Festa Sveti Vlaho Dubrovnik Croatia

CROATIA has 7 UNESCO protected world cultural heritage sites and 7 UNESCO protected world cultural heritage traditions, making it first in Europe and fourth in the world. UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

The music in the video are traditional and unique Croatian “klapa” songs. First is “Vilo Moja” and second song is “Croatio iz duše te ljubim”.

Croatia UNESCO Sites:

1. Dubrovnik – The old city
2. Diocletian’s Palace in Split
3. Plitvice Lakes
4. Euphrasian Basilica in Porec
5. Trogir – The old city
6. St James Cathedral in Sibenik
7. Island Hvar Stari Grad plain

Croatian UNESCO Cultural traditions (intangible heritage) all from 2009:

1. Lace making in Croatia
2. Spring procession of Ljelje queens in Gorjani
3. Festival of St Blaise – patron of city of Dubrovnik
4. Annual carnival Bell Ringers from Kastav region
5. Traditional manufacturing of wooden toys in Zagorje
6. Two-part singing and paying in Istrian scale
7. Procession of the Kross on island Hvar (Holy Thursday)

Read more:

• The Republic Of Croatia – UNESCO World Non-Material Cultural Heritage
• Stari Grad on Island Hvar
• Island Hvar – “Following the Cross”

Hotel Le Meridien Lav

The well known and most sought after World Travel Awards for Tourism in Europe were held recently in Portugal. At these awards the Splits Le Meridien Lav won four awards in different categories. The hotel won awards for leading hotel, leading European conference hotel, Croatian spa hotel and European casino resort. To get these awards is a thing of pride as they reflect the excellence and status of the organizations in the travel and tourism industry. This was the 16th year that the awards were held this year.

There is a voting procedure to select the winners and a round 16,500 representatives of agencies and tourist employees belonging to 175 countries participate. Due to this reason these awards are considered to be equivalent to the Oscars in the field of travel and tourism and are the best reference for any organization or tourist product. The selection is based on a geographical division of eight areas Asia/Pacific, Europe, Caribbean, Latin and Central America, North and South America, near East and Africa. The divisions are made to ensure that all areas are covered and the selection is fair. The Meridien received three awards last year also and like this year was nominated along with other very popular hotels of the world like Kempinski St Moritz, Evian Royal Resort , Spain’s Torrequebrada hotel and casino, Greece’s Divani Apollon, Conrad Istanbul, Conference Centre and Spa Grand Hotel Stockholm, Hotel Okura Amsterdam, Hotel Gothia Towers from Sweden, Sheraton Hotel & Convention Centre Ankara, Renaissance Zurich Hotel, Ritz-Carlton Berlin, and the Sheraton Roma Hotel & Conference Center.

The hotel got the award for the best European conference hotel and this is because of the well planned strategy and the planning of the management, adhering to the aims that are accepted in the industry, timely change and acceptance of the trends and also introduction of new and improved services in the corporate. On the tourism world map, Croatia is placed as a desirable destination and this award has supported this. The country is a preferred destination for those who want to enjoy the nightlife and many other activities. The tourism in the country is booming despite the recession in the world and these awards are jewels in the crown.

Read more:

• Hotel Marjan becoming part of the Hilton Chain
• Hvar – Hotel Adriana in the prestigious Virtuoso organization
• The new face of the symbol of the Rab Hotel Industry

Split Croatia ACI Match Race

The Adriatic Croatia International Club with the Yacht Club Croatia this year is organising the 23rd annual event, the ACI Match Cup Race. The event is very prestigious and well known. It will be held beneath the Sustipan Park, in the Split aquatorium, from September 15th to 19th, 2009. The city of Split is the cradle of Croatian sailing because of the amazing natural grandstands from where the race can be viewed. The Sustipan Park offers the viewers and the media a special atmosphere for viewing the battle in the sea.
In the ACI Match Cup race, twelve of Croatia’s best steersmen and women will participate. They will exhibit their skills in taming the winds at sea in duels, one on one. In the final part of the race, guest yachtsmen from all over the world will participate in the regatta thus, raising the competitive spirit. The ACI Match Race is very famous and is known under the epithet of a ‘spectacular under sails’ and contributes in a great way to make Split and Croatia a favoured tourist destination. These destinations offer many activities and harbour a natural paradise in the Adriatic. All the top yachtsmen find the regatta to be one of the most well organized match races in the world. These famous personalities from the world of sailing help in popularizing the sport of sailing and prompting all sea enthusiasts to explore the rich cultural and natural heritage through the recreation of sailing along the Croatian coast.

Read more:

• Regatta Fiumanka – One has to sail
• Red Bull Cliff Diving Series 2009 Dubrovnik
• Hotel Marjan becoming part of the Hilton Chain

Split Croatia

For the next 22 years, the Split hotel Marjan will operate under the Hilton hotel chain. At the end of April, Hilton representatives and the owner of the hotel, the Adriatic company, signed the contract. The Hotel Marjan Hilton is expected to open its doors in the fall of 2009. Covering an area of 60 thousand square metres, the hotel will feature 300 luxurious rooms, 27 suites, two presidential suites, a wellness centre, casino, hospitality facilities and a conference centre.
Hotel Marjan was built in 1963. It was the first five-star hotel in Split and has become an integral part of Split. Many distinguished figures and famous people have stayed there like Sophia Loren, Orson Welles, Prince Albert of Monaco and others. The City of Split, explained the Hilton representative on the occasion of signing the contract, has been chosen on account of its attractive natural environment, good transport connections, high level of hospitality and culinary standards and safety. The Hilton Imperial in Dubrovnik has been operating under the Hilton chain for several years now.
Hotel Marjan is located in close proximity to the park-forest Marjan, a five-minute walk from the city centre and Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO world heritage site.

Read more:

• Hotel Vespera has become a family hotel
• Korcula – Luxury hotel in the historic city centre
• The new face of the symbol of the Rab Hotel Industry

Silver Central Hostel, Split Croatia

Silver Central Hostel Split Croatia

Despite being one of the most popular non-Euro zone locations, Croatia’s Adriatic coast is surprisingly bereft of good hostels. Split’s newest arrival is a shining exception, set in a townhouse within the walls of Diocletian’s Palace – the walled old town of central Split. Alas, this one does not offer doubles, but the dorm rooms are distinctly high end, with stripped wooden floorboards and sculpted straw furniture.

• silvercentralhostel.com, beds from £13pn

Buzz Backpacker Hostel, Zagreb Croatia

Buzz Backpacker Hostel Zagreb Croatia

Another of the misconceptions about hostels is that evenings are dominated by Bob Dylan sing-a-longs and drinking games. But like an ever-increasing band of family-aimed hostels, the Buzz Backpackers, set in a baroque building in the heart of the city, operates a no-noise policy after 11pm. It also conforms to another boutique hostel standard: private rooms that put budget hotels to shame – the well-designed top floor loft double sleeps two with space for a third.

• buzzbackpackers.com, dorms from 14pn, private rooms from £39pn

Green Lizard Hostel island Hvar Croatia

Green Lizard Hostel island Hvar Croatia

Long billed as Croatia’s answer to Ibiza, the jetties and ports of Hvar teem with yachts and perma-tanned Adriatic It-people throughout the summer. Most budget accommodation-seekers opt for the “soba” rooms – private beds offered by local families at the ferry port, but this entails the risks of having to be home by midnight, or up at the crack of dawn for prayers with granny. The Green Lizard is the best hostel on the islands off Split, and offers prime views of the bay from its balconies. In a country that is getting more and more expensive by the year, doubles from £31pn, with sea views thrown in, is a godsend.

• greenlizard.hr, doubles from £31pn, beds from £12pn

Source: Guardian.co.uk Read full article

Read more:

• Sailing in the Dalmatian Islands off the Croatian coast
• Croatian Islands in Mediterranean Island Guide
• Dubrovnik region: New hotels and facilities