Excitement on wheels
From the macadam field trials ideal for mountain bikes to the asphalted roads for family sightseeing, in Croatia you will find a huge variety of ideal trails for everyone’s taste, amateur or professional. Even challenge your own limits and get excited reviving the five stages of the Tour of Croatia:
Makarska-Split, Šibenik-Zadar, NP Plitvice-Učka, Pula-Umag and Saint Martin-Zagreb. A demanding but attractive route across the National Parks of Krka and Plitvice and the Nature Parks of Biokovo, Velebit and Učka.

Ride through astonishing landscapes in natural parks such as Kopački Rit or Medvednica in Slavonia and Central Croatia, follow the numerous wine and gastro routes through stunning vineyards like the famous Istria Wine or Gastro Cycling Tour and, of course, you can always take your bike with you on a catamaran for an unforgettable visit to the Islands.

The options are endless, and so inviting: from Croatia’s most popular cycling peninsula – Istria, over the forested, fragrant islands of Kvarner and the highland area of Gorski Kotar, the historical roads of the Lika-Karlovac region, over the highest passes and attractive mountains of the Dinaric karst to the dramatically beautiful Dalmatian coast with its islands or from the cereal plains of Slavonia through the green river valleys, over the cultivated hills with the many castles, manor houses and churches of central Croatia to the urban cycling oasis of Zagreb.

The most refreshing fun
Water parks are an ideal plan to enjoy a refreshing summer with the whole family. Go down endless waterslides, jump from the highest trampolines and dive into amazing pools. An energetic way to enjoy the water.

Swim in the biggest swimming pool with waves on the Mediterranean at Istrialand, have fun in Solaris Aquapark near Sibenik or feel the thrill of Aquacolors Poreč, the largest Adrenaline water park in the country, Aquapark Čikat in the island of Lošinj, Water Park Umag, Water Park Fazana… Amusement never ends!

The sky at your feet
There is nothing as exciting as conquering the clouds. Discover the beauty of Croatia from a new point of view: above. Fly in a balloon from Medvednica to the horizon, dare to explore the unknown from an airplane and enjoy the paradise of paragliding from the northern peaks of Učka and Žumberak to Biokovo and Rilić in the south, going by the islands of Krk, Brač and Hvar.

More than 30 ideal spots to practise paragliding spread all over the country throughout the year in order to feel the freedom of flying. But if what you want is an adrenaline rush, in Croatia you will find a jump you will never forget, 11.000 feet free fall surrounded by one of the most spectacular natural landscapes in the world. Live the experience of your life flying across the sky in Zagreb, Zadar, Hvar, Istria, Rijeka or Lošinj. By the way, did you know that the inventor of the parachute, Faust Vrančić, was born in Šibenik?

Paddle into the wild
Discover a different way of getting to know the country through its rivers. Gaze at Trakošćan from the lake beneath the castle or at Ozalj and Dubovac while rowing on the River Kupa, at the mills of Radmanove Mlinice on the River Cetina or at the island of Visovac with a monastery that sits uniquely in the middle of the lake formed by the River Krka.Traditional Croatian canoes are called “trupice” and are still used today as they used to hundreds of years ago in the Neretva Delta. Canoeing has been a tradition in Croatia for centuries but it will need very little time to conquer you.

Find your own way to undiscovered sights from rivers like the Dobra, Mrežnica, Una, Kupa, and Korana in the north and the Cetina or Zrmanja that sit in the middle of national parks in the south. Live exciting fluvial adventures or navigate through the calm waters of the Adriatic Sea and let your feelings guide you in expeditions across beautiful islands such as Trogir, included in the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites, Šolta Island, Brač Island or any of the other 66 islands, 652 islets, 389 rock and 78 reefs.

In recent years kayaking in Croatia has been an essential form of adventure which offers plenty of fun for all those looking for the true experience of untouched nature and who are ready to find happiness with their own strengths. It doesn’t matter if you row in a sit-on-top or a sit-inside kayak, because the feeling of rowing on the very surface of the sea is a privilege reserved only for kayakers. Regardless of whether you are in one of the large towns by the sea or purposely arrived at one of the protected pearls or if you love the open sea and an adventure under the bow of a kayak, Croatia with its thousand plus islands and islets offers plenty of locations which will leave you breathless. The specific quality of rowing a kayak is in the ease and directness of the touch with the element of water, and besides the crystal clear sea and untouched rivers, by kayak, it is possible to slip into hidden coves and visit some of the natural phenomena and cultural heritage.

Deeply in love
Immerse yourself in the amazing underwater world of the Croatian Adriatic. Discover the rich endemic flora and fauna, sunken Roman galleons, naval ships and much more thanks to the extraordinary clarity of its waters, with visibility up to 50 metres. Explore the deep going on organized tours for experienced divers or enjoy your first time in the numerous diving schools for beginners.

Natural as well as artificial reefs such as sunken ships are now the home and habitat for many species of flora and fauna like the hermit crab, starfish, the posidonia grasses (seagrass species, endemic to the Mediterranean Sea whose presence is a marker of the lack of pollution), seahorses… some of them protected species. Cave diving is also becoming more popular especially in the karst regions of Dalmatia. Whatever you do, you will fall deeply in love.

The Adriatic Sea
Dive into the cleanest sea in Europe
The Adriatic Sea is a branch of the Mediterranean Sea separating the Apennine and Balkan peninsulas and the Apennine and Dinara Mountain Ranges. It extends over an area of 138 595 km2, is 738 km long, 159.3 km wide on average, with an average depth of 173 m. The waters along the east coast of the Adriatic, from the Savudrija peninsula in the west to Prevlaka peninsula in the southeast, belong to the Republic of Croatia. This beautiful 5790 kms of coastline is one of the most indented coastlines in the world.

Diving starts in the shallows along an indented coastline with 1246 islands, islets, crags and reefs. At the onset it gives divers insight into the interesting marine life in store among the rocky undersea crags and reefs.

The beauty of the Croatian undersea world
A wondrous world of sea life from the shallows to the farthest depths
The Adriatic Sea is a small, enclosed sea, but large enough to accommodate some of the most beautiful diving sites in the world with an amazing diversity of flora and fauna. Life in Croatia’s undersea world is part of the evolutionary heritage dating back to the prehistory of seas all over the world.

A good example is the Mediterranean feather star which is 500 million years old, or jellyfish, evolutionary sea pioneers that continue to prosper to this day. On the other hand, other segments of marine life are an evolutionary development in the division of seas and smaller sea oases, like the Mediterranean Sea.

The Adriatic Sea is small and enclosed and likened to an evolutionary pool in which species developed and spread, and gained specific traits within a unique environment. The problem is how to divide marine life in the Adriatic Sea to afford a comprehensive overview for divers.

A possible division would be according to relief characteristics above and below sea-level, type of seabed, current strength and other nonscientific descriptors used in the depiction of a diving site. The habitat also significantly influences the resident species.

Shallower coves and bays where rocks have been pounded into pebbly beaches by the force of the sea may seem uninhabited at first, but are home to numerous unusual species, as are the few sandy beaches, which are covered in a variety of sediments, sand, silt and organisms, depending on the diving depth.

One of the characteristics of the karst relief along the Croatian coastline is the large number of caves, pits and holes, which are to be found in equal numbers both above and below the sea. Since the sea is sometimes ruthless, at times, these places appear to be uninhabited environments in eternal darkness, but are, in fact, home to some of the most fascinating species on the Adriatic.

The science of marine life can be divided into habitats in regions on the open sea (pelagic) and those found on the seabed (benthos). It is only natural that the imagination is fired up by species inhabiting the open seas – tuna, swordfish, and even schools of oily fish, without which life in the sea would be hard to imagine.

Life at the bottom of the sea is far more interesting and more abundant to the benefit of divers and diving, especially with regards to littoral regions reaching to a depth of 200 m. These regions are, in turn, divided into zones – the supralittoral, the mediolittoral, the infralittoral and, finally, the circalittoral, where the sun’s rays are too weak for flora or algae to prosper.

Your greatest hits
Despite only having a few courses with 18 holes at the moment, besides the one in Brijuni National Park and some private courses, Croatia aims to become a significant golf destination. Just relax during a game walking through fields surrounded by its idyllic countryside and enjoy its gentle climate to find out why.

Soon you’ll discover there is much more than meets the eye, they say that most company decisions are made on golf fields but the only decisions you will have to make are which vineyards to visit, where to go shopping, will you go sailing… or just keep playing one more hole!

Take up the reins
Feel the unparalleled energy of horses in the most famous horse riding centers in Croatia located in Slavonia, Istria and Dalmatia. From small family farms to modern horse centers with riding schools and expert teaching. Get excited with the traditional equine competition of the Sinj Alka and marvel at the state horse farm in Đakovo – Slavonia where the well-known Lipizzaner horses have been bred since the 13th century.

A unique connection with agricultural and rural tourism, whether you are traveling alone or with your family, that will guide you from new paths through vineyards, wine cellars, farms and even protected areas such as the Velebit National Park and the Velebit Nature Park, the largest protected area in Croatia and on the UNESCO list of international biospheres reserves, to a life without stress like Stara Kapela, the antistress village between Požega, Slavonski Brod and Nova Gradiška.

Experience the lightness of being
float down a river!

The once difficult and dangerous descent down mountain rivers because of the transport of wood from inaccessible forests over time has become a sought-after tourist attraction. Rafting on “white waters” is the sport of descending in inflatable rubber boats known as rafts which involves skilfully using the power of a river’s currents and courses and combined human hands guided by the knowledge and experience of a captain, i.e. skipper. Activities of adrenaline excitement have become an integral and recognisable part of the Croatian tourist offer, and rafting is one of these very sought-after and favourite forms of an active stay in nature, particularly during the warmer summer days. Indeed, there is nothing more naturally cooling than several hours of an unforgettable ride down the rapids of a river combined with the rowing and enjoyment of the scenes and smells of the natural ambience which only a river knows to create and offer. Rafting is an excellent choice if you want to socialise with your nearest and dearest because for the boat’s crew you can choose members of your family and/or friends and spend an unforgettable day in nature, action and fun. Even if you decide to come alone, you will nevertheless profit because you will join a group and during your exciting adventure you’ll make new friends.

The rush down the rapids of a river in rubber boats is a real challenge for modern tourists who are looking for excitement, as well as socialising and relaxation!

Be brave and start rowing, unlimited amounts of adrenaline and fun are guaranteed!

Where to go rafting in Croatia?
It isn’t easy to decide where to go, but you can barely wait to take on this exciting task of exploring a location because a rafting ride is one of the most beautiful ways of getting to know the beautiful, winding Croatian rivers and their canyons located in breath-taking landscapes. When you experience the power and beauty of a river at first hand, if you were until that moment maybe indifferent about its protection, inside you there will awaken the understanding and wish for its preservation because of this positive experience of rafting.

To help you choose, let’s row together down the Kupa, Mrežnica, Korana, Zrmanja and Cetina and get to know the karst and low-lying beauties which will always gladly host you and offer you their waters and banks, waterfalls and rapids. Enjoy the deep rocky canyons, lush vegetation which hides many “inhabitants” visible and invisible to the eye, whose presence, sounds and colours will enhance your day and make you grateful for this experience. In turn, let’s learn how to listen to and protect them because the rivers are their source of life.

What is important to know about rafting?
In order to understand the difficulty of the flow of a river, and thereby to decide more easily where to find the optimal balance of adrenaline and safety to suit you, rivers are divided into classes of difficulty according to the speed of the current, the turbulence of the water, the strength of the whirlpools and vortices, the presence of rocks on the way etc. Bear in mind that no system of classification is totally accurate because the difficulty of a river can change from month to month, and also depends on changes in the water level, waterfalls, fallen trees, geological changes and so on. With the increase of difficulty/class the danger of falling into the water is greater, and for a successful rescue, the help of a group of people who know how to do that is needed. Although the rivers in Croatia do not belong in the group of extremely dangerous rivers, and those on which rafting is organised are categorised as light to moderately demanding, don’t forget that rafting is an extreme sport and as such is dangerous, especially for the inexperienced. Never attempt to go rafting on your own, your own way, because it is very risky, and in some cases, on some rivers, it is even forbidden.

So, for all of you who want to enjoy your vacation, to feel secure, and yet experience an adventure, it is recommended to choose a certified agency to have a professional service and experienced licensed guides, skippers.

At the beginning of a well-organised rafting trip you will be given equipment, and your skipper will give you information and precise instructions which are important to stick to during the whole tour. When as a passenger in the boat you have your single-sided paddle and the safety, checked parts of equipment, your protective life jacket and helmet, you can proudly consider yourself as a rafter. In the summer, during the heat, apart from the safety equipment, you only need the appropriate sports shoes, clothing and bathing costume, whilst for the colder days (early spring, late autumn) as required, you will get a neoprene suit, boots and/or socks, gloves and a waterproof jacket. Of course, don’t forget to prepare some dry clothes and shoes which will wait for you at the end point of the journey. Nowhere else you will see the delighted faces of guests who have just finished their watery adventure than during rafting and while they are still changing who knows how, in a laugh and a joke, they will relive the rapids and jumps enjoying every dip and fall – intended or accidental.

Since this is an open-air activity, the weather conditions are essential for the total enjoyment when rafting. The most suitable time in Croatia is late spring, summer and early autumn because at these times nature is its most verdant, and the temperature of the air and water is most comfortable.

Those more curious and braver amongst you who decide to go rafting at the time of “high waters” (late autumn, winter) will be rewarded with the special experience of riding the waves. As with other activities, there is also concern about rafting when children are involved and so for the participation of minors, the signed consent of their guardian is required. For your safety and the safety of other participants, remember that the consumption of intoxicating substances and alcoholic drinks is not allowed during the rafting trip. Although knowing how to swim is not necessary, it is a desired skill and an important safety measure which can be a great help in emergency cases. Information about your swimming skills or lack off, as well as other relevant information such as health conditions, should be given to the guide at the right time, although the rafting organisers will surely ask about this important information themselves.

It is good to know that during the journey the guide, the skipper, who sits at the stern of the boat and with their paddle directs and leads the raft through the rapids is in charge. Thanks to the good system of skipper education and the 20 years of experience of providing rafting in Croatia, you can completely and calmly relax in the hands of the kind and adept pilots of their rubber boats.

And don’t worry, these experienced boys and girls are known for their friendly and amicable approach and so they will strive to make your adventure on the rapids safe, as well as fun and unforgettable. Even when you think there is no more time or place for a new watery prank, they will think of something and again induce a hilarious laugh.

Fun is made of snow
The incredible diversity of Croatia is full of surprises as rewarding as its skiing. Slide down the gentle slopes of Platak, near Rijeka, an ideal location to spend a weekend with the family, or simply enjoy the spectacle of the Snow Queen Trophy in Medvednica and its highest peak Sljeme at 1,035 metres (3,396 ft), just ten minutes from the capital city of Zagreb. This World Cup Alpine Ski Race is named in honour of the famous skier, the Croatian Janica Kostelić. She won four gold medals and two silver medals in the Olympic Games, if you want to beat her record now you know where to start!

Beauty inside
A hidden world beneath our feet
There is an invisible force that supposedly “killed the cat”, which drives humans forward, impelling them to push boundaries in a seemingly impossible direction – curiosity. This force is to blame for humans’ constant urge for exploration and getting into tight spaces in search for areas unknown to man that they can visit and experience. No one is immune to it, not even the modern-day curious tourist, who is always on the lookout for new challenges, searching for the unknown.

The surface of our planet is magical, full of beauty and endless possibilities for adventure, and only seemingly compact and stable. Inside the Earth’s solid crust lies a whole universe in its own right, inviting you to direct your gaze towards its depths. There you will find a network of structures, caves and pits resembling lacework of unknown sizes, depths and shapes. Humans have always avoided the dark subterranean spaces as they evoked fear and gave rise to myths of monsters, hell and falling into its depths with no chance of return. However, curiosity got the best of them and encouraged the bravest among them to descend into the fearsome depths and discover some of the most wondrous sights and natural beauties in the eternal darkness.

What lies beneath its lands?
Croatia, nicknamed “Our Beautiful Homeland” by its people, literally sits on holes and rocks, and is one of a few countries with such a large karst-covered area. Over fifty percent of Croatia’s land area – seventy if you count the sea – is made of limestone that is “easily” dissolved in water. Millennia of water acting on the limestone have created a uniquely beautiful and specific relief known as the Dinaric karst that covers the Croatian regions of Istria, the Croatian Littoral, Gorski Kotar, Kordun, Lika and Dalmatia with its islands, all the way to the Croatian border with Montenegro. If we add Adriatic islands to the equation, a group of over a thousand limestone islands which together form one of the largest island groups in the world, we can proudly say that Croatia has a veritable underground El Dorado.

The karst landscape in Croatia is known around the world for its deep pits, with the largest number of deep speleological structures located on the Velebit Mountain.

Here is some trivia based on the findings on over nine thousand speleological sites that have been explored so far:
The deepest three pits (deeper than 1,000 m) in Croatia are the Lukina jama-Trojama cave system, Slovačka jama pit and the Velebit Mountain cave system;
The longest speleological structure in Croatia is the Kita Gaćešina–Draženova puhaljka cave system (over 37 km long);
The Đulin ponor-Medvedica cave system, located beneath the town of Ogulin spreads over 16.4 km horizontally;
The biggest underground caves in terms of area are: Munižaba with a volume of 1.9 million m3, Burinka with 1.1 million m3 , and Kita Gaćešina with 1.4 million m3.

Speleology
Many different words are used to describe subterranean spaces – unknown, mystical, dangerous, challenging… It is no surprise then that the exploration of caves, pits, chasms and other underground karst phenomena is the focus of a very specific human activity called speleology. The unique complexity of speleological structures requires specific techniques and training for the speleological teams, and their activities in deep subterranean pits and complex caves can be described as a sort of underground mountaineering.

We may seem strong on the outside, but the human organism can barely survive on the surface of the Earth without proper clothing and footwear, let alone in the cold and dark spaces underground. This is why speleologists need to have special equipment, which varies depending on the properties of the structures and time spent inside them. The most essential piece of equipment that every speleologist needs to have is a light. Clothes need to be strong and warm enough, waterproof and damp-proof, and yet light enough so as not to restrict movement, especially crawling, squeezing through tight spaces, climbing, etc. When climbing down vertical channels, they use a special rope with a static structure that can withhold great stresses, a special, tested caving belt, and a whole range of gadgets, carabiners, straps, leashes, spikes, etc. There are often bodies of water to overcome, which is where inflatable boats come into play, and in the case of fully submerged channels, even diving equipment might be used. Diving in speleological structures (cave diving) is one of the most dangerous human activities.

You should know…
You may wonder what it’s like to breathe down there, in the dark underground expanse. Is there enough oxygen? Don’t worry, the air underground has the almost same composition as surface air, so you don’t need air tanks while you explore speleological sites. In fact, research has shown a positive effect of breathing cave air on human health.

Although underground conditions are fairly inhospitable, caves and pits are inhabited by a specific fauna, with different animals living in, occasionally entering into or accidentally falling into the speleological structures. You shouldn’t worry, though; none of them are dangerous. The only true – though rare – danger is posed by venomous snakes that may accidentally fall into cave entrances.

Different underground hollows and shapes are primarily formed by water flowing through cave channels, which is still happening to this day. The karst underground is very porous and quickly reacts to the accumulation of water above the surface, especially after heavy rains or sudden snowmelt. Some channels can fill up with water very quickly and become dangerous for explorers.

Luckily, there is no such danger in caves that are open to the public, as these are usually the so-called “fossil caves” that have not been connected to their hydrological origins for a long time. On the other hand, such caves are full of interesting decorations and formations. The safety of visitors is always a priority, which is why visits to speleological sites in Croatia are organised only during the months when there is the least amount of water in the caves (usually March–November).

Explore the Underground Wonders of Croatia
Both known and unknown speleological sites hold special and rare riches – the decorative formations in caves, endemic animal species (such as the olm), valuable palaeontological and archaeological finds, etc. It comes as no surprise then that they have long been recognised as sites of special interest to Croatia and that they are specially protected – researching speleological sites that aren’t open to the public requires a special authorisation from the competent ministry.

However, those curious about underground exploration need not worry, as there are many beautiful caves and pits in Croatia that can be visited by tourists. Let the experienced organisers and guides lead you into a world completely different than our own. We invite you to peer into the darkness of the karst underground, into an obscure world of caves, pits and chasms that cut into the insides of hills, mountains and islands. You will be able to see first-hand what water can do to the karst landscape and become familiar with nature’s decorations – stalagmites, stalactites and stalagnates, underground water flows and lakes, and tiny endemic animals that have found their unique habitats in the eternal darkness. Please keep in mind that all of the animals inhabiting the karst underground areas are strictly protected; it is prohibited to disturb them, catch them or remove them from their natural habitat. This is an extremely vulnerable world thriving in secrecy, in the darkest corners of the karst underground, far from sight.

Discover the wealth of cave decorations, shaped by water and wind over thousands of years, hidden away from daylight and prying eyes!

Set your sights on the ground and dive into underground adventures!

Experience the world from a bird’s perspective
A dose of adrenaline for everyone!
If you too dream that you are flying and from the heights you enjoy the beautiful landscapes whilst below you the scenes of nature alternate where you’d like to “disappear”, then a zip line trip is something that you really must do. From the method of transport which once carried cargo over a canyon and remote regions, the zip line has over the years developed into a form of green adrenaline recreation.

It is a fun way of descending through a canyon down a steel cable with the help of the free movement of a pulley and a mechanism for braking, wherein you are secured with a belt, and you also wear a helmet and gloves. Although you rush through the air high up, safety and control are utmost. The cables can carry several tons, and initial training is obligatory on practice wires, low-lying above solid ground, on which you will experience sitting in the belt or another type of seats and a shorter movement with the cable. The instructors will explain when and how to brake, and so that nothing is left to chance, they are there to safely hook you onto an individual cable and wait at the other side and give clear instructions for your every step. When children go down a zip line the instructors accompany them.

This adventure in the air often includes a short walk in the nature which will reveal its beauty and in a simple and pleasant way connect you to it. An unforgettable combination of that pleasant amount of adrenaline and the feeling of the freedom of “flight”, as well as the possibility of control and enjoyment of the views will overwhelm you whilst you “travel” down the zip line. So, be brave and “take off”!

It’s good to know!
Zip lines in Croatia are ready for all seasons
Dry and warm weather conditions are ideal for a fun adventure, but also a tour in colder days and the enjoyment of drops of rain and flakes of snow is something that you will remember and even longer talk about with your friends.

Whichever season you decide on, wear the corresponding clothing and shoes suitable for the weather conditions. Closed toe footwear suitable for sport and walking is desirable. Avoid wearing loose and baggy clothing such as scarves and shawls and in any case empty your pockets before the ride.

Due to the nature of the zip line it is recommended that you leave any valuables such as jewellery or mobile phones in a safe place or use the devices securely attached to you. Although the allowed weights of a guest for each zip line can vary, in general, the rides are suitable for people who weigh between 30 and 140 kg, and you will be informed about that, as well as other relevant information during the instructions about the zip line itself.

Where to find zip lines in Croatia?
Choose the adventure of a lifetime
Since zip lines come in varying types and durations, various rides are on offer in Croatia from those of short and lower lines to multiple rides and multi-hour fun. Zip line wires can be found in beautiful river canyons, Robinson Crusoe campsites, adrenaline parks and in developed tourist resorts as separate entertainment or as a part of a complex of tourist facilities. Providers of zip line services will guarantee you the necessary education and equipment for a ride down the wires, and if necessary transport to the site as well.

Deciding on an individual zip line ride is at the same time easy, but also a very difficult task. The ease is in the fact that all the sites are relatively easy to access and open to visitors during the tourist season, and often throughout the whole year too. On the other hand, it is a real challenge to choose the location, because according to the beauty of a region in which they are set, the amount of fun they offer and the professional and friendly staff of zip lines, they all stand shoulder to shoulder. So, it will not be so easy, but it is worth making the effort and doing the additional research because such an effort will pay off many times over.

Mountains of fun
Cross the paths that take you from the Adriatic Sea to the very top of the mountains. Over 400 different and varied routes that will delight both beginners, in Zagreb, Ogulin, Split and Omiš, and expert hikers in Velebit, Učka, Dinara or Mosor. And if you are a passionate climber, in the Paklenica National Park you will find Anića Kuk, a 350 metres high massive rock that will make you live an unforgettable experience.

The best five hiking spots in Croatia are Učka Mountain, Risnjak National Park, Northern Velebit, Paklenica and Biokovo Mountain. Some of them are covered with snow during the winter but fully accessible from late spring to early autumn. Come and feel the spirit of the Croatian mountain.

Mountaineering in Croatia
Croatian mountains do not exceed the height of 2000 meters but the variety of landscapes makes them extremely interesting. Due to such small height, most summits are rather easily accessible, which makes Croatian mountains overall suitable, virtually ideal for mountaineering. The beauty of Croatian mountains is even more accentuated by the fact that the summits are quite diverse as per their features. While most summits in the Pannonian part of Croatia are covered with woods, almost all higher mountaintops of the Dinaric area are bare and provide beautiful viewpoints.

Mountaineers have marked some 6000 kilometres of trails on all Croatian mountains. Due to their proximity to Zagreb, Medvednica and Samobor Hills are the most popular and interesting to mountaineers. As for the broader Zagreb region, mountaineering is popular on Žumberak Hills and on the mountains of Croatian Zagorje – on Kalnik, Ivanščica, Ravna Gora, Strahinjščica and on Kostelsko Hills. In the Slavonia region, Papuk is the most attractive summit.

The area of Gorski Kotar is a vast mountain area with many trails and it acts as a crossing point between the Alps and the Dinarides. A large part of Gorski Kotar is covered by Velika Kapela, a mountain range accommodating some of the most attractive mountaineering destinations: Bijele and Samarske Rocks, Bjelolasica and Klek. Risnjak, Tuhobić, Bitoraj and Viševica are on the western and northern parts of Gorski Kotar.

The coastline is a point where all the highest and most beautiful mountains are situated, offering the best viewpoints – Učka and Ćićarija in Istria, Obruč and Snježnik in the Croatian Littoral Region, Velebit, and the mountains of Dalmatia – Kozjak, Mosor, Omiška Dinara, Biokovo. Slightly further from the sea are Svilaja, Promina, Kamešnica and Dinara. As per its size, beauty and abundance of interesting sites, Velebit has a particular importance among Croatian mountains. Velebit is also the longest Croatian mountain (140 km).

Island mountains are not particularly high but due to their viewpoints offering incredible views of the sea and littoral mountains, these are considered interesting mountaineering destinations. Mountain trails lead to the summits of the islands of Brač, Cres, Lošinj, Hvar, Vis, Krk, Pag, Rab, Kornati and many other Adriatic islands.

Catch new sensations
Chase the hidden underwater treasures. It doesn’t matter if you prefer fresh or salt water, if you love fishing you are in the right place. Since marine species such as sea bass, dentex, gilt-poll and tuna to fresh water species such as trout or even enormous catfish, fishing enthusiasts from around the world come to the Croatian waters, not only to compete, but to watch, admire and enjoy Croatian fishing.

Do you like fishing in the sea? Near Dubrovnik you will find four perfect locations for this: Zaton Bay and the islands of Kolocep, Lopud and Sipan. If instead you prefer river fishing, the Odra, the Mreznica, the Gacka, the Strug and Zvecaj are your ideal sites. If you want some challenge you can always join some of the best fishermen of the world, gathering every year in Jezera, Murter Island, to compete in Big Game Fishing. Throughout the year you can enjoy boat trips and fishing activities organized for you and the whole family. Croatia is, without doubt, a top destination for sports fishing.

Freshwater fishing in Croatia
Croatian fishing arenas
One wise saying goes: “Give a man a fish, and you’ve fed him for a day. Teach a man how to fish, and you’ve fed him for the whole of his life.” If he were to fish in the Croatian rivers and lakes, then he would have food for more than a hundred lifetimes because with so many freshwater treasures Croatia is a country of unsuspected fishing possibilities.

Regardless of whether it is about a little stream which will quickly disappear in fields, a wild mountain river which not even solid rocks can stop or about a low-lying river which flows lightly like an elegant lady, Croatia is a real water fun park for fishermen. The fishing arenas are open to all. Amateurs will hone their skills and professionals will have the opportunity to participate in many sports fishing competitions organised with the principle of “catch and put back”.

Experienced fishermen say that every fish has its bait, and a skilled fisherman has challenging rivals in Croatia’s rivers. The cunning pike, the giant catfish, the fighting grass carp, the fast trout and the cautious carp are just some of the 140 species which live in Croatia.

Fishing is a relaxing and healthy sport which can be practised throughout the year, and for fishing 365 days a year, the Croatian river catalogue is exceptionally rich. The mystical mountain torrents, lush green karst waters or spectacular canyons of Adriatic rivers hide brilliant oases of peace and quiet and the discovery of perfect places for fishing.

And after that follows the sweet anticipation of the pulling out of the bait. As we are talking about a possible catch, you mustn’t forget a fishing permit. And then the gamesmanship can begin.

Take the jump for the most exciting moment in your life
Do you want a real experience of Croatia which you will never forget, or do you just want to send a holiday postcard like you parents did?
Join the select few who have tried bungee jumping in one of the most beautiful countries of the Mediterranean.

Imagine that you are looking at one of the most beautiful views of the Adriatic, as the vertical cliffs emerge from the sea, and the sky is reflected in the azure surface beneath you and then free as a bird you dive into this scene, like in a beautiful postcard, with a jump from a platform. This is the kind of beautiful view offered from the Maslenica bridge, which at 56 metres is the highest point in Croatia that you can jump from, and of course come back to.

Crazy, isn’t it? But it really is possible, because in Croatia you can choose between several beautiful locations for bungee jumping and take away with you an unforgettable, everlasting experience of a bungee adventure.

Apart from the adrenaline hit, the best part of a bungee jump is in fact the recording of your scream which you’ll post on social media and the many likes and perhaps an admirer you’ll get, because bungee jumping isn’t for everyone, if you know what we mean. However, this is why Croatia is the right country for such memories. So get ready, steady and be brave at the greatest height to take away the craziest bungee memento from the Adriatic.

After a jump from the high Maslenica bridge, you can also descend from the Šibenik bridge, 10 metres lower and a fraction of a second shorter, nevertheless, with the same unforgettable feeling.

Bungee jumps from bridges are jumps from high points and that makes them more exciting, nevertheless, in Croatia, it is also possible to let yourself go in a bungee adventure from something less high, like from a crane. The principle is the same, as well as the equipment for the jump, you can also jump above the sea, and it seems that the amount of adrenaline is also the same. In both cases, you simply have to conquer your own fear.

You don’t have to worry for an instant about your safety because the professional staff are in charge of that. All you have to do is be cool as you come to the jump platform and not to freeze at the last moment, because bungee jumping is a completely safe trigger for adrenaline. And even if you do decide to give up at the last moment, because there is a way back, think twice, because perhaps you are denying yourself one of the most exciting moments in your life, especially if it is part of your holiday in incredible Croatia.

Diocletian Palace and Medieval Split
The Emperor’s Palace is one of the most significant works of late-ancient architecture, not just for the preservation of original parts and the whole, but also for a series of original architectural forms announcing the new early-Christian, Byzantine and early-medieval art. The cathedral was built in the Middle Ages by using materials from an ancient mausoleum. Roman churches from the 12th and 13th centuries, medieval forts and gothic, renaissance and baroque palaces are contained within the Roman walls, thus creating a harmonious whole.

Dubrovnik Old Town
The Pearl of the Adriatic became a major Mediterranean power after the 13th century. This late-medieval planned city in the south part of the east Adriatic Croatian coast with its historical core situated at the foot of Mount Srđ has preserved the character of a unique urban whole throughout the centuries, defined by the city walls. It has a significant place in the history of city planning. Although severely devastated by the 1667 earthquake, Dubrovnik has managed to preserve its gothic, renaissance and baroque churches, monasteries and fountains.
Visit this amazing walled city, fit for a King.

Early-Christian Euphrasius Basilica Complex in Poreč
The cathedral complex in Poreč was named Euphrasius Basilica after Bishop Euphrasius who thoroughly renovated the cathedral in mid-6th century and decorated it with famous mosaics. Before Euphrasius’ renovation, there were at least two phases of early-Christian buildings in the same place. In Poreč, Christianity was established as early as the 4th century – the basilica, the atrium, the baptistery and the Episcopal palace are remarkable examples of religious architecture, while the basilica itself combines elements of classicism and Byzantine Empire in an exceptional way. The apse is luxuriously decorated with figurative mosaics that are among the most significant examples of its kind in Europe.

Historical Core of Trogir
Trogir is an excellent example of urban continuity. The orthogonal street plan of this island settlement originates from the Hellenic era – consecutive rulers continued to decorate it with exceptional public and residential buildings and forts. Its beautiful roman churches are supplemented with exceptional renaissance and baroque buildings. The most significant building is the Trogir Cathedral with its west portal, a masterpiece of Radovan and the most significant example of roman and gothic art in Croatia.

National Park Plitvice Lakes
The beauty of Plitvice and its unsurpassable attractiveness are a result of gypsum and gypsum-depositing plants. Creation of gypsum and rearrangement of the river bed created a string of 16 Plitvice Lakes representing a magnificent natural architectural phenomenon, surrounded by thick forests inhabited by bears, wolves and many other rare animal and plant species.

St. James Cathedral in Šibenik
Built between 1431 and 1535, St. James Cathedral witnessed important exchanges in the area of monumental art between North Italy, Dalmatia and Tuscany in the 15th and 16th centuries. Three architects – Francesco di Giacomo, George of Dalmatia and Nicholas of Florence – developed a structure fully made of stone, by using a unique technique for the cathedral’s dome. The result is a harmonious stone whole, arrangement methods and absolute harmony within the cathedral.

Stari Grad Plain
In July of 2008, Stari Grad Plain was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The explanation provided by the World Organization states that the vineyards and olive groves in the Plain have remained practically intact since it was first colonized by the ancient Greeks and that they are a unique example of the geometric land division used in the ancient times.

In the summer of 385 B.C., a group of around a hundred families was sent from the town of Paros on the island of the same name in the Aegean Sea toward the Ionian Bay, as the Greeks referred to the Adriatic Sea, to establish a colony there. Their destination was the island of Hvar, formerly named Fiteja, and they were led by Okist who was, among other things, in charge of proper land division to the settlers in the new settlements. Amidst the plain, in a place from where you can see almost the entire plain, is a marked starting point – omphalos. By using groma, a simple surveying instrument, the plain was surveyed and divided into parcels of 1 x 5 stadia, which is approximately 180 x 900 meters. They also carved boundary stones bearing the names of the parcel owners, but the island and coastal Illyrians did not like such division so they attacked the town in 384 B.C. However, the Greeks defeated the Illyrians, which enabled them to gain control of the entire Stari Grad Plain, the largest fertile plain on the Adriatic islands. The settlers soon began to erect ancillary buildings and lodgings in the plain, on their own estates. The luxurious ones date back to the Roman era – so far, they have discovered remains of around sixty of them.

Today, Stari Grad Plain represents the best preserved ancient Greek landscape in the Mediterranean.

Stećci – Mediaeval Tombstones
The so-called “stećci” are monumental mediaeval tombstones, mostly carved out of limestone and usually rectangular in shape and with a flat or gable-top surface. There are both recumbent and upright versions of the stone monoliths. Stećci are often decorated with inscriptions or rudimentary images, for instance spirals, arcades, stars or religious symbols, but also with more complex motifs such as animals, chivalric tournaments and, most famously, the image of a man with his right hand raised. It is believed that the type of the ornamentation depended not only on the artists who created the stećci, but also on the deceased who found their final resting place under them, since the tombstones were created in accordance with their requirements. Examinations suggest that the first stećci were built in the second half of the 12th century and reached their peak in the 14th and 15th century. In the early 16th century, their use completely ceased.

There are 4,400 stećci spread over two necropolises in Croatia. They can be found at Velika and Mala Crljivica, Cista Velika and Dubravka/St Barbara, Konavle. The Mala Crljivica site is about 55 kilometres east of Split, so it can easily be reached by car in about an hour. The site at Dubravka is located just an hour’s drive south of Dubrovnik.

The Venetian Works of Defence between the 16th and 17th Centuries
The defence system of Zadar and the Šibenik fortress of St Nicholas are listed on the UNESCO List of World Heritage as two of the six components of the transnational series of the cultural asset of the Venetian Works of Defence between the 16th and 17th Centuries.

The Venetian Works of Defence between the 16th and 17th Centuries is an exceptional historical, architectural and technological testimony to the “alla moderna” system, developed over the territory of the ex-Venetian Republic as a response to the introduction of new firearms technology in military operations.

The Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe
Together with nine other countries: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and Ukraine, on 7 July 2017 the Republic of Croatia joined the extension of the serial nomination of the Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe on the UNESCO List of World Heritage.

The extension of the transboundary nomination included 63 areas of beech forests of which the Republic of Croatia participated in with three areas, in the Northern Velebit and Paklenica national parks. It concerns 1,289.11 hectares of beech forests which in the Northern Velebit National Park are located in the strict reserves of Hajdučki and Rožanski Kukovi, and 2,031.87 hectares of forest in Suva Draga – Klimenta and Oglavinovac – Javornik in the Paklenica National Park. The exceptionality of the proposed ancient and primeval beech forests in the Northern Velebit and Paklenica national parks is based on their geographical position, age, specific features and size.

Inclusion in the List of World Heritage is confirmation that Croatia is managing the natural beauties in the best possible way with the aim of protecting them for future generations and that Croatia by its biodiversity and natural beauty is amongst the richest of European countries.

Ojkanje singing
Like some faraway voice from ancient times, the traditional singing with vibrating voices called ojkanje is a distinct expression of the cultural heritage of the Dinaric Alps. Nothing can prepare you for the sounds produced by a single singer or a duo where one singer accompanies the other. Rest assured that in the right circumstances, the melodies that change harmonies and intervals will sound not only ancient, but also entertaining. The right company, a village party, traditional folk costumes, home-made food and wine from wooden cups are enough to get you in the right mood for the unusual throat singing that uses a chromatic scale, and especially for the motifs used in the songs. While klapa singing mostly revolves around love and melancholy, when it comes to ojkanje, anything goes. There’s love, jokes at the audience’s expense and historical epics, and singers normally don’t shy away from social topics and political commentary, either. The tradition originated with folk singers and satirists in ancient times. Even the oldest works of Greek literature – Homer’s “Iliad” and “Odyssey”, which were devoted to the disasters of war – were first sung as epic poems, and written down later on.

It is believed that after their settlement in these lands, Croatians discovered and adopted the root elements of ojkanje, and subsequently passed down the tradition orally from generation to generation. Unfortunately, spreading the ancient singing technique from the Dalmatian hinterland, Ravni Kotari, across the Velebit Mountain, to the Lika and Kordun areas, has not contributed to its survival. The number of authentic singers is in decline, as it seems that it does not resonate with the younger generations. This is why the tradition is at risk and has been on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage under threat since 2010. To keep the tradition alive, next time you find yourself planning a trip to Croatia, opt for the less known and out-of-the-way places in the hinterland of the beautiful Dalmatia, where local parties and celebrations bring together locals who celebrate their traditions. Even if you’re not used to the distinct scales and notes, don’t be afraid to let go and enjoy the ancient sounds of ojkanje, because believe us, it will charm you with its originality.

Two-part singing and playing in the Istrian scale
If you find yourself in Istria and happen to hear an unusual style of singing by two singers, one in falsetto and the other in a normal key, accompanied by even more unusual sounds of instruments, try not to be impatient and keep listening until the end. Once you get used to the strange notes, a whole new world will open up before you.

The distinct, two-part type of folklore singing accompanied by traditional instruments developed in the area of Istria and the Croatian Littoral, although the sounds of this complex musical expression can be found in a much wider area. Part of the complexity of these songs lies in the untempered tonal intervals, and sometimes the singers also need to sing through their noses in order to produce the specific notes needed for the two-part singing. At first glance, it may seem very rigid and strictly defined, but there is actually quite a lot of improvisation in this art form, especially when combined with a textual part, where words are substituted with syllables that are meant to mimic the sounds of the flute.

To give the songs an authentic and traditional sound, there are certain rules to follow – the notes must end in an octave and in unison. There are four subtypes of two-part singing depending on the area – tarankanje, which mimics the sound of the woodwind instrument sopile, bugarenje, diskantno pjevanje, and “tanko” (softly, literally “thin”) and “debelo” (strongly, literally “fat”) kanat singing.

Two-part singing in the Istrian scale can be accompanied by a flute, bagpipes (or gajde), a fife or the string instrument tambura, but the most common instrument is the sopile mentioned above. This conical instrument has a wooden reed and is always played as a pair, where the smaller or “female” sopile accompanies the larger, “male” sopile, lowered by a minor third. In addition to the distinct sound, sopile are unique in that they are played in the Istrian scale. Don’t be intimidated by the various local musical terms and the unusual Istrian scale; seize the opportunity to explore this unusual form of music. You’ll discover an entire culture specific to Istria and the Croatian Littoral, which has a great deal more to offer than just singing and dancing. Ready to explore?

Klapa multipart singing of Dalmatia, southern Croatia
Once you hear an original Dalmatian klapa song live, especially in a traditional setting such as a small alley or the local square, you can rest assured that you’ll fall in love from the very first notes. Unlike other traditional songs, klapa brings pure joy to the listeners thanks to its unique homophonic / unison singing technique with polyphonic elements. It is no surprise then that klapa groups often gathered to impress girls looking from their windows with their singing. Only a rare few of these beauties were able to resist klapa songs, as this a cappella technique involves no loud notes or strong beats, but rather singing in harmony that no-one can be indifferent to.

Klapa singing has its roots in the Mediterranean cultural sphere, small seaside towns and villages and islands, where – in the absence of modern-day gadgets and the Internet – friends spent time singing together, usually unaccompanied by any instruments. One voice normally starts off, followed by others. Even though the words can be difficult to make out at times, you only need to let yourself go and simply enjoy the mellow sounds that seem to float on the sea waves. Themes usually revolve around the sea, love, and the Mediterranean way of life. A cappella songs are rarely about sorrow – even if the klapa sings about days gone by, it is always with lofty sentiment, more often than not praising the values and ideals of past generations.

Although at one point in the past it was reserved strictly for men, klapa singing has become significantly more accepting –nowadays it has become quite common to see all-female or mixed groups competing with male groups, and often winning. Klapa groups accompanied by instruments and modern arrangements greatly contributed to the rise in popularity of this type of singing in Croatia and beyond. Despite their departure from the traditional form, klapa groups now fill stadiums and concert halls and top the music charts in Croatia. So if you ever find yourself in some arched alley and hear a klapa singing, or if you manage to pay a visit to the biggest and oldest klapa singing festival – the one in the town of Omiš – try to take in every note and feel its beauty… Look at the faces of those around you being moved by the songs, and you’ll understand why Dalmatian people will never let go of their songs.

Bećarac singing and playing from Eastern Croatia
Traditional songs accompanied by instruments are a basis on which many nations build and maintain their cultural identity, but the bećarac is a unique vocal and instrumental song. Jokes and mockery, romantic themes and sexual innuendos, mostly sung as metaphors and allegories, are the main characteristics of these songs that are very popular in the regions of Slavonia, Baranja and Syrmia, to say the least. Topics vary depending on the time, place, audience and the singers. The singers themselves need to master a traditional repertoire of themes, but also be prepared to add their own flavour to it, usually a humoresque piece related to a current, everyday topic. It may sound fairly simple, but the basic form of the bećarac is a distich comprised of two decasyllabic verses that need to be made up on the spot and sung using the same melody of 24 measures, one after the other.

The bećarac begins with the first verse, while the second is usually an antithesis to the first, performed by other singers who repeat the verses in unison. Naturally, every good singer of the bećarac must give an excellent vocal performance, but above all, he is valued for his quick wit at any given moment. A group of singers that perform this vocal and instrumental song is an integral part of well-known traditional Slavonian weddings, as well as less formal events, festivities and folklore festivals. When it comes to the bećarac, there’s no room for anger in such settings. Even if you are the target of the song, our advice is actually a paraphrase of a popular saying: “What happens in the bećarac, stays in the bećarac!”

Although its verses can be quite straightforward, the aim of the bećarac isn’t to offend, as this free form provides a backdrop to many important life events for people in northern Croatia. Its humorous and sometimes provocative nature seems to have only helped its survival, so there is no need to fear that it could die out, especially when it comes to the younger generations that carry on the tradition.

Annual Carnival Bell Ringers’ Pageant from the Kastav Area
With an abundance of noise, bell-ringing and dancing that almost resembles a magical ritual, a group of masked people wearing large animal masks and draped in sheepskins, wielding axes and clubs, tour neighbouring villages for days, keeping everyone on their feet. The scene would be fitting for a horror film, if that weren’t the description of the annual pageant of the Kastav bell ringers (or zvončari) and their traditional carnival celebration. In ancient times, part of this folklore performance was used for ritualistic purposes to conjure up the fertility gods during the winter months, ward off evil spirits, and protect farm animals from curses. Today it is a celebration of customs and songs, not only for the performers, the bell ringers, but for the entire area surrounding the town of Kastav and its people, who are extremely proud of their tradition.

The first record of organised bell ringers dates back to the 19th century, but the roots of this tradition can be traced even further back in history when it comes to the elements of the custom and the specific costumes, which point to fertility cult rituals. These characteristics are precisely what set apart the bell ringers from the western and eastern areas around Kastav in the last century. While the former don’t hide their faces and wear hats with decorations made of paper, the latter wear unique horned masks, and a large bell on their backs. Once the zvončari reach the centre of village, led by their chief, the komandant, they gather in a circle and begin dancing. After the sound of the komandant’s whistle marks the end of the dance, they become completely quiet and disperse together with the musicians, in order to be hosted by the locals. Bell ringing isn’t the only element to this annual Carnival procession; there is a whole host of customs, dances, and special dishes and beverages involved. The bell ringers are carefully selected from the local Kastav communities, as not everyone has the strength and courage – or better yet, a touch of madness – needed to take part in the kilometres-long pageants, banging on heavy bells while wearing a sheepskin costume. Those that have these traits ring their bells continuously until Ash Wednesday and the beginning of carnival season, when the effigy or Pust is burned in a large bonfire, thus ending the carnival festivities. Bells are then put away until next season, when the bell ringers will once again emerge from the winter darkness to ward off the spirits and announce the coming of better days, but mostly to bring joy to the gathered crowds.

Nijemo Kolo, silent circle dance of the Dalmatian hinterland
A dance unaccompanied by music is a rare phenomenon in traditional cultures of the world, which is why the silent circle dance of the Dalmatian hinterland truly deserves its UNESCO world heritage title. Although there is no music involved in this dance, there are plenty of things to listen for. The heavy, but rhythmic sounds of traditional leather peasant shoes opanci of up to twenty dancers on the dance floor serve as an indication to quicken the pace or slow down, depending on inspiration. A particularly attractive part of the silent circle dance is the simultaneous jump of the dancers and change of steps. Sometimes it can be accompanied by the traditional singing ojkanje in the background, which is another example of protected intangible heritage, turning this type of dance into a lavish display of local customs and traditions.

Some believe that the silent circle dance of the town of Vrlika is the oldest, but the numerous variations, steps and dance figures, and even different names, point to a widespread phenomenon. Local folklore festivals and traditional fairs, celebrations and weddings are a chance for every village to showcase their version of the circle dance in a friendly competition. Although there are no standard male-female pairs in the silent circle dance, everyone is welcome to join. Circles are organised by alternating men and women, but more often than not, the dancers are exclusively male or exclusively female. It is unknown where such a distribution of dancers comes from, but it may have something to do with the fact that there is an element of romance to the silent circle dance. At a time when it was a regular cultural practice, the silent circle dance was performed during traditional festivities called dernek, held in honour of local saints. A young man would dance towards the girl and slowly introduce her into the circle, thereby letting everyone know he was trying to court her and that the girl belonged to him.

Romance aside, it is believed that the silent circle dance was actually created in protest of the various conquerors who didn’t allow music for dancing, as well as to show a connection to the barren land where the people of the region led difficult lives. Indeed, the silent circle dance and the heavy stomps “speak” to the importance of spite in local traditions.

The Sinjska Alka, a knights’ tournament in Sinj
In honour of the heroic resistance of a few hundred soldiers who defended the town of Sinj against sixty thousand Ottoman soldiers in 1715, every August the town holds its famous annual chivalric tournament, the Sinjska alka. During the alka, the entire region in the Cetina river basin seems to return to the heroic era. From the early morning hours, a brass band invites the locals to come to the racetrack, the entire town is richly decorated, and every house prepares a wide array of traditional dishes. The contestants, alkari, meticulously prepare the whole day in order to make sure they are ready before meeting the crowds.

They ride their horses down the 160 m track in full gear, aiming their long spears at the tiny iron ring (the alka) hanging in the air, attempting to hit its centre (“u sridu”). This is their way of honouring the heroism and skill of the defenders of Sinj, who saved the town and its people over three hundred years ago. With each hit to the centre, a cannon is fired from the Sinj fort, accompanied by cheers from the crowd and festive music. The name of the winner who achieves the highest number of hits in the tripartite iron ring is inscribed in gold lettering on a long list of winners, and carries probably the highest honour one can earn in this region.

While the alkari, riding their horses and wearing a splendid traditional attire, led by the alkar chieftain, are certainly a sight to behold, the assistants who follow them, wearing colourful clothes and carrying medieval weapons, flintlocks and clubs, are equally important members of the procession. Thanks to the 1833 Statute, laying down strict rules for the tournament, as well as for the clothes and the conduct of the alkari and their entourage, Sinjska alka remains the most authentic chivalric tournament in Dalmatia, and a reflection of the pride of the local community.

The strong influences of European and Oriental cultures are evident in the rich attires of the contestants, which lead to an informal competition between families of who will have the best alkar in the most lavish attire, dating back some generations. The value of this piece of intangible heritage is reflected precisely in the way the community of Sinj and the Cetina river basin relates to it – Sinjska alka may be a one-day event, but people remain dedicated to it their entire lives, passing down the love for the tradition from generation to generation.

Lacemaking in Croatia
If you are looking for adventure and something beyond the usual tourist tours, follow the trail of lace – this protected intangible cultural heritage will lead you to three beautiful places that still cherish the lacemaking tradition. Each is different and unique, and yet they share a common thread – the delicate lace, created by filigree-like movements of hard-working hands of generations of women, who have invested their patience and skill into creating these tiny works of art. In European cultural spheres, the craft of lacemaking was reserved for monastic orders, and only the wealthiest members of society could afford this luxury.

Lacemaking has been a cherished tradition in Croatia for centuries, especially in small rural communities, where homemakers left their mark in the long history of this folk artform. Lacemaking in Croatia began in medieval times with the Order of Saint Paul in the town of Lepoglava and the Benedictine nuns on the islands of Pag and Hvar, where they created the delicate pieces in quiet devotion and humble surroundings. The first pieces adorned religious spaces and were used for ceremonial purposes, and later on became part of clerical clothing. With time lace was included in traditional clothes and shoes, as the nuns selflessly imparted their knitting skills to the common folk. Thus, the lacemaking tradition found its way into every home, including the court of Empress Maria Theresa. In addition to the Lepoglava lace, renowned for its delicacy and different varieties, the lace from Pag is highly valued as well due to its particularly decorative quality, and the fact that it is made with very fine thread.

A special story lies behind the lace from the island of Hvar, still cherished by the Benedictine nuns. They use a painstaking method of extracting threads from the spiky agave plant found everywhere on the island, after which they retreat to pray and devote themselves to creating wonderful works of art, as well as hold an exhibition of this unique piece of world heritage in their small lace museum. The lace, once considered as a kind of relic for personal devotion, is an intricate decorative piece made from thousands of delicate threads, which has in recent years seen a true revival as a genuine Croatian souvenir that represents and preserves the Croatian lacemaking tradition in a beautiful and unique way.

Traditional Manufacturing of Children’s Wooden Toys in Hrvatsko Zagorje
Traditional wooden toys in the Hrvatsko zagorje region are a perfect representation of home life and entertainment at a time when there were no computers or Internet. Made from locally sourced wood – primarily softwood such as lime, maple, willow or beech – these toys were made entirely by hand, using craftsmanship that is now a protected skill and a highly valued piece of heritage. The toy-making tradition dates back to the 19th century, to the municipalities of Laz Bistrički, Laz Stubički, Tugonica, Turnišće, Gornja Stubica and Marija Bistrica in the Hrvatsko zagorje region, which still have the largest number of craftsmen carrying on the tradition in Croatia.

Traditional toys used to be made with simple hand tools, exclusively by men, and some families preserved and passed down the craft from generation to generation. The skilful craftsmen used patterns to whittle toys that made music and clapping noises, animals, cars, doll houses – all in all, over 120 different types of toys. The toys would undergo a real transformation after the women painted them in bright red, yellow and blue colours, and decorated them with floral or geometric patterns. They would then be brought to life in the little hands of children, whose imaginations created entire worlds around them. Due to the fine craftsmanship that went into making it, if properly cared for, a traditional toy often brought joy to several generations of children and created memories that were shared among family members.

Today, around fifty types of toys are being made, available for purchase mostly at local fairs and church celebrations, especially in the famous Marian shrine of Marija Bistrica, and there is also a centre dedicated to the toy-making craft in the village of Kumrovec. This tradition is not only important for preserving intangible cultural heritage, but also for providing an alternative to the bland and low-quality plastic toys offered at every corner. Thanks to the effort and skills of the makers, ecologically sustainable, beautiful and well-made toys can be produced in one’s own backyard. Sounds good, right?

Procession “Za Križen” (Following the Cross) on the Island of Hvar
Are you looking to combine elements of trekking, Christian mysticism and UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage in one go, while spending time on one of the most beautiful islands in the world? Look no further – take a trip to the island of Hvar during the week leading up to Easter and join a procession that will take you on a journey through time and space, where you’ll visit six beautiful towns and villages in the centre of the island.

On the night before Good Friday, a procession consisting of worshippers, led by members of a fraternity and the key figure of cross-bearer, visits Jelsa, Pitve, Vrisnik, Vrbanj, Svirče and Vrboska, lit only by candlelight and accompanied by religious songs. The cross-bearer carries the cross throughout the night, from his local parish to the neighbouring villages, as a kind of Way of the Cross. At the break of dawn, the cross is ceremoniously returned to the place where the procession began.

For the numerous worshippers attending, and especially for the cross-bearer, who typically waits for this privilege for years, following the night-time procession on its 20 km journey is a true test of faith in anticipation of Easter. In addition to the prayers, a distinct impression is achieved by the archaic songs of a specific intonation, performed by the so-called “kantaduri”, who create a special atmosphere and add mysticism to the event. The main religious song performed is actually a take on the medieval passion narrative Gospin plač (“Lamentations of the Virgin Mary”) in the form of a dialogue.

Probably the most impressive part of the procession takes place at the end of the night, in front of the entire crowd. The whole procession reaches a climax when the cross-bearer, taken over by religious fervour, runs the last 50 or so meters to the church, thus bringing an end to the Za Križen procession. This custom is a unique example of intangible heritage in the world, and has been recognised as such by UNESCO. However, for the people of Hvar it is a deeply-rooted tradition that should be approached with an open heart and deep reverence. For any travellers that find themselves in the area, participating in the procession is a chance to experience a unique spiritual journey through five centuries of Hvar history.

Festivity of St. Blaise, Patron Saint of Dubrovnik
The oldest festivity in these parts begins on the eve of the Festival of Saint Blaise, on the second day of February or Candlemas, by a symbolic release of white doves – an image that is certain to sear into your memory. This tradition dates back to the 10th century and has its roots in the legend of the saint who helped the people of Dubrovnik defend their freedom during the Venetian siege of the town. As a token of gratitude, he was made the patron saint of Dubrovnik, and during the Middle Ages the locals built a new, Baroque Church of St Blaise on the foundations of the old Romanesque edifice. The church became a focal point of the festivities in the saint’s honour for the locals, as well as for the inhabitants of the islands of Mljet and Lastovo and the area of Konavle, located south of Dubrovnik.

The festivities officially begin by raising the flag of St Blaise in front of the church that is decorated for the occasion, and by carrying out a gilded relic of the saint, a statue of him holding a model of the town. A special honour is bestowed on the festanjuli, whose role is to lead the procession, while the trombunjeri take care of the most entertaining part of the festivities, firing antique guns in the town’s port. The procession makes its way down the beautiful main street of Stradun accompanied by the notes of the hymn “Čuj Sveti Vlaho naš” (“Hear us, St Blaise”). Alongside church dignitaries, the procession is attended by everyone regardless of age, including ever-growing numbers of tourists. Special attention is given to the lovely girls of Dubrovnik who wear traditional costumes, unparalleled in their richness. During the festivities, people from all over Croatia would come to this town at the foot of Srđ mountain. Just how much this saint was revered and how much the spirit of freedom was upheld is evidenced by the fact that everyone was welcome to attend the festival, even criminals, who were free from any form of prosecution during the two-day festival.

This tiny but powerful and rich city-state owes part of its survival precisely to the devotion to St Blaise, which shaped social relationships, since patricians and peasants alike were united in their faith in the saint, thereby defining the local identity. Thanks to the efforts of the pious people and the Fraternity of St Blaise, the festivity has retained all of its traditional characteristics and customs throughout history, which has helped preserve the intangible heritage of the Dubrovnik Republic and the spiritual wealth of the local community.

Spring Procession of Ljelje/Kraljice (Queens) from Gorjani
The village of Gorjani near the town of Đakovo is the focal point of a very special tradition that was once widespread across Slavonia, Baranja and Syrmia. The proud and tenacious people of this small village managed to preserve the custom of the spring procession of the queen that takes place on Pentecost Sunday, when young girls (or ljelje) take a walk around the village bearing sabres, of all things. Weapons are an integral part of their costumes as they are used in the ritual dance that the ljelje perform, accompanied by bagpipe (gajde) and tambura players or bećarac singers. The festive atmosphere, filled with song and dance, is complemented by colourful attires, silk dresses, ribbons and scarves (called ljeljare) decorated with gold ducats. Each detail is made to perfection, all for the purpose of making the ljelje look magnificent.

An unusual element of the costumes is the rule which stipulates that some of the girls wear white wreaths, which is why people call them “queens”, while others who dress as men and wear hats with flowers on them are called “kings”. Legend has it that the women of Gorjani dressed in men’s clothing and took up sabres during the Ottoman siege, making the frightened soldiers think they were ghosts.

Ethnographers, on the other hand, claim that the custom is ancient Slavic in origin, with the distinction between men and women pointing to a matrimonial context and ceremonies involving girls of marriageable age. All in all, no-one can say no to the songs and dances performed by the ljelje in their backyards. The central part of the procession, the sabre dance, involves the queens who comment on the dance steps of the kings in verses. The tradition of hosting and treating the ljelje to gifts such as food and drink, and especially to the well-known alcoholic drink rakija, is particularly respected and cherished. The happy group, comprised of the queens and music players, continue their spring procession in other villages of the greater Đakovo area, riding in horse-drawn carriages specially decorated for the occasion. Like many folk customs, protectors of this intangible heritage take pride in preserving the tradition. These sabre-bearing queens really do seem to be something else, since they’ve managed to earn global recognition. Whether or not the reason lies in the sabres, we may never know

Gingerbread craft from Northern Croatia
The licitar heart, probably the most beautiful souvenir you can buy in northern Croatia, takes only a few ingredients to make – some water, flour and sugar. Even though it’s edible, this souvenir is designed to bring joy to the giftee, and make any space where it’s on display feel warmer and more cheerful, especially at Christmas time, when it’s used to decorate the Christmas tree. Its shape, the heart, is no coincidence –these traditional items are made with lots of love, and the knowledge of producing them has been carefully preserved and passed down through the centuries in its original form.

The gingerbread craft dates back to the Middle Ages, primarily to the convents and monks all across Europe who worked diligently to produce votive candles, gingerbread cookies and even some beverages from honey and wax, among other things. As the craft made its way to Croatia, it was slowly taken up by laymen and became a trade, and thus a wonderful tradition was born in northern Croatia, particularly in Zagreb, Karlovac, Varaždin, Samobor, Koprivnica and Marija Bistrica, lasting to this day. It was mostly men that produced these items. Licitari, as they were called, were well-respected craftsmen, and each had his own particular style that was reflected in the sugar-paste decorations applied on the surface.

The natural white, yellow and green pigments were based on secret recipes and were used to dip the licitar hearts after they were done. The distinctive red colour became specific to gingerbread products originating in these parts. Through hard work and long tradition, licitar hearts became a colourful and unique symbol of Croatia and an original souvenir. The colourful licitar products, which can take on the form of wreaths, horseshoes, mushrooms, birds and horses, can be further decorated with small mirrors and messages of love, which reveal the true creativity of the artists. The licitar heart is one of the most beautiful gifts to share with a loved one and a sign of loyalty. Don’t wait for a special occasion to give someone a licitar heart as a present; use it to show your appreciation of your loved ones – or those you wish were your loved ones – each day!

Mediterranean diet
“Your body is not a temple, it’s an amusement park – enjoy the ride.” These are the words of one of the world’s most famous chefs, and words to live by when it comes to the Mediterranean cuisine on the Adriatic. Sure, you can try Mediterranean cuisine halfway across the world, but the real “spice” of this particular type of food has always been the ambiance – the thousand islands of the Adriatic offer a thousand different gastronomic delights. Take your pick – each place is a treasure trove of specific ingredients that are still being grown and prepared using traditional methods. Along with Spain, Italy, Greece and Morocco, the Croatian islands of Brač and Hvar are centres of protected Mediterranean cuisine, since a part of the ingredients and spices, as well as the customs surrounding the preparation of some dishes, represent a shared cultural heritage.

Each dish tells a story, whether it’s the fish stew gregada from Hvar, or mutton and the fish stew brudet from Brač – a typical fisherman’s dish – or different foods prepared on a grill. Connecting to traditional customs of preparing food among the locals is as important as enjoying the food itself. Large family gatherings or communal parties are a unique opportunity to delve into the customs, food-gathering skills, and all the knowledge and technique that go into cooking, which experienced very few changes throughout the centuries, other than a few tweaks here and there. Eating is a social activity and an extremely important factor in the Dalmatian cultural identity, and each meal is prepared with pride and eaten with respect for the maker.

Marenda is a favourite meal among people of all generations on the Mediterranean, regardless of whether they are the hosts or the guests. The meal can be eaten at any hour of the day, as long as it’s between two main meals, and there’s a special joy in preparing it. It can consist of only a few pieces of salted fish in olive oil, a piece of goat cheese, or a large pot of cooked fish. It doesn’t matter what you have, as long as you are in good company and have a glass of fine wine. As the old Dalmatian saying goes, a fish is to be washed in three liquids – the sea, oil, and wine – so try and resist this important delicacy that’s part of global cultural heritage!

The Batana Ecomuseum
The Batana Ecomuseum from Rovinj was inscribed in the UNESCO Register of Good Safefuarding practices for intangible cultural heritage of the world as the first Croatian project in this Register.

The Batana Ecomuseum (2004) is a unique project for the preservation of local maritime culture of Rovinj, founded on the respect of tradition, consideration of modern social needs and the synergy of man and the environment. The innovation lies in the active engagement of the local community in order to protect the intangible and tangible culture and to jointly manage all parts of aspects of the Ecomuseum. The main elements of the Batana Ecomuseum are:

Kuća o Batani (the House of Batana), also know as muòstra, which represents the central interpretation and documentation centre.
Mali škver (Little Shipyard), also known as peîcio squèro, lies on the town riviera where batanas are built in the summer, combining in the best way public presentation and sustainability of batana building as a way of life.

Spacio Matika was intergrated into the Ecomuseum in 2006 as one of the last taverns of Rovinj where the local community and guests gather together and enjoy the local gastronomy, the Istriot language and local music (unique àrie da nuòto and bitinàde characterised by the polyvocal imitation of musical instruments accompanying the soloist).

Apart from managing the physical space, Batana also organizes numerous activities which contribute to the preservation of intangible and tangible maritime culture. Activities revolve around education and the financial support of shipwrights and owners of traditional vessels, workshops for children and excursions by the boat batana. However, the most popular activities are for sure the launching of batana into the sea and the Rovinj regatta founded in 2006 with the aim of revitalising the traditional vessels of the northern Adriatic and encouraging international cooperation. Aside from being given numerous awards in the cultural sector, the Batana Ecomuseum was also recognised as a cultural tourism project of high quality which recreates local cultural resources and promotes them for tourism in a responsible and sustainable way.

Međimurska popevka, a folksong from Međimurje
Međimurska popevka , a folksong from the north-western part of Croatia, has been included in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity thanks to the generations of people who have managed to preserve and immortalise this traditional musical genre.

The first sheet music for this genre dates back to the 16th century, and even though the popevka was historically predominantly a genre practised by women, nowadays it is performed in various versions and occasions, and it is a part of the identity connecting all inhabitants of Međimurje. When it comes to its structure and the age of the lyrics, the popevka can be old or new, whereas, if we consider their stylistic features and central themes, there are lyrical and epic popevkas. Given the abundance of styles, it is no surprise that the popevka of today can be monophonic, multipart, vocal-instrument etc., but it must always respect the original form of having the lyrics match the melody, thus creating the traditional folksong.

The međimurska popevka is also an element found in dances traditional for this region, but the practice of this specific folksong isn’t necessarily linked to stage performances, but it is rather a part of everyday life in Međimurje, which is precisely what guarantees its future. The popevka is the soundtrack to growing up, loving, getting married, having fun, attending church, as well as crying, all with a smidge of that authentic melancholy, characteristic of this region ensconced between two rivers, the Mura and the Drava.

Societies for art and culture are mostly charged with preserving this valued tradition, and there are currently around fifty singers regarded as masters of the art of singing, whose knowledge and skills were critically important for including the popevka in the list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity, with the support from experts, as well as local and national institutions.

It should be noted that women from Međimurje are the mentors responsible for the transfer of the traditional popevka to future generations. There are many hardworking keepers of this heritage, and numerous singers, but Elizabeta Toplek, better known as teta Liza, is by far the most loyal voice and the face of međimurska popevka who will, with the help of other performers, introduce this Croatian musical treasure to international audiences and completely win them over.

Art of dry stone walling, knowledge and techniques
Tangible and intangible heritage as a way of experiencing a culture or a set of customs is in the centre of the journey towards recognising historical and social circumstances which create cultural identities. The traditional art of dry stone walling, i.e. the entire vernacular architecture, has been unjustly neglected for decades. It is the art of building without the use of bonding material, building “dry”, and it is a part of the cultivated landscapes throughout the Mediterranean coastline.

However, the true value of this intangible heritage hasn’t been recognised for a long time, which is why it has never been the subject of public and scientific discourse, or properly valuated. This is completely unjustified, since hardworking people from this entire region, regardless of various seas, borders and cultures, built beautiful structures using stones from the karst environment, thus forming their settlements and entire stone landscapes, the cradle of many European cultures.

This is why the inclusion of dry stone walling in the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is an extraordinary step towards the preservation of this tradition, because, although it would be impossible to protect all dry stone walls, stone objects or vineyards, we have set out to preserve the know-how acquired through centuries and transfer them to future generations. The skills of building dry stone walls, intended for the use by anyone working the land, have been passed on through generations, but with no physical records, which proved to be crucial when the continuity ended during the last decades of the 20th century.

The art of dry stone walling was thoroughly studied in 2016 thanks to the efforts of the 4 Grada-Dragodid organisation, as well as several individuals and institutions, and it was protected as an intangible cultural heritage of Croatia. The following year, through the joint nomination of Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland, UNESCO’s intergovernmental committee recognised the extreme importance of this tradition and, finally, protected it as intangible cultural heritage of the world at the end of 2018.

We live at a time when every single trace of history is recorded through the quantity of megabytes, and it is increasingly important to be able to intuitively decipher objects such as the dry stone walls, and discover their structure and purpose, guided by ceremonies and customs of generations so far away from us.

The simplicity and complete functionality of the traditional construction heritage buildings, as well as the ecological aspect, are equally as important today and they present challenges for the modern society and architects, while the sustainable use of resources, as in times gone by (adapted to modern terms, of course), is the only way in which current and future generations can survive.

Where to go – A city tailored to the needs of man
Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, ranks among the oldest cities in Central Europe, as is evident from the documents dating back to 1094, when a diocese was established in this area. The city developed between the mountain of Medvednica and the river Sava. Its old center consists of the medieval Gradec – today the home of the Croatian Government and Parliament – and Kaptol, the seat of the Archbishop. Following the administrative unification of the two entities and the surrounding villages in the 19th century, the city experienced a surge in the construction of prestigious buildings, squares and fountains, as well as the establishment of beautiful park-woods and parks which today make it one of the greenest cities in Europe.

A delight to walk through, the capital of Croatia attracts visitors with the lively atmosphere of its streets, numerous coffee shops, restaurants and shopping. If you are looking for a break on your way to, or from, a seaside tourist resort, a break that would freshen up your journey, then Zagreb is the place to come to and it is waiting for you. Welcome!

Meet the charming heart of Croatia
Zagreb grew out of two medieval settlements that flourished for centuries on neighbouring hills.
With written history dating to the year 1094 when the diocese was established, Zagreb, the capital and the biggest city in Croatia, is a typical Central European town. The classicist and secessionist facades of its historical nucleus exude the lofty spirit of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but here and there one can also discern the contours of the panoramas of Prague. Almost all of the main sites of the city and cultural venues are located in the very centre, which teems with charming coffee houses, fine restaurants, garden restaurants, and lovingly tended parks like, for instance, Ribnjak, which lies beneath the walls of Kaptol with its filigree spires of the neo-Gothic cathedral, or the Lenuci green horseshoe with Zrinjevac, Zagreb, indeed, is a city tailored to man.

Stroll the streets of the metropolis and walk through history
The best way to explore the city is the slow way, gently uncovering the layers of its rich history from the streets that go up from the main Jelačić square, and the Dolac market, one of the most colourful open-air markets in this part of Europe, from Opatovina to Kaptol, or perhaps via Radićeva Street to the Stone Gate and on to Banski dvori and the colourful roof of St. Mark’s church.

Zagreb can also be explored using its blue trams. Routed in all directions and pulsating day and night like a heart in the living tissue of the city, through their windows these modern day chariots provide the most original frames for scenes to remember Zagreb. With approximately 20 theatres, 30 museums, 45 galleries and 13 art collections, a great zoo and almost a million inhabitants, Zagreb is a real Croatian metropolis, one which attracts guests of all profiles.

Located at the foot of the Medvednica Nature Park, whose highest peak, Sljeme, has hosted the FIS Snow Queen Trophy skiing competitions since 2005, with its large sports and recreation complex around the Jarun Lake with fully appointed regatta facilities for various types of competitions, Zagreb is not only a city of rich cultural heritage, of opera, ballet, theatres and concerts, but also a city whose name is ever more frequently entered onto the map of world sports events.

Finally, if you are one of those who enjoy writing postcards with your fountain pen, or noting down impressions of your journeys in your notebook, remember that it is from this very town that the first fountain pen set out into the world, and that its inventor, Slavoljub Penkala, might have found inspiration in his long walks through the streets of Zagreb.

Where to go
Routes following Natural Wonders
Start from Karlovac and venture into the sources of nature. It is not long before the low-lying landscapes are replaced by forested hills and mountains criss-crossed with the abundant springs of the cleanest European waters that quench the thirst of people across the oceans. Cross the winding bridge of the town of Slunj over the river Korana slowly, as beneath the bridge, between the waterfalls, the unique watermill village of Rastoke is situated. The multitude of sparkling waterfalls hint at route of natural wonders which reveal themselves in all their glory at the Plitvice Lakes. The beauty and freshness of this part of the world’s natural heritage, combined with traditional cuisine, are excellent reasons to take a break here. The area around the town of Josipdol is a rich game reserve. Experienced skiers will head towards Ogulin whilst beginners head towards Brinje. For those looking to directly encounter quiet and calming nature, Otočac and the Gacka river valley, rich in trout, are the right choice. At only 45 minutes’ drive from Gospić, you can take a swim in Karlobag, where the sea is continuously chilled as the water flows in abundance from the subterranean layers of the mountain.

Before you, beautiful green expanses are laid out, only around 10 km from the sea, in the hinterlands known for their exceptional ecological value and high concentration of protected nature parks, representing true oases of peace and tranquillity; a Croatian tourist region attracting an ever increasing number of visitors.

While in ancient times this was the land of the Illyrians (Yapodes), today the green and undisturbed, almost mythical nature of Lika offers sanctuary to endangered rare bird species, bears and wolves as well as endemic plant species such as the Degenia velebitica. The epic nature of Lika is also the birthplace of one of the greatest inventors the world has ever seen: Nikola Tesla, whose museum was opened in Smiljan, his birthplace, on the 150th anniversary of his birth.

Waterfalls of the past and present
This is also the magical part of the country where the most famous, oldest and most visited of the eight national parks is situated – the Plitvice Lakes. Most known for its travertine waterfalls and 16 cascading lakes, the image of which is breathtaking, the Plitvice lakes offer other attractions as well, such as various interesting geomorphologic forms, habitat forests and grasslands, flora and fauna and a host of interesting tourist programs. The lakes are also the only natural monument in Croatia to be put on the unesco World Heritage list, back in 1979, among the first ones in the entire world. The Plitvice lakes are truly an unmatched masterpiece of nature.

If you would like to find out more about the legendary outlaws (‘hajduci’), take a tour of the city of Senj and the Nehaj fortress, the Renaissance 16th century fortress, today a unique museum devoted to the Senj pirates.

Also, do not miss the opportunity to get to know the island of Pag, with the famous holiday destination Novalja and the popular party beach Zrće on its northern shore, which belong to the Lika-Senj County (as opposed to the southern part of the island which belongs to the Zadar County). Often hailed as the island of stone and salt, Pag is a destination that, with its 20 km pebble stone beaches, represents the crown of this region of pronounced contrasts.

The Renaissance Ideal City of Karlovac
Built after the concept of a true renaissance ideal city, in the form of a six-pointed star, Karlovac is known as the bulwark city, resisting the attacks of the ancient Turks. With a rich historical heritage, the waters of four rivers and the forested hills of Velika Kapela and Mala Kapela, the city of Karlovac and its surroundings are an ideal destination for fresh water swimming, rowing, fishing, rafting, canoeing, quad riding along the beautiful forest paths, cycling along the 11 county routes and horseback-riding. This beautiful pearl of the continent, developed from a medieval fortress intended for the defence of central Europe from the attacks of the Turks, today is one of the biggest Croatian transport nodes, which, in spite of its transit position is becoming an increasingly popular destination for visitors searching for various forms of recreation.

Apart from being a well-known hunting destination in the woods from Draganić to Klek and Modruš, and a destination for winter sports lovers on the slopes of Bjelolasica, the Karlovac Region has a handful of unpretentious cultural heritage monuments, from charming ancient towns and castles, like Dubovac, Ozalj, Ogulin, Bosiljevo, to Franciscan, Pauline and Dominican monasteries emerging from the greenness of the countryside.

Ogulin is certainly a true city of fairy tales , sprung in the valley of the rivers Zagorska Mrežnica and Dobra, crowned with the Frankopan castle above the Đulin abyss and the giant Klek mountain, known as the cradle of Croatian mountain climbing. The treasury of tales, the Klek witches, the name of the Đulin abyss, Klek and the Klek cave, fairy water – proves the strong impact of their native land on the inhabitants, and on Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić, the famous Ogulin-born, and the most translated writer of Croatian children’s literature. You can feel the fairy tales on the fairytale route that unifies the beauty of the nature, rich history, and fairy tales. Feelings are stronger if you are in the company of the characters from Mažuranić’s ‘Tales of Long Ago’.

Where to go
Routes of Ancient Cultures
Follow the scent of cypress trees and rosemary down the road built by the Romans to theancient Tragurion, where its symphony in stone – every portal, church, palace and balcony – is sure to stir the imagination and tell a legend or two, a story of love or hope. Discover why Roman emperors chose Salona as the capital of their province and why one of them, Diocletian, chose the charming Split as the location of his palace. Feel the spirit of the Alkars of Sinj and the defiance and longing of Dalmatian songs sung in Omiš. Take a break on the beaches of Makarska beneath the towering rugged rocks of Biokovo and then set sail down the blue routes of the ancient Greek mariners to the sunny isles offering a wealth of wonders, the crystal blue sea, sun-bleached white stone, lavender and grape vines which were given the gift of life by hard working hands that literally wrested land from stone, and then transformed the sumptuous warmth of the south into delectable wines.

A Roman Emperor’s magnificent city
When, in the year 305, the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruled the entire world at that time, decided to build his leisure time abode – in which he intended to spend the rest of his life – he had no doubt as to exactly where to build it.

In the very heart of Dalmatia, in the bay of Aspalathos (Split), well protected from the sea by the islands of the Split archipelago, and defended on its landward side by high mountains, Diocletian created a special point on the map of the Adriatic: the future city of Split.

A mere 6 km from cosmopolitan Salona, then the centre of the province of Dalmatia which boasted up to 60,000 inhabitants, Split was protected by strong walls and numerous fortresses, with many temples, palaces and thermal spas, which today make up the greatest complex of monuments in Croatia dating from Antiquity. The residence Diocletian built for himself was beyond comparison in his time. Although the Palace has lost many of its original features over the past 17 centuries, it has been enriched by subsequent architectural and artistic interventions. Among them, somewhat ironically, a Catholic cathedral, or rather that part of it which rose out of the magnificent mausoleum of the last pagan Roman emperor. The cathedral is dedicated to St. Domnius, a Christian martyred by the very same Diocletian. The most striking feature of the cathedral is its famous walnut door frame constructed in 1214, and carved by Master Carver Andrija Buvina. Successfully withstanding time’s thievish progress, deeply embedded into the texture of the city at its densely populated historical heart, full of enchanting stone palaces, Diocletian’s residence today is a place of cellars that ring with song.

One can feast here on local specialties, from delicacies of the sea to lamb and the ‘arambašići’ of Sinj, washed down with the finest of red wines. Concealed within its embrace is what locals like to call the smallest street in the world, which carries a rather curious name: ‘Let me pass’. Altogether, this enchanting, unique heart of Split has rightly been declared a monument of zero category and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

True charm of the southern Mediterranean
A wash in the warm charm of the Mediterranean, Split is a city with rich history, not only within the walls of its museums, palaces and churches, but in the city itself. Its heritage speaks loudest and has done so since the times of Antiquity, on the Peristyle and from its stone houses, while the true Mediterranean spirit lives in the vibrant cellars, in the murmur at street corners, in the squares and alleyways and in the beauty of the waterfront. If you follow the weave of these white, stone-paved streets to the edge of the sea which gently rocks the moored boats, you will discover a city in which the famous Roman emperor left the imperial mark of his presence on every corner, together with the saint he decided to execute. Another special aspect of this city are the songs, and the successes achieved by its athletes – including a Wimbledon winner – numerous Olympic champions and NBA stars and, they say, the most beautiful women in the world. If you harbour any doubts as to the latter, just take a stroll along the Split waterfront some time…

Discover the artistic treasure trove of a museum-city
Although its central part measures but 750 paces – as a certain earnest historian measured and recorded a few hundred years ago – Trogir is a superbly balanced small city built of stone, its history rich far beyond its size. Its significance is recognised by the inclusion of its historical core in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

It is not without reason that it is called a museum-city, bearing in mind the sites it holds: the famous portal of Trogir cathedral, a work by Master Radovan dating from 1240; the Renaissance city loggia; the 1000-year-old monastery of St. Nicholas that houses a relief of Kairos – ancient god of the lucky moment, dating from the 4th century BC. Trogir is a veritable treasure trove of art, as well as being a stage for young tenors from all over the world who come here every year to engage in competition.

The blue expanse and nature in complete harmony
Mother Nature has indeed been generous to Central Dalmatia, bequeathing to it a coastline and long pebble beaches shaded by fragrant pine trees and adorning its sea with the beauty of a string of islands of exquisite beauty.

Immediately above the beaches of the famous Makarska Riviera is the Biokovo massif, still the habitat of the chamois. Here you can enjoy the rising of the summer sun, with a view that extends all the way to the outermost islands in the open waters of the Adriatic.

The largest of the islands of the Split archipelago is Brač, known worldwide as the island of stone and wind. Island of stone, because the finest quality stone has been quarried here for centuries by the highly skilled and hard working local stone masons. It has been used to build not only the local cathedrals and other grand edifices, but also a number of other prestigious buildings. Brač is also known as the island of wind. Nowhere else in the Adriatic, surfers tell us, does such a magnificent landward breeze blow as in the channel between Brač and Hvar, particularly at the beach known as Zlatni rat, whose shape actually changes depending on the direction of the wind and waves. Having been recently placed on the list of the ten most beautiful islands, sunny Hvar is, without competition, numbered among the most seductive of Dalmatian islands.

Boasting the largest island town square on both sides of the Adriatic, one of the first communal theatres in Europe, built in long gone 1612, the Arsenal, the famous ‘Tvrdalj’ Palace of Petar Hektorović, and stone-paved, narrow streets, worn smooth and glistening in the sun, it is difficult to decide whether Hvar captivates more with the harmony of its history and art, or with the beauty of its nature, enhanced with the intoxicating fragrance of lavender.

Meetings & Events
The city of Split is located in central Dalmatia and is the main city in this sub-region, which is attractive because of its diversity – islands, the coast, and the interior. All of them together, and each of them separately, are striking because of the beautiful nature, the quality services, and the opportunity to hold your business meetings, conferences, or incentives in a stimulating environment that has found the right balance between business and pleasure.

Where to go
The routes of Croatian rulers
The trail begins in the north, on the vivid white cliffs underneath the Velebit mountain, where the view of the surreallandscape of Croatia’s most indented island, Pag, stretches before you. Pag offers beautiful coves and beaches with unspoiled nature, as well as centres of modern tourism. The lace of Pag is very famous, as well as Pag cheese, and its secret ingredients, the wind “bura” and salt which give it a specific and recognisable flavour. To pass the routes of Croatian rulers means to feel a notable diversity of experiences given by thousand-year-old towns, such as the 3,000-year old Zadar, whose fortifications have been inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. In Nin you will find the smallest cathedral in the world, and the modern and lively tourist centres such as Biograd na Moru and picturesque places of the Dalmatian hinterland, Ravni Kotari, and the islands will overwhelm you with their specific Dalmatian temperament. All those who visit the medieval fortress of St Michael on the island of Ugljan during sunset, by bike or on foot, will have the opportunity to enjoy the view of an earthly paradise made up of emerald islands, and a golden string of pearls immersed in the sun that will be remembered forever.

As the centuries-long centre of the Illyrian tribe of Liburni, and the capital of Dalmatia for millennia, Zadar is a place whose rich spiritual and material culture is best testified to by its walls and numerous sacral monuments, crowned by the symbol of the city: the 9th century Church of St. Donatus, the most monumental Croatian building of the early Middle Ages. Enjoying the protection of as many as four patron saints — Zoilus, Simon, Chrisogonus and Anastasia – Zadar takes pride not only in its abundant archaeological and monumental treasures, jealously guarded down the centuries, but also in the fact that the foundations of the oldest university in the Land were laid here in 1396. Replete with rich archives, libraries and outstanding treasuries of sacral music, Zadar is also the city in which the first Croatian novel was written, and where the first newspapers in the Croatian language were printed.

A land that inspired the gods
Although it may seem pretentious to describe the Zadar region as an area of divine inspiration, it is indeed a land of singular natural beauty. This claim is best borne out by its numerous national parks.

With its mountains, lakes and waterfalls, its canyons, caves, karstic holes and the blue expanse of the open sea embraced by a string of lovely islands full of small welcoming ports and romantic beaches, it is easier to paint this part of the world by the brush than by words. Without forgetting the sound of the sea organ – the architectural wonder of the Zadar waterfront from which, as Alfred Hitchcock once said, one can watch the most beautiful sunset in the world.

With a slice of Pag cheese and a glass of the famous Maraschino, a local liqueur made from the native Maraska sour cherry, in your hand, you can enjoy all the blessings of this area and the fruits of this land of matchless, divine inspiration.

Meetings & Events
Zadar has attractive facilities for holding large and small business gatherings, including historic buildings that are suitable for meetings.

Where to go
Routes following the smallest towns in the world
Many civilisations and cultures have come and gone in Istria, all of them leaving much more than mere episodes of history. In this small area you will come across prehistoric hillforts, and ancient and fortified medieval towns which occupy almost every little hill in the Istrian hinterland; with characteristic streets, squares, churches and town halls. Discover why Hum is called the smallest town in the world and what inspired the French writer Jules Verne to locate the plot of one of his novels in Pazin. Find out why Dvigrad simply disappeared from the face of the earth in the 17th century – and much moreThe gates of these tiny Istrian towns have been wide open for hundreds of years.Today, they are beckoning you… Welcome!

Whereas the coastlines of Pula, Rovinj, Vrsar, Poreč, Novigrad or Umag bring to mind heritage and antiquity and conjure up images of Venice, in the central part of Istria the spirit of Central Europe is instantly discernible. In other words, Istria offers more than just the sea, sunbathed shores, romantic coves and tiny ports! She beckons you to follow the fairyland paths leading to the small medieval towns crowning her hilly landscape. Climb up to any one of them. Be it Motovun, Grožnjan, Završje, Oprtalj or, indeed, the smallest town in the world, Hum.

A walk through their narrow, stone-paved streets will become a magical journey through a history that is quite unique. Follow that special path, from the massive town gate to a bench on the town loggia, and then on to the church on the main square and the bell tower, a view from which Istria will, for a brief moment, shine forth from a different panorama.

Although they seem to be very similar, each of these tiny medieval towns is a quite individual entity. So, be curious! Peek into doorways, discover the coats of arms, enter churches and find rest in the cool and quietude of the chapels. Here, you will come to understand the popular legends about diligent fairies who spend the nights building and rebuilding the walls, and also about ‘štrigas’ – bad witches who are always stirring up trouble. If you should meet anybody in your wanderings, feel free to stop and ask them whatever you wish. The people here are kindly and hospitable, and they will gladly tell you the story of Istria, a land in which even the greatest diversities live in peace and harmony, taking pride in their openness.

Discover hidden treasures of breath-taking history and unspoiled nature.
Istria truly is ‘terra magica’; blessed with unspoiled nature, the crown jewel of which are the Brijuni islands, one of the most beautiful archipelagos in the Mediterranean with rare plant and animal species. This is a land whose long and rich history can be read literally from dinosaur footprints. Fortified by the northerly bora and invigorated by the mistral, fragrance imbued with Spanish broom, sage and lavender, drowsy from stone pines, thyme and immortelle, with a climate that makes for a five month long swimming season, Istria is indeed the ideal tourist destination.

Of course, don’t forget to taste Istria!
From delicacies of the sea to delectable truffles, the liquid gold of the local Malvasia, the aromatic Muscat of Momjan, or the ruby-red Teran that once fortified Casanova himself, your palate will combine these divine pleasures into a fusion of unforgettable Istrian experiences.

So, rather than dreaming of the holiday of your life – wake up in Istria! Step into this vibrant hub of civilisations whose cultural arboretum has been jealously nurtured since the times of the Histri, the Celts and the Romans, through the Slavonic peoples and the Venetians, all the way to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and you will soon learn why Istria is so special. To begin, remember the Legend of the Argonauts. In vain pursuit of Jason and the stolen Golden Fleece, having arrived to the shores of Istria, the people of Colchis decided not to return to their home. There is something in her magic, like in no other place in the Mediterranean.

Here you will find a town which, just like Rome, lies on seven hills and boasts a famous amphitheatre. On one of those hills, a weary Hungarian king felt the desire to exchange his resplendent robes for the modest robe of a monk, and die in a state of sanctity, while the immortal Dante, inspired by the view from a panoramic viewpoint, wrote the verses of his masterpiece, The Divine Comedy. The name of this town is Pula, Istria’s largest urban centre. It is the beating heart of the peninsula, with 3000 years of history behind it and a unique place in the Mediterranean. Pula boasts a diverse, impressive cultural heritage. Just like the peninsula upon which it rose, it is not without reason that it carries a feminine name. Modest but fascinating, Istria has long been known as enchantresses with a hundred faces that has been seducing visitors for thousands of years. Whoever strays once into its invisible web, and experiences but a morsel of the joy it can give, always wishes to return again, and again!

Meetings & Events
Simple, varied, and with many stories to tell, the Istrian congress offer is professional in every way. But it is also spirited and unique enough that work, success and satisfaction here are its common denominators.

Where to go
Trails of the Pannonian Sea
Once an endless blue expanse of sea, today it glistens in gold and its islands are green mountains. All that is left of the great waters are tiny shells in the fertile plains of Slavonia. Yet the waters are still here – three great rivers, the Sava, the Drava and the Danube hold this region in their embrace. People knew that in this area, to which nature was so generous, they would have a good home. However, the long gone Pannonian Sea did leave its trace: a single saltwater spring in Bizovec. Its temperature (96°C) is unique in Europe. This alluring natural environment was greatly appreciated by the nobility, so much so that they built their castles here, indulged in hunting, fishing and, of course, the wines – which were also much appreciated in the courts of Europe and savoured at coronation ceremonies. The wine cellars of Ilok, Kutjevo and Belje are world famous. Now we can all enjoy the magic of times gone by. Following the Trails of the Pannonian Sea, discover the lovely songs of the area accompanied by tambouritzas, and enjoy the parades of people dressed in their colourful and festive folk costumes, men with their ‘šokački’ hats and young women with their gold ducat necklaces. The city of Vinkovci – the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe.

Shaped by the force of the mighty rivers Drava, Danube, Sava and Ilova, Slavonia is a mythical region that for centuries has guarded its treasures.

With its wide, endless expanse of the golden Pannonia plains, strong river flows, areas that provide an ideal habitat for the now centuries-old forests of common oak (Quercus robur), as well as for more than 2000 biological species, Slavonia is a fertile land tilled by human hand for over 8,000 years. Ever since this part of the continent rose from the Pannonian Sea in the Pleistocene, once island, Papuk became mountain that discovers the oldest rocks of this part of Europe – granite and metamorphic rocks from the Paleozoic era – ful of witnesses, that today tell the geological history of Earth. The fertile Slavonian plains have emerged from the Panonian sea after have been sea bottom for more that 10 million years, and have been since a promised land.

The Golden Valley celebrated through history.

Having become a part of the Roman Empire in the first centuries AD, boasting two major roads – one leading from Osijek to the eastern provinces and the other linking the Aque Balissae (today known as Daruvar) with the fertile agricultural and winegrowing country around Požega, Đakovo and Vinkovci, Slavonia gave two Roman emperors – the eminently capable and courageous Valentinian I and his brother Valens.

Treasuring the area as both wheat growing and winegrowing country with the Kutjevo winegrowing district, home to one of the oldest wine cellars in Europe, the Romans named it Vallis Aurea (the Golden Valley).

If it is peace you seek in the matchless primeval dawns when the earth awakens from darkness shrouded in the haze hovering above the wide river valleys, then come and discover the land of Slavonia.

Moments to treasure in the towns of Slavonia and Baranja
This is a place where people have a deep respect for Mother Earth and whose faces reflect the pride they take in their Slavonian origins.

Waste no time, set off down roads that will take you past mighty medieval fortifications, monasteries, Baroque castles and the manor houses of Osijek, Vinkovci, Požega, Slavonski Brod, all the way to Vukovar and Ilok, where the indigenous Lipizzaner horses proudly strut their stuff, where rare birds nest and flock, and wild geese rise from the famous Kopački rit Nature Park. Come and discover the monastery of Ilok, where the Italian Franciscan St. John of Capistrano is buried, the Baroque fortifications of Slavonski Brod and Osijek, true urban and cultural Pannonian metropolis whose university and scientific environment has produced two Croatian Nobel Prize winners.

Last, but by no means least, stroll along the wide lanes of a Slavonian village where clothing is adorned with especially sumptuous traditional weave and gold thread embroidery, while mouth-watering aromas of delectable home cured hams and heavenly kulen waft from tables, and the famous fish-paprikash gently bubbles in the pots. Welcome to Slavonia!

Where to go
Routes of Old Sea Captains
The routes of the old sea captains traverse an area of turbulent history and struggles for freedom, an area where trade, seafaring and shipping have been developed since ancient times and where life has always been lived in harmony with the sea and the rivers. Visit the ancient home of seafaring on the peninsula of Pelješac in the Maritime Museum in Orebić, the cradle of sea captains; in Korčula, the birthplace of Marco Polo; in the historical city of Dubrovnik, which was an independent republic for centuries, and this treasured tradition has continued in the modern-day sea and river ports of Ploče and Metković. In these parts, nature has crafted the wondrous landscapes of the Neretva Delta, a meeting-place between the river and the sea, the lowlands and the karst, the lake and the wetlands; of the eternal beauty of the Mljet National Park, with its lakes; the Elafiti islands of Koločep, Lopud and Šipan, with their Renaissance atmosphere and the diverse, mellow landscapes of Konavle. Look towards the open sea where fierce battles were once fought, where freedom was defended, and towards which merchant ships sailed the waters with billowing sails.

A city that leaves nobody unmoved.

Once upon a time, Dubrovnik was one of the smallest but most important merchant states in the Mediterranean. It had consular offices in more than 80 cities. Its fleet of almost 700 merchant ships rivaled that of Venice. Under the heavenly patronage of St. Blasius and crowned by the famous Libertas banner flying from a high stone pillar guarded by its legendary knight Orlando, Dubrovnik is a city whose story is best told by the city itself. Walk along its main street, Stradun, whose stone pavement has been polished smooth by feet that have walked it for hundreds of years. The city’s glorious walls, fortresses and bastions offer a view of the magical Elaphite islands – Šipan, Lopud and Koločep, scattered like pearls in the azure of the sea. Named Elaphite islands after the Latin word Elaphos for deer, this archipelago, which used to be the habitat of this noble wild game, concentrates all the qualities of the untouched Mediterranean, featuring subtropical vegetation, expansive pine tree forests and olive groves, all surrounded by amazing sandy beaches.

From the Onofrio Fountain to the City bell tower, the filigree-like Gothic and Renaissance facades of the Sponza Palace and the Ducal Palace, the Baroque church of St. Blasius, the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady, or St. Ignatius and the Jesuit College, every step in this town will be an experience par excellence.

Incidentally, should you happen to be here in summer, when Dubrovnik shines with a special glow and when the traditional Summer Festival turns the entire old town into an enchanting setting for this quite unique stage in the world, you will be able to listen to the immortal monologue of the unfortunate Danish prince ringing from the nearby Lovrijenac Fortress perched atop a 37 metre high cliff. Spoken from that venue, Hamlet’s immortal words ‘To be or not to be…’ ring particularly loud.

Explore the fascinating history of the islands.

About the time that Marco Polo set sail for terra incognita, his hometown began to develop into a kind of urban sculpture built of stone with regular lines. That sculpture remains well preserved to this day. The streets of Korčula were carefully laid out by a local builder who was also an ingenious town planner. The streets are based on a fishbone pattern and are a true blessing in the summer. Although they bask in the golden glow of the sun both morning and afternoon, the heat of the midday sun is directed around them. If you want to experience the atmosphere of Korčula, may the good winds bring you here in July, when the city plays host to the International Festival of Song and Wine, celebrating the famous traveller, the Festival of Chivalry and the traditional sword dances performed in original costumes dating from the 16th century. The dances depict the struggle between the white king and the black king.

Once a part of the Dubrovnik Republic, the Pelješac peninsula and the small town of Ston, boasting 5.5 km long defensive walls, was a strategic point defending the approach to the famous Republic. Nourished by the graces of warm southern Aeolus, Pelješac is well known to wine lovers as the kingdom of Dingač, the most highly regarded Croatian wine.

The town of Orebić – renowned centre of maritime affairs in the 18th century – is a popular site for visiting art historians. Full of beautiful stone palaces and villas, whose facades reflect the wealth and life of luxury led by the families of seafaring men, and particularly striking for its magnificent gardens containing the most exotic plants that mariners brought from all corners of the world, Orebić is indeed a place that will remain etched in your memory.

If you have ever been inspired by the legend of Odysseus, held captive on an island by the nymph Calypso and have wondered what the famous Ogygia looked like, then the island of Mljet is the place for you.Located in the southernmost part of Croatia, the island has scenery that appears only in picture books of the world’s most beautiful fairy tales. Before your eyes you will see a lake in the middle of the island, and in the centre of that, another small island with a monastery dating from the 12th century. Although Calypso herself may not be nearby, the scene will capture your heart forever and you may never want to leave.

Meetings & Events
The highly developed and quality hotel offer in Dubrovnik, in nearby Cavtat, and other towns on the Dubrovnik Riviera, are most closely connected to the congress industry. There is almost no hotel that has not invested in upgrading its accommodations, large and modern congress facilities, meeting rooms and all of the accompanying infrastructure. Holding a congress in Dubrovnik or along its riviera has become a matter of prestige.

Where to go
The routes of Croatian rulers
From Skradin, a small gem of a town over 6,000 years old, we set off on the river Krka to Skradinski Buk, one of the most famous Croatian natural phenomena. By exploring the interior, you will be rewarded with one more old Croatian capital, the town of Knin, and in its surroundings time will fly during an active holiday that will refresh your body and soul. In Šibenik you will be amazed by the Cathedral of St James, whose dome overlooks medieval stone buildings, and its narrow streets which, in the warm summer evenings, invite you to socialise in the attractive Mediterranean ambience of the town. If, at the end of your trip on the Routes of Croatian Rulers, you are not surprised by Krapanj, the island of sponges which carries three epithets: the smallest, the lowest and the most inhabited island in the Mediterranean, then, by cruising through the Kornati National Park, a famous nautical paradise, you will surely experience complete fulfilment of the soul with positive emotions as you watch the display of many islands, islets and rocks that, like nowhere else, dance before your eyes.

Set amid the wild beauty of white karstic rock and the azure sea, the Šibenik aquatorium is a yachting paradise, boasting as many as 240 isles and reefs, each of which holds an interesting feature or two.

If you want to meet the best known coral hunters in the Adriatic, set sail for Zlarin. If you wish to see the centre of sea sponge harvesting, then Krapanj is your destination. On the other hand, if you seek an experience like no other, then venture into the open sea and discover the Kornati Archipelago. ‘The gods wanted to set a crown upon their work, so on the last day, out of tears, stars and the breath of the sea, they created the Kornati.’ So wrote George Bernard Shaw when reminiscing about this breathtakingly beautiful archipelago. Talking about this incomparable creation of nature, the largest group of islands in the Mediterranean, it suffices to say that the number of these stellar tears petrified in the sea equals the number of days in a year.

Here, the saying ‘an island for each day of the year’ really does apply, and of the 365 strikingly beautiful isles, 150 form a quite special entity: the Kornati National Park. The sight of the lace-like pattern of island cliffs, bleached by the noble salt of the Adriatic and lashed by the fragrance saturated bora, plummeting into the sea, is one that has no equal anywhere else in the world. At the same time, the mellow, tiny ports and hidden beaches are a true paradise for modern day Robinsons seeking unspoiled nature.

From the spectacular falls of the River Krka to Šibenik, Krešimir’s city
If you follow the fairy tale-like paths of the karstic empire of the Krka River to the sea, you are on the path to opening the door to the most protected natural harbour in the central Adriatic and to the proud city of King Krešimir: Šibenik. Along this green route, abounding with the remains of medieval settlements, a wonderful place which provides a habitat for over 222 species of bird and which boasts the only falconry centre in Croatia, beautiful Krka spills her cool waters over seven waterfalls. Between the two most beautiful, Roški slap and Skradinski buk, human hands have enhanced nature with two famous buildings: the Orthodox Christian monastery of The Holy Archangel, and Visovac monastery. Like the mythical Avalon, unparalleled in its location on a tiny isle set in the middle of the emerald green lake formed by the River Krka, Visovac Franciscan monastery houses a valuable library, works of art and numerous precious items, among which is the sword that once belonged to a famous warrior.

Amazing cultural heritage of a millennia old city
First mentioned in 1066 in documents issued by King Petar Krešimir (hence its name: Krešimir’s town), Šibenik was founded over 1000 years ago. Take a stroll through its streets, alleyways and squares and some of the most precious works of art in Dalmatia will appear right before you. Incidentally, if you are there at the right time in summer, those same streets, alleyways and squares become stages for the only International Children’s Festival in the world, for the Evening of Dalmatian Chanson, and for the colourful (Šibenik) Medieval Fair.

Standing proud with its fortifications and towers, Šibenik, the birthplace of Faust Vrančić (inventor of the parachute) is best known for its largest and most precious sacral monument, the Gothic-Renaissance cathedral of St. Jacob (15th and 16th century) whose dome of white stone dominates the city. Its construction took more than a century. It is constructed solely of stone from the islands of Brač and Korčula. The original method of its construction: using large blocks and slabs of stone, has earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Raise your eyes to this audacious edifice, unique in the history of European architecture. While admiring the innovations of the local master builder, Georgius Dalmaticus, try to imagine this: it is the 15th century, there is no sophisticated technology, let alone modern day cranes and hoists. What you are standing beneath is a monumental barrel-vault and a dome that contains no wood or brick, only clean blocks of stone, each weighing several tons, fitted into grooves carved in stone ribs! Impressive, you must admit. If you also take time to wander around the sacristy, which lies like a crypt beneath the cathedral, and view the elegant three-leaved facade and the famous frieze of 88 heads encircling the outer walls of the cathedral apse, you will then understand why St. Jacob’s cathedral is so special. It rightfully carries the appellation of the most beautiful cathedral in Dalmatia and is the most striking sacral building in Croatia.

Discover and savour the magic of Dalmatian cuisine
At the end, taste the Šibenik area cuisine, particularly the famous mussels harvested where the River Krka meets the Adriatic Sea, washed down with a sip or two of Babić from the nearby vineyards of Primošten. Their beauty, unusual geographical location, the sparse soil in which they grow, despite the best efforts of the bora, have made them a monument to the hard work of the diligent hands of the people of this area. The image of those vineyards displayed in the vestibule of the United Nations building tells its story in a hundred languages.

Meetings & Events
Šibenik and its surrounding area have an ever increasing MICE offer that is constantly improving and adding new features, including newly-built congress facilities in Šibenik and in nearby Vodice.

Where to go
Routes of fragrant rivieras and islands
An encounter with different worlds is just a mild comparison to what one can see and feel in the majestic Opatija and Crikvenica, the maritime Rijeka and stone-carved island of Krk. The diversity does not end there. It continues to our other islands Krk and Cres, the healing island of Lošinj, the sandy Susak, the flower-covered Ilovik and the wooded island of Rab. What is the common theme to all of them? Long ago in the 19th century, this was recognised by the European aristocracy, who chose this particular area, blessed with a mild climate and lush Mediterranean vegetation for their holidays. It is thanks to them that the first luxurious villas and hotels came to be built, and the foundations of the first Croatian resorts were laid: Opatija, Crikvenica, Novi Vinodol… The illustrious members of the nobility were not the only global travellers; the mariners of Lošinj also sailed all over the world, bringing back over 80 species of exotic plants from their voyages. The gardens of small towns are filled with flowers, the landscapes are resplendent with forests and olive groves; shrubs of sage, rosemary and lavender are all around you, wherever you go. Welcome to the fragrant gates of the Adriatic.

To begin with, walk the wonderful Opatija Riviera and enjoy its 12 km long promenade by the sea. Here, the foundations of tourism were laid way back in 1844, when a wheat merchant with vision decided to build the first hotel in Opatija, the famous Villa Angiolina. It was not long before the town became one of the most elite summer resorts of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, one that attracted many famous names – from members of the imperial family, to artists, scientists and politicians.

Then, allow the elegant villas and hotels, lush gardens and parks to lead you towards Rijeka, the metropolis of the littoral and today the largest trading and maritime centre of the northern Adriatic. Sitting under the watchful eye of the magnificent fortification of Trsat, with the oldest Marian sanctuary in Croatia, together with a Franciscan monastery, St. Vitus Cathedral and the famous votive chapel, Rijeka is a fascinating city, not just as a maritime centre but also one of enviable cultural and artistic life, and home to the greatest carnival event in Croatia.

Epic images amid the blue of the sea
If you are yearning for the silence of the wide blue expanse and the charm of the islands, then set off into the Kvarner Bay, ringed by the mythical Absyrthian islands from the legend of the Argonauts: Rab, Krk, Cres and Lošinj. Apart from enjoying the epic sights of bora-bleached cliffs, coves and inlets reaching deep into the sea, small sunbathed towns with stone-built houses, abandon yourself to the intoxicating fragrances of lavender, sage, myrtle and umbrella pines, and the 2,700 unique plant species.

These islands will also reveal themselves as the habitat of an enviable number of animal species. Strolling through the towns of Lošinj, Osor on the island of Cres, or Vrbnik on Krk, will open up their nooks and crannies, revealing numerous remains of a rich heritage, like the famous Baška Plaque – a carved stone monument of the Croatian language dating from the year 1100. A climb to the peaks of cliffs will allow you to observe the habitat of rare griffons, and in the waters beneath them enjoy the magical play of dolphins and Mediterranean monk seals. All those seeking clean air with special medicinal properties should continue their journey in the direction of the Crikvenica-Vinodol Riviera which, in 1906, was officially declared a climatic health resort, and where the Therapia Hotel – one of the most beautiful hotel buildings along the entire Croatian coast – was built in 1895.

Oases of peace and silence by the sea
A quite special experience awaits you on the steep hills of the Učka Mountain, overshadowing Istria and the western part of Kvarner, especially in its nature parks. Lovely green landscapes of exceptional ecological value with a high concentration of protected species, rising only about a dozen metres from the sea are true oases of peace and tranquillity which are becoming an increasingly popular destination of Croatian winter tourism. If you start travelling northward, you will get to the Risnjak National Park near Delnice and numerous reserves of diverse and rich indigenous flora and endangered animal species, spread across the green mountains. All are idyllic holiday locations for those seeking to truly become one with nature.

Kvarner offers the most diverse pleasures to the curious gourmet. In this cluster are caught and prepared the Adriatic’s best scampi, which have received every possible compliment, including one that says there are none better in the world!

Meetings & Events
The first association that many people make for business tourism in this region is, of course, the town of Opatija, a historic tourist destination. It began as a vacation resort, and then enhanced its reputation by expanding its MICE offer.

Where to go
Trails of Court Fairies
A long time ago, members of the upper class, prominent gentlemen and the nobility, seeking to satisfy their aesthetic cravings and earthly comforts, took great care to select the right locations for their castles and manor houses. They then surrounded them with gardens, pleasure parks and copses. The fairies will take you through picturesque hills and colourful fields to Novi Dvori and the Lužnice castle in Zaprešić, the imposing Veliki Tabor, near Desinić, the romantic Trakošćan, the proud Zrinski castle in Čakovec, the castle with two towers in Gornja Rijeka and numerous other castles dotted on the hills of this area, which were once the hub of life, work, and cultural and political activities. Step into the past by visiting precious examples of rural architecture in Kumrovec, get to know the world of our primeval ancestors in the Krapina Neanderthal Museum, located right by the archaeological site in Krapina, or enjoy naive art in Hlebine – the cradle of this form of art. Let the court fairies tell you the history and take you for a romantic journey to the long-gone days of the splendour and glory of the nobility.

The Trails of Subterranean Secrets
Some secrets wait millions of years to be discovered. They were left deep in the rocks by creatures that lived in primeval times, when this part of the world was an ocean. Ivanić Grad has revealed its secret to the world. If you take a walk along the Trail of Subterranean Secrets, you will have the unusual experience of a life that ended a very long time ago. By meeting the local country people, who are the survivors of a now almost forgotten, modest way of life, amid relaxing nature where pastures and hills alternate, where time is reckoned by the sun, and where numerous fish ponds and hunting grounds beckon one to come and enjoy all of it in good company, you will discover the natural side of your being. A barbecue by a fish pond is quite something else compared to the nearby and familiar urban centres like Bjelovar, Đurđevac, Virovitica, Garešnica, Kutina or Novska. Downstream from Sisak, the river Sava irrigates the woods and wetlands of the wondrous Lonjsko polje (Lonja Field), thus creating a splendid cradle for fish and many rare species of birds. Nestling among the beautiful mountains is an agricultural area offering food to remember; the places where local dishes can be savoured are Vrbovec, Bjelovar, Đurđevac and Veliki Zdenci. In Daruvar and Lipik they cannot recall a time when in their midst bodies and souls could not be refreshed by superb wines and thermal waters.

Have you always longed for a holiday away from the summer heat and the vibrant atmosphere of the Mediterranean in an idyllic, green and hilly environment with ancient woodlands, vineyards and rivers?

Do you favour the tranquil and soothing atmosphere of the mainland, leading from romantic medieval towns, summer homes and manors to thermal springs, health spas and places of pilgrimage? Set out to the north of Zagreb and enjoy the blessings offered by Central Croatia.

Enjoy idyllic moments in the towns of Central Croatia

Begin with the area known as Hrvatsko zagorje, a wonderful undulating landscape crisscrossed by hills and rivers and within it the town of Krapina, the famous archaeological site of Homo Krapiniensis. Located in an area that has always been known for its thermal springs, spas like Tuhelj Spa (Tuheljske toplice) and Stubica Spa (Stubičke toplice), Krapina was made famous by Prof. Dragutin Gorjanović-Kramberger in 1899 when he discovered the remains of a diluvial man in the area of the Hušnjakovo hill, known by scientists as Homo sapiens neanderthalensis. In Hrvatsko zagorje, which boasts the largest concentration of castles and manor houses after the valley of the River Loire in France, discover picturesque towns and beautiful Baroque castles.

While feasting your eyes, do not forget to feast your palate on the delectable local gastronomy and, of course, the superb wines produced in the area.

Marija Bistrica is your destination if you are interested in religious tourism or seeking spiritual reinvigoration. It is the greatest Marianic sanctuary in Croatia and has been a place of pilgrimage for over 300 years. More than 800,000 of the faithful have visited Marija Bistrica, including Pope John Paul II in 1998.

The town of Varaždin, the most Baroque of all towns in Croatia, is a true green place. Its finely maintained parks and its famous monument of garden architecture – the town cemetery, characteristic for its Thujas shaped into screens and arcades modelled on Versailles – offer a wonderful backdrop to the sounds of music for which Varaždin is famous. The city is also known for arts, crafts and trade, as well as for two prominent festivals which take place in September: The Varaždin Baroque Evenings and the Špancirfest, a wonderfully entertaining and varied festival of street strollers.

In addition to its cultural scene and 354 registered cultural monuments, the Varaždin region also boasts the Trakošćan Park-wood, with an enchanting castle that has been turned into a museum, and three geological and palaentological monuments of nature, with three caves bearing testimony to the continuous presence of man in this region for thousands of years.

Located not far from Varaždin is Ludbreg, a eucharistic place of pilgrimage of the Sacred Blood of Christ. It is the only such place of pilgrimage in Croatia and one of only a few in the world that have been recognised by a written document from the Pope approving public veneration of Holy Relics. This occurred following the miraculous appearance of the Sacred Blood of Christ in the chapel of Bethany Castle in 1512. Lepoglava is a small town whose history has been most deeply marked by the Pauline Order, which built the church and a monastery. It is also the origin of the famous lace that earned the Gold Medal at the 1937 World Exhibition in Paris.

If you want to try your hand at panning for gold in a river, or enjoy all the benefits offered by the St. Martin Spa, or take a carefree ride along the cycling trails and savour excellent wines, then turn north toward the area where Slovenia, Hungary and Croatia share a border.

Get to know the region of Međimurje and its capital, Čakovec. On the other hand, if you have an artistic nature and enjoy naïve art, tradition, folklore, old arts and crafts, if you are interested in old customs, then head east of Zagreb toward Podravina, particularly in June, when three major ethno-events take place in Koprivnica, Đurđevac and Križevci. Ringed by the River Drava and by the mountain systems of Bilogora and Kalnik, Podravina abounds in fish and game as well as organised cycling trails passing through beautiful landscapes, past Šoderica Lake and the cradle of naive art: Hlebine.

Health & Wellness
Mineral waters amongst the best in Europe
The majority of the most famous and most renowned Croatian thermal springs and spas, of which by the quality of the mineral water they are listed in the top ten in Europe, are in fact located in Central Croatia. So by the quality of the thermal water the hot springs in the municipality of Topusko take third place, whilst those at Krapinske Toplice take sixth place in Europe.