations, education, business abilities, innovation.

This year, the "Program for Sustainable Tourism for Lošinj", and some of the main program directives are the importance of preservation and protection of biological diversity, the development of the project "Fragrances and Tastes of Lošinj", the positioning and development of Lošinj as an aromatherapy destination, conducting health tourism, etc.

Mljet NP celebrated its 53rd anniversary Mljet National Park, better known as the "Green isle" celebrated its 53rd anniversary on November 11th, 2013 by working - preparing itself for the next tourist season.

In October, 2013, the park was visited by its hundred thousandth visitor this year, Kirsten Raun from Copenhagen, which was the first time in the history of independent Croatia that this national park was visited by more than 100 thousand guests, registered based on purchased tickets, before the end of the season. More than 90 percent of the park is covered in autochthonous forests of Holly Oak, and the Aleppo Pine, and along with its many coves, bays, and islets, the park is best known for its saltwater lakes Malo and Veliko jezero. In Veliko jezero, you can find the islet of St. Mary with the Benedictine monastery and 12th century church, while in the community of Polače, you will come across the remains of an early Christian basilica, Roman palace, and spa.

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The Trsteno Arboretum - photo: Željka Kunštek

Mljet National Park - photo archive: Mljet NP

View on the island of Lošinj - photo archive: TZ Mali Lošinj

Mali Lošinj - photo: Željka Kunštek

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Croatia amongst the favorite destinations for the British In the print issue of The Guardian magazine published November 9, 2013, part of the results of the 2013 Travel Results were published. It is an annual award that the readers of two renowned publications, The Guardian and the Observer, vote for throughout the entire year, and so decide on the best destination, city, attraction, and hotel. So, in 2013, the British people chose Croatia as one of the top three European countries, along with Austria at first place, and Sweden at second place. The placement of Croatia in this narrow selection confirms its status and ever greater popularity amongst the British.

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Nautical news

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LIGHTHOUSES

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Lighthouse adventures

o: šp ot Ga Ph ica r Ju ar

Lighthouse adventures... does it sound interesting, a bit mystical, and exciting? That's exactly what this sailing project is, which includes a tour and professional documentation (recording and producing written, photo, and video material) along with sailing and navigation of the unique heritage of the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea - lighthouses and the lives of lighthouse keepers. ANA, the international sailing school, has decided to teach its students about this wealth of remnants of the Austro-Hungarian empire that have firmly stood on these boulders since the 19th century, battling the storms over the years. The school is the nautical sponsor of the program and, in collaboration with Prof. Jurica Gašpar, the initiator and operator of this interactive story. You can sign up from December 1st, 2013, when the 'first minute' campaign for this and other attractive programs of the 2014 season starts.

Find out more at: www.anasail.com

"Legends of the light" Documentary Trailer, Igor Goić (studio KREATHIA)

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SPLIT-DALMATIA COUNTY

Photo: Branko Ostojić (source: Split Tourist Board)

Cultural Tourism

The Split-Dalmatia cultural postcard Photo: Peristil, the square in front of the Cathedral of St. Duje in the old town of Split (top).

Written by: Alma Radoš Photos: archive of Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board (Andrija Carli, Zoran Alajbeg), Split Tourist Board (Branko Ostojić), Stari Grad Tourist Board (Pawel Jaroszewski), Sinj Tourist Board (Ante Gašpar), Imotski Tourist Board (Luka Kolovrat)

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he Ancient era left the deepest marks on the area of central Dalmatia, especially the Roman times, when Diocletian's palace, Split's main monument, was built. This monument on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites is the most important work of late Ancient architecture with the medieval fortresses, Romanesque churches from the 12th and 13th century, and the Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque palaces. Besides the architecture, the beauty of the palaces also lies in the lively atmosphere of its streets, cafés and restaurants, for which

the citizens who have lived within the palace walls, creating such a unique postcard of Split, are responsible.

Best preserved in Europe If you head about twenty kilometers north of Split, you will arrive in Trogir, another protected heritage site off of UNESCO's list, which bears the title of the best preserved Romanesque-Gothic city in Europe. The octagonal plan of the streets in the old city center goes back to the times of Ancient Greece, and each new ruler left his stamp. So, besides

Thanks to the rich cultural heritage and the bounties of Mediterranean climate, the central Dalmatian region is one of the most attractive European destinations.

Photo: Andrija Carli (source: Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board) Photo: Andrija Carli (source: Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board)

Photo: Andrija Carli (source: Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board) Photo: Branko Ostojić (source: Split Tourist Board)

Romanesque churches, Trogir also boasts numerous Renaissance and Baroque buildings from the Venetian era, and monuments such as the Cathedral of St. Lawrence with Radovan's gate, the Kamerlengo tower, city gates, Ćipiko palace, City Council, the Church of St. Nikola with the "Kairos" art collection...

Along with the valuable culturalhistorical heritage, the Split-Dalmatia County also has several other interesting sites, and it is continually developing new tourist products. In this area, for example, there are thirty thematic trails, and just as many ethno-eco villages scattered over the attractive Dalmatian islands and coasts, as well as the still undiscovered Dalmatian outback.

Next to the trails, and the ethno-eco villages, you will come across a wealthy historical heritage, preserved nature, and traditional Croatian products.

Of the seven Croatian sites on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites, three are in the SplitDalmatia County: Diocletian's palace and medieval Split, the historical center of Trogir, and the plains of Stari Grad on Hvar.

Photos: Trogir, the best preserved Romanesque-Gothic city in Europe (top left); you can only get to the Blue Cave by boat (top right); view of Split's promenade and Diocletian's palace (bottom left); Pustinja Blaca on the island of Brač (bottom right).

The islands of central Dalmatia Besides the mandatory visit to Split and Trogir, all guides from central Dalmatia recommend excursions to the islands of central Dalmatia for a reason. If you decide, for example, to visit the island of Brač, don't miss out on visiting Pustinja Blaca with a monastery of the Poljica Glagolitic order from the 16th century, who sought shelter from the oncoming siege of the Turks here.

The island of Vis is a story for itself.

Take a tour of the Fishing museum, and the remains of the Greek Issa, and visit the natural phenomenon, the Blue Cave on the island of Biševo, which can only be reached by boat. Šolta is a sailor's paradise, but also an island of olives, wine, figs, and honey, while Hvar has long been recognized as a

tip: While in Trogir, definitely stop by the cathedral of St. Lawrence, visit the Kamerlengo tower, take a walk to the City Gates, and the Ćipiko palace...

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SPLIT-DALMATIA COUNTY

Photo: Andrija Carli (source: Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board)

Of the 13 Croatian items inscribed on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, five of them are from the region of the SplitDalmatian County: agave lace as part of lacemaking in Croatia, the "Za Kri탑en" procession from Hvar, Sinjska alka, Nijemo Kolo from Vrlik, and klapa singing.

Photos: the plains of Stari Grad (top); the island of Hvar (bottom left); the Klis fortress (bottom right).

tip: Raising olives and grapevines is deeply rooted in Dalmatian culture. So don't miss out on trying the wine of the most popular indigenous sorts plavac mali, but also superb olive oil.

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tourist mecca, and compact UNESCO destination. Hvar agave lace and the "Za Kri탑en" procession are on the list of protected cultural heritage, while the Starigrad plain is on the list of World Heritage Sites. The attractiveness of Hvar well described by the fact that a hundred families from the city of Pharos in the Aegean Sea started their own colony on the island in 385 A.D. Amongst them was Okist, who in the new area, in the middle of the field, above today's Stari Grad in the place with a view of the entire flatlands - marked the starting point from where the field was measured and divided. The newly created lots, about 180x900 meters in size, were fenced in by perfectly formed stone walls. This is how Starogradsko polje was created, six kilometers in length from the Vrbosko cove to Stari Grad's cove, one of the masterpieces of Greek culture in the Mediterranean. Thanks to the stone walls that have continuously, over the 2400 year old history, been built and renewed,

Photo: Andrija Carli (source: Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board)

Photo: Pawel Jaroszewski (source: Stari Grad Tourist Board)

Cultural Tourism

tip: While on the trip from Split to Zagora, don't forget to visit the Klis fortress, which is one of the most beautiful fortifications in Croatia.

the network of Greek land division in Starogradsko polje is the best preserved in the entire Mediterranean.

Excursion to the Dalmatian outback You will feel something completely different from the Dalmatian islands in the 'wild' and free nature of the Dalmatian outback and its picturesque cities. On your way from Split to Zagora, don't miss out on the fortress of Klis, which is one of the most beautiful fortifications in Croatia. Whoever controlled Klis controlled the entrance to Dalmatia, so they also called the fortress, besides the "bulwark of Christianity", the "key to Dalmatia" or the "Gate to Split".

It is located on the very peak of a rocky, steep, and inaccessible cliff between the mountains of Mosor and Kozjak, and the fortress could only be conquered fraudulently. Within the fortress today are the renovated Church of St. Vid, the

On your way to Imotski, you will be thrilled by two phenomena: the Red and Blue Lakes, protect natural monuments.

Although the Blue Lake has already dried up several times during the summer and larger droughts, this year, that wasn't the case thanks to plentiful rains during the winter and spring. In contrast to the Blue Lake, which has a long and winding path leading to it, due to steep cliffs, the Red Lake is inaccessible. More than three hundred meters in depth, it has never dried out, and it is one of the deepest lakes in Europe. A legend regarding a rich, but arrogant, and stingy Gavan, whose castle crumbled after his wife

refused to help an angel, dressed as a pauper. The people of Imotski claim that they can still hear their screams from the depths of the Red Lake. However, the legend still hasn't deterred adventurists and scientists, so this lake is the place for numerous international diving and spelunking expeditions, but also excursionists who enjoy the view of the immense depths and red rocks that surround it, for which it got its name.

Sinjska alka If you head to the heart of the Dalmatian outback, you'll come across the city of Sinj, the center of the Cetina region, which is located next to the Cetina River. From old times, this region was connected to the breeding and training of horses. The Sinjska alka, a knights' tournament protected by UNESCO has been held without breaks every August since 1717, and Sinj is the traditional host of galloping and jumping tournaments.

Photo: Zoran Alajbeg (source: Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board)

Photo: Luka Kolovrat (source: Imotski Tourist Board)

Red and blue lake

Photo: Ante Gašpar (source: Sinj Tourist Board)

Photo: Luka Kolovrat (source: Imotski Tourist Board)

weapons room, the small gunpowder room, and the ancient, almost completely forgotten building of Knežev dvor, or Proveditor's apartment, where the Croatian rulers and counts of Klis once lived.

Photos: The Blue Lake (top left); the 2nd century amphitheater in Solin (middle right); the Red Lake (bottom left); Sinjska alka is protected by UNESCO (bottom middle).

The preserved remnants of Roman roads that once ran from Salona (Solin today), the most important ancient city in Croatia, located about ten kilometers from Split, are scattered all over Split's outback. You can find protected landscapes next to them, such as the Cetina canyon, followed by Prološka, the Red and Blue Lakes, the Vranjača cave, remnants of the necropolis, Roman camps, fortresses...

tip: In Solin, tour Manastirine, the largest Ancient Christian graveyard, and the amphitheater from the 2nd century A.D. Take a walk to Gospin otok, the location of the oldest Marian shrine in Croatia.

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Photo: Andrija Carli (source: Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board)

tip: In Trilj enjoy the traditional specialties: cooked lamb, roasted veal, game, prosciutto, Cetina trout, frogs, and crabs.

Photo archive: Sinj Tourist Board

SPLIT-DALMATIA COUNTY

Photo: Andrija Carli (source: Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board)

Cultural Tourism

Split in the palm of your hand

Photo: Branko Ostojić (source: Split Tourist Board)

You're on Split's promenade or in the Museum of the City of Split, and you would like to know more about its cultural and tourist offer? Choose the Smart Guide Wi-Fi connection, and hook up to the internet, then open your web browser and type "Split". There you will find plenty of useful information on the cultural sites and the city offer, without having to install additional programs, or applications, on your mobile device.

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Photos: the Cetina River (top left); the Kamičak fortress in Sinj (top right); in the past, Omiš was known for its pirates (center); view of Split's promenade (bottom).

It is also well known for the shrine to the miraculous Our Lady Mary of Sinj, who according to legend, saved the city from the Turks in 1715, as well as many monuments of cultural heritage.

The Kamičak fortress from 1712 rises from the hill of the same name, and is connected to the horse barracks on the southwest side, todays Alkar court.

Continue your trip to the picturesque city of Vrlika, whose history was strongly marked by the combination of the mountains, Cetina River, and Peruča Lake. It is also the location of the Church of St. Spas with the oldest bell tower in Croatia from the 9th century, and the Koljani or 'vrlička Česma' archeological site from the time of Czar Franz Joseph.

"House of the Happy Man" in Omiš End your visit to the Cetina region in the city of Trilj. Here, enjoy traditional specialties of Trilj, such as arambašić, cooked lamb, roasted veal, game, prosciutto, but also Cetina trout, frogs, and crabs. Over the past few years, Trilj has made itself popular as a destination for adventure tourism, primarily thanks to the Cetina, a river that connects the Dalmatian outback with the Adriatic Sea. Its delta is near Omiš, a city of unique Dalmatian rural architecture, known in the past for its pirates. Located there was the "House of the Happy Man", named after a sign on the door in Latin: "Thank you Lord, for letting me be on this Earth".

Although the house was demolished in 1862, the sign was built into the wall of the main street in the old part of Omiš.

Today, besides being a testimony of the faith and humility of the people here, it brings us to the conclusion that life in Dalmatia was always beautiful. 

touristinfo@visitsplit.com www.visitsplit.com

www.dalmatia.hr

info@dalmatia.hr

Intangible Cultural Heritage

Share Central Dalmatia on social networks and download smartphone app!

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UNESCO

EUPHRASIAN BASILICA

Unique in the Mediterranean

Photo: The Euphrasian basilica is one of the best preserved monuments of early Byzantine art in the Mediterranean (top).

Prepared by: Željka Kunštek Photos: archive of Poreč Tourist Board

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lthough there are many, the main attraction, and the most valuable cultural site and symbol of Poreč, a city on the western coast of the Istrian peninsula, is definitely the Euphrasian basilica, or Euphrasiana, as they often call it. This cathedral from Poreč was inscribed on the UNESCO list of world heritage sites in 1997, and it is one of the best preserved monuments of early Byzantine art in the Mediterranean. Moreover, this early Christian building is the only completely preserved monument from that time in the world.

Artistic innovation The basilica was built in the 6th century, during the time of Bishop Euphrasius, whose name it bears, in the place of the old city basilica. Mauro's Oratory,

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where St. Mauro, the first bishop of Poreč gathered the first Christians in the city of Poreč, was the first building on that site.

Upon his arrival, Bishop Euphrasius had several engineering and artistic innovations included in the construction of the basilica, mostly related to the spatial organization within the basilica and the introduction of luxurious iconographic pieces. The interior and façade of the church are covered in mosaics, and they were constructed by the best craftsmen of the time. The periods of its construction and renewal can be read from the floor mosaics, with special emphasis on the fish as an ancient Christian symbol, and preserved signs. Besides the mosaics, the basilica also consists of an atrium, baptistery, bishop's palace, and the remains of sacral buildings from the period between the 3rd and 4th century.

Due to it acoustics, but also its beauty, it is often the venue for various concerts of classical music.

If you walk through the basilica, you are sure to notice several interesting features. Across from the basilica is the baptistery, an octagonal building from the pre-Euphrasian era, while on the northeastern corner is a memorial chapel, where relics were kept.

Creative ornaments In his large complex, the bishop had his monogram "Euphrasius" and his initials engraved, which is visible in several places, and he subordinated the church in its entirety to himself. There is also a shallow relief with symbolic figures such as crosses, birds, deer, stylized antler, etc., as well as many creative ornaments, made of pieces of colored marble and mother-of-pearl.

Seven centuries after Euphrasius, a new masterpiece arrived at the basilica - a

Photos: the mosaic in the half dome of the apses (top right); detail from the basilica (middle left); part of the floor mosaic with a depiction of a fish (middle right); detail from a mosaic where Bishop Euphrasius is holding a model of his basilica (bottom).

marble ciborium, which PoreÄ?'s Bishop Oton had made. The tall canopy was installed on four thin columns, which you will notice immediately upon entry into the basilica, and it is covered in Venetian mosaics. ď ś

tip: You can tour the basilica every day, except during religious services. For those who wish to see a great view of PoreÄ? and its surroundings, there is a bell tower, where you can take panoramic photos.

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Croatia

ONLINE

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websites and mobile applications

Tourist offer at your fingertips In this issue we continue to bring you useful and interesting web sites and mobile application, which, we believe, will ease the search for tourist offer in Croatia and give you a lot of useful information...

WEB& Prepared by: Željka Kunštek

Croatia Meetings

If you plan on visiting Croatia for a congress or business convention, look for first-hand information on the Croatia Meetings website.

Here you will find plenty of information of congress centers and hotels in Croatia, restaurants, museums, and galleries, cinemas, theaters, and special facilities where it is possible to organize a business convention, congress, or conference. The site, which is in Croatian and English, offers a list of DMC, team building and marketing agencies, which can help you organize events. You can also find additional services, such as catering, translations, furnishings and equipment, etc., which you might need to organize an event. Amongst other things on the site, you will also find information on Croatian destinations, MICE magazine, etc. www.croatiameetings.com

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Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Croatia Information on Croatian tourist policies, the "Croatian Tourism Development Strategy until 2020", the possibilities for investing in Croatian tourism, categorized accommodations in Croatia, and projects and support for various ideas and initiatives for the development of tourism can be found on the web site of the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Croatia. The website is bilingual, in Croatian and English, and it contains the newest news from Croatian tourism, announcements for events and festivals in Croatian destinations, and a lot of other useful information. www.mint.hr

APPS Central Dalmatia

Kvarner Gourmet You're in Kvarner and you'd like to try some original dishes from Primorska-goranska area, but you don't know which restaurant to choose? The definitely download the Kvarner Gourmet&Food 2013 mobile application, which will help you choose. The application contains an overview of 55 restaurants in the Kvarner area which have satisfied the strict criteria and received the sign of quality for their offer, facilities, and staff, as well as the ambiance, and the selection of original dishes. The application can be used to search for restaurants according to name, location, region of Kvarner and gourmet specialties. The application is available for iPhone and Android devices in the following languages: Croatian, English, German, Italian, Russian, and Slovenian.

An useful mobile application for all those interested in tourist offer of Central Dalmatia.

The application includes 76 destinations from this area, including, amongst others, Split, Makarska, Trogir, Hvar, Brač, Vis, and Šolta, and describes hundreds of attractions, suggestions for spending time and active vacations, recommendations on where to eat, where to stay, etc. In the application, which was issued in English and German, you will also find city maps, interactive maps with geolocations and a lot more service and other information that can be useful during your stay in this region of sun and sea.

AdriaGUIDE Rijeka AdriaGuide Rijeka is the name of a mobile application that allows you to find and get to know the interesting sites of the city of Rijeka in detail via your mobile device (iPhone/iPad and Android) or GPS navigation (Garmin). The application offers more than 600 points of interest with plenty of service information, and the points are divided into nine basic categories: Sightseeing, Food, Lodging, Entertainment, Shopping, Bank/ATM, Fuel, Events, and Info. Each point of interest contains photos, details, contact information, and other important information. Besides information on Rijeka, the info menu also contains data on the weather, exchange rates, road conditions, and live pictures from the Rijeka bypass. The application is available in Croatian, English, German, and Italian, and the guide also covers the towns surrounding Rijeka: the areas of Bakar, Kastav, Kraljevica, Jelenje, Kostrena, Viškovo, and Čavle.

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Croatia through philately

BRIDGES AND VIADUCTS Presenting postage stamps

Bridges in Zagreb and Tounj the location of the new bridge - 13 meters downstream from the old bridge, as well as the bridge length of 317 meters, and the construction of a total of four bridge openings. The bridge was open for traffic in December 1939, and the fact that it was the bridge with the largest arch span (135.54 m) amongst all railway bridges in Europe at the time is an interesting one.

Old stone bridge

Prepared by: Željka Kunštek

Did you know that at the time of its construction the railway bridge in Zagreb was the bridge with the longest span amongst all railway bridges in Europe? Or that the old bridge in Tounj had statues of Roman soldiers?

tip: The stamp was issued in 2013, and philatelists in Croatia can get the stamp in Croatian Post's postal offices.

Readers and philatelists from abroad can order the stamp via email: filatelija@posta.hr

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he two line railway bridge that spans across the Sava River in Zagreb, known to Zagrebians as the "Green Bridge", has been in use for the past 74 years. It is the second railway bridge to stand in that place, and it replaced the one-line bridge built during the construction of the Zidani Most-Zagreb-Sisak railway. Since the first bridge was foreseen for smaller loads and slower speeds, as well as a smaller volume of traffic, in 1931, the railway administration in Zagreb conducted a study for the construction of a new bridge, and the final decision was made three years later. It defined the following:

The old two-story bridge in Tounj, a town in the Karlovac County, which spans the Tounjčica River is especially photogenic. It was constructed to overcome the steep boulders of the Tounčica canyon and it is recognizable for its three arches. The first level was built in 1775, and the second was added in 1836. On the original plans, it is visible that four statues were placed on each end of the first part of the bridge. Above the columns were large statues of Roman soldiers, while the smaller missing statues were above the foundations. During the Second World War, the greater portion of the top of the bridge, three arches and columns, were destroyed, and the technical plans for the reconstruction of the bridge to its original state were made in 1956. The statues from the bridge were partially preserved, and one is on display near the bridge, on a little hill not far from the Tounjčica.

Issued by the Croatian Post, the block named "Mostovi i vijadukti" (Bridges and Viaducts) came out April 29, 2013, in 30 thousand copies , 112 mm x 73 mm in size, and a first day cover (FDC) was also issued. The block consists of two stamps with motives of the railway bridge in Zagreb and the old bridge in Tounj. The design was authored by Ivona Đogić Đurić from Zagreb. 

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Dinner at Court in Terme Tuhelj

Enter 2014 with style in Sheraton Zagreb

Dinners at Court in Mihanović castles, as a part of Terme Tuhelj, is one of the novelty offers, and a special experience in this part of Croatia. Here, you will be able to enjoy the specially designed courses, the attractive methods of food and drink preparation, and the fun entertainment of the staff. But, here you can also enjoy other charms. Treat yourself to a spa package, relax in the new panoramic Finnish sauna with a view of the hills of Zagorje, enjoy the fantastic treatments in hamam and the wellness suite. Prices start at 898 kuna per person and include two half-boards, unlimited swimming in the Water Planet, a massage with thermal mud, dinners at court, etc.

An elegant New Years' celebration awaits you in the Grand Ballroom of the Sheraton Zagreb Hotel, with the sounds of celebratory melodies, champagne and chosen delicacies. After the New Years' Celebration, head off to your luxurious deluxe room, get some rest, and enjoy the rich first breakfast in the New Year with room service. This package, which includes a formal dinner and New Years' celebration, accommodations for two in a deluxe hotel room, breakfast with chosen delicacies and seasonal fruit, and the use of the Murad Beauty Center, costs 280 euro for two people.

Find out more at: www.terme-tuhelj.hr

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Frankopan New Years' Eve in Hotel Kaštel Have you ever wanted to experience a slightly different New Year's Eve? For example, one where you would start the New Year dressed in Renaissance clothes and feel exactly like the noble Frankopan? You can experience such a New Years' celebration, with a surprise dinner, delicious specialties, and a rich entertainment program with live music and a raffle in the Hotel Kaštel in Crikvenica. The price of half board per person and per day from December 28, 2013 to January 2, 2014 is 250 kuna, and the addition for the New Years' dinner is 430 kuna. At the same hotel, you can organize a Christmas party, and let the hotel staff organize the buffet and business gathering. Along with live music, you can choose from several menus and a buffet recommended by the head chef.

Find out more at: www.hotel-sheratonzagreb.com

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Find out more at: www.jadran-crikvenica.hr

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Gourmet Croatia

MOSLAVINA

Photos: quince is used in decorating, as well as for cooking (left); indigenous products of Moslavina - wine and quince (right).

Quince-scented autumn

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Written by: Sanja Plješa Photos: Zvonko Strejček

Quince has always been a synonym for long-lasting scents so the people of Moslavina put it on their armoires and added it to various dishes, especially sweets.

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ong ago, the people living in the villages along the Sava River lived a different life than they do today, and traditionally good wine was made in the vineyards of the hills of Moslavačka gora. Amongst the many communities of Moslavina, Kutina, which got its name from the quince, a rare and presently neglected fruit, stood out.

In some parts of northern Croatia, but also in the Slovenian language, quince is called 'kutina'. However, very few know that kutina is quince, but the people of Moslavina, when they hear the name Kutina, automatically think of the fruit.

The fruit was a synonym for a long-lasting scent, so quince was placed on armoires, added to dishes, especially sweets, for its aroma, and some other characteristics.

Several years ago, quince returned to the landscape of Kutina, in the vicinity of the aged vineyards where it grew, as well as in the orchards and gardens of the people of Kutina.

Forgotten flavors The food and wine offer of Kutina is an integral part of the total tourist offer of the Moslavina region. So, besides dishes

with quince, they also prepare many long forgotten dishes, enriched with some ingredients and adapted to the modern guest. Some of the best known are tačkrle, sweets with homemade plum jam, followed by zlevanka (a type of cornbread), polenta with cracklings, and sour cabbage with handmade pasta. Although roasted goose is a traditional dish in northwestern Croatia, it is also prepared in this area.

Fishing is well developed in Kutina, so often you can find carp grilled over an open fire, or other grilled fresh-water fish. However, what makes the region especially famous is the pasta that the older generations of Moslavina used to make. Sauces, or 'saft' made of various kinds of poultry, most often chicken or turkey, were served with noodles of various shapes and sizes.

Since good wine goes with good food, in Moslavina they raise indigenous and local sorts of grapes, for example Škrlet, Dišeća ranina and Moslavac, which go well with the domestic gourmet specialties. Still, amongst them, Škrlet takes a special place, and special attention is given to its preservation and promotion.

Following are two forgotten traditional recipes: Quince Cheese, and Wheat and Quince Christmas Cake, which will ensure your homes have a special scent in the holiday times.

Quince Cheese Ingredients: approximately 4 kg quince, 1 kg sugar, 100 g sliced walnuts.

'Zlatna dunja' in Kutina To bring back the quince, a national culinary competition 'Zlatna dunja' has been traditionally held since 2005 in Hotel Kutina, organized by the Croatian Culinary Federation, where quince is a mandatory ingredient in the dishes competing in the various categories. So chefs from all parts of Croatia prepare appetizers, main courses, and desserts based on quince. Cold appetizers are prepared from turkey, vegetables, and fresh cheese, main courses from pork tenderloin, mushrooms, and cheese, and desserts from quince, grapes, and fresh cheese. It is possible to find some of the more creative culinary inventions in some restaurants in Moslavina. ď ś

Preparation: Wash and cook the quince whole, and after cooking, clean and grind them. Add 1 kg of sugar to 3 kg of ground fruit. Cook like marmalade, until it thickens, and while warm, spread onto a wafer, roll it and let dry, or form into small balls, or into other small shapes. After that, let it dry.

Photos: carp grilled over an open fire (top left); cold cuts (middle left); turkey in vegetable sauce with croquettes (bottom left); turkey, vegetable, and fresh cheese appetizer (top right); quince desserts (middle right); sweet quince, grapes, and cheese fantasy (bottom right).

Wheat and Quince Christmas Cake Place 3 cm of cooked wheat in a long baking form, place slices of cleaned quince, cover with 3 more centimeters of wheat, and cover with a mixture of 100 g of honey, 50 ml of red burgundy wine, a little cinnamon and nutmeg.

Bake for 45 minutes at 200°C. Then, dissolve five sheets of white gelatin in 50 ml red burgundy wine, and pour over the warm cake. Shake the pan a little so that the cake is well mixed with the gelatin, and then place in the refrigerator.

When it sets, place the cake on a long platter and serve with apricot and plum compote.

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Cr ik ve ni Pho ca t To o a ur rch ist i Bo v e : ar d

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FRITULE

"Kuharica našeh non" or, in translation, "Our Grandmother's Cookbook" is a little book with recipes for original dishes from the Crikvenica region. In it, amongst other things, you can find the recipe for one of the best-known sweet dishes from the Crikvenica area "Svetojelenske friti", better known as fritule. These cute balls are traditionally part of the Croatian holiday spread, especially in the Primorje region.

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Svetojelenske friti Ingredients: • 600 ml warm milk • fresh yeast (1 cube) • 2 tablespoons sugar • 100 ml oil • 2 eggs • 1 packet vanilla sugar • powdered sugar • 100 ml white wine • 1 teaspoon salt • grated lemon peel • grated orange peel • 100 g raisins • 1 kg fine flour • 1 l oil for frying • rum or spirits

Method of preparation: Mix together the yeast and sugar, and let the mixture rise. Mix all the ingredients together, knead together by hand or with a wooden spoon, and let the dough rise in a warm place. Add the raisins, and one tablespoon of spirits (grappa) or rum.

When the dough rises, form the dough with a tablespoon and place in hot oil, fry until golden brown, and dust with powdered sugar when done.

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Holidays in Valamar For the upcoming holidays, Poreč Hotel Valamar Diamant has prepared a special offer. It is valid for the period from December 23 - 27, 2013, and it includes a twoday stay, an organized mass in the Euphrasian basilica, and after that refreshments with hot chocolate, tea, and sweet delicacies. The package includes Christmas lunch, relaxing in the spa with a Finnish sauna, Turkish bath, and whirlpool, as well as use of the fitness center and relax zone. The two-day package for two persons costs from 106 to 212 euro per person per day of accommodations in a double room. The same hotel has organized a New Years' celebration.

You can also celebrate New Years' in Dubrovnik's Hotel Tirena, and the package includes the use of the spa, a rich buffet breakfast, etc.

Find out more at: www.valamar.com

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Christmas party at the Hilton

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New Years' in Iadera with Nina Badrić Nina Badrić, one of the best known musicians in the region will take the guests of the Falkensteiner Hotela & Spa Iadera, located in Petrčane, near Zadar, into the new 2014. However, Iadera's New Years' package "Celebrate Croatia" includes much more than the party. Along with a two or three night stay and two formal dinners and a gala dinner, the package also includes relaxing in the Acquapura SPA with specially designed Signature treatments, enjoying Croatian mulled wines, punch, and chestnuts next to a rustic beach bonfire, and Dalmatian songs on the guitar, along with a culinary trip through Dalmatia. One of the interesting parts of the package is a Hamam foam party with a live DJ, and the Black bar, ideal for those who want to start the New Year with a party and relaxing without a dress code.

Would you like for your Christmas party to be a real hit amongst your employees and partners?

If yes, then hand over all the work and the organization to the DoubleTree by Hilton Zagreb Hotel. They offer delicious menus, of which all you have to do is choose one. The price per person varies from 140 kuna for a three course meal to 280 kuna for a rich DoubleXmassTreeBuffet. If you have special requests, the head chef, Tomislav Nikšić, will prepare a personalized menu proposal with satisfaction.

Find out more at: www.issuu.com/ doubletreebyhiltonzagreb/docs/ christmas_offer_doubletree_by_ hilto

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UNICEF

CROATIA AND WORLD

UNICEF: End Violence Against Children Since violence against children goes unnoticed far too often, UNICEF has launched a global initiative "End Violence Against Children", which encourages, citizens, legislative bodies, and governments to take a stronger stance to oppose violence against children.

UNICEF / Marco Dormino

UNICEF / Giacomo Pirozzi

Text: UNICEF Croatia Photos: archive UNICEF

Photos: children are, unfortunately, exposed to violence worldwide (left and middle); Irish actor Liam Neeson is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador (right).

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he initiative is based on the ever louder public reactions launched after horrifying attacks on children, such as the wounding of the 14-year-old Malala Yousafzai in Pakistan in October 2012. The initiative was announced with an impressive video spot and narration by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Liam Neeson, who took viewers through a series of scenes that depict places where violence against children occurs.

Stronger collaboration of institutions

It is possible to follow the "End Violence Against Children" campaign in social networks using the hashtag #ENDviolence.

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The need for emergency joint action is even emphasized by the available data.

According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 150 million girls and 73 million boys under the age of 18 have suffered some form of sexual violence and abuse, and the report from the International Labour Organization from 2005 estimates that

UNICEF / Phillip Toledano

1.2 million children are the victims of trafficking every year. In Croatia, there is still a high tolerance for parental violence in rearing children, despite the fact that it was forbidden 14 years ago.

Epidemiological research of violence against children conducted in 2011 showed, amongst other things, that about a third of parents of children aged 11, 13, and 16 aren't sure in the existence of such legal prohibitions.

In order for protection of children against violence to come into effect, it is necessary to train professionals in various areas, from social workers and teachers to state attorneys, judges, and pediatricians so that they can recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect and react in an appropriate manner to children who have experienced violence. Also, it is necessary to strengthen the collaboration between institutions, such as social welfare centers, the police, and judicial bodies. The local campaign is supported by UNICEF's sports partner in Croatia, KHL Medveščak. 

Children's Rights Festival

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Tekst: UNICEF Hrvatska Photos: archive UNICEF (Dario Hacek)

nce again, this year, in its fifth year, the Children's Rights Festival brings a lot of content accessible to everyone. The festival is completely inclusive, the film projections are adapted to children and adults with hearing and sight impairments. The topic of this year's Festival, which is being held from November 17th to 20th, 2013 is the screening of literary work, so the slogan is "Good pages know no bounds". Its aim is to try to emphasize the importance of reading for children, as well as audiovisual creation.

This year, the festival will gather more than five thousand children, of which 60 have visual impairments, for inclusive matinee projections in CineStar theaters in nine Croatian cities. The children will be able to use headphones to follow the narration of the film, which was especially filmed for them by well-known Croatian actors, while the films will be subtitled for those with hearing impairments.

So people with visual or hearing impairments will be able to experience the film as others do. Once again, various thematic workshops have been organized for the children as a part of the festivals, and evening projections of films have been organized in Koprivnica's "Velebit" theater. 

Photos: actor Sven Šestak filming narrations (top left); actress Petra Težak filming narrations with Martina Belić (top right); visually impaired persons following the narration of the film with headphones (bottom left and right).

For more about the festival visit: www.festivalopravimadjece.org

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WORLD

NEWS

EDEN awards handed out in Brussels In Brussels, on November 11, 2013, the representatives of 19 European travel destinations were handed out the EDEN (European Destinations of Excellence), which, this year, was presented to those locations that develop tourist offer so that they are available to all persons, regardless of physical limitations, disabilities, or age.

Amongst others, rural tourism villa "Stancija 1904" from Croatia received an award. The EDEN project was launched in 2005 with the goal of promoting sustainable tourism in the European Union. It is based on national competitions held every year, which result in a selection of the tourist "destination of excellence" for every participating country.

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Photo: Luka Ĺ malcelj

In the first eight months of the year, a total of 747 million tourist arrivals were achieved, which is five percent more than the same period in 2012, announced the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The increase in tourist arrivals was achieved in all regions: Europe marked an increase of five percent, Asia, and the countries of the Pacific six percent, America three percent, and Africa five percent. "While global economic growth is stagnating, international tourism continues to achieve aboveaverage results in most regions of the world, opening up new employment opportunities for the local economy", said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. He added that it is incredibly important for Europe, where unemployment is one of the greatest issues, and where the tourism sector was a source for employment growth over the past decade.

Photo: Željka Kunťtek

Increase in tourist arrivals worldwide

Travel Technology Europe 2014.

Travel Technology Europe, a professional European Technology Exhibition and Conference that is held every February in the Earls Court exhibition center in London, will be held February 4 and 5, 2014. The aim of the event is to help companies in the travel business to increase their revenue and improve their business efficiency. It is expected that around 4500 from the travel industry will attend, especially representatives of tour operators and online travel agencies, experts from the IT sector, distribution, marketing, etc.

Celebration of the 20th anniversary of the WTA in Doha A gala event will be held at the La Cigale hotel in Doha, Qatar, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the World Travel Awards, on November 30, 2013. The WTA was established in 1993 with the aim of recognizing, acknowledging, and awarding the world's leading organizations for travel, tourism, and catering, or companies that shift the boundaries of excellence for products and services, and create revolutionary ideas. Within the travel sector, this award is often called the "travel industry's Oscar".

WTM held in London

From January 1, 2014, Kenya will be part of a shared visa regime, together with Uganda and Rwanda.

Currently, tourists who travel between the neighboring countries of eastern Africa have to apply for an individual visa for each of the countries they visit. In order to make traveling easier for tourists, the three countries decided to issue a shared visa, and together they are working on creating a new brand for this region, as well as on shared advertising campaigns.

Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda are countries that are well known for their wilderness, that is, their beautiful nature and wild animals, and they will strongly develop and emphasize that shared tourist product in the promotion of eastern Africa.

Photo: fotolia

Shared visa for tourists from eastern Africa

Photo: Željka Kunťtek

Photo archive: TKZN

Photo archive: WTM

According to the Industry Report published after the opening of the World Travel Market (WTM), which was held, as is tradition, in London, from November 4 to 7, 2013, the travel industry is looking at the following year with optimism and expects that the foreseen slight economic recovery in the world, and in Europe, will bring tourism new opportunities for development, employment, and revenue. More than five thousand exhibitors from around 200 countries all over the world presented their travel packages at the exhibition, where news and trends from the travel sector were presented, and about a hundred professional congresses were held.

The UNWTO conference on tourism and the media

Six cities in the race for the 2022 Winter Olympics

The third international conference of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) on tourism and the media, on the topic "How new media is shaping the news", will be held December 2 and 3, 2013 in Estoril, Portugal. There will be discussion on new media and communication channels, bloggers, adapting 'classic' media, the future of communication and promotion, and the like in tourism. The speakers will include representatives from the UNWTO, CNN, CondĂŠ Nast, Travel Weekly UK, etc.

Six cities sent in their applications to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, announced the International Olympic Committee on November 15, 2013. All six cities sent in their applications by November 14, 2013, which was the final deadline for application. The cities are Almaty (Kazakhstan), Beijing (China), Krakow (Poland), Lviv (Ukraine), Oslo (Norway), and Stockholm (Sweden). The 2014 Winter Olympic Games will be held in Sochi, Russia, and the 2018 games will be held in the South Korean city of Pyeongchang.

November / December 2013.

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World attractions

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SWEDEN

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Polar lights in Sweden

November / December 2013.

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Sweden's Lapland is one of the best places in the world for watching the polar lights, or Aurora Borealis, a spectacular show of nature, which is the reason this part of the world is visited by more and more tourists every year. The magnificent shades of green, red, and purple are most visible in Abisko National Park, followed by the village of Jukkasj채rvi, which is home to the world's first ice hotel, and the village of Porjus. Still, the polar lights can be seen from October to March in any part of northern Sweden. It is best to 'catch' them in areas far away from city lights and in cold winter nights,when the sky is 'clear' - without clouds and moonlight - between 10 and 11 PM.

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Family Christmas lunch, with a visit from Santa Claus, is a long tradition of the Hotel Esplanade.

This Christmas, come indulge in the luxurious feast with delicious holiday delicacies and light music, which will make this holiday unforgettable for the entire family.

Lunch costs 400 kn per person.

Children younger than six eat free of charge, while children aged 6 to 12 can enjoy a special children's menu for 150 kn. Children are also welcomed by a play center with many board games and cartoons, and each guest will receive a special Christmas present.

Also, the Esplanade offers the organization of Christmas parties and banquets in its luxurious ballrooms, at affordable prices.

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Go skiing in Italy with Jadroagent The Passo Tonale passage, with the nearby town of Ponte di Legno in Italy, is a unique ski resort with around a hundred kilometers of ski slopes. It is also connected with comfortable cable cars to the Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta ski resort, where you will be welcomed by more than 380 km of slopes. This year, experience skiing in the Dolomites, and stay at the Residence Adamello Resort, a newly constructed four-star apartment complex. It is located near the center of town, and only 150 meters from the Ponte di Legno - Passo Tonale - Tem첫 ski slope. The house consists of 73 well equipped apartments, a heated ski storage area, a play center for children, a spa with a sauna, Turkish bath, and hydro massage, and other content. Renting an apartment for seven nights, for the period from January 4th to 11th, 2014, costs 2200 kuna per person, which includes a six-day ski pass from Adamello ski.

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South Korea building its first "invisible" skyscraper In mid-September, 2013, the government of South Korea approved the construction of a 450 meter high tower near Seoul, which should be "invisible". The invisibility should be attained with a façade made of an LED system with optical cameras, which would show observers exactly what is on the other side of the building, and in that way the illusion of invisibility would be created. The tower, which will also be one of the ten tallest buildings in the word, should leave the impression that it is connected to the sky.

The "Infinity Tower", as they call it, will include cinemas, restaurants, a water park, and various forms of entertainment.

New brand from Costa Rica Tourist Board Costa Rica Tourist Board recently officially presented its country's new brand, "Essential Costa Rica", with which it will promote itself worldwide, in an attempt to attract as many tourists, but also investors, to the country, and motivate the export of domestic products, especially technology. "Essential Costa Rica" is the result of collaboration between the public and private sector in the country, the development of the brand is based on plenty of research, analyses, designs, and testing on the domestic and international markets. A total of 650 thousand American dollars was invested in the development of the new brand, and the tourist board will start implementing it through its promotional campaigns in early 2014.

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Photo: Robert Kunštek

Source: GDS Architects

Photo: Robert Kunštek

Photo: Robert Kunštek

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The use of electronic devices during flights Soon, passengers on flights within Europe will no longer hear the message: "Please turn off all your electronic devices".

Evidently, the European Aviation Safety Agency allowed the use of electronic devices during take-offs and landings, and a list of which devices will be permitted should be published on their website in late November, 2013. "This is a large step for the freedom of using personal electronic devices, without endangering security", EASA announced and added that for now, larger devices, such as laptops, will still have to be stored in carryon luggage. www.croatiaweek.com

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THE WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN

Even though you're most likely to think of going on a cruise in spring or summer, you won't be making a mistake if you head out on a floating hotel in the winter months as well.

Especially if you're an adventurist, who is not bothered by 150 km/h winds on the open sea, but is instead thrilled by the adrenaline.

Besides, fans of summer, who will await spring on the islands of the Mediterranean, will come into their own, and another advantage is that you will save money since winter cruises are far more affordable...

Photo: Costa Serena in the Mediterranean

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Written by: Željka Kunštek Photos: Robert Kunštek

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WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN

Eleven days in the exotic Mediterranean

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Photos: Costa Serena is 292 meters long (top left); the designers found inspiration for the interior design of the ship in Greek mythology (top right); the cabin interior (bottom left); one of the ship's restaurants (bottom right).

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mmediately upon boarding one of the largest floating hotels in Europe, Costa Serena, a ship owned by the Italian Costa Crociere SpA company, in Savona, it was immediately clear that we would spend the tip: next ten days getting the royal treatment.

The price of the cruise The incredibly kind and attentive staff includes all the meals served were the first thing we noticed upon on board throughout the day, so boarding the ship. We were also you can eat, when, what, and as distracted by the decks named after much as you want. Room service astrology signs, the restaurants and is free, and you can have pizza at ballrooms with Greek names, the one AM. However, don't forget that doors of the ship's elevators with the tourists disembark these ships with heads of Greek Gods, and statues of three to five extra kilograms, various Gods and angels hung off the so if you don't want to give ceiling. Everything told us that we had up your favorite jeans or arrived on the "Ship of the Gods". skirt, watch out!

Impeccable organization Very few will be unimpressed with this ship, one of the largest ships ever built in Italy.

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The thought alone that you are on a ship 114 thousand tons in weight and 292 meters long is impressive, especially if you add the fact that the ship holds 4700 people, of which there are more than a thousand crew members. Upon arrival to the cabin, where our luggage awaited us, and then to the restaurant, where more than a thousand passengers ate at the same time without the formation of any crowds, and where the waiters cared for each table equally, it is impossible not to notice the impeccable organization of the crew. All of them spend 24 hours a day making sure the guests aren't missing anything, including good fun.

Entertainment for everyone There are more than enough opportunities for good entertainment on the ship. Being impatient, right after

Photos: a scene from the trip to Tenerife (top left); one of the dance evenings on the ship (top right); there is never a lack of entertainment (bottom left); one of the ship's pools (bottom right).

lunch we headed out to explore and first 'stumbled upon' the pool are, where passengers were watching a movie on an enormous screen while sitting in the jacuzzi. On the other side, a game of Bingo was in play, and nearby was a craft workshop where they were making ornaments. We decided to spend half an hour in the room where they were organizing a short Italian language course.

Since we were on an Italian cruiser, it seemed logical to brush up on the basics and learn how to invite someone out for a cappuccino. Aerobics were starting next to the pool, while the animators were inviting passengers to a "show cooking" program and reminding us of the dance spectacle that would be held in the theater in the evening hours. Such an amount of activities everywhere piqued our adrenaline and curiosity, but as we were tired upon arrival to our cabin,

we decided it would be impossible to participate in absolutely everything that would take place on the ship over the next ten days.

Content for all ages So it was. Every day, various events were held at various locations of this floating city, but since we received the ship's newspaper "Today" with a detailed program for the next day every evening in the cabin, we planned when we would go and what we would do in advance.

Other than the diverse animation, the boat also offers other content: five restaurants, thirteen bars, four pools, of which two have a retractable roof, and five jacuzzis.

All sports buffs will be thrilled by the gym, aerobic gym, 170 long running track, and the tennis and basketball courts. There is also a chapel on board, for serving

tip: All thirteen bars work from 7 to 2 AM, and drinks are charged extra.We definitely recommend those with a sweet tooth visit Juventas Chocolate Bar.

November / December 2013.

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Every day, there are several hundred tons of food, of which more than 700 kg is fruit. The food is adapted to the nationalities and preferences of the passengers, so during the trip, theme nights are often organized: Italian, Greek, German, Spanish, etc. There are two main kitchens on board, with a crew of 180 cooks and 230 waiters.

Photos: the ship's spa will truly pamper you (top left); the musical dance spectacle in the ship's theater (top right); fruit is often served on board as a snack (bottom left); waiters often surprise guests with a dance number (bottom right).

tip: If you are prone to getting sea sick, don't drink a lot of fluids (water, sodas, and coffee), but instead eat dry foods, such as crackers, breadsticks, bread, buns, rice, pasta.

Apples are also recommended, as is chocolate in smaller quantities. You can get a pill to fight seasickness at the reception free of charge. And don't forget to move around as much as possible, because then you'll feel the rocking of the boat less.

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mass, but also for those who would like to say "I do" in the middle of the ocean.

There are also conference rooms, a casino, disco, library, internet corner, and shopping zone as well as the Squok Club for children's entertainment, Grand Prix Simulator, table tennis and foosball, as well as the Samsara Spa on over two thousand square meters.

Spectacular evenings The Jupiter Theater, on three floors for an audience of 1300, is most attractive in the evening hours, when a true spectacle performs on stage. Circuses, carnivals, dance competitions, classical music concerts, Arabian nights, hot Latin rhythms and flamenco, magicians... Every night there is another program, but good fun is guaranteed. However, the fun will often

start before the theater program, during dinner in the restaurant, when your waiters will thrill you with a singing performance or dance choreography, where he will also request your assistance. Since there is always a passenger with a birthday (which isn't strange, considering that you are on a ship with more than three thousand guests), the crew regularly surprise the person honored at the celebration with a song and cake so, if you're sitting near them, you'll tantalize your taste buds even more with a slice of birthday cake.

Where to go on an excursion?

Nearly every, or every other day, the ship docks in another destination. Along with Savona, as the main port, we also visited Barcelona, discovered the charms of Morocco, enjoyed the exotic atmosphere of Tenerife and Madeira, and finally, sailed

to temperamental Málaga. If you aren't amongst those who like to explore new areas on their own, visit the ship's tourist office, which offers several excursion programs for each destination. The day before the ship docks at the next port, there is a presentation of the destination and all the offered excursions organized on board. Just like all the other additional services on board, the excursions are paid by credit card or Costa card, and aren't included in the prices of the arrangement.

A city signed by Gaudí The first port we docked at was Barcelona.

Relatively cold in the winter, but full of the Spanish temperament. We decided to explore it on our own in the six hours we had available. We reached the tourist attractions, the La Sagrada Familia cathedral, the never completed work of Antonio Gaudí, or the Batlló House, also designed by him, simply, using public transit. Although it wouldn't be a problem to go on foot (if we had more time) since the sidewalks and roads of this tourist and harbor city have colorful signs leading to the main city monuments. After our tour, we decided to take a light stroll down La Rambla, one of the liveliest streets in the city with numerous flower shops, and we stopped by one of the many tapas bars on the way back to the ship. It would truly be a shame to leave this Catalonian capital without trying tortillas or tapas with a glass of wine.

In the 'white house' Morocco, or "the land of the sunset", was our next destination. We arrived in Casablanca or the "white house" in the morning hours, and organized in groups, we headed out for a tour. This city of five million is the business center of Morocco, and the third largest harbor in Africa, known for the export of phosphates, olives, oranges, and tomatoes. However, Casablanca isn't the typical Moroccan city that we envisioned, but a city with wide avenues and tall commercial buildings and hotels, large stores, and many fast food restaurants.

Our guide Muhamed first took us to a typical marketplace, where you can best feel the "beat" of the city, and then to the more luxurious area - the royal palace and the palace of justice, or city hall

tip: If you decide to head out to explore the destinations on your own, it is best to head out to town using the "Costa shuttle" buses, which will bring you back to the boat later.

A return ticket is around six euro, they drive the entire time until boarding time, and there is always enough room. And don't forget to always be on time!

Photos: a scene from the streets of Casablanca (top); the market in Casablanca is always full of various exotic fruit and vegetables (middle top and bottom); typical architecture in Morocco (bottom).

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Photo: The Hassan II mosque is the third largest mosque in the world

All paints within the mosque are natural so that the quality of the materials is not ruined, and the royal gates are made of bronze and embellished with titan. As a special attraction, the roof retracts in the summer or for special events (arrival of the Royal family). Opening it up from both sides takes five minutes, and it automatically closes when it senses winds stronger than 85 km/h. An interesting feature is that the roof is shaped in the style of roofs of old Moroccan schools from the 14th century.

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constructed in the Alhambra style. On our way to the main symbol of the city, the Hassan II Mosque, our attention was distracted by the typical houses, simple and often colorless and surrounded by cedar from the Moroccan mountains.

The pride of Casablanca The Hassan II Mosque is the third largest mosque in the world (right behind Mecca and Medina), the pride of the city and a pearl of modern architecture. It was built in only seven years (from 1986 to 1993), and two thousand people participated in its construction. It is known for having the tallest minaret in the world (210 meters), a retractable roof, and for the location on which it was constructed - on a promontory overlooking the Atlantic.

It is also one of the rare mosques which allow entry to those who are not of the

Muslim faith. It can hold 25 thousand followers and another 80 thousand in the outdoor area.

After a typical Moroccan lunch in the Le Vieux Porto restaurant, which consisted of, in this case, tasteless couscous and rice, a lot of vegetables, meat, and overly-sweetened cookies, we continued on to Rabat (in translation: fortress), a city of two million, the former hideout of pirates, and today the third largest and the capital city of the Kingdom of Morocco.

Trade as a way of life We barely managed to make it to Rabat and its main city attractions: Hassan's tower, the incomplete minaret for the incomplete 12th century mosque and Mechouar, the mausoleum of King Muhamed V through the chaotic traffic,

with various honking vehicles. Here it is possible to buy the best quality carpets, but there was no time, nor money, for that this time.

But, there was plenty of time to experience all the charms of outdoor markets, for which you have to prepare yourself if you're headed over here. Persistent salesmen will 'ambush' you from all sides and tirelessly offer you various souvenirs, and if you show the slightest interest in their items, they are ready to follow you for kilometers, drastically slashing their prices on the way, so in the end, for example, they will sell you a lighter for a few cents.

However, this sales method is part of the lifestyle and culture here, so it's better to prepare for that.

After that, we headed off to the Royal palace, which we only saw from the outside since the flag was flying on the mast, which means the King was at home.

tip: When touring the old town narrow streets of Rabat, known for its blue and white houses, it is best to go as part of an organized group.

Photos: entrance door to one of the houses in the old part of Rabat (top left); guards at the Royal palace (top right); mausoleum of King Muhamed V (middle left); citizen of Rabat (middle); one of the old streets of Rabat (middle right); Hassan's tower (bottom).

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Exotic Tenerife

There are a total of 12 Canary Islands, of which 7 are larger, and 5 are smaller. They are located in the Atlantic, about one hundred kilometers from the western coast of Africa. They didn't get their names from canaries, as many believe, but from dogs (lat. canaris).

Photos: the entrance to Loro Parque on Tenerife (top); a bridge in the park (middle); programs with dolphins, parrots, and sea lions are held in the park (bottom).

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Another day of sailing followed, which we, after hectic Morocco, mostly used to relax in the wellness zone and the Jacuzzi on the upper deck, which was an excellent prelude to the arrival on the much more laidback Tenerife. The view from the ship in early dawn of this exotic volcanic island, with black sand beaches and steep green hills, seemed somewhat mystical. Instead of heading to the volcano, we decided to take an excursion to Loro Parque.

The entrance to the world of exotic plants and animals, and its Thai temple, make you think that you've come across something on Thailand, and not a Spanish island.

From its establishment in 1972, more than 33 million visitors have come through the park, and it has been visited by members of the Thai royal family several times. They definitely were not unimpressed when they saw a Thai village at the very entrance, where the decorations on the roof of all six wooden buildings are covered in 24-karat gold leaf. Here, amongst other things, you can also find the largest museum of porcelain parrots, and a lake with hundreds of colorful Koi fish. Loro Parque is the first park in the world to receive the "Animal Embassy" certificate of sustainability.

Home of the parrots The main attraction of the park are, as its name says (Spanish "loro", parrot), parrots.

Moreover, here they have the largest collection of parrots in the world, with 353 species and subspecies, so this is also the base for a lot of scientific research. During the day, they have a popular program with sea creatures, but also with parrots, who you can see in the roles of actors, dancers, and singers.

Another attraction, of which the hosts are incredibly proud, is the Penguin Planet, where snow falls all year long, the water temperature never exceeds eight degrees, and the light conditions are similar to those of Antarctica. Another option, if you have the time, is to take the Discovery Tour, which will reveal what the largest refrigerator in the world looks like, how whales sleep, or how the largest filtration system in the world works. At the park, you can also find the exotic plant corner, and Kinderlandia, an adventure park for children. The one-day admission for adults is 33 euro, or 22 euro for children aged 6 to 11.

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Photos: a street scene in Funchal (top left); the botanical garden in Madeira (top right); the cable car ride is an experience for itself (middle left); peacocks are bountiful inhabitants of the island (middle); a traditional house on Madeira (middle right).

tip: The traditional honey cake ("Bolo de mel cana da Madeira") and honey-cherry wine ("Poncho da Madeira"), are ideal souvenirs to take from this island, which will take you back to this magical island with its taste and scent when you're back at home.

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The island of eternal spring We were just a night-sail away from the Spanish Canary Islands to Portugal's Madeira. They call Madeira the "island of eternal summer" since, even in December, the temperatures here regularly exceed 20 degrees Celsius.

Others compare it to a botanical garden, due to its lush vegetation and bounty of flowers, some wild, some planted. We were convinced that both are true the moment we arrived. Our first stop was the botanical garden with more than two thousand plants at Quinto do Bom Sucesso, at the very edge of the capital city of Funchal, located three kilometers from the downtown core. The park was established in 1960, and within its 35 thousand square meters, they house plants from all continents. There is also a nature museum, and herb garden, and

the garden is not only home to plants, but also to many turtles and exotic birds.

A ride of indescribable views Only three kilometers away is the town of Monte, the former spa of wealthy Europeans, where we visited the Church of Igreja do Monte, which is known as the most visited religious monument on the island. Most tourists decide to take a ride in a cestinhos, a large wicker basket with a seat and back, which holds two to three people, and is pushed by two carreiros.

However, we continued on to the cable car since our hosts convinced us that riding it is one of the most beautiful experiences.

There was no reason to doubt them, so we 'jumped into' a modernized six-passenger cable car and took a ten-minute ride that reminded us of the power of nature and showed us the true character of the

Photos: the view from the botanical garden towards the city (top left); the main church on the island, Igreja do Monte (top right); carreiros transport tourists in large woven baskets (middle left); one of the main streets in Funchal (top right); the view of Funchal from the beach (bottom left); It is possible to see Funchal from a tour bus (bottom right).

tip: If you would like to take a panorama photo of Funchal, its bay, and harbor, then the botanical garden on Quinta do Bom Sucesso is the right place for it.

November / December 2013.

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Photos: holiday season on Madeira (top left); beaches with black volcanic sand are one of the island's features (top right); traditional souvenirs on Madeira (bottom).

volcanic island. Upon exit from the cable car, the hosts await us with Bolo de mel cana da Madiera, a traditional honey cake and Poncho da Madeira, a honey-cherry liqueur, which are a welcome way to recover from the ravine we just passed.

On our way to the urban city center, we stopped in another botanical garden and at the viewpoint with a view of the Jo達o Gomes, in the Laurissilva forest.

Holidays at +20 Just walking through Funchal in the holiday times turns into an experience on its own, even if you aren't doing anything else. Here you can walk in short sleeves in December, at a temperature of twenty degrees, with sunglasses as a mandatory accessory. For us, who are used to low temperatures and snow in December, it was a true delight. We stopped by the nativity scene on the main square, surrounded by the scent of orchids and cyclamen, while nearby a folklore ensemble danced the two bestknown traditional dances, Balinho and Brinco. We decided not to plan anything anymore, but to instead enjoy the relaxed rhythm of the city streets, where muted music could be heard. The enticing scents coming from the little Christmas fair, impelled us to try the hot homemade flatbread coated with herbal butter, a typical dish here. Finger licking good!

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tip: When in Funchal, definitely visit Mercado dos Lavradores, the village market, where islanders bring fresh flowers, fruit, vegetables, and fish from all parts of the island daily. It is most lively at the end of the week, on Fridays and Saturdays, when the producers sell the goods themselves.

Photos: a nativity scene on one of the city squares (top left); in the straw houses, you can buy authentic souvenirs, try traditional dishes, or see how things are made (top right, and middle left and right); traditional island dances (bottom left); on Madeira, you can buy flowers almost at every step (bottom right).

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Photos: Alcazaba-Gibralfaro is the largest Arabian building in Málaga (top left and right).

tip: The night before disembarking, you must leave your luggage outside your cabin door by 1 AM, which the ship crew will remind you of the day before. Don't forget to prepare your clothing for the next day so that you don't have to disembark in your pajamas.

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On the coast of the sun A day of sailing, and then awakening beneath the "Spanish sun" once again in Málaga, the capital city of Costa del Sol (Coast of the Sun), and the heart of tourism in the Spanish region of Andalusia. The organized Costa transportation brought us to the historical part of town, dominated by Renaissance cathedrals, within a few minutes. After a five-minute walk, we reached AlcazabeGibralforo, the largest Arabic building in the city. The Arabs considered Málaga a heavenly garden, and built several buildings there, as a sign of friendship.

The Alcazaba fortress, with the castle of Gibralforo, is the most important reminder in the city to the remains of Muslim times. It was built in the 11th

century for King Badis of Granada, and served exclusively as a palace for city rulers. Today, it is the best-preserved alcazaba in Spain, and it is proudly positioned on a hill in the center of town, amongst citrus trees, with a view of the harbor. Next to the entrance to the fortress, you can still find the remains of a Roman theater from the 2nd century.

There was just enough time to send a postcard and have a coffee in the "El jardin", coffeehouse, located next to the cathedral. We spent the next day at open sea, sailing towards Savona, the destination harbor. Disembarking brought us back to reality, far from the exotic western Mediterranean, but it also crushed the prejudices we had about winter cruises. Winter on the Atlantic can truly be an adventure to remember. 

Routes for all ships, including the Costa Serena, change from time to time. Find out information on current routes at: http://travel.jadroagent.hr

Photos: The cathedral in Malaga is often called "one-armed" due to the fact that its other tower remained incomplete.

Construction of the cathedral started in the first half of the 16th century, but was never completed (top left); the holiday atmosphere on the streets of Malaga (top right).

FRANCE Savona

ITALY ATLANTIC OCEAN

Barcelona

PORTUGAL

Valencia Lisbon

SPAIN

Rome

Civitavecchia

Costa Serena Departures: 24.11., 26.12.2013. and 17.01.2014.

11 nights from Savona

Reservations: Jadroagent d.d., Rijeka, Croatia Trg I. Koblera 2, phone: +385 51 211276 http://travel.jadroagent.hr

Western Mediterranean

Cadiz Tangier Casablanca

MOROCCO

from

1.910,00 kn

per person + port taxes

TRAVEL AGENCY

November / December 2013.

tipTravelMagazine 115

Send and...

WIN

Dear all, our "Send and…win" competition continues!

We looked over all the photographs you sent us while travelling through the world (and thank you for them!), and have selected and decided to publish a few of the best, chosen by the editors.

The authors, who we decided had the 'best eye for photography' will get a book published by Profil, in Croatian (published in the last two issues of tipTravel magazine). Sounds good, doesn't it?

By January 3, 2014

Venice during winter time (Author: Luka Šmalcelj, Zagreb, Cro

atia)

Send in recent, interesting, and beautiful photos (min. 5 mpx in size) from your travels around the world, New Years’ celebrations in global destinations, advent excursions, skiing, and anything else attractive you have experienced or seen on your trip by January 3, 2014.

We will give the authors of the three best photos one of the books/guides published by Profil. And, of course, the best photos will be published in the next issue of the magazine, so that others can also enjoy them :-) You can send us the photos at info@tiptravelmagazine.com The condition is that the authors of the photographs send their name and surname, city and country, and email address where we can contact them, as well as a short description of the photograph.

And don’t forget: the campaign is only valid for readers who have signed up for the newsletter of tipTravel magazine, so if you haven’t signed up yet, what are you waiting for?!

nous Scottish cattle "Highland cow", a herd of autochtho tland near the town of Fort William, Sco ić, (Author: Antonija Drm Bjelovar, Croatia) 116 tipTravelMagazine November / December 2013.

You can sign up at: www.tiptravelmagazine.com (as a reminder, we only send the newsletter once a month, and promise not to stuff your inbox :-))

View of the city of Cusco, Peru (Author: Amira Jažić, Rijeka, Croatia)

501 grad koji morate posjetiti

Paris and Prague Paris and Prague are just some of the well-known destinations presented in a series of the world-renowned Eyewitness Travel Guides, published by Dorling Kindersley. They bring together information gathered on numerous sites, stores, restaurants, hotels, and entertainment venues. The guides also bring advice and recommendations, such as: how to manage, where to eat, where to stay, where to walk, and what tour to choose. Also, there are plenty of attractive photos and illustrations, but also maps that will help you find your way in these destinations. www.profil-mozaik.hr

This book entices you to travel, get to know other cultures, traditions, and lifestyles of people from all over the world. With its descriptions of the most interesting museums, churches, squares, buildings, and monuments in every city, a list of happenings throughout the year, but also information on the daily habits of the inhabitants, the book will reveal the charm of travelling and bring the ambiance, sounds, scents, and flavors of many cities closer to you. The book includes cities from all the continents – from capitals like London, Rome, or New York, cities protected by UNESCO, such as Trogir, Venice, or Salzburg, and megalopolises like Mexico City and Shanghai to cities with a long tradition like Jericho and Damask to unusual and charming cities like Ushuaia in South America, the southernmost city in the world and Gadames in North Africa, next to an oasis in the Sahara... www.profil-mozaik.hr November / December 2013.

tipTravelMagazine 117

www.tipTravelMagazine.com

CROATIA

www.tipTravelMagazine.com The magazine is issued in Croatian and English once every two months, and is available free of charge. You don’t even need a computer, because it can also be read on smartphones and tablets.

118 tipTravelMagazine November / December 2013.

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