After the old tourist complex was reconstructed, the latest Crvenka Luka will be upgraded from 2 star to 4 star but with limited beds than earlier building. Crvena luka Bay Falkensteiner Hotel & Resort is inclusive of 2 parts which includes the residential and hotel section. In the hotel complex, there will be forty two rooms in main hotel and additional portion of hotel “dependsa” with fifteen superior rooms and an apartment hotel with 31 double rooms. There are three hundred and twenty six beds together in this portion and apart from that there are two hundred and eighty beds in residential section. There are forty six apartments in residential sections with gardens or balconies, sixteen terraced villas and 4 detached villas.

This is one of the luxury holiday resorts that is associated with family tourism, a good wellness zone along with gym, an indoor pool is also planned to be constructed along with spa and beauty salon. The main restaurant, shops and bars, a basketball and football field, a beautiful volley ball court across the sandy beach and 2 tennis courts. In the beach zone along with diving pool and sports pool, there is a separate pool for children. Crvena Luka is always popular as pearl of Biograd Riviera and that certain portion of Adriatic. It is situated five kilometers from Biograd na Moru. Biograd na Moru is city of northern Dalmatia in Croatia and is popular for being the formal capital of medieval Croatian kingdom. It is administratively a portion of Zadar County and is situated in Adriatic Sea coast which overlooks the Pasman island. The City of Biograd na Moru is very popular tourist resort and has rich history. The first tourists reached the place during the early 1920s from Czechoslovakia and the 1^st hotel was constructed in the year 1935. Holiday accommodation in Croatia is very easy to get if you make your reservations online prior to your travel.

Read more:

• Biograd na moru – The Opening of Hotel In
• Korcula – Renovation of Vela Luka Hotel Korkyra
• Hotel Villa Radin Opens its Doors in Vodice

Sinjska Alka is a knights’ tournament in Sinj which is annually held every year since its inception in Cetinska Krajina during the year 1717.  During the competition, the knights ride on their gallop of horses across Main Street along with spears in their hand which are aimed towards iron ring that hangs on a rope. The name of tournament arises from word alka-ring which belongs to Turkish origin and reflects the chronological co-existence of cultural combination of two civilizations.

The skill of preparing products from honey came to existence in some European monasteries at time of Middle Ages and when it reached the region of northern Croatia, it was developed as a craft. The musical expression of “ojkanje” is performed by female or male single with various techniques of voice shaking with special mechanism of singing from throat. Each song will last as long as breath of main singer. The melodies are based on restricted tonal spans, generally chromatic with different intervals that do not match present day’s frequencies, while lyrics are based on various themes from love to present political and social themes.

The Licitar, is a edible souvenir which is prepared with dough and is baked, shaped and dried and finally colored with myriad edible colors. The Licitar is decorated in various ways by different craftsman usually with small mirrors, pictures, messages or verses and most common shape is that of heart. Along with Sinjksa Alka, ojkanje and honey making trade were also added to the representative list of UNESCO. Apart from that Beijing opera, Iranian rugs, Azerbajian and acupuncture are also very popular. Croatia has 10 non-material goods on UNESCO list which is very popular in Europe.

As many as 7 Croatian items of intangible cultural heritage were added on representative list of UNESCO during the conference in Abu Dhabi held during 2009. The list included the annual spring procession of Queen Ljelja from Gorjani, the making of traditional wooden toys from Croatian Zagorje, the procession of cross on Hvar islands, 2 part singing in narrow intervals in coast of northern Croatia and Hrvatsko Primorje, an annual carnival of bell ringers from lacemaking and Kastav in Croatia ( Pag leopgrava, Hvar).

There are two hundred and twenty nine representatives in UNESCO’s list of immaterial cultural heritage from eighty seven countries. The list includes arts and skills that promote the diversity of expressions of immaterial cultural heritage and stress the importance of rare skills to general public. There are many Croatia holiday apartments which you can book for cheap rates.

Read more:

• Croatia UNESCO – 7 sites and 7 cultural traditions
• The Republic Of Croatia – UNESCO World Non-Material Cultural Heritage
• The fortification of Ston Walls took the longest in Europe’s history

Rudolf Abraham is the awarded photographer and author, whose love to travel to far away destinations has taken him to distant locations like Patagonia and Central Asia and he also visits Croatia many times during the year. He has also visited the national parks this year. The Istrian landscape and its beauty have touched his heart deeply and are considered to be most memorable. He discovered a peninsula of ancient majestic beauty of coastal towns and charming inland with gothic towns on hilltops.

While looking for frescoes in concealed churches, he also enjoyed the wonderful taste of Istrian delicacies by sitting in fires of wine cellars or under mind blowing ambience of top restaurants in Croatia. He tried cheeses, gnocchi, and game, “fuzi” which is a variety of pasta, fruits of the sea, truffles, Istian malvazija and smoked ham.

After a truffle hunt which was very successful using the assistance of dogs that were specially trained, the remarkable truffle tasting experience was pursued by giant “fritaja” on Subotina fiesta in Buzet town. The captivating collection of Istrian flavors was completed with a gulp of traditional brandy of Istria called “biska” along with drops of honey to give a delightful taste.

The CNN Traveler magazine was launched during the year 1998 and is portion of the most popular brands – Time Warner Group and CNN International. It is very popular for disclosing the original and authentic from around the world and its quality content has made it very popular among readers around the world who have encouraged the magazine authors to discover new destinations across the globe. There are plenty of tourist attractions in Croatia and it is popular for numerous natural lakes and amazing landscape. The climate in Croatia is pleasant all the year round and it is also famous as a health resort. The Vransko Lake which stretches around 30 sq.km in Sibenik-Knin and Zadar County is the biggest natural lake. Holidays in Croatia can be pleasant and enjoyable along with your family.

Read more:

• Istria – Something on offer for All Tastes
• Green Istria: More attractive for Visitors
• Istria is a paradise for cyclers

Lovran
Lovran is a town with rich history with more than 100 years of traditional tourism history and it got its name and popular bay trees which grown in abundance inside town and its neighborhood. It has pleasant climate in Croatia and good Mediterranean vegetation making it a great tourist spot and plenty of summer houses and villas were constructed in this town during the time period between nineteenth to twentieth centuries.

Mošćenička Draga
It is a colorful pebbled beach located in Adriatic coast in town of Mošćenička Draga which is fifteen kilometers away from Opatija.

Matulji
Matulji, also called as ‘Gate of Kvarner’ and started to develop in quick fashion from 1873, when a train from Vienna reached the station that was newly constructed in the town. It connects the city of Kvarner to mountainous hinterland such that guests could enjoy hiking and cycling during the chilly evenings. The closest beach is just two kilometers away.

Crikvenica
The complete town of Crickvenica consists of chain of tourist towns including Jadranova, Dramalj and Selce and is situated thirty five kilometers away from Rijeka. The Hungarian and Austrian authorities have left a trail of Central European culture over centuries which are clearly visible in Hotel Architecture. The clean sea, gorgeous beaches and lush vegetation attract tourists from all over the world. There is also a museum in the town which is a favorite destination for tourists.

Selce
This beautiful town located in lively bay in proximity of Crikvenica has an architecture characteristic of coastal summer resort. The climate is pleasant throughout the year making it a good health resort.

Dramalj
The beaches of this town are easily accessible and there are lots of recreation and sports contents making it great place for family vacation and for romantic holidays. The place is good place for naturists as there are many nude beaches suitable for them. Swimmers, skiers, wind surfers and sailers can all find place for enjoyment in this beautiful town.

Jadranovo
It is an attractive tourist resort with natural and romantic beaches, various bays, exciting surroundings and pleasant nature. The path has been renovated while surrounding forests paths are suitable for recreation and walks.

Novi Vinodolski
It is another beautiful town located in fertile Viondol Valley (Vallis Vineria) and this was the place where book of Vinodol statue was re-written during the year 1288. This book is a crucial document about medieval law of Croatia. The red roof tops and white fronts are characteristic of visage of the town. There are many sports and recreation facilities, hunting tourism and plenty of entertaining events like the International Summer Carnival which makes it wonderful holiday destination for tourists.

Senj
Senj is one of the ancient towns located in northern Adriatic. It has many historical monuments and various summer and winter carnivals are held in this town every year.

Kastav
It is an ancient town present on the high hills of Kvarner. This town was cultural, economic and administrative centre of Prmorje and Central Istria and has got plenty of historic values. It is easy to get holiday accommodation in Croatia if you book in advance before your vacation.

Read more:

• The Exotic Kvarner Riveria in Croatia
• Kvarner – Following the Path of Frankopans
• Conferences – Opatija – Visitors arriving!

Read more:

• Croatian Wines are very popular
• The Wine Road in Daruvar
• Grape and wine festival – days of the Varenik 2009

Trsat in Rijeka, Kvarner

Kvarner is a region that has been growing tourism for more than a decade due to its diversity ranging from colorful vegetation, pleasant climatic conditions, combination of mountains, islands and coastal area and splendid architecture and amazing culture. It was a winter and summer resort of members of Habsburg dynasty, that developed the amazing tourist centers like Opatija that got Villa Antigona, the first summer residence of the region in 1844.
The Hotel Kvarner is 1st on east coast of Adriatic that was opened during the month of March in 1884. Mali Losinj, the largest town of Losinj islands located in Western Croatia was visited by 1st tourist during the year 1885. Dr. Conrad Clar, the famous Austrian Physician was the 1st tourist who came alone with his sick son to visit Mali Losinj. The health of his son got improved during the stay which increased the popularity of Losinj as a health resort and gradually lot of tourists started visiting the place for recovery from health problems. The Emperor Franz Joseph was very attracted towards Opatija and his brother Joseph loved Crikvenica whose 1st public beach was established during the year 1888 and later on a hotel was opened there.
Liburine were the 1st inhabitants of Kvarner that developed the trading connections in the place. Romans and Greek Sea man initially had lot of influence in the region. There are historical monuments and cultural trials in Kvarner which explain about powerful roman influence. One of the most popular monuments about ancient Croatian literacy during the years of 1100 which explains about history of Croats in this region is Bascanska Ploca. It is one of the most popular monuments of ancient Croatian literacy and was found in church of St. Lucija in Jurandvor, near to Baska in Krk islands during middle of nineteenth century. The writings on it belong to transitive period from ancient, rounded, ‘glagoljica’ to more angled writing. There are many hotels in Croatia which serve sumptuous food for the tourists. Also the Croatia apartments are very famous and are wonderful places to stay along with your family and enjoy your vacation.

Read more:

• Conferences – Opatija – Visitors arriving!
• Kvarner – Following the Path of Frankopans
• Hotel Vespera has become a family hotel

Dolina Neretve - Neretva river valley

Dolina Neretve (Neretva Valley, valley of river Neretva), which is also called ‘mandarin valley’ is the best place to enjoy your holidays in Croatia and you will receive a warm welcome from hospitable locals of Komin, Opuzen, Metkovic and other areas.
In whole region of Neretva, there are approximately 1.3 million mandarin seedlings that yield around sixty tons of fruit every year. The locals came up with a creative idea to let tourists enjoy their Croatia holidays by joining with them in mandarin harvest. It got lot of attractions from tourists all over the world and soon mandarin harvest becomes a lovable event for tourists visiting Croatia. There are various options like 1, 2 or 3 day trips on offer and tourists who take part in mandarin harvest not only enjoy working in pleasant climate of Croatia but get rich amounts of Vitamin C which is essential to strengthen the immune system during winter time.
The fruit pickets are offered instructions and equipment by the harvesters who are educated and experienced on tradition and history of breeding citrus fruits. Along with jolly music which follows them through fields, clean and great company, and bags are filled with treasures of orange and you can finish your day with delicious and sumptuous meal under the pleasant atmosphere in the restaurants of Neretva.
The photo safari in traditional boats of Neretva region are very good and chances of visiting Village Vid which is adjacent to Metkovic where the archeological museum of Naron is situated. It is the only museum in Croatia that has been constructed in archeological site of ancient Roman Empire.
In Metkovic, the ornithological bird community is very rich and inhabits the Neretva delta located in Opuzen after a walk along promenade town where you could enjoy visiting the wonderful square of King Tomislav, where the church of St. Stjepan belonging to nineteenth century dominates the place. The valley of Neretva is also considered to be the best place for retreat and healthcare of patients who suffer from Leprosy and became an institution for isolation for such patients during the year 1905. The weather in Croatia is always pleasant and you can enjoy a mind blowing vacation along with your family and friends in this exotic tourist center with plenty of natural attractions.

Read more:

• Drava Valley Pearls
• Dubrovnik region: New hotels and facilities
• One Hundred Years of the Stone masonry School – An Educational Institution Attractive for Tourists

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”

Ston Walls

After many years of restoration, the Ston walls which are the Europe’s longest fortress system and the also the second largest in the whole world have recently been opened for public viewing. This is the most complete activity in Croatia’s cultural heritage renovations. Fifty years ago the renovation of the walls had begun by the Dubrovnik historian and conservationist Lukša Beritić, and the long term renovations caught speed in 2003. The renovation was carried the same way as the walls were built and this is why they have a long time. The walls have been made by stone sculpting. The Friends of Dubrovnik’s Ancient Sights association has maintained the walls from 1952, and also invested for the renovation project where they have put in around three to five million HRK annually. When the renovations are complete, visitors will have to pay an entrance fee to visit this excellent attraction, which will help the authorities sustain and carry on the renovations and also encourage the tourist and cultural development of Ston. The Ston walls were made in the 14th century, after Pelješac was taken over by the Republic of Dubrovnik in 1334. For protection on the walls a vast defence system was built and it is the biggest urban reinforcement project in Europe of that time. The walls for defence were first constructed on both sides of the Peninsula. The plans were equipped by two towns, northern Mali Ston and southern Ston. Pelješac was detached from the mainland by the Great wall, which has a length of 5.5 km. Now only 5 km of the wall is left as the rest disappeared in the earthquakes of 17th and 20th century.

The walls were supported with 5 fortresses and 40 towers. They started and finished with two large fortresses: Veliki kaštio in Ston Korun in Mali Ston. The most well-known and major fortress is Bartolomeo on the hill. As per the ancient Dubrovnik chronicles, it took one and half year to build the great wall. Within the walls of the town of Ston there are residential houses and palaces in four blocks, a public building, a Bishop’s palace, the church of St. Blaise and a Franciscan monastery. Mali Ston is the oldest preserved plans in Europe. The major buildings in Mali Ston are the salt warehouse, the harbour with the harbour wall, arsenal, parish castle, parish church, Luža bell tower, and also the huge Korun fortress. The Ministry of Culture made an announcement that the Ston walls, Ston and Mali Ston and also the Ston saltpan will be entirely offered as contenders for the UNESCO world cultural heritage list in which recently Croatian cultural heritage phenomena was listed.

Read more:

• Dubrovnik introduces tourist cards
• The Republic Of Croatia – UNESCO World Non-Material Cultural Heritage
• Dubrovnik region: New hotels and facilities

Hotel Olympia Vodice

Around 12 million Euros have been invested in the last four years, on the renovation of Vodice’s four star hotels Olympia, and the planning is for another 5 million Euros. This should ensure that the forty year hotel, in the future will be able to receive guests for 11 months of the year, unlike the existing seasonal work. Lately the hotel got a new wellness area “Olympia life” for comforting the body and soul with a wide range of spa facilities and a polyvalent hall. The new halls’ centre is designed in a manner whereby the congress hall for 500 participants, can be swiftly turned into a sports hall with just a few small changes. The hall has a translators’ cabin and audiovisual equipment. There were earlier investments in the renovation of the reception area, a hundred rooms, the cleaning up of the beaches and the horticulture. During the tourist season of this year, the hotel is expected to offer a complete range of attractive and interesting beach facilities such as the “Kouha” bar where all through the day many different entertainment programs will be on offer, and there is also a new restaurant and souvenirs. The final phase of renovation will start at the end of this year and around 5 million Euros will be invested in the redecoration of the remaining accommodation units, and the other hotel buildings. In 2010, this hotel will offer the same quality in all 26 apartments, 215 rooms and other hotel areas. This investment is even more important considering that when the world is hit by recession; the majority of investors in tourism have considerably slowed down or even ceased larger investments. Formerly Olympia focused itself on classical or family or classical type of tourism, but it has now planned to become a hotel which will attract rich tourists with its quality and numerous faculties. In order to get ready for this new type of business, the hotel management has started with the additional training of waiters, cooks, sommeliers, receptionists and ice cream makers. With the renovated hotel Olympia, Vodice has been given an impetus to more development.

Read more:

• Hotel Villa Radin Opens its Doors in Vodice
• Biograd na moru – The Opening of Hotel In
• Largest Croatian Marian Sanctuary soon to have a hotel