Croatia Travel Blog

Archive for March, 2009

It’s been a long and expensive process but Dubrovnik’s Natural History Museum has just opened. Founded in 1872, the museum has  had difficulty finding a permanent home. It was moved during the 1990s war and was housed temporarily in Zagreb and on Lokrum Island. Under construction since 2003, the new museum has cost the city 7million kuna (€938,000).

The museum is known for its rare ornithological collection and, as Dubrovnik Mayor Dubravka Suica pointe out in her inauguration of the museum, will be both a tourist attraction and a testament to the richness of the region’s natural heritage.

Dubrovnik citizens are all for it, except. . .why is the museum only open workdays 10am to 2pm? When do the hardworking locals get to see it?

See more on Dubrovnik sightseeing.

It may not be quite as prestigious as the Cannes Film Festival, but the Pula Film Festival is certainly the premier event for the Croatian film industry whose members turn out in droves each summer. Plus, many films are shown in Pula’s Roman amphitheatre which is a spectacular setting for watching a movie on a summer night.

This year the 56th annual Pula Film Festival will be held from July 18 to July 25 and will feature works by the best Croatian film directors and also highlights from the best on the international cinema scene. Among the Croatian films look for The Land of Wonders (U zemlji cudesa) by Dejan Sorak, Let’s keep it between us (Neka ostane medu nama) by Rajko Grlic, Metastases (Metastaze) by Branko Schmidt, but also films by younger directors: Donkey (Kenjac) by Antonio Nuic, The Postman (Postar) by Niksa Svilicic, The Blacks (Crnci) by Zvonimir Juric and Goran Devic, and The Man Under the Table (Covjek ispod stola) by Neven Hitrec.  The program for the international division hasn’t yet been announced but is sure to enticing.

In addition to the festival screenings, there’s also the Children’s Film Programme, Pula Film Factory, Cinemania(c) Exhibition, Videoport and  Best Short Amateur Film Competition,

Read more about festivals and events in Pula

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The Pakleni Islands near Hvar island are a major attraction in Split-Dalmatia county, drawing tourists on day trips from Hvar Town and a sprinkling who spend a holiday there  in a rented room or apartment.

The latter group will have fewer (if any) options when the government implements plans to destroy all housing on these unspoiled islands.  Although the islands have become a refuge for nature lovers and celebrities escaping paparrazzi, they have never been zoned for housing and the government is now cracking down.

Maybe. In fact, no date for demolition has been set and it’s unclear exactly which houses will be eliminated. Most are on the island of St Klement which also contains the prestigious Meneghelo resort. Although it’s been there for a century, it’s fate is uncertain.

Although bad for those planning to stay on the islands, it won’t affect the ability of day-trippers to enjoy the wild natural beauty. There are regular boats from Hvar Town making trips to the Pakleni Islands all summer.

Read more about the Pakleni Islands.

They may cost a little more than Ryanair and other cheap airlines, but at least Croatia Airlines doesn’t nickle and dime you with a million unforseeable fees.

Croatia’s national airline has announced the opening of new routes, beginning soon, from European cities to Croatia. Soon there will be direct flights from Amsterdam and Paris to Pula; from Brussels and Lyon to Split. Croatia Airlines has online booking.

See more on flights to Croatia