Newsletter01|2011

Contents

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NewsCroatian tourist offer gets closer to Chinese market 2EasyJet arrives to Zagreb, Ryanair remains in Osijek

for another season 3Thomas Cook returns to Pula and Split 4The new tourist web portal World of Tourism (WoT) 5A portal for continental tourism 6Zaton, Politin and Jasenovo are the best camps

according to HAK 7Osijek – A telephone tour guide 8Rab receives the Simply the Best award 9Everything about Croatian health tourism in

one place 10Hotels Baška – first bearers of the ‘halal certificate’ 11

ProjectsBiograd na Moru – the new edition of Crvena Luka 12Novi Vinodolski – A new marina will welcome sailors

in the next season 13Učka – Cable car connects the sea to the mountains 14Vodice – The building of the largest congress centre

in Dalmatia 14Šibenik – A walking path through the Channel of

St. Ante 15

CroatiaintheworldCroatian wines get a chance on the American market 16Istria is the favourite destination of German self-drive

tourists 17Alka, licitars and “ojkanje” under the protection

of UNESCO 18The flavours of Istria on CNN Traveller 19

IntroducingThe valley of Neretva – Tourists join the mandarin

harvest 20Kvarner 21

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January 2011 | 2

NewsCroatiantouristoffergetsclosertoChinesemarketThe Croatian tourist offer speaks Chinese. The Croatian tourist offer has been translated into Chinese on the web site www.tocroatia.net by which it has become the first and only tourist web page in this language. The development of the portal which aims to bring Croatia closer to tourists from far away China has lasted 10 months. The Chinese have, up until now, been rare guests to Croatia and on their travels through Europe mostly visited Croatia`s most famous destinations – Dubrovnik, Zagreb and Plitvice Lakes, mainly off season. Tourism workers expect that as soon as the next year, the number of Chinese tourists will be significantly higher, among other things because the number of tourist agencies which own a licence for bringing in Chinese tourists to Croatia has also risen significantly.

ToCroatia

www.tocroatia.net

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January 2011 | 3

EasyJetarrivestoZagreb,RyanairremainsinOsijekforanotherseasonThe leading European low budget airline EasyJet has recently added Zagreb to its network of destinations. Since November 2010 flights have been scheduled, from the capital of Croatia to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, four times a week and it has been announced that there will be five flights a week connecting Zagreb to London Gatwick airport starting in mid February 2011. EasyJet has been flying from Split and Dubrovnik for some time now.Osijek airport has recently announced that the Irish low budget airline Ryanair will continue to connect Osijek and Frankfurt in Germany from the beginning of the summer season in May 2011. Last year, around 7000 passengers arrived on 50 Ryanair flights to the airport in Osijek, from the beginning of May until the end of October. A somewhat larger number of passengers flew in the opposite direction, making an increase of around nine percent in comparison to the previous year.

ZagrebAirport

www.zagreb-airport.hr

OsijekAirport

www.osijek-airport.hr

easyJet

www.easyjet.com

Ryanair

www.ryanair.com

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January 2011 | 4

One of the leading British tour-operators, Thomas Cook, is returning to the Croatian market next year. The program that this company will include in its catalogues includes Istria and Central Dalmatia, with flights from Manchester and London to Pula once a week and from London to Split twice a week. Thomson, as the second largest tour-operator in Great Britain has confirmed it will keep all last year’s flight lines from London, Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol to Pula and Dubrovnik, while British Airways is keeping its complete annual flight plan to Dubrovnik. This has been announced at the World Travel Market Fair in London, the world`s leading tourism fair, which gathers around 50 000 tourism professionals every year.In the first 10 months of 2010, Croatia has noted a four percent growth in arrivals and five percent in overnight stays from the British market. The largest number of Brits, a third of them, ended up in Dubrovnik which has, for years held an excellent reputation in Great Britain.It has been announced at the fair in London that the World Tourist Organisation – UNWTO, plans to organize, for the first time, at least two global tourist forums, form which the one connected to the media, will be held in Croatia, in September, with a goal to promote the importance of tourism in making global political and economical decisions in 2011. This will be the first world congress for tourism reporters in the organization of UNWTO and around 700 tourism reporters from around the world are expected to attend.

ThomasCook

www.thomascook.com

ThomasCookreturnstoPulaandSplit

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January 2011 | 5

World of Tourism (WoT) is the new tourist-information portal which should soon be launched and its creators from the company Jadranska Grupa claim that it will be a tourism version of the world’s social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. The portal aims to connect tourism companies with tourists and the authors expect to have 250 thousand registered users by the end of 2011. Unlike the existing social networks, only business users will be able to do searches on this portal. The difference will also be in the existence of two address books - private and business - and the ability to conduct video calls. Gastronomic offers, charters, accommodation units etc. will be advertised on the portal, while it will also be possible to place job offers and search for positions in the tourism industry.It has recently been announced in Zadar, where WoT was officially introduced, that this new tourism social network will enable the promotion of destinations and tourist attractions. The portal should help to directly connect tourists with tourism service providers. Information on tourism will be available on the portal as will be the quick and easy communication with all the companies involved in the WoT portal project. Through their personal profiles, users will be able to publish their experiences, give recommendations and reviews, upload photographs and videos, communicate with other private users through a private messaging service, conduct video calls and chat, grade tourism services and contact advertisers. The portal will be available in ten world languages.

TheTouristBoardoftheZadarCounty

www.zadar.hr

TheTouristBoardofZadar

www.tzzadar.hr

ZadarCounty

www.zadarska-zupanija.hr

ThenewtouristwebportalWorldofTourism(WoT)

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January 2011 | 6

AportalforcontinentaltourismKamonaizlet.hr is a new web portal which presents an overview of the tourism offer in continental Croatia, provides information about agro, sport and health tourism and also recommends quality restaurants and bars. Offers from wine and olive oil makers from the whole of Croatia will also be posted on the portal.

www.kamonaizlet.hr

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January 2011 | 7

In the traditional annual grading of Croatian camps (mostly the ones on the coast) organised by the Croatian Automobile Association (HAK), the Camping association of Croatia and the Association of Croatian campers, the highest grades were awarded to camp Zaton - in the category of large camps with the capacity to accommodate 1500 persons, then the naturist camp Politin on Krk - in the category of medium sized camps (300 – 1500 persons) and camp Jasenovo in Žaborići near Šibenik -proclaimed the best small camp, with the capacity to hold 300 persons.It was concluded by the judges that camp Zaton rightly holds the title of a family haven. It was awarded the highest grade because of its additional content: a beach adapted to children and non swimmers, attractive heated pools and especially well organized sports and entertainment activities. Second place among large camps was taken by the naturist camp Valalta in Rovinj and third by Bi-Village in Fažana.Camp Politin, the winner among medium sized camps, is located on a wooded peninsula not far from the centre of the town of Krk. “Succumb to the wonders of nature by walking or cycling along the paths of the peninsula and discover many picturesque bays and small beaches in the vicinity of the camp. Enjoy the isolation on the sea front surrounded by the beautiful smell of Mediterranean vegetation and the crystal blue sea, with a beautiful view of the town of Krk and the islands Plavnik and Cres “, are the words used by the judges to explain their decision. Following in the second and third place are camps Oaza Mira in Drage near Pakoštane and camp Vira on Hvar.Jasenovo, the winner among small camps, is located in a bay bearing the same name, surrounded by pine woods, right on the sea front, where, from a natural, pebbled beach a wonderful view stretches onto the nearby islands of the Šibenik archipelago. Along with the outstanding service, each guest of the camp has a chance to enjoy the nature in peace and quiet, concluded the judges, who placed two camps from Pelješac behind Jasenovo – the camp Palme in the village Kućište and the camp Adriatic in Orebić. The camps Park, Umag and Bunculuka were awarded special prizes for keeping a high level of service.

Hrvatskiautoklub

www.hak.hr

Zaton,PolitinandJasenovoarethebestcampsaccordingtoHAK

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January 2011 | 8

Osijek is the first town in Croatia which has a telephone tour guide. This is a unique guide for individual walks through the town with expert guidance received by dialling a specific telephone number. Along with the guide, the caller is offered an additional 350 items, so beside a telephone walk through 14 different locations and the most important buildings and monuments, the caller can listen to the most famous compositions by Osijek`s singers and composers, stories about the most famous residents of Osijek, short stories from the history of the city and information about tourist sites and surrounding attractions such as Kopački Rit. The telephone guide will be regularly complimented with new content such as the most famous recipes from Osijek. This tourist telephone guide was firstly intended for students studying in Osijek. The telephone guide will soon be available in English, Hungarian, Polish, Chinese and Japanese as well as Croatian.

TheTouristBoardoftheOsijek-BaranjaCounty

www.tzosbarzup.hr

TheTouristBoardofOsijek

www.tzosijek.hr

Osijek–Atelephonetourguide

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January 2011 | 9

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The annual Simply the Best awards were handed out at the traditional tourism fair ‘PUT 2011’ held in Mali Lošinj by the Association of Croatian Travel Agencies and the magazine Way to Croatia.The winners of this prestige awards were: the town of Rab -in the category of tourist destination of the Adriatic islands, the tourist resort Solaris Šibenik – in the category resort¬/hotel for a family holiday, the Hotel Arbiana in Rab – in the category small city hotel of the Adriatic islands, the Hotel Park Split – in the category small city hotel on the Adriatic coast, the Renaissance Festival Koprivnica – in the category historical-cultural attraction of continental Croatia and the fair in Krk – in the category Historical-cultural attraction of coastal Croatia.

TheTouristBoardofPrimorsko-goranskaCounty

www.kvarner.hr

TheTouristBoardofMaliLošinj

www.tz-malilosinj.hr

RabreceivestheSimplytheBestaward

January 2011 | 10

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EverythingaboutCroatianhealthtourisminoneplaceCroatia is a country with a rich tradition in health tourism that began at the end of 19th and the beginning of 20th century. The first locations at which health tourism developed were spas with medicinal waters, sea zones with a favourable climate and medicinal mud baths. These health spas were in Opatija, Lošinj, Crikvenica, Lipik and Varaždinske toplice, where even at that time an intense social life was organized for the guests who would arrive from the many surrounding countries. Today, Croatia offers numerous possibilities in the field of health and medical tourism through exceptionally high quality of treatments which are competitively priced, while emphasising the expertise and education of staff. The affordable prices of health and medical services are much lower than in other developed countries, while the quality of service is at the same level. Exceptionally favourable climate conditions which provide ideal possibilities for a healthy lifestyle, the geo-location and infrastructure and the exceptional tourist offer are additional factors which give Croatia a comparative advantage in the segment of health and medical tourism. The portal CroMedicor has recently been launched with the goal of promoting and establishing Croatia as a global health tourism destination. This is a portal which connects all the top quality health institutions and doctors, has listed treatments and many tourist contents that Croatia has to offer to its visitors. Those searching for a specific treatment can easily find information about it on the portal, as well as information about the health facility and the doctor who can carry it out. The portal offers additional information about other tourism possibilities in the vicinity of the health facilities. The content of the portal is additionally promoted on the foreign market through social networks, searches, specific health websites and personal contacts.

CroMedicor

www.cromedicor.com

January 2011 | 11

The first halal certificate for hotels in Croatia and the region was awarded to Hoteli Baška d.d., the largest and the strongest hotel corporation on the island of Krk, a company with a 60 year old business tradition in the tourism industry.There are five hotels holding three to five stars - Atrium Residence Baška, Hotel Zvonimir, Villa Adria, Hotel Corinthia-Baška and Villa Corinthia-Baška. With the halal cefrtificate Hoteli Baška want to ensure the quality of its services to all their potential guests that know and understand what it represents, not only in Islamic countries but also to potential guests from other highly developed countries. Halal quality implies a number of procedures in the production process as well as all the characteristics of products and services which are in accordance with Islamic regulations.With the halal certificate Hoteli Baška expect to act in synergy with the HACCP system, which means even better quality of food, products and services. The company Hoteli Baška has conducted the implementation of halal standards in collaboration with the Centre for halal quality certification from Zagreb.Hoteli Baška received the certificate “Halal paket – oznaka A” ( Halal Package – Grade A) by which this hotel group obliges to purchase halal products from chosen producers who are also holders of the same certificate as well as to store and prepare food according to instructions from the Centre. Members of Islam, as well as all who recognize halal as a healthy food choice, will notice an accentuated halal sign on the hotel menus. The southeast is marked in the rooms to point out the direction of turning during prayer. A prayer mat is also provided and the minibar holds only non-alcoholic drinks.

TheTouristBoardofthePrimorsko-goranskaCounty

www.kvarner.hr

HoteliBaška

www.hotelibaska.hr

HotelsBaška–firstbearersofthe‘halalcertificate’

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January 2011 | 12

BiogradnaMoru–theneweditionofCrvenaLukaThe building of the 20 million euros worth modern tourist complex near Biograd na Moru began four years after the tourist resort Crvena Luka was taken over by the Italian company Octavia from Modena.The old hotels and apartment blocks in the tourist resort around the beautiful bay will be torn down. The building of the new and modern tourist resort with hotels and apartment units should be completed in 15 months, by March 2012.After the reconstruction of the old tourist complex, the new Crvena Luka will have less beds but the categorization of the resort will go up from two stars to four.Crvena luka Bay Falkensteiner Hotel & Resort will be made up of two parts – the hotel part and the residential part. In the hotel complex the main hotel will have 42 rooms, the additional part of the hotel – ‘depadansa’ - with 15 superior rooms and an apartment hotel with thirty one double rooms. All together there will be 326 beds in this part and an additional 280 beds in the residential part. The residential complex will hold 46 apartments with balconies or gardens, four detached villas and 16 terraced villas.At this luxury holiday resort, which will mostly be orientated towards family tourism, a large wellness zone with a gym and an indoor pool is planned as well as a beauty salon and a spa.The main restaurant will hold around 300 covers, while there will also be a number of smaller restaurants, bars and shops, two tennis courts, a small football and basketball field and a sandy beach volleyball court. In the beach zone, along with the sports and diving pool, there will be a children’s pool.Crvena Luka has always been known as the pearl of the Biograd Riviera and that particular part of the Adriatic. It is located 5km from Biograd na Moru.

TheTouristBoardoftheZadarCounty

www.visitdubrovnik.hr

TheTouristBoardofBiogradnaMoru

www.tzdubrovnik.hr

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Projects

January 2011 | 13

NoviVinodolski–AnewmarinawillwelcomesailorsinthenextseasonTwo new projects which will additionally enrich the tourist offer in Kvarner should commence this year in Novi Vinodolski. A smaller marina with 260 berths and a break-water will be built in Klenovica. Building works should begin in the spring and are planned to be completed by November 2011. The new, longer, 90 m break-water, worth 12 million kunas will protect the harbour and the local authorities are hoping that it will encourage the development of nautical tourism.Novi Vinodolski is located in the central part of the northern coastal area, and grew from an old fortified town called Novigrad. Thanks to the evergreen vegetation and the mild Mediterranean climate as well as clean sea and air, it was included on the list of tourism pioneers of the coastal area, right after Opatija, in 1878. The distinctive feature of the town is coastal architecture of white fronts and red roof tops in the old town core which ascend from sea level to the church and tower on the hill. Representing the soul of the city is the cultural heritage – walls of the Roman fort ‘Lopsica’, the remains of friar Pavlin`s monastery, the Frankopan castle with a tower, Stolna Crkva (Central Church), the Church of the Holy Trinity, the Church of St. Marin on the islet of the same name, the house of the Mažuranić brothers, the library from 1845, the homeland museum and gallery, the old town core, as well as the preserved authentic folklore of this city.The hospitality of the locals, the crystal clear sea, the town and its surroundings with no industrial pollution as well as the mountain air from the high forests of the hinterland favourable for hunting tourism, all give Novi Vinodolski priceless ecological advantages, especially for the development of tourism and hospitality.

TheTouristBoardofthePrimorsko-goranskaCounty

www.kvarner.hr

TheTouristBoardofNoviVinodolski

www.tz-novi-vinodolski.hr

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January 2011 | 14

Učka–Cablecarconnectstheseatothemountains

The implementation of the cable cart project on Mount Učka, which should connect the village Medveja close to Lovran with the top of Učka and its highest point Vojak, worth 11 million euros, is entering its final phase. The idea of connecting the sea with Učka is a hundred years old. This panoramic, 4 km long cable will enrich the offer of the Liburnia Riviera, but also of northern Istria, prolonging the tourist season for another three months. Building works should begin during 2012 and are expected to go on for about a year.

TheTouristBoardofthePrimorsko-goranskaCounty

www.kvarner.hr

TheTouristBoardoftheIstrianCounty

www.istra.hr

www.zicaraucka.hr

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Vodice–ThebuildingofthelargestcongresscentreinDalmatia

The hotel Punta in Vodice has commenced building the largest congress centre in Dalmatia, a project which is due to be completed as early as the summer of 2011, it has been announced. This will be a multi-functional hall spread over two floors, equipped with sliding walls with sound isolation, thanks to which it will be possible to separate the space into smaller or larger units, depending on the situation, and each unit will be individually air conditioned and interior designed.The hotel complex Punta is situated on the sea front in a pine forest on the peninsula of the same name, three minutes walking distance from the town centre. The crystal clear sea with a pebbled beach is protected from the open sea by a number of islands. Only a hundred meters away is a pebbled-sandy beach suitable for children.Vodice is a tourist centre, well known for its liveliness, diversity of tourist offer and hospitality of the locals. It is located on the coast, in a wide bay, 11 km northwest of Šibenik - the centre of the Šibenik-Knin county.

TheTouristBoardoftheŠibeni-KninCounty

www.sibenikregion.com

TheTouristBoardofVodice

www.vodice.hr

HoteliVodice

www.hotelivodice.hr

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January 2011 | 15

Šibenik–AwalkingpaththroughtheChannelofSt.AnteThe Channel of St. Ante in Šibenik, one of the most beautiful parts of the Adriatic coast and one of the most glamorous sea entrances into the town, will finally become available to citizens and tourists. The left side of the Channel of St. Ante has been fenced off by barbed wire and forbidden to the public for decades. Rarely had anyone set foot on this part of the channel but thanks to the project of the Public institution for regulation of protected natural heritage of the Šibenik-Knin county, this natural pearl of Šibenik will finally be connected to the town by a walking path. The pathway will stretch from Šibenik`s Mandalina quarter along the whole channel and citizens and tourists will be able to walk or ride to the Venetian fort of St. Nikola, a highest category protected monument. The pathway will also enable the access to sea passages¬/tunnels which lead to the cave where the Church of St. Ante from the middle ages is located.Also included in this 1.4 million euro worth project is the building of the 6.5 km long walking path, the building of two belvederes, a parking lot, the renewal of the pier next to the cave of St. Ante and the horticultural landscaping of the site. Three quarters of the project will be financed from EU funds, while the remaining part will be secured by the local authorities. The channel of St. Ante, which includes the area from the Šibenik bridge to the end of the channel and the fort of St. Nikola, is a little over 2000 meters in length. The whole site was pronounced a protected landscape in 1974.

TheTouristBoardoftheŠibenik-KninCounty

www.sibenikregion.com

TheTouristBoardofŠibenik

www.sibenik-tourism.com

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January 2011 | 16

Reporters from the most influential American wine magazine - Wine Enthusiast - Mike DeSimon and Jeff Jenssen, have recently made a trip to Croatia, where they visited most of the wineries which export their wines to the United States and got to know the key gastronomy destinations in Zagreb, Istria and Dalmatia, so they could recommend them to the American tourists.Mike DeSimon and Jeff Jenssen, the American eno-gastro reporters, who act under the name Wine Guys, spent seven days visiting the best wineries and restaurants across Croatia because of their report on the wine and gastronomy offer in this country.

“Based on our previous knowledge we were expecting a beautiful country, very good cuisine and equally good wines, but what we have experienced was much more than that. It was exquisite. Your best wines are of an exceptional quality and instead of the good but mostly rustic cuisine which we expected, we were welcomed by top quality dishes in which the ingredients were original, of the highest quality and prepared by the highest world standards”, stated the American reporters.The visit of the Wine Enthusiast reporters is the result of many months of effort to bring one of the most important American wine magazines to Croatia as well as to bring Croatian wines closer to the American consumers. Wine Enthusiast is currently the most influential expert magazine in North America and one of the most influential in the world. After its publication in the Wine Enthusiast, the report on Croatian wines and gastronomy will be published on the wine internet website Wine Guys (www.worldwineguys.com).During their visits to the wineries and on specialised wine tastings, the two American reporters visited the vineries Agrokor Vina, Krauthaker, Zdjelarević, Matošević, Coronica, Trapan, Kozlović, Clai, Bibich, Zlatan Otok, Toreta, Krajančić, Poljoprivredna zadruga Čara (Agricultural corporation Čara), Bura, Korta Katarina, Skaramuča, Miličić, Saints Hills, Karaman, Dubrovački Podrumi and Crvik.Alongside this, they visited some of the best restaurants - Aperitiv in Zagreb, San Rocco in Brtonigla, Le Mandrać in Volosko, Cantineta in Skradin, Noštromo in Split, Lešić Dimitri on Korčula, Kapetanova Kuća on Pelješac, Nautika in Dubrovnik and Galija in Cavtat.

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CroatianwinesgetachanceontheAmericanmarket

Croatiaintheworld

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Mike DeSimon and Jeff Jensen are members of the jury for the grading of food at the French Culinary Institute in New York, co-authors of the book The Ultimate Wine Companion and authors of numerous articles in the magazines Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator.

WineEnthusiast

www.wineenthusiast.com

January 2011 | 17

In the big survey carried out by the German Auto-Moto Club ADAC, among German tourists who travel on holiday in their personal vehicles Istria came first in the category of the most favourite tourist regions. Croatia, on the other hand, is among the five most popular destinations of German tourists who tend to spend their vacation in Germany. This was shown through research carried out by ADAC, Europe`s largest auto-moto club, analyzed within the frame of over 1.7 million inquiries about routes of travelling posted on the website of the club.Almost 38 percent of German tourists decided to drive to a holiday destination within the borders of Germany. The second country on the list of the most popular German tourist-drivers’ destinations is Italy (17. 4 percent), the third is Turkey (7 percent) and the fourth and fifth place was taken by Austria (6. 5 percent) and Croatia (6 percent). In the past year the Istrian peninsula was at the very top of the favourite tourist regions list. Istria is the most popular region among German self-drive tourists and 5. 1 percent of the surveyed people opted for Istria. Istria has overtaken the ever popular Upper Bavaria (4.5 percent), which was followed by famous destinations such as the Mecklengburg Lakes (Germany), Schleswig-Holstein (Germany) and South Tirol (Italy).This is the second time that Istria was proclaimed the most popular tourist region in Europe since 2002, when ADAC began to analyze the travel patterns of German self-drive tourists,.Another interesting fact is that holiday destinations in Croatia were also very well accepted among German campers. The highest number of German campers decided to set up camp in Germany (26 percent). Second on the list is Italy (20.4 percent) and Croatia is in third place with 15.6 percent. Fourth and fifth place are taken by France and Spain.

ADAC

www.adac.org

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IstriaisthefavouritedestinationofGermanself-drivetourists

January 2011 | 18

Sinjska Alka – a three hundred year old knights’ tournament in Sinj, and the honey making trade from the area of northern Croatia, have recently been included on the UNESCO’s representative list of non-material cultural heritage of mankind. At the same time, the musical expression known as ‘ojkanje’ was included on the UNESCO list of endangered non-material cultural heritage which needs urgent protection.Sinjska Alka, the knights’ tournament in Sinj, has been held annually since 1717 in Cetinska krajina. During the competition the knights ride on horses in full gallop through the main street, aiming with their spears at an iron ring hanging on a rope. The name of the tournament comes from the word alka-ring, of Turkish origin, that reflects the historical co- existence and cultural mixture of the two civilizations.The musical expression of ‘ojkanje’ is preformed by singers (male or female), using different techniques of voice shaking by a special way of singing “from the throat”. Each song lasts as long as the main singer’s breath. The melodies are based on the limited tonal spans, usually chromatic, with the range of intervals not corresponding to today’s frequencies, while the lyrics cover different themes from love to current social and political themes.The skill of making products from honey appeared in certain European monasteries during the Middle Ages and when it arrived in the area of northern Croatia it became a craft. The Licitar, an edible souvenir made from dough is shaped, baked, dried and then coloured by a multitude of edible colours. Every craftsman decorates the licitar in a different way, often with pictures, small mirrors and verses or messages. The most common shape of the licitar is a heart.Along with Sinjska Alka, honey making trade and ojkanje, also found on the UNESCO list are Spanish flamenco, Bejing opera and acupuncture and Azerbajian and Iranian rugs.At this moment Croatia has ten non-material cultural goods on the UNESCO list which is the most in Europe.As many as seven Croatian items of non-material cultural heritage were included on the UNESCO representative list by the time of the meeting in Abu Dhabi in 2009: the Dubrovnik Festa Sv. Vlaha (Fiest of St Blaise-the patron of Dubrovnik); two-part singing in narrow intervals in Istria and Hrvatsko Primorje (coast of Northern Croatia), the making of traditional wooden toys from Croatian Zagorje, the annual spring procession of the Queen Ljelja from Gorjani, the procession of the cross (Za Križen) on the Island of Hvar, an annual carnival procession of the bell- ringers from Kastav and lacemaking in Croatia (Hvar, Pag Lepoglava).

Alka,licitars(traditionalsouvenir)and“ojkanje”(traditionalsinging)undertheprotectionofUNESCO

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There are currently 229 representatives of cultural non-material heritage coming from87 countries on UNESCO’s list. Listed are the skills and arts which promote the diversity of expressions of intangible cultural heritage, raise awareness about its importance, and by organising international cooperation help the protection of heritage which is disappearing despite the efforts of local communities to keep it alive.

Ministarstvokulture

www.mint.hr

January 2011 | 19

The prestige world magazine CNN Traveller has recently introduced Istria to almost one million of its readers from 60 countries. The story of the largest Croatian peninsula in an article entitled “The flavours of Istria” begins on the cover of the printed edition for November, with a picture of Rovinj bathed in the reflections of the autumn sunset.Rudolf Abraham, the awarded author and photographer, whose love for travelling to far away destinations has taken him as far as Central Asia and Patagonia, visits Croatia several times a year. This year he visited all our national parks. He visited Istria in September where the wonders of the Istrian landscape made a lasting impression on him at first sight. During his travels Abraham discovered a peninsula of ancient beauty of the coastal towns and a picturesque inland with medieval towns on hilltops.While searching for frescoes in hidden churches, he tasted Istrian delicacies either sitting close to wine cellar fires or in the ambience of Croatia`s top restaurants. He tried smoked ham, cheeses, fuži (type of pasta), gnocchi, fruits of the sea, game, Istrian Malvazija wine and truffles.After a more than successful truffle ‘hunt’, with the help of specially trained dogs, the unforgettable experience of truffle tasting was followed by a giant ‘fritaja’ (traditional Istrian omelette) on Subotina fiesta in the town of Buzet. The enchanted circle of Istrian flavours was finished off with a drop of the powerful “biska” (traditional Istrian brandy) enriched with traces of honey.The magazine CNN Traveller was created in 1998 as part of one of the world`s most recognizable brands - CNN International and Time Warner group. It is famous for discovering the authentic and original and its superb content has won over the loyalty and trust of readers, who encouraged by CNN Traveller decide upon discovering new destinations.

TheTouristBoardoftheIstrianCounty

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Dolina Neretve, also known as the ‚‘mandarin valley‘, is the host to more and more tourists who are looking for an active holiday and are wellcomed by the hospitable locals of Metković, Opuzen, Komin and other nearby areas.In the whole Neretva area there are around 1.3 million seedlings of mandarins, which give up to 60 tons of fruit each year. The locals came to the idea to offer tourists the possibility of joining in the mandarin harvest. This quickly became very popular and the mandarin harvest became a real tourist sttraction. There are one, two and three day trips on offer, from which tourists return full of impressions but also vitamin C, ideal for strethening the imunne system before winter time.Tourist fruit pickers are given equipment and instructions by experienced harvesters and are educated on the history and the tradition of breeding citrus fruits. Along with jolly music that follows them through the fields, the great company and the clean air, bags are filled with this orange treasure and the day ends with a tasty and rich meal in the domestic atmosphere of one of the Neretva restaurants.Also on offer is the photo safari in traditional boats of the Neretva area. There is moreover the possibility of visiting the village Vid, close to Metković, in which the Archeological museum of Naron is located, the only one in Croatia built at the archeological site of an old Roman temple itself.In Metković, there is a rich orinthological bird community that inhabits the delta of Neretva and in Opuzen, after a walk along the town promenade along Neretva one can enjoy the beautiful Square of King Tomislav, dominated by the church of St. Stjepan, from the 19th century.

TheTouristBoardoftheDubrovnik-NeretvaCounty

www.visitdubrovnik.hr

TheTouristBoardofMetković

www.metkovic.hr

TheTouristBoardofOpuzen

www.tz-opuzen.hr

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ThevalleyofNeretva–Touristsjointhemandarinharvest

Introducing

January 2011 | 21

Kvarner

The cities of KvarnerRijeka The tourist image of the town of Rijeka, third by its size in Croatia, is determined by its geographic position. It marks the point where a passer by, travelling by road or railway, will first set eye on the sea. The entrance to Rijeka is extremely attractive, from the west as well as the east. The most attractive view of Rijeka is when arriving by boat. Rijeka is the most important Croatian port and a large industrial centre.Its location is enriched with natural and cultural values, the Mediterranean climate, and the closer and broader mountainous surroundings. Rijeka can boast its numerous historical sites.A tour of Rijeka traditionally begins on Trg Riječke Rezolucije (the Square of Resolution) located in the south west corner of the Old town. The square is dominated by a baroque church front of the once Augustine and now Dominican monastery of St. Jeronim. It was built as part of the Augustine monastery, as a foundation of Rijeka`s masters and counts.Located in the centre of the square is a stone pillar for the town`s flag, the so called “stendardac”, with a relief portrayal of St. Vid, the patron saint of Rijeka, who is holding a model of the town in his hand. It was put up in the 16th century as a sign of gratitude of the Austrian emperor to the people of Rijeka for their help in the fight against the Venetians.The building of Radio Rijeka is one of the sites which stand out, built in 1848 as a gathering place of the town`s

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elite. This building was the centre of cultural and political life in Rijeka. Today, it holds the People`s library and the exhibition space Mali Salon, while Radio Rijeka is on the upper floor. The Resolution of Rijeka, after which the square was named, was made in the hall, overlooking the square, in 1906. Tourists are also recommended to climb up the steps of the hill Kalvarija, visit the cemetery Kozala, the church of Uznesenja Blažene Djevice Marije, the ruins of Trsat, the city wall, the baroque palace that was once a sugar refinery, the Kapucin Lourdes Church of Our Lady and the Turkish house.

Opatija Opatija is located at the foot of the nature park Mount Učka and makes an excellent choice for a summer as well as a winter vacation. The beautiful nature, its parks and the Austro-Hungarian villas, the walking paths and beaches make it an elegant tourist destination with the longest tourist history in Croatia. It was built in the transition from 19th to 20th century and has kept its harmony with nature up until this day. The whole of Opatija is a large stage, woven with villas and numerous hotels located on the sea front with the town`s main promenade only a short walking distance away, making the whole area calming and invigorating.One of the sites that should definitely be visited is the church of St. Jakov, most probably built around 1420. The whole town was later named after this abbey. Today it has kept very little of its original state. In 1506, the abbot Šimun built

Kvarner is an area which has been developing tourism for over 160 years because of it diversity – from climate conditions, vegetation and the combination of the coastal area, islands and mountains to the architecture and culture. This used to be the summer and winter resort of the Habsburg dynasty members, who spurred the growth of exclusive tourist centres such as Opatija, which got its first summer residence – Villa Antigona, in 1844.Hotel Kvarner, the first on the east coast of the Adriatic was opened in March of 1884. As soon as 1885, the first tourist visited Mali Lošinj. It was a famous Austrian physician Dr.Conrad Clar, who brought along his sick son. The child’s health improved and the reputation of Lošinj as a climate health resort grew stronger. While Emperor Franz Joseph fell in love with Opatija, his brother Joseph opted for Crikvenica, which got its first public beach in 1888, followed by a hotel.The first inhabitants of Kvarner were Liburni, who developed their influence and trading connections here. Greek sea men and Romans were the ones who had the most influence on this area. There are many cultural trails and historical monuments that speak of the mighty Roman influence. Baščanska ploča one of the most important monuments to early Croatian literacy dating from around the year 1100 speaks of the history of Croats in this area. This is one of the most valuable monuments of early Croatian literacy. It was found in the church of St. Lucija in Jurandvor, close to Baška on the island of Krk, in mid 19th century. The writing on it belongs to the transitive period from the older, rounded ‘glagoljica’ (glagolitic alphabet) to the more angled writing.

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nor refurbished the church, as stated on the sign above the portal and at the end of the 18th century it was completely renovated, only to be significantly extended in the 1930s.Kept in the church is the replica of the graphic Piet, made by the famous Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović. Also interesting is the fountain of Helios and Selena, located in one of Opatija`s beautiful parks, just opposite the Hotel Imperial, in the vicinity of St. Jakov`s church. The fountain represents the sun and the moon, a character personification of the mythological brother and sister.Modelled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, marble stars have been inserted into the pavement of Opatija`s famous promenade, in honour of the individuals who have contributed to the promotion of Croatia with their sports, scientific, artistic and other accomplishments. The big church of Navještenja Blažene Djevice Marije belongs to the most beautiful part of Opatija’s panorama. With its outer beauty and impressiveness it decorates Opatija and gives it the shape of a complete city.The Museum of tourism has been situated in Villa Angiolina- the oldest and perhaps the most beautiful villa in Opatija- since 2007.Opatija is famous for its 12 km promenade along the coast called Lungomare. Its renewal started in 1885 and it was extended to Lovran in 1911.

The Opatija Riviera Ičići Ičići is a picturesque, intimate, coastal town, located on the most beautiful part of Kvarner, where the gentle slopes of Učka descend towards the sea. It grew along the beautiful and famous Opatija and Lovran. The large beach in the centre holds a Blue flag which guarantees clean waters. Lovran Lovran is a town of long and rich history with a hundred year old tourism tradition. It was named after the bay trees which grow in abundance in the town and its surroundings. Lovran has kept the medieval urban concept of its historic core. The good climate, the rich Mediterranean vegetation and the favourable geographic location enabled the strong development of tourism during the transition from 19th to 20th century, when numerous villas and summer houses were built. Mošćenička Draga One of the most beautiful pebbled beaches on the Adriatic is situated in the town of Mošćenička Draga located 15 km from Opatija. The town lives from tourism and stands out with its hospitality. Matulji Matulji, also known as the ‘Gate of Kvarner’ began rapidly developing in 1873, when a train from Vienna arrived at the newly built railway station. This place connects Kvarner to the mountainous hinterland, so guests can enjoy the chilly evenings as well as cycling and hiking. The closest beach is located less than 2 km away.

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Crikvenica The whole town of Crikvenica is actually a Riviera consisting of a string of urban, almost joint tourist towns: Selce, Crikvenica, Dramalj and Jadranovo. It is located 35 km from Rijeka. The Austrian and Hungarian authorities had been leaving a Central European trail, for centuries. It is still noticeable today, especially in hotel architecture. Crikvenica attracts with its exclusiveness which reminds of the times of kings, dukes and baronesses. It equally attracts with its exquisite beaches, clean sea, comforting greenery and quality fresh air. A 15 km long Roman trail and the town`s museum stand out as attractions. Selce A town in a lively bay, in the vicinity of Crikvenica is a rounded urban unit with characteristic architecture of a small coastal summer resort. The mild climate enables it to be visited at all times of the year, which also makes Selce a famous health resort. The town has managed to keep an image of a typical coastal place, while its surroundings are full of sandy beaches. Dramalj Because of its easily accessible beaches and many sports and recreation contents, Dramalj is extremely suitable for a family vacation as well as for lovers of active holidays. It is not unknown to naturists either, so a part of the beach in the untouched natural surroundings is intended exactly for them. Swimmers in search of peace will also find a place for themselves, as will the wind surfers, sailors and water skiers in search of speed and movement.

Jadranovo Jadranovo is an attractive tourist resort suitable for a quiet holiday, which enchants with its beautiful surroundings, untouched nature, many bays and romantic, secluded natural beaches. The coastal walking path has been renovated, while the entangled forest paths are ideal for walks and recreation.

Novi Vinodolski This town was the fortified centre of the Frankopan knights in the Middle Ages, situated in the fertile Vinodol valley Vallis Vinearia, where the famous Vinodol statute book was re-written in 1288. This is one of the most important documents of Croatian Medieval law. The physiognomy of the town is characterized by coastal architecture of white fronts and red roof tops. It is recognizable by its old town core which ascends from sea level to the church and tower on the hill. The town and its surroundings-without industrial pollution- and the forest hinterland are suitable for hunting tourism, while the sports and recreation facilities, the crystal blue sea and the abundance of culturally entertaining events (one of which is the International Summer Carneval), all offer an unforgettable holiday. SenjSenj is one of the oldest towns in northern Adriatic. It was founded in pre-Roman times and is mentioned in the works of Greek and Roman geographers and historians. Its title comes from the name Senia or Sen, which means ̀ old Ph

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place`in the Ilirian language. Today Senj has the form of a medival town. Senj is a town of history, parish, glagolitic alphabet, typography and poetry. The most famous resident of Senj is Bura (strong, norteastern wind). Perched above it is the fort Nehaj, which was partly built on the foundations of the church of St. Juraj, the patron saint of the town. It was built in 1558 under the supervision of the Vojna Krajina general Ivan Lenković and is the largest fortified building on the Adriatic. The Nehaj tower and the brave Uskoks are the symbol of the fight for freedom and resistance to foreign authorities. The history of Senj, the use of glagoljica in the Senj parish and the writers from Senj, largely contributed to Croatian history, language and ethnicity. The biggest and oldest summer carnival on the Adriatic is held in Senj. It also has a long tradition of a Shrovetide winter carnival, at which the everyday lives of the citizens of Senj are shown through satire and under masks.

Kastav The ancient town of Kastav rises on a high hill above Kvarner. It is said that no town in this area has such a tradition and identity as Kastav, which was historically the administrative, economic and cultural centre of Central Istria and Primorje.

The natural attractions of Kvarner 1. The island of CresThe island of Cres was already inhabited in the early Stone Age. The continuity of life on the island has left a rich historical and cultural heritage: from a multitude of Liburnian ruins, remains of ancient cities, early Catholic churches scattered across the island, a monastery and remains of the town`s heritage from the Venetian period to the monuments of today.Located in the small village Beli is the eco-centre Caput Insulae, whose main assignment is to take care of the survival of the endangered white headed vulture. Hurt, exhausted, poisoned or very young vultures who fall into the sea during their first flights, recuperate until they are released into the nature in the Recuperation centre. The eco-centre has also opened two feeding points where up to a hundred tons of food is delivered to the vultures each year.The town of Lubenice tells a special story on the island of Cres. This is a stony medieval town, with an unbroken 4000 year old tradition. The fort that rises at the top of a 378 metre cliff is a jewel of Croatian rural architecture. This small place is famous for its Summer Music Nights festival which has hosted some big names from the classical music scene. 2. The dolphins of Kvarner It is a known fact that dolphins can be found in clean sea waters. Such water can be found around the islands of Cres and Lošinj where there are around 120 resident dolphins.

“The Adriatic Dolphin Project” was founded in 1987and has since then acted on the protection and research of dolphins. The Day of the Dolphin has been held as a manifestation since 1993 in Veli Lošinj, every first Saturday in August.

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3. The waters around LošinjThe waters around Lošinj have long been recognized as an ideal diving area. Its depths hold sunken ancient ships. They can be found at several locations close to the islands of Susak, Unije and Ilovik. In 1999, at a depth of 45 meters, an ancient bronze statue of the athlete Apoksiomen was recovered. Only seven preserved statues of Apoksiomen exist in the world. The two thousand year old statue was recovered from the depths of the sea and restored in detail. After it was brought back to its formal glory, the statue of Apoksiomen was permanently exhibited at the Kvarner palace in Mali Lošinj. Motivated by this important archaeological discovery, Days of Apoksiomen have been organized by the people of Lošinj, where various events are held and the importance of its recovery as cultural heritage is emphasised.

4. Košljun on the island of KrkKošljun is a must see destination for the visitors of the island of Krk. The history of this island goes back to pre Christian times. The historical importance of Košljun became more visible after the founding of the Benedictian Abbey during the 11th century. The island holds a museum with a valuable collection of objects used by the fishermen and farmers of Krk as well as the island`s national costumes and for children, there is an especially interesting zoological collection and library. 5. The cave Biserujka on the island of KrkThe existence of this cave, located at Rudine above the Silvanj bay, has been known for over a hundred years. The 16 thousand year old remains of a cave bear have been excavated here. With its length of around 110 m and the vastness of its underground space, the cave exhilarates with its beauty. The cave is lit and the paths and passages are accessible to everyone. 6. The forest Dundo on the island of RabThe largest forest complex is located on the peninsula Kalifronta and its most famous part is the forest Dundo or Dundovo, which was proclaimed a special reserve of forest vegetation in 1949. It is one of the rarely preserved forests on the Mediterranean and the most significant on the island of Rab. 7. The walking path Carmen Sylve in OpatijaThe walking path completed in 1901 passes through an area above Opatija, through bay leaf and chestnut forests, rich with wild asparagus. 8. Kuntrep, the island of KrkIn 1969 it was proclaimed a special ornithological reserve and it stretches across a thousand acres in the area of Baška. This is the residence of the griffon vulture as well as the short toed eagle, the grey falcon, the long eared owl, the sea swallow, the cuckoo and many others.

9. The ‘Dolphin Way’ walking trail in Mali LošinjThe island of Lošinj has many walking trails and one of the most famous ones is the network of walking trails under the name ‘Dolphin way’, which encircles the south part

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of Lošinj. Walking across it one can very frequently see dolphins in the sea and that is how the path got its name. The waters of Lošinj are a natural dolphin reserve and dolphins are the biggest attraction of this area.

10. The Vrtara Mala cave in DramaljThe Vrtara Mala cave is around 30 meters deep and a home to a very rare species of an underground cave shrimp and prawn, which are completely white and have no eyes. The Vrtara Mala cave is a protected monument of nature.

TheTouristBoardofthePrimorsko-goranskaCounty

www.kvarner.hr

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KroatischeZentralefürTourismusRumfordstr. 7, 80469 MÜNCHEN, DEUTSCHLANDtel: +49 89 22 33 44fax: +49 89 22 33 77e-mail:kroatien-tourismus@t-online.de

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OfficeNationalCroatedeTourisme48, Avenue Victor Hugo, 75116 PARIS, FRANCEtel: +33 1 45 00 99 55fax: +33 1 45 00 99 56e-mail:infos.croatie@wanadoo.fr

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NarodowyOśrodekInformacjiTurystycznejRepubliki ChorwacjiIPC Business Center, ul. Koszykowa 54,00-675 WARSZAWA, POLSKAtel: +48 22 828 51 93fax: +48 22 828 51 90e-mail:info@chorwacja.home.pl

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