tip Travel magazine Croatia 012 (English edition) 08-10/2015

ISSN: 1849-059X

EN

Number 12 • Year III • August - October 2015

INFORMATION • RECOMMENDATIONS • EXPERIENCES

Issue topic:

Dalmatian experiences Croatia

Dubrovnik-Neretva County, Split, Brela, Dalmatian Zagora, Klis, Kaštela, Šolta Island, Šibenik-Knin County, Vodice, Krka National Park, Murter, Galešnjak, and Zadar

Krk Island Zagreb County Southeast Asia:

Bali

Indonesia

Zagreb • Bjelovar-Bilogora County • Ogulin • Novigrad - Cittanova Krapina-Zagorje County • Lika-Senj County • Papuk Nature Park kolovoz / rujan 2014.

UNESCO:

Lacemaking in Croatia tipTravelMagazine

Travel and tourism magazine ISSN: 1849-059X Publisher: Tip Kreativa d.o.o.

Headquarters: Jordanovac 119, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia Office: Sermageova 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia  +385 1 5805 466,+385 91 7958 016 info@tiptravelmagazine.com www.tiptravelmagazine.com www.facebook.com/tiptravelmagazine VAT ID Number: HR21136573248 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: Alma Radoš, Vlatka Vužić, Sanja Plješa, Martina Dragojević Trcol Translator: Marija Crnogaj Marketing: Tip Kreativa d.o.o. marketing@tiptravelmagazine.com Photo source: tipTravel magazine archive, archives of Croatian Tourist Boards, PHOTOnet.hr, fotolia Cover page: Krka National Park, Croatia photo archive: fotolia

Editorial

Heading south

M Transmission of texts, in full or in part, is only permitted with the written approval of the publisher 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 publisher. The publisher cannot guarantee the permanence of published information, and is not responsible for the content of advertisements.

tipTravelMagazine kolovoz / rujan 2014.

any people love to travel in late summer and early fall, although obligations at work and the beginning of the school year make it more difficult to plan a trip at that time of the year. Still, those who manage to do so know what a pleasure it is to explore a destination, enjoy an activity, or just lounge on a beach (especially if you're going to a Mediterranean country) while the crowds diminish, the heat dies down, and the destination is still bathed in sun, which keeps the sea pleasantly warm for swimming. That is what awaits you in the warm Croatian south, in Dalmatia, and here you can discover what you can see from the north to the south of this tourist region. You could be very pleasantly surprised...

Other Croatian coastal and continental destinations, which we bring to you in this issue, will also surprise you with their attractions, interesting features, and events. If you would like to go somewhere far away, to a distant, exotic island, Bali could fulfil your expectations.

Find out first-hand what should be seen and experienced on the island, what you should bring with you, and what to watch out for. We believe the other stories we bring will also intrigue you, and to make us even better, send us your suggestions, comments, and recommendations. We wish all of you, our readers from more than a hundred countries (via the iOS Newsstand application and Issuu.com platform), an autumn full of inspirational journeys! Željka and Robert Kunštek

CROATIA

50 km

Legend:

highway main state road other state and county roads

NEWSLETTER

MAP OF CROATIA - Source: Publishing house Meridijani

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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 has been issued in Croatian and English since July 2013, and in German as of 2015. It is designed for readers in Croatia and abroad who are avid travelers.

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 second part of the magazine is dedicated to presenting global destinations and their travel offer.

More information 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 Issuu.com platform or application.

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: a fullscreen preview (available for all photos marked with a magnifying glass)

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photo galleries slideshows + integrated videos

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:

08-10/2015

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48-51 38-39

CROATIAN CHAMBER OF ECONOMY

54-55 ASSOCIATION OF EMPLOYERS IN CROATIAN HOSPITALITY

Croatian Camping Union

6-7 NEWS - CROATIA 8-35 ISSUE TOPIC - Dalmatian experiences: In the warm Croatian south 36-37 TIPS4YOU 38-39 CONGRESS TOURISM Zagreb: A city for successful congresses 40-41 HISTORICAL TRACES Zagreb: Mirogoj

Hrvatski ferijalni i hostelski savez 44-47 INTERVIEW - Leila KrešićYouth Hosteli Association Hrvatski ferijalni i hostelski savez rvatski ferijalni iCroatian hostelski savez Hrvatski ferijalni hostelski savez Hrvatski ferijalni i hostelski savez oatian Youth Hostel Association Croatian YouthHostel Hostel Association Jurić, director of the Tourism Croatian Youth Association Croatian Youth Hostel Association

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Sector at the Croatian Chamber of Economy (CCE): The interior is a great opportunity for Croatia 48-51 EXPERIENCE CROATIA Zagreb County: Following heritage and culinary traditions 52-53 EVENTS - Krapina-Zagorje County: Autumn in the sign of tradition 54-55 WINE TOURISM Bjelovar-Bilogora County: The Count's wine story

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

76-77

64-65

94-111

68-71

112-113

84-85

57 EXPLORE CROATIA Papuk Nature Park: In the mysterious geopark  EXPERIENCE CROATIA 60-61 Ogulin: An active holiday in the homeland of fairytales 63 Lika-Senj County: Made for a holiday 64-65 EVENTS - Novigrad Cittanova: In the sign of sports, delicacies, and music 68-71 EXPERIENCE CROATIA The Island of Krk: Holiday on the golden island

73 EXPERIENCE CROATIA Crikvenica Riviera: Active, entertaining, delicious...

75 MEDICAL TOURISM Mali Lošinj: An oasis of health and vitality 76-77 UNESCO: Lacemaking in Croatia 78 CROATIA THROUGH PHILATELY: The Ships of the Mediterranean Sea Bracera 80-81 CROATIA ONLINE

84-85 GOURMET - DubrovnikNeretva County 86-87 CULTURAL SCENE interview Ana Rucner 88-89 UNICEF 90-91 ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS - WORLD 94-111 WE'RE TAKING YOU TO...

Bali 112-113 WORLD ATTRACTIONS Rio de Janeiro

August - October 2015

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News

CROATIA

HMS Certificate for healthy meals

Photo source: Brussels Airlines

Photo source: SkyGreece Airlines

Photo archive: Gourmet restaurant and boutique hotel "Kukuriku"

Healthy Meal Standard (HMS) is the first, and for now the only certificate for healthy meals in hotels, spas, and specialized hospitals, designed by Master of Nutrition, Diana Gluhak. HMS covers the area of gluten-free meals, lactose-free meals, and meals for children and athletes. Upon receiving certification with one of the HMS certificates, a tourist site is awarded one star for up to five years, and the largest number of stars is five. Recertification is conducted over the next four years, and every five years, the entire process is completely repeated. Along with the Ministry of Tourism and Croatian Chamber of Economy, the project is also supported by the Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology in Zagreb and professional associations.

SkyGreece Airlines flying Toronto - Zagreb The first plane of SkyGreece Airlines to fly Toronto - Zagreb - Toronto will have 17 rotations from June 23 to October 12, and its success will then dictate the expansion of flights with other Canadian and American airports towards Croatian airports. This season, a plane departs from Toronto to Zagreb every Monday, and from Zagreb to Canada every Wednesday. It is a Boeing 767-300 ER airplane, with a capacity of 274 passengers, and it is estimated that the line will transport around five thousand passengers over the four months. SkyGreece Airlines was established in 2012, and besides travelling to Zagreb, flights also fly from Toronto to Athens and Budapest. www.croatiaweek.com

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Kiss&Fly Zone in Zagreb Airport As of July, Zagreb International Airport has a new loading/ unloading Kiss&Fly Zone in front of the passenger terminal building.

Access to this area is still available to everyone, with short stops and free parking of up to ten minutes at the marked parking spaces in front of the passenger terminal. Drivers cannot leave vehicles parked in this zone, and taxis and buses are still available for travelers. In accordance with protective measures for civil air transport, the loading/unloading zone in front of the passenger terminal is still under surveillance, with a parking time limit of up to a maximum of 60 minutes.

New Zagreb-Brussels line Starting September 20th, the Belgian national airline company, Brussels Airlines, member of the Lufthansa group and global association of airline companies, Star Alliance, is introducing a new line to connect Zagreb and Brussels on a daily basis. It is the leading Belgian airline company with flights to 64 European, 21 African, and two American destinations. With 94 flights per week between Brussels and Africa, and 800 thousand passengers per year on those flights, Brussels Airlines is the leading airline that connects the African continent with the rest of the world.

Upper Međimurje European Destination of Excellence

Action plan for health tourism presented The action plan for health tourism, presented in June in the Ministry of Tourism, proposes 30 development programs related to advancing institutional frameworks, product quality, professional skills of employees, and international recognition of this branch of tourism.

It was created in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Health, and the Institute for Tourism based on strategic documents that recognize the three forms of health tourism: wellness, spa, and medical tourism. The plan is based on 80 hotels and wellness centers, 15 specialized hospitals, and on large hospital systems and private clinics.

Photo source: Protocol of the City of Zagreb

Photo archive: Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Croatia

Photo archive: Hotel Bellevue Maribor Pohorje

Photo archive: Međimurje County Tourist Board

Upper Međimurje is the winner of the national selection for the European Destination of Excellence (EDEN), conducted by the Croatian National Tourist Board with its system of tourist boards with the participation and approval of the Ministry of Tourism.

In accordance with this year's topic of "Tourism and local gastronomy", besides the abundant selection of food, the factor that placed Međimurje at the top was the entire offer of the destination including accommodation capacity, cycling and thematic trails, selection of excursions, events... This title enables Međimurje to promote itself on the website of the European Commission, the European Travel Commission, and the Croatian National Tourist Board.

CCMEP - the first certificate in Croatian business tourism The first national certificate aimed at professionals in the congress industry, the CCMEP (Certified Croatian Meetings and Events Professional), will be presented on December 3 at the Congress Industry Forum at the Palace Hotel in Zagreb. Ranko Filipović, President of the Croatian Meeting Professionals Association (CMPA), which has been working on this project since last year, pointed out that the certificate adds to the competitive factor and gives a certain guarantee that those certified are professionals working according to professional regulations. Only private individuals with at least two years of experience in the MICE sector will be able to apply for certification. www.croatiameetings.com

Slopey for a better society With the support of the City of Zagreb, and the Zagreb Tourist Board, the first travel agency specialized for persons with a handicap, TravAbled has, as a part of its Slopey pilot project, set up 20 portable ramps in Tkalčićeva Street in Zagreb. The ramps, which were made by prisoners in the Lipovica-Popovača prison, enable entry into restaurants and cafés that have one or two stairs, which were thus far inaccessible to those with a handicap. "We believe that, by setting up the 'Slopey' ramps, the city of Zagreb is setting a positive example of how to promote numerous inclusive changes in society, which will advance the travel offer and the quality of food and beverage services available to all citizens", pointed out Siniša Kekić, one of the owners of the TravAbled agency.

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tio (a na rch Ivo P h l T iv ou e: Per oto ris Cro va : t B at n oa ian rd )

Issue topic

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DALMATIAN EXPERIENCES

From south to north Dalmatia, in late summer and early autumn, you will come across magnificent scenes, numerous events, and diverse experiences. This is a period made for actively exploring charming Dalmatian towns and their surrounding areas, for enjoying the colors, flavors and aromas of the Mediterranean, and for trying many activities, often connected with the sea. Have you already explored the rural story of the far south of Croatia, toured the filming locations where the globally popular "Game of Thrones" is filmed, relaxed on heavenly beaches, achieved your nautical adventures in this rugged archipelago, and admired the most beautiful sunset?

tipTravelMagazine August - October 2015

DALMATIAN EXPERIENCES CROATIA

In the warm Croatian south

August - October 2015

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Issue topic

DALMATIAN EXPERIENCES: Dubrovnik-Neretva County

A rural story from the south The rural area of the far south of Croatia preserves many stories.

They will win you over with their attractions, viewpoints, flavors, colors, aromas...

Written by: Željka Kunštek ◆ Photo archive: Dubrovnik-Neretva County Tourist Board, Dubrovnik Tourist Board, Metković Tourist Board, Ston Tourist Board, Orebić Tourist Board, Korkyra Baroque Festival and Epidaurus Festival

Photos: the fertile fields in the Neretva valley (left and bottom); the aroma of grapes and figs will fill the air in the post-season throughout the entire Dubrovnik-Neretva County (top).

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f you aren't a fan of summer heat and large crowds, then Indian summers and autumn are the right time to head down to the far south of Croatia. Let Dubrovnik, the county capital, which you will reach easily by car, plane, or sea, be your starting point for a completely different adventure through the Dubrovnik-Neretva County.

Hop into a car or onto a bike, and head out to explore the rural area of the county, which will tell you a story of tradition, past, coexistence with nature...

The valley of life "Neretva, the Valley of Life" is the name of the thematic tourist road that will take you along the river that has meant life here since ancient times. You will pass by fertile valleys of juicy citrus, which this area is famous for far and wide, and through spacious untouched nature. You will see the traditional Neretva rowboat easily finding its way through the Neretva's arms and lakes. It used to serve the purpose of

transporting goods from the fields, and today it is used for tourism. The rowboats are used for photo safaris and to tour the marshland channels and arms, and every August, it gets special attention from the public. At that time, a boat (ladja) marathon, an amateur sports competition, is traditionally held from Metković to Ploče. The Neretva valley is also a valuable ornithological reserve, and you can find out which birds live in the southernmost Croatian valley at the Natural History Museum in Metković. You can see them in their natural habitat during a photo safari, which will, along with natural beauty, also reveal stories of fallen cities and the ruins of ancient villas. Make sure to visit the town of Vid, near Metković, where there is a valuable archeological site and the first in situ museum in Croatia. The Narona Museum was built above the Augusteum, the temple dedicated to the emperor Augustus.

The Neretva valley is also famous for its unique gastronomic experiences. You must try the specialties made from fish and frogs caught in the Neretva, and one of the most famous dishes is Neretva eel and frog stew.

The dishes are best paired with wine from either a local winery or from Pelješac.

Pelješac - the Wine Empire When Pelješac is mentioned, superb wines are the main topic. The thematic "Pelješac - the Wine Empire" tourist road will reveal a true magical flavor and introduce you to the "home of Plavac mali". It will lead you to wineries, wine cellars, and tasting rooms, to agricultural tourism, restaurants, and shellfish fisherman, along with the many cultural attractions of this peninsula. Pelješac is also a synonym for high-quality shellfish, and the oysters and mussels from the Mali Ston cove have made this area famous worldwide. This part of the Mediterranean has been known for its salt plains that date back to the 2nd century B.C., which are located in Ston, and the Ston walls that date back to the 14th century, which are one of the longest walls in Europe.

You will learn about another interesting story on the "Path of the Stecci" road.

Stećci, tombstones that date back to the late middle ages, with interesting

Photos: in the old houses in Konavle, your hosts will offer you homemade dishes and famous Konavle wine (top); the Boat Marathon (bottom left); a view of Ston, the Ston wall and the salt plain (bottom middle); wine (right).

The Ston wall is around 5.5 km long and 5 to 10 meters high. It includes forty towers and five fortresses and offers a view of the salt plain and the surrounding Adriatic islands.

August - October 2015

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Issue topic

DALMATIAN EXPERIENCES: Dubrovnik-Neretva County

Photos: This year, the Epidaurus Festival will also be held in Cavtat (top left); the Good Food Festival will win you over with its flavors once again this October in Dubrovnik (top middle and right); the Korkyra Baroque Festival in Korčula (bottom left); Kinookus in Ston (bottom middle); the Ston Marathon (bottom right).

tip: Be in Ston on September 20 and participate in the marathon along the famous Ston wall. In October, make sure to be in Dubrovnik for the Good Food Festival...

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tipTravelMagazine August - October 2015

embellishments, are typical for the southern part of Croatia, and in this part of the county you will see them scattered from Neretva to Konavle. Take some time to tour Konavle, its idyllic villages and country estates. In the ambiance of their old Konavle houses and rural villas, your hosts will offer you homemade, healthy food, prepared in the traditional way. Food prepared under the bell, homemade prosciutto, and cheese in oil, zelena menestra, superb olive oil, and wine from Konavle will complement your gastro experience.

Diverse events Use late summer and autumn in the Croatian south to visit one of the many events. From September 3 to 6 be in Ston at the 2015 Kinookus Film Food Festival, and this year's topic is "Bread and Spirit". Along with documentary and feature film from the entire world, which you will watch here under a starry sky, you can also enjoy the delicacies made by world-famous chefs. In the city of

Korčula, on the island of the same name, a true music spectacle awaits you from September 5 to 12, the Korkyra Baroque Festival. The festival promotes local and international music and cultural heritage and it will host many masters of baroque music. From September 8 to 14, the town of Cavtat will celebrate the 2015 Epidaurus Festival, which, along with music, also promotes the other kinds of artistic expression and cultural wealth of Cavtat and the surrounding area.

This year, the famous Ston Marathon will be held on September 20. The route passes along the famous Ston wall, and heads down to the picturesque coast, and all participants are guaranteed an unforgettable view of the South Adriatic islands. Don't miss out on a delicious event, the 2015 Good Food Festival in Dubrovnik from October 22 to 25.

Presentations of culinary specialties typical for this region, children's programs, tasting regional wines, culinary workshops, "Eat&Walk" gastro tours, and the "Sweet Tooth Map" are just some of the surprises that await you here. 

RIVIERA & ISLANDS Dubrovnik-Neretva County Tourist Board www.visitdubrovnik.hr August - October 2015

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Issue topic

DALMATIAN EXPERIENCES: Split

Written by: Alma Radoš Photo archive: Split Tourist Board

Photo: a panorama of Split (top); the Days of Diocletian (bottom left); Peristil, the central square in Diocletian's palace (bottom right).

Split is lively all 365 days a year, and it is still warm enough to sunbathe and swim at one of the city beaches until late autumn.

You can also enjoy many events, such as the Days of Diocletian, which over the past few years have become the main reason many guests come to the city.

Split is a hit Thanks to the rich and diverse offer of culture, entertainment, sports, and gastronomy, intensive air traffic, and an increase in accommodation capacities, Split has become a hit amongst guests.

S Split Tourist Board Obala Hrv. narodnog preporoda 9 21000 Split, Croatia  +385 21 348600 touristboard@visitsplit.com

www.visitsplit.com

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plit will seduce you with its Mediterranean spirit and relaxed lifestyle. You will soon realize why its locals are convinced it is the most beautiful city in the world. It won't take long for you to discover the charm of slowly drinking coffee in one of the many cafés, so it will seem as if time really does pass slower in Dalmatia.

The buzz on the streets within the 1700 year-old walls of Diocletian's palace, the lively, crowded Riva, and the old neighborhoods of Radunica, Vela Varoš, and Matejuška are proof that Split not only offers a unique, historical backdrop, but that it is still full of life

and color. Its center is full of taverns, restaurants, wine bars, and snack bars that will, in a modern and innovative way, introduce you to the rich gastronomic tradition of the city, and if you haven't yet, you will surely become a fan of Dalmatian cuisine and superb Dalmatian wine. Take a walk or bike ride on Marjan, the green oasis and spiritual retreat for the people of Split with several churches, and the one carved into stone on the south promenade of this forest park will leave you breathless.

If it seems as if your vacation has long passed, stop thinking and take a few days for a vacation in Split. 

DALMATIAN EXPERIENCES: Brela

Issue topic

Photos: a view of Brela from Biokovo (top left); the Punta Rata beach (top right); the Lady of Carmel church and the statue of Bishop Nikola Bijanković (bottom left and middle); hiking on Biokovo (bottom right).

Active in Brela Written by: Željka Kunštek ◆ Photo archive: Brela Tourist Board

An active holiday with paradise beaches, turquoise coves, and magical nature... Sounds attractive, doesn't it?

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ith a view of paradise beaches and turquoise coves, along with the fresh mountain-sea air, it is a true delight to enjoy an activity. In Brela, there are many and you can choose between those on land and at sea. Kayaking will offer you a view of the unique panorama of the town, and if you rent a boat, you will have the chance to explore Brela's hidden beaches. If you would prefer to stay on land, the Path of Vitality is an excellent choice. On this seaside path, enjoy Nordic walking, cycling, or just an easy stroll, while those seeking more adrenaline can find it on the hiking trails of Biokovo or while rock climbing on

In early July of this year, the world famous and awarded Brela beaches of Punta Rata and Podrače were awarded the White Flag, a prestigious award for preserved nature and a clean seabed.

the tall Brela cliff. Don't miss out on walking through the town, exploring the churches of Brela, and make sure to stop by the Lady of Carmel church, which is celebrating its 300th anniversary this year. To celebrate, a statue of Bishop Nikola Bijanković, the man responsible for building the church back in 1715 after the victory against the Turks in Sinj, was placed in the church courtyard. On September 5, a true musical delight awaits you in Brela - Šakan Fest. Rezerve, Lovely Quinces, J.R. August, Sara Renar, and Marko i Darko are just some of the performers that will get your feet moving at this festival that has found its place on the list of the most interesting summer festivals in Croatia. 

Brela Tourist Board Trg A. Stepinca bb, 21322 Brela, Croatia,  +385 21 618455 info@brela.hr

www.brela.hr

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Issue topic

DALMATIAN EXPERIENCES: Dalmatian Zagora

Secrets of the Imotski region If you enjoy beautiful nature, are a fan of cultural or historical heritage, and a gourmet, head over to Dalmatian Zagora.

Written by: Alma Radoš Photo archive: Imotski Tourist Board and Vrgorac Tourist Board

Photos: The Red Lake (top left); the Blue Lake (top right); stone streets in the center of Imotski (bottom left); the Avala tower and a strawberry harvest in Vrgorac (bottom right).

Near the sea, but far enough from summer crowds, the Imotski region has become a destination that is more and more desirable.

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lthough located in Dalmatian Zagora, at first glance, Imotski is a typical coastal town. You will be delighted with its stone houses, steep streets, and stone steps. Climb up them to Topana, the fortress and viewpoint that offers a unique view of the city and the Blue Lake, the favorite swimming and walking site for the people of Imotski, which you can reach with serpentine

walking trails. In dry and hot years, the lake sometimes dries up so the creative people of Imotski sometimes play a game of football at its base. Unlike the Blue Lake, the Red Lake, located a kilometer and a half from the city, is completely inaccessible due to the steep cliffs surrounding it. At three hundred meters, it is one of the deepest lakes in Europe, and, because of that, an attraction for international diving

Photo: Ante Dušina (archive: Vrgorac Tourist Board)

Prilaz Kaliterna 10/1, 21000 Split, Hrvatska andbraće spelunking expeditions.

Adventurers tel/fax: +385 490 032, 490legend 033, 490 036 cannot be (0)21 dissuaded by the of the rich, but haughty and stingy Gavan, whose palace collapsed after his wife refused to help an angel disguised as a pauper, and the people of Imotski still say that you can hear the cry of Gavan and Gavanica from w the w wdepths . d aofl the m aRedt iLake. a.hr info@

Explore the hinterland The Red and Blue lakes aren't the only natural phenomena of the Imotski region. Before you head out to explore the unique karst formations, relax with traditional cuisine and Imotski cake, along with excellent wine, including the autochtonous kujundžuša. The wine roads of the Imotski wine region are an excellent starting point for revealing its incredible

freshness and lightness, but also the quality of the other wines nurtured in the cellars of the Imotski region.

Vrgorac, a town near Imotski, can also boast an incredible offer of food and wine, along with organic food. Locals pick wild herbs in the karst fields, and in spring, the dairais lfilled m awith t i athe. aroma h r of strawberries.

Due to its unusual beauty, they also call it the pearl of Dalmatian Zagora. Walk through its streets to Gradina, tour its towers, especially the one where the poet, and greatest Croatian bohemian, Tin Ujević, was born. Continue your trip through the Dalmatian hinterland with a visit to the Cetina region, and its cities of Sinj, Vrlika, and Trilj. They are famous for raising horses, excellent river specialties, but also a unique event, the Sinj Alka, which celebrated its 300th anniversary this year. 

Photo: basket weaving (top left).

tip: Along with hotels and suites, you can also find accommodations in more than 60 new vacation homes, many of which have pools.

Prilaz braće Kaliterna 10/1, 21000 Split, Croatia tel/fax: +385 (0)21 490 032, 490 033, 490 036

www.dalmatia.hr

info@dalmatia.hr August - October 2015

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Issue topic

DALMATIAN EXPERIENCES: Game of Thrones

The Game of Thrones cast on filming in Croatia (2015), © HBO Adria (www.hbo.hr)

(a

rc

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M P : K irko ho lis B to To o j i ć : Bo uri ar st d)

Following the Game of Thrones

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If you are a fan of "Game of Thrones", follow its path and explore the most beautiful parts of Dubrovnik, Split, and Šibenik, walk through the paths of Arboretum in Trsteno, and tour magnificent fortresses, such as the ones in Klis and Kaštela... You will discover why one of the world's favorite shows is being filmed in Dalmatia for the third year.

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DALMATIAN EXPERIENCES: Klis

A fortress with a view of Dalmatia

Issue topic

Fans of "Game of Thrones" will recognize the impressive Klis Fortress as the ancient Meereen, the city where Daenerys fought the ruler and slave owner, after which the triumphant queen returned to Westeros.

Written by: Alma Radoš ◆ Photos: Mirko Bojić (archive: Klis Tourist Board)

A harmonious landscape, a magnificent view of Split and central Dalmatia, and preserved heritage are just a few reasons to visit the Klis fortress.

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ocated at the very top of a rocky, steep, and inaccessible cliff on all sides between the mountains of Mosor and Kozjak, the Klis Fortress was nearly unconquerable. Who controlled the Klis Fortress, controlled the entrance to Dalmatia, so they called the unique construction the bulwark of Christianity, the key to Dalmatia, or the gateway to Split. Due to its strategic importance, for centuries it had a

significant defense position, and today it is one of the most beautiful fortresses in Croatia.

In the turbulent past, if an enemy managed to get close to the fortress, rocks or hot oil were thrown from its towers and defensive walls, and it was mostly conquered by deceit. That is how the Avars and Slavs first conquered it around 614, and then the Turks succeeded centuries later, in 1537 to be precise, in the largest battle in the history of Klis. That battle is reenacted every July by the historical Kliški uskoci troops in a two-day spectacle held within its unique walls. Today the fortress houses the renovated church of St. Vid, an armory, a small powder magazine, and an ancient, almost completely renovated stone Duke's House, or the governor's house where Croatian rulers and the dukes of Klis once lived. If you visit it, you will be impressed by its walls, but also by its fantastic view of Split and Dalmatia. 

Klis Tourist Board Megdan 57, 21231 Klis, Croatia  +385 21 240578 tzo-klis@email.t-com.hr

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DALMATIAN EXPERIENCES: Kaštela

Written by: Alma Radoš Photo archive: Kaštela Tourist Board

Photos: Kaštilac in Kaštel Gomilica (top left); the Biblical Garden (top right); a 1500-year old olive tree called Mastrinka (middle).

tip: You can find accommodations not only in hotels, but also in private suites and smaller camps, while sailors can find a safe harbor in the Kaštela Marina.

In the homeland of

Zinfandel

Due to its seven individual centers, in Kaštela you will feel as if you are in a smaller place, far from the bustle and stress of the city, enjoying your holiday on beautiful beaches, with a glass of superb Crljenak kaštelanski in hand.

A Kaštela Tourist Board Dvorac Vitturi, Brce 1 21215 Kaštel Lukšić, Croatia  / +385 21 227933  +385 21 228355 info@kastela-info.hr

www.kastela-info.hr

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fter the Zinfandel sort arrived in America, it became so deeprooted on that continent that its origin was forgotten, so nearly 200 years passed before it was rediscovered that it was Crljenak kaštelanski.

For centuries, this autocthonous Dalmatian sort was grown, along with olives and fantastic cherries, on the slopes of Kozjak, the hill that protects Kaštela from cold winds. The Mastrinka olive, the most beautiful natural monument, which is more than 1500 years old, bears witness to the effort of the workers of Kaštela, along with the Biblical garden, which is slightly younger, and the Botanical garden at the Ostrog Elementary School.

The people of Kaštela have always known how to appreciate the gifts of nature, so even today fishermen head out on their boats at early dawn to go to sea and search for seafood. The autocthonous specialties offered in Kaštela's restaurants, taverns, and family homesteads, in the original or modern versions, are based on that natural heritage.

The attractions of Kaštela include the stone renaissance fortresses - castells, which is how the city got its name.

Scattered along the coast, they used to be the center of seven lively Mediterranean settlements. One of the fortresses, Kaštilac in Kaštel Gomilica, impressed the producers of "Game of Thrones" so much that they filmed some scenes of the fourth season of this globally popular show there. Make sure to stop by and tour the city museum in the Vitturi Castle in Kaštel Lukšić, whose history is tied to the unhappy love story of Miljenko and Dobrila, which has been passed down from generation to generation in Kaštela. 

In Kaštela you can try sailing, rowing, diving, and cycling, but also hiking on Kozjak, after which a break in one of the three mountain cabins will come in handy.

DALMATIAN EXPERIENCES: Šolta Island

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tip: It's easiest to reach Šolta by boat from the Split harbor, and the ride takes around 45 minutes.

An island of

enticing flavors

Photos: honey, wine, and olives are nature's gifts that you should try on Šolta (top left and middle); a sunset in Maslinica (bottom left); a cove on the south side of the island (top right).

Written by: Željka Kunštek Photo archive: Šolta Tourist Board and Robert Kunštek

On Šolta, get to know more about the dobričić sort, find out where Emperor Diocletian relaxed, and catch the best sunset...

F

irst it was called "Olyntia" ("island of figs"), then it was "Soletia" ("island of sun"), and today the mysterious island near Split is called Šolta. Actually, both groups were right because Šolta is mostly sunny all year long, and juicy figs can be found everywhere. However, today, Šolta offers so much more than that. Head out on a tour by car, or, even better, by bike, and enjoy the island road that takes you along vineyards and olive groves, stone walls, gardens, and fields full of Mediterranean and medicinal herbs. Šolta is an island full of enticing aromas, but also magical flavors. You can see that for yourself if you visit one of the family farm estates or agricultural tourism estates. If, for example, you stop by the Tvrdić family estate, your stay on Šolta will be even sweeter since this family is the one that makes the island the "honey island". Here you will see true bee colony, learn to differentiate a queen bee from a working bee, try to extract honey, find out what

propolis is, and how to use it. Make sure to try the honey with wild rosemary and gingerbread, and continue on to Gornje Selo, where Šolta's autochtonous grape sort, dobričić, is traditionally grown.

Winemaker Vicko Kaštelanac will reveal that this sort, which has been grown on the island for centuries, is actually the "father" of plavac mali. Her you can try dobričić rosé, carob brandy, lemon, figs, and black olives, and the homemade olive oil will go extremely well with anchovies and salted sardines, as well as green and black olive pâté. Use your time on Šolta to tour the other attractions on the island. Visit the Slavić-Rossignoli fortress in Grohote, and the village of Nečujam, where Emperor Diocletian used to vacation. Make sure to visit Stomorska, a picturesque fishing village anchored in a calm bay, and Maslinica, the base for many sailors, which owes its special landscape to the baroque Martinis-Marchi castle. Many locals say the prettiest sunsets on the island are here, so be sure to catch one. 

Šolta Tourist Board Podkuća 8, 21430 Grohote, Croatia  / +385 21 654657 solta@solta.hr

www.visitsolta.com

August - October 2015

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DALMATIAN EXPERIENCES: Šibenik-Knin County

In the ŠibenikKnin County, there are 12 wellequipped marinas that are, along with the rugged coastline and magical islands, the leading nautical features of this region.

Photo: Foto Gec (Gojko Vukov Colić), archive: Zlarin Tourist Board

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In the path of sailors through the Šibenik archipelago Written by: Željka Kunštek ◆ Photo archive: Šibenik-Knin County Tourist Board, Zlarin Tourist Board, Vodice Tourist Board, Murter - Kornati Tourist Board and Robert Kunštek

Two hundred islands and islets, many picturesque hidden coves, the clean sea, a mild climate with plenty of hours of sun per year, and great marinas all year long attract sailors to this heart of the Mediterranean. Tighten your sails and explore this magical archipelago...

Photos: a regatta near the island of Zlarin (top); the island of Kaprije (bottom).

tip: The harbor in Kaprije, on the southwestern part of the island of the same name, is protected from all winds, and so is popular amongst sailors.

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R

egardless of whether you enjoy sailing on a sailboat with tightened sails and the whistling of the wind between the ropes, or you prefer

sailing motor boats and yachts, with more comfort and luxury, late summer and autumn are a perfect time to explore the rugged Šibenik archipelago. By then,

Photo: Foto Gec (Gojko Vukov Colić), archive: Zlarin Tourist Board

tip: Zlarin's harbor is protected from south and northeastern winds so you can drop anchor here without worries.

the summer heat dies down, the crowds dwindle, and the weather is pleasantly warm, as is the sea, so it's a true pleasure to swim at open sea or in one of the idyllic coves, and to relax on deck, with the aroma of the true Mediterranean and the magical views you will come across, and are only enjoyed by sailors and seamen.

Use your tour of the Šibenik archipelago to tour the interesting islands you will come across. There are six larger inhabited islands: Kaprije, Krapanj, Murter, Prvić, Zlarin, and Žirje, along with six different stories. Kaprije, formerly the island of Šibenik's aristocrats, got its name from the caper (Croatian: kapar) plant, whose buds are used as spices. Today, around 150 people live on the island, and they grow grapes and olives in the small fertile valleys between the hills. Make sure to explore Krapanj, the smallest inhabited Croatian island, and also the lowest one. It is famous for being an island of spongers, and the tradition of harvesting and processing sponges has been cultivated

here since the 18th century. Today the brothers of the Province of St. Gerolim live on the island, and their monastery houses a valuable collection of sponges, corals, amphoras, and ancient dishes.

Find your cove Sail away to the farthest inhabited island of the Šibenik archipelago, Žirje. It used to be covered in dense Mediterranean oak forests, so it is assumed it got its name from the acorn (Croatian: žir), the fruit of that tree. Žirje is surrounded by many islets and reefs, and its rugged coastline has many coves where you are sure to find one just for yourself.

One of the most attractive islands of the Šibenik archipelago is Zlarin, known as a green island without cars. Still, the island is most famous for its long tradition of harvesting and processing precious red coral. After Zlarin comes the island of Prvić, full of striking inlets and coves. It is famous as Faust's island, and a lot can

Photos: a view of Zlarin's harbor (top); you will regularly see sailors around the island of Prvić (bottom).

The Faust Vrančić Memorial Center, dedicated to that great inventor, is located on the island of Prvić.

Šibenik-Knin County Tourist Board Fra Nikole Ružića bb 22000 Šibenik, Croatia  +385 22 219072 info@sibenikregion.com

www.sibenikregion.com

August - October 2015

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Issue topic

DALMATIAN EXPERIENCES: Šibenik-Knin County

The Kornati Islands were declared a national park in 1980.

Photos: with more than 150 islets, Kornati are a sailing paradise (top); sailors dock in Skradin's harbor all year long (bottom left); a view of Murter, a favorite nautical base (bottom right).

be found out about Faust Vrančić, the scientist, historian, linguist, and inventor of the first usable parachute at the Memorial Center on the island. You can discover a lot about the lifestyle of the islanders by walking through the island and its fishing villages: Prvić Luka and Prvić Šepurine, connected by a kilometer-long road.

Nautical gastro destinations The island of Murter is a special story, and its locals have always been strongly tied to the sea, with gajetas and sails. After you dock on the island, explore its four towns: Jezera, Tisno, Murter, and Betina, let the skilled shipbuilders tell you their story, watch one of the many regattas, and visit one of the many festivals on the island, mostly related to the sea. Murter is also a famous gastronomic destination, and

Photo: Ervin Šilić (archive: Šibenik-Knin County Tourist Board)

tip: Make sure to add Kornati, the island of Murter, and Skradin to your sailing route through the Šibenik archipelago, and enjoy the gastronomy in the evening hours in one of its fantastic restaurants.

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sailors gladly visit its superb restaurants and taverns while touring the Adriatic.

While on Murter, you're actually at "the gateway to Kornati", a nautical paradise with more than 150 islets.

One of the favorite nautical routes in this area, 26 miles long, connects two national parks - Kornati and Krka. It stretches along the length of the Kornati archipelago, passes by the mentioned islands of Žirje, Kaprije, and Zlarin, then through the St. Ante Channel, next to Šibenik, and through the Prukljan Lake to the town of Skradin, and the magnificent Skradinski buk on the Krka River. Picturesque Skradin is at the gateway to the Krka National Park, at the place where the salty sea and freshwater river mix. This is also one of the favorite nautical bases due to its excellent offer of food and protected marina, which is open all year long. 

PROMO

Late summer in Dalmatia - an ideal time to travel

Late summer in Dalmatia is the most beautiful time to travel. It's sunny and pleasantly warm, and nature gets new aromas and colors. Swimming is possible until mid-October, and the weather is ideal for seaside walks.

N

ature is slowly calming down, and various activities are in full swing at Solaris. Especially at the Dalmatian Ethno Village, where grandma is busy with her tasks in the garden full of flavors and aromas.

Figs and the first apples are ripe, and then grandma turns them into fantastic delicacies in her kitchen. In the Dalmatian Ethno Village, it is possible to try many local specialties, such as soparnik, dried figs, marmalade, and sauce made from homegrown tomatoes.

The aroma and flavor of warm treats will enchant you. Try to resist traditional dishes prepared under the bell, which will melt in your mouth.

Don't forget to check out the offer at the à la carte restaurants in Solaris, which use only the best natural and seasonal ingredients to prepare dishes. The Trattoria and Mediterraneo SteakHouse offer delicious and popular dishes and a gorgeous view of the sea.

We recommend you relax and rejuvenate in the Solaris Wellness & Spa oasis.

Saunas, pools and many treatments and rituals will wipe away your worries. We have designed special treatments that infuse the healing effects of the sea and Mediterranean plants, such as lavender, sage, and domestic olives, which will deeply nourish your skin in an absolutely natural way. The wine bath will offer you an unforgettable experience, and you can also enjoy a glass of superb domestic Babić wine while you relax.

Old traditions are important at Solaris.

So we invite you to come to the SOLIVA

DAYS at Solaris in late October. Experience Dalmatia through the traditional olive harvest with socializing, a bite to eat, and song amongst the 2000 trees in our olive grove. After the harvest comes the pressing, and tasting of fresh oil with homemade bread, which tops off this special experience.

In Dalmatia, late summer is the ideal time to explore the surrounding area.

Come to Solaris for new experiences and adventures. 

Solaris Beach Resort, Hoteli Solaris 86, 22000 Šibenik, Croatia,  +385 22 361001, info@solaris.hr, www.solaris.hr August - October 2015

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Issue topic

DALMATIAN EXPERIENCES: Vodice

A place favored by all Lively, diverse, and different... That's what your holiday will be in Vodice, a famous tourist mecca in the heart of Dalmatia, which many, after they visit it, will name it their holiday destination.

Written by: Željka Kunštek Photo archive: Vodice Tourist Board

Photos: the center of Vodice (top); tourists regularly explore the surroundings of Vodice, and the stone city streets on walking tours and on bike (bottom).

tip: If you want to try mountain biking, go to Karika bike tours in Vodice, and their members will take you on an unforgettable adventure.

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I

f you would like to have a vacation in a lively destination, with options that will motivate you to be active, but also to relax and have new experiences, welcome to Vodice! This famous tourist hub, perhaps best described by the words lively and diverse, will continue to grab your attention even after the summer heat dies down. Head out for a walk through

the stone city streets and down the seaside promenade under the warm Vodice sun, and you will discover many interesting features of the Vodice area.

If touring the surroundings on two wheels is more appealing, get a bike map at one of the travel agencies, and choose the trail that suits you best: easy, the red trail, difficult incline, or a mountain bike trail.

Sailing, kayaking...

It is a true experience to dive down into the interesting and mystical underwater world of Vodice, intertwined with sunken ships, archeological sites, and magical underwater gardens. One of the most beautiful and best preserved underwater worlds is hidden right here, where the famous sailing route that connected the east to the west passed. So, dive in and explore the world of underwater museums.

If you prefer the feeling of freedom after tightening the sails, and heading out to the open sea, explore the Vodice and Šibenik archipelago, the surrounding coves and islands, and discover their stories. Even if you haven't had the chance to sail yet, fulfill your wish this year and sign up for sailing school, and learn the skills of this sport, which will probably get under your skin, in this archipelago, a favorite amongst sailors.

Photos: a panorama of Vodice (top); one of Vodice's features are the many events that happen all year long (bottom left); kayaking around the island of Prvić (bottom right).

The Šibenik archipelago is ideal for sailing, while the island of Prvić has become a popular destination for kayaking.

Vodice Tourist Board Obala Vladimira Nazora bb 22211 Vodice, Croatia  +385 22 443 888 info@vodice.hr

www.vodice.hr

August - October 2015

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Issue topic

DALMATIAN EXPERIENCES: Vodice

tip: Come to the Bacchanals, on October 3, experience Roman ceremonies and try delicacies prepared according to ancient recipes.

Photos: The Jabuka Regatta (top left); Vodice in the evening (top right); the big game fishing competition (bottom left); beautiful beaches and clean sea are amongst the main features of Vodice (bottom right).

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Here you can also try windsurfing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding.

Whichever activity you choose, relax at the end of the day on one of Vodice's beaches, or in the wellness oases of Vodice's hotels.

Superb detox, anti-stress and aroma therapy will relax your body and renew your energy.

Festivals, regattas...

One of Vodice's main features are its many events. After the Šaša i pulenta festival on August 23, which treats the people of Vodice and their guests to the flavors of traditional dishes, Vodice will host the traditional four-day competition in biggame fishing from September 2 to 5, the big game fishing "Champions Cup - Vodice 2015". Enjoy grilled tuna and local wine while supporting the competitors who will introduce themselves and present

their catch in the center of the city.

On October 3, in the authentic surroundings of the former settlement of Arauzona, at the Bacchanals, Roman mythology, rituals, gastronomy, and the lifestyle of a lost time will come alive. Experience Roman ceremonies and traditions of blessing vineyards and olive groves, and try delicacies prepared according to ancient recipes. The following day, October 4, is reserved for the 8th Gabre's marathon, a recreational mountain bike marathon in honor of Gabrijel Skočić, a cyclist from Vodice, and his firefighter friends, who bravely and tragically died on Kornat Island in 2007. The legendary Jabuka Regatta, which takes sailors on a 110 mile long Vodice-Jabuka-Vodice course, will take place from November 13 to 15. The regatta is famous for its night start, and long and exhausting sailing, with strong winds, to the mystical island of Jabuka. 

PROMO

S

Explore the beauty of Dalmatia with Hotel Olympia

un and sea aren't the only strong points of Vodice. If you choose this city and the comfortable Hotel Olympia for your vacation destination, besides relaxing on one of the beautiful beaches, you can also discover one of the most beautiful landscapes in Dalmatia. Located only ten kilometers northwest of Šibenik, near national parks and nature parks, Vodice is an excellent point to head out on adventures on the fast Dalmatian rivers, such as the Krka, Čikola, Zrmanja, and Cetina, or rowing a canoe to the green island of Zlarin. Just choose any

one of the many offered excursions and you're sure to have a good time.

If you decide to visit the Krka National Park, you'll be thrilled by the green valley and tame lakes, mills, and churches, and the largest and most beautiful waterfalls - Skradinski buk and Roški Slap. You will have an unique experience if you choose to take a boat ride north-west of Vodice to the steep southern cliffs and tame coves of Kornati National Park and Telašćica Nature Park. In one day, you will tour 200 picturesque islands, swim in a salt lake, and enjoy the shade of a pine forest.

Excursions to the Šibenik archipelago will teach you about the traditional way of life and the rich heritage of the romantic islands of Zlarin and Prvić.

Staying in Vodice also gives you a great opportunity to visit the Paklenica and Plitvice Lakes National Parks, and fans of active holidays can choose one of the hiking or Nordic walking programs in the area surrounding Vodice.

All the excursions can be found in one place offered by the Hotel Olympia, which is always a great place to spend your long awaited vacation. 

Olympia Vodice d.d., Ljudevita Gaja 6, 22211 Vodice, Croatia,  +385 22 452452, recepcija@olympiavodice.hr, www.olympiavodice.hr August - October 2015

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DALMATIAN EXPERIENCES: "Krka" National Park

In a park of enchanting waterfalls Seven magnificent waterfalls, interesting archeological sites, and many cultural features are just part of the story of this magical park.

Text and photos: "Krka" National Park

Photos: the island of Visovac in the middle of Visovac Lake (top left); Skradinski buk (top right); Roški slap and the watermills nearby (bottom).

tip: The park is open for visitors all year long, and can be toured by water, road, bike trail, or with an attractive educational hiking trail.

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K

rka National Park, 109 km2 in size, covers the most beautiful part of the Krka River and the lower course of the Čikola River. Due to the incredible geomorphological, hydrological, and scenic value of the landscape, it was named a national park in 1985. The main phenomenon of the park is travertine, which, over the entire course of the river, has shaped seven

enchanting travertine waterfalls: Bilušića buk, Brljan, Manojlovac slap, Rošnjak, Miljacki slap, Roški slap and Skradinski buk. The national park is also home to many endemic plant and animal species, and there are many cultural and historical landmarks on the shores of the Krka.

Krka's attractions Skradinski buk is the longest, most famous, and most commonly visited waterfall on the Krka River, and one of the most famous natural landmarks in Croatia.

The waterfall consists of travertine barriers, islands, and lakes, and can be toured thanks to a network of trails and bridges intertwined with water mills and an ethnographic collection. Here you can also find the ruins of the Krka hydro power plant, which started working in 1895, only two days after Tesla's hydro power plant was opened at Niagara Falls.

One of the most important natural and cultural sites in the Republic of Croatia is the island of Visovac, where the Franciscan monastery with the Our Lady of Mercy church has been located since 1445 in a floristic-horticultural landscape monument. The monastery's collection houses many pieces of art, valuable documents, books, and incunabula.

Roški slap is a wide waterfall upstream consisting of a main waterfall and many arms, cascades (known locally as the "Necklaces"), and travertine islands. Here you will also find watermills, witnesses of traditional life and production up to the first half of the 20th century.

Oziđana pećina, part of the Stinice - Roški slap - Oziđana pećina educational hiking trail, one of the most beautiful hiking trails in Croatia, is a site of incredible archeological, natural, cultural, and historical value. Human presence in the cave was constant from 5000 to 1500 B.C., and today the cave is home to an in situ archeological collection.

The Krka Monastery (Holy Archangel) is one of the most important spiritual centers of the Dalmatian Orthodox Eparchy that has its center in Šibenik. It is located on

Carigradska draga, in the middle of the Krka canyon. Beneath the church, there are ancient Roman catacombs, built in the byzantine style, and open to visitors.

The monastery's treasury houses valuable icons, and arts and crafts pieces.

Upstream from the Krka Monastery are the ruins of the Burnum Roman military camp, which are located just above Manojlovac slap, the highest waterfall on the Krka River. Burnum was built at the turn of the new era, and the remains of arches that were the command center of the camp, and the ruins of the amphitheater can be seen here with plenty of archeological material exhibited in the archeological collection at the Puljani Eco Campus. "Burnumske Ide", which reconstruct the history of this area during Roman times, are held at the amphitheater every year. 

Photos: the Krka Monastery (left); the Burnum Museum (top middle); remains of the Burnum amphitheater, where "Burnumske Ide" is held every year in the summer months (bottom middle); the ruins of the arches are part of the former command center of the camp (top right); depiction of old crafts milling flour in the mill (bottom right).

August - October 2015

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DALMATIAN EXPERIENCES: Murter

The sail of life Throughout the year, but especially throughout the month of September, Murter celebrates the Latin sail. It's not a boat nor a sail, nor a regatta nor a tourist festival, but so much more than that. Come and see for yourself.

Written by: Željka Kunštek Photos: Mario Romulić (archive: Murter - Kornati Tourist Board)

Photos: every year, the Latin Sail event gathers many fans of the sea, sails, and waves (top and bottom).

tip: Make sure to be in Murter on September 27 to see the 2015 Latin Sail.

A detailed schedule of events for the Days of the Latin Sail 2015 can be found here:

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E

verything has always been about boats in the amazing waters surrounding Murter. Boats were the beginning of everything, and nothing was possible without them and their sails. In order to bring this story of life, survival, and the coexistence of man, boat, and sea closer to today's modern man, members of the "Latinsko idro" association launched a regatta with Latin sails 18 years ago, which has already become a tradition. "We wanted to renew memories of one of the lifestyles at sea by using a boat that is interesting in many

ways. With the Latin sail regatta, we want to show visitors the old way of rowing and sailing, as well as communicating with the sea, in a modern way", explained Željko Jerat, president of the "Latinsko idro" Association in Murter-Betina, responsible for the promotion of the values of the wooden boat and the traditional way of sailing. He added that the Latin sail project lives throughout the year, and its final activity, or better said, highlight, is traditionally held to celebrate the feast day of St. Michael, protector saint of the Murter parish, on September 29.

Many activities The main event is the Latin sail regatta, a competition where the people of Murter and Betina (locals), and members of the mentioned associations, participate using traditional wooden boats: gajeta, leut, and kaić. Crews from other Adriatic settlements and from abroad can also participate, under the condition that they own a Latin sail. President Jerat said that this year, they expect about 70 participants. Every year, the event is watched by many fans of the sea, sails, oars, and tradition, who participate in various activities throughout September.

At this year's Days of the Latin Sail, there will be plenty of events to see, and here we list just a few we believe you shouldn't miss out on: the traditional "Mala Gospa" rowing regatta for kids and adults (September 8), a pilgrimage to the church of the Sacred Cross on Žut Island (September 14), a klapa concert called "Ispod latinskog idra" (September 19), "Gajeta's Cup" (September 24), a

children's regatta "Malo latinsko idro" (September 25), a boat and brunch show on the Stara riva (September 26), the "2015 Latin Sail" regatta (September 27), and a tour on the routes of the workers of Murter and Betina "Snack at Vransko jezero" (October 4). Many lectures, exhibitions, workshops for children, and plenty of good fun await you at those events.

The main sponsor of the event is the Municipality of Murter - Kornati, and all year long representatives of the Murter - Kornati Tourist Board promote this valuable project through many fairs, presentations, and the media. "We wish to brand the Latin Sail as something authotchonous and make it a recognizable symbol of Murter, all with the aim of preserving tradition, educating children and youth, and keeping that old wooden boat in our area", said Šime Ježina, Director of the Murter - Kornati Tourist Board. See you in Murter! 

Photos: preparing the sails (left); a gajeta at the regatta (middle); a klapa concert will also be held at the Days of the Latin Sail, as is tradition (right).

At the race, boats sail only with the traditional Latin sail, while other regatta participants who don't have such a sail, sail in another group of competitors. All participants at the race receive a certificate of participation in the regatta, and the best of the class also get awards.

Murter - Kornati Tourist Board Rudina b.b., 22243 Murter, Croatia  +385 22 434995, info@tzo-murter.hr

www.tzo-murter.hr

August - October 2015

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DALMATIAN EXPERIENCES: Galešnjak

In the Pašman Channel, between the island of Pašman and the town of Turanj on the mainland, is a heart-shaped island. Although its official name is Galešnjak, it's more famous as the "Island of Love", and has become a world attraction for couples in love. In an article by Ken Jennings, published by the Huffington Post in 2014, Galešnjak received the title of most adorable island in the world.

Na

tio (a na rch Ivo P h l T iv ou e: Per oto ris Cro va : t B at n oa ian rd )

The Island of Love

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DALMATIAN EXPERIENCES: Zadar

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Cathedral of St. Anastasia r o: l da ot rt Za d) Ph m E ve: oar hi B rc ist (a our T

August - October 2015

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The bell tower of Zadar's Cathedral of St. Anastasia, one of the largest churches in Dalmatia, gives you a completely new perspective to experience the city and the surrounding area. It was built on the foundation of a basilica, received its Romanesque appearance in the 12th century, and houses the sarcophagus with the relics of Zadar's protector saint, St. Anastasia. The square in front of the church is a meeting place for locals, but also an excellent stage for concerts and other events.

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u o y 4 s tip

Plum Days in Sirač

Photo: Darko Puharić (archive: Vinkovci Tourist Board)

www.tzbbz.hr

al

www.tzosijek.hr

DOKU Art in Bjelovar

Don't miss out on the largest folklore festival in this part of Europe from September 11 to 20 in Vinkovci. A formal parade, Vinkovci Autumn for Kids, the National Folklore Festival, Folklore Evenings, and Šokački divani are just part of the experience that awaits you at the 50th Vinkovci Autumn.

From October 4 to 10, Bjelovar will be in the sign of DOKU Art, an international festival of creative documentary film.

With 15 exciting, internationally recognized films, expert lectures by leading European documentarians and gatherings with local filmmakers will also be held. A special attraction, especially amongst the youngest visitors, will be the DOKU Bus on Korzo, where films will be shown in one of the smallest theatres in the world - an old bus.

www.vinkovackejeseni.hr

www.dokuart.hr

Vinkovci Autumn

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www.novalisfestival.com

Photo archive: Bjelovar-Bilogora County Tourist Board

In mid-September, Osijek traditionally celebrates the first Croatian beer from 1664 with a big party. Over the course of ten days, in the tent at the Krunska fortress next to the Drava, this beer festival attracts about 50 thousand beer fans. With tamburica performances of pop and rock hits and a diverse offer of food, good fun is guaranteed.

Photo archive: Novalis music+art Festiv

From August 23 to 26, you can enjoy the interdisciplinary music project of modern music at attractive locations in Novalja.

The French chamber orchestra, the Secession Orchestra, and the German Leise Dröhnung duo will entertain you with pieces by modern composers, such as Philip Glass and Kaije Saariaho.

Come and see for yourself that contemporary music is just as cool as any other.

Days of the First Croatian Beer in Osijek

Reserve September 4 and 5 for Plum Days in Sirač, near Daruvar, and try some delicacies made from this tasty fruit: marmalade, cakes, and brandy. It will also be a chance for you to get some homemade products and crafts and have a good time with the plenty of good music that will accompany the event. The main part of the program will be held on Saturday, September 5, when the parade of folklore ensembles from all parts of Croatia will pass through the center of town.

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Novalis music+art Festival in Novalja

Photo archive: Osijek Tourist Board

Photo archive: Bjelovar-Bilogora County Tourist Board

t... u o s s i m t ' Don

This fall, the eighth Weekend Media Festival will reveal the secret of one of the buzzwords of the year, native advertising.

Find out exactly what it is from September 24 to 27 in the old tobacco factory in Rovinj, where the Weekend will once again gather top-notch international experts from the fields of marketing, media, and public relations who will talk about interesting current topics.

Cake and ice cream festival On September 12 and 13, Crikvenica, Dramalj, Jadranovo, and Selce await you with sweet and refreshing surprises. You will be able to enjoy delicious and original desserts in the hotels, restaurants, cake shops and bars along the entire Riviera, and the entertainment and dessert fair start at 10 o'clock on the main square in Crikvenica.

Lumblija Days in Blato On October 30, Lumblija Days will be held in Blato on the island of KorÄ?ula, with the aim of preserving tradition and customs, with exhibitions, competitions and a taste test of the best lumblija. That old-fashioned cake originated here, and has been prepared for nearly 200 years. The gastro event, which lasts all night, is a great opportunity to try and buy lumblija, enjoy klapa songs, and participate in the vote for the best lumblija.

Photo archive: Weekend Media Festival

www.weekendmediafestival.com

www.rivieracrikvenica.com

Photo archive: Sveti Filip i Jakov Tourist Board

Photo archive: Blato Tourist Board

Photo archive: Crikvenica Tourist Board

Weekend Media Festival

www.tzo-blato.hr

On September 26, a triathlon will be held on the attractive Sveti Filip i Jakov Riviera, and every year, it attracts more amateurs and sports and recreation aficionados. Before the main race, an Aquathon will be held for children, then for adults, and then the main race starts on the promenade in the center of the town.

The participants will get to know more about the beauty of the coast and the Ravni Kotar hinterland of this attractive riviera while passing the swimming, cycling, and running route and testing their strength on the way.

Photo archive: PHOTOnet.hr

The "Island of Love" triathlon

www.sv-filipjakov.hr

The traditional Ilok Grape Harvest, a cultural-entertainment, and economictravel festival will be held from August 29 to September 6. The main part of the program is held over the weekend, with cultural-entertainment events held in the day and evening. www.turizamilok.hr

Photo archive: IloÄ?ki podrumi d.d.

Ilok grape harvest

Viennese Ball in Opatija The city of Opatija is the smallest city in the world to have the honor of hosting the famous Viennese Ball. On September 19, many tourists, but also a large number of guests, diplomats, mayors of sister cities, the political and business elite of the city of Vienna, and many more guests of Opatija will dance the waltz in the Crystal Ballroom of the Kvarner hotel. www.opatija-tourism.hr

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ZAGREB

Photo archive: HUP Zagreb d.d.

Congress tourism

A city for

successful congresses Photos: Zagreb attracts business people all year long (top left); the Vatroslav Lisinski concert hall, Mimara Museum, and The Westin Zagreb Hotel regularly host various events and gatherings (top right and bottom).

Meet in Zagreb, an application made by the Convention Bureau of the Zagreb Tourist Board for iOS devices, is of great assistance to convention planners who can have an overview of all of Zagreb's congress capacities and services at once.

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Although it doesn't have a large congress center, Zagreb takes 72nd place of 350 monitored cities worldwide on the scale of the ICCA, the leading global professional association for the congress industry.

A

lthough Zagreb, at first glance, is a typical central European city, its ambiance irresistibly evokes the feeling of a Mediterranean lifestyle. That unusual combination of European restraint and Mediterranean

Photo archive: HUP Zagreb d.d.

Written by: Alma Radoš Photos: Marko Vrdoljak (archive: Zagreb Tourist Board) and archive of HUP Zagreb d.d.

openness give it a special charm, which, with an abundant offer of hotels and attractive spaces for holding congresses and business meetings, makes it an attractive congress destination. In their long tradition of hosting congresses,

Photos: The Golden Hall at the Croatian Institute of History (left); the Croatian National Theater (right).

tip: Find out more information about Zagreb as a congress destination here:

Zagreb's hotels have proven to be excellent hosts of international business events, entertainment and sports shows, business meetings... Equipped halls, great accommodations, and professional service delight guests who love to return to the city for a vacation or new business event. According to data from the National Institute for Statistics, nearly four thousand business events were held in Zagreb last year, or 50 percent of all events held in Croatia. Zlatan Muftić, director of the Convention Bureau at the Zagreb Tourist Board, pointed out that two of the larger congresses have already been held this year: the 12th SIEF Congress (congress of ethnologists and folklorists), and the Special International Congress of Jehovah's Witnesses, doubtlessly the largest congress in 2015, which gathered around 12 thousand participants. I would also point out the International Conference of Physics Students and the conference of the

South East European Society of Perinatal Medicine, along with several smaller congresses, said the head of Zagreb's Convention Bureau and emphasized that interest for Zagreb is growing since over the years the Croatian capital has transformed into a recognizable and attractive destination.

Grand halls In accordance with the modern trends of global congress destinations such as Vienna, London, or Sydney, which not only offer superb service, excellent accommodations, and technical equipment but also unusual congress centers and special spaces, Zagreb also has about a dozen grand halls downtown which will leave a great impression on every participant of business events.

Amongst them is the Golden Hall at the Croatian Institute of History in Opatička

Street, one of the most beautiful historical buildings from the Neo-Baroque era with frescos and sculptures made by the most famous Croatian artists. The Glyptotheque at the Croatian Academy of Science and Art has an ambiance that is unique in Croatia and one of only a few in the Europe. The Art Pavilion in Zagreb is the oldest exhibition space in the Slavic south, and the only building constructed for the purpose of holding large, representative exhibitions. Others include the Croatian National Theatre, the Klovićevi dvori gallery, the Illyrian Hall, the Museum of the City of Zagreb, the Mimara Museum, the Arts and Crafts Museum, the Croatian Association of Artists, the Croatian National Archive... 

ZAGREB CARD Make ZAGREB CARD your irreplaceable travel companion in the capital of Croatia! ZAGREB CARD offers you unlimited travel on public transport, discounts in the city museums, reduced prices at many restaurants, shops, and much more…

More information is available at: www.zagrebcard.vestars.hr

ZAGREB TOURIST BOARD

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Historical traces...

ZAGREB

Prepared by: Željka Kunštek Photos: Marko Vrdoljak, archive of Zagreb Tourist Board

Mirogoj D

id you know that Zagreb is home to one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Europe? It all started way back in 1852 when Ljudevit Gaj, the leader of the Illyrian movement, bought a piece of land on the slopes of Medvednica Mountain.

He had a summer home and road built there, along with a garden, and it was his wish to spend the final days of his life on that country estate. He named the estate "Mirogoj" in honor of its owner in medieval times, Herkul Mirogojski. After Gaj's death, the estate was purchased by the city of Zagreb with the aim of creating the city's central cemetery. The arcades, for which Mirogoj is famous far and wide, the Christ the King Church, and the cemetery building were designed by Herman Bollé, the constructor of Zagreb's cathedral. The first Zagrebian to find his eternal peace at Mirogoj was gymnastics teacher Fridrik Singer. He was buried in November 1876, the same year the first crematorium in Europe was opened in Milan... 

i

Mirogoj

Google Street View: Address: Hermann Bolle Alley 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

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tip: While visiting Zagreb, take a walk through Mirogoj, an "outdoor museum", and tour the famous arcades.

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CROATIA

Photo archive: City of Krk Tourist Board

Photo archive: Valamar Riviera d.d.

A tropical undersea world in the center of Krk

Photo archive: Valamar Riviera d.d.

On the island of Krk, in the old center of the town of the same name, a tropical aquarium has been opened, which offers visitors a unique experience of the unusual sea and freshwater world.

So, for the first time in Croatia, you can see the coral shark, piranhas, clown fish, and discus...

More than a hundred types of fish, 200 shellfish and snails, and a large number of corals from tropical waters will attract you with their unusual beauty and diversity. You will learn more about part of the mysterious tropical sea world that has yet to be completely explored.

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Photo: Robert Kunštek

As of summer 2015, Dubrovnik has a new, attractive place to relax in the sea and sun for all the citizens and guests of the city. It is the Kava beach on Babin kuk, an investment by the Valamar Riviera, which used only natural elements for its adaptation: stone, wood, and greenery. Along with an abundant offer of food and drinks, swimmers also have access to changing rooms, lounge chairs, umbrellas, and showers, and in the evening hours, the location turns into a magical ambiance ideal for relaxing with cocktails and delicacies, with the possiblity of using the beach for concerts, gala dinners, cocktail parties, or weddings.

Photo: Robert Kunštek

Dubrovnik has a new beach

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Photo archive: Crikvenica Tourist Board

Photo archive: Valamar Riviera d.d.

Interesting facts

Crikvenica - Novi Vinodolski - Vinodol Tourist Card Crikvenica - Novi Vinodolski Vinodol Tourist Card is a shared project of the Tourist Boards of the cities of Crikvenica and Novi Vinodolski and the Vinodol Municipality. This tourist card, which is valid for five days, offers a new experience of the destinations at more affordable prices. When they show the card in places under any of the five categories: culture, gastronomy, souvenirs, excursions, and recreation, guests get a ten percent discount if they pay in cash, and they can get their copy in the tourist information centers in any of the three tourist boards, as well as in hotels, agencies, camps, and at private family-run accommodations.

POREČ

A new offer

A luxury resort has been opened on the

northernmost Adriatic island The largest project for Croatian tourism this year, the Valamar Isabella Island Resort, is worth 250 million kuna, it employs 250 workers, and can accommodate up to 800 guests.

Written by: Željka Kunštek Photos: archive of Valamar Riviera and Robert Kunštek

Photos: Isabella castle (top left); lighthouse (top right); lunch with a view of Poreč (bottom left); the lobby and rooms at the Valamar Isabella Miramare Hotel (bottom middle and right).

O

n June 9, 2015, the Valamar Isabella Island Resort opened its doors on the northernmost Adriatic island of Sv. Nikola, located just across from Poreč. This luxurious four-star family resort is the largest investment of the year for Croatian tourism. The Valamar Riviera tourism company invested 250 million kuna and now offers guests 334 accommodation units. You can choose from the luxurious suites in the renovated Isabella castle,

the villas and suites at Isabella Villas or Miramare, or at the Hotel Isabella.

Along with six different island beaches, you will also find many sports facilities, luxurious restaurants, pleasant bars, a wellness center, and facilities for congress tourism and events. The renewed, aristocratic Isabella castle, which the Polesini family had built in the 19th century, and one of the oldest lighthouses on the Adriatic, give a special fairytale air to the island. 

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LEILA KREŠIĆ-JURIĆ Photo archive: Croatian Chamber of Economy

Interview

LEILA KREŠIĆ-JURIĆ, director of the Tourism Sector at the Croatian Chamber of Economy (CCE) We spoke to Leila Krešić-Jurić, director of the Tourism Sector at the Croatian Chamber of Economy, about the potential of continental tourism in Croatia, the first national "Croatian Rural Tourism" catalog, and the development of family-run accommodations in Croatia.

CROATIAN CHAMBER OF ECONOMY www.hgk.hr

The interior is a great opportunity for Croatia Conducted by: Željka Kunštek

The aim of the "Buy Croatian" campaign is to place as many Croatian products and services as possible to travel companies and end consumers - tourists.

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Y

ou are at the head of the Tourism Sector of the Croatian Chamber of Economy, which is known for, amongst other things, for the continued connection between business people in tourism. What activities are you especially oriented towards?

We are primarily focused on linking together all the members of the tourism business sector, as well as representing the joint business interests of entrepreneurs before the leading institutions. With that aim in mind, we conduct many activities and promotions. We are especially proud about connecting the tourism sector with other business sectors through the

Chamber's "Buy Croatian" campaign. We organized it in late April of this year in Poreč where, for the first time, we brought together the tourism sector on one side, and the production and service sector on the other side. The goal of the campaign is to position as many Croatian products and services as possible to tourism companies, and finally, to the end consumers tourists. Also, there are many activities connected to making new or amending existing legislative regulations.

Continental tourism is a great opportunity for Croatia. Where do you see its greatest potential and which

Photo: Alan ÄŒaplar, archive: Croatian Chamber of Economy Photo archives: Istria County Tourist Board and the Croatian Chamber of Economy

Photo: fotolia.com Photo archive: Stancija Meneghetti

activities are you undertaking with the aim of improving its position on the tourism market?

Over the past few years, we have witnessed the enhanced activity of the mainland in creating differentiated tourism and a sophisticated offer. The offer and possibilities of the interior are Croatia's opportunity to grow from a destination of sun and sea to a destination for all the seasons. The interior is appealing in many ways. Spas with therapeutic water, as the backbone of the development of health tourism, bring about the development of other forms of tourism, but also agriculture with a focus on healthy food. There are also continental wines, as well as nature parks and national parks that offer the possibility for a wide range of active holidays. Zagreb, as the center of the interior and the capital city, is the best example that visitors are attracted by a high-quality diverse offer, and that travel features need not only be tied to the sun and sea. There are three groups working within the CCE's Tourism Sector that are the initiators of many

initiatives for the development of the continent: the Group for Rural Tourism, the Group for Wellness Tourism, and the Group for Cultural Tourism. Through their activities, we try to connect companies, individuals, institutions, and associations since we believe the key to successful collaboration lies in superb mutual connections.

In June of this year, you presented the first national "Croatian Rural Tourism" catalog, which was issued in a bilingual version (Croatian/English). What can be found in the catalog, and where can it be obtained?

The basic goal of the catalog was to detect and make a list of facilities in country homesteads, or wineries/tasting rooms, excursion sites, rooms, suites, rural vacation homes, and camps. Some homestead facilities also found their place in the catalog, if they mostly have the same features as facilities in country homesteads.

The facilities are listed according to region, with very detailed information on the offer,

Photos: the Gacka River near OtoÄ?ac (top left); the Ĺ upljara cave in Plitvice Lakes National Park (top right); Villa Meneghetti in Istria (bottom left); Agricultural tourism in Istria (bottom right).

The offer and possibilities of the interior are Croatia's opportunity to expand from a destination of sun and sea to a destination for all the seasons.

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LEILA KREŠIĆ-JURIĆ

Photo: fotolia.com

Interview

Photos: Rastoke, a settlement of watermills on the green-blue waters of the Slunjčica River.

tip: Croatia is attractive all year long and offers experiences for all generations.

content, and activities that each of them offer, and they are divided into two main groups: facilities with accommodation capacities and facilities for one-day or half-day stays. Besides a list of facilities there is also a lot of useful information related to rural tourism: information on the characteristics of traditional construction heritage of rural Croatia, the immaterial cultural heritage and cultural customs, a list of indigenous breeds of animals in Croatia, and information on the natural heritage of Croatia. The catalog is mostly made for travel agencies, both domestic and foreign, which should be a generator for the development of rural tourism. The catalog is available on the websites of the CCE and the Ministry of Tourism, and printed copies are available at the CCE in Zagreb and in County Chamber offices.

You have conducted training and workshops throughout Croatia for owners of private accommodations who offer family accommodations for tourists. How much interest is there, or how many owners in the field have signed up and what do you foresee for

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the future of family accommodations in Croatia?

From October last year to May this year, the CCE Tourism Sector's Group for Family Tourism conducted 22 workshops with the aim of educating service providers in family tourism. The workshops were held throughout Croatia, and achieved in collaboration with County Chamber offices or tourist boards. We're delighted that the reaction was great, around three thousand property owners participated, and we tried to give them interesting and useful information related to legislation, the new services of FINA (the financial agency), financing options, improving marketing and sales activities through the use of digital technology, and show them examples of best practices.

We believe the workshops that were held are a good foundation for the continuation and planning of even better workshops, and for the development and improvement of the quality of family tourism in Croatia. We have planned a new, second, two-day, national forum in October, where we will bring together all those in the business of family tourism,

Upon accession to the European Union, great possibilities opened up for Croatian tourism for the use of structural funds. How much have we used that opportunity, and how has the CCE motivated entrepreneurs in tourism to prepare projects and apply to use funds?

We regularly inform our members about current tenders for EU funds, we organize and actively articulate applications of our members to the bodies in question with the aim of improving the conditions for accessing EU funds, and initiate and inform members about CCE workshops. So far, through the County Chamber system, we have held 20 general presentations about open tenders, where members were also informed about allocations in tourism, and in the upcoming period, we also have planned workshops in the field of tourism.

One of the new services of the CCE involves awarding a voucher in the amount of ten thousand kuna for the creation of project documentation for projects that apply for co-financing from EU funds. The tender for projects in tourism was closed in early June. Projects in the field of health tourism in the amount of 300 million euro have been prepared, and their fulfillment would motivate the entire business development of those destinations. Unfortunately, spa and medical tourism projects cannot directly apply for structural funds, but we expect that the CCE's new membership in the European ESPA association will become a platform for collaboration on projects that will be able to obtain financing.

What would collaboration with the leading global association for medical tourism, the Medical Tourism Association (MTA) mean for medical tourism?

The presentation held in the CCE by the founders of the leading global association of medical tourism, the MTA, about the possibilities and methods for promoting medical tourism, had the purpose of showing one of the methods to achieve better marketing placement to the leading regions in Croatia, to position us next to destinations that, before collaboration with the MTA, were unknown on the global map of health tourism, and today are leaders on the market, such as Jordan, Thailand, Las Vegas... Collaboration with the MTA can position Zagreb and central Croatia much quicker as a destination of medical tourism, primarily due to the presence of numerous clinics and specialized hospitals, a great offer of spa tourism and excellent tourism infrastructure.

Since Zagreb and central Croatia first recognized the possibility of cooperating with the MTA, the CCE has remained open to connecting the MTA with other regions in Croatia that consider positioning medical tourism on the global market a priority.

What would you recommend to our readers - which destinations / products / experiences in Croatia should they be sure to see and try?

I would just say that the most beautiful trip around the world starts and ends in Croatia, which is equally attractive all year round. One lifetime truly isn't enough to see and enjoy all the experiences Croatia has to offer. 

Photo archive: The "Northern Velebit National Park" Public Institution

Photo archives: Janković Stud Farm and the Croatian Chamber of Economy

Photo: Robert Kunštek

from family farms and owners offering flat-rate accommodations, to small family hotels, and we expect more than a thousand participants from all over the country to attend.

Photos: "Snašini kućari" ethno house (left); Janković Stud Farm (middle); Northern Velebit National Park (right).

At the workshops for owners of private accommodations, emphasis is continuously placed on the importance of using digital technology in business, especially in sales and marketing activities.

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Experience Croatia

ZAGREB COUNTY

Following heritage

and culinary traditions Written by: Alma Radoš Photo archive: Zagreb County Tourist Board and Zaprešić Tourist Board

Discover why Zaprešić is called the city of sports, what secrets lie hidden in Brdovec, Marija Gorica and Dubravica, and why Vrbovec is the center of gastronomy of the Zagreb County.

Photos: the green ring of Zagreb is a favorite cycling destination (top left); the Januševec palace (top right); the Lužnica palace (bottom left); gastro delicacies at the "What Our Elders Ate" festival (bottom right).

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B

aroque churches and chapels scattered amongst the hills, palaces and villages with preserved traditional constructions, and idyllic nature will turn your visit to the Zaprešić area into a remarkable experience, especially if you decide to enjoy an active holiday. Soccer, handball, basketball, bowling, paragliding, hang gliding,

motocross, tennis, golf, horseback riding, and cycling will attract both professional and recreational athletes, while fishermen will be in their element on the Krapina River or at Zajarki Lake. In the area near the Sava River, you will find an ornithological reserve with many river arms, channels, and marshlands, with a lush forest and dense vegetation.

Novi dvori, located only a kilometer and a half from the center of Zaprešić, is the largest attraction in the region. It is a unique monument of cultural-historical heritage, and one of the most valuable and best preserved feudal estates in Croatia.

Next to the Chapel of St. Joseph, Ban Josip Jelačić, who expanded the palace and renovated the estate with a beautiful garden, orchard, vegetable garden, and forest in the 19th century, is buried in a renovated grave at the estate. The former three-story silo now houses the "Matija Skurjeni" museum, where the most important works of this folk artist are held.

The circular threshing machine that dates back to the 17th century is the only and oldest building of its kind in Croatia.

In the Sava-Sutla Valley Located 17 kilometers west of Zagreb, Zaprešić and its surrounding area are a great place to escape the rush of daily life. You will be impressed by the palaces scattered amongst the hills, which are, along with the churches, the most interesting part of the cultural heritage.

In the municipality of Brdovec in the western part of the Zagreb County, there are two such buildings: Januševec, one of the most beautiful classicist palaces in Croatia, which now houses the Croatian National Archive, and the Vranyczany Dobrinović palace with a French garden, which now houses an orphanage.

The neighboring municipality of Marija Gorica was the site where there first remains of an ancient elephant were found for the first time in Croatia, along with archeological artefacts from the late Iron Age where the church of the Holy Cross (Sv. Križ) now stands. That name is shared by one of the nearby hills and viewpoints that offer an attractive view of Medvednica, the Sutla and Sava Valley, the cities of Brežice and Krško in neighboring Slovenia, along with Maceljsko gorje, and when the sky is clear, the snow-capped peaks of the Alps can be seen.

North of Marija Gorica is the municipality of Dubravica, covered in oak and beech forests, where river crab and otters can still be found in the local creeks. Besides the protected Čret ecological reserve, this area is also known for being the unique home

Photos: Novi dvori in Zaprešič (top left); the chapel of St. Joseph (top middle); the grain thresher (top right); the Trajbar Team Equestrian Club is the organizer of many equestrian events (bottom left); Zajarki Lake (bottom right).

tip: While in Zaprešić, play golf or try recreational horseback riding, and from August 28 to 30, visit Vrbovec, which will be filled with the aroma of delicious authentic dishes.

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Experience Croatia

ZAGREB COUNTY

Photos: the carnivorous plant (top left); the Petar Zrinski tower (top middle); Lovrečina palace (top right); authentic dishes from the Vrbovec region can be tried at the "What Our Elders Ate" festival (bottom left and right).

The first "What Our Elders Ate" festival was held in 1981 with the aim of preserving the authentic dishes and table culture of the Vrbovec area.

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of the carnivorous plant Rosika, in the Gmajna forest on Lugarski breg.

Brdovec, Marija Gorica and Dubravica were made to be explored by bike, and, along with the neighboring cities and municipalities of the Krapina-Zagorje County and Slovenia, they are part of a joint project "Ride&Bike", where cycling and horse trails are networked and digitalized.

In delicious Vrbovec On the other side of the Zagreb County, in its eastern part, visit Vrbovec, a city with a rich cultural tradition. Way back between the two world wars, a "Home Skills School" was opened in Lovrečina grad, a palace located four kilometers from Vrbovec.

Over the past 35 years, in late August, the famous festival "What Our Elders Ate" has

been traditionally held, and it gathers up to 80 thousand fans of the specialties from Vrbovec. So this year, from August 28 to 30, the center of Vrbovec will be filled with the aroma of authentic dishes, some of which were made according to recipes more than 150 years old. Almost everyone has heard about the cuisine and dishes from Vrbovec, but few know that the city was full of palaces and fortresses in the past. Although, unfortunately, most were destroyed in the 18th century, a few beautiful buildings were preserved and are worth a visit.

Besides the already mentioned Lovrenčina grad, the Petar Zrinski tower, the ruin of the old Vrbovec fortress where one of the most famous Croatian bans was born, rises above the center of Vrbovec. The tower is surrounded by a city park, and next to it are the parish church of St. Vid, and the small Patačić palace. 

Explore Zagreb County

SSOCIA TA T IS

N IO TY

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ZA

GR

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DOMESTIC DESTINATION OF THE YEAR 2014/2015

TOU R

BEAUTIFUL NECKLACE AROUND THE CAPITAL CITY

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Zagreb County Tourist Board Preradovićeva 42, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia  +385 1 4873665,  +385 1 4873670 info@tzzz.hr, www.tzzz.hr August - October 2015

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Events

KRAPINA-ZAGORJE COUNTY

Autumn in the sign of tradition Written by: Željka Kunštek Photo archive: Krapina-Zagorje County Tourist Board

Autumn in northwestern Croatia is full of scenes, sounds, colors, aromas and flavors that will win you over at once.

Photos: grape harvesting in the hills of Zagorje (top left and middle); old sorts of fruit from Zagorje and homemade products (top right); the Week of Kaikavian Culture (bottom left); 100% from Zagorje, and knights in the Veliki Tabor castle (bottom right).

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W

hen the tame hills of Zagorje switch their green coat for a warmer, autumn coat, and when they are filled with the aroma of ripe grapes and other juicy fruits, it means that a completely different story is starting in Croatian Zagorje. Many will say the golden autumn is here in northwestern Croatia, and we could also add, full of flavors, aromas, happy melodies, events, and experiences. Discover them...

From September 6 to 12 in the streets and on the squares, in the galleries, and the halls of the city of Krapina, the 50th Week of Kaikavian Culture will be held.

It is a real opportunity to get to know the Kaikavian language and traditions through interesting exhibitions, products from Zagorje, and other content. Three Saturdays in September (September 13, 20, and 27) will take you back in time to knight's tournaments and life at court. At the Veliki Tabor castle in Desinić, you will

Photo: Martin Turk (archive: Krapina-Zagorje County Tourist Board) Photo: Branka Mašić (archive: Krapina-Zagorje County Tourist Board)

be awaited by ladies at court, jesters and jugglers, puppet shows, presentations of old crafts and trades, archery workshops, weapon making...

You haven't been to a wedding yet this year?

Here's an invitation! Date: September 12, Place: The "Staro Selo" Museum in Kumrovec, Atmosphere: very entertaining.

Be a guest at the "Zagorje Wedding" and find out how the brides were proposed to in the Kumrovec area, what engagements and weddings looked like. Add September 18 and 19 to your planners when this fairytale region will present themselves in the heart of the Croatian metropolis through their cultural, gastronomic, medical, recreational, and religious tourism offer. Experience "100% from Zagorje"!

Since the beginning of time, the hills of Zagorje have been covered in vineyards, and the growing, harvesting, and processing of grapes is something the people of Zagorje have always paid special attention to. Find out what the customs of going to harvest grapes, and returning from harvesting, the picking and processing grapes into wine

were from September 19 to 27 in Pregrada at the "Grape Harvest" event. Zagorje takes you back once again to medieval times, the time of knight's tournaments, plays, dances at court, and jesters, along with the culinary offer of centuries past from October 2 to 4 in Klanjec at the "Autumn Feast in Klanjec". In Donja Stubica on October 10 and 11 find out more about the old sorts of fruit from Zagorje in Donja Stubica, and on October 18 at Lojzekov spring and the Jure Stubičanec Park, enjoy the aromas and flavors of chestnuts, prepared in the most diverse ways at the "Gubec Chestnut Fair". There is also a special fair dedicated to mushrooms in Zagorje "Mushroom Picking in Stubaki".

Find out everything about mushrooms and enjoy the taste of these forest fruits at the parking lot in Pila, next to Sljemenska cesta, on October 17. At "Belatva", on October 24 in Zagorska Sela, find out from the locals how corn was kept for the winter.

With homemade delicacies, plenty of music and dance, entertainment is guaranteed to the wee hours of the morning. 

Zagorje - A fairy tale at hand

Photos: mushrooms have their own festival "Mushroom Picking in Stubaki" (left), and corn has "Belatva" (middle); a depiction of a wedding in Zagorje (right).

tip: Experience 100% from Zagorje on September 18 and 19 in Zagreb and get to know more about the cultural, gastronomic, medical, recreational, and health tourism offer of Croatian Zagorje.

Tourist Board of Krapina-Zagorje County Krambergerova 1 49000 Krapina, Croatia  +385 49 233653 info@tzkzz.hr

www.tzkzz.hr

August - October 2015

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Wine tourism

BJELOVAR-BILOGORA COUNTY

The Count's wine story Written by: Željka Kunštek ◆ Photo archive: Daruvar - Papuk Tourist Board

Duck into the cellar at Count Janković's castle, listen to the Ballad about wine, cheese, and Daruvar, the city where the ancient Romans also enjoyed superb wine.

Photo: Marina Domitrović (archive: Daruvar - Papuk Tourist Board)

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Photo: Matej Turbić (archive: Daruvar - Papuk Tourist Board)

Photos: Wine salon (top left); Count Janković's castle (top right); cheeses from the Biogal dairy, wine, and the wine cellar at the Janković castle (bottom left and right).

n ancient Roman saying says that in order to get to know a nation, sit at their table, eat their food, and drink their wine, and only then will you know what kind of people they are. The friendly people of Daruvar, who successfully inherited the tradition of cultivating vineyards and enjoying fine wines from the Romans, will tell you the same. Count Antun Janković, in whose castle the first Wine Salon in Croatia was

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opened, paid special attention to the strong development of winegrowing. Here and today you can see, try, and buy superb wines from the Lotada Winery, Daruvar Winery, the Matej Kovačević estate, and the Voborski estate all in one place, along with the excellent, delicious cheese made from cow and goat milk by the Biogal dairy.

Before you head out on the Daruvar wine road, where you will find the producers of these diverse and unique wine stories,

Photo: Damir Bakarić (archive: Daruvar - Papuk Tourist Board)

head down to the castle's cellar. Here you will hear the Ballad of wine, cheese, and Daruvar, and discover the secret of the perfect marriage between wine and cheese.

The road of diverse experiences The Daruvar wine road will lead you to the tame and sunny slopes of the Papuk Mountain, where various sorts are cultivated: Graševina, aromatic Traminac, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Pinot, Rhine Riesling... You will be able to taste them in the wineries and cellars of Daruvar's winemakers, find out everything about their cultivation and the production process, but also enjoy other experiences. At the Matej Kovačević estate, experience a carriage ride through the vineyard, see an ethno exhibition, and stay the night in a traditional room or suite. At the Lotada Winery you can have a personalized label for a wine bottle made with a logo

of your choice. At the Voborski family estate, you can see an exhibition of old winegrowing tools, and at their vineyard there is a stone fortress and viewpoint, "Vezmarova kula", and the terrace offers a beautiful view of Daruvar and the picturesque surrounding vineyards. The hill above the endless rows of vines, next to the Badel 1862 d.d. Daruvar Winery is the site where wine ceremonies are held and the old folk traditions of St. Vincent and St. Martin are presented. At the Đulovec and Donji Daruvar sites, you can try wine outdoors, right next to the vineyards, and experience the joy of the harvest. At the Queen café, you can enjoy the wines of Daruvar, accompanied by homemade dishes, Czech dishes, and specialties made from wild game. The Biogal dairy is another story, and there your taste buds will be pampered by the food that goes best with wine - cheese.

Cottage cheese, soft cheese, hard cheese, smoked, in oil, with herbs... Find the flavor that suits you best for a total experience of Daruvar's wine story. 

Photos: Vezmarova kula and the vineyards at the Voborski family estate (top left); fine Daruvar wines are paired excellently with homemade delicacies, specialties made from wild game, and Czech dishes (top right).

Wines from the Daruvar wine region, one of the best in Croatia, have been proven excellent at numerous tastings and competitions throughout Croatia and the world.

Bjelovar-Bilogora County Tourist Board Dr. Ante Starčevića 8 43000 Bjelovar, Croatia  +385 43 221928 info@tzbbz.hr

www.tzbbz.hr

August - October 2015

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Interesting facts

ORAHOVICA

V Co iro Pho un vit t ty ica o a To - P r c h i ur od ist ra ve: Bo vin ar a d

Ru탑ica grad

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On the slopes of the Papuk and Krdija mountains, you will find Ru탑ica grad, an ancient city that has looked over Orahovica since 1228. The largest and best preserved medieval town in eastern Croatia is now a heritage site. It was called "Beauty and the Beast", and many stories and legends are tied to it. Discover them...

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PAPUK NATURE PARK

Explore Croatia

Photos: Skakavac waterfall (left); Ružica grad and Jankovac Forest Park (middle); Rupnica (right).

In the mysterious geopark Written by: Željka Kunštek ◆ Photo archive: Papuk Nature Park

This year explore Papuk, the most beautiful mountain in Slavonia, and discover the secrets of Croatia's first geopark.

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n the middle of the tame Slavonian plains, in the eastern part of Croatia, Papuk, doubtlessly the most beautiful mountain in Slavonia, proudly rises.

Throughout the year, many excursionists, hikers, cyclists, and nature fans find adrenaline, peace, and inspiration on its trails under the dense Papuk canopy.

One of the largest natural jewels of the park is the Jankovac Forest Park, a romantic mountain valley crisscrossed with springs, creeks, artificial lakes, and forested hills. The mountain cabin and idyllic meadow in front of it are the daily rest and refreshment site for many nature fans. The valley was cultivated by the owner Josip Janković, and its greatest attraction is the 35-meter high Skakavac waterfall.

Another extremely valuable natural attraction at the park is the Rupnica geological natural monument, unique for its morphological formation of volcanic rocks. Did you know that the Papuk boulders are more than 400 million years old, and one of the oldest in Croatia?

Back in 1948, this geological site was proclaimed the first Croatian natural geological monument. When walking on Papuk, you will also come across numerous archeological sites and caves, and there are seven medieval fortresses

on this mysterious mountain, most of them dating back to the 13th century.

The prettiest and best preserved old city is Ružica grad, which has many legends linked to it.

Papuk can also boast abundant flora and fauna, and today deer, does, wild boars, foxes, martens, and many species of birds live in its dense forests, while the fast and cold mountain creeks are rich with an abundant amount of fish.

Regardless of the reason you come to Papuk: for adventure, a walk, cycling, fun, or just to stay in nature, one thing is for sure - once you discover Papuk, you will return to its idyllic ambiance again. 

Papuk Nature Park Seat of the Institution Voćin Trg Gospe Voćinske 11, 33522 Voćin

In 1999, Papuk was named a nature park due to its geological and biological diversity and valuable cultural-historical heritage.

In 2007, Papuk became the first Croatian Geopark, and member of European Geoparks and UNESCO's Global Network of Geoparks.

Substation Velika Stjepana Radića 46, 34300 Velika  +385 34 313030,  +385 34 313027 kontakt@pp-papuk.hr

www.pp-papuk.hr

August - October 2015

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Interesting facts

GRAŠEVINA

V Co iro Pho un vit t ty ica o a To - P r c h i ur od ist ra ve: Bo vin ar a d

The origin of Graševina Graševina is the most widespread sort of wine in continental Croatia. Even though globally it is considered to be a sort from central Europe, many global wine experts, including wine critics Jancis Robinson and Steven Spurrier, consider the homeland of Graševina to be the Croatian Podunavlje region.

Iločki podrumi d.d., Šetalište o. M. Barbarića 4, 32236 Ilok, Hrvatska, tel: +385 32 590088, 58

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PROMO

In the homeland of superb Traminac Visit the Ilok Cellars and discover why ancient Romans called Ilok "delight of the world" or "delicium mundi".

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n the picturesque slopes of Fruška gora, in the easternmost part of Croatia, vineyards have been tended to for more than 1800 years. The Ilok Cellars, famous for Traminac and Graševina, grew on that tradition, and the noble Odescalchi family bottled wines using the chateau method in the old cellars that date back to the 15th and 18th century 200 years before they started using the method in Bordeaux and Burgundy. Bottling onsite preserved their quality, but also the reputation of the cellars.

Today the original filling mark on the bottle guarantees that the wine was produced in Ilok Cellars, and confirms its authenticity and character. The superb

Photo archive: The Ilok Cellars

Traminac wine, which has been produced since 1710, has those characteristics, and true fans of this sort of wine consider it to be one of the best wines in Europe.

Although you can taste it in any part of

Croatia, it is a unique feeling to drink it in the Old Cellar in the center of Ilok with the specialties from the abundant cuisine of Srijem. After a fantastic eno-gastro experience, the Traminac Express tourist train is the fastest and easiest way to get to know more about the cultural sites of Ilok and the city's wine roads that meander up to Principovac, the most famous wine growing site in this area. Here, in the middle of the vineyard, you will find the former country estate and summer home of the Odescalchi family, now a part of Ilok Cellars. Along with six suites and a castle with a modern restaurant, wine bar, and viewpoint, there are also cycling and hiking trails and an offer of sports that invite you to enjoy an active holiday. 

Iločki podrumi d.d., Šetalište o. M. Barbarića 4, 32236 Ilok, Croatia,  +385 32 590088, staripodrum@ilocki-podrumi.hr, www.ilocki-podrumi.hr August - October 2015

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Experience Croatia

OGULIN

Photos: mountain climbing on Klek (top left); cyclists in the Ogulin area (top right); Šmit Lake (bottom middle); the Konaci site (bottom right).

An active holiday in the Homeland of Fairy Tales If you haven't visited Ogulin yet, then you still haven't seen the most fairytale-like part of Croatia. Make some time this autumn to visit the city where legends and fairy tales still live...

Written by: Željka Kunštek Photo archive: Ogulin Tourist Board

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ere you will hear stories about giants and gods, about dragons and unhappy love, and it's best to head out on the Fairy Tale Trail from the Ivana's House of Fairy Tales Visitor's Center. In this multimedia center, Ivana Brlić Mažuranić, with the help of the characters from her Tales of Long Ago, plays hostess to all the fairy tales and all the fairy tale writers of the world. Besides learning more

about the natural and cultural-historical heritage of Ogulin, relax on the Fairy Tale Trail and enjoy the activities that will soothe and enhance your senses.

Next to the lake, in the mountains...

You can explore the area by bike, car, camper, and there are also many activities

Photos: cycling and windsailing on Sabljaci Lake are amongst the favorite activities for tourists visiting the Ogulin region (top left and right); the Sabljaci Camp Site (middle); Ogulin, as the Homeland of Fairy Tales, is a favorite destination for children (bottom).

you can try here: hiking, mountain climbing, Nordic walking, photo safaris, sports fishing, swimming, rowing, SUV rides, windsailing, rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, touring thematic trails... Powerful Klek, the mountain that rises above Ogulin, beckons you to go hiking and climbing. The hiking trail on Klek is next to an educational botanical trail that teaches you about the various plant species throughout the trail. Get some rest at the Klek cabin, which is open on weekends. You can also enjoy your holiday in touch with nature in the newly opened campsite next to the picturesque Sabljaci Lake, located only 4,5 km from the center of Ogulin and 6 km from the Zagreb-Split highway offramp. At the camp, you will find a terrace, a barbeque area and herb garden, and the surroundings include a playground, beach, beach volleyball court, bike trail, and restaurant with a diverse offer of food and refreshments. Near the site, there is also the Ethno House in Zagorje

Ogulinsko, Šmit Lake, and the Rupećica spring. While here, like in the entire Ogulin region, you can stay overnight in comfortable rooms, suites, vacation homes, or in one of the hotels.

The following day, go on an excursion to the Drežnica settlement on the Bjelolasica Mountain, where you will find the famous Konaci site. Some are attracted here by the idyllic nature, while others are attracted by the homemade cuisine with delicious dishes made of game. Make sure to try homemade raspberry juice or jam, malinovac, or one of the desserts enriched with this delicious fruit, as the locals are famous for growing it. Rest in comfortable rooms, with a mountain ambiance, immersed in the fresh air of Bjelolasica, and the following morning bravely head down the walking trail called the Forest Spirit Trail with your little ones. Try to find the long lost treasure of the old kingdom and allow the forest spirits to help you do so... 

Hotel Frankopan Ivana Gorana Kovačića 1 47300 Ogulin, Croatia  +385 47 525509 hotel-frankopan@hotel-frankopan.hr

www.hotel-frankopan.hr

Ogulin Tourist Board Kardinala A. Stepinca 1 47300 Ogulin, Croatia  / +385 47 532278 tz-grada-ogulina@ka.t-com.hr

www.tz-grada-ogulina.hr www.ivaninakucabajke.hr Find out more information about the Sabljaci Camp Site, the Konaci Site, and accommodations and restaurants at:

August - October 2015

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Beauties of Croatia

VELEBIT NATURE PARK

"V el eb Pho Pu it N to a bl at ic ur rchi v In e st Pa e: itu rk tio " n

Cerovac caves

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The southern part of Velebit hides a unique natural attraction, the Cerovac caves, one of the largest sites of the cave bear in Croatia. Of the three caves, with more than six kilometers of explored channels, tourists can access around 700 meters of the Lower and Upper cave.

They were discovered purely by chance in 1924, when the Lika railway was constructed, and they bear the name of the nearby Cerovac railway station.

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Photo: Mario Romulić and Dražen Stojčić (archive: Croatian National Tourist Board)

Photo: Ivan Čorić (archive: Croatian National Tourist Board)

LIKA-SENJ COUNTY

Made for a holiday Written by: Alma Radoš ◆ Photo archive: Croatian National Tourist Board and The "Northern Velebit National Park" Public Institution

Experience Croatia

tip: If you are a fan of nature and active holidays, destinations in the Lika-Senj County are made for you.

Photos: The Plitvice Lakes National Park (top left); the North Velebit National Park (top middle and bottom left); Zavratnica cove (top right).

Get to know Lika and head out on a pleasant trip from Brinje, through Gospić and Gračac to Plitvice Lakes, and then head down to one of the coves on the Velebit coast.

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egend says that after a long drought, the Black Queen came down the mountain and sent the people strong wind and thunder so that rain finally fell to the ground.

So the 16 Plitvice Lakes were formed in the area that locals still call the "Devil's Garden". The magnificent waterfalls of this oldest national park, whose value

was also recognized by UNESCO and added to its list of World Heritage Sites, are attractive all year long, just like the entire Lika-Senj County. With another two national parks, North Velebit and Paklenica, and the Velebit Nature Park and Gacka River valley, this region has endless inspiration for holidays.

Its history and lifestyle are deeply intertwined with Velebit, the mountain where the harsh continental and mild Mediterranean climates meet. Whichever Velebit trail you head out on, you will discover a rich historical and cultural heritage. The Premužić trail will take you to its peak, while Terezijana will take you along a road built in 1786 to connect Karlobag with Gospić. Between Senj and Karlobag, you will come across many attractive coves, amongst which Zavratnica, protected as an important landscape, stands out for its beauty.

In Novalja on the island of Pag, a favorite destination for all generations, you will enjoy the long sandy beaches. 

Lika-Senj County Tourist Board Budačka 12, 53000 Gospić, Croatia  +385 53 574687 info@lickosenjska.com

www.visit-lika.com

August - October 2015

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Events

NOVIGRAD - CITTANOVA

In the sign of sports,

delicacies, and music Active, delicious, and entertaining experiences will mark the end of summer and autumn in this charming Istrian town.

Written by: Željka Kunštek Photos: Filip Peternel (archive: Novigrad - Cittanova Tourist Board)

Photos: walking along the seawall in Novigrad is appealing in the evening hours (top left); a nightscape of Novigrad (top right); Punto Mare, the center of entertainment in Novigrad (bottom).

tip: During October, visit the Sole Fish Days and try creative dishes made with this superb white fish.

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W

hen the season of swimming in the clean sea and relaxing on the beautifully tended beaches slowly draws to a close, numerous activities find their place under the warm Novigrad sun. At that time, many tourists find their dose of

adrenaline while kayaking on the Mirna River and along the coastline, on hiking and exercise trails, on paths through aromatic vineyards and olive groves, on panoramic boat tours with a view of the old city walls and the nature that surrounds this charming Istrian town.

12.9. Gnam-gnam Fest 1.- 3.10. Foto Ex Tempore 10.10. Istria Granfondo Family and Gourmet Tour 17.-18.10. Mushroom Days 14.-25.10. Meeting of Croatian Choirs 30.-31.10. Sole Fish Days

recreational athletes. This recreational bike tour runs through Novigrad and the surrounding area, next to the sea, olive groves, and vineyards, and along with the fantastic views, it will also offer you a chance to taste authentic Istrian products. On October 17 and 18, you'll have another chance to delight your taste buds at the Mushroom Days. The exhibition of these forest fruits will be accompanied by delicious mushroom specialties, but also with plenty of great music. On October 14 to 25, you can also enjoy music at the Meeting of Croatian Choirs. In Novigrad, but also in the surrounding towns of Umag, Buje, and Brtonigla, October is traditionally dedicated to sole fish, so during the entire month, restaurants and taverns in these towns will celebrate "Sole Fish Days". It will be an opportunity to taste

Photos: Novigrad's events are attractive for all generations (top left); sole fish has a festival held in its honor in October (top middle); Novigrad is a popular destination for cyclists (top right).

Web: www.novigrad-cittanova.hr Email: info@novigrad-cittanova.hr Telefon: 052 757 075

September and October in Novigrad Cittanova traditionally pass with many events: sports, food, for children, with music... After the Festival of St. Pelagius, where in late August, together with their guests, the locals celebrate the day of the city and their patron saint, be in Novigrad on September 12, when the Gnam-Gnam Fest, a food festival that celebrates Istrian specialties, will be held. Try homemade Istrian cuisine, and be sure to complement them with superb olive oil and wine, included on the global food and wine map. Photography fans will gather in Novigrad from October 1 to 3 at Foto Ex Tempore, an international photography festival. The city will be in the sign of sports on October 10, during the Istria Granfondo Family and Gourmet Tour, a bike marathon for families and

creative dishes made with this superb white fish. After your meal, take a walk through the picturesque streets and parks of Novigrad, enjoy the magical sunset, explore the cultural attractions of the town, or simply enjoy the benefits of the wellness & spa centers at the Maestral and Nautica hotels. ď ś

...in all the colours of Istria

Web: www.novigrad-cittanova.hr www.coloursofistria.com Web: www.novigrad-cittanova.hr Email: info@novigrad-cittanova.hr info@novigrad-cittanova.hr Email: info@novigrad-cittanova.hr Telefon: 052 757 075  +385 (0)52 757075 Telefon: 052 757 075 August - October 2015

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Beauties of Croatia

OPATIJA

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Opatija's lungomare and Villa Madonna

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One of the most beautiful Croatian seaside promenades, popularly called "lungomare", is located on Opatija's Riviera. For more than a hundred years, the people of Opatija and their guests have been enjoying long walks on that coastal promenade, next to a line of luxurious villas. One of them is Villa Madonna, built in 1891. There are many stories and anecdotes tied to this villa, and there is even a rumor that it was the secret meeting place for actress Katharine Schratt and Emperor Franz Joseph I, whose name the promenade bears.

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PROMO

A decade of Thalasso Wellness Center Opatija

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his year, the Thalasso Wellness Center Opatija marks its first decade of work in Opatija, "the Lady of Kvarner Tourism". This initiator of medical wellness in Croatia bases its work on modern medical principles, taking into account the specific offer of Thalassotherapy, as a special hospital. In doing so, the Center positioned Opatija on the world map of destinations that best combine the offer of medical services and wellness.

Annually, around 30 thousand visitors visit the only wellness center in the region that works year-round to enjoy its many facilities spread over 2500 square meters.

Here you will find a semi-Olympic pool with heated sea water, a whirlpool, and

bubble and underwater massage, followed by a spa relax zone with four types of saunas (Finnish, Turkish, Laconium, Aromarium), and the whirlpool and fitness studio equipped with supreme Technogym equipment. The Center also offers the classic wellness offer with many kinds of

massages: from classic, reflexology, and aromatic to sports massages, hot stone massages, anti-stress massages, manual lymph drain, etc. Over the years, the offer has also been supplemented with Eastern medicine programs (Chinese, Thai, Indian), conducted by therapists and doctors from those respective countries. The center also houses a clinic for facial esthetics, and they also offer various facial and body treatments and a solarium. All programs can be conducted under the control of specialist doctors, which is another special feature of the center, primarily related to the unique medical programs: for sore backs, osteoporosis, rheumatic programs, as well as weight-loss programs. 

Thalassotherapia Opatija, Thalasso Wellness Centar Opatija, Maršala Tita 188, 51410 Opatija, Croatia,  +385 51 202855, wellness@tto.hr, www.thalasso-wellness.hr August - October 2015

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Experience Croatia

KRK ISLAND

In autumn, the "Golden Island" will win you over with the aroma of just-picked grapes, the harvested golden olives, and events that will entice you to get active, plus the sea is still just the right temperature to take a swim...

Photo: Rino Gropuzzo (archive: The Island of Krk Tourist Board)

Photos: a view of Vrbnik (top); in autumn, the island of Krk is filled with the aroma of grapes (bottom).

Holiday on the golden island Photo: Valter Stojšić (archive: The Island of Krk Tourist Board)

Photo: Valter Stojšić (archive: The Island of Krk Tourist Board)

Written by: Željka Kunštek Photo archive: The Island of Krk Tourist Board, Baška Tourist Board, Vrbnik Tourist Board, Omišalj Tourist Board, Dobrinj Tourist Board and Malinska-Dubašnica Tourist Board, along with PZ Vrbnik and PHOTOnet.hr

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Photos: a folk dance performance in Vrbnik (left); cyclists and hikers tour the island of Krk all year long (middle and top); the clean sea that surrounds the island of Krk regularly attracts swimmers (bottom).

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he vicinity, accessibility and many interesting features are all the strong points of the island of Krk, the most visited island of the northern Adriatic. The Golden Island, as it was called in ancient times, is especially attractive to professional and recreational athletes in the autumn, when they find rest, relaxation, and an escape from the bustle of daily life on its many hiking and bike trails.

Due to the pleasant temperature of the sea in the autumn months, swimmers also like it, just like divers who explore the secrets

of ships sunk long ago in its surrounding waters, along with its interesting world of flora and fauna. Fans of adventure water sports will also find a place for themselves here. Wakeboarding (a combination of surfing and waterskiing) at the Wakeboard Cable Krk Center is a special experience, and its representatives also organize the Krk Handi, a wakeboard school and competition for persons with disabilities. Those who enjoy cultural delights will also enjoy their stay here since all the settlements on the island are full of cultural monuments,

The Island of Krk Tourist Board Trg svetog Kvirina 1 51500 Krk, Croatia  +385 51 221359 tz-otoka-krka@ri.t-com.hr

www.krk.hr

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Experience Croatia

KRK ISLAND

Photos: handmade pasta with scampi (top left); a view of Malinska (top middle); the interesting underwater world of Krk (bottom left); the Church of St. Lucia in Jurandvor (bottom middle); the Valomet sparkling wine from the sea (right).

churches, museums, and galleries, which all preserve the many stories of Krk's past.

Make sure to visit the town of Jurandvor near Baška, where Bašćanska ploča, the birth certificate of all Croats, was found in the church of St. Lucia in 1100. This plaque is the most important monument to the Croatian language and literature, and it was written using the Croatian Glagolitic alphabet, the oldest Slavic alphabet.

The flavors of Krk tip: Visit one of the many events on the island of Krk this autumn. You can choose from those that will motivate you to get active, pamper your taste buds, or evoke emotions with songs...

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It's a precious experience to continue your trip through the island in its taverns and restaurants and complement the delicious delicacies from Krk with a splash of extra virgin olive oil, the famous Vrbnička Žlahtina, and the unique Valomet sparkling wine from the sea. Make sure to try one of the traditional dishes, like handmade pasta with lamb goulash, fish prepared in a delicious homemade style, followed by young lamb from Krk, cheese from Krk...

Your stay on the island in autumn will be

enhanced by many festivals. Don't miss out on the Days of Figs from September 4 to 6, Bodul Bike on September 13, The Story of the Cristo Ressussitato Galleon from October 7 to 9, and the Old-timer Meeting on October 16. Punat will greet you on September 5 with the evening of Klapa songs, on October 4 with the Win a Black Pearl Bicycle Race, and from October 9 to 11 with the 20th Olive Days. In Baška, get ready for 100% active events: Krk Trekk &Trail will be held on September 26, and the Krk MTB marathon on October 17. Be in Njivice for the celebration of Mala Gospoja on September 8, and in Malinska on September 24 and 25 for Fisherfest. 

Krk is one of the largest Adriatic islands, and it is connected to the mainland with the 1430 meterlong Krk Bridge.

PROMO

Hotel Malin

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Relaxation for all generations

ou will find Hotel Malin surrounded by the sea, hidden in greenery, and only a five-minute walk from the center of Malinska on the island of Krk. It was built on the site of a large former mill (in the Chakavian dialect "malin", which is how the town and hotel got their names), which seems to have left the hotel its hard work, its rhythm, cycle after cycle... With careful design, Malin has become an elegant and comfortable hotel for all generations. Newly furnished rooms and luxurious suites, restaurants

and bars, a private beach with special content for children, a harbor with the possibility of docking boats, friendly and professional staff, and specially designed additional content, programs and events are made to fulfil the needs of today's tourists. Only 50 meters from the hotel, on the beach, you will find the modern Mulino restaurant, a combination of luxury, tradition, and quality. It is place that will take you on a magical gourmet journey through Mediterranean and traditional dishes. Enjoy the delicacies of the island

and homemade dishes with a view of all of Kvarner. As soon as you arrive, make a toast with a glass of Zlatna Vrbnička Žlahtina, the "house wine" at Mulino restaurant. 

Hotel Malin, Kralja Tomislava 23, 51511 Malinska, Croatia,  +385 51 850234, hotelmalin@ri.t-com.hr, www.hotelmalin.com August - October 2015

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Interesting facts

BAKAR

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Roman house Exploring Bakar, one of the oldest cities in the northern Adriatic, is a special experience. While walking through this picturesque town, you will come across many interesting features and attractions, including the Roman house, one of the oldest houses in the city. It is a favorite site for many photographers due to its renaissance architecture, extravagant porch and arches.

It is located in the close vicinity of the Citadel and the parish church of St. Andrija.

Iločki podrumi d.d., Šetalište o. M. Barbarića 4, 32236 Ilok, Hrvatska, tel: +385 32 590088, 72

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CRIKVENICA RIVIERA

Experience Croatia

Written by: Željka Kunštek Photo archive: Crikvenica Tourist Board

Photos: Crikvenica's repertoire is full of many entertaining, gastronomic, and sports events this autumn too.

Active,

entertaining, delicious...

Many possibilities for an active holiday, a pleasant climate, many events... The Crikvenica Riviera has it all.

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hen the heat dies down, and the pleasant Indian summer takes over the Crikvenica Riviera, the time comes for an active vacation. The recreational options are many, from those on land, in the sea, or in the air, and the true blessing is that they can be enjoyed here nearly all year long.

The main reason for that is the pleasant and therapeutic climate that aided the development of medical tourism, and the Riviera has been famous for its tradition far and wide. The Crikvenica Riviera will continue to attract you to the end of the year with many events. It will proudly present you its long tradition of fishing at the Fishing Week in Crikvenica from August 29 to September 5. Thematic food nights, entertaining educational workshops,

fishing stories, sailing, fishing, and musical evenings are just part of what you can find there. The Coastal Night, September 2 in Crikvenica, will include homemade products, traditional songs, and gastro­ nomic delights, and the International Music Festival, from September 8 to 12 in Crikvenica will include folk dances and songs from many countries. Crikvenica, Dramalj, Jadranovo, and Selce will be especially sweet on September 12 and 13 at the 3rd Ice Cream and Cake Festival.

Don't miss out on the Flower Festival from September 17 to 20th, and the Fun and Football Kvarner Tour on September 27.

If you love squid, then make sure to be in Crikvenica on October 2 and 3 for the 3rd Squid Days, and on November 14, don't miss out on the Feast of St. Martin... 

Crikvenica Tourist Board Trg Stjepana Radića 1c 51260 Crikvenica, Croatia  +385 51 784101 info@tzg-crikvenice.hr

www.rivieracrikvenica.com

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Kvarner food experiences Each season offers a new food experience on Kvarner. So autumn is in the sign of mushrooms and Lovran's "maruni" (chestnuts), while spring is scented with the aroma of cherries and wild asparagus. Summer is abundant with fresh fish, shellfish, and the world-famous Kvarner shrimp that are known as the tastiest in the world. Experts say they are special due to the fact that they live in a shallow sea, with plenty of freshwater springs, which makes them incredibly tender and sweet.

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MALI LOŠINJ

Medical Tourism

Photos: lush vegetation, diverse gastronomy, and dolphins are the main features of the island (top); The Garden of Fine Scents and the Apoxyomenos (bottom).

An oasis of health and vitality

From December 29, 2015, the original Apoxyomenos will be exhibited in the Kvarner Palace in Mali Lošinj, and until then you can see its copy in Kula, a museum in Veli Lošinj.

Written by: Alma Radoš ◆ Photo archive: Town of Mali Lošinj Tourism Office

With nearly 280 kilometers of trails on five islands and a large number of sports facilities, Lošinj's archipelago is attractive all year long.

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mild climate, dense vegetation, and a pleasant ambiance along with plenty of content and diversity in a relatively small area describe the Lošinj archipelago in just a few words. Medical tourism, with a tradition of more than 120 years, is an important part of the offer, and the combination of the aroma of dense pine forests and medicinal herbs, along with sea aerosols create a unique outdoor aromatherapy so Mali Lošinj is an excellent choice for those who would like to ease their respiratory ailments and bronchial issues, but also for fans of wellness, based on a tradition of medicinal immortelle, lavender, rosemary...

There are more than 1200 plant species on the archipelago, of which eighty mostly exotic plants were brought onto the islands

by Lošinj's captains and sailors when they returned from their journeys and planted

them in their gardens. The Garden of Fine Scents, with more than 250 wild plants, was created using their gardens as an idea to start from. Aromatic plants and olive oil are an integral part of traditional recipes and go very well with dishes from blue and white fish, shrimp, and shellfish, but also with hot island lamb. You'll also find it hard to resist traditional desserts, liqueurs, and marmalades made from famous Lošinj citrus fruits, and make sure to try the specialties from the Apoxyomenos' ancient cuisine. A rich cultural heritage with traces in architecture, customs, stories, and legends dates back to that time. One of them says that in the 1st century a bronze statue of the Apoxyomenos was sacrificed to the gods for safe passage through the narrow Osor channel between the islands of Lošinj and Cres, which was found by chance fifteen years ago. 

Town of Mali Lošinj Tourism Office Priko 42, 51550 Mali Lošinj, Croatia  +385 51 231884, +385 51 231547  +385 51 233373, losinj@visitlosinj.hr

www.visitlosinj.hr

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UNESCO

LACEMAKING IN CROATIA

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Lacemaking Lepoglava, Hvar and Pag are three Croatian destinations united by the same, yet diverse and unique beauty - lace. Those destinations are also the three main Croatian centers of lacemaking, a handiwork that originates back to the Renaissance in the Mediterranean and in Western Europe.

Lacemaking, or the art of making lace, can be done with needles and interweaving with the help of lace bobbins. While in Europe lacemaking was an art form for nuns, middleclass women and noblewomen, in Croatia, it was handed down from generation to generation of female villagers in smaller rural areas. Lepoglava in Croatian Zagorje is recognizable for lacemaking with bobbins, Pag for needle lace, and Hvar is famous for its agave lace. Interestingly, agave lace in Croatia is only made by nuns in the Benedictine convent in the city of Hvar on the island of the same name. The skill of making lace from strands of agave, which is picked from fresh agave leaves using a special procedure, and has been present on Hvar since the mid-19th century, originates from the Canary Islands (Tenerife). 

Prepared by: Željka Kunštek

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Lacemaking in Croatia was added to UNESCO's Representative List of Immaterial Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.

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Croatia through philately

PUMED - THE SHIPS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA

The Ships of the Mediterranean Sea:

Bracera

Presenting postage stamps

Prepared by: Željka Kunštek

Braceras were used to transport wine, olive oil, and other products, they were used for fishing, harvesting sea sponges and extracting sand...

tip: Philatelists in Croatia can get the stamp in Croatian Post's postal offices. Readers and philatelists from abroad can order the stamp online:

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ne of the most famous coastal sailboats of the Croatian side of the Adriatic is definitely the bracera, while the onemast bracera with the lug sail that dates back to the 19th century is the best known amongst them. The construction method used and the strong and mobile boats with a wide range of uses were likely adopted from the Liburnians, skilled sailors and shipbuilders, whose construction design was later also used by the Romans. The bracera was used for trade, and to connect Adriatic islands and the neighboring shores of the Adriatic. It was used to transport wine and olive oil, as well as other agricultural

products used for trade, and it was also used to transport people and cattle.

Braceras were also used for fishing and for harvesting sea sponges and extracting sand. They were powered by oars and sails.

It is assumed that the word bracera comes from the word Brazza, the historical name of the island of Brač, from the period of the domination of the Venetian Republic of San Marco. It is also assumed that the bracera better suited the complex demands of the environment, and that the inhabitants of the eastern coast of the Adriatic preferred to build smaller and cheaper braceras than more expensive trabakul and pelig ships.

The stamp with the motif of the bracera was issued on July 9, 2015 in a 16-stamp sheet, and the Croatian Post also issued a First Day Cover (FDC). The Croatian Post printed this issue in collaboration with PUMed - The Postal Union for the Mediterranean. The stamp was issued in 150 thousand copies and is 48.28 x 29.82 mm in size. The photo is the work of Ljubo Gamulin, and was designed by Dean Roksandić, a designer from Zagreb. 

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Couples holiday, or a holiday with friends

Team building at Hotel Olympia

An ideal retreat all year long

Does a romantic weekend for two at the Solaris Beach resort sound attractive? Spend it with a loved one surrounded by the aromatic Mediterranean garden at the Solaris Wellness & Spa center and relax with the couples Spa & Relax treatment.

The package includes two nights in a Deluxe room at the Hotel Ivan, half-board, dinner, a dessert of your choice, a bottle of wine in the room, a Spa experience, a bath of your choice, and a therapeutic massage for two. If you would like to spend your vacation with your best friends, spend it at the resort with wellness treatments for relaxing your body and mind. The package includes two nights in a Superior room at the Hotel Ivan, with breakfast, two dinners, a dessert of your choice, a glass of wine, Spa experience and Short break in hammam. You will also receive a 10 percent discount on all wellness treatments, and 15 percent off the à la carte offer at the Trattoria and Dalmatian village.

Give your team of colleagues the best and bring them to the team building program at the Hotel Olympia, where you can take advantage of its many offers. This hotel in Vodice, in the heart of Dalmatia, offers accommodations in modernly furnished rooms, the rental of a conference hall, with the required equipment, a welcome drink, buffet dinner and abundant buffet breakfast, refreshments in the hall during the meeting, use of the fitness center, outdoor courts, and tennis courts, as well as the spa zone, with advance notice.

The special offer also includes discounts: 15 percent off on all the other services of the Olympia Life Wellness Center and 15 percent off the services at the hair salon. You will also have access to the business center and a Wi-Fi connection. Use the time with your team for many activities at sea and on land, test your boundaries, and connect with your team in unpredictable situations.

The Boutique Hotel Adriatic is the name of the charming captain's villa, located in the heart of Orebić, on the Pelješac peninsula. Due to its pleasant climate, many interesting features and attractions, the peninsula is visited by many excursionists and tourists all year long who love to find their sanctuary in this hotel with a long tradition and superb gastronomy.

The "Stari Kapetan" restaurant, at the hotel, is famous for its delicious dishes made from Adriatic fish and seafood, complemented by superb extra virgin olive oil and an impressive wine list. The regional wines of Dingač, Pošip, and Postup, created by the world-famous winemakers of Pelješac, are sure to delight you, just like the other delicacies the hosts will offer you, which will tell you the story of the flavors of the exciting gourmet story of this part of the Adriatic. The hotel has six luxury suites with an irresistible view of the sea.

Find out more at: www.solaris.hr

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Croatia

ONLINE websites and mobile applications

For spontaneous travelers and fans of the south If you decide to take a trip at the last minute, the Booking Now application will ease your search and reservation of accommodations, while the Cavtat Konavle - travel guide application will reveal many interesting facts about southern Croatia.

WEB&APP Prepared by: Alma Radoš and Željka Kunštek

Booking Now for spontaneous travelers

Booking.com created the Booking Now application, available for iOS and Android devices, for spontaneous travelers who decide to take a trip at the last minute. With more than 600 thousand accommodation units, Booking Now offers accommodations for everyone's pocket. Upon registration, users note their preferences regarding accommodations, such as price range, breakfast inclusion, restaurants, parking necessity, and wireless internet. Depending on their preferences, they can see all the recommendations with one motion of their finger, and reserve the accommodations they wish with two more motions. As of this year, the Booking Now accommodation is also available in Croatia, and since it has been launched in countries around the world, it has been translated into 42 languages.

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Cavtat Konavle - travel guide

The Cavtat-Konavle region, located in very south of Croatia, can be explored with the help of a free mobile application for iOS and Android devices, the Cavtat Konavle - travel guide. The application, in English, will help you find information on the cities and towns in this region, the main features and attractions, which are accompanied with photos and a map that will show you their exact location. You will also find a list of accommodation units and restaurants, ideas on how to actively spend your free time, a list of main events, and service information.

Photo archive: Krka National Park

A place of amazing beauty If you would like to visit Krka National Park, first visit www.croatia-tickets.com, an online ticket service that offers fantastic savings. o matter how many times you have visited it, the Krka National Park will always surprise you with its majestic beauty. One of the most beautiful green oases of the Mediterranean preserves a wealth of cultural historical heritage, and the large area and diversity of the terrain allow for entry into the park from various sides.

From the sea, and the town of Skradin, you will be awaited by magnificent waterfalls, amongst which Skradinski buk is the largest, and the fairytale islet of Visovac

like to tour the Burnum archeological site with the remains of the Roman military amphitheater in Ivoševci and the Burnum Museum in the center of Puljana, instead of the usual 40, you will pay only 35 kuna.

Take advantage of the deal, visit www.croatia-tickets.com and buy tickets at more affordable prices. Don't wait in lines, avoid the rush and using cash, pay in installments, and at the entrance to Krka National Park, simply exchange your ticket for an original ticket and enjoy your excursion. 

CROATIA TICKETS > with the Franciscan monastery is only a few minutes away by tour boat. With the many restaurants, souvenir shops, room to play and swim, the day will fly by, so the ticket price of 100 kuna, with the boat ride to Skradinski buk included in the price, instead of the usual 110 kuna, is definitely worth the experience. You will pay a ticket price of 90 kuna if you decide to enter at Lozovac, the main road entrance to the Park. The fascinating Roški slap and its cascades, which the locals called necklaces, and the old mills and columns can be toured for just 55 kuna instead of the usual 60 kuna. You can reach this entrance to the National Park from the interior of Dalmatia, if you head from Drniš, a town famous for Drniš prosciutto, a delicacy whose flavor and aroma makes gourmet lose their minds. If you would

Photo archive: Krka National Park

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Photo archive: Krka National Park

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Excursion to Krka National Park

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Photo: Boris Filipović-Grčić (archive: The Sinj Alka Museum)

Photo archive: Croatia Week

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Importanne Resort winner of the Dubrovnik County Chamber Zlatna Kuna award

Photo archive: Croatia Week

Pho t Hot o arch els i & R ve: Im eso por rt tan n

A must-see museum This summer, two long awaited museums were opened in Croatia.

The Sinj Alka Museum, opened in August, is dedicated to the unique phenomenon of the horse and knight tournament that was held for the celebratory threehundredth time this year. The museum was opened in the Alkar Hall, the former quartier (military base for the cavalry), and in a vivid way it shows three centuries of the event every person living in the Sinj and Cetina region lives for.

If you head over to the Slavonia and Srijem region, make sure you visit the Museum of the Vučedol Culture, built at the Vučedol Archeological Site in Vukovar.

Its front elevation is open to the landscape while the rest of the building is built into the terrain so the site is entered via a green roof.

Besides the museum building with an exhibition of 19 units, there are also workshops with old crafts, an underground building at the Gradac site, and a reconstructed Megaron building and research center in Villa Streim.

In August, one of the largest churches and largest pool in Croatia opened

Once again, the Importanne Resort Hotel Complex has received the Zlatna kuna award, which has been awarded by the Dubrovnik County Chamber since 1977. The Importanne Resort got the award in the large company category for successful business conduct in 2014 and its contribution to the Croatian economy. CEO of Importanne Resort, Dennis Zovko, emphasized that their success is primarily due to their employees and pointed out that there is more room in Dubrovnik to expand hotel capacities. The Importanne Resort successfully conducts business all year round, and through continuous investment in new facilities and the implementation of global hotelier trends, it also gives a great contribution to enriching the tourism offer of the city of Dubrovnik.

On August 4, in the city of Knin, the Our Lady of the Great Croatian Baptismal Vow Church was opened, and with its 1100 seats and 781 square meter hall, it is one of the largest sacral buildings in Croatia. It is also the first Catholic church to be built in the Knin area since 1777.

The following day, on August 5, in eastern Croatia, in the Bizovac spa, the largest wave pool in Croatia was opened. The pool is 1700 square meters in size, and was built in only a month and a half. It has eight swim lanes 1,80 meters in depth, and the rest goes from 0,80 to zero, which is great for children. Swimmers have more than 500 lounge chairs at their disposal next to the pool. www.croatiaweek.com

Find out more at: www.importanneresort.com

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Photo archive: Vukovar Tourist Board

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Gourmet Croatia

DUBROVNIK-NERETVA COUNTY

Written by: Sanja Plješa Photo archive: Dubrovnik Tourist Board, Blato Tourist Board and PHOTOnet.hr

Flavors of the south In the far south of Croatia, you will find delicious dishes made of vegetables, fish, lamb, cured meat, lima beans, and shellfish on your plates.

Photos: figs and almonds (top left); blatska lumblija (middle left); prosciutto, cheese, and olives (top right); olives (bottom middle); rožata (bottom right).

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ubrovnik has always attracted travelers from all ends of the earth. The old Republic of Dubrovnik was a destination for traders, sailors from all the continents docked there, bringing spices, but also recipes from the lands of their origin.

Over the years, they melded with the old dishes of Dubrovnik, and even today gastronomy from all areas of the world still gives a certain dash to the dishes in

that pearl of the Croatian Adriatic, but also the entire Dubrovnik-Neretva County.

Nowadays, tourists can't resist the famous Dubrovnik Rozata, arancini (candied lemon, orange, or grapefruit peels), and zelena menestra, a typical dish in this region. The dishes in Dubrovnik are simple, and have few added ingredients, with the mandatory use of olive oil and herbs. Fruits and vegetables in the Dubrovnik area still grow in unpolluted

tip: Zelena menestra, Ston oysters and Dubrovnik rozata are dishes you should definitely try in southern Croatia.

Photos: oysters (top left); grilled fish (top right); zelena menestra (bottom left); seafood (bottom right).

surroundings. Zucchini, tomatoes, eggplant, or the famous cabbage from Konavle are the main part of many dishes.

While many restaurants in Dubrovnik offer prosciutto and cheese, just like restaurants throughout the Croatian coast and islands, the Dubrovnik-Neretva County is famous for dishes that aren't prepared anywhere else. They include zelena menestra (a dish with a few kinds of cured meat and several kinds of cabbage), and rožata (a dessert). Long ago, just like today, the plates of the old generations of Dubrovnik's locals and their guests regularly included dishes made of vegetables, fish, lamb, lima beans, and shellfish. Meat and cakes were only prepared for special occasions, and all edible things in nature were used.

That tradition has now been passed on to modern dishes. Now, in some restaurants you will find black cuttlefish

soup, escargot, and roasted mutton with young potatoes. For dessert, there is the famous dubrovačka cake, and various types of jams made of seasonal fruit are also popular.

From eels to oysters Other parts of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County also have interesting food stories.

Amongst them, the Neretva eels in Opuzen and Metković, Ston oysters, or Korčula's makaruni especially stand out.

Neretva dishes are full of specialties made from frogs (fried frog's legs, frog and eel stew), fresh water and sea fish, crabs, and shellfish. The locals of the Neretva valley will offer you a liqueur made of dry figs as a start to your meal. Still, the Neretva valley is especially famous for its mandarin oranges. Homemade olive oil, and bay leaf, sage, and rosemary are especially

used in the dishes on Korčula. Each meal must be started with rose liqueur, followed by an appetizer of prosciutto and homemade goat or sheep cheese, salted sardines or smelt, and olives.

Makaruni are a famous pasta that even the Italians (famous pasta specialists) love. The menu should definitely include fresh grilled fish, stew with polenta, octopus roasted under the bell, and shrimp stew. Fans of meat will be won over by Korčula lamb or mutton roasted under the bell, and there is also the unforgettable pašticada, popular in all of Dalmatia. Since every good meal ends with a good dessert, Korčula's menu will include prikle (fritule), cukarini, klašuni, and kroštule. The Dubrovnik-Neretva County also has many excellent white wines, such as Pošip and Grk, but also red wines, amongst which Plavac Mali stands out.  August - October 2015

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CULTURAL SCENE

Ana Rucner In early 2011, Ana was named Ambassador of Tourism in Peking.

CULTURAL SCENE

Cello around the world

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The most famous female Croatian cellist is also one of the best known promotors of Croatian tourism. Her musical and stage performances, always planned out in detail, leave the audience breathless on stages throughout Croatia and all over the world...

Conducted by: Vlatka Vužić Photo archive: Ana Rucner

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na in the City is a project you have been working on for the last five years so Dubrovnik has become an unavoidable summer stop for you.

Do you manage to make time for a real summer holiday in some other destination?

I don't have classic summer vacations since I usually have many performances at that time. However, since I usually go on holiday to the island of Pag, whenever I manage to get some time off, I'm happy to go there. I also love the island of Brač where my family has been traditionally vacationing for years.

You made a promotional video clip to mark the 300th anniversary of the Sinj Alka. How did that project come to be?

A year ago, upon the suggestion of my dear friend from Sinj, I offered a video as a project to the Alkar Society from Sinj, and their members liked the idea so we filmed it on attractive locations in Sinj, such as the Sinj tower, Alkar trails... The video is also attractive for its music (we combined famous Croatian songs, amongst which are parts of the opera "Ero s onoga svijeta", and part of the "Nikola Šubić Zrinski" opera), as well as for

CULTURAL SCENE attractive visual elements. I'm happy to add another attractive video to my "collection" of tourism videos, where I promote the beauty of Croatia, and where people can see the beauty of Sinj and the surrounding area.

You collaborated with the Croatian National Tourist Board for a long time and performed around the world to promote Croatian tourism.

What are your favorite destinations?

I visited China several times, and that country truly delighted me, and I often visited Turkey, which is beautiful in a special way. As far as Croatia is concerned, I love every part of it, from my hometown Zagreb, to Slavonia, Istria, and Dalmatia. I love to perform in Croatia and the surrounding region.

Dubrovnik holds a special place in my heart, just like Osijek and Zagreb, and I always look forward to performances in Sarajevo, Mostar, and Ljubljana.

Moving to another city/country would definitely ease the development of your international career, but you have remained loyal to your hometown, Zagreb. What is your favorite part of Zagreb?

My family and my son are in Zagreb, and I'm especially close to them, and Zagreb is very well connected with Europe and the rest of the world.

Wherever I need to go, I can do so from Zagreb. In Zagreb, I love Maksimir Park, where I have spent a lot of time since it is the neighborhood where I grew up. I also love the Upper Town, Jarun, and the center of the city is special in its own way.

The "Ode to Joy", created according to Ana Rucner's idea, won ten various international awards, including the Oscar for tourism in the music video category at the 11th International Festival of Tourism Films and Multimedia.

An interesting fact about your trips to performances abroad is that you have to buy an additional plane ticket for your cello. Have you ever had any problems in transporting your instrument?

You're right, a cello always has a special place in a plane and an extra ticket must be bought for it. I haven't had any problems with transporting it so far. If I travel by plane, I know the routine, and if I take some other form of transportation, I just take extra care.

Your musical work has allowed you to perform on various attractive locations in Croatia, but also all over the world. What stages hold a special place in your heart?

Besides performing, I have also had the opportunity to film videos at fantastic locations such as Dubai and China. Victoria Hall in Geneva is a stage that thrilled me and every year I really look forward to the "stages" in Dubrovnik, such as the Duke's Palace and Sponza Palace, and this year it was Orsula Park, a beautiful "natural" stage. 

The winners of Neno Belan's albums from the last issue are: Sanja Tadić (Zagreb, Croatia) and Mario Petričević (Berlin, Germany)

The authors of the two most original answers will receive an album as a gift.

August - October 2015

CULTURAL SCENE

tip: Would you like to win Ana Rucner's "Vječne uspavanke" (Eternal lullabies) album? Write us why and send your answer to contest@tiptravelmagazine.com

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UNICEF

CROATIA AND THE WORLD

Croatian children for African Children Text: UNICEF Croatia Photo archive: UNICEF

Photo: thanks to UNICEF's activities, the number of children in Burkina Faso that attend school increased to 81,3 percent.

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ver the past school year, children from kindergartens and schools all over Croatia gathered money to help educate children in Africa by selling their own works of art, decorations, used toys, books, and magazines, baked goods and desserts, collecting plastic and paper packaging, and even using their own allowances. More than 80 thousand children from 215 schools and 80 kinder­gartens participated in UNICEF's "Schools for Africa"

Nearly 400 thousand kuna was collected for educating children in Burkina Faso as part of the "Schools for Africa" program.

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program, where in 2014 they, together with their teachers, parents, and the local community, collected nearly 400 thousand kuna to educate children in Burkina Faso.

Croatian children and kindergartens have been helping their fellow children on the African continent for the eighth year in a row, while also learning about children's rights, humanity, solidarity, and tolerance, as well as the importance education has in their lives.

The Vladimir Nazor Elementary School from Neviđane on the island of Paťman played a special role in the program. A hundred students from the school dedicated themselves to the project with great enthusiasm. With the help of teachers and parents, they organized two exhibitions: at the first one, students showed their school African animals through sketches and drawings in pastel, while at the second

one they presented African culture and customs. In order to show solidarity with the children of Africa, they organized a day where they had only half a liter of water to drink. In June they were visited by the head of UNICEF's office, Valentina OtmaÄ?ić, so that she could meet them and thank them personally. Children from all over Croatia showed solidarity with the children of Burkina Faso who don't consider school a must-have, like they do.

A large number of children in that country are still forced to work, and from a young age, and many children, especially girls, don't have access to schools.

Help for children from 28 countries Thanks to UNICEF's activities, the number of children in Burkina Faso that attend school increased to 81,3 percent, and the greatest challenge is keeping children in school. So, along with children from Croatia, they also get assistance from children from another 27 countries. More than 185 million US dollars have been collected as a part of the program to educate children in 13 African countries, including Burkina Faso.

From the start of the program in 2005, many schools have been built and existing ones have been renovated. Children have been given access to clean drinking water and sanitary facilities, school playgrounds have been built, and classrooms have been equipped with the necessary educational material, desks, and chairs.

Centers for early childcare have been opened for the youngest, and children who have terminated their education or been forced to work have gotten the opportunity to attend centers for alternative education. Thanks to UNICEF's program "Schools for Africa", over the past ten years, more than 28 million children have gotten the chance to go to school and so ensure a better future. ď ś

Photos: students of the Italian Elementary School in Novigrad made items and sold them at a fair (top); a little girl in Burkina Faso (middle); the students of the Vladimir Nazor Elementary School in Crikvenica made ceramic bowls (bottom).

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News and announcements

WORLD

Luxury travel a global hit

Amadeus, one of the largest providers of technological solutions for the tourism sector worldwide, and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) are joining forces to advance the use of innovative technology in tourism in areas such as education and multifunctional solutions. They are solutions that include door-to-door planning, but also tickets for excursions, which also incorporate additional integration of various forms of transportation to destinations worldwide. The UNWTO and Amadeus will also collaborate on other UNWTO initiatives, especially in the area of sustainable development, socially responsible business practices, and education.

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Photo source: © DZT Photo source: ITB Asia

Amadeus and the UNWTO: Innovative technology in tourism

Photo archive: Congress- und Tourismus-Zentrale Nürnberg (source: © DZT)

Photo source: Susanne Walström/imagebank.sweden.se

The most popular luxury destinations in Europe are Germany and Italy, while most fans of luxury travel come from the USA and China. Those are the results of the World Travel MONITOR®, research conducted for ITB Berlin by IPK International. According to the research, in comparison to other international travel, luxury travel has nearly doubled over the past five years, and recorded an increase of 48 percent. It is the fastest growing market segment, and the high price of such travel doesn't seem to pose a problem. For the purpose of this research, luxury travel was defined as short trips where spending was more than 750 euro per night, and there were 46 million such trips last year.

Increase of international arrivals In the first four months of the year, an increase in the number of tourist arrivals was recorded in nearly all the regions of the world.

According to the results of the Tourism Barometer of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), from January to April, a total of 332 million arrivals of foreign tourists were recorded, or 14 million more than in the same period last year. It is an increase of four percent, and the forecasts for the remainder of the year are also positive, especially for the period from May to August, when, according to forecasts, 500 million tourists will travel abroad.

ITB Asia in Singapore for the 8th time Messe Berlin, organizer of ITB, the leading global travel trade show, has shared its experience with the Asian continent, one of the largest and most dynamic travel markets in the world.

So, this year from October 21 to 23, they are organizing the ITB Asia travel trade show at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. With the aim of becoming the strongest travel fair in the Pacific, ITB Asia has positioned itself as the key meeting place for representatives of all segments of the travel sector.

It grows from year to year, and last year it gathered 9650 participants from 108 countries, 750 exhibitors from 76 countries, and 850 buyers from 62 countries.

1 billion tourists 1 billion opportunities

Photo source: Jakob Fridholm/imagebank.sweden.se

Photo source: UNWTO

Photo archive: fotolia.com

This year, World Tourism Day, September 27 will be in the sign of the motto "1 billion tourists - 1 billion opportunities". The campaign with this slogan was launched by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) back in 2012, when the symbolical threshold of a billion tourist arrivals was surpassed. Since this number is constantly growing, it is estimated that a new threshold of two billion tourists will be reached by 2030.

These numbers present a challenge and a billion opportunities for all sectors included in the global tourism phenomenon. "Every time we travel we become a part of a global movement that has the energy to make positive changes for our planet and for all people", emphasized Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of the UNWTO.

Chile to host a summit on adventure travel More than 700 organizers of adventure tours will gather from October 5 to 9 in the city of Puerto Varas, Chile, at the Adventure Travel World Summit. "Viva la revolucion de la aventura!" ("Long live the adventure revolution!") is the main motto of this year's summit where, along with tourism professionals, influential travel writers and entrepreneurs will also participate. With professional and interesting topics on the history and development of adventure travel, the summit organizers, representatives of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) have announced a B2B presentation and researching and getting to know more about the top destinations in Chile.

European Food Tourism Week UNWTO Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism In early July, the World Tourism Organization published a call for submission of applications for the 12th edition of the UNWTO Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism. Applications are accepted until October 20, and applications are possible in four categories: for innovation in public policy and governance, for innovation in enterprises, for innovation in non-governmental organizations, and for innovation in research and technology. The names of the finalists will be published in the first week of December, and the formal awards ceremony of the traditional awards will be held on January 20, 2016 at the FITUR international travel fair in Madrid.

According to the latest research, food tourism is an ever more important segment of tourism that significantly affects the appeal of a destination. In order to use its potential, at the EXPO in Milan, the European Commission is organizing the "European Food Tourism Week". The purpose of the event is to emphasize the fact that food is one of the greatest advantages of European tourism. Besides representatives of the travel industry, the event will also gather representatives of international and non-governmental organizations, small business owners, representatives of national and regional government, etc. The focus of the European Food Tourism Week will be on EU initiatives and policies that promote European food, which is a part of the diverse and special cultural offer, but also the opportunities and methods for promoting food heritage.

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Photos

SPOTTERS

Damir Hoyka and representatives from Lufthansa and tipTravel Magazine chose...

The best photos by Croatian spotters for May, June, and July 2015

The photo of the month for May 2015: Alan Grubelić

The photo of the month for June 2015: Alan Grubelić

The photo of the month for July 2015: Branimir Cupar

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In late February 2015, Croatian spotters, the Lufthansa airline company, famous Croatian photographer Damir Hoyka, and tipTravel Magazine started collaborating. Every month, spotters, passionate airplane photography fans, upload their best photos on the Fotosofia.info web site, a meeting place for fans of photography. At the end of each month, the jury chooses the best spotter photo of the month, and its author is specially awarded, and the general public also votes for the best photo. In this issue, we present the best airplane photos by Croatian spotters, according to the jury vote, for May, June, and July 2015.

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The Maldives

A turquoise sea, long, white, sandy beaches, coconut palm trees, reefs, tropical wooden bungalows, interesting undersea life, and plenty of romance are the first things people think of when they think of the Maldives, a group of islands in the Indian Ocean. It consists of 26 atolls, and the capital city of the Republic of Maldives is Malé, also the most populated city of this island country often called heaven on earth.

Lufthansa

Five new delights

s of December 2015, the Lufthansa airline company will start flying direct from its base in Frankfurt to five new destinations including Malé (The Maldives), Mauritius, Cancún, Tampa and Panama. The Airbus 340-300, where you can choose between superbly comfortable Business, Premium Economy and Economy class, will take you to sunny beaches and exotic destinations. The seats in Business Class can be transformed into comfortable 1.98 meter-long beds, while in Premium Economy, a recently introduced class, you will have more legroom, as well as a larger space between seats. All classes offer a diverse entertainment program throughout the flight, as well as FlyNet, wireless internet. Have you already chosen your dream destination? 

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Photo: mediaBase Lufthansa

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Find special offers for Malé (The Maldives), Mauritius, Cancún, Tampa, Panama, and other global destinations at: LH.com August - October 2015

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Photo: a procession of believers on their way to the temple.

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BALI INDONESIA

The island of a thousand temples Text and photos: Martina Dragojević Trcol

Heavenly beaches, many temples and shrines, picturesque rice fields, irresistible sunsets, friendly locals, the most expensive coffee in the world... You will find all that on Bali, the famous Indonesian island.

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MAP OF INDONESIA - Source: Publishing house Meridijani

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Bali is located just eight kilometers below the equator, which gives it a stable tropical climate all year long. Daily temperatures in the lowlands range from 20 to 33 degrees Celsius, while it is cooler in the mountain region. Monsoon season lasts from October to April, and it brings large quantities of rain, especially from December to March. The dry season is from April to September, which makes it the best time to visit Bali.

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want to go somewhere far away, somewhere I haven't been before, a place that's exotic and warm...

Since I was too busy at work to think about which destination that would be, I told my colleague my wish, and she blurted out: "Go to Bali!". I loved the idea and soon found myself with three companions on a plane to that paradise island. I left for my trip completely unprepared, without any information about my destination, so I literally got to know Bali personally, there and then.

As soon as I landed, I was hit by a heat wave, and also needed to quickly get used to the great humidity that impaired my breathing. However, what left me breathless was what I saw next - scenes I saw on route to the hotel: exotic Indonesian, that is, Balinese architecture, palm trees, temples and shrines, and the local population who, for reasons

unknown to us, gathered next to the road around some massive and frighteningly ugly figures. We soon found out that Nyepi, Balinese New Year's Eve, was the following day, which meant that we were lucky, or perhaps unlucky, to participate in the celebrations of the Balinese New Year.

Balinese New Year Bali celebrates not only the regular New Year's, but also Balinese New Year's, which lasts six days and includes six rituals. Even though the evening before their New Year's Eve is the most spectacular part of their six-day celebration, the most important day of the celebration, is New Year's Eve, or Nyepi, also called the "Day of Silence".

It is the most important and most sacred Hindu holiday celebrated on Bali,

Photos: the Pura Besakih temple complex (top left); a statue decorated with fabric in the holy week (right); a procession of believers (middle); young girls on their way to school (bottom left); carrying the offerings (bottom right).

and also a national holiday in all of Indonesia. Every year it is celebrated on the day of the first young moon in March.

During this sacred week, temples and shrines are decorated with umbrellas and flags, and statues are dressed in white, yellow, or plaid fabric, sarongs, or belts. The colorful procession of ceremonially dressed believers makes a pilgrimage to temples, where ceremonies for cleansing and chasing away evil spirits are conducted, and offerings of various plants or animals are made. According to local beliefs, spring is the time when the Lord of Hell sends evil spirits to Bali, so Bali must cleanse itself from them before the New Year starts. The story was promising, so I hurried to the streets to blend in with the masses and experience this event first-hand.

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In an enchanted dream On the evening before Nyepi, people bring spectacular and frightening figures of evil spirits made of bamboo and paper, some of which are up to 20 meters high, which symbolize evil forces, to the streets. Those figures are called Ogoh-Ogoh, and men carry them on bamboo carriers accompanied by people with face paint, torch carriers, and drummers, with the deafening sound of horns and kulkul bells (traditional bamboo bells). The parade heads down the main street to the main intersection, where the main event is held. At the end of evening, in some places, the Ogoh-Ogoh is ceremonially burned, which is followed by more dancing and celebrations, which are

Photos: figures of evil spirits and deities (top); the night before Nyepi on the streets of Bali (middle and bottom).

tip: If you would like to be a part of, or perhaps avoid, the Balinese New Year, over the next few years, Nyepi will be held on the following dates: March 9, 2016, March 28, 2017, March 17, 2018 (...)

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Photos: the Balinese prepare for the new year with a spiritual cleansing, prayer, and meditation (top); flower petals are used for a sacrificial offering (bottom left); fruit vendors in front of a temple (bottom middle); prayer in the temple (bottom right).

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somewhat chaotic, to chase the evil spirits off the island.

The following day, six AM marks the beginning of Nyepi, a special day for the Balinese - a day of silence, fasting, contemplation, and meditation. The time from six AM that day to six AM the following day is the time people must dedicate to themselves, meditation, spiritual cleansing, prayer, and fasting. On that day, the external and internal world must be cleansed so that a new start can be made on the following day. So, on Nyepi, you cannot conduct daily duties, light fires or turn on lights, cook, make noise, leave the house, commute or travel, you're not permitted to have fun or enjoy yourself, and some are not even allowed to eat or speak. On that day, the streets all over Bali are empty, beaches are bare, and it is a day of no work, so nothing is open, not even hospitals. Even the airport

is closed, and on that day Bali looks like a deserted island. As night comes, the island is in complete darkness, so it cannot be seen from an airplane or ship. So, according to old beliefs, the locals hide the island to protect it from evil spirits. Only ambulances are allowed to move through the streets, and only if it's a matter of life or death, or childbirth, and special police patrol the streets to enforce the ban.

Although Nyepi is primarily a Hindu holiday, all inhabitants of Bali, regardless of faith, and all tourists, must follow the rules of behavior and bans. They are slightly more lenient for us tourists than for the local population, but still very restrictive considering that we were trapped in the hotel for the day.

We weren't allowed to leave the hotel complex, to go to the street or the beach.

Hotel services were diminished, and hotel staff decreased to a bare minimum. On

that day, there was no housekeeping, no waiters in the restaurant, no choice of dishes on the menu, massages, etc., and instead of three meals, only one was served. In the rooms, no noise was permitted, nor could the lights or television be turned on. Due to all these restrictions, inhabitants of Bali who are not of the Hindu faith, inhabitants of neighboring islands, and tourists often leave the island for a day and come back when Bali awakens from its enchanted dream and the normal way of life resumes.

The day after Nyepi is officially New Year's and Bali slowly returns to its daily routine and social life. Family, neighbors, and friends gather and ask for forgiveness from one another and participate in religious rituals together. The New Year's celebration ends with the Dharma Shanti ritual, which also marks the end of the holy week in the Balinese calendar.

A trip to the interior Since we lost a day due to Nyepi, we needed to plan our tour of the island and all the activities we wanted to do in the remaining five days well. Since we were staying on the southern part of Bali, between Denpasara and Sanura, we focused on the central and southern part of the island for which we heard were interesting, and since the transit connections on the east-west direction are bad.

On our first day of freedom, we hired a taxi with a driver for an excursion to the interior, and our destination was Ubud - the cultural center of the island, with cascades of rice fields, and a favorite tourist attraction - the Goa Gajah cave, or the Elephant Cave, which is entered through the mouth of a demon carved into the stone. On our way

Photos: the entrance to the Goa Gajah cave is through the mouth of a demon (top); every village on the island is specialized in a certain craft (bottom left and middle); masks are one of the symbols of the island and the most popular souvenir (bottom right).

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Photos: The irrigation systems for the rice fields (subak) was enlisted as a cultural landscape on UNESCO's list of cultural heritage sites.

"Subak", a complex system for irrigating rice fields, was first developed on Bali sometime around the 1st century. One such rice terrace, Tegallantang, located near Ubud, is a true tourist attraction.

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to the interior we enjoyed the beautiful landscapes and discovered the wealth of Balinese arts and crafts. Each village here is specialized for a special craft, so one village paints, the other carves wood, the third makes stone statues, the fourth weaves cloth, others make masks, silver jewelry, or items made of palm leaves.

In Ubud, the center of arts, crafts, music, and dance, we were truly refreshed since Ubud is high enough to be cooler than at the coast. Although the rain somewhat affected our experience of touring the city, its temples, city palaces, and shrines in the Monkey Forest, I soon felt much better after successfully haggling at the local market, and my companions were comforted by the delicious food for which Ubud is famous. We were most delighted by the Monkey Forest - a complex of temples located in a forest inhabited by monkeys, guardians of the temples.

Although they are interesting to see, the monkeys are dangerous because they bite, and they are also notorious thieves. We had to be very careful so they wouldn't steal our video cameras, cameras, jewelry, sunglasses, and bags. The monkeys are in a constant search for food and love when you approach them with peanuts or bananas, and it can also be an opportunity to convince them to trade you their stolen goods for fruit.

One of the most beautiful scenes in the interior of Bali are the green rice fields that cascade down the hills, and are irrigated

tip: Haggling is normal on Bali, especially when buying souvenirs, clothes, and shoes, as well as defining a price for a taxi ride. Cut the original offer in half and make a deal about the amount that satisfies both sides.

Photos: Monkey Forest, a complex of temples in a forest (top left); at the local market (bottom middle); islanders consider the monkeys to be the guardians of the temple (top right); young musicians next to rice fields (bottom).

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tip: Kopi Luwak coffee can be bought in stores all over Bali, but at a higher price than regular Balinese coffee. You can see civets at one of the many gardens with herbs, tea, and coffee, and admission is free of charge.

Photos: Batur volcano and lake (top left); a motif from a roundabout at an intersection (top middle); preparing Kopi Luwak coffee (top right); a civet (bottom left); a coffee berry and roasting coffee (bottom right).

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with a complex irrigation system, which even the most cultivated parts of Europe would be proud of.

The most expensive coffee in the world The central part of the island is dominated by mountains with volcanoes. The easternmost mountain, Anung, at 3013 m in height is also the tallest, and it also has an active volcano.

Still, the most photographed is the lowest mountain, Batur, with a dormant volcano, and a lake of the same name at the base. Thanks to the volcanic nature of the island and abundant rain, agriculture is extremely productive in the mountain regions. South of the mountain range, the terrain slopes down slightly, and the largest amount of long grain rice in Bali is grown here.

The northern slopes of the mountains are steeper, and this area is known for its coffee production.

Coffee cultivation is important for this island, and the production of the special Kopi Luwak coffee, the most expensive in the world, is even more important. This coffee is harvested, believe it or not, from the droppings of civets - a wild cat living on the island, and they call it luwak. The civet eats the coffee berries while they are still green, but swallows them without chewing, so the beans ferment in its digestive system and are enriched with digestive fluids that change its structure.

Sooner or later, the civet deposits them in its droppings, which are collected, and the coffee beans are extracted from the droppings, after which they undergo the usual processing methods: roasting, crushing, and grinding. However, this coffee has a different flavor and less caffeine than regular coffee. Since civet coffee has become a trendy beverage, its mass production has also started. People have started catching civets, caging them, and feeding them with coffee beans to get as many of these craved beans as possible.

Special rules Bali is also called the Island of a 1000 Temples. Temples and shrines can be found all over the island, and their importance for the local population is great. The main difference between temples and shrines is that temples are enclosed by walls, while shrines do not have walls. Every village has several

temples: one dedicated to the founders of the settlement, another dedicated to the spirits that protect and watch over the locals, and a temple for the dead, while each home also has its own simple domestic family temple. On Bali, there are actually more temples than houses.

Shrines, for example, are located in unusual places, such as intersections, on old trees, or in the middle of rice fields.

Temples are sacred ground, which require special rules of behavior from religious followers and visitors.

Although we were free to walk around the entire area belonging to the temple, entry to the interior courtyard was only permitted for followers during special rituals. Upon entry to the temple area, we had to be appropriately dressed (covered hands and legs), and put on a sarong, while male visitors have to tie a "selandong" shawl around their waist. Sometimes I used my own pareo for that purpose, and other times they insisted I put on their sarong, which could be rented at the entrance (often for free). It was shocking to hear that women cannot enter the temple while menstruating, because they are unclean, and the same was true for people with open wounds, pregnant women, women who recently gave birth, and widows. Of course, everything that applies to the local population also applies to tourists.

Also, priests are to be respected, and no one is allowed to be taller than them, so make sure you are not taller than a priest if you decide to stand on a wall to take a picture.

Protection from evil spirits Bali has nine temples for protectors, built for the purpose of protecting it from evil spirits. They were all built on attractive locations: at the base of a mountain, in a cave, or at the top of a cliff, and are worth seeing. However, only a few are on the list of must-see sites.

The most visited are Pura Besakih, the largest temple complex, as well as the Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple, followed by the Pura Goa Lawah (bat cave), and the beautiful lakeside Pura Ulun Dana Bratan temple. The other temples aren't on the tourist route, so tourists rarely visit them.

I only visited the first two. Pura Besakih is the largest and most important temple in Bali. It is a complex of 23 individual, and interconnected temples, also known as Mother Temple, and is more than a thousand years old. If you're lucky,

Photos: Pura Besakih is the largest and most visited complex of temples (top); the Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple, located on a steep cliff, is one of the sea temples, and scenes from the movie "Eat, Pray, Love" were filmed nearby (bottom).

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tip: Although you won't be able to enter the Tanah Lot temple, you can enjoy the sunset and religious ceremonies. If you are able to, participate in the pilgrimage that will be held February 19, 2016 to celebrate the anniversary of the temple.

Photos: the Tanah Lot sea temple (top left); a scene from one of the attractive traditional dances (top right); a sunset at the base of the temple (middle).

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maybe you'll have the chance to take the photo of your life - the Besakih temple with the still active Agung volcano in the backdrop, which is truly rare to see due to the fog and clouds that drop down the mountain (I wasn't that lucky).

During the last volcanic eruption in 1963 (when 1700 people perished), lava flows missed the temple by only a few meters, which is considered to be a miracle and a sign from the gods.

Pura Luhur Uluwatu from the 11th century is also a dedicated protector temple - and a sea temple. It is one of the most spectacular temples because it is located on a 70 meter high cliff that offers a view of the Indian Ocean. This temple protects Bali from evil spirits coming from the southwest. The temple is surrounded by a small forest, a habitat for monkeys considered to be the guardians of the temple.

Sea temple and Kechak dance Along the southwestern coast of Bali, there are seven sea temples in a line so that you can see one temple from the next. The most popular sea temples are Pura Tanah Lot, and the already mentioned Uluwatu due to their natural location and beautiful sunset. The Tanah Lot Temple is located on the peak of a small rocky island, which is constantly splashed by waves, which have been eroding it for centuries. Its name in translation means "Land in the middle of the sea". However, this rocky island (which is near the coast) is only really an island during high tide, when the surrounding area is flooded so you cannot reach it on foot. However, you can enter the cave at the foot of the rock, which is allegedly home to a poisonous sea snake that protects the temple from evil spirits, and

Photo source: www.facebook.com/EatPrayLoveMovie

Wonderful Indonesia | Bali Š www.indonesia.travel

In 2010, the movie "Eat, Pray, Love" starring Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem was filmed on Bali, which was also the first time that such a large movie was filmed on Bali. It was filmed according to a true story, following the memoir of Elizabeth Gilbert who, after a divorce, headed out on a trip around the world to get to know herself, discover the delights of Italian cuisine, the power of prayer in India, and inner peace and true love on Bali. The film was shot at authentic locations near Ubud, close to Jimbaran beach and Uluwatu temple.

where there is a spring of holy water that supplies all the temples nearby. Of course, I didn't see the guardian snake, but I did see a "snake" of people patiently waiting to enter the cave, where priests blessed them with holy water.

Usually while visiting temples you can also see the famous Kechak dance, a spectacular dance that was first danced in the 1930s as a tourist attraction. It is based on elements of traditional dance, which has its roots in the ritual of expelling evil spirits. The dance is exciting due to the sounds and music that exclusively comes from the singing of a male choir, without any instruments.

This dance is often shown in combination with a fire dance so tourists can enjoy attractive shows, of which the most impressive ones are those performed in the early evening next to the Uluwatu or Tanah Lot temples.

Photos: Bali features heavenly beaches, luxury resorts, exotic flowers, and many possibilities for an active vacation.

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Viceroy Bali

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An oasis of comfort, an exotic atmosphere, luxury and privacy, such as you probably expect when you think of accommodations on Bali, can be found at The Viceroy Bali resort in the town of Ubud. The resort consists of 25 luxurious villas with private pools, and is located in Bali's Valley of Kings, as locals call this area due to the generations of Bali's aristocrats that grew up in the neighboring villages. The resort is a favorite destination amongst sophisticated travelers from all over the globe and is known as one of the leading tropical getaways in the world for those seeking privacy and superb comfort. www.viceroybali.com

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A tourist paradise Photos: the Jimbaran beach in the early evening (top); colorful, traditional fishing boats are at home on the beaches and archipelagos of Bali (middle).

tip: The best beaches for swimming, sunbathing, and surfing are on the southern part of Bali, on the Bukit peninsula. They are Balangan, Bingin, Dreamland, PadangPadang, Nyang...

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The expansion of tourism in the 80s affected the improvement of the standard of living of the local population and their salaries, primarily thanks to rich tourists from Australia and Japan. Many tourists on the island decide to take group excursions organized by travel agencies, which cost 50 to 60 dollars per person. The ticket for the Kechak dance is 10 dollars, and you need to prepare at least 30 dollars for a seafood dinner in one of the many restaurants along the most famous Jimbaran sandy beach, where tourists flock to enjoy the seafood specialties and romantic sunsets. While on Bali, make sure to try the delicious local dishes with rice or noodles, and juices made of squeezed watermelon, cantaloupe, mango, or pineapple.

Along the coast there are many hotels and resorts, and the most luxurious are located in the very south of Bali, on the Bukit peninsula, while Kuta is more

affordable because it has developed as a surfer town. Regardless of the category of accommodations and purchasing power, everyone can enjoy the warm Indian Ocean or Bali Sea, the heavenly white sand beaches on the south side or the black sand beaches on the north side of the island, the picturesque beach scenes that are complemented by the colorful, traditional, wooden fishing boats with a narrow hull and outrig. Hedonists can enjoy local specialties and gastronomic delights in many restaurants, or the spa zone in hotels and resorts, and the young who would like to go out and have fun can enjoy the night life in Kuta and Semnyak.

We indulged in a little hedonism of our own so that we could brag about it when we got home: cocktails in Kuta, Balinese massage on the hotel beach, and dinner on Jimbaran, with a romantic sunset. That, along with the memories of the natural beauty of the island and many temples, will be our soul food until our next trip. ď ś

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Bali

... is an island in Indonesia, between Java on the west, and Lombok on the east, and belongs to the Lesser Sunda Islands. The island is surrounded by coral reefs and has the richest sea flora and fauna in the world. There are three small islands south east of Bali that belong to it administratively: Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan.

Photo: the paint on the attractive wooden boats needs to be regularly maintained.

Capital City: Denpasar Language: Indonesian (official), Balinese Area: 5.636,66 km2 Population (2014): 4.225.384 Currency: Indonesian rupiah (100 sen) Area code: +62 Time zone: UTC +8

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World attractions

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Tourist mecca of South America The most popular tourist destination in Brazil, and also all of South America, is definitely Rio de Janeiro. This city, with more than six million inhabitants, is home to many attractions, such as the globally popular Copacabana beach and Maracana stadium. The city is also famous for its spectacular New Year's celebration and the carnival, but the greatest attraction by far is the statue of Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Mountain above the city, which offers an amazing view of the city and coast. The statue was named one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is one of the largest statues in the world, visited by three hundred thousand tourists every year. Next year, in 2016, Rio de Janeiro will host the Olympic Games.

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