Croatia Travel Blog

Archive for the ‘Celebrities in Croatia’ Category

Rab Town, Rab Island

Will there be a royal honeymoon on Rab Island? I’m referring to the upcoming nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton of course which has sparked rumors that the couple may spend all or part of their honeymoon on Rab Island.

It all started when the Daily Mail newspaper speculated that the Prince and his bride could follow the example of his great-uncle Edward VIII who frolicked on Rab Island with Wallis Simpson before his abdication. The mere mention of “royal honeymoon” and “Rab Island” in the same sentence was enough to send PR people, tour operators and local tourism officials into overdrive. Tourism minister Damir Bajs, Rab mayor  Zdenko Antešić and a host of lesser luminaries giddily extended welcome after welcome to the couple despite a total lack of confirmation from the royal entourage.

Although Rab Island‘s beaches, coves, forested hills and vineyards are alluring enough for a brigade of European royalty, it seems highly unlikely that William and Kate would be inclined to follow in the footsteps of  the Nazi-sympathizing, dissolute Duke of Windsor. Unmentioned in the hoopla is that the Duke and Wallis allegedly went skinny-dipping off the coast of Rab which jump-started naturist tourism in Croatia and especially on Rab Island.  Memories of naked, splashing royals would be a public relations nightmare so, no, I don’t think it’s going to happen. But who knows?

Read more about Rab Island.

©Chrisa Hickey

Paparazzi alert! Brangelina is heading to Dubrovnik. The celebrity couple made a surprise visit to Bosnia, still scarred by the 1990s Balkan War.  They then moved down to Tivat on the Montenegrin coast where they are expected to board a 60m-long yacht and then cruise to Dubrovnik. And why not? Croatia’s ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ is an obligatory stop on the celebrity summer circuit. I think Brad and Angelina were smart to come before the high season crush. Then again, they will probably bring a crush of their own.

It’s been a long time in the making, but finally “The Beautiful and the Damned” is ready to begin filming. Keira Knightly will play wildwoman Zelda Fitzgerald in this pic based on F Scott Fitzgerald’s life. Rumours are that Leonardo di Caprio will play F Scott.

Croatians are excited that portions of the film will be shot in Zagreb and Opatija. Were the Fitzgeralds ever in Croatia? Dear readers, I don’t think so. So I wonder which European cities Zagreb and Opatija will represent? My bet is Paris and Nice. The Fitzgeralds did spend a fair amount of time boozing it up in Paris and also spent some time on the Cote d’Azur. Opatija is often called “Croatia’s Nice” for the dramatic coastal scenery. Architecturally, the towns aren’t dissimilar as Opatija’s architecture dates from the late 19th-century Austrians who took the waters there while Nice was a seaside favorite of 19th-century Brits who left a strong architectural imprint. Getting Zagreb to pass as Paris could be tougher. With clever camera angles and lighting, I suppose that certain streets in Zagreb’s medieval Upper Town could suggest Paris’ Left Bank.

Shooting is scheduled to begin this spring and should shed a well-deserved spotlight on two of Croatia’s most underrated destinations: Zagreb and Opatija.

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.

Zagreb is all ready to welcome Sting who will wind up his 2009 tour on February 11 in the Croatian capital. Does that seem strange? It shouldn’t. Sting will be touring with Croatian lute player Edin Karamazov who is, brace yourselves, Sting’s lute teacher. Together the duo have been exploring the works of 16th-century English lute composer, John Dowland. Sting has promised to display his lute-playing skills during the course of the tour and in Zagreb.

The concert will be held at Zagreb’s Vatroslav Lisinki hall. Tickets will soon be available for online purchase.