tip Travel magazine Croatia 007 (English edition) 08-09/2014

ISSN: 1849-059X

EN

Number 7 • Year II • August - September 2014

INFORMATION • RECOMMENDATIONS • EXPERIENCES

Vukovar-Srijem County

Ilok Vukovar Vinkovci Nijemci Otok Županja

Weekend trip

Kastav Varaždin Jastrebarsko, Vrbovec, Križ Plitvice Lakes

WIN:

T I C K E TS performances Concerts, festivals & Dinner in the Sky®

BOOKS Salzburg Bangladesh

Other topics:

Zagreb • Daruvar • Croatian Zagorje • Surfing kolovoz / rujan 2014.

tipTravelMagazine

Travel and tourism magazine ISSN: 1849-059X Publisher: Tip Kreativa Ltd. Jordanovac 119, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia tel: +385 1 2348 488 mob: +385 91 7958 016 info@tiptravelmagazine.com www.tiptravelmagazine.com www.facebook.com/tiptravelmagazine MB: 4055845 EU VAT Number: HR21136573248 Photo: Robert Kunštek

Erste&Steiermärkische Bank d.d.

IBAN: HR4524020061100663844 Editor in Chief: Željka Kunštek zeljka@tiptravelmagazine.com Graphic Designer: Robert Kunštek robert@tiptravelmagazine.com Associates in this issue: Sanja Plješa, Vlatka Vužić, Spomenka Saraga, Andreja Milas, Ivana Bajer Translator: Marija Crnogaj Marketing: Tip Kreativa Ltd. marketing@tiptravelmagazine.com Photo source: tipTravel magazine archive, archives of Croatian Tourist Boards, fotolia Cover page: Sunflower photo: Robert Kunštek

Transmission of texts, in full or in part, is only permitted with the written approval of the editor and 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 text 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.

tipTravelMagazine kolovoz / rujan 2014.

Editorial

Summer experiences

E

ndless fields of sunflowers in full bloom, riding down the "Croatian Amazon", walking through the oldest city in Europe, exploring the Eltz Castle - a world-class museum, drinking aromatic Traminac with a view of "Ilok's green sea", Slavonian harvest traditions... The many encounters we had during our recent trip to the Vukovar-Srijem County turned our stay in the far east of Croatia into a priceless experience. We have tried to show you at least a bit of what awaited us there in this issue, although, for the full experience, you will have to head out for an adventure to this "golden" part of Croatia. Be sure that you won't regret it. The medieval coastal town of Kastav, with its irresistible view of the Kvarner Bay, is another must-see destination, and we also present you with Varaždin, a Baroque city in northwestern Croatia, which is in the running for European Capital of Culture in 2020. Check it out and see why. Zagreb has plenty of events this summer, just like Zagorje, which also awaits you with many festivals this autumn. Of the cities in the "green ring of Zagreb", we bring you Jastrebarsko, Vrbovec, and Križ, and Daruvar has plenty to "tell you" in this issue. Read the experiences of a passionate surfer for whom surfing is much more than

a sport. Our foreign destination is Bangladesh, a country still unexplored by tourists. Make a plan to visit it soon, before tourism has taken full swing, and have a look at the short award-winning film about this incredible country (pg.

133). Add Salzburg, the Austrian city that is more than just Mozart, to your "must visit" list.

We are taking you to concerts, festivals, and performances throughout Croatia in August and September. Find our more on pg. 92-94 and hurry! After Zagreb, the unique Dinner in the Sky® event is coming to Split in August. Don't miss out on a view of "Diocletian's City" and its archipelago from an altitude of 50 meters with champagne and delicious delicacies. We will help one of you experience the event, while, in cooperation with our partner, we have prepared a 10 percent discount for all the packages to this spectacular event (find out more on pg. 54-55). Keep on sending us your photos from your trips because in cooperation with our publishing partners, we will be giving away guides and books in our next editions as well (find out more on pg. 112-113). Don't forget the most important thing: enjoy summer and all its charms! Željka Kunštek

All issues of tipTravel magazine can be found in English and Croatian at... tipTravel magazine is the first Croatian online travel and tourism magazine, which is exclusively in digital format and available to all readers free of charge. It is published in English and Croatian, 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 tourism news, announcements of events and festivals that shouldn't be missed, and first-hand advice and recommendations. The last part of the magazine is dedicated from topics around the world.

www.tiptravelmagazine.com If you like the magazine, feel free to Like it on Facebook... :-) Thanks!

SIGN UP Click the 'sign up' button and sign up for our newsletter :)

www.issuu.com/tiptm

More info can be found at www.tiptravelmagazine.com, where you can also find a direct link to all the issues. The magazine can be read on all computers, tablets, and smartphone devices via the program solutions offered by Issuu. com. A new version of the 'Issuu' application has been developed for Android devices. Other than using Issuu on iOS devices (iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch), the magazine can also be downloaded free of charge in the AppStore, where the application has additional interactive features to enable an even higher quality reading experience. To find it, simply type in "tiptravel" in the AppStore.

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 (on iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch devices): a fullscreen preview is available for all photos marked with a magnifying glass

S

photo gallery slideshow + integrated video

kolovoz / rujan 2014.

tipTravelMagazine

Content The importance and quality of tipTravel magazine in the online promotion of Croatian tourism has been recognized and recommended to readers, tourists, by:

ASSOCIATION OF EMPLOYERS IN CROATIAN HOSPITALITY

Croatian Camping Union

12-39

54-55

42-45

60-63

8-9 NEWS CROATIA 10-11 LOOKING BACK 12-39 GOLDEN CROATIA Vukovar-Srijem County: Experiences from the golden plains of Slavonia 40-41 TIPS4YOU In August and September 2014, don't miss...

42-45 WEEKEND TRIP - Kastav: Hrvatski ferijalni i hostelski savezA town made for a vacation

Youth Hosteli Association ferijalni i hostelski savez rvatski ferijalniHrvatski iCroatian hostelski savez Hrvatski ferijalni hostelski savez Hrvatski ferijalni i hostelski savez oatian Youth Hostel Association Croatian YouthHostel Hostel Association Croatian Youth Association 48-49 CROATIA FROM ABOVE Croatian Youth Hostel Association

4

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

08-09/2014

50-53 INTERVIEW Dražen Gečević, Secretary General of the CYHA: We need hostels in Croatia's interior 54-55 ATTRACTION Dinner in the Sky® Get a 10% discount...

60-63 CANDIDATE FOR ECC Varaždin: The city of culture in running for the prestigious European title 64-65 EVENTS - Zagreb: Summer on Stross

the option to show photographs in fullscreen view is available to users of the application on iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch devices.

Environmentally Friendly

not a single tree has been destroyed in publishing this magazine

72-75

100-103

120-123

90-91

112-113

124-133

66-67 HISTORICAL TRACES Zrinjevac 72-75 EXPERIENCE CROATIA Jastrebarsko, Vrbovec, Križ: Intertwining experiences of the 'green ring' 76-79 EXPERIENCE CROATIA Daruvar: At the source of nature and various cultures 80-83 EVENTS - Croatian Zagorje: In the company of Neanderthals, nobility, and 'the people'

84-85 UNESCO - Plitvice Lakes: A natural European attraction

108-111 TRAVEL POET - Maja Klarić: Travel as a source of inspiration

88-89 CROATIA ONLINE

112-113 SEND AND... WIN

90-91 GOURMET CROATIA Međimurje County: The wonderful flavors of Međimurje

114-115 UNICEF

92-94 CULTURAL SCENE Treats for warm summer evenings 100-103 FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE - Surfing

116-117 WORLD NEWS 120-123 WE PRESENT Salzburg: More than Mozart 124-133 WE'RE TAKING YOU TO...

Bangladesh: A land of true smiles

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

5

MAP OF CROATIA

Destinations in this issue Varaždin

Scale 1 : 1 000 000

Krapina-Zagorje County Vrbovec Jastrebarsko

Zagreb

Križ

Daruvar

KASTAV Opatija

VUKOVAR VINKOVCI

ILOK

OTOK

Crikvenica

ŽUPANJA Plitvice Lakes National Park

VUKOVAR-SRIJEM COUNTY

NIJEMCI

Legend:

6

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

highway with junction motorway with junction main road (regional and local roads 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.

 Number 112

Power supply: 220 V; frequency: 50 Hz

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.

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

7

News

CROATIA

First integrated hotel in Croatia opened

Photo archive: association "The Seashore of our Posterita"

Photo archive: Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Croatia

The first integrated hotel in Croatia, "ZIG ZAG", was opened June 23, 2014 in Petrinjska Street in Zagreb. This new category of hotel lodging was introduced into categorization by the Ministry of Tourism several months ago with the aim of improving the system of family lodging, joining together, and improving quality.

"Recently the first diffused hotel was opened in Polača near Zadar, and now the integrated hotel has been opened in Zagreb.

There are even more requests from all parts of Croatia. Besides creating additional offers and content, the integrated hotel will also allow for new jobs in tourism," emphasized Darko Lorencin, Minister of Tourism at the grand opening. An integrated hotel can be comprised of three or more buildings in one community, which have already been categorized or classified, and they must have a shared reception and living room, along with other required content for hospitality and tourism.

"Blue Bag" is the name of the project launched on the island of Krk, which brings together tourism and ecology. The idea is that the tourist or volunteer fills a specially marked with drift waste, or what the sea has thrown onto the coast, and they can win a prize at the end. Before they start gathering, the volunteer gets a bag from one of the project sponsors and registers by text message at the website bluebag.hr or by QR code on their smart phone.

When they fill the bag, they leave it in a specially marked blue box, of which there are 20 on the island of Krk. The bag is scanned upon arrival at the depot and then the volunteer receives confirmation that it has been collected and that they can choose their prize. The founders of the project are members of the association "The Seashore of our Posterita" which, after Krk, plan on expanding the project to the island of Rab, and then the entire Adriatic. www.bluebag.hr

8

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

Photo archive: Šibenik Tourist Board

Blue bag of the island of Krk Photo: Robert Kunštek

Opened bid for CBTour award The Croatian Association for Energetics has published a bid for the prestigious national annual CBTour award for creative and innovative programs in tourism, with emphasis on sustainable development. In honor of World Tourism Day, the awards will be handed out at a special ceremony on September 25, 2014. At the jubilee ceremony, entrepreneurs and representatives of 40 winners of awards from 2010 to 2013 will gather alongside the representatives of the ten award winners for 2014. At that time, representatives of the Association will also present the multilingual guide "Experience Creative and Innovative Croatia". www.croenergo.eu

Šibenik's fortress renovated On June 7, 2014, the renovated St. Mihovil fortress was opened with a spectacular musical performance, with more than 70 performers participating.

A summer stage was installed on its plateau along with amphitheatershaped bleachers with 1077 seats, while its underground portion houses a museum collection and many additional spaces with various content.

Various musical programs will be held on the stage during the summer. The construction of the stage, worth 1.6 million euro, was co-financed by the European Union.

Zagreb County is UHPA's destination of the year

Photo: Vedran Tolić, archive: LUX promocija

Photo archive: PHOTOnet

Photo archive: UHPA

According to the Association of Croatian Travel Agencies (UHPA), the domestic destination for 2014/2015 is the Zagreb County. So on June 11, 2014, the head of the Zagreb County Tourist Board, Ružica Rašperić, and director of UHPA, Željko Trezner signed a Contract for Collaboration in Advertising, which will enable a better quality promotion of destinations at travel fairs at home and abroad.

Also, the Zagreb County will be promoted as the recommended domestic destination by UHPA in all the association's publications, informative and promotional material, electronic communication, and on the official website uhpa.hr, as well as on social networks.

Photo archive: CNTB

Opatija to host 2014 CTD This year, Croatian Tourism Days (CTD), will be held on October 16 and 17 in Opatija, which will additionally be magnified by this year's great 170th anniversary of organized tourism in that city. Due to that important anniversary in Opatija, "the cradle of Croatian tourism", this year there wasn't the usual bid to choose the hostdestination of the CTD, but instead it was decided that it will be Opatija, which was also the host of the CTD in 2008. As is traditional, as a part of the largest gathering of Croatian tourism professionals, they will have a meeting with representatives of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, and the best Croatian destinations will be awarded at the annual awards ceremony. Around two thousand participants are expected at the event.

New director of CNTB chosen Ratomir Ivičić is the new director of the Head Office of the Croatian National Tourist Board, as was confirmed at the 30th congress of the Tourist Council of the Croatian National Tourist Board, held July 23, 2014. With this appointment, the former Deputy Minister of Tourism has become the fifth director of the Head Office of the Croatian National Tourist Board, since its establishment in 1992. Members of the Tourist Council agreed that Ratomir Ivičić knows the work of the Croatian National Tourist Board, the staff, and work methods, and because of his many years of experience in tourism, he is the best candidate. The completion of the Work Program for 2014, preparation for the new tourist season, and enactment of the Strategic Marketing Plan for Croatian Tourism all await the new director, amongst other things.

Irresistible Croatia presented in Biograd The largest travel catalog in the world, "Irresistible Croatia", continues to flip through Croatia. On July 11, 2014, the catalog was presented and exhibited for the first time in Dalmatia, in Biograd's Regional Museum. The impressive format size and quality of the content attracted the attention of the public in Biograd as well. "Many renowned collaborators, who described and presented a new image of Croatia through 'Irresistible Croatia', modern and competitive in all segments, worked on the project", emphasized catalog author, Sunčana Matić, in her speech. After Biograd, the catalog is on its way towards Šibenik, where it will be presented to the public at the St. Mihovil fortress on August 2. www.croatiameetings.com

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

9

Looking back

EVENTS

Photo archive: Zagreb Camp

Kastavian eno-gastro concert held in Zagreb

The first auto camp near Zagreb In mid-July, the camping offer of Sveta Nedelja, Zagreb, but also all of continental Croatia was enriched with a modern four-star family camp. Zagreb Camp opened its gates on July 18 at Rakitje Lake, only 15 km from the center of Zagreb, Croatia's metropolis. It offers campers 50 lots with an interesting circular layout over ten thousand square meters. The camp also has four bungalows for two to four people, a children's playground, wine cellar, lounge bar, pizzeria, and mini wellness center. According to

Krešimir Dubrović, camp owner, the expansion of the recreational offer of the camp, which has a great location for walking, cycling, and fishing, is underway. At the camp you can rent a bicycle, and during the summer, they will also develop equestrian tourism. This camp, which plans on working all year long, also offers excursions to nearby nature parks, castles, and museums in Croatian Zagorje and in Zagreb. Pets are welcome at the camp, and one bathroom has been designed specifically for them.

On Friday, June 20, 2014, a Kastavian eno-gastro concert was held at the Cheese Bar in Zagreb, where authentic gastroeno products of the Kastav region were presented, accompanied by a suitable musical program. The gourmet offer with finger food was presented by famous Kastavian restaurateur and chef Nenad Kukurin, while representatives of Belica, the Association of Friends of Vineyards, Grapes and Wines pampered the visitors with authentic Kastavian wines. The tourist offer of this Kvarner town was present to the guests by director of the Tourist Board of the City of Kastav, Dolores Kukurin, who mentioned many events in Kastav, such as Kastav's Summer of Culture, and the Kastav Blues Festival. Damir Halilić-Hala, one of Croatia's best guitarists, was responsible for the great musical ambiance throughout the evening.

Photo archive: Unopiù Croatia

Luxurious lounges and garden furniture with recognizable design can now be bought in Croatia.

The first retail store of Unopiù, the Italian company for outdoor furnishings, was opened in early July in Zagreb. It offers a range of products of simple, modern, and elegant design: from sofas and lounges to chairs, tables, and accessories, ideal for furnishing both private terraces and luxurious hotels.

10

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

Photo archive: Kastav Tourist Board

Unopiù has arrived in Croatia

Zagreb Tourfilm Festival held

Tourist offer of Morocco presented

Zagreb's audience had the chance to enjoy the best travel films in the world from June 4 to 6, when the third international festival of travel films, Zagreb Tourfilm Festival, was held at the Mimara museum.

Competing for the awards were 113 films from 58 countries, chosen from a total of 314 applicants. The awards were handed out in several categories, so, for example, the promotional film by the Brijuni National Park "Brijuni NP - Hidden Paradise" was awarded the title of best Croatian film in the category of up to 7 minutes. The best TV commercial/film, up to 3 minutes in length, was the film "Barossa, be consumed", while the award for the best film up to 7 minutes in length was awarded to the film "Bangladesh - Land of Stories". tipTravel magazine was the media sponsor of the festival.

On June 20, 2014, Khalid Mimi, director of the Tourist Board of the Kingdom of Morocco for Eastern Europe presented the ancient Kingdom of Morocco to representatives of the media in Zagreb, with emphasis on culture, its tourist offer, and the royal cities of Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, Fez, and Marrakech.

He also emphasized the good position and geographical characteristics of this country that offers many possibilities for vacations: from the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean to snowy mountain peaks, traditional architecture, modern wellness resorts and golf destinations. Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Croatia, Moulay Abbés el Kadiri, pointed out that this promotion is the continuance of activities the embassy conducts with the aim of bringing the culture and tradition of Morocco to Croatian citizens, and strengthening the bilateral relations of the two countries.

During the evening, inspired by Moroccan culture, representatives of the media had the chance to taste authentic Moroccan dishes and tea, and enjoy Moroccan music and performances by famous oriental dancers.

A series of upcoming activities, investments, and novelties for Terme Tuhelj and Terme Olimia were presented on June 10, 2014 in Terme Tuhelj, where the construction of a camping resort with 150 lots, parks, and catering facilities is underway. "The idea is to build a camp, which is located at an attractive location beneath the Mihanović castle, as a small village of Zagorje", noted Ivana Kolar, director of Terme Tuhelj, and added that one of the novelties at the spa will be a constructed entertainment island, which will have a covered stage, where various entertaining-educational programs will be held all year long. Also, Terme Tuhelj and Terme Olimia have introduced several new spa treatments, with emphasis on vital food, or a new concept of health food, marked by a symbol of an apple in restaurant.

The spas are currently holding a "Fiery Summer" with many animation programs and thematic weekends. In the second half of last year, said Zdravko Počivalšek, director of Terme Olimia, the new branch office of the spa opened in Moscow, which should strengthen the promotion of both spas on the Russian market.

Photo archive: Terme Tuhelj

Photo archive: Zagreb Tourfilm Festival

Photo archive: Laurus dan

New investments by Terme Tuhelj and Terme Olimia

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

11

Golden Croatia

VUKOVAR-SRIJEM COUNTY

k te

Ph Ro

be

rt

Ku

nš

ot

o:

Photo: sunflower fields are a recognizable symbol of the county.

12

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

COUNTY

VUKOVAR-SRIJEM ILOK, VUKOVAR, VINKOVCI, NIJEMCI, OTOK, ŽUPANJA

CROATIA

Experiences from the golden plains of Slavonia Written by: Željka Kunštek ◆ Photos: Robert Kunštek, archives of: Vukovar-Srijem County Tourist Board, Ilok City Museum, Vukovar Tourist Board, Vinkovci Tourist Board, Nijemci Tourist Board, Županja Tourist Board, Darko Puharić and Zvonimir Tanocki

Undiscovered? Or maybe too far away?

Not famous enough? Here we tear down all the prejudices, if you have ever had any, about the Vukovar-Srijem County. It's high time you got to know more about the easternmost, "golden" region of Croatia...

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

13

k te

Ph Ro

be

rt

Ku

nš

ot

o:

Golden Croatia

14

VUKOVAR-SRIJEM COUNTY

The vast Slavonian plains and the winegrowing hills of Srijem, the tradition of villages and modernism of cities, the warm spirit of Slavonia and the refreshing forests and rivers. Everything harmoniously compliments everything else so nicely in this corner of Croatia, full of contrast, diversity, and wealth, which will pop up in front of you as you come across it. And to top it off, it's spiced up with the priceless, warm, Slavonian hospitality...

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

15

Golden Croatia

ILOK

Ilok

A city that invites you to enjoy Waking up in Ilok, where the sun "wakes up" in Croatia every day, is just one of the experiences that awaits you in this easternmost city in Croatia.

Allow this picturesque medieval town, which was even visited by Suleyman the Magnificent, to tell you its story...

Photo: a view of Ilok, the Church of St. Kapistran, the walls, and Odeschalchi castle.

16

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

W

elcome to the Danubian kingdom of wine and antiques, is the greeting you will get from the people of Ilok, who are proud of their city located between the Danube and the winegrowing hills of Fruška Gora, where wine has been

made for more than two thousand years.

The "king of wines" is definitely Traminac, which is traditionally drunk at court in England. Considering the long tradition of winemaking, which dates back to Roman times, here you will come across at least one wine cellar in every street.

Photo archive: Iločki podrumi d.d.

Did you know that Ilok Traminac and Silvanac were served at English Court for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II?

Gourmet corner Before we knew it, our hosts were taking us on a ride through the surrounding hills, passionately talking about the sorts raised here: Graševina, Chardonnay, Pinot, Frankovka, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon... Whether you take a ride with a tour train, bicycle or car down Ilok's wine road, which connects vineyards, winemakers and vintners (in whose cellars you can enjoy wine and domestic specialties), you will come across several vantage points that offer views of the endless "sea of green". Some of the best views are offered from Vukovo and Principovac, a country estate located only 1.5 km from the center of town, where you will have Ilok, Srijem, and Bačka at hand. This former summer residence and stable of the noble Odescalchi family, is the right escape for true hedonists. Here you can play golf, tennis, and volleyball, ride a bicycle and enjoy gourmet

experiences, and after you try the royal Traminac or superb Graševina, you will understand that wine is so much more than a profession here...

Head down to the medieval town center and pop into the Old Ilok Cellar, which was built by this noble family in the 16th and 17th century. Their tradition of producing superb Croatian, and European wines, continues successfully today at Ilok Cellars. Considering their long tradition of winemaking, it's no wonder that the two main events in Ilok are related to wine. Vinkovo is celebrated every year on January 22 in the vineyards and cellars of Ilok's winemakers, with a few good drops of wine, homemade food, and the unavoidable sound of tamburica music.

Ilok's grape harvest is traditionally held in early September, and lasts several days.

The main part of the program is held over the weekend, and you will surely find something for yourself in the diverse entertaining cultural program.

Photos: in Ilok you will come across many wineries and wine cellars that will invite you in to enjoy their wine story (top left and middle); Ilok's wine road (top right); the Principovac country estate has become a synonym for hedonism (bottom).

tip: Take a ride down Ilok's wine road, duck into the Old Cellar, try the royal Traminac, and from August 30 to September 7 come to Ilok's grape harvest.

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

17

Golden Croatia

ILOK

Photo archive: Hotel Dunav, Ilok

Photo archive: Hotel Dunav, Ilok

Photos: the church of St. Kapistran (top left); Odeschalchi castle (top right); "Danubius", a river tour boat on the Danube, and hotel "Dunav", famous for its fresh-water fish specialties (bottom left); a view from the castle window towards the church (bottom middle); the promenade along the Danube is a favorite amongst recreational athletes (bottom right).

Nikola Iločki minted his own money in Ilok, interesting for the fact that one of the oldest elements of today's crest is on it: the red and white checkerboard.

18

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

Unique center Now that you know more about Ilok's wine story, toured the Old Cellar, and are now in the heart of the medieval center of Ilok, take a look around yourself. You are now in unique surroundings that will take you on a distant journey to the past.

Tour the walls of the former 15th century fortress, one of the best preserved and oldest in Croatia, duck into the Church of St. Kapistran, a saint known for cases of miraculous healing. Interestingly, this church has never been destroyed, and the Turks used it as a stable. Tour the Franciscan monastery with its tower, directly next to the church, which offers a memorable view. You will also notice the remnants of Islamic influence: turbahs and a hammam (which is currently being renovated), where Suleyman the Magnificent probably relaxed during his three-day stay here, just before the Battle

of Mohács. Then leave a little time to tour the central city pearl, the Odeschalchi castle, which now houses the Ilok City Museum. This impressive building will tell you the story of the development of the Ilok area, and while you're at the museum, have a look at the valuable archeological findings, and art collection of the wealthy Odeschalchi banking family. Curator Andrea Rimpf revealed the most valuable shown objects: a Roman soldier's sword, and part of his belt from the 1st century A.D. There is also silver money minted by Nikola Iločki...

It's time to head down to the powerful Danube, which will invite you to exercise and relax. Head down its trail, stop by the recreational complex, and try one of the local specialties, especially those made of fresh-water fish. Ilok is a city that will invite you to stay longer, to discover its hidden corners, and enjoy it with all your senses. Immerse yourself in it... 

BIKE ROUTE

PIER SPORTS LANDING FIELD

HUNTER'S HOUSE

WINE ROAD

BORDER CROSSINGS

ALTITUDE

MEDIEVAL MONUMENTS AND SANCTUARIES BICYCLE ROUTES

MUSEUM / GALLERY ROAD OF THE GOLDEN LINE

STATE BORDER HIGWAY ZAGREB-LIPOVAC

RIVER

The bicycle trails of this county pass through its larger cities: Vukovar, Vinkovci, Županja, Ilok, and Otok, and they will take you through the picturesque vineyards of Ilok, Spačva forest and picturesque villages.

Vukovar-Srijem County Tourist Board Glagoljaška 27 32100 Vinkovci, Croatia tel: +385 32 338425 tel/fax: +385 32 344034 mob: +385 98 269034 e-mail: turisticka-zajednica@vk.t-com.hr

www.visitvukovar-srijem.com August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

Principovac Country Estate

Ilok cellars

Where wine is a way of life Photos: archive of Ilok cellars (Iločki podrumi d.d.)

Vineyard

W

ine was first bottled at the Ilok Cellars, above the eastern bank of the Danube River some two hundred years before the superb wines of the Bordeaux region were. In order to protect the quality and reputation of the production of superb wines, wine was bottled "chateaux-style" in the original cellars built for that purpose. Although the history of winemaking in Ilok is more than two thousand years old, this was a historical moment, with effects still felt today. If Ilok Cellars aren't written on the bottle, the wine hasn't been produced there. It isn't the same thing.

The story of the Old Cellar Ilok Cellars are a winery whose wines are served at coronations and celebrations of royal courts, kept in their precious archives, and they are the only Croatian cellar on Europe's wine map.

This is where you can experience the combination of a rich history, tradition, and modern ways, taste authentic specialties paired with super wines and enjoy the place that up until recently was reserved for a chosen few. Today, Ilok is a synonym for city of wine, a place where wine is a way of life, and everything started at the Old Cellar...

Restaurant at the Principovac estate

Ilok cellars (Iločki podrumi d.d.), Šetalište o. M. Barbarića 4, 32236 Ilok, Croatia, tel: +385 32 590088, 20

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

PROMO The Old Cellar is a unique construction, a sign of the very long tradition of winegrowing and wine production.

Besides the unforgettable gourmet experience, one of the most valuable and attractive parts of this tourist resort are two wine cellars from the 15th and 18th century. For more than five hundred years, they have been creating and cultivating superb wines, and storing the precious archive and many secrets... The "Old Cellar" restaurant is located in the special ambiance of the former winery, which makes it authentic and gives it a characteristic "Srijem feel". Warm and pleasant, with homemade delicacies paired well with a superb selection of Ilok Cellar wines, the restaurant leaves no one, including the greatest gourmet experts, unaffected.

Not only does the Old Cellar offer a great selection in their restaurant, but they also offer a palate of wine products and a tasting led by an expert enologist or sommelier.

With a view of the Danube To make sure guests of the Old Cellar could take a permanent memory or bottle of wine, as the most popular souvenir of Ilok, with them, a souvenir shop has been opened. It offers the entire assortment of Ilok Cellar wines, but also authentic souvenirs handmade

by Ilok's craftsmen.

If you decide to stay in Ilok for a longer period of time, the Old Cellar also offers 18 newly renovated rooms, categorized with 3-stars. Each of the spacious and elegantly furnished rooms offers a beautiful view of the Danube, and the untouched nature that surrounds it.

S Slideshow: Old Cellar, restaurant and souvenir shop at the Old Cellar

Together with the gourmet offer, they also offer a special historical-cultural kind of tourism. The Old Cellar will enchant you with its history and stories, with professionally guided tours, and here you can also see wine maturing in oak barrels, as well as valuable archival wines.

An estate for hedonists The Principovac castle is located near the center of the historical winemaking town of Ilok, on a picturesque hill that offers an impressive view of Ilok, Srijem, and Bačka. It was built back in 1864 as the summer residence of the noble Odeschalchi family, who stayed here during hunting and grape-harvesting season. The country

The living room of the deluxe suite at the Principovac estate

estate also has a restaurant with a rich gourmet offer of new age cuisine, based on authentic ingredients prepared in more sophisticated methods, known as fusion cuisine. The complex also offers five luxuriously furnished four-star suites, and one deluxe suite. All are located on the hill, in the heart of the vineyard, offering privacy, peace, and quiet. There are also many recreational facilities: tennis courts, a three-hole practice golf range, badminton court, and an 8 km paved path through the vineyards, ideal for walking or cycling.

There, where you can see countless vineyards at hand, and where the tame hills of the Fruška hills head down to the Danube, the wine, food, and surroundings will awaken your hedonistic urges, and give you a feeling of aristocracy... 

Golf at Principovac

staripodrum@ilocki-podrumi.hr, www.ilocki-podrumi.hr August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

21

Golden Croatia

VUKOVAR

Vukovar

One city, a lot of stories...

There have been many stories told about Vukovar, and even more waiting to be discovered. Head down the path of this Baroque city, find out the secrets of the VuÄ?edol culture, a mystery still waiting to be explored...

Photos: a view of Eltz Castle from the Danube (top); the Baroque center of Vukovar (bottom left); in Eltz Castle, now the Vukovar City Museum, the furnace of this noble family is on display, and you can also have a look at the items found from the Sopot culture (bottom middle and right).

22

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

T

he colorful baroque palaces with arches, built during the era of Maria Teresa, were the first thing we noticed as we neared the center of Vukovar. They were once craft workshops and stores owned by wealthy citizens of Vukovar, and today they are a recognizable and often photographed city motif. We couldn't resist either.

We headed out to explore Vukovar with a plan, and our first stop was Eltz Castle,

where the entire permanent exhibition of the Vukovar City museum was opened in late January this year. We wanted to know what hides behind the walls of this luxurious castle, one of the best examples of Baroque architecture on Croatian soil, which was completely demolished in 1991 during the Homeland War. What awaited us made us stay in the castle three times longer than we planned...

Photos: a view of Eltz Castle from the Danube (top); the curator, Ivana, will gladly take you through the museum and tell you many interesting facts such as the fact that Vukovar had its first telephone in 1901 (bottom left); the trail along the Danube is a regular recreation site for many people of Vukovar (bottom right).

Vučedol dove The best known example of Vučedol ceramics is the Vučedol dove, a legendary dish shaped like a bird, and lavishly decorated with incrustations. However, the popular dove is actually a partridge, which can be seen on the decorations of its wings. It is thought that due to the important status they had in Vučedol culture, the dish was related to the symbolism of blacksmiths. Their task was to process arsenic bronze, which when melted releases poisonous arsenic, which causes the loss of sense in the legs, which is why blacksmiths often limped. Just like male partridges who limp to distract predators and lure them away from their nests.

August / September 2014

ić r ar va o: uh ko o t o P Vu r d ) Ph rk e: oa Da chiv t B r is (a our T

Upon entering the castle, prepare yourselves for a historical walk through five thousand years, from prehistoric times to today. You will pass through the formal halls, full of artwork from Vukovar's nobility and the noble German Eltz family, but also by the collection of valuable archeological findings. Ivana, the curator, intrigued us with a story about the Vučedol culture, an Indo-European population that lived next to the Danube five thousand years ago, did intellectual work, searched for copper, and invented the Vučedol Orion, the oldest calendar in Europe. She also showed us two especially valuable Roman military diplomas and interesting copper decorations and a beaded necklace made of spondylus shells, which is proof of trade and the connection of Vukovar with the Mediterranean in the copper age.

tipTravelMagazine

23

Golden Croatia

VUKOVAR

Photos: Adica Park Forest (top left); the cross where the Vuka flows into the Danube (middle left); Vukovar's water tower (top middle); the Church of St. Phillip and Jacob (top right); the Memorial Cemetery of Homeland War Victims (bottom).

tip: From August 25 to 30, come to the 8th Vukovar Film Festival, a festival of sub-Danube countries, which will be held at eight locations in the country, and among other places, in Vukovar.

24

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

Vukovar Nocturne To better feel the pulse of the city, sail down the wide Danube and breathe in air in the century-old Adica Park Forest, a favorite promenade and relaxation place for the people of Vukovar, located only two kilometers from the center of the city. Its walking trails and exercise paths are ideal for recreation, and the trails along the Vuka and Danube are also a good choice for a stroll.

If you find yourself in Vukovar in the warmer part of the year, you can seek refreshment on Vukovar's Ada, a sandy islet on the Danube and the most popular bathing place of the people of Vukovar.

You can reach the islet with a 5-minute boat ride from the center of the city, and while on Ada, you can play volleyball, get a refreshing drink, and meet the friendly hosts. Vukovar also offers the possibility of horseback riding, kayaking, riding in a

horse-drawn carriage, fishing, paintball...

However, this city also has another story, called "Vukovar Nocturne", which brings together all the places that bear memory of the Homeland War: the Vukovar hospital, OvÄ?ara Memorial center, the hangar where the victims, wounded, and medical staff spent the last hours of their lives. There is also the Memorial Cemetery of Homeland War Victims, with 938 white crosses, which is also the largest mass cemetery in Europe after the Second World War, and the Memorial Center of the Homeland War, which was opened at the Vukovar military base. The large cross at the place where the Vuka flows into the Danube, and Vukovar's water tower, a symbol of the suffering and resistance of the city, are just some of the symbols of remembrance, but also the strength this city fought with. Listen to this story of love and courage, strength and pain, human dignity and the victory of life... Get to know Vukovar. ď ś

Water bus In October 2014, the water bus, or a modern river boat, should start sailing the Danube. According to representatives of Vukovar's DMC Danubiumtours agency, who is responsible for the project, it is a floating multimedia center that will regularly sail the Danube, with a capacity of 60 passengers. The boat will be a great place to organize various events, video viewings, exhibitions, festivals, and business meetings since it is designed as a multi-purpose and equipped with modern audio-visual equipment. www.danubiumtours.hr

Vukovar's new tourism treats for 2014/2015 Museum of Vučedol Culture In early 2015, the Museum of Vučedol Culture will open its doors and reveal the lifestyle of and many interesting facts about this culture, which spreads over 12 European countries, connected to the beginnings of European civilization, to its visitors. The museum, which is currently under construction, stretches along the Danube shore on one side, while the other side, four stories high, is built into a hill. The archeological site will be accessed via its flat green roof, which will act as a promenade. The Vučedol site is located four kilometers from the center of Vukovar, and it was the first inhabited part of this city. www.turizamvukovar.hr

Vukovar-Srijem County Tourist Board, Glagoljaška 27, 32100 Vinkovci, Croatia tel: +385 32 338425, tel/fax: +385 32 344034, mob: +385 98 269034, e-mail: turisticka-zajednica@vk.t-com.hr

www.visitvukovar-srijem.com August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

Golden Croatia

VINKOVCI

Vinkovci

The charms of Europe's oldest city It is the birthplace of two Roman emperors, the oldest Indo-European calendar was found here, and a river that flows two ways runs through it...

Wherever you go, you will come across something interesting in Vinkovci.

Photo: the center of Vinkovci and its pedestrian zone, painted with motifs of the Orion.

26

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

V

inkovci are one of those cities where you will truly feel like an explorer. Whether you come here as a tourist, a passerby, or on business. This city will find a way to pull you into its "game", intrigue you, and get you to come back. It happened us, more than once, so during our last trip recently we decided to explore it in detail...

Due to its favorable position on the left bank of the picturesque Bosut, Vinkovci

has always been a place people loved to settle in, ever since the Stone Age. The continuity of life in this area has continued to today, and it has been established that Vinkovci is the oldest continually settled city in Europe.

Over the centuries, the cultures here have changed, leaving their mark on the customs and way of life, which is best seen today at the Vinkovci City Museum.

Photos: the Church of St. Eusebius and Polion (top left); Orion (right); Sopot houses (bottom left); Vinkovci City Museum (bottom right).

The story of Orion

Ph be

o:

Ro

ot

rt Ku nĹĄ te k

The star of the Vinkovci City Museum is definitely Orion, the oldest Indo-European calendar, found in the center of Vinkovci in 1978 during excavation for the foundation of Hotel Slavonija. However, it isn't a calendar in today's sense of the word, but a dish for which it took twenty years to discover that the carvings represent the constellations that dominate the night sky above Vinkovci. Prof. Aleksandar Durman, head of excavation, explained that the calendar, which was made 2600 years before Christ "was based on astrological symbolism with the relevant constellations for all four seasons".

Amongst them, the winter constellation, Orion, was dominant. It was a great discovery, not only for Vinkovci, but for all of Europe.

Sopot houses A total of 80 pottery kilns and two Roman spas were found in the area of Cibala (now Vinkovci), a city focused on trade and craftwork, and the museum staff will be happy to tell the story of not only the VuÄ?edol culture, but also about the Sopot culture, from the Stone Age. They will tell you about the Sopot Archeological Park site, located three kilometers southwest of Vinkovci and on a small embankment on the left bank of the Bosut. If you have a look at the six Sopot houses, 7x5 meters in sizes, built as they once were, from woven branches and connected with mud, and covered with thatch roofs. They used to be built in swampy areas, near streams and the Bosut River. Interestingly, at the site, a present-day protected monument of culture, there were no graves found, which is yet another challenge for archeologists, who truly cannot ever stop working in this city.

Admission to the site is free.

Photo archive: Vinkovci City Museum

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

27

Golden Croatia

VINKOVCI

Photo: Vjekoslav Berton

Photos: children play various games from Ancient Rome at Roman Days (top left); the trail along the Bosut (top right); Ivan Kozarac, writer and poet, also "awaits you" at Gradska kavana in the center of Vinkovci (middle left); costumed characters bring the history of Vinkovci alive (bottom middle); Vinkovci Autumn are a trademark of the city (middle and bottom right).

tip: Visit Vinkovci from September 19 to 21, during Vinkovci Autumn, the largest folklore event in this part of Europe.

28

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

Photo: Gordan Panić

"Living history" is a program where the people of Vinkovci bring history alive and take you for a walk with costumed characters through 19th century Vinkovci. It is a chance to get to know the great people from this city: ban Josip Šokčević, Matija Antun Reljković, and Ivan Kozarac.

A mix of tradition and urban culture Vinkovci was also the birthplace of two Roman emperors, brothers Valentinian I. and Valens, also the only Roman emperors born in the area that is now Croatia. Even today the people of Vinkovci honor them and organize Roman days every May in their honor.

It is an opportunity to see, but also to try various Roman games, try Roman dishes, find out what kind of hairstyles Roman women wore, participate in a series of workshops inspired by ancient Rome, listen to lectures about the powerful Roman Empire, fight gladiators...

As you will see, the people of Vinkovci are incredibly skilled in bringing together tradition and modern culture, and they regularly fill their Baroque pedestrian zone with various urban events, for which this city is becoming more and more recognizable on Croatia's travel map. Amongst the more popular events are DORF, the unique regional Festival of music documentaries, held in March, as well as the Actor's Festival held in May. Still, the city's trademark is "Vinkovci Autumn", the largest folklore event in this part of Europe. In literal translation it means several days filled with songs, dancing, traditions, gourmet experiences... and exploration again, this time, a delight for all the senses. 

PROMO

An oasis of peace in Vinkovci

O

nce you come and discover Vinkovci, you will likely want to stay awhile. Find your "home in Vinkovci" in Hotel Gem, whose friendly staff will pamper you upon arrival and do everything to make you feel at home. You can choose from spacious, comfortable, and modernly furnished exclusive, comfort, or family rooms, and you will also have a large selection of hotel cosmetics available, as well as wireless internet, which is especially important for those staying at the hotel for business purposes. The hotel also has a modernly equipped conference room, which seats up to 50, ideal for organizing smaller business workshops, lectures, and congresses. Participants have a projection screen, flipchart and

office supplies at their disposal. The hotel also has a congress hall with 250 seats in the center of the city, and offers participants complete technical assistance, interpreters, and everything necessary for holding a successful congress.

From athletes to newlyweds Those who just come to Vinkovci to rest and enjoy its charms will definitely be thrilled with the hotel's spa corner.

Athletes, especially tennis players, are amongst the many guests of this favorite hotel in Vinkovci, since the Gem tennis club works here with two outdoor clay courts, and one indoor heated court with artificial turf. You will see many of them in the hotel's fitness

center, equipped with top-notch exercise equipment.

The hotel regularly hosts various events and ceremonies, including weddings, and its restaurant will take you on a gourmet trip of Slavonia, but also offers international cuisine. The abundant breakfast buffet will give you enough energy for the beginning of a new day, while the staff will gladly adapt the other meals to your needs. Here you can try authentic Slavonian delicacies, enjoy superb wines from Slavonian winemakers, famous far and wide, and relax with a large selection of warm and cold beverages in the pleasant ambiance of the hotel's cafĂŠ. Absolutely enough to pamper your taste buds, but also your other senses. ď ś

Hotel Gem, Kralja Zvonimira 120, 32100 Vinkovci, Croatia, tel: +385 (0)32 367 911, e-mail: info@hotel-gem.eu, www.hotel-gem.eu August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

29

Golden Croatia

NIJEMCI

Nijemci

In the Croatian Amazon The strong connection between nature and man is especially pronounced in the small municipality of Nijemci, where life has been tied to the dense oak forest on one side and the powerful Danube on the other for centuries...

Photos: the St. Katarina boat (top left); the church of St. Katarina (top right); the Templar's monastery used to stand where Lučica now stands (top right); aerial view of the "Croatian Amazon".

30

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

W

hen you leave the big city and arrive in this small municipality in the VukovarSrijem County, you will feel as if time stopped here. Life here, like the Danube, flows much slower. The calmness and exotic feel of this area will best be experienced in the Spačva forest, which is called the "Croatian Amazon" for a reason. This green beauty spreads over 40 thousand hectares and is the largest English Oak forest in Croatia, and if you head towards the municipality of Vrbanja, you will see the largest specimen of this tree. In these idyllic surroundings, under the dense canopy of oaks, there are many hidden waterways, of which the most attractive are "Virovi", a protected area and oasis for adventurers.

True river adventures will be experienced on the Bosut and Spačva rivers. Board the "St. Katarina" tour boat in Nijemci and enjoy the ride through this Croatian jungle, which will reveal the diverse bird and animal life and untouched natural landscapes along the way. When you have had enough of sailing, you can

continue your adventure on bicycle (which can be rented here), on horseback, or on foot. Seek refreshment in one of the village homesteads, with homemade food and drinks, and the happy company of the hosts.

Sanctuary of the Templars When you're in Nijemci, duck into the Church of St. Katarina, a zero-category cultural monument. It is located at the prehistoric Gradina site, which is connected with the Sopot culture from the Stone Age. Interestingly, during work on the construction of a waterway in 1977 in the park in front of the church, the remains of large lead pipes from Turkish baths were found. According to some findings, there were even underground halls in Nijemci, and the present-day parish church was a fortress in Turkish times. Another zero-category cultural monument is the 14th century Gothic Church of St. Luke, better known amongst the locals as Lučica. It is located three kilometers west of the town of

from the surrounding areas go on a pilgrimage to Lučica.

Every year in May and June, many tourists flock to Nijemci. Why? The "Beautiful is the gilded Srijem" festival, which preserves the tradition, culture, folklore, and identity of western Srijem from being forgotten. During the festival, you can enjoy the sounds of tamburica, performances by folklore groups, delicious homemade gourmet specialties, and great wines. 

Photos: the "Beautiful is the gilded Srijem" festival, where dancers and singers from various folklore ensembles preserve the culture, tradition, and identity of western Srijem from being forgotten.

Photo: Davor Rostuhar (source: Croatian National Tourist Board)

Lipovac. According to the oldest written records, Lučica was first the site where the Templars had a monastery built, which was later taken over by the Franciscans. The monastery, library, and archive that could tell us more about that were, unfortunately, destroyed in the 16th century during the Turkish siege of Slavonia. Today, masses are held here only for larger church holidays, while on August 15 for Assumption, and on October 18 for St. Luke, many people

Feel... the beats of the soil Vukovar-Srijem County Tourist Board, Glagoljaška 27, 32100 Vinkovci, Croatia, tel: +385 32 338425, tel/fax: +385 32 344034, mob: +385 98 269034, e-mail: turisticka-zajednica@vk.t-com.hr, www.visitvukovar-srijem.com

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

31

Golden Croatia

OTOK

Otok

Rest at refreshing Virovi If you are looking for a holiday far from the city rush, in untouched nature, but also with many things to do for recreation, Otok is the right place for you.

Photos: Suvara (top left); Children in Otok are also "preservers of tradition"; you will often see pheasants on the fields of Otok (top right); equestrian and hunting tourism are also well developed in Otok (bottom).

T

he municipality of Nijemci are only 12 km away from Otok, the youngest city in the VukovarSrijem County. Although it is the youngest, the town has plenty of things to do for tourists, and can definitely compare to its "larger" colleagues in the county. Relaxation at Otok's whirlpools, or the Virovi creek, in the shade of an oak forest is regularly enjoyed not only by the people of Otok, but also the population of all the county's cities. Walking through Lože, a forest reserve, where you will come across oak trees of impressive dimensions, becomes a true experience.

The population of this area includes many indigenous species of birds, so don't be alarmed if you come across ornithologists and birdwatchers. Hunters, and fishermen are in their element here, since the waters here are full of pike, trout, catfish, tench, and crucian carp... And in the spring months, when due to the large amounts of rainfall the waters of Virovi flood the forest floor and Čistina meadow, they turn it into the best known trout breeding ground in eastern Croatia.

Otok's suvara However, not only does Otok have a wealth of natural heritage, but also valuable cultural artifacts, of which suvara is the best known. This horse-powered 32

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

mill dating back to the 19th century is a monument of the highest cultural value and represents the only renewed and preserved monument of its type in Croatia and southeastern Europe. Suvara was used to grind grain: wheat, barley, corn, and oats, and even salt, and it was powered by oxen, cows, but mostly horses. Today, horses are often used to show how the grains were milled in this unique mill, a world rarity, it could be said. Since their construction demanded a large procedure and required the artisanship of master carpenters, they were mostly built by wealthier families, or housing associations, or several of them. There were eight in the Otok area, of which only this one, the Tomašević or Klara's suvara, was preserved.

In regards to cultural heritage in the Otok area, near Virovi, the remains of the former Vir fortress, a fortress built in the 14th/15th century as defense from the Turks, can be seen.

"Otok's Spring" is a festival that brings together cultural, sports, and entertainment programs, and it is held every year in May and June, along with the horse festival "Golden Manes", which is held as a part of "Otok's Spring", which are just another reason you should stop by this area on your trip through "golden" Slavonia. For a total experience. 

Welcome...

For a list of hotels and hostels, click here:

For a list of village homesteads, private rooms and suites, click here:

Vukovar-Srijem County Tourist Board, Glagoljaška 27, 32100 Vinkovci, Croatia tel: +385 32 338425, tel/fax: +385 32 344034, mob: +385 98 269034, e-mail: turisticka-zajednica@vk.t-com.hr

www.visitvukovar-srijem.com August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

Golden Croatia

ŽUPANJA

ˇ Zupanja

Preserver of tradition and customs Cheerful and different, traditional, yet modern. That's Županja, a city located, and always closely tied to the wide Sava River, next to which people with truly big hearts live...

Photos: in Županja, all generations nurture the traditions and customs of their area.

34

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

B

efore we started exploring this last city of our "Slavonian itinerary" for this trip, the hosts insisted that we sat down with them for a moment for a little bite. After our days-long tour of the beauties of the Slavonian plains, we decided to take them up on their offer, absolutely common amongst the people of

Županja, where the famous Slavonian hospitality strongly shines through.

Kulen, homemade ham, cracklings, bacon, and the unavoidable Slavonian plum brandy... Some of those things from the wide range of domestic delicacies will always be found on their table, always ready to treat guests, but also passersby.

tip: Head down the Road of the Golden Line, get to know the customs, traditions, and way of life in Županjska Posavina, try golden embroidery, preparing authentic dishes and making brandy, painting gourds...

Border watchtower Full of impressions, tastes, and aromas, we headed down the trail along the Sava where, as of recently, river cruisers are a more common sight, full of tourists discovering the beauty of this region.

Here you will see an interesting building with a wooden porch. Stop by here because it is a border watchtower, the only preserved example of military defense architecture in Croatia. It was built in the early 19th century as a watchtower towards the border with Turkey, and today it houses the Stjepan Gruber Heritage Museum. The ethnological portion of the collection can be seen in the "Agencija" building, from the same period, built at the time when 500 ships sailed the Sava every year, amongst which was the first Croatian steamboat "Sloga". Unfortunately, it sunk, and is still waiting to be pulled up from the dark depths of the Sava River. On the other hand, you can find out everything about the development of forestry in this area with clear depictions of the flora and fauna of the "Spačva pool" at the Forestry Museum in Bošnjaci, five kilometers away.

Road of the Golden Line All the diversity of tradition, history, natural attractions, gastronomy, and the lifestyle and culture of the people of Županja can best be seen on the "Road of the Golden Line", a thematic route that connects several towns, brings together all the wealth of the Županja area and a lot of stories. The road will take you through Županja, Štitar, Babina Greda, Gradište, Cerna, Bošnjaci, Vrbanja, and other places and in each place it will show you what is the best, authentic, domestic, and natural. The great advantage of this unique road is

Photos: the border watchtower and the park surrounding it are often the venue for various events (top left); the yard of the "Snašini kućari" Ethno house in Gradište near Županja (top right); you will get to know more about the golden embroidery technique, which the people of Županja have been nurturing for generations, on the Road of the Golden Line (middle); river cruisers pass down the Sava at Županja more and more often, and the hosts are happy to greet them (bottom).

In order to raise awareness about the importance of the Sava River, the necessity of protecting the water riches of Croatia, promoting the importance of preserving the environment of the Sava area, and encouraging the stronger development of continental ecotourism next to the river, the City of Županja and the Tourist Board of the City of Županja are, amongst others, partners in the "Our Beautiful Sava" project. This socially responsible project was launched by the Coca-Cola HBC Croatia d.o.o. company in 2009, and every year since then there have been many activities, lectures, workshops, and events as part of the project aimed at promoting and protecting the Sava and life near it.

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

35

Golden Croatia

ŽUPANJA

Photos: "Harvest" is one of the most popular festivals in Županja, where the hosts teach visitors about harvest customs, domestic specialties, old-fashioned games, and song and dance, which are always present here.

Did you know that football and tennis were played for the first time in Croatia in Županja?

A group of local young men played football for the first time in this city in 1880, against the English, who were working here on the exploitation of oak forests. That football is still kept in Županja today, and the people of Županja even made a souvenir in its honor. Tennis was played for the first time a year later, in 1881.

36

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

that you can head out on foot, by bicycle, or by car at any time of the year. And while on it, experience it in full: meet the hosts - "Šokce" and "Šokice", try the golden embroidery technique, making folk costumes, embroidered lacework, preparation of authentic dishes, brandy making, corn harvesting, painting gourds, spinning wool, and all the other charms of this part of Slavonia.

Festivals against falling into oblivion You will meet the men and women of Županja who are tirelessly fighting to preserve the traditions and customs from falling into oblivion in person if you visit one of their many festivals. One of the largest is "Šokačko sijelo", held at carnival time, which will show you the opulence of folk costumes and traditions: from making brandy to preparing gourmet delicacies, especially meat dishes. It is a time when embellished coaches ride

through the city, in the evening the city is full of folklore music and dances, and attractive carnival parades pass through town.

To find out more about the traditions of the people of Županja were related to harvesting and threshing grains a hundred years ago, how grains were cut by hand, what clothing was worn for that occasion, and what foods were eaten at harvest time, visit the "Our Daily Bread - Harvest and Threshing in the Past" Festival. It is an occasion when children play old-fashioned games, such as the horseshoe toss, when you can try a true Slavonian breakfast on a long straw table: kulen and kulenova seka, cracklings, sausages, homemade cheese, aromatic bread from a bread oven... There is also the possibility to buy traditional souvenirs and crafts, domestic organic products, etc. Coach rides, dances, songs, and Slavonian kolo dance are definitely part of the program. 

Photo: Dražen Bota

Photo: Dražen Bota

Taste Golden Croatia Vukovar-Srijem County Tourist Board, Glagoljaška 27, 32100 Vinkovci, Croatia tel: +385 32 338425, tel/fax: +385 32 344034, mob: +385 98 269034, e-mail: turisticka-zajednica@vk.t-com.hr

www.visitvukovar-srijem.com August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

Na

tio

Se ( na sou rgi P o ho l T rc Go t ou e: ris Cro bb o: t B at o oa ian rd )

Golden Croatia

38

VUKOVAR-SRIJEM COUNTY

Equestrian tourism is also strongly developed in the Vukovar-Srijem County. The life and work of people here was always tied to these noble animals, with which a growing number of tourists and fans of this form of recreation explore the exotic forests, endless fields, aromatic meadows, and green pastures of this eastern part of Croatia. There are several equestrian associations and clubs in the county.

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

Ilok Tourist Board Trg Nikole Iločkog 2 32236 Ilok, Croatia tel: +385 32 590020; +385 32 592966 e-mail: info@turizamilok.hr e-mail: tourismilok@gmail.com www.turizamilok.hr

Vukovar Tourist Board J. J. Strossmayera 15 32000 Vukovar, Croatia tel: +385 32 442889 e-mail: tz-vukovar@vu.t-com.hr www.turizamvukovar.hr

Vinkovci Tourist Board Trg bana Josipa Šokčevića 3 32100 Vinkovci, Croatia tel: +385 32 334653 e-mail: info@tz-vinkovci.hr www.tz-vinkovci.hr

Nijemci Tourist Board Trg kralja Tomislava 6 32245 Nijemci, Croatia tel: +385 32 280376 e-mail: turistickazajednicaon@gmail.com

Županja Tourist Board Veliki kraj 66 32270 Županja, Croatia tel: +385 32 832711 e-mail: tz-zupanja@vk.t-com.hr www.tz-zupanja.hr

Vukovar-Srijem County Tourist Board, Glagoljaška 27, 32100 Vinkovci, Croatia tel: +385 32 338425, tel/fax: +385 32 344034, mob: +385 98 269034, e-mail: turisticka-zajednica@vk.t-com.hr

www.visitvukovar-srijem.com August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

following e h t n o t u o 014 Don't miss ptember 2 e S d n a t s ugu events in A

kulture) Photo: Damir Kovačić (source: Brod

u o y 4 s tip

Boat of Culture

Photo: Robert Kunštek

Once again, this year the MasterCard Book Boat - Boat of Culture is sailing the Adriatic with several thousand books and famous authors in order to promote the culture of reading and writing.

On this year's trip, it will sail to 14 harbors throughout the Adriatic and bring true cultural refreshment to the coastal promenades of various destinations. This year, Poland is the partner country, so the boat will also host famous Polish writers, and in August, it will dock at the following towns and cities: Zadar (August 1), Silba (August 2), Rab (August 3), Mandre (Pag, August 4), Tkon (Pašman, August 5), Jezera (Murter, August 6), Zlarin (August 7), and finally, Rogoznica (August 8). www.brod-knjizara.com.hr

The Salt Festival will be held at the Nin Saltworks on August 7, when visitors will be able to enjoy the preparation of fantastic specialties that use the flower of salt as a seasoning. At the many workshops, visitors will be able to express their creativity, but also find out many interesting facts about this important ingredient. www.nin.hr

Photo archive: Zadar Tourist Board

Salt Festival

Photo archive: Split Tourist Board

The Days of Diocletian

40

The Days of Diocletian, which will be held in Split from August 16 to 19, will take you back to the ancient history of the city. Passersby in togas and tunics will walk through the streets of Diocletian's former palace, a parade of old chariots will pass down the promenade and take Emperor Diocletian and his entourage to Peristil, where the emperor will speak to the people, as he did before. The enticing scents of Mediterranean cuisine will waft through the narrow streets, while the lively booths on Obala hrvatskog narodnog preporoda will be full of delicacies and handmade crafts. www.visitsplit.com

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

The Night of the Full Moon On the Night of the Full Moon, the happy coexistence of the culture of islanders and the coastal population is celebrated on the seaside promenade, as it has been for centuries.

Visit Zadar on August 9 and find out what life used to be like, and experience Zadar's promenade with the street light turned off. It is the time lanterns and candles are lit, and when people meet, talk, and enjoy the irresistible flavors of local specialties and super wine under the full moon.

The picturesque playing shadows add an ambiance that is not soon forgotten. www.zadar.travel

The third edition of KorÄ?ula's Baroque festival will host the most prestigious foreign and domestic ensembles and soloists, specialists in Baroque music, from September 6 to 12. Capella de Ministrers (Spain), Fred Jacobs and Johannette Zomer (the Netherlands), Antiphonus (Croatia), His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts (Great Britain), La Venexiana (Italy) and the Croatian Baroque Ensemble (Croatia) are just a few of the many.

Photo archive: Weekend Media Festival

Korkyra Baroque Festival

www.korkyrabaroque.com

Weekend Media Festival

Photo archive: Korkyra Baroque Festival

The largest regional festival of communication, Weekend Media Festival, will be held for the seventh time from September 18 to 21 at the festival location of the old tobacco factory in Rovinj. Once again this year, the Weekend will host renowned lecturers and panelists, including Scott Morrison, one of the most influential advertisers in Great Britain, and Christopher Morin, co-founder of SalesBrain. For the first time, this year participants will have the chance to participate in a total of six workshops. This year, for the second time, the "SoMo Fighter" award will be given to those who have made an extra step in the world of social-media or mobile technology.

Lace Festival

Photo: Ivo Pervan (source: Croatian National Tourist Board)

In Lepoglava, a city known for its tradition of lacemaking, the International Lace Festival will be held from September 18 to 21, where the people of Lepoglava successfully promote the value of lace as an ethnographic treasure. Although detailed lacework from many various European countries can be seen at the festival, the guests are always most attracted by the homemade work from Croatia's four authentic lacemaking centers: Lepoglava, Pag, Sv. Marija and Hvar. www.cipkarski-festival.com

Photo archive: Murter-Kornati Tourist Board

www.weekendmediafestival.com

The Days of the Lateen Sail The Lateen sail, which was used in the Murter area for centuries, continues to be a trademark for the people of Murter. In thanks to their sail, on the feast day of St. Mihovil, the patron saint of Murter's parishes, they traditionally organize a regatta of traditional boats, including the leut, gajeta, and kaić. The route of the regatta, which will be held on September 28 this year, follows the paths of the hard-working older people of Murter, who used to sail daily to their island properties on Kornati. At the Days of the Lateen Sail, which will last to the end of September, various events, such as workshops for sailing, lectures, exhibitions, and a traditional snack with grilled sardines, will be held. The traditional regatta will be held from September 20 to October 1. www.latinskoidro.hr

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

41

Weekend trip

KASTAV

A town made for a vacation Written by: Željka Kunštek ◆ Photos: archive of Kastav Tourist Board

Located 365 meters above sea level, surrounded by medieval walls with six towers, and an irresistible view of the Bay of Kvarner, you will find Kastav.

At first glance, it is similar to other coastal towns, but...

Photo: a view of Kastav dominated by the bell tower of the church of St. Jelena.

42

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

tip: Kastav is a small town so you can see its attractions and interesting features on foot or by bicycle.

D

ue to its good position, vicinity to the sea, its Mediterranean charm, and many attractions and interesting features, Kastav is an equally attractive destination for a long vacation as it is for a weekendbreak from the busy daily buzz.

Many cultural attractions If you would like to explore its cultural attractions, enter the old city center through the Voltica city gate and head up to the highest point in town - the Church of St. Jelena, which dominates the city with its bell tower. The view from in front of the church, which you will remember for long time, offers a panorama of the Bay of Kvarner, and the nearby UÄ?ka Mountain. The Speleogallery, a unique gallery-

museum space in Croatia, where various exhibitions showing the karst phenomena and priceless underground wealth of this region are displayed, is located behind the building. Right next to the church, pass onto Lokvina, the central city square, where the former water cistern is located, and stop by the Church of the Holy Trinity. Find out more about the story of the turbulent past of this area in the Collection from the Kastav Region, which holds the rich ethnological collection, and nearby you will find Vikot's barrel-making shop, which used to make barrels, with the tools used to make barrels displayed along with wooden dishes and other wooden items. During the summer, concerts, promotions and various cultural events are held in the courtyard of the barrel-making shop.

Photos: few visitors can resist the view from Fortica (top); entrance into the old city center through the Voltica city gates (bottom).

Kastav's main square, Lokvina, got its name from the puddle (Croatian: lokva) where rainwater was collected for the town's needs. In 1666, the people of Kastav drowned Captain Morelli who was charging them with higher taxes than required by the Statute. Captains were officials the owners entrusted to run the town.

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

43

Weekend trip

KASTAV

Photos: Crekvina, the unfinished church (top left); Istrian pljukanci with truffles and foie gras with the addition of caramelized apples (top right); every year, the Kastav Blues Festival is visited by an increasing number of tourists (bottom left), and the festival gathers top-notch performers from the global blues scene (bottom right).

Kastav Blues Festival is the largest and most important Croatian blues festival, established in honor of Philadelphia Jerry Ricks, one of the most noticeable representatives of traditional country blues, and the last tie to the first generation of blues musicians, who chose Kastav as his final resting place.

44

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

While walking through town, you will come across the city lodge, a public gathering hole for the people of Kastav since 1571, and you can also take a walk along the city walls, which used to have nine towers, but only six are still preserved. Interestingly enough, some of them are still used as accommodations, just like the spaces on the south side of the city fortress. Have a look at IdiÄ?ina peknjica, which houses the oldest wood-burning bread oven in Kastav, and take a break in the shade of a chestnut tree on Fortica, once a fortress, and today a promenade with an irresistible view of Kvarner and UÄ?ka. You can also take a walk through Crekvina,

the ruins of an unfinished church, from where you can continue on to the Loza and LuĹžina woods. Kastav is one of the rare cities where you can take a step from the city and enter the woods, where you can choose from three walking trails.

Gourmet and cultural delights Kastav is a well-known gourmet destination, where food and wine are considered art. You will see that for yourself if you stop by in one of its superb restaurants and allow them to take your taste buds on a tour of Kastav's rich and diverse heritage.

Photos: Kastav's Summer of Culture, an international festival of culture, lasts in Kastav until August 29, and it takes place in a dozen locations in the old town.

In the past, on Žudica, in the part behind the church of St. Jelena and the tallest tower of the city walls, sentencing was held, and witches were also burned.

One of the main features of Kastav are its great festivals and Carnival and folk celebrations. The Kastav Blues Festival is one of the better known, and this year, from August 1 to 4, in Matulji, Viškovo, Kastav, and Čavle, it will host legendary world-renowned blues musicians: The Earl Trio feat. Michael Messer (GB), Eugene Hideway Bridges (USA), the Stevie Nimmo Trio (GB), the Ty Le blanc 4tet (USA/IT), Tony Lee King (HR), the Delta Blues Gang (HR), the Rory Gallagher Tribute (HR), and Alba & Leo (HR).

Many exhibitions and an educational music workshop will also be held at the festival, and admission to all programs is free of charge.

Kastav's summer of culture, an international festival of culture with a 23-year-long history, awaits you in Kastav until August 29. Over the nearly three months of the cultural program, which started June 6, in a dozen locations in the old town, you will find many concerts, performances, films, exhibitions, workshops, and a lot of other cultural-artistic content.

The 10th Chansonfest, a festival of chakavian dialectal expression will be held on the last day of the festival with new compositions by performers from Istria and Kvarner. Make sure to add Kastav to your planners for this summer. 

tip: From August 1 to 4, visit the Kastav Blues Festival and enjoy blues performed by superb worldfamous performers. Admission to all the programs is free of charge. Find out more at:

Kastav Tourist Board Trg Matka Laginje 5, 51215 Kastav, Croatia tel: +385 (0)51 691425, e-mail: tz.grada.kastva@ri.t-com.hr

www.kastav-touristinfo.hr

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

45

Events

CRIKVENICA

Cr

ik

ve

ni

ca

Ph o To t o a ur rc ist hi Bo ve: ar d

Delicious weekends on the Crikvenica Riviera The first weekend in September will be especially sweet on the Crikvenica Riviera. On Saturday and Sunday, September 6 and 7, 2014, Crikvenica, Dramalj, Jadranovo and Selce will await their guests with tasty and original sweets, which will be prepared by gourmet professionals at the 2nd Cake and Ice Cream Festival. The hotels, restaurants, cake shops, and cafĂŠ bars of the entire riviera will await you with, amongst other things, the "Frankopan" cake, crepes in mascarpone and orange sauce, Crikvenica crepes, fruit cups, and homemade strudel. It will all take place along with an entertaining program in the center of Crikvenica, and interesting workshops and cake shows.

Two weeks after that, on September 20 and 21, another attractive gourmet weekend awaits you on this Riviera, when this part of Primorje will be filled with the aroma of squid specialties. At "Squid Days", a team competition in cooking squid stew will be held in the center of Crikvenica, along with an entertaining program for children, a gourmet festival with traditional music of Primorje, an exhibition of fishing tools, weaving fishing nets, workshops... and you will be able to enjoy creative squid dishes in the restaurants of the riviera all weekend long. www.rivieracrikvenica.com

46

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

PROMO

Jadran Crikvenica Hotels

A

n oasis of peace, beauty, diversity, and aromas, which will lull you to sleep with lavender, and awaken you with rosemary...

That is the Crikvenica Riviera, where, in its center, surrounded by greenery, you will be awaited by eight hotels, a tourist resort, and camp, friendly staff, and more than 2500 beds ready for your arrival!

They are divided amongst the Hotel Kaštel, Hotel Esplanade, Hotel Omorika, Hotel Zagreb, Hotel International, the Hotel and cabins of Ad Turres, the Kačjak

tourist resort, the Slaven Hotel and cabins, the Varaždin hotel, and Selce camp.

Diverse offer The large offer of excursions for everyone's taste, cultural sites that will take you back to the time of Pavlin and Frankopan, and the scents and tastes of the Mediterranean for the most refined taste buds... Jadran d.d. is all that with its rich, 50-year-long tradition in tourism, which it is celebrating this year with a bunch of various festivals.

Take a walk down the 15 kilometer long coast, take up at least one of the many sports activities, rest and relax on a beach with a blue flag, the sign of superb quality... Come and discover the attractions and interesting features of this riviera, dive into the sea and get to know the magical world of the depths of the sea, have fun at one of the many festivals and events throughout the year... and don't forget to come back again because we are here - for you, and looking forward to your arrival! 

Jadran Crikvenica Hotels, 51260 Crikvenica, Croatia, tel: +385 51 241970, tel: +385 51 455560 (Sales and marketing department), fax: +385 51 241975, e-mail: marketing@jadran-crikvenica.hr, www.jadran-crikvenica.hr August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

47

Attraction

CROATIA FROM ABOVE

Photo: wells in Dalmatian Zagora from a birds-eye view.

Croatia from another perspective Photos: Davor Rostuhar

48

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

T

he photographs shown on these pages are just part of the "National Geographic - Croatia from Above" exhibition, one of the most attractive multimedia projects in Croatia this year. The photo monograph by famous Croatian travel writer Davor Rostuhar, about the never before seen cultural and natural beauty of Croatia, is also presented at the exhibition. The exhibition consists of large scale, classic-print photos, but also multimedia and multi-sensory content.

In order to make it available to a wider audience, this mobile exhibition, which will visit seven Croatian cities

from July to September 2014, will be set up in public places in each city: on squares, promenades, in parks. During August and September, you can see the exhibition in Hvar, Zadar, Vara탑din, Rijeka, and Osijek.

Find out more at: www.croatiafromabove.com

Photo: PeruÄ?a Lake.

S

Photo slideshow: Ston oysters and Slavonian harvest, MoreĹĄka and an olive harvest, fire and water, sea and land.

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

49

Interview

DRAŽEN GEČEVIĆ

DRAŽEN GEČEVIĆ, Secretary General of the CYHA We spoke to Dražen Gečević, Secretary General of the Croatian Youth Hostel Association (CYHA), about trends in youth tourism, plans for further development of hostels in Croatia, and the advantages of this type of accommodation.

Conducted by: Željka Kunštek Photos: archive of the Croatian Youth Hostel Association (www.hfhs.hr)

We need hostels in Croatia's interior tip: The hostels in Zagreb and Zadar are at fantastic locations and those who are looking for a somewhat more intimate atmosphere should visit the CYHA hostels in Rijeka and Veli Lošinj, located in late-19th century villas.

50

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

C

roatia has a long tradition of youth tourism. What most attracts young travelers from all ends of the world to Croatia?

For young travelers, Croatia presents a relatively new and challenging destination, which has over the past six, seven years established itself as a destination rich with natural and cultural heritage and beautiful, diverse, and preserved nature. However, Croatia has just as successfully become famous as a destination that satisfies the needs of travelers who are on the lookout for excitement and various events for youth,

as well as those oriented at recreational activities in nature. The interest of young people to visit the entire region (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Montenegro) is also on the rise, which also affects them visiting Croatia, since, on average, young travelers visit several countries.

How many hostels are there in Croatia and how are they distributed territorially?

Over the past six years, the number of hostels in Croatia has rapidly grown, so we started this year with 121 registered hostels in Croatia. Since the CYHA still

Photos: the social space of the Mr. Charles hostel in Zadar (top left); a hostel room (top right); the hostel in Dubrovnik is one of the favorite ones in Croatia (bottom left); the hostel in Rijeka is located in a 19th century villa (bottom right).

hasn't received official data on new hostels opened in 2014, we can assume that their total number has increased by an additional twenty hostels. The largest number of hostels was opened (if we exclude Zagreb, which has definitely exceeded the number of 35 hostels) in coastal counties, led by the SplitDalmatia, Primorje-Goranska, Zadar, and Istria counties.

The CYHA runs six hostels and another five associate hostels. Where are the hostels located and how many beds do they have in total?

The CYHA runs six hostels located in Zagreb, Rijeka, Pula, Veli Lošinj, Zadar, and Dubrovnik. However, the number of associate hostels has increased this year to a total of nine. All hostels in the CYHA network receive the status of a licensed Hostelling International hostel, and

they become part of the largest hostel networks in the world with more than four thousand hostels in more than 80 national hostel associations. As with the total number of hostels, most hostels in the CYHA network are located at the sea.

Hostels within the CYHA have more than 1700 beds, and the size of the hostels varies from those with a smaller capacity of 20 beds to large hostels with more than 150 beds.

Over the past few years, hostels have experienced a boom in Croatia. They are opening throughout Croatia, and a large number of them have opened in Zagreb. Does Croatia have enough hostels at the moment, and is it necessary to improve their offer in certain destinations?

According to our calculations, certain destinations are already relatively

"saturated" with the number of hostels.

That is primarily true for larger cities such as Zagreb, Split, and Zadar. On the other hand, there are very few hostels in the interior of Croatia, and increasing the number of hostels in the interior takes much more time than at the coast. Generally speaking, considering the seasonal character of Croatian tourism, which also affects hostel booking, we can say that at the moment Croatia has enough hostels, and the largest potential for increasing hostel capacity are destinations in the interior of Croatia. We believe the growing interest of tourists and travelers for destinations in the interior of Croatia and the development of tourism and infrastructure in the continental region of the country will soon affect the increase in number of hostels in the interior.

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

51

Interview

DRAŽEN GEČEVIĆ

Photos: the Domburg hostel in the Netherlands in located in the 13th century Westhove castle (top left); Madesimo Youth Hostel in Italy (middle left); it's always fun on the terrace of the hostel in Veli Lošinj (bottom left); the Hrid hostel in Biograd (top right); multiple-bed room in a hostel (bottom right).

Hostelling International has developed a system of quality assurance especially designed for hostels and every year the number of licensed HI hostels with the HI-Quality certificate in the world increases.

52

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

How will Croatia continue to position itself in regards to youth tourism, what activities and plans has the CYHA focused on?

First of all, it is important that young tourists and travelers are continued to be seen as an important and special category of tourists. In comparison to a decade ago, when youth tourism was relatively marginalized, the situation now is much better, and the quantitative and qualitative effects of youth tourism as part of the total development of tourism, society and culture of individual destinations and Croatia as a whole is better understood. The development of accommodations and discount networks for youth can contribute to the development of tourism outside the high season. That, first, requires a larger number of large-capacity accommodations that would be adapted

to the needs of various groups, creating new content and products with emphasis on education and increasing the quality of services. The mentioned groups also represent the largest challenge and plans of the CYHA for the future period.

Who can be a member of the CYHA and what are the advantages of it?

Anyone can be a member of the CYHA, regardless of their age or status. A relatively large number of people still assumes that only young people can, or are allowed, to stay in hostels, which isn't true. In many developed European hostel associations, there has been an increase in the number of guests over 30, and families, which is the consequence of increasing the standard of hostels, and identifying hostel users with a special way or philosophy of traveling, where emphasis is placed on an open attitude

and making contact with other travelers, as well as being a direct exchange of experiences.

Every CYHA member is also a member of Hostelling International and can use all licensed HI hostels in the world at a discounted price (members receive minimum 10% off the non-member price). For youth under the age of 30, the membership card is also a combined hostel and European youth card, with which they can get very good discounts in thirty European countries, amongst which are many discounts they can use in Croatia. Private hostels, along with individuals, are also CYHA members, who in joining the CYHA become Hostelling International hostels.

Why stay at a hostel, and not at some other form of accommodations?

The advantage is in the lower price of accommodations, which is extremely important for young travelers. However, using a hostel while travelling represents a travelling style, which is actually the image of young life. Hostels are still the most popular type of accommodation amongst young people because it allows for direct contact for young people from various countries and cultures, which is one of the challenges and motives for young people who travel. Although more than a hundred years have passed since the first hostels were opened in Europe, the idea of a hostel, or their role in developing mutual trust and respect amongst youth, is still active. At the same time, most of today's hostels, with their standards and quality, suit the ever growing demands of young travelers and continue to present desirable accommodations for the young, but also for those who feel young.

Early this year, several CYHA hostels were awarded HI-Quality international and verified quality certificates for hostels. What criteria had to be fulfilled to receive these certificates?

Three years ago, the Youth hostel in Rijeka and the Youth hostel in Dubrovnik were the first hostels, not only in Croatia, but also in Eastern Europe to successfully introduce a system for managing and ensuring quality. Early this year, both those hostels successfully passed a HI-Q audit (the certificate is valid for

three years), and at the same time, the certificate was awarded to the hostels in Zagreb, Veli LoĹĄinj, Pula, and Zadar. So all six hostels directly managed by the CYHA received the HI-Quality certificate.

As with other systems of quality assurance, in order to get the certificate, all processes and work operations must fulfill norms and be standardized, and each hostel must actively respond to guests' requests through several sources of gathered feedback on guest satisfaction. It is necessary to actively include the entire staff in the process.

Hi-Quality, the system for ensuring quality, is very important for improving the quality of services in youth tourism, and is focused on constantly measuring the satisfaction of guests so that the development of services quickly and properly answers the demands of guests and the market. ď ś

Photo: it is a special experience to stay at the hostel located in the Carbisdale castle in Scotland.

The largest number of guests at CYHA hostels are under the age of 30 (a bit more than 75% of the guests). There are four times more foreigners than domestic guests, and they mostly come from Germany, France, Austria, Great Britain, Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Slovenia, and Spain.

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

53

Attraction

DINNER IN THE SKY®

ET K C I T

S

tip: Would you like to experience this incredible experience and sip champagne 50 meters above ground with a spectacular view of Split? Write us why at info@tiptravelmagazine.com (and sign up for our newsletter if you haven't yet!) because, in collaboration with our partner Dinner in the Sky®, the reader with the most original answer submitted by August 10, 2014 will receive 1x2 tickets for Champagne in the Sky®, August, 16!

Hurry!

tip:

10% discount

Get a with tipTravel magazine for any of the packages: Brunch, Lunch, Champagne, Dinner, or Cocktail in the Sky®. All you have to do is type in the discount code "tipTravel" when making your online reservation and... enjoy this unique event! Reserve your tickets now:

The winner of 1x2 tickets for Champagne in the Sky® in Zagreb was: Vladimir Bulovec, Oroslavje

54

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

Dinner in the Sky

®

F

or only nine days, from August 16 to 24, 2014, Split will play host to the unique Dinner in the Sky® project, where guests will have the opportunity to enjoy culinary delights 50 meters above ground, with a spectacular view of Split and the Split archipelago. At that time, the best chefs in Dalmatia, and Croatia, will prepare various gourmet treats for the guests,

and during the evening event, the chef will personally join the guests, serve them, and tell them the story of the gourmet journey he prepared for them. A total of 22 people will be able to sit at the table and enjoy brunch, lunch, champagne, or cocktails during the day. The event in Split was organized in collaboration with the Tourist Board of Split and Split's City Administration.

e 'prom o code ': tipTr avel

opportunity to reveal news from this airline, which started flying from Vienna to Newark (New Jersey) five times weekly as of July 2014. Whether you delight your family, partner, friends, or business partners with "a meal in the sky", one thing is for sure - everyone will have an unforgettable experience.

scount

Before Split, Zagrebians and their guests had the chance to enjoy their meals 65 meters above ground. From June 11 to 15, the Westin Zagreb Hotel, of the HUP Zagreb Group, hosted this project, and there was demand for extra seats. Besides personal interest, interest for

a "meal with a view" was also expressed by representatives of many companies who wanted to treat their employees and partners to this unforgettable experience, and thank them for their cooperation with an "experience-filled meal". Amongst them were representatives of the leading Austrian airline, Austrian Airlines, who invited their partners to Brunch in the Sky速 and used the

1 0 % di

Demand for extra seats in Zagreb

With th

in Split in August

www.dinnerinthesky.com.hr

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

55

Project

DISCOVER CROATIA

Photos: moments before recording in the fortress of St. Nikola in Šibenik (top left); arrival on Kornati (top right); at the tower in Nečven city (bottom left); in the Šipun cave near Cavtat (bottom middle); fairies in Smokvica on the island of Korčula (bottom right).

Legends of Croatia W Text and photos: Touristar.tv

For the second year in a row, the online TouristarTV and Dhar media channels filmed their own show "Discover Croatia", which had the topic of "Legends of Croatia".

56

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

e wanted to tell the fantastic stories you can hear around bonfires or amongst the remains of ruins throughout Croatia, and they were prepared for five foreign bloggers, who while travelling through our country enjoyed the great performances by amateur actors from local societies or folklore associations, said Lea Brezar, project director.

Mermaids, fairies, pirates...

Great effort was put into the preparation and reenactment of the magnificent stories of kings, mermaids, fairies, battles, love, witches, and pirates. If you asked us to pick the best, it would simply be impossible, although we can say which ones especially impressed us. One would be the legend of the witches in St. Nikola's fortress in Šibenik. If you ask us about love, it is definitely the story from Kornati, the legend of the island of love: the story of 365 olive trees, evidence of fidelity and loyalty of a young man to his love, which he planted over the course of ten long years!

If we head deeper into the interior, to the Krka National Park, you will find dragons, magical caves, deep lakes, and unhappy destinies of people. So a sad day happened for a father, Duke of Bogočin town, who lost his son on the day of his wedding, when a horrible dragon grabbed the young bride Miljeva with his claws and dove into the Krka.

While trying to save her, the young man lost his life, and in remembrance of that sad moment, the duke had two sisters enclosed in two towers (Nečven and Trošenj, which still stand there) and their cries could be heard for years. People here still say that there used to be a bridge between the two towers where the people who wanted to cross had to pay an unusual price: two tears.

From Korčula to Dubrovnik Since the Adriatic coast is famous for its beauty, we also decided to visit some islands and record their best stories.

One of them is Korčula, an island in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County. While exploring it, we revealed several legends,

one of which is about old man Jakov and the fairy's gift in the small town of Smokvica, in the very heart of the island.

It is a story about a beautiful fairy that the old man saw while she was sleeping in a meadow and decided to make some shade for her, which was rewarded with two full bags of gold, under the condition that he wasn't to open it before he reached his home. However, his curiosity got the better of him and the promise he made to the fairy so he returned home angry, miserable, and empty-handed...

After Korčula, we visited Mljet, the city of Ston and the longest wall in Europe, followed by Dubrovnik and Mlini.

The legend of St. Ilar and the dragon, filmed in Cavtat's Šipun cave, where we experienced eviction of the dragon with God's powers and his burning on the coast in Mlini, marked the end of filming. We went home with excellent materials, great memories, and a lot of impressions. The team ready for anything: Joanna Hogarth, Paul Bradbury, Alex Robinson, Mike Siegel, Igor Tomljenović, and TouristarTV host, Ashley Colburn, will remember these 12 days as one of the most dynamic trips through Croatia. 

Photos: one of the filmed legends was the one about witches in the fortress of St. Nikola in Šibenik (top).

PRESENTS

DISCOVER CROATIA

Legends of Cro atia

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

57

New offers

DUBROVNIK

Valamar opened

its first five-star hotel Written by: Željka Kunštek Photos: archive of Valamar, and Robert Kunštek

Photos: amongst the guests at the hotel's grand opening was Croatian Minister of Tourism, Darko Lorencin (top left); there were spectacular fireworks on opening night (top right); the renovated hotels were also toured by foreign journalists (bottom).

In mid-June 2014, the first five-star Valamar group hotel was opened in Dubrovnik: Valamar Dubrovnik President. Nearby, only a day earlier, the newly renovated hotel Valamar Argosy, which now has four stars, was reopened.

58

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

T

he Valamar Dubrovnik President Hotel, which was boosted from its previous four to five stars due to its furnishings and offers, was opened on June 18, 2014 with many guests, representatives of the media, and spectacular fireworks. Besides now being the first hotel in this group's portfolio with five stars, this hotel has also enriched Dubrovnik's tourist offer.

That was confirmed at the opening by Minister of Tourism Darko Lorencin, and Gustav Wurmböck, president of the

Supervisory Board of Valamar Group d.d. did not hide his excitement with the high-category hotel in the group.

With a view of the Elaphit islands Regardless of the location of your room in the hotel, each of the 286 comfortable and spacious rooms offers a view of the sea and the mystical and exotic Elaphit islands. The hotel has been expanded with another two wings, and its capacity

has increased by another 111 modernly furnished and spacious rooms, and includes five suites and a presidential suite. Along with the full renovation of all the facilities: reception, lobby, room, restaurant, bars, beaches, indoor pool, and wellness and spa zone with fitness center, the hotel has also been enhanced with a new outdoor pool with a sunbathing area and bar, but also with an additional staff of 70 new employees. The beach, which has a Blue Flag, has also been additionally expanded with a diving and water sports center, and the hotel also has a 400-seat congress hall, along with three smaller halls. The total transformation of the exterior, improvement of existing, and introduction of new services, have doubtlessly made the Valamar Dubrovnik President one of the best

hotels in the Mediterranean. That was also recognized by its first guests, who visited it in early June from Japan and Great Britain, and the numerous guests also include tourists from the Far East, the USA, and Scandinavia.

A new well-being zone Only a day before the Valamar Dubrovnik President opened, on June 17, with many guests, klapa songs, and a formal dinner, the neighboring Valamar Argosy hotel was reopened. It was advanced from three to four stars and became Valamar's second fourstar hotel on Babin Kuk. The hotel has 308 rooms and three conference halls, with a capacity of up to 80 people, with completely new indoor and outdoor pools. The hotel is recognizable for its

beautiful landscaping, and it also has a completely new well-being zone with saunas, a fitness room, and relaxation room. ď ś

Photos: a room in the newly renovated Valamar Dubrovnik President (top); outdoor pool with a sunbathing area and the terrace of the Hotel Valamar Argosy's restaurant (bottom left); panoramic view of Valamar's first five-star hotel (bottom right).

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

59

Candidate for ECC

VARAŽDIN

Photo: the scene of the Old Town is a recognizable symbol of Varaždin.

The city of culture in the running for a

prestigious European title Written by: Željka Kunštek ◆ Photos: archive of Varaždin Tourist Board

The city of Baroque, culture, music, creativity, art, festivals... we could keep going on and on about Varaždin, a city in the northwestern part of Croatia, which has seriously started the race for the title of European Capital of Culture for 2020.

60

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

T

he people of Vara탑din have always showed interest for art, especially music, which was and has remained an integral part of their lives. There has always been music in the palaces and churches of Vara탑din, just like today, when the musical life of the city is additionally enriched by the numerous festivals. Besides being known for music and excellent musicians, numerous cultural institutions and cultural-artistic amateurism, this city is also known for its rich Baroque heritage. The people of Vara탑din take special care of it, so while walking through the picturesque city streets, you will come across Baroque palaces, villas, and churches, along with romantic squares and cultivated parks.

Nine northern partners But, that is just part of the story and reason this city rightfully started the

race to become European Capital of Culture (ECC) for 2020, one of the most prestigious cultural initiatives in Europe.

One of the main goals of this project, established in 1985, is to emphasize the cultural wealth and diversity of Europe, while the cities that bear the title, this is a chance, amongst other things, for even stronger development of culture, tourism, business, and society, while also being promoted at the international market. Since 2011, two cities in two different EU member countries bear the title of European Capital, and the selection process takes place six years in advance, and there are six criteria the candidates must fulfil to apply. Early this year, along with Croatian cities, Irish cities also got the opportunity to apply for candidacy for the title of 2020 ECC. The campaign lasts until April 17, 2015, the national winner will be announced in 2016, and the winning city will be

One of the most important and most photogenic symbols of the city is its Old Town, a medieval fortress from the 13th century, which was transformed into a Renaissance-era castle three years later. Today, the City Museum is located within the strong fortress walls of this castle.

tip: You can find out more about Vara탑din and its ECC candidacy at:

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

61

Candidate for ECC

VARAŽDIN

The program of the Baroque Evenings is aimed at researching and performing European and Croatian Baroque music, accompanied by Baroque treasures of art, literature, and gastronomy during the grape harvest season in this winegrowing region.

Photo: Siniša Sović (archive of Varaždin Baroque Evenings)

Photos: street performers are an integral part of Špancirfest (top left and right); during Varaždin Baroque Evenings, the city churches and castles are packed with many fans of excellent music (bottom).

tip: Feel the good vibrations of Špancirfest from August 22 to 31 and enjoy the fantastic performances of Baroque music at Varaždin Baroque Evenings from September 19 to 30.

62

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

proclaimed 2020 ECC early that year. ECC status lasts for a year, while the magnitude of the project is sustainable and will last far beyond 2020.

Since Varaždin's candidacy is an important step for positioning the Croatian north on the cultural map of Europe, nine cities in the northern part of Croatia joined in on Varaždin's candidacy, of which five are in the Varaždin County: Ivanec, Lepoglava, Ludbreg, Novi Marof, and Varaždinske toplice. Each of them have their own story, and all of them, like Varaždin, still have many activities left to compete in this cultural race, of which one is coming up with projects, with emphasis on sustainability, which will be part of the ECC program in 2020.

Festival of good emotions The long, diverse, and rich offer of festivals in Varaždin is definitely an additional advantage for this city in regards to the important candidacy.

As far as festivals are concerned, then Špancirfest, the festival of good emotions is by far the most famous and the trademark of this city. It is a combination of music, theater performances, street entertainers, traditional crafts, and an abundant offer of food, which transforms the old center of Varaždin into a place of fun, laughter and good emotions, for which the people of Varaždin are famous, late August every year. This year, the festival, one of the largest and most entertaining festivals in Croatia and the region, will be held from August 22 to 31.

A little less than three weeks later, from September 19 to 30, Varaždin will become the capital of Baroque music. The people of Varaždin have been cultivating the tradition of Baroque music since 1968 under the name of "Varaždin Baroque Evenings". From the past to present-day, every September, the city's castles and churches are filled with Baroque music performed by Croatian and foreign musicians and ensembles.

At this year's 22th Evenings, skilled interpreters of Baroque music will perform in Varaždin: from the Accademia Bizantina ensemble, Venetian Baroque ensemble, and Accademia degli Astrusi ensemble from Bologna, to the Le musiche nove and their guest, Italian soprano, Francesca Lombardi Mazzulli.

At the Evenings there will be a total of 16 concerts held in the evening hours in Varaždin, with Baroque coffee in Trakošćan castle and the Old Town. The novelty as of this year is the Baroque fair, and guests will also be able to enjoy the Gastro Days of Italy and Turkish days, as well as the traditional fair, dedicated to Venice this year. 

Photo: Siniša Sović (archive of Varaždin Baroque Evenings)

Varaždin County Tourist Board Uska ulica 4, 42000 Varaždin, Croatia, tel: +385 42 210096, fax: +385 42 210073, e-mail: info@turizam-vzz.hr

www.turizam-vzz.hr August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

Events

ZAGREB

Summer on Stross

A hundred days of

music, art, and romance...

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

From May 29 to September 2, 2014, one of the favorite festivals of Zagrebians and their guests, Summer on Stross, better known as "Strossmartre", is being held in the Upper Town, in the most romantic part of Zagreb, in the deep shade of the chestnut trees on Strossmayer's promenade.

Come, feel the rhythm and the good vibrations of this Parisian-style event...

Photos: Summer on Stross is a festival that is equally enjoyed by young and old, and domestic and foreign tourists (top).

O

ver the course of the nearly hundred days of the festival on the most attractive promenade in Zagreb, at the foot of the Lotrščak tower, musical delights, art programs, and theatrical performances will intertwine, along with many other interesting events. Let's start from the beginning...

Great club bands Art workshops, colonies, and installations will catch the eyes of visitors to this 64

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

"artist's living room" every day. It is a chance to try various art techniques and styles, under the guidance of professional artists. The material awaits you at the workshops, and at the end of the workshop, you will be able to take your piece of art home with you. The youngest visitors will be most interested by the afternoon art workshops and play groups, as well as the puppet shows, where Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and the Emperor's nightingale are just part of the large repertoire of shows that will delight them.

Photo: great club bands regularly get the audience singing and dancing (left).

"Strossmartre" is held under the guidance of Kraljevi ulica, the legendary musical group from Zagreb, which has been delighting Zagrebians and their guests for decades with their singing of old-town melodies and ballads in the streets, squares, and parks of Zagreb.

In the evening, when the sun goes down, and the lanterns on the streets of the Upper Town are lit, great club bands from Croatia, but also abroad, take the stage, and a total of about 80 concerts will take place over the duration of the festival.

There will be some jazz, evergreens, nostalgic sounds of the 50s, 60s, and 80s, and hot Latin rhythms that will get you dancing, as well as original, Roma, and entertaining alternative music.

Relaxed pub quizzes However, "Strossmartre" doesn't consist of only musical, theatrical, and art events, but also many other interesting

Have you been taken back to the past in a time machine or can you actually see the characters from stories told long time ago standing right next to you? Everything is here: a nostalgic song, a bunch of owers and the times we brought back to the streets of Zagreb because of you… www.zagreb-touristinfo.hr

programs. For example, a dog show to choose the best mixed-breed dog, called a Strosser, will be held during the festival, and the prize is a meter of sausages. The Pub Quiz is another favorite event, which looks something like this: a group of friends gets together for drinks and leisurely and without any obligation tries to beat other similar teams. The categories vary: from sports, TV, and film, to general knowledge, geography, literature, history... Every team consists of five members, applications to play the quiz are free, and the winners are awarded prizes in the form of wine and food. What are you waiting for? 

This international street festival turns Zagreb into an all-out party place. Be sure to join in on the fun!

www.cestisdbest.com

tip: Art workshops are held every day from 14:00 to 16:30, and from 17:30 to 20:00, and you can find a schedule of the workshops here:

Croatia’s largest open-air music event, placed on the list of 50 best festivals in the world. Check it out! www.inmusicfestival.com

Fill your hearts with the spirit of Advent as the city streets, squares and parks are adorned with Christmassy delights. Treat yourself with Advent in Zagreb! www.adventzagreb.com

ZAGREB TOURIST BOARD

www.zagreb-touristinfo.hr tel. + 385 (0) 1 481 40 51

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

65

Historical traces...

ZAGREB

i

Zrinjevac

Google Street View: Address: Trg Nikole Šubića Zrinskog 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Zrinjevac

O

ne of the most beautiful parks in Zagreb, Zrinjevac, is one of eight parksquares cultivated according to the designs of architect Milan Lenuci and located in the shape of a horseshoe in Zagreb's lower town, for which they got the name Lenuci's or the Green Horseshoe. Interestingly, up until the second half of the 19th century, Zrinjevac was a simple meadow owned by the parish of St. Marko, after which it was a field, and then a fairground. When the fair was moved to the place where the Croatian National Theater now stands, the construction of monumental palaces in Italian renaissance, neo-Gothic and classical styles commenced, at the same time the plane trees were planted, for which the park is famous for today. The plane trees were imported from Trieste as seedlings, and since there were too many, some of them were planted at the bottom of Tuškanac Street. The weather post, which was installed in the park in 1884, was a gift from Dr. Adolf Holzer, while the musical gazebo was a gift from Eduard Prister. The mushroomshaped fountain was placed by the architect and constructor of Zagreb's cathedral, Herman Bollé.

Zrinjevac hosted the first bicycle race in Zagreb, and today the park is a favorite promenade in Zagreb and the site for numerous events...  Prepared by: Željka Kunštek Photo: Marko Vrdoljak (archive: PHOTOnet.hr)

66

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

tip: Seek refreshment in the shade of the century-old plane trees next to one of the fountains on Zrinjevac in Zagreb's summer months.

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

67

Novelties

ZAGREB

Lobagola isn't a "normal" B&B, the kind that usually comes to mind.

Lobagola is a story of art and design, culture and travel, about generations, emotions, energy, passion, and inspiration, but also persistence, work, force, and making dreams come true. Follow the footsteps of this friendly elephant, Lobagola's trademark, and discover the story...

Prepared by: Željka Kunštek Photos: archive of Lobagola B&B www.lobagola.com

Photo: the elephant is the trademark of Lobagola, which in translation means "path of the elephants".

Lobagola B&B with a story

E

veryone has dreams, but those who gather up the courage and decide to follow them, regardless of the challenges that await them on the way, are rare. One of them is Dubravko Primorac, who by opening Lobagola B&B in June 2014, turned his dreams into reality.

A unique space Lobagola B&B is also a small art gallery where young talented artists from the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb exhibit their works.

68

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

Less than three weeks have passed from the grand opening, and Lobagola has already been positioned as No.1 bed&breakfast (B&B) amongst 35 such locations in Zagreb on the largest travel website TripAdvisor. "The story started seven years ago, when while reading a book, I came across the word 'Lobagola', which means path of the elephants.

When elephants in Africa migrate, they always use the same path, year after

year. They also use the same path on their return. Our idea, hidden behind that elephant, our trademark, is to offer travelers and guests a unique experience that will motivate them to return to us in the coming years", says Dubravko, who successfully transferred his love of travel, art, and design into this story.

This stylish space will, amongst other things, await you with vintage chairs 'signed' by Breuer and Stam, and lamps from the period from the 30s to the 70s, which haven't been produced in forever. They are 'signed' by Jielde, Jumo, Kaiser Idell, and imported from Germany, France, and England. U-Bahn clocks, where time literally stopped, add a special feel, along with the collection of old vinyl records, which besides being decorative, also function. "Vinyl 'forces' you to take time for yourself and listen to music. And the message given by the

Photos: Dubravko in the living room of Lobagola (top); Lobagola is full of details, each of which has its own symbolism and takes guests on a unique journey (middle and bottom).

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

69

Novelties

ZAGREB

Photos: masks on the entry to Lobagola (top left); Marko Polo is a symbol of the fearless travelling spirit (top middle); an old bottle once used to hold wine (top right); the spacious rooms tell the story of old Croatian coastal towns and valuable gifts of nature (bottom).

tip: If you plan on staying in Zagreb longer than a day with your group of friends or family, find your home in Zagreb at Lobagola B&B. Find out more at:

70

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

clocks, none of them working, is that with us, you forget about time, take off your 'mask' and be who you are", explains Dubravko while we look at African masks hanging on the wall in the entryway of this unique space.

Mediterranean treasures Everything here is full of symbols and messages, as is the portrait of the great Croatian maritime explorer, Marko Polo, who will smile at you from the wall of the living room. Cyclists and bikers, often guests of this B&B, people full of fearless travelling spirit, like this sailor, often stop to have a look at this portrait.

You will be convinced that these accommodations are more than just a place to stay as soon as you start to explore them. The main floor is dedicated

to olives, wine, and salt, Mediterranean treasures for which the first three rooms were named. Each of them has a detail that will you remind you of these valuable gifts of nature: a 200-year-old stone vessel for preserving olive oil, a vintage bag of salt or old bottles that were used to hold wine and the famous Maraschino 70 years ago. The story of the first floor is dedicated to old Croatian coastal towns: Zadar, Ĺ ibenik, and Dubrovnik. All the rooms are spacious, furnished with designer chairs, tables, and lamps, while the beds are made of 200-year-old oak boards. The B&B has a total of 16 beds and 6 cots, for which an old house was taken down for their construction. Even more value is given to the entire story by the fact that Dubravko designed the entire space on his own and furnished it with the help of family and friends.

Breakfast in Lobagola is an experience in itself, infused with the flavors and aromas of authentic Croatian products, where an important role is held by the three mentioned Mediterranean treasures. The scent of homemade bread will awaken you every morning, and the tasty homemade jams might spoil your taste buds so much that you end up joining Dubravko and the other interested guests in the kitchen to learn how to make them. The rule of the house is that all who participate in their production will be awarded with a small jar of jam at the end. Tempting, isn't it?

City break tours Equally tempting is the feeling of connection with the outdoors, nature, and the special lifestyle that brings

cyclists and bikers to Lobagola from all over the world. "They are especially thrilled when they see old climbing ropes on the ceiling, where each rope is a different color and takes guests to their rooms", said Dubravko.

Here, guests can rent bikes, and they have a fully-equipped garage at their disposal. Currently, city break programs are in preparation, and they will include bicycle tours to nearby Medvednica, Ĺ˝umberak, and Samoborsko gorje. They will take three to four days, with a professional guide who will take guests to the most interesting trails and locations of these mountains. "Off-road" biking tours throughout the region, from Slovenia to Greece, are also in preparation, revealed Dubravko, who never lacks new ideas. ď ś

Lobagola's terrace is an outdoor living room, a place where you can relax with a glass of wine or a cold beer, relax in a hammock, and hang out, get to know one another, have fun... Even the terrace invites you to socialize.

Photos: at breakfast you can try authentic Croatian products (top left); Lobagola's terrace (top right); every rope is a different color and takes guests to their rooms (bottom left); travel books and pillows with interesting patterns are an integral part of this B&B (bottom middle); bikers and cyclists are often guests at Lobagola (bottom right).

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

71

Experience Croatia

JASTREBARSKO, VRBOVEC, AND KRIŽ

Intertwining experiences of the 'green ring' Written by: Željka Kunštek ◆ Photos: archives of the Zagreb County Tourist Board and the Jastrebarsko Tourist Board

The idyllic landscapes of the Zagreb County and the viewpoints that will, once you discover them, remain carved into your memory, are trademarks of the "green ring" that surrounds the Croatian metropolis. This time, explore Jastrebarsko, Vrbovec, and Križ...

S

unny winegrowing hills, plenty of excursion sites, forests, and springs with crystal clear water are the landscapes that await you in Jastrebarsko, a town located 30 kilometers from Zagreb, or to be precise, half way between Zagreb and Karlovac, half way between urban and rural, between peace and the city rush. This city, which is the proud bearer of the title of "European City of the Future", is known for its many family-owned estates, and mostly for its skilled winemakers who turn high-quality sorts of grapes into superb wines.

On the Plešivica wine road

Photo: winegrowing hills are a typical landscape in the Zagreb County.

72

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

On Plešivica, which is located seven kilometers from the city, and bathed in sun almost all year round, grapes have been grown since the beginning of time.

So it is no wonder that 40 winemakers decided to open up the gates of their cellars all along the wine road, to introduce you to their touristic story, and to offer you with superb wines.

Some of them offer more not just wine, but also delicious domestic food, while others have expanded their tourism offer to the extent where they offer guests "accommodations with a view".

We believe that the view of the "winery amphitheater" will not leave you unimpressed, especially while you're drinking some of the traditional sorts of the area: Portugizac, Plavec Žuti, Slatki Zelenac, and Šipelj. However, they also grow world-famous sorts such as Chardonnay, Rhine Riesling, Sauvignon, Traminac, and Red, White, and Grey Pinot.

The selection is truly large. Besides being popular amongst fans of good wine and homemade specialties, Plešivica is a favorite destination for pedestrians, hikers, cyclists, aviators, hunters, and fishermen. There, some find peace, some find adrenaline, and some find recreation, while some just enjoy the view.

Castles, mills, festivals...

But, Jastrebarsko, or more popularly, Jaska, is a lot more than just a story about wine and a recreational destination.

Here you will also find castles, amongst which the best known belonged to Count Erdödy, surrounded by an English garden.

Since it requires complete renovation, it can currently be toured only from the outside. Here you will also come across churches and chapels, collections of traditional crafts, but also mills since the area surrounding Jaska is abundant with water, and numerous mills used to be in function here. Another common motive for guests to visit this area are the festivals, of which the most popular are, logically, connected to wine: Jaska's wine ceremony and Diplomatic harvest, which is a kind of overture to the ceremony. This large wine festival, which promotes the wine and winemakers of the area, also attracts guests with its abundant cultural art program, exhibitions where you can try and buy, various culinary offers, horse and bicycle marathons, and an entertaining program.

Original dishes of Vrbovec The story of the wine can only truly be experienced once it is accompanied by a high-quality gourmet offer, especially one intertwined with the tastes and aromas of long forgotten dishes. Those dishes,

tip: Jaska's wine festival, held from September 11 to 14, is a definite must-see event.

Come to Vrbovec on the last weekend of August and try the original dishes of this area.

Photos: at Jaska's wine festival, good fun is guaranteed (top); motifs of Jaska (middle); water spring in Sv. Jana (bottom).

Did you know that author of popular Croatian novels, Marija Jurić Zagorka, used 26 pseudonyms, of which the most famous was "Zagorka"?

Or that she made up the name "Gordana", which wasn't known until then?

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

73

Experience Croatia

JASTREBARSKO, VRBOVEC, AND KRIŽ

dishes at future competitions and offer them to the visitors to taste. And so it has remained today. Since the festival often plays host to folklore ensembles from other areas, every year, members of those ensembles prepare dishes from their area so now at the festival, alongside the original dishes from Vrbovec, you can also taste the cuisines of surrounding areas.

When you have had your fill of the flavors of this cuisine, take a walk through Vrbovec. Tour the tower of Petar Zrinski, a symbol of the city that is located in the central city park, which is the only one from the former castle that remains standing. Duck into a church, take a ride to the Lovrečin castle...

In the region of a worldfamous opera diva

Photos: you can try the original dishes of the Vrbovec area the "What our Ancestors Ate" festival (top left and right); the Petar Zrinski tower (top middle); a panorama of Križ (top right).

tip: Visit Križ on September 14, when Municipality Day is held and have fun with various cultural, entertainment, and sports programs.

74

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

with the flavor of tradition, can be tasted in Vrbovec, a city in the eastern part of the Zagreb County. It is also known as the hometown of Croatian count and ban Petar Zrinski, and the first female journalist in this part of Europe, Marija Jurić Zagorka. Still, now, when tourists, both domestic and foreign, first think of Vrbovec the first thought that comes to mind is one of the oldest Croatian gourmet festivals "Kaj su jeli naši stari" ("What our Ancestors Ate").

The first festival was held back in 1981 with the aim of preserving the original dishes and table habits of this region.

Over the 25 years of its duration, the women of Vrbovec have competed in preparing soups, main dishes and desserts, and received higher points for serving their dishes in as old a dish as possible. However, in 2005, when they presented their authentic dishes to the public, the women of the area decided to stop the competition, prepare those

Make sure to head thirty kilometers further, to the edge of the Zagreb County, and the town of Križ, located on a hill.

Tour this area, where the world-famous opera diva Milka Trnina was born, and visit the Memorial Room dedicated to her in the gallery in Križ. Here you will be able to see a collection of paintings and pottery inspired by her artistic work and the beautiful costumes she performed in on stages all over the world. A documentary photo exhibition on Milka Trnina can also be found at the gallery.

The municipality of Križ is also interesting for its preserved original example of wooden village architecture, as well as the view that is offered of the surrounding area. The Sipćina archeological site near Okešinec, where an ancient villa from the Roman era was discovered, is also here. The digging of the site is still underway so it still isn't open to the public. Who knows what the archeologists will find here, which will, we believe, additionally motivate you to head to this area of Croatia. 

Explore Zagreb County

BEAUTIFUL NECKLACE AROUND THE CAPITAL CITY

Zagreb County Tourist Board Preradovićeva 42, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia tel.: +385 1 4873665, fax: +385 1 4873670 e-mail: info@tzzz.hr, www.tzzz.hr August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

Experience Croatia

DARUVAR

Photo: view of the picturesque center of Daruvar.

At the source of nature and various cultures Written by: Sanja PljeĹĄa â—† Photos: archive of Daruvar - Papuk Tourist Board

It's known far and wide for its therapeutic hot springs, and visited by an ever-growing number of guests in recent times due to the diversity of its gastronomy and various festivals. Get to know Daruvar...

76

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

tip: Visit Daruvar from August 6 to 12 and enjoy the "Great Summer Refreshment". If you are a fan of beer, then definitely visit the city from August 22 to 23, when the "Days of Beer" are held.

D

aruvar is located where central and eastern Croatia meet, surrounded by therapeutic hot springs, rivers and lakes, forests and hills. This city with a rich cultural and historic heritage is known for its tradition of winegrowing and the production of superb wines and beers according to old Czech recipes. All of that, logically, helps the development of tourism in that area. Its citizens will proudly say that their city is located at the source of health, healing, and refreshment in natural therapeutic hot springs, which is especially visible at the Daruvar spa.

The hot springs of Daruvar and at the Daruvar spa are the reason they were the only ones in Croatia in 2011 to become members of the international non-profit EHTTA association, whose goal is to form a network of cities recognized for their tradition of hot springs and abundance of cultural and natural heritage. Daruvar is known as a "center of health" so two famous clinics are located here, of which one is specialized in plastic surgery and gynecology, while the other is specialized in surgery and anesthesiology.

Multiculturalism as a feature Whether you find yourself here as a tourist or as a user of the health treatments, you will notice a strong influence of multiculturalism in this area. There are more than twenty different nationalities living in the Daruvar area, amongst which Croats, Czechs, and Serbs are the majorities. This multiculturalism has affected the cultural features, folklore, national traditions and gastronomy, which, amongst other things, are characterized by sweet and savory sauces, cabbage dumplings, steamed dumplings, potato pancakes (bramborak), grits, taÄ?krle (dumplings)

Photos: the winegrowing hills of Daruvar (top); Julijev Park is a favorite promenade for the locals of Daruvar and their guests (middle); the Roman forest is ideal for those seeking recreation and walking (bottom).

Over the past few years, Daruvar has received several awards and recognitions in various tourism campaigns, including: four gold, two silver, and one bronze medal for landscaping as a part of the "I Love Croatia" environmentaleducational campaign organized by Croatian National Tourist Board. The "Man-Key to Success" campaign was also part of that campaign, and Daruvar had the employees of the year in 2012 and 2013.

For three years in a row, Daruvar has been named the best tourist destination with hot springs in the "Tourist Flower - Quality for Croatia" campaign, organized by the Croatian Chamber of Commerce and Croatian Radio Television.

Daruvar was first runner-up to in the European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN) campaign for accessible tourism in 2012/2013.

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

77

Experience Croatia

DARUVAR

Photos: near Daruvar there are many family-run farm estates that offer possibilities for recreation, but also for enjoying the gastronomic delicacies of this area.

If you are visiting Daruvar as part of an organized group, you can choose between several travel programs: Aquae Balissae or "Very Hot Spring", Vas Diatretum Daruvarense or the "Emperors Crown Cup" (Winemaking from the Romans to Janković and today), Traditional canning on ethno estates or "Making Tasty Harvest Fruits into Delicious Canned Goods" and "Hedonism in the Crane's City". Find out more at:

served with jam, walnuts, or toasted breadcrumbs, as well as leavened cakes. Multiculturalism is also shown in the diversity of the traditional annual festivals, amongst which the best known are the Days of Czech Culture, the Days of Hungarian Culture, Day of Plum and Schnapps in Sirač, Daruvar's Summer of Culture, and the International Festival of Brass Music (FLIG). From August 6 to 12, the "Great Summer Refreshment", and educational and entertaining festival, especially interesting for youth, will be held, while Maska - little theater fair, held from September 26 to 28, will especially delight the youngest crowd.

Recreation on estates If you plan on staying in Daruvar for more than a day, you will surely want 78

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

to tour the area surrounding the city, which we definitely recommend. Only a few kilometers from the center of the city you will come across family farm estates that offer various possibilities for recreation and enjoying delicacies: OPG Ivančić, a resort located in village of Vukovije in the municipality of Đulovac, OPG Matej Kovačević, OPG Voborski, and the Bukač family A.M.B. Horse Stable. Here you can learn to ride, and there is a special play area for children.

Regardless of whether you will be attracted to Daruvar for its culture, festivals, swimming at the hot springs, walking, riding bicycles, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, hunting, or gastronomy, surrender yourself to it with all your senses and enjoy the untouched nature of this part of continental Croatia. 

Daruvar - Papuk Tourist Board Julijev park 1, 43500 Daruvar, Croatia, tel: +385 43 331382, e-mail: turizam@daruvar.hr, tic@daruvar.hr

www.visitdaruvar.hr August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

CROATIAN ZAGORJE

Photo: Robert Kunštek

Photo: Branko Bručić, archive of Krapina-Zagorje County Tourist Board

Events

In the company of

Neanderthals, nobility, and 'the people' Prepared by: Željka Kunštek ◆ Photos: archive of Krapina-Zagorje County Tourist Board

August and September are the perfect months to visit Croatia's Zagorje region. Not only for the pleasant shade you can find under the canopies of this incredibly green county during hot summer days, but also for the refreshment offered by the numerous hot springs and therapeutic springs, hidden between the tame hills. This region also awaits you with many possibilities for an active vacation, along with many festivals and events, which are irresistible not only to the domestic people, but also to tourists from all parts of the world...

80

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

E

very Sunday in August, "Summer in Krapina" will be held in Krapina, the "capital city" of this county, at the Krapina Neanderthal Museum, located next to the best known site of the Neanderthal in the world. At this festival, you will have the chance to learn more about the history and rich culture of this city in an interesting way, which will be presented through four thematic Sundays: "Purger Sunday", "Sunday of the Past", "Sunday of Krapina's Neanderthal", and "Ethno Sunday".

From August 25 to 29, the 13th Summer School of Geology will be held every day, from 10 to 12, at the already mentioned Krapina Neanderthal Museum, which is especially interesting for children.

School employees will teach them about the prehistoric world of fossils in an interesting way, especially about the life of Krapina's Neanderthal. All participants of the school will receive certificates at the ends, along with folders to keep all their worksheets together.

The last week of August, from the 23 to 30, will be in the sign of culture, entertainment, and sports in Sveti KriĹž ZaÄ?retje, a town located on a plateau of a lonely hill in this county. The 44th festival of amateur singers "First Voice of Zagorje" will be held as a part of the festival, along with the children's festival of the same name.

The life of nobility September won't lag far behind August, as far as the diversity of events in the KrapinaZagorje County is concerned. On the contrary, in September, Zagorje awakens even more and invites you to visit Krapina from September 7 to 13 for the "Week of Kajkavian Culture". This traditional festival will introduce you to the Kajkavian language and customs of this Croatian region, with a lot of various content: from exhibitions and recitals to presentations of the products and traditions of Zagorje, along with various sports events.

Photo: the colorful hills of Zagorje are photogenic all year round.

tip: Visit Krapina at least one of the Sundays in August and find out how Neanderthals lived.

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

81

CROATIAN ZAGORJE

Photo: Robert Kunštek

Photo: Martin Turk

Events

Photos: in Desinić find out how the nobility of Zagorje lived (top left); the "100% Zagorje" festival in Zagreb (bottom left); find out more about the wedding traditions of Zagorje in Kumrovec (middle); the people of Zagorje often present their gourmet offer, culture, and traditions at various events (top and bottom right).

tip: "100% Zagorje" is the festival to visit in Zagreb on September 19 and 20, where you can see, taste, discover and hear Zagorje...

82

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

If you have always wanted to know what life was like in the Middle Ages and how nobility lived, then make sure you visit Desinić, and the Veliki Tabor castle on three consecutive Saturdays: September 6, 13, and 20, or at least one of those days. Here you will be awaited by the noble Ratkaj family, medieval dances and workshops where you will be able to see first-hand how weapons were made in the past. At the Medieval festivals in Veliki Tabor, you will be able to try archery, see what medieval torture chambers looked like, have fun with puppet shows and theatrical performances, and participate in various educational programs, especially interesting for the youngest visitors. There will also be a chance to find out some of the secrets of Desinić...

100% Zagorje On Friday, September 12, "Blue Nights of Kumrovec" will be held in Kumrovec, where Kajkavian poets will present their poems in the Old School that dates back to the time of Austro-Hungarian Franz Joseph I. It will also be lively in Kumrovec the following day, September 13. The "Old Village Museum" will be occupied

by a wedding where they will present traditional wedding customs of the Kumrovec region: from asking for the bride's hand, the engagement and wedding to taking the veil off.

If you won't be able to visit the wedding from Zagorje in Kumrovec, and you would like to feel and try at least a bit of the diversity of this Croatian region, you can do so on September 19 and 20 in Zagreb, when the "100% Zagorje" festival will be held. At the time, the Zagorians will present the wealth of their cultural, gastronomy, health, recreation, and religious offer, and there will also be a chance to try, and buy, delicacies and drinks from Zagorje. The masters of traditional crafts will present children's toys and licitar hearts, which are protected

by UNESCO, and you will also have the opportunity to find out more about agricultural tourism, cultural institutions...

"Zlatar Days of the Kajkavian Word", from September 19 to 28, "Grape Harvest" in Pregrada from September 25 to 28, "Golden Autumn" in Zabok on September 29, and the "Croatian Bagpipe Festival" on September 27 in Mihovljan, are just reason more to start planning your autumn in Croatia's Zagorje. 

Photo: Martin Turk

Zagorje - A fairy tale at hand Tourist Board of Krapina-zagorje County Krambergerova 1 49000 Krapina, Croatia tel: +385 49 233653 info@tzkzz.hr

www.tzkzz.hr

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

UNESCO

PLITVICE LAKES

Photo: a view of the attractive waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes.

A natural European attraction Prepared by: Željka Kunštek ◆ Photos: Ante Bionda (archive of Plitvice Lakes National Park)

Sixteen crystal clear blue-green lakes, sparkling cascades, and roaring waterfalls surrounded by a dense forest that looks like a jungle in some areas... Plitvice Lakes, the most popular Croatian national park and one of the prettiest natural sites in Europe, await you in such surroundings.

84

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

Photos: the park is crisscrossed with trails and wooden bridges, and is equally attractive at all seasons.

T

he park is home to sixteen lakes, or better said, beauties for which this park of rarely seen splendor is equally attractive all year long, and visited by tourists from all over the world. The lakes are divided into the Upper and Lower lakes, and the largest lake is Kozjak, or Goat Lake. According to legend, goats drowned in the lake while attempting to cross from the shore to the island on thin ice in the winter. It is 2350 meters long, and 46 meters deep at its deepest point. The lake can also be toured while sailing on an electrical boat.

The lakes are filled by various streams and creeks, and they are connected to one another with waterfalls, of which the Great Waterfall is the largest and the most impressive. The park is special for its travertine (porous stone) barriers, which were formed over tens of

thousands of years, and continue to form, with the deposit of calcium carbonate from the running water and thanks to special types of algae and moss.

peonies. The park is crisscrossed with trails and wooden bridges, which additionally accentuate its romantic feel, and visitors can choose between eight tour programs. ď ś

Eight tour programs The largest part of the nearly 30 thousand hectares of the park is taken up by beech, fir, spruce, and pine forests, as well as meadows. Along with the many types of birds and small-sized wildlife, the park is also inhabited by does, deer, otters, and many species of butterflies. The water is full of trout, and interestingly enough, research has shown that there are certain differences between the trout in the Upper and Lower lakes. Still, the trademark of the park is the brown bear. Some of the rare and protected plant species growing in the park include saxifrage, yew, and

Plitvice Lakes were proclaimed a national park back in 1949, and in 1979, UNESCO added it to its World Heritage List. It is located between the Mala Kapela and PljeĹĄivica mountains, in the middle of the Dinaric Alps, and right near the road that connects Zagreb and Dalmatia, which makes them easily accessible.

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

85

Croatia through philately

170 YEARS OF TOURISM IN OPATIJA

Presenting postage stamps

Opatija Prepared by: Željka Kunštek

tip: The stamp was issued in 2014, 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

86

Exactly 170 years ago, the development of tourism in Opatija, but also Croatia, was officially launched by Iginio Scarpa, who had Villa Angiolina built and surrounded it with a beautiful park...

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

T

he place soon became the favorite destination for Rijeka's elite, and after the visit by ban Josip Jelačić and Empress Maria Anna Savoy, spouse of emperor Ferdinand, Opatija also became an elite spa visited by aristocrats, doctors, respected businesspeople, and artists.

The long list of Opatija's guest includes Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, Gustav

Mahler, and Isadora Duncan. In 1884, the "Kvarner" hotel was built in Opatija, railways and communal infrastructure were developed, and the city was soon adorned with lush parks. The popular Lungomare, the seaside promenade, and one of the best-known features of Opatija today, was built at the time. Before the First World War, Opatija became a more visited destination than the, at the time extremely popular Karlovy Vary, and one of the most important European travel destinations.

A jet-set sanctuary During the 20th century, Opatija became the favorite destination of the jet-set from Europe and the world, and with its attractive summer stage, built on the coast, it became the festival central for the former country and central and southeastern Europe. From initially being a winter spa destination, it slowly expanded its offer to the summer season, and then to the entire year. It has remained so today. Some visit it for its beautiful beaches, rich culture, and elaborate architecture, some find peace in its parks, while some are attracted to its superb gourmet offer, congress events, numerous festivals and events...

The Croatian Post issued a stamp named "170 Years of Tourism in Opatija", with the motif of Villa Angiolina, on June 11, 2014. It was issued in 100 000 copies, 35.50 mm x 29.82 mm in size, in a sheet of eight stamps with one pendant.

The Croatian Post also issued an accompanying first day cover (FDC).

The author is Dubravka ZglavnikHorvat, a designer from Zagreb. 

CAN CUSTOMERS FIND YOUR WEBSITE?

.

Check your SEO for free.

Send us a link to your website via e-mail on contact@aplitap.com, and we´ll check your SEO, free of charge.

Get your business on the first page of Google. www.aplitap.hr 098/795 784 contact@aplitap.com Zagrebačka cesta 143 A August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

Croatia

ONLINE

A

websites and mobile applications

Made for exploration Below we present you a redesigned website and some of the newest mobile applications, made to ease your exploration of Croatia...

WEB&

Prepared by: Željka Kunštek

UHPA

A lot of information on current events and offers from Croatian travel agencies can be found on the redesigned web site of the Association of Croatian Travel Agencies, uhpa.hr. On the website, amongst other things, you will find information on various projects of the association, news from its members and ideas for traveling, where you will be able to find a trip that will suit your interests: tradition, food and drink, golf, cycling, rafting, diving, hiking, etc.

On this bilingual site (CroatianEnglish), you will also be able to find ideas for family vacations, youth vacations, study trips, etc. www.uhpa.hr

88

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

Last minute Dubrovnik As of recently, it is possible to see and reserve vacant private and hotel accommodations in Dubrovnik within 24 hours via a free mobile application for iOS and Android devices, made for both mobile phones and tablets. The application offers viewing according to the type of accommodation: suites, hotels, or rooms, and the application is available in seven languages: Croatian, English, French, German, Russian, Japanese, and Spanish.

Accommodations can be seen via an interactive map or list, which shows the current location of the user for even easier reachability.

Along with the name of the accommodations, these overviews also show the address, price, and other brief information about the accommodation, including contact information for reservations.

APPS Travel guide Daruvar

Travel Guide Daruvar is a new mobile application for iOS and Android devices that offers a lot of information on this city, but also the neighboring municipalities: Đulovac, Dežanovac, Končanicu and Sirač. The guide is divided into eight basic categories: sightseeing, lodging, tourist offer, eno-gastro route, thermal water, info, gastronomy, and a photo gallery.

Each of them contains a photo, description, contact and other important information, including data on the weather forecast and exchange rates, along with a virtual depiction of the location on the map. The application is available in three languages: Croatian, English, and Czech.

Rijeka Connect

Zagreb Be There Various thematic paths for touring Zagreb, Croatia's metropolis, can be found in the new mobile application "Zagreb Be There" designed for smartphones.

For now, the application offers five routes, each of which present Zagreb in a slightly different way: "Space Explorer", "Hidden Spots, "Indie Zagreb", "Refreshing Zagreb", and "Classic Zagreb". This application, made for iPhone and Android devices, is based on the gamification principles, rules taken from video games. So, in order to use the application, you must virtually sign in at every location you reach, and at the end, you win prizes such as discounts for tickets, bike rental, etc.

From now on, you can explore the City of Rijeka and its sites via a free mobile application for iOS and Android devices.

This guide through Rijeka's sites show a total of 50 locations, divided into four categories: sites, museums, religion, and architecture. The application also allows for the historical depiction of two cultural sites in the city using augmented reality: the city tower and Tarsatica Principia forum, for which you need to be at a certain location to see them. So, for example, the city tower can be seen through three stages of development, while the Tarsatica Principia forum can be seen during Roman times.

The application also contains a calendar of events, and its content can be seen, besides in Croatian, also in English, Italian, and German.

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

89

Gourmet Croatia

MEĐIMURJE COUNTY

Photos: homemade čurke (blood sausage) with sautéed cabbage (top left); pretepena soup is one of the specialties of Međimurje (top right); "meso s tiblice", or meat from a wooden cone-shaped barrel (bottom).

The wonderful flavors of Međimurje

E

veryone always gladly returns to the places they keep in fond memory. And we believe you will have many after you visit Međimurje, the "northern Mesopotamia of Croatia". It is, in gastronomical terms, the land of turoš cheese made of cow milk, unique dark pumpkin oil, mesa z tiblice (meat preserved in a barrel with lard), fresh water perch and impressive

Written by: Sanja Plješa Photos: archive of Međimurje County Tourist Board

90

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

wines, amongst which the leader is the indigenous sort of Pušipel, and desserts - Međimurje layer cake. The layer cake conquers all with its aromatic flavor of cow cheese, poppy, and apples, and it can be said that it also has aphrodisiac powers. Pušipel is a light white wine, with a lively character, and a decent citrusy aroma. In the small Međimurje region, you will find a total of 50 family

Nothing in Međimurje is left to chance, everything is done in order and according to rules.

There, in the restaurants and ambient-filled taverns, they make authentic dishes according to vintage recipes.

Međimurje layer cake Mix sugar and boiling water into the poppy seeds and walnuts. Add sugar and ground cinnamon to the peeled and grated apples, and an egg, sugar, and vanilla sugar to the fresh cottage cheese. Grease the cooking tray with butter, place a piece of filo pastry, a layer of walnuts, filo pastry, a layer of poppy, filo pastry, a layer of cheese, filo pastry, a layer of apples, and cover everything with filo pastry.

Bake for 230 minutes at 180°C. Cut the finished layer cake into squares and dust with powdered sugar.

vineyards where everyone can find something according to their taste.

Nothing in Međimurje is left to chance, everything is done in order and according to rules. There, in the restaurants and ambient-filled taverns they make authentic dishes according to ancient recipes. However, those who prefer modern cuisine will also come into their own since many restaurants in Međimurje offer what they call trendy dishes.

Cream soup, braised rabbit, and šiškrli...

The tables of Međimurje are always full with seasonally fresh soups, meat or fish dishes, game and salad, all brought together with creative side dishes and superb desserts. The "crown" of all the dishes are refreshing, aromatic young wines, or rested aged wines. Along with

the already mentioned Pušipel, Pinot, Graševina, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, and many other sorts are also served with meals, which go excellently with sparkling water in this summer season.

So it is no wonder the somewhat forgotten wine spritzer is making a comeback.

While in Međimurje, make sure to try "pretepena" cream soup with bacon, sautéed onions, paprika and cream.

The name "pretepena" comes from the sour cream that is added to the soup. As a main course, we recommend braised rabbit with šiškrle, handmade dumplings, which look like gnocchi and taste divine, as a side dish. Turoš cheese is made of fresh cottage cheese with the addition of red paprika. It is also famous since it is dried in the shape of a cone. We believe the flavors of Međimurje will delight you, just like this tame and interesting area. 

Photos: braised chicken with handmade pasta (top left); Međimurje layer cake is the most famous dessert of this area (top right); "kučet v poculici" (roasted pork rump) is also one of the specialties (bottom).

tip: While in Međimurje definitely try turoš cheese, pretepena cream soup, and Međimurje layer cake.

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

91

CULTURAL SCENE

Treats for warm summer evenings

W

arm summer evenings are made for relaxing with a good show or going to a festival or concert, which, while we're on holiday, won't bother us even if they last long into the night. This year's summer cultural scene in Croatian destinations is more diverse than ever, and to make it even sweeter, in cooperation with our partners, we're giving out tickets to concerts, festivals, and shows.

So, quickly check out where we're taking you and write us with your wishes...

CULTURAL SCENE

Prepared by: Vlatka VuŞić

92

:)

Write to us and win TICKETS

* One person can get a maximum of two tickets for one of the listed festivals/performances, so don't forget to mention which festival or show you are interested in, answer the question, and send your contact information (name and surname, mobile phone number, e-mail) so we can contact you.

tip: Write us to tell us why you should be the one to win tickets to one of the concerts/shows listed below (of your choice). Send your answer as soon as possible to info@tiptravelmagazine.com, and those with the most creative answer will get tickets to desired concert or show!

Hurryyy!

TICKETS

Marko Tolja and Gibonni in Opatija This year, Opatija's summer stage will host two famous Croatian musicians, one famous for his vocal, and the other for his songwriting performances. Marko Tolja will treat the audience in Opatija to a concert on August 14, while Gibonni will make it a Night to Remember on August 30. Both concerts start at 9:00 PM.

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

The organizer is giving away 1x2 tickets for the Marko Tolja concert on August 14, and 1x2 tickets for the Gibonni concert on August 30.

Find out more at:

CULTURAL SCENE

Photo archive: Ambient Croatia

TICKETS

Quasarr and Punčke concert in Dubrovnik

Špancirfest in Varaždin For the 16th year in a row "The Festival of Good Emotions" brings the most diverse spectrum of artists to the most beautiful Baroque Croatian city. The plentiful concert program will be held on several stages located on Varaždin's squares and streets, and in its parks, from August 22 to 31.

Find out The organizers are more at: giving away 2x1 festival ticket for Špancirfest.

The Evening of Dalmatian Chansons in Šibenik As is tradition, the program concept of this year's "Chansons" will bring the best quality musical performers to the stage in Šibenik to perform at the "Evening of International Music" and the "Evening of New Compositions".

The organizer is giving away 1x2 tickets for the "Evening of New Compositions", on August 23.

Find out more at:

RockLive Festival in Koprivnica TICKET

The organizer is giving away 1x2 festival tickets for the RockLive Festival, from August 14 to 16.

Photo archive: The Evening of Dalmatian Chansons

Photo archive: Špancirfest

TICKETS

Many concerts will be held in the beautiful ambiance of Orsula Park in Dubrovnik throughout the summer, including the Quasarr and Punčke concert, on August 8, at 9:30 PM. Find out The organizers are giving away 1x2 concert tickets more at: for Quasarr and Punčke on August 8.

TICKETS

S

In its fourth edition, Koprivnica's festival will offer a high-quality diverse music program, but also a lot of fun content every day.

TBF is this year's greatest star of the festival, and alongside them you will also see performances from the "Bad Copy" band, the legendary band from Split "Đubrivo", and the first Croatian roots reggae band "Brain Holidays", along with many others.

Winners of the tickets from the 6th Issue: Deep Purple & Gibonni concert in Zadar: Štefica Čunović Zubak, Zagreb ◆ 10th Vip Zagreb Jazz Festival: Tanja Novotni Golubić, Daruvar ◆ Dalmatian Klapa Festival Omiš: Ivan Rabadan, Kaštel Lukšić ◆ Ultra Europe Festival: Tina Ivanišević, Split ◆ OFF Jazz&Blues festival in Šibenik: Marija Šumski, Zagreb ◆ "Ana Karenina" performance in Osijek: Željko Riha, Osijek.

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

93

Photo archive: Dubrovnik Summer Games

CULTURAL SCENE

Dubrovnik Summer Games

TICKETS

The 65th annual Dubrovnik Summer Games will charm the audience with its abundant program to August 25 of this year. The neo Baroque ballet "Dangerous Liaisons", prepared in cooperation between the Dubrovnik Summer Games and the Ljubljana Festival & SNG Maribor will have its premiere performance at these Games.

The organizers are giving away 1x2 tickets to the premiere performance "Dangerous Liaisons", on August 20 at 9:30 PM.

TS

Ulysses Brijuni

Once again this summer, the Ulysses theatre is bringing Brijuni great names from theater and music from Croatia and the region, who turn this island into paradise for all fans of cultural tourism.

The organizers are giving away 1x2 tickets to the Ivo Štivčić's "Shakespeare at the Kremlin", directed by Lenka Udovički, on August 10, at 8:15 PM.

Photo archive: Ulysses

TICKE

Find out more at:

Find out more at:

The Nightingales of Kamerlengo in Trogir On August 7, 2014, the city of Trogir and its Tourist Board are organizing the festival "The Vinko Coce Nightingales of Kamerlengo 2014" in memory of their great tenor and citizen.

Amidst the large number of compositions that arrived, a total of 26 were chosen to be performed by many famous Croatian musicians, and the judging panel and audience will choose the winner amongst them.

The organizers are giving away 1x2 tickets to the Nightingales of Kamerlengo.

94

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

Photo arhiva: National Museum Zadar

CULTURAL SCENE

TICKETS

Edo Murtić Exhibition Until August 31, 2014, visitors will be able to see the works of the greatest Croatian painter in the second half of the 20th century, Edo Murtić, in Zadar's City Lodge and Rector's palace concert hall. Due to the limited space, this independent exhibition,

titled "Utopia and Dystopia of Modernism", only presents part of Murtić's abundant opus, while the selection of works unites all the stylistic and civilizational features of the era when this great artist was active.

Photo: Robert Kunštek

Photo: Robert Kunštek

Inte res

ting fact s

Rijeka awarded the Superior Destination Award In early June 2014, Rijeka was awarded the Superior Destination Award. It is the largest independent global consumer survey on brands, products, and services, conducted in 110 countries in the world, using advanced methodology of modelling consumer behavior while they make shopping decisions, choosing the best.

The Superior Award measures the influence on the shopping decision based on the following criteria: superb quality, superior design, emotional attraction, technical performance, customer service, and effect on the environment. Rijeka achieved an average score of 8.02, on a comparative Index with a category average of 100.2 for destinations, and with that result positioned itself amongst the top ten percent of destination brands in Croatia and abroad.

According to the travel website, "European best destination", Zagreb is home to the "second best funicular in Europe". The only funicular better than Zagreb's is "Bica" in Lisbon, while Zagreb's funicular beat out funiculars in France, Portugal, Hungary, Switzerland, and Austria. The website states that the funicular takes an important place on the list of attractions in Zagreb.

The shortest funicular in the world, only 66 meters long, has been transporting Zagrebians between the Lower and Upper Towns for more than a century. It was opened in 1890, up until 1934 it was steam powered, and today it has retained its former appearance and construction so that it is a legally protected cultural site. Its bottom station is in Tomićeva Street, which leads to Ilica, the longest street in Zagreb, while the top station is at the foot of Lotršćak tower on the Upper Town's Strossmayer Promenade. www.croatiaweek.com

Photo: Ines Ljubetić Fišer

Zagreb's funicular the second best in Europe

Croatia more and more popular for weddings According to information from Croatian travel agencies and other service providers in tourism, Croatia has become an even more popular destination for weddings. Since the beginning of the year, the number of young couples from all around the world who would like to say "I do" in Croatian destinations has increased rapidly. Amongst them, most are Americans, Germans, French, Canadians, and Australians.

As far as the destinations they choose, Dubrovnik takes first place, followed by Istria, Zadar, Split, and the islands of Hvar and Korčula. www.croatiaweek.com

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

95

CULTURAL SCENE CULTURAL SCENE 96

Oliver Dragojević www

When I see the small island of Proizd, that's it...

Melodies in shades of the Mediterranean, romantic lyrics, and a unique voice are what have always made Oliver Dragojević, famous Croatian musician, stand out in a crowd. To find out what the "old sea dog" is like as a tourist, read on...

Conducted by: Vlatka Vužić Photos: Aquarius Records

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

Y

ou recently returned from a tour abroad. Where did you go, and how did you like the cities where you stayed and performed?

During my May tour, I first performed with my fellow musicians in Canada, in Vancouver, before heading down to the States. We sang in San Jose, San Pedro, Detroit, Chicago, and New York. Those

aren't cities I'd like to live in. They are overcrowded and the pace is too fast for me, but I'm glad I had the chance to see the White House, Kennedy's grave, climb up the Statue of Liberty, and the Empire State Building. In New York, I especially like the "Dubrovnik" and "Veslo" restaurants, owned by Croats. I remember San Pedro from before for the fishing I especially enjoyed there.

CULTURAL SCENE Oliver had his first professional performance back in 1961 at the Split Children's Festival, and he issued his first album in 1975.

You spent your childhood on Korčula, in Vela Luka, to which you always return.

Korčula, actually Vela Luka, always reminds me of my childhood, family, old friends, my Vinko and my three sons who have made up my fishing team for years. Fishing is the best holiday and greatest enjoyment for me. The five of us sometimes head out to Palagruža to fish. We know what is good and where it is. Then we head back to Vela Luka, and when I see the small island of Proizd, that's it. That's happiness.

Split is the city you chose for life, and throughout your career, Zagreb was always an option as a place to move.

Could you imagine yourself in any other city?

Zagreb and Split have always been nearby, you could always reach Zagreb by plane in no time. Today, they are even closer, so I never had the need to move. However, I couldn't live in Zagreb for one reason: I would miss the sea. The climate in Zagreb also doesn't suit me. Nor does the Istrian climate.

Učka Mountain attracts rain. For me, life is in Split or on my island. Abroad, I could imagine living on New Zealand.

That is a country that has everything that matters. Clean air without industrial pollution, an organized and peaceful society, but also the sea.

True, it isn't as blue as ours, it's more a green gray, and I believe it has a lower salinity, but it's the sea.

You have performed in concert halls worldwide from London to Sydney. Is there another global destination on your wish list where you would like to hold a concert?

It would be nice to organize a concert for our people in Moscow, and I would love to perform in Tokyo, and tour the city, because I haven't been there yet.

Music has allowed you to see all of Croatia countless times. If you had to make a list of the most beautiful places to experience in Croatia, what would you single out?

The coast, central and southern Adriatic are always first on my list.

The beauty of cities from Zadar to Dubrovnik can be seen on land, and paradise awaits you at sea and on the islands. Brijuni are also incredibly beautiful, and I think everyone has

Oliver performed in Carnegie Hall in New York, where in his dressing room he had the honor of playing the piano Tchaikovsky played at the opening night of the concert hall in 1891. He has also performed at Royal Albert Hall in London, the Olympia in Paris, and the Sydney Opera House.

to see Plitvice Lakes and Krka National Park. Our country is truly beautiful.

What are you like as a tourist?

I'm not a great tourist. I don't like to walk a lot. I mean, I love to go places, swim, dive, sail, but touring churches and museums, that's not for me...

I always try to combine holidays with concerts, and when I go somewhere as a tourist, like, for example, when I went to Hawaii, I go into a restaurant and I end up on stage with the band. 

August / September 2014

CULTURAL SCENE

tip: Would you like to win Oliver's album "Tišina mora"? Write us why and send your answer to info@tiptravelmagazine.com.

We will send the album to the authors of the two most original texts.

tipTravelMagazine

97

Health tourism

PEELINGS AND BATHS

Return vitality with peelings and baths Written by: Andreja Milas (www.relaxino.com) Photos: fotolia, Grand Hotel Adriatic (Opatija) and Hotel Well (Terme Tuhelj)

In the hot summer months, most of us seek refreshment somewhere near water: at the sea, river, lake, or pool. At the same time, we are exposed to strong rays of sun, and we relax with the scents of summer.

But, when the time of relaxing with the benefits of warm weather pass, we often feel our skin is dry, tense, and tight. In order to give it a glow, softness, and "life", get a peeling and relax with baths...

tip: Many wellness packages in several countries can be found at one place at Relaxino.com

98

tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

TYPES OF BATHS Caracalla bath

W

hy a peeling? For a simple reason: it removes dead skin cells and improves circulation, decreases cellulite and gives skin a shiny glow. They exist in a various array, but the most effective are with sea salt, brown sugar, coffee, or polenta, in combination with honey and olive oil, and the peeling with the special antioxidant effects of grapes is also extremely good. After a peeling, it is best to take a shower (with warm, not hot water!), and nourish the skin with oil, as desired and depending on skin type.

An excellent way to relax skin and return vitality are baths. Today at wellness centers, you will find an offer of the most diverse types of baths that are taken in a relaxing ambiance, with soft and relaxing music. They can be in pure spring water with or without essential oils, plants, and grape extracts or sparkling wine. Baths will remove dead skin cells and improve circulation, renew and revitalize the body, improve general health, and strengthen the resistance of the body, while improving its detoxification. Besides that, baths also have an anti-cellulite effect.

Along with some of the best known types of baths (highlighted in the frame),

today, romantic couple's baths are also incredibly popular: "Zeus' bath with champagne and strawberries", and the "Relaxing bath", are often combined with massages. Recently baths such as "Vanilla-coconut exotic bath with lemonade" and "Milk bath with a milkshake" have arisen. However, you don't need to go to a wellness center or various beauty and spa salons for a good peeling or to enjoy the benefits of a bath. With a bit of imagination and will, you can prepare them on your own at home. If you would like to relax, add six to eight drops of essential oils to your bath water (of a temperature between 29 and 34°C): rosemary, rose, jasmine, or sandalwood.

This bath is ideal for relaxation before bedtime. For stimulating morning baths (around 24°C), add six to eight drops of eucalyptus, pine, lemon, or mint, as you wish. Your skin and body will definitely thank you, and you will be happy, full of zest and energy. Sometimes, it is truly enough to do something for yourself to feel a great effect in your life. Why not start with a relaxing bath in your own bathtub, with your favorite music playing softly? 

Offers a hydro massage effect, while underwater lighting adds to the relaxing effect. This warm bath will nourish skin with minerals, relax muscles, relieve stress-caused tension, and improve circulation.

Cleopatra's bath This bath, which nourishes, hydrates, and renews skin uses the effects of goat's milk and essential oils.

Rose bath Ideal for beautiful skin and strengthening nerves. This bath will relax you, relieve you of psychological tension, offer you an exotic experience, and soothe irritated skin.

Dionysius' bath This bath based on grapes will soften skin and rehydrate it. It is made for everyone who needs rest and relaxation.

Herbal bath A bath for cleansing and refreshing the body.

Carbonated bath Air bubbles in the water gently massage the body and relax it.

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine

99

First-hand experience

SURFING

Photos: Rio de Janeiro, Morocco, Portugal, the Canary Islands... they are just some of the destinations favored by surfers around the world, where surfing competitions are held.

However, surfing is so much more than a sport, as passionate surfers, who are willing to follow good waves to the other side of the world, will tell you.

100 tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

Surfing as a school of life Written by: Ivana Bajer, Tribu Surf Camps â—† Photos: archive of Tribu Surf Camps (www.tribu-surf.com)

Surfing the waves isn't just a new adrenaline sport for spending free time.

For me, surfing is so much more...

I

t all began with a question from a friend: "Have you made your bucket list? You know, the list of things you want to do before you "kick the bucket"?" I took a piece of paper and wrote: "Number 1: learn to surf." As if it were a secret signal to the Universe, two days later, I received an e-mail from a friend, inviting me to go on a surfing trip to Portugal. So that is how my romance with surfing the waves began. And it hasn't ended, but instead grows stronger every time I catch a good wave.

More than a sport When I talk to my friends about my new "obsession", I always try to explain how surfing isn't just an adrenaline pumping

sport to spend free time on. For me, it is so much more. It reflects deep wisdom about how life works. Surfing teaches you RESPECT. Deep respect for Mother Nature. She defines the rules, and you have to follow them. You can't surf against her, you can only follow her game. Listen to what she wants to say, try to understand the mysterious language of the waves, the glorious rules of her creation. Otherwise you end up at the bottom of the ocean, or thrown out with your mouth full of sand.

Surfing teaches you PATIENCE. Patience to choose your waves right. Choose your battles. Some waves look amazing, but you aren't at the right spot. They are not your waves. So, just sit, observe the horizon, and look ahead. Your perfect

Photos: always looking ahead is one of the basic rules of surfing, but also of life.

"You can't stop the waves. You can only learn how to ride them", says a quote.

Isn't that a universal metaphor, applicable to everything in life?

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine 101

First-hand experience

SURFING

Photos: beach parties, after a day of surfing, are a common sight (top left); surfing at dusk is especially enjoyable (top right); signs often left by surfers on beaches (middle right); it is always relaxing and fun to hang out with surfers (bottom left); heading out to surf early in the morning (bottom right).

102 tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

wave will come along one day if you are patient enough, if you learn from your previous mistakes and take the best from your previous achievements and apply them the next time you surf. Wouldn't it be wise to look at life in the same way?

Pick your life battles, pick your "waves"?

Celebrate all your successes, and learn from your mistakes?

Catch the magical moment Surfing teaches you UNITY. We are all connected and we are all one. Everyone who has ever caught a wave knows that it isn't all about the technique. Yes, you need some technical knowledge, how to catch your balance on the board and the like, but catching a green wave is something completely different. You need to be at the right place at the right

time, but the real secret is in catching that magical moment. Those magical few milliseconds when time stops, the world becomes silent, the wave catches you and you become one with it. A perfect match. There is no other way, nor technique.

Surfing teaches you COURAGE. Courage to conquer your fears. Yes, things get scary! When you are out there alone on your small surfboard, on the great ocean, the waves get big, the wind blows, and sometimes you really feel small and alone in this world. But that’s when you gather your strength, understand there is no other option and that you have to get back to shore. You have to conquer your fears and ride that wave. After that, you feel like a winner.

I am writing about surfing, but actually I am writing about life itself, you've come

to that conclusion by now, right? Isn't it amazing to do things in life that make you realize you're stronger than you think you are?

Surfing teaches you GRATITUDE. Yes, there will be bad days. Days when you sit on that line-up for hours, paddle for waves a hundred times and nothing is going as planned. You start to think that this sport might not be for you, you should go home and start doing something less dangerous. And then, your wave comes along. Your few seconds of utter bliss and adrenaline. You ride it, scream with joy, pack your board up, and go home. Just one wave, one perfect wave, is enough to make your day. All the waiting, all the waves that smashed you into the ocean floor, is now worth it.

How much happier and more fulfilled would our lives be if we could be a little

more grateful for our small successes every day? No matter how small they were. How much happier would we be if we were aware that every small failure is only preparation for the success that will come one day...

Finally, surfing teaches you to speak a special language. The language of the HEART, pure joy and happiness. I have travelled to many places in search for the best waves, met so many wonderful people on my travels, from all around the world. I have become aware of the fact that we are all one big global family! And yes, there is that one special moment, when you're sitting on the line up and you just look at the unknown person next to you and you see everything in their eyes: happiness, joy, the sense of freedom, and gratitude. No words are necessary. ď ś

Photos: a common sight on surfer's beaches (top left); a surfing competition (top right); a happy group of surfers gladly poses with their boards (bottom).

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine 103

k te

Ph Ro

be

rt

Ku

nš

ot

o:

Natural beauty

SLOVENIA

You can enjoy beautiful untouched nature, like in the photo, in Bohinj, a valley in Slovenia, where the crystal clean Sava Bohinjka River flows. This place with a long tradition of tourism is known for Bohinj Lake, the largest natural lake in Slovenia, located in the heart of the Julian Alps. The destination offers many possibilities for an active vacation, and also "hides" many cultural attractions.

104 tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

Hello Zagreb

as possible to the positive values the campaign promotes. CYHA Secretary General, Dražen Gečević emphasizes that the campaign values are closely tied to the CYHA's mission: promoting and encouraging the mobility of youth and their active participation in the community and helping youth gain their own experiences to better understand and respect people, countries, regions, and cultures through hostelling and travel. For that reason, adds Gečević, the CYHA also promotes the campaign values in its hostels: respecting human rights, respect and tolerance of young guests from all of Europe.

Hello Zagreb is a unique map, or guide to the best known restaurants, clubs, cafés, casino clubs, and cake shops in Zagreb. The map is designed for foreign and domestic tourists, but also for all those who would like to try Zagreb's gourmet offer. The map can be found at all better-known hotels in Zagreb, the Zagreb Tourist Board's Information Offices, transportation junctions, such as the airport, central train station, and bus station, and in taxis. The map currently shows 33 locations, which have been evaluated for their ease of recognition, quality, and good customer reviews.

www.hfhs.hr

www.croatiameetings.com

CYHA: NO hate speech online The Croatian Youth Hostel Association (CYHA), a full member of the European Youth Card Association (EYCA), recently in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Policy and Youth, issued a special edition of European youth identification, which supports the campaign "No hate speech online". The backs of five thousand membership cards bear the logo of the "Dislike hate NO hate speech online" campaign, with the aim of raising awareness of youth about the campaign and the necessity of their inclusion in its activities.

The CYHA, as an official partner of the campaign against hate speech online, through its many activities tries to introduce as many young people

nspired by low-cost flights, GoOpti Croatia transports passengers between cities and airports at low fares, created according to the needs and the desires of the passengers! Now Europe has become even more accessible and affordable for everyone with this service that is available 24 hours a day, all seven days a week. The innovative

online sales system, developed by GoOpti, recognizes the needs of each passenger, defines the optimal vehicle occupancy, offers the possibility to independently define the place and time of departure, and, depending on the flexibility of the passengers, creates

PROMO

I

GoOpti: to European cities and airports at lower prices

the transport price. So, for example, passengers can depart from Zagreb and reach the center of airport in Trieste, Venice, Milan, Savona, Budapest, etc. for the price they create and at the time that suits them. Trips on GoOpti routes start at 9 euro!  Munich

GoOpti routes

Vienna

AUSTRIA

Salzburg

Budapest

GERMANY

Niske cijen

Graz

prijevoza na O relacijama

Maribor

SLOVENIA

Brnik

VIP prijevo

kreiran prema Vašoj želji

Ljubljana Bergamo

Zagreb

Trieste

Milano

(Malpensa, Linate)

Venezia

ITALY Genova / Savona

Rijeka

CROATIA

(Marco Polo, Treviso)

Plitvice Lakes Bologna

Osijek

‘’Iskusni i p odabrani v

Rezervirajte online uz tre potvrdu

Zadar

GoOpti.com Split

+385 1 645

Panturist d.d., Frana Supila 10, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia, tel: +385 1 6454999, zagreb@GoOpti.com, www.GoOpti.com August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine 105

We present

PUTOHOLIČARI (TRAVELHOLICS)

A passion for travel Their first trip together, first plane ride, first trip to another continent, in 2006 Tunis was all that for the traveling duo - Putoholičari (Travelholics): Iva Mihalić and Branko Krčmar. Today they have a large number of kilometers behind them, but an even larger list of wishes to "conquer" new destinations.

Photo: Iva and Branko have travelled through many countries, and they gladly share their experiences with others.

Written by: Vlatka Vužić Photo archive: Putoholičari

106 tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

E

arly on they travelled with agencies, but over time they realized that it isn't the ideal form of travel for them. They are the type of traveler who wants more freedom, the chance to design their own travel program independently, and financially that way of traveling, where they reserve all the services on their own, is more acceptable. Since they were always faced with a lot of different questions upon their return, regarding trip planning, they decided to launch their own site: www.putoholicari.com where they selflessly share advice with

all those who would like to travel, and have many concerns and questions.

Searching for travel partners At the website you can find out a lot of information: what to pack while traveling; where and how to find the cheapest transport and accommodations; what are the current discounted airline offers and some first or last minute agency offers, and there are also announcements for interesting cultural, sports, and other events. The Putoholičari publish their travel journals, but also the

tip: Many people are scared to travel, but that's a fear that's easy to overcome say the Putoholičari and add: All you have to do is go!

Find out more at:

travel journals of readers and famous Croatian travel writers, and an especially interesting feature is the possibility to use the website to look for a travel partner for a trip you're planning.

The two young people, who live in Međimurje, revealed that at home they especially enjoy relaxing on the banks of the Mura and Drava Rivers and riding their bicycles on hills that offer views of the landscapes of this continental, and still relatively unknown, pearl of tourism. Along with their many trips abroad, they have also traveled a lot throughout Croatia. Plitvice Lakes are the phenomenon that most attracts them on

domestic territory, and they also enjoy exploring the coast and islands. They are often visitors to the neighboring county, where they love to visit the castles on the hills of Zagorje, the Kumrovec Ethnological Museum, or the Neanderthal in Krapina, and they often head out to enjoy the view of baroque Varaždin.

This summer, their goal is to travel east, to Malaysia, Thailand, and Burma, which they want want to explore before it becomes another top destination for mass tourism. We don't doubt that they will prepare an interesting travel journal and a lot of useful information from this trip, and we wish them - bon voyage! 

Photos: rice fields, deserts, European metropolises... Various ends of the earth have already been added to the journals of these young globetrotters who, wherever they travel, meet the local population with whom they often forge lifelong friendships.

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine 107

Travel poet

MAJA KLARIĆ

Photo: Maja Klarić is one of the rare travel poets in Croatia.

Travel as a source of inspiration Conducted by: Vlatka Vužić ◆ Photo archive: Maja Klarić

Although we regularly present Croatian travel writers in this section, this time we are delighted to present one of the rare travel poets, Maja Klarić.

Born in Šibenik, she lives in Istria in the summer, Dalmatia in the winter, meanwhile she travels and writes (poems), has published two independent collections of poems, and has published poetry and short stories in newspapers and magazines. She dedicated both her collections of poem to "the one who never leaves her", her beloved sister Dijana, with whom she discovered the charm of traveling...

108 tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

From the collection "Life in a Backpack": The more we travel The less burdened we are And our packs become lighter.

The further we travel The more we want to stay And the easier it is To be faraway.

T

he inspiration for your collection of poems, "Life in a Backpack" were mostly the destinations you visited in your travels throughout Europe. What are the first poems about?

The first poems are mostly about the desire to leave, about dreams, writing a list of destinations to see some day.

Those are the first journeys, the ones in our heads, planning the routes, and dreaming about different countries, those are the true beginnings of trips, although you haven't made a single step. So the first collection has a lot of poems that say "travel, travel as much as possible, as many stamps in the passport of acquaintances" or "go, now, don't think about it too much, just go, and let the world unfold before you..."

world. Was your source of inspiration for the poems the nature of the island of Itaparica, or...?

The Brazilian poems from that collection, with the exception of the short cycle on Morocco at the very end of the book, are actually divided thematically into two parts: one which tells the story of the beautiful nature of the federal state of Bahia, where the island of Itaparica is located, the beauty of the cities we saw, and the other islands we visited, but also others that tell the story of the kind of creative crisis you find yourself in when you are thrown into paradise on earth, into that incredible landscape that you can't write anything good about, where every poem, regardless of the effort put into it, sounds like an insult to its true beauty...

The second collection of poems, "Quinta Pitanga" was written while you were staying in the Brazilian colony of Sacatar, where you participated in a program for writers from around the

You convince the readers of the first collection of poems to cross European borders with incredible ease, but with a constant feeling of longing, so you are always sort of close to home. Still,

Photos: Maja backpacked through many European countries (left); Maja's collection of travel poems "Quinta Pitanga" and "Life in a Backpack" (middle); a photo from a trip to Paris (right).

none of the poems in the collection take us through any Croatian destinations?

Croatian places are only mentioned in the context of returning, coming back to the place I left, or while leaving, preparing... Savska Street where we wait for a green light at the intersection, my mother at home counting the days to my return. The homeland does exist in the collection, as a place of departure, and, more importantly, as a place of return, rest, home, but not as a destination that is toured, discovered, although I knowingly deprived it of text, since it is full of content that could be material in itself for the next (few) collections.

"Quinta Pitanga" brings a cycle of travel poems written in an olive grove near Marrakech. Inspiration cannot be controlled and it is difficult to foresee where and when it will arise. What is the most unusual place an idea for one of your poems was "born"?

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine 109

Travel poet

MAJA KLARIĆ

Photo: Maja loved to travel with her sister Dijana.

For the first time this year at the "Croatian Travel Festival" in Šibenik, the "Dijana Klarić" awards were handed out in five categories related to travel and travelers, in memory of Maja's sister, Dijana Klarić, who, unfortunately, left this world on an "eternal journey" too early. Maja is the proud initiator of the award, acclaimed by the "world of travelers and travel writers".

110 tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

Poems are truly born everywhere, least of all when I sit down to write them.

They come to me in trains, buses, on ships, surrounded by a group of people who inspire me, at the beach at dusk, in the mountains... But it angers me most when it comes to me when I lay in bed, and I don't have a pencil at hand to write it down, nor do I feel like getting up!

I wrote a poem about it in the second collection that ends in the verse: "Like every night I dream/ a perfect poem/ but lose it before morning comes".

Are your trips always the source of inspiration for poetry?

So far, journeys have been my greatest source of inspiration, all the new places, the new faces, the new flavors and scents, getting out of the daily surroundings, routines, habits. However, over time, travelling becomes much more than visiting a new destination, something

unseen until then, it becomes a journey through yourself, internal growth, communication with yourself, your new self, who is in a new situation.

So travelling, as a topic, is very wide, and I think I will continue to travel for some time.

When you travel, how do you travel in a group or alone? And what do you look for/explore in a destination?

Although I love to have a few days for myself to focus on my writing and get all the impressions I absorbed down on paper, I prefer travelling with someone, being able to tell someone how I feel, what is more or less beautiful, sharing a though, getting a comment back, hearing someone else's opinion... So I almost always have someone travelling with me, usually the same person.

Unfortunately or luckily, I often head out on a trip unprepared except for a bit of

tip: Find out more about Maja's poetry, visits, and travels at:

basic information on a country, armed only with great desire and enthusiasm.

So I submit myself to the country and the people to guide me in my exploration...

You walked the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route with a backpack on your back. Over the 35 days of walking and 880 km, Camino gave you a lot of blisters. But what did it bring you in a travel writing sense?

Are there poems inspired by Camino waiting to be published?

The entire time I kept a diary, jotted down impressions of the country, other pilgrims, myself, who changed with every kilometer. Finally, I gathered a lot of material that I brought together under the title "The Time of Almonds" and published pieces on the internet.

A lot of people liked these poetic essays, as I called them, about Camino, which delights me, but I can't seem to finish

them. I hope "The Time of Almonds" soon sees the light of day, especially since interest for Camino is growing, and I believe the essays will help future pilgrims get at least a glimpse of what awaits them on that journey.

You have travelled through most countries in Europe, and have also been to Asia, Africa, and South America. What are the next destinations you plan on praising in your future collections?

I am convinced that my next big trip is coming up soon, because I already have antsy feet, and I would love to go somewhere, but I'm still not sure where to, because I cannot make a decision.

Maybe the charm of travelling lies there within, the uncertainty before the departure, the unexpected unravelling of situations, and heedlessly jumping into the unknown. ď ś

Photos: in her travels, Maja also visited Ireland, a country that also inspired her to write new poems (left and right).

Multitalented Maja also organized the Festival of Activist Poetry "Art Attack" in Zagreb, and in collaboration with the "Piano" association, the "Forest Poets" event in a forest near GroĹžnjan.

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine 111

Send and...

WIN

The "Send and... win" photo contest continues on!

Dear all, our "Send and... win" photo contest 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/travel guide issued by Profil (in Croatian) or Algoritam (in English), published in the previous or this issue of tipTravel magazine. Sounds good, doesn't it?

By September 10, 2014.

Avignon at dusk (Author: Roman Mar tin, Zagreb, www.photoandtours.com)

You can send us interesing and beautiful photographs (min. 5 mpx in size) from a recent trip around the world and everything attractive you experienced and saw by September 10, 2014. The best three photos we'll publish in the next issue of the magazine and on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/tiptravelmagazine as well, 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?!

A beach in Prvić Šepurine, Croatia (Author: Klara Crnogaj, Zagreb)

112 tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

You can sign up at: www.tiptravelmagazine.com

Egypt, 2013. (Author: Marina Pavlić, Zagreb)

City Spots: Sarajevo In the pocket guide to Sarajevo, published by Thomas Cook, you will find detailed maps to get around this city of historical, cultural, and gastronomic treasures.

The guide will reveal the best accommodations, take you to the unavoidable shopping points, to excellent restaurants and cafĂŠs, give you ideas for excursions... www.algoritam.hr

London and Vienna London and Vienna 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

Imaginarij, the world where imagination becomes reality, is a completely different internet community whose members are book buffs. It is a place where fans of hard editions, but also literary aspirants, writers in the making, and those who will shape all relevant discussions on the book, gather. It is a place to write analyses, have discussions, and share opinions. For their effort and participation, users will be awarded points, which they will be able to use in Algoritam Profil Mozaik, the largest chain of bookstores in Croatia, including the advanced web shop. In literary circles, users will have the chance to read manuscripts before they are published, but also many other benefits. The most relevant literary community opened its covers. Sign up for history. Joining in is free. www.imaginarij.com

Lonely Planet: Venice This excellent pocket edition contains a lot of information and color maps, a list of the best restaurants, theaters, galleries, museums, stores, etc. in Venice, a city with special architecture.

Find the ideal accommodations, head to cultural events... www.algoritam.hr

Marco Polo: Istanbul If you plan on visiting Istanbul, definitely do it with a new Marco Polo guide in your pocket! This detailed guide contains a clear list of must-see destinations: from the best sweet shops, restaurants and cafĂŠs to the best museums, galleries, historical sites, and parks of this city on two continents. www.algoritam.hr

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine 113

UNICEF

CROATIA

Children from flooded areas:

To get everything back to normal as soon as possible The unpredictable forces of nature completely transformed the lives of more than a thousand children caught in the floods in Croatia, shaking their sense of safety and routine.

Text: UNICEF Croatia Photo archive: UNICEF

Photos: During the loading of supplies, Valentina Otmačić, Head of UNICEF's Office, also sent toys for children made by elderly people (left); children were affected the most by the floods (right).

I

n the floods that hit Županjska Posavina, children were hit the hardest.

Unaware of the looming danger, they fled their homes with their families.

Many of them first spent time in shelters, and later in foster families. Some of them returned to their homes, which the devastating waters missed, but many will wait for their return for a long time.

A return to games and imagination The unpredictable forces of nature completely transformed the lives of more than a thousand children caught in the floods in Croatia, shaking their sense of safety and routine. The school year suddenly ended, the village they grew up in became a forbidden zone. Parents

114 tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

were also in shock, many of them were left unemployed and homeless. In order to offer them a return to some kind of routine and to appease the trauma they endured, UNICEF employees, along with the ministries in charge and partners on the field, are organizing programs for psychosocial support for children and workshops where they will be able to spend their free time during the summer, while the adults will be busy fixing damage from the flood.

The Radić family, amongst the many families who had to literally leave their homes overnight, was evacuated from their hometown of Đurići. With two children, 9-year-old Martina and 5-year-old Kristijan, and the things they managed to pick up from the house in a rush, they found themselves, with

hundreds of other victims, on the wood floor of a school gym packed with mattresses, in awe and out of their minds. We met with them a few days later in the shelter in Cerna, which was closed soon after that because accommodations were found for all families in foster families. Most of their time was spent in the playroom, organized in the shelter, which shifted their attention from the huge worries and uncertainty that burdened all the victims of the unprecedented floods.

The playroom brought them back to games and imagination.

Aid from all sides In Posavski Podgajci, during our visit to the flood-affected areas in May 2014, we met sisters Matea and Ivona, and their friend Mirsad, from Gunja. Their greatest wish is also to return home as soon as possible. Until then, Matea and Ivona spend most of their time with their 4-year-old sister Gabrijela. All the family members try to spend as much time playing with her as possible, to refocus her thoughts away from the tragedy that hit them. In the meantime, while volunteering and helping others, our young friends face their own fears and worries more easily.

From the beginning of the humanitarian crisis, UNICEF has delivered many humanitarian supplies to the flooded region: from hygienic supplies for the youngest, to drinking water and

mosquito repellent, as well as Photos: disinfection and sanitation supplies. This Martina (9) and Kristijan (5) during aid was enabled by the many Croatian their stay at the shelter in Cerna citizens and companies who support (top left); Matea, Ivona, and Mirsad the work of UNICEF in Croatia with their from Gunja want to go back home as donations. Together with the employees soon as possible (top right); loading of the World Health Organization's office humanitarian aid for the population in Croatia, UNICEF employees delivered of flooded areas (bottom). special aid packages for the population of flooded areas with diarrheal ailments to the General County Hospital in Vinkovci, and brochures were also printed for the population of flooded areas with, tip: amongst other things, To find out more on protective measures how you can help children in and recommendations flooded areas, please visit: for crisis situations. ď ś www.unicef.hr

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine 115

News

WORLD UNWTO: More than 460 million tourists expected in high season

Photo: Luka Ĺ malcelj

London is becoming the digital capital of Europe One of the largest IT and digital industry events, London Technology Week, took place in London from June 16 to 20, 2014, with a series of events. Since it is one of the fastest growing industries in the world, the city of London and its partners wish to attract as many such events in the future as possible. A consort of the leading congress spaces in the city, London City Selection, which invested 1.9 million pounds in technological infrastructure: wireless internets, AV and digital equipment joined London's campaign to become the "digital capital" of Europe. "City is the business center of London, and for the participants of congresses and the event industry, it's important to be up to date with the newest achievements of the digital age", said Diane Waldron, Chairperson of London City Selection. www.croatiameetings.com

116 tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

Photo: Robert KunĹĄtek

Over the first four months of the year, global tourism has increased the number of international arrivals of tourists by 5 percent in comparison with the same period last year, and similar growth could be retained until the end of the year considering that positive results of tourism revenues are expected from May to August, as well as a strong summer season. Those are the forecasts of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in the new edition of their World Tourism Barometer. The largest increases in arrivals of foreign tourists amongst regions were 6 percent in Asia, the Pacific, and South America, followed by a 5 percent increase in Europe and Africa. During the high season, more than 460 million tourists are expected to travel abroad.

The UNWTO estimates that the greatest demand for travel will be from strong emerging markets: China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and India, and with the improving economic situation, a slow increase in demand from Italy, Australia, South Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden.

Photo archive: Compress Zagreb

Viennese Days of Africa The Viennese, and their guests who will find themselves in Vienna from August 1 to 17 will be able to take the U6 metro line to an entirely different continent, Africa. The tenth annual "Days of Africa" will be held this year on the 21-kilometer-long Danubian island (Donauinsel), and along with camel rides, and drum and dance lessons, they will also offer visitors language courses and various activities for children. The highlight of this year's Days of Africa will be the numerous concerts of African stars, such as Elvis Zuma & the Sky Peace Band, Niasony, Jayasri, Aminata & the Astronauts, Manu Dibango and many others.

There will also be gourmet African specialties, cocktails, and other surprises.

The UIA announced the leading congress destinations in 2013 After the ICCA issued its top list of international destinations according to the number of held congresses, the UIA (Union of International Associations) issued its list, in a slightly different order. According to the statistics of the UIA, an international union with headquarters in Belgium, which has been publishing its list of top congress destinations for the past 65 years based on its research, in 2013 a total of 11 135 congresses were held in 174 countries, in 1465 cities. The Top 10 congress countries are: Singapore, the USA, South Korea, Japan, Belgium, Spain, Germany, France, Austria, and Great Britain. The Top 10 congress cities are as follows: Singapore, Bruxelles, Vienna, Seoul, Tokyo, Barcelona, Paris, Madrid, Busan, and London. www.croatiameetings.com

World Tourism Day

Photo source: UNWTO.org

Traditionally, every year World Tourism Day is celebrated September 27, and its topic this year will be "Tourism and Community Development". Emphasis will be placed on the potential of tourism for promoting the possibilities for communities worldwide, but also on the role communities have in promoting sustainable development of tourism. The official celebration of this year's World Tourism Day, and accompanying conference, will be held in Guadalajara (Mexico). Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Taleb Rifai, invited member countries and associate members of the UNWTO to mark that day this year with the designated topic, and said that tourism can only develop if the local population is respected and included in the development. He invited all those interested to join the discussion on how tourism has promoted or demoted local communities and to write about how they will celebrate that day.

Photo source: www.lvcva.com

www.unwto.org

Increase of mobile travel reservations to 2017 According to forecasts from one of the worlds' largest travel companies, Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT), over the next two years, there could be twice as many mobile reservations of business trips, and in 2017, they could account for more than 25 percent of all online corporate reservations.

Also, CWT predicts a strong growth of mobile reservations of business trips over the next ten years, which will also change the way that companies and managers control their employees' travel programs. They also have great expectations from more sophisticated mobile applications for travel and travel services, and a decrease in the cost of travel. It is estimated that now an average of 62 percent of business travelers carry a smartphone given to them by their company, and that 56 percent of companies either give their employees phones, or plan on giving them phones.

The EC launched a Tourism Business Portal

Las Vegas' new campaign for business congresses

The European Commission (EC) launched a Tourism Business Portal with the aim of strengthening the competitiveness of small and mid-sized businesses, announced the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Croatia on their web site in early July 2014. The goal of the portal is to help entrepreneurs in tourism from their establishment, management, and promotion to expansion of their business throughout Europe, as well as on other international markets. The portal is developed by the European Commission as one of the elements of the ICT in tourism initiative, which has the goal of improving innovations and boosting the potential creation of new jobs in the tourism sector. The portal offers, amongst other things, links for information on the possibilities of financing and employment.

Las Vegas, one of the congress capitals of the USA, with more than 22 thousand congresses, conferences, and business meetings annually, launched two new marketing campaigns to attract congresses and similar gatherings. The first campaign is called "Entertain You", and is primarily aimed at high-positioned decision makers in corporations. The campaign aims to show the target group everything Vegas offers, the total yield (ROI) of the organization's corporate happenings in that city. The second, complementary campaign, called "Neon Signs" is aimed directly at the B2B segment, that is, the professionals in the event and congress industry. www.croatiameetings.com

www.mint.hr August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine 117

World attractions

INDIA

ot Ph

fo

to

lia

o:

The Hazara Rama Temple, Hampi, India The Hazara Rama complex, a royal temple, is located in Hampi, a settlement within the ruins of the old Indian capital of Vijayanagar, located around 350 km from Bangalore. The temple is known for its elaborate frescos and reliefs with motifs from the Ramayan epic tale, from Indian mythology, which show a procession of elephants, horses, dancers, and soldiers, dressed in shiny suits of armor. Hampi was the center of the large Hindu empire, known for its spacious garden with defined gardens and its attractive scenery next to the shore of the Tungabhadra River in the Karnataka Province of India. Hampi is on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites.

118 tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

Austrian Airlines: Five times weekly from Vienna to Newark As of July 2014, airplanes of the leading Austrian airline company, Austrian Airlines, began flying from Vienna to Newark (New Jersey) five times a week, and return tickets start at 769 euro. The Newark Liberty International airport is located west of Manhattan, in New Jersey, only a 30-minute train ride away. Austrian Airlines offers 120 American destinations, including New York, Washington, and Chicago. www.austrian.com

Photo: mediaBase Austrian Airlines

To see Austrian Airlines branding campaign with opera diva Anna Netrebko and Matthias Mayer, winner of Olympic gold in downhill skiing, visit: myaustrian.com

Booking.com reached half a million accommodations On July 1, 2014, Booking.com, the global leader in online reservations of hotel and other forms of accommodations added its 500 000th accommodation: Hotel Leonardo in Berlin. This important turning point offers all users of Booking. com even greater diversity and more chances to choose their accommodations. This reservation website offers various forms of accommodations for all types of travelers: from small familyrun accommodations to suites in large cities of the world, from a tree house in Costa Rica to an ice ship in Norway. Booking.com offers accommodations in 201 countries and 61 702 destinations, with a total of 625 overnight stays daily.

PROMO

Lufthansa

New jumbo jet in the Lufthansa fleet

Photo: mediaBase Lufthansa

P

ilots call it "the queen of the sky", and passengers know it as the jumbo jet. Whatever you call it, the landing of Lufthansa's 14th Boeing 747-8 at Frankfurt on June 29 stirred up some dust. Besides being the 76th jumbo in this company's fleet, Lufthansa's new Boeing also entered global aviation history since it was the 1500th jumbo jet built in the world. In the near future, the company expects the delivery of another 19 new airplanes of its type for its fleet, which will make it the largest transporter of this type of plane in the world. With a length of 76.3 meters and a wingspan of

68.7 meters, it is clear that it is an impressive airplane that will take you to impressive destinations: Washington, Delhi, Bangalore, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Mexico City, Chicago, Seoul, SĂŁo Paolo, and, as of recently, attractive Mumbai.

From December of this year, these airplanes will await you, or better said, spoil you with Premium Economy Class. This combination of business and economy class will ensure a better quality and more comfortable travel experience, with 50 percent more space, and many additional services and advantages. Have you chosen your destination yet? ď ś

You can find special deals on flights to Asia, but also other destinations in Europe and abroad at: LH.com August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine 119

We present...

SALZBURG

More than Mozart Although most people first think of music, Mozart, and opulent Baroque architecture when they think of Salzburg, this city is much more than that. Dare to head down its slightly less known routes... Trust us, you won't regret it.

Written by: Željka Kunštek Photos: archive of Tourismus Salzburg and Željka Kunštek

Photo: a view of the Baroque area of Salzburg.

The name "Salzburg", literally translated means "salt fortress". Salt, or "white gold" is responsible for the prosperity of the city.

I

n order to get the best view of the city and its location along the Salzach River, first climb up to Gaisberg, the mountain that watches over the city, where you will have Salzburg at the palm of your hand. Take a walk down one of its hiking trails, breathe in the fresh air, and take pictures of the city panorama.

Maybe, like us, you will have the luck to have a paraglider or two enter your shot.

Besides the view, you can also enjoy the authentic dishes of the area. That is a fact well known by Richard Nixon, José Carreras and many other world-famous people that found their corner of peace, relaxation, and inspiration here...

The secrets of Salzburg's archbishop Now that it has attracted us from a birds-eye view, we head down to the old

120 tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

Baroque center of the city, which UNESCO added to its list of World Heritage Sites in 1997. While in Mozart's hometown, make time to tour DomQuartier, the cathedral complex recently opened to the public, with more than two thousand exhibits that will tell you the story of the 1300year-old history of the city. The complex connects the cathedral with four 17thcentury museums, or the secret passages of Salzburg's archbishops that surround the cathedral's square. Take a walk along the square in front of the cathedral, take a ride in one of the carriages that tirelessly fight their way through the city streets, and you can also tour the city with a panoramic speedboat or by bike.

On your way to the medieval Hohensalzburg fortress, we pass through the lush gardens surrounding the Mirabell palace, a favorite backdrop for photographers. If you don't feel like

tip: Get a Salzburg Card and get free admission to many city attractions, free public transportation, and discounts to cultural events and some excursions.

Photo archive: DomQuartier, Helge Kirchberger

making the climb up to the fortress, jump into the funicular, which will take you to the largest and best preserved fortress in Europe in just a few moments. Besides being a fortress, this large complex, which was never captured by enemy troops, also acted as the temporary residence of archbishops, it was a military base and prison, so you will also see dungeons and torture devices, and on the other hand, opulent halls and the legacy of the aristocracy. The top offers a panorama of Salzburg and the surrounding mountains, and it is a special experience to visit the fortress during Advent, when an idyllic Advent Fair is held here.

Created for fun In contrast to the fortress, the Hellbrunn palace, one of Salzburg's top attractions, has an entirely different story. One

Photo archive: DomQuartier, Josef Kral

infused with fun, enjoyment, and pure hedonism... This summer palace, with its trick fountains, the only ones in the world, was built by archbishop Markus Sittikus more than 400 years ago purely for fun.

Here you will also find caves and a theatre with 200 wooden figurines powered by water (the same mechanism as in the past!), and cultivated trails and dreamy parks. Still, the greatest attraction are the fountains that virtually spray from all sides here, and they turn on and off from time to time, but you will not be able to anticipate their activity. That is the charm of it. So the tour is real fun and an unforgettable experience for all visitors, which was Markus' goal - to entertain guests and celebrate life. You will not leave Hellbrunn dry, nor will you leave it without a smile on your face. The trick fountain and palace is open from April to October, while the park is open all year long.

tip: Make sure to add the Hellbrunn palace and trick fountains to your 'must visit' list.

Then relax, have fun, and enjoy yourself...

Photos: a view of the Baroque area of Salzburg (top left); a theatre with 200 figurines moved by water in Hellbrunn (top right); a magnificent hall in DomQuartier (bottom left); Salzburg's cathedral (bottom middle); trick fountains in Hellbrunn (bottom right).

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine 121

We present...

SALZBURG

Photo: the lush gardens of the Mirabell palace and view of the medieval Hohensalzburg fortress.

More than four thousand various events are held in Salzburg every year.

122 tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

Hellbrunn will certainly delight absolutely everyone, regardless of age and gender, while Hangar 7, located next to the Salzburg airport, will leave the male visitors breathless. This private collection owned by billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz, founder of the Red Bull energy drink company, consists of airplanes, helicopters, and formula race cars. The building that houses the collection is impressive in its own rite, and it is made of steel and special glass. Here, various exhibitions and concerts are often held, and a fancy restaurant, "Ikarus", is also located within Hangar 7 for gourmets with a deeper pocket, along with two bars that have an exclusive selection of drinks and snacks. Admission to the Hangar is free for all visitors.

The oldest salt mine in the world We return from the world of heights, but this time to Salzburg's underground. We don protective clothing and head down the path of miners who excavated "white gold" from the D端rrnberg salt mine, located near the town of Hallein, in the vicinity of Salzburg, for thousands of years.

It is a site more than a million years old, and the Celts also excavated this precious gift from the mountains here, and today it is the oldest salt mine open to visitors in the world. Prior to entering the labyrinth of tunnels, the livelihood of many Austrians, the hosts will greet you with the mining greeting "Gl端ck Auf!" Then, a train will take you, and the other "miners", down the dark tunnels where you will be awaited by true

tip: Original Mozart balls can only be found in three shops in the city, named "Fürst".

Photo archive: Cafe-konditorei Fürst

adventure and an adrenaline rush: going down wooden slides, of which one is 64 meters long, exploring the tunnel, sailing down an underground salty lake with unusual acoustics, and even crossing the Austrian-German border, but without a passport! Upon exiting the mine, you will be able to purchase salt with many various additives.

Dinner with Mozart Salzburg is also known as the "Capital of Beer" and high-quality gastronomy, so make sure to make time for lunch and/or dinner in one of the pubs, where they do not skimp on the portion size. One of the best known is Stieglkeller, and it's also worth visiting Steigl Brauwelt, the largest private brewery in Austria.

If you would like to experience a truly special evening in Mozart's city, have dinner in St. Peter Stiftskeller, the oldest restaurant in Central Europe, located in the heart of the city. In its opulent Baroque salon you will enjoy delicacies prepared according to recipes hailing back from the time of this virtuoso, while listing to performances of his arias and operas. A true delight for all the senses. Do not leave Salzburg without trying the famous Mozart balls. However, you will find "real" balls, handmade according to the original recipe, in only three shops in the city, named "Fürst", and you will recognize them for their silver wrapping with a blue picture of Mozart.

They are made of marzipan, pistachios, and chocolate (like the world-renowned "Mirabell" balls), but they are larger, and each one costs one euro. 

Photos: you will recognize original Mozart balls for their silver-blue packaging (top left); you can enjoy dinner with the sounds of Mozart's arias in the St. Peter Stiftskeller restaurant (top right); carriages tirelessly transport curious tourists through Salzburg (bottom left); in Hangar 7, you can have a look at a collection of airplanes (bottom right).

Trip enabled by:

Stage of the World

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine 123

We're taking you to...

BANGLADESH

Text and photos: Spomenka Saraga, director of the international festival of travel films, the Zagreb Tourfilm Festival, and film producer

Photo: traffic on the Buriganga River in Bangladesh.

124 tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

BANGLADESH SOUTH ASIA

A land of true smiles

Everything we saw during our trip through the beautiful country promises it a great future in tourism. However, Bangladesh still isn't a place for spoiled tourists, but a place for people who yearn for adventure and unique natural beauty. Still, the best part of Bangladesh are its citizens, people with warm and open hearts.

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine 125

We're taking you to...

BANGLADESH

Photos: the Buriganga River is always full of life (left); a woman in Bandarban (top right); in school, girls sit on one side of the room, while boys sit on the other (bottom right).

You need a visa to travel to Bangladesh, which can be obtained at their embassy in Den Hague, or upon arrival at the Dhaka airport. It costs 22 Euro. The national currency is the Taka, and 1 Euro is approximately 107 Taka (BDT).

126 tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

O

ne unexpected phone call gave me one of the best trips of my life. Upon invitation by the Government and Ministries of Culture and Tourism of Bangladesh, I joined a group of 28 journalists from around the world: from Japan, China, and Great Britain to Russia, Germany, Italy, Spain, Lithuania, etc. on a trip through Bangladesh so that we could see that it was safe to travel through the country. It is doubtless that there has been various, even negative, news coming from the country in recent times, but my passion for travel and my adventurous spirit said "yes" immediately. I have always loved trips that aren't classic tourist trips and "popular" destinations, and Bangladesh is still one of those places that should be seen "before the invasion of tourists".

It's good to know...

Bangladesh, with its population of nearly 160 million people, is located in the Bay of Bengal, on the delta of the Ganges

and Brahmaputra rivers, bordering India and Myanmar. The capital of Dhaka is amongst the ten most populated cities in the world, with a population of 15 million. Besides being famous for its large population, Bangladesh is, unfortunately, also known as one of the poorest countries in the world.

The instructions we got from the trip organizer were so detailed that I didn't have to spend any time preparing. Here are a few tips. It is recommended you take along a photocopy of your passport and visas, medication, an umbrella, comfortable walking and climbing shoes, and light clothing since the temperature ranges from 10 to 30 degrees. Once in Bangladesh, don't go anywhere without your sunglasses, sunscreen, and insect repellent since malaria is present in certain areas.

It is also recommended to get inoculated against tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis... I personally think preventative measures and discipline on the road are adequate so I headed out on the road without

inoculations and pills against malaria, which don't guarantee that you won't catch it anyway. My battle against mosquitos was summed up with longsleeved shirts and trousers, as well as applying protective creams, not only once in the morning, but every hour or two. So far it has worked.

The city with the most rickshaws in the world The greeting upon arrival at the airport was unexpected and this time I didn't need to wait in a long line to enter the country. Here they greeted me at the VIP entrance, with a flower lei around my neck, a bouquet of flowers in hand, and the VIP lounge with refreshments... The first impression was perfect.

Two more journalists arrived in the same plane, from Russia and Germany. After a short break and lunch, we headed out together to explore Dhaka, "the city with the most rickshaws in the world". More than 400 thousand rickshaws fill the

streets of this city every day! Traffic here is relatively chaotic and a true challenge for us westerners. The constantly moving rickshaws, tuk-tuks, cars, buses, trucks, bicycles, and pedestrians actually function together very well. Although there are many traffic lights and police officers, you don't have the impression that they are truly there. Running red lights is a common occurrence, and no one really follows the rules. Traffic signs are not in use here, but the sound of car horns is the only recognizable sound here. For us spoiled tourists who wait for green lights to cross the road, Dhaka is a true challenge, and at first glance, it seems like mission impossible. The noise of the city, which does not stop even at night, is impossible to describe.

Tourists as the main attraction

tip: Do not go to Bangladesh without comfortable shoes, light clothing, sunglasses, sunscreen, and insect repellent.

Photos: Puthia Temple Complex (top left); rickshaws, tuk-tuks, bicycles, cars, buses, and many other various vehicles take part in the chaotic traffic of the streets of Dhaka.

Still, rickshaws are in the majority (bottom left and right).

We arrived in the city on the first day of spring, which is commemorated with a street festival. As impressed as we were August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine 127

We're taking you to...

BANGLADESH

tip: Tour Puthia Temple Complex and its temples and refresh yourself at the end of the tour with tea.

Photos: the roof of the 60 tomb mosque (top left); in Bangladesh, tourists are still an attraction, and hosts regularly give them flower wreaths (top right); the 60 tomb mosque (bottom left); a street festival for the first day of spring (bottom right).

128 tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

with the abundance of gorgeous women, traditionally dressed in saris, who walked the streets without head coverings, the three of us, with our fair skin and hair, were obviously an attraction as well.

Everyone wanted to have their picture taken with us, they gave us flower wreaths for our heads, thanked us for the photo opportunity...for several hours. I soon understood that it would be like that the entire time because tourists are still a rarity in this country. We walked through the streets like Hollywood stars, and we even gave a few interviews for television networks. We expected an attraction, and yet we became an attraction ourselves. I already felt safe on the first day of my stay in that country.

The next day, we headed out to the city of Paharpur and the Buddhist temple under the protection of UNESCO, one of the most important archeological sites in Bangladesh. Besides us, I didn't see any other foreign tourist at that location.

The cameras and mobile phones of the

local population were once again aimed at us, and every move we made there was accompanied by clicking cameras. But, the people of Bangladesh also love to get their picture taken, and they will often pose and smile, and in contrast to the people of many other countries, they will not ask you for money in exchange.

Our itinerary for the day included the beautiful Puthia Temple Complex, which is comprised of several old Hindu temples, built around a lake. Terracotta buildings were also constructed in a combination of Jor-Bangla architecture and other influences. We finished our tour with the Shiva temple and the unavoidable tea at one of the nearby stands.

A muddy walk through the jungle I was reminded that I was in a Muslim country by our visit to Bagerhat and the mosque with 60 tombs (Shat Gombuj

Majsid), which dates back to the 15th century. To my great surprise, I was invited into the mosque, where the imam prayed from a part of the Kuran, and then allowed me to climb up to the roof of the mosque, which is made of 77 shallow domes, above seven aisles with 11 perpendicular deep niches, which end with mihrabs and four towers with domes at the corners. Of course, I left my shoes outside the temple.

Sundarbans, another location protected

by UNESCO, is a national park, and a tiger reservation, since today, there are fewer than 350 tigers in Bangladesh.

Here you will also find one of the largest forests with mangrove trees with unusual roots, which come up from the ground, like spearheads, to "catch oxygen".

Sundarbans is located at the Ganges River delta, and it wasn't unusual for the hosts to accommodate us on a ship, which was our home for the next few days. Although I was prepared for rain, the depth of the sticky mud surprised me. All I could do

was wrap my shoes and legs in plastic bags to my knees, wrap them with tape, and head out to face the mud, rain, jungle, and maybe even a tiger.

I didn't see any tigers, but the experience of walking through monsoon rains, on sticky mud, and the roots of the mangrove tree, which additionally complicate movement, satisfied my curiosity for walking through the jungle. What one should be aware of when walking through the jungle are poisonous branches, or the leaves of some plants that can give you a rash, and one should be especially careful not to touch branches since you can pull down snakes with them.

Lunchtime arrived, but we first had to catch a few fish. What an experience that was. A strange net, and even stranger fishing method. An enormous frame with a net is first thrown into the water, after which they release trained otters into the water to chase the fish into the net. The otters are then rewarded with fish.

Photos: the mangrove tree with strange roots grows in the Sundarbans jungle (top left); Puthia Temple Complex is comprised of several old Hindu temples, built around a lake (top right); a Buddhist temple in the city of Paharpur (bottom left); a motif from the wall of a Buddhist monastery in Paharpur (bottom right).

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine 129

We're taking you to...

BANGLADESH

tip: Here, ripe bananas have a green peel, not yellow, like we're used to. So, eat "green bananas" without fear here.

Photos: children in the village of Bandarban (top left); bananas for breakfast (top middle); river shrimp (top right); a village in the jungle in the mountain region of Bandarban (bottom left); people in one of the villages greet tourists with songs and traditional dances (bottom right).

130 tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

Unusual villages, interesting people Our next stops were Chittagong, the second largest city in Bangladesh, and Bandarban, a region with a large number of diverse ethnic groups, in Southeastern Bangladesh. It is located on the border with Myanmar, and it is under special military control. Even if you have a visa for Bangladesh, you have to have a special permit to visit this region. We settled into our bamboo bungalows. Breakfast? An entire bunch of bananas picked off a nearby tree.

Have in mind that here the color of ripe bananas is green, not yellow, like we're used to.

The following day, we toured the mountain villages, where people live without electricity, on foot. But, almost everyone has a mobile phone. It isn't

unusual to see a woman speaking on a mobile phone while she washes dishes in the stream, which turns into a rushing river during the rainy season. The large cross placed at the entrance to the village let us know that the village we were entering was mostly Christian.

Women here were dressed differently, with completely different jewelry, with large necklaces around their necks.

Curious children walked around the entire time. Villagers treated us to a song and traditional dance, which we enjoyed, and we ended up dancing with them.

However, in the next village, a few hours walking away, we were greeted by an entirely different atmosphere. When we entered the village, the people retreated to their homes. The village is also unusual in that women walk around topless, and just symbolically cover themselves, so you have the feeling that you are in

an entirely different country. I let my colleagues head out through the village and I stayed back alone. With my travel experience, and sweets in my backpack, I quickly met and became friends with the children. I was an attraction for many of them due to my fair skin and blonde hair, which many of them saw for the first time in their lives. Still, regardless of the good connection I had with the children, I didn't manage to establish closer contact with their parents.

Lively market Cultivated fields and markets packed with fresh vegetables are amongst the main symbols of Bangladesh. I was thrilled by their markets, which were so lively I could spend hours walking through them.

When one of the sellers at the market gave a begging child some bananas and a piece of cabbage, the guide explained that he didn't give him money, but goods that the child could eat, or sell, and make money to buy bread. At the market, for example, you can also choose a live chicken, which they will decapitate, pluck and clean within five minutes. However, I wasn't thrilled in the least by that scene.

We returned to Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. We arrived in Dhaka on one of their largest holidays, "International Mother Language Day", when they commemorate a tragic event that occurred on February 21, 1952, when four students, fighting for the right to use their native Bengali language, were killed. The hosts chose a journalist from Japan, one from China, and me to carry the wreaths to the monument, which was a special honor for us. We went to the monument barefoot (carrying our shoes in hand), since it is a special, nearly sacred place for the people of Bangladesh.

Photos: you can truly find everything at the markets of Bangladesh: from fruits and vegetables to spices and animals (top left and right, middle, bottom right); the people of Bangladesh work hard in the fields all day long (bottom left).

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine 131

We're taking you to...

BANGLADESH

Photos: a scene from a typical kitchen (top left); preparation of Mishti Doi, a sweet yogurt prepared in clay pots (top right); preparation of fried rice (bottom left); celebration of Mother Language Day (bottom middle); a woman dressed in a sari (bottom right).

132 tipTravelMagazine August / September 2014

Yogurt in clay pots I specially remember the evening when we visited a sweet shop, where they make their favorite desert: Roshogolla, which looks like balls of cheese cooked in sugar syrup, followed by Pantua, visually similar, but fried, and Mishti Doi, sweet yogurt prepared in a special way. That yogurt is warmed in clay pots all night under large "honeycombs" and ready to eat in the morning. We came across children preparing this dessert. Bangladesh is, after China, the largest producer of clothing in the world, and that branch is a vital part of their industry. While large companies and famous brands reap large profits and pay the workers in this country incredibly low salaries, absurdly the same countries accuse Bangladesh for

breaching human rights... Child labor here is specially monitored by the global community. The thing that makes the people here different from the rest I have seen in my journeys worldwide are their smiles and the sparkle in their eyes.

Clean water, a meal, and place to work and sleep are all they expect. With all their worries, they will always greet you with a smile.

A sari souvenir What will definitely attract you in Bangladesh is buying saris, and their prices. For 20 to 100 USD, you can buy several meters, and the length varies from 5, 7, and 12 meters of hand dyed and woven cotton or silk. You probably won't wear it when you come home, but you can have a dress made, or simply

Bangladesh is located on the delta of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers, bordered by India on the west, north and east, and Myanmar on the Southeast.

use it as a lovely tablecloth for formal dinners. I also doubt you will be able to resist the amazingly colorful silk scarves.

Actually, ladies will wear a scarf or shawl throughout their journey in Bangladesh to cover their head when entering and exiting special places. Bangladesh is also famous for pink freshwater pearls from its rivers and lakes, which I definitely recommend you buy as a souvenir.

Tourism here is in its early stages so it wouldn't be a bad idea to visit this country before the mass arrival of tourists. In Bangladesh, for example, you will not come across a lot of places for entertainment like bars and disco clubs with a large selection of drinks.

They do exist, but they are rare. You will be able to find domestic beer, vodka, and several types of whiskey, and you will not see a women in any bar here,

not even in hotels. Although the hosts apologized for not offering such services for us westerners, we didn't miss it here in the least.

Depending on what your preferences are, you can spend your time here in the city and crowds, at archeological sites, or instead enjoy the peace and quiet of the Sundarbans jungle. You can also choose from luxurious hotels to simple, clean rooms with warm water, or traditional bamboo houses in nature with breathtaking views.

Travelling to Bangladesh is a priceless experience, which left me only with the desire to return and stay for a month or two. And the people... They are a special story here. Their warm, open hearts and true smiles carved their way deep into my heart and memory. ď ś

Photos: the award-winning travel film about Bangladesh from the Zagreb Tourfilm Festival 2014 (top left); women in Bangladesh traditionally wear colorful saris (bottom left); people in Bangladesh love to pose for pictures (bottom right).

tip: Don't forget to come back from Bangladesh with a sari, colorful silk scarf, and pink pearls.

August / September 2014

tipTravelMagazine 133

www.tipTravelMagazine.com Download the tipTravel magazine iOS Newsstand application from the App Store to have an even better reading experience, in English and/or Croatian.

The application, and all magazine issues on it, are free of charge.

Environmentally Friendly

not a single tree has been destroyed in publishing this magazine

Download here: