Croatia Travel Blog

Archive for the ‘Adventure’ Category

Cavtat

To say that Croatia is a scuba diver‘s paradise is no exaggeration. It’s not just the fish and coral but the many shipwrecks that make Croatia’s portion of the Adriatic an excursion into ancient history. Located on a sea corridor that brought wealth to a series of Mediterranean civilizations from the ancient Greeks to the 17th-century Venetians, the floor of Croatia’s Adriatic is littered with the wrecks of merchant vessels. As these vessels were often carrying valuables, they have become targets of the more unscrupulous diving ventures.

One of the most valuable wrecks is a second century Greek trading vessel resting off the coast of Cavtat. Its cargo of ancient olive oil and wine is still intact and is valued at around €6 million. Fearful of looters, the Croatian government has now protected the cargo with a heavy metal cage. Recently a diver was allowed into the cage to photograph the amphorae (you can read his account here) but then it was locked up again.

Even if you can’t secure the permissions necessary to visit this particular wreck (and you probably can’t) there are still dozens of wrecks for experienced divers to explore on the Croatian coast. And if diving isn’t your thing? Rest assured that the ‘Greek Amphorae” that decorate a number of coastal restaurants and guesthouses probably are the genuine article.

Read more about Cavtat and scuba diving in Croatia.

For a holiday that combines drifting in through Croatian islands and getting in shape, nothing beats a cycling cruise. The good thing about Croatia’s islands is that there are flat parts and more mountainous parts so there are cycling routes for all levels of physical fitness.

I just came across a wonderful article that recounts a seven-day cycling cruise that began and ended in Split. Along the way, the small group visited Brac Island, Hvar, Korcula and the Peljesac peninsula. Cycling along country trails, through pine forests, vineyards and lavender fields was easy enough but the fitter members also managed a spectacular cycle up a steep peak on Brac Island. Naturally, there was plenty of good food and local wine at the end of the day and I’m sure, unforgettable memories at the end of it all.

See more on gulet cruise holidays with cycling and cycling in Croatia.

Zadar is near some world-class scuba diving destinations. There’s Premuda (west of Pag Island), Mezanj Island near Dugi Otok, not to mention the fabulous diving around the Kornati Islands. (see more Croatian diving destinations).

So when star free-diver, Kristijan Curavic, was looking for a great place to set up Croatia’s largest scuba-diving center, it made sense for him to choose Zadar.

The Curavic Diving Academy just opened its doors in Zadar, vowing to sensitize clients to the ecological and environmental aspects of diving in addition to offering the usual menu of dive lessons and diving excursions

See more about Scuba Diving in Croatia.

This week The Independent ran an interesting article with an unusual angle on sailing in Croatia.  Titled
“Woman overboard: A Croatian sailing holiday provides a horticultural treat”, the article describes not a sea tragedy but the author’s sailing adventure through Croatia’s northern islands including the Kornati Islands, Croatia’s premier sailing destination. These unique islands, part of the Kornati Islands National Park, feel “as if you are looking at the earth’s skeleton, not yet fully fleshed out” notes author Anna Pavord. She goes on to describe the greenery (such as it is) there and on other Croatian islands in a particularly evocative way. It’s not often that you see a sailing Croatia article in the Home and Garden section. See the article here.

Scuba diving in Croatia is a big industry that attracts around 70,000 tourists a year. Croatia’s clear waters are filled with fish and a number of shipwrecks over the centuries give wreck divers something to explore.

Unfortunately, where there is money there are people looking to cut corners. Diving without authorization, diving in prohibited waters (such as National Parks) and dive “courses” run by unqualified “divemasters” have become a serious problem. Zoran Drnasin, the head of this new department for the sea and protection of diving, recently remarked:

“Such people not only take our jobs but act as though they were in some kind of Banana Republic and can do whatever they want to without penalty. Current diving regulations are too old, do not provide for crimes and need to be changed as soon as possible.”

The new law, among other things, will make diving legal only for those aged 14 or older and allow women for the first time to work as professional divers (Duh).

Fines for violations of the law will range from 5,000 kunas or 690 Euros up to 300,000 kunas or 41,000 Euros. The Ministry hopes that the risk of being fined will help restore order to diving, especially diving by tourists.

See more about scuba diving in Croatia .