travel and tourism in croatia

Novalja

admin — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 22:08:05 +0000

In a delicate bay on the north west coast of the island of Pag is situated Novalja, the most known tourist city on the island. Novalja is the tourist centre and the main port on the island of Pag.
Numerous archeological finds speak about the turbulent past and among them excells the unique antique aqueduct from the 1st century which is the only one of the kind on the Croatian side of the Adriatic Sea. Thanks to tourism, which changed the way of living and opened new possibilities, in the last 40 years Novalja has been developing intensely. Updated municipal services follow the growth of Novalja and contribute to the increasing quality of life in it. Novalja takes advantage of its geographical location and other abundant resources as the basis for development of quality tourist offer.
As a leading tourist city on the island, Novalja can be proud with many beautiful and wide sandy beaches (of which the most popular are Zrce, Caska, Strasko, Babe, Trincel, Branicevica and Vrtic. Zrce is surely the most known and because of its 24 hours party it has received the name of the Croatian Ibiza) and pleasant Mediterranean climate, rich cultural and historical heritage, various recreational and sports offer, local cuisine specialties and it is also well connected to the mainland all over the year.

Zagreb

admin — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 22:03:02 +0000

Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of Croatia. Zagreb is the cultural, scientific, economic and governmental center of the Republic of Croatia in the Prigorje region. It is situated between the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain and both northern and southern bank of the Sava river. Its favorable geographic position in the southwestern part of the Pannonian Basin, which extends to the Alpine, Dinaric, Adriatic and Pannonic regions, provides an excellent connection for traffic between Central Europe and the Adriatic Sea.
Gradec and Kaptol make up the historical nucleus of the city, along with Donji grad, residential areas on the hills of Medvednica, and Novi Zagreb with neighborhoods which have been developing since the mid 1950s, south of the Sava River. Zagreb is the center of state functions, however it still manages to charm visitors and is admired by tourists, regardless of the season.
The climate of Zagreb is continental, with four separate seasons. Summers are hot and dry, and winters are cold.
Zagreb is an important tourist center, not only in terms of passengers travelling from Western and Central Europe to the Adriatic Sea, but also as a travel destination itself. Since the end of the war, it has attracted around half a million visitors annually, mainly from Austria, Germany and Italy.

Brac

admin — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 22:02:22 +0000

Brač is the largest island of the central Dalmatian group of islands, the third largest among the Adriatic islands. It is separated from the mainland by the Brac Channel, from the island of Solta by the so-called Splitska Vrata (Split Gate) and from the island of Hvar by the Hvar Channel. The highest peak of the island, Vidova Gora (Vitus’ Mount) (778 m), is also the highest peak of all Croatian islands. The limestone part of the coast is rocky and steep, while the rest is rather low and sandy (on the southern side from Farska to Bol, and on the northern side from Sutivan to Supetar). The island landscape is dominated by a karst limestone relief, with numerous gullies, crevices, cavities, round valleys and coves. Milder forms of the relief, with brown Primorje soils (the most fertile on the island), are found mostly in the interior (especially between Lozisca and Nerezisca, as well as between Selca, Novo Selo and Sumartin).
The climate on the island is mostly moderated by winds. The landward breeze occurs quite often in the summer months, especially along the north-western coast. There are no surface water streams on the island. Permanent water sources are provided only around Bol. The largest places are Pucisca and Supetar.
Island Brac with it`s Vidova mountain is the highest island in Adriatic area. On this mountain was during World War II killed son of Winston Churchill while helping local soldiers.

Cavtat

admin — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 22:01:57 +0000

Cavtat is the most southern town in Croatia. It is on the Adriatic seacoast 15km south of Dubrovnik and is the center of the Konavle municipality. The most practical way to reach the town is by air. Cilipi (Dubrovnik) airport is just three miles away and well connected.
The Cavtat area is most attractive because of the Mediterranean vegetation which covers the whole area; another advantage is unpolluted sea and a very attractive mixture of old and new architecture. Originally it was a Greek settlement called Epidauros. Around 228 BC it was under the Romans and later became a Roman colony. The name Cavtat originates from Civets vet us, as the fugitives in the newly established Dubrovnik used to call their first habitation.
In Cavtat there are unique bays, beaches, submarine areas and rich vegetation. Among the attractions of Cavtat is the Rector’s Palace, the Baroque church of St. Nikola, the Franciscan monastery, Bogišić’s scientific collection, the Vlaho Bukovac Art Gallery, the Račić Mausoleum, designed by the famous Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović, archaeological sites of the pre-Slav period, city walls, the Šipun cave etc. Cavtat also offers a 7 km promenade by pine forests paths only a few meters from the sea. Cavtat is one of the rare places on the Croatian coast that can offer such harmony.

Krapanj

admin — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 22:01:32 +0000

Krapanj is an islet in the Sibenik archipelago and is divided from the coast by a 300 meter wide channel that can be crossed by daily boat lines from Brodarica. This smallest and lowest settled island on the Adriatic is covered with forest, underbrush and grass, while its inhabitants have been upholding the sponge diving tradition for centuries. It is know for its tradition of harvesting and processing sponges. It is 300 m away from the village of Brodarica, its closest mainland.
With its flat surface, the island of Krapanj is the lowest as well as the smallest island on the Adriatic Sea. The island surface does not exceed the height of 1.25 meters above see level.

The tradition of sponge harvesting and processing has been nurtured on the island of Krapanj for centuries. Sponges from this area are extremely well received throughout the world for their high quality and aesthetic beauty. The cosmetic market has in recent years opened the market for Krapanj sponges on an international scale.

Rijeka

admin — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 22:01:04 +0000

Rijeka is the principal seaport of Croatia, located on Kvarner Bay, an inlet of the Adriatic Sea. It is Croatia’s third largest city. Rijeka is the center of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County. The city’s economy largely depends on sea transport, shipbuilding and tourism.
Sanctuary of Madonna Trsatian (Star of the sea, Queen of Adriatic, protector of the travelers.) was built 135 meters above the sea on the hill Trsat 7 centuries ago and it represents keeper of the travelers and especially seamen who bring offerings to madonna so she will guard them or to help them in troubles or illness. Among other gifts especially rises the gothic sculpture of Madonna of Slunj and paintings from baroque painter C. Tasce.

Pag

admin — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 22:00:40 +0000

The island of Pag is one of the biggest Adriatic islands: it is the fifth largest island. Its 270 kilometres of the indented coastline make it the island with the longest coastline on the Adriatic, rich with coves, bays, beaches and capes.
The biggest bay, the bay of Pag, is rounded by 20 km of the gravel beaches. Pag is unique due to its vegetation where trees are the most rare form. Therefore, Pag is the largest kingdom of rocky ground on the Adriatic, where thin grass, low aromatic herb cover, sage and immortelle grow. They make the foundation of the nourishment of the island’s sheep on the rocky ground, intersected by long dry stonewalls, giving a special flavour to the well known cheese of Pag. The gastronomy of the island offers already mentioned first class sheep cheese and lamb, as well as various seafood specialities.
The island of Pag is connected to the mainland by ferry and bridge (Paški most).
Pag is the town of the sea salt. The importance of the salt was the main reason that Pag was constructed in the 15th century, according to a plan and as a fortified town. The original salt manufacture by draining of the sea, which is brought in the small clay pools (saline), is still present on the island. These salt pools are not only an authentic relict of the past but also an interesting photographic motif.
Climate on the island is Meditarranean, the biggest part of the island is rocky ground, while smaller part is covered by macchia.

Savudrija

admin — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 21:55:54 +0000

Savudrija is a place 6,5 km from Umag. Savudrija has been inhabited since ancient times and is known for its stone slabs that descend into the sea and its pine forest. Naturists visit Savudrija because of its nudist beach located south of the place itself. Apart from its fishing tradition, Savudrija is famous for its cozy restaurants and beautiful beaches. If you enter Croatia from the Republic of Slovenija, Savudrija will await you, the western-most and first tourist site on the Istrian coast.
Settlements with stone bungalows, villas, apartments and the camp complete the picture of this exceptionally attractive sumer resort area. Tourism activities of the Bujstina region have their roots in this area.
The properties are surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation which is offering special atmosphere for a pleasant stay during the whole year.
Over the last years the lighthouse in Savudrija, built in 1818, the oldest one on the Adriatic coast, has become a famous sightseeing point and a place of accommodation of guests, as well.

Umag

admin — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 21:55:13 +0000

Umag, a town and a port in the north-west coast of Istria, is a kind of exit and entrance of Croatia to Europe. This famous business and tourist center is at only 40 km from Trieste, 150 from Ljubljana, and 50 NM from Venice.
Development of Umag is best evidenced by the world famous ATP tour, a tennis tournament taking place right here every year. In terms of tourism, the hinterland of Umag is very attractive although it is a still undiscovered location between two Istrian rivers, namely the Dragonja and the Mirna surrounded by the rivieras of Savudria and Umag, and that of Novigrad. Sunbathed beaches and luxurious hotels are only part of the offer. Alternative programs offer a variety of activities to make your stay rich in attractions.
Umag is made even more attractive by the old town citadel surrounded by the remains of towered walls from the fourteenth century, by the baroque church of St. Mary from the eighteenth century, by the narrow streets and stores which rays of sun penetrate in the late afternoon hours, creating unusual frescoes from light and shadow on the old facades.

Thanks to its natural location and the great enthusiasm of the tourist and sports employees, this town offers a colorful palette of sports activities on both sea and land.
Excursions can be organized to the Lim fyord, a unique geomorphic phenomena (famous for its exceptional oysters) as well as to the interior of Istria, to the small, picturesque towns of Momjan, Motovun, Buzet, Grožnjan and others which seem to have been frozen in the last century.

Dramalj

admin — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 21:49:17 +0000

Dramalj is a well-known renowned tourist resort next to Crikvenica, located on the northern Adriatic coast, 35 km south of Rijeka, extending from Crni mol (a quarter in the city of Crikvenica) to the tourist complex Kačjak. There are approximately 1400 inhabitants, most of which are engaged in tourism and catering industry. Dramalj has been a prominently tourist resort with numerous private villas, newly built houses and suites, vacation resorts and fairly quality range of hotel offer. Tourist complex Kačjak, named after the peninsula where it is located, offers bungalows and pavilions with total capacity of 500 guests as well as sport and recreational center equipped with all sport playgrounds, disco club, and a restaurant with a beautiful view to island Krk.
The mild Medditerranean climate, rink vegetation and the crystal-clear seawater are more than attractive. The beach in Dramalj is ideal for small children due to its shallow waters. Another sandy beach can be found in the Manestra bay between Dramalj and Kacjak.
As a tourist resort Dramalj started to develop at the end of the 19th century, simultaneously with the development of tourism in neighbouring Crikvenica.
During the season, cultural events and entertainment as well as one-day excursions to the immediate neighbourhood are regulary organised.