Destination Update:
Ryanair introduces Manchester to Zadar route
Flying to the coast of Croatia has become easier with the launch of Ryanair’s Manchester to Zadar route. Beginning from 4 April 2014, tourists will be able to spend their Easter holidays enjoying favourable temperatures whilst taking in the vast cultural offerings in the city, including the Sea Organ and the wonderful sun salutation. Zadar is an ideal landing spot to explore Croatia’s beautiful coastline as well as the Plakenica and Krka National Parks. For more information, please see here.
Zagreb named second best European destination
Zagreb has been named as the second best European destination for 2014, coming in closely behind Porto in Portugal. The top ten was put together by European Best Destinations, a non-profit organisation based in Brussels who promote culture and tourism in Europe. Zagreb is the economic, political and cultural centre of Croatia and as well as a plethora of museums to stimulate the mind, nearby nature park Mount Medvednica is a great place to hike or even ski. For more information, please see here.
Croatian app wins prestigious tourism award
DSP Studio & Momentum Studio has been awarded the Ulysses Award for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism for its latest app. Handed out by the United Nation World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) in Madrid, the team from Šibenik claimed the award for their innovative 3D AR Visual Portal project. The project is a virtual 3D-guide taking visitors on a tour of Šibenik’s famous Sveti Jakov cathedral. Installing the app sees famous 15th century sculptor Juraj Dalmatinac tell the story of the history of the town’s cathedral. For more information, please see here or here.
Split chosen to host Travel Network Group’s 2014 conference
The Travel Network Group will hold their annual conference at the Hotel Le Meridien Lav in Split. The event will take place between 3 – 5 October and guests will have full use of the beachside hotel. Travel Network Group Managing Director Gary Lewis stated that city was chosen because it was a place many members had not travelled to and is only a two and a half hour flight from the UK. The conference will cover a wide range of themes and include speakers from inside and outside the travel industry. For more information, please see here.
Events and Festivals:
11 January – 05 March 2014 – Crikvenica Carnival
The Crikvenica Riviera Carnival is in full swing and the towns of Crikvenica, Dramalj, Jadranovo and Selce host events every weekend to banish away the spirits of winter and summon spring back to life. Eccentric masked parties often take place on Saturdays, while tea parties with tombola are common on Sundays. Other traditions involve the reading of the ‘Ŝentenca’ on Ash Wednesday, which takes a humorous swipe at societies ails and the making of a straw puppet known as the Pust. For more information, please see here and here.
23 February – 2 March 2014 – ZagrebDox, Zagreb
Held in Zagreb, The international documentary film festival, ZagrebDox, celebrates its tenth consecutive year in 2014. The festival programme includes more than 150 documentary stories from across the world and the Biography Dox category includes features on Ai Weiwei, Ingmar Bergman and the Oscar nominated documentary Cutie and the Boxer. The event will take place at the Cineplexx Kaptol Centre. For more information, please see here.
23 February 2014 – Balinjerada, Opatija
As part of the Opatija Carnival (3 February – 2 March), perhaps the most distinctive event remains the exciting Balinjerada, where elaborate homemade vehicles hurtle down Opatija’s main Maršala Tita street, running on ball-bearings instead of conventional wheels. The race gets its name from the local meaning of ball-bearings, balinjere, and you can expect wacky vehicles aplenty with the locals bringing a humorous flavour to proceedings. Once the excitement is over, take a relaxing walk along the Lungomare, the picturesque coastal promenade. For more information, please see here.
6 – 9 March 2014 – Festival of Rock Documentaries (DORF), Vinkovci
For a few days in early spring, the city of Vinkovci becomes the heart of Croatia’s rock scene. The annual rock documentaries film festival is now in its seventh year and features a range of international films, as well as regional films delving into the rock’n’roll scenes in Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia. After the screenings, the evenings are filled with a programme of live gigs. Located in Slavonia, visitors to the region could also take in the cultural sights of nearby Osijek or explore Kopacki Rit Nature Park. For more information, please see here.
7 – 17 March 2014 – Zagreb Restaurant Week
The semi-annual Restaurant Week returns to Zagreb with the aim of bringing top-class cuisine to new diners. The event allows customers to dine at some of the finest restaurants in the capital for a fraction of the usual cost, as well as providing special brunch appetizer sessions and cocktail offers. While in Zagreb, a trip to the peaceful Maksimir Park is a must, especially if you’ve been indulging in restaurant week. For more information, please see here.
13 – 16 March 2014 – Istrian Spring Cycle Race
The eleventh Istrian Spring international cycle race takes place between 13 – 16 March 2014 with top cyclists from around the world competing for precious world cup points in several challenging stages. Beginning in Umag, the cyclists will travel through Poreč, Tar, Labin, Vrsar and Motovun, before finishing in Pazin. Spectators will be treated to the wonderful Istrian countryside as a backdrop to the races. For more information, please see here.
-Ends-
For further press information, please contact:
Helen Batte / Jasmin Othman / Tim Thackray
Rooster PR
T: +44 (0)20 3440 8927
E: [email protected]
About Croatia
Croatia; the Mediterranean as it once was, offers 1,244 islands strung along its stunning Adriatic coast, boasts seven UNESCO Heritage Sites and eight national parks as well as an excellent tourism infrastructure. From the café culture of its historic cities to the rugged landscapes of continental Croatia, with a packed calendar of festivals and events and a host of home-grown gastronomic delights, Croatia is the ideal holiday destination.
For more information visit www.croatia.hr or call on (0)20 3440 8930
