February 29th 2008
Whoops. Forbes magazine has turned its lofty attention to Eastern Europe in the latest online issue. And that’s a good thing for Croatia even though Croatians consider themselves part of Mediterranean Europe, thank you very much.
February 21st 2008
“We love tourists and travellers”, said local art historian, Goran Vukovic. “We just need to preserve the unique atmosphere of Dubrovnik that visitors are coming to see”. He was talking about a recent candlelight protest that drew some 2000 Dubrovnik residents to the streets. At issue was the city’s plan to “redevelop” the area around Pile Gate to accommodate the needs of tourists, specifically the ones that come in vehicles. A vast new underground parking garage has already destroyed a 17th-century orphanage outside Pile Gate. Okay, it may not have been one of Dubrovnik’s architectural masterpieces, but still. The new and boxy “Monument to the Fallen Defenders” outside Pile Gate is also no masterpiece, according to locals. Worse, is the plan to expand and modernize the current local bus stop outside Pile Gate to receive the constant stream of tour buses that bring cruise passengers to the town walls. Approaching Dubrovnik’s classic western gate to the tune of rumbling engines is not the way to fall under the spell of Dubrovnik’s charms.
February 20th 2008
Ustica Lines has just posted the news of their new passenger ferry route from Trieste to Portoroz (Slovenia), Porec and Rovinj. The service will run from April 24 to September 21 and services are frequent. The catamarans will be zipping back and forth from Trieste twice daily from Tuesday through Sunday. As yet, there is no online booking for these routes but that should change. Check the timetables at Ustica Lines
February 16th 2008
This week’s Telegraph, had a magnificent spread on travel to Croatia with sections devoted to where to stay, activites, and holiday planning. After wading through all the pages, I can say that their listings were certainly comprehensive; every single tour operator in the UK with a Croatia program this year appears to have been mentioned.
February 6th 2008
Parish authorities in Zagreb had a flash of divine inspiration. Cleverly using the local coffee habit, they managed to exponentially increase the number of daily prayers said in Zagreb. At their newly opened “Jedro” cafe in the Jarun district of Zagreb, the “price” of your caffeine boost isn’t in Croatian kuna but in prayers. For example, a cappuccino costs four Our Fathers and a cola drink costs five Hail Marys. They don’t serve alcohol but imagine what they could charge for a beer!The formula has proved immensely popular. The little coffee shop started with five tables but now people at 20 tables are muttering prayers to their coffee. And they really, really mean it. If only this concept could spread to hotels.
February 5th 2008
It’s that time of year when you start dreaming about drifting from island to island, being governed by nothing but the prevailing winds and your own whims. Well, the Croatian Islands are there to satisfy your every nautical fantasy. No matter your level of experience and/or energy level, there’s a way for you to sail the Croatian coast.
February 5th 2008
If it’s Fat Tuesday it must be the end of the spectacular Rijeka Carnival. Beginning on January 17, most Carnival festivities officially ended on February 3 with the final lowering of the Carnival flag. But it was a wild few weeks. Each year the Rijeka Carnival induces some 10,000 people to don costumes and parade the streets alongside 100 Carnival floats. There’s a Children’s Parade, and International Parade, masked balls and a prestigious Carnival party not to mention the famous Rijeka Bell Ringers. Naturally, the ever-lively Rijeka nightlife reaches fever pitch until the whole extravaganza ends with the Burning of the Pust. And now it’s all over until next year.
February 1st 2008
What could be nicer than starting in Venice and then meandering down the Croatian coast? The medieval Venetians liked it so much they decided to stay a few hundred years. If you have somewhat less time to visit Croatia, you’ll appreciate the fast passenger ferries that whisk you from Venice to a number of Istrian towns and as far south as Mali Losinj. (See schedules and online booking)
