Croatia Travel Blog

Archive for December, 2009

It’s official now. CNN has proclaimed Croatia the new destination for celebs in 2010. Now that Dubai has come down with a nasty and most un-cool case of bankruptcy, the A-List needs another haunt to hide from the likes of you. With a galaxy of spots for yachts and 1185 islands, Gwyneth, Sharon, Clint & Andre (all previous Croatia visitors) will have no trouble escaping your prying eyes.

Even the lesser lights are finding themselves in Croatia although they, poor things, have to work. Currently filming in Trogir is an episode of the BBC series, Doctor Who with actor Matt Smith in the title role. It’s all very hush-hush but apparently will involve vampires or Van Gogh or something. And, a local source has whispered that Nicolas Cage will be filming Rob Cohen’s “Medieval”  in Trogir, Split and Dubrovnik in the spring of 2010.

It’s been a long process but finally the magnificent Ston walls are fully renovated and open to the public. The walls of Ston, on the Peljesac peninsula, comprise the longest fortress system in Europe and second only to the Great Wall of China internationally. The walls stretch for 5km and include 40 towers and five fortresses.

Renovation actually began 50 years ago but intensified in 2003. Why so long? Authenticity, that’s why. Each new stone was hand-carved just as the originals were back in 1334 when construction began.

Not only is it hoped that these amazing new walls will bring in tourists, but they just might make in onto the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Ston Walls would be ninth on the list of Croatia’s World Heritage Sites.

Meanwhile, visit Ston and Mali Ston to see for yourself.

The beautiful islands of Losinj and Cres will be much easier to visit, especially for Austrians. Starting in May 2010 and continuing through September Innsbruck and Mali Losinj will be connected by weekly charter flights. A recent promotional flight brought 40 passengers to the tiny Losinj airport for the first time in 20 years. Long used as a launchpad for sightseeing flights and air taxis, the Losinj airport will require significant investment in order to lengthen the runway. As soon as that’s done, Mali Losinj should have a jump in demand for its newly renovated four star hotels.

See more about Losinj and Cres islands or flights to Croatia.