Grapes Mali Plavac

During the start of October, a traditional autumn event takes place in Supetar, on the island of Brac. The event is called “grape and Wine festival”, and is considered as the most important festival to be held on the island of Brac.

The remarkable feature of “grape and wine festival” is the preparation of traditional cuisine called ‘Varenik’. The cuisine is made from fresh wine. The festival is a week long celebration in which the locals involve themselves in preparation of traditional cuisine from the fresh wine of the area.

The specialty of the festival is the preparation of foods in which ‘Varenik’ is used as a condiment. The wine makes the local Dalmatian food more savory than ever.

Even during ancient times, the Greeks and the Romans were very fond of the drink, as they considered the drink to have nutritional value. They used to take it as an energy drink.

The drink is special as it has a very high content of natural sugar, and is sometimes used as a sweetener.

Though, few Croatians still make the traditional drink, but they are not very as devoted as those who stay in Brac. Brac wants to revive the drink and bring it back on the tourist list. They want to make it as the favorite condiment to make Mediterranean recipes.

‘Varenik’ had been used for centuries on the island of Brac and the surrounding areas. They make Varenik out of red grapes. Varenik is also very useful for digestion.

It holds a special importance in the lives of the Croatians. You would find the restaurants in Brac selling the traditional drink at a very low price to promote the drink, during the course of the festival.

Read more:

• 60th Anual Dubrovnik Summer Festival
• One Hundred Years of the Stone masonry School – An Educational Institution Attractive for Tourists
• Recommended Restaurants and Bars on Dalmatian Islands

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StoneMasonry School - Pucisca Island Brac

The stonemasonry school in Pucisca on the Island of Brac recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. It is a unique educational institution, not only in Croatia, but in this part of Europe, representing an attraction for tourists as well. On the occasion of celebrating the anniversary, a book about the school was published. 50 copies were bound in unique stone covers. Though the school itself was founded in 1909, the education of stonemasons on Brac began in 1906 because of the great need for the development of stone masonry.
In Pucisca and Selca, courses were organized in collaboration with a trade school in Split. After the course, students would pass their exams in stone masonry. Preserving the tradition of the trade, many generations of superior craftsmen were educated at this school. In their work, one could always recognize the signature style of the school. The history of the Pucisca stone masonry school is intertwined with the history and tradition of the Brac stone, embedded in many great buildings.
Learning how to cut the Brac stone, the students even use toothed tools that were used by the Romans. Each year, the school enrolls one hundred students from all parts of the country. Around 10 thousand tourists visit it every year, proving it is not merely an educational, but a tourist facility as well. The students of the Pučišća stone masonry school have taken part in some of the world’s biggest tourism fairs, demonstrating the skills of their craft before numerous audiences. They even got a private audience with Pope John Paul II. For its great contribution to the development of Croatian tourism, the Croatian National Tourist Association has awarded the school with the greatest tourism award, “Anton Štifanić”, in 2004.
Brac stone was used to build white limestone columns of the White House in Washington DC, Diocletian palace in Split, foundations of many buildings in Venice, and many more famous buildings are built with it.

Read more:

• Tradition in the service of tourism
• Ten Years Since the Discovery of Apoksiomen
• Zlatni rat beach – Voted Croatia’s Sexiest Beach

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Croatia’s beaches come in a variety of forms, from rocky to pebble, sometimes sandy and concrete (sometimes called a pier, but if you can lie on it in the sun I say it counts).

Because of the relative abrasiveness of Croatia’s beaches, bringing sandals or water shoes is a great idea for an independent traveler trying to enjoy the sun and sea. Also, many beaches are a hike from the nearest bus-stop, parking lot, or boat dock, so real shoes aren’t a bad choice either.

Zlatni rat Beach

The most popular beach in Croatia is Zlatni rat, on the island of Brac. Translated literally, Zlatni rat means the “golden cape” and the beach extends from a grove of trees straight out into the ocean. The peninsula is packed with people in the summer both who have made the day-trip from nearby Split, or descended from one of the many nearby resorts.
The calm water on the lee-side of the spit is great for paddling, windsurfing or kiteboarding, and the spit is big enough that there is always room for one more beach towel even on the busiest days.

One of the longer stretch of beaches lies near Brela, just south of Split. Brela’s beaches are nearly six kilometers of picturesque white pebbles surrounded by idyllic fig trees, pine stands and olive groves descending into Mediterranean perfection. Far from getting away from it all, nearby Punta rata beach has lifeguards, a doctor on duty, facilities for the disabled, a sports complex and catering. There are plenty of shops and restaurants nearby, but who would need to leave?

Brijuni island was the getaway for European aristocracy in the early 20th century, and it has maintained a kind of elite atmosphere since then. Did I say elite? Sorry, I meant “circus.” Brijuni is full of things like ostriches running loose, donkeys, roman ruins and fossilized dinosaur footprints. The animals are the offspring of the collection of Marshal Tito, who had a summer residence here, and visitors to the main island can observe his elephants and zebras on a tour of the safari park. To visit the beaches you’ll need accommodation at an island hotel or be part of a guided trip to the park.

Krk island is Croatia’s biggest island, with one of its most impressive beaches. Baska is one of Croatia’s few sandy beaches and it is often packed with Austrians and Germans on holiday. For another true sand beach, try Malinska, a port town on Kosljun island.

Read more:

• Zlatni rat beach – Voted Croatia’s Sexiest Beach
• Island hopping in Croatia
• Destinations

Welcome to Croatia - Travel and Holidays in Croatia. Your guide to holidays in Croatia.