Destination Update:
Doggycheckin.com makes holidaying in Croatia with your canine easier
A new website aimed at tourists who wish to holiday in Croatia with their pet pooch has been launched. Doggycheckin.com is the first website of its kind and provides information on everything from the best dog-friendly beaches and nature parks, to restaurants and bars in Croatia. The site also offers direct bookings to dog-friendly hotels through its partnership with Booking.com and even has information on local kennel clubs and dog shows. For more information, please see here.
Hobo Bear named the best hostel in Croatia
The Hobo Bear Hostel in Zagreb has once again been named the best hostel in Croatia, awarded at the 2014 Hostel Awards. Based on over one million customer reviews, the Hoscars are hosted by Hostelworld.com and recognises the top hostels as voted for by those who have experienced them. The Hobo Bear Hotel is in an ideal location, just a few steps away from Zagreb’s main street Ilica. For more information, please see here.
Dubrovnik declared the best cruise destination in the Mediterranean
Dubrovnik took the honours as the best harbour destination in the Mediterranean at the Cruise News award ceremony. The award is given on the basis of cruise ship passenger voting as well as cruise travel agencies in Spain. As the cruise ship industry continues to grow, the award is recognition of the quality of service and views that Dubrovnik has to offer. For more information, please see here.
Successful start of 2014 for tourism in Opatija
Opatija has posted a successful start to 2014 with 21,000 tourists visiting the picturesque coastal resort in the first two months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 13 per cent. Opatija, just 15km west of Rijeka is often referred to as the Queen of the Adriatic, and is celebrating its 170th tourism anniversary this year. Visitors should take a walk along the beautiful Lungomare promenade, stopping at Vila Angiolina, one of the town’s grandest structures. For more information, please see here.
Croatian cities in Trivago’s 2014 Worldwide Hotel Reputation List
Two Croatian cities have been included in Trivago’s top ten 2014 Worldwide Hotel Reputation rankings. With Dubrovnik placed fourth and Split at tenth, the rankings clearly indicate the rising quality of Croatian hotels. Trivago’s rankings are based on over 82 million reviews complied by Trivago from over 200 online booking websites. For more information, please see here.
Croatian innovation takes centre stage at Consumer Electronics Show
Among the glitzy electronics on offer in Las Vegas, a Croatian teddy bear invention stole the show. Teddy the Guardian initially seems to be simply a cuddly bear suitable for children, however, the inbuilt technology makes it a revolutionary tool for the medical profession as well. The bear has built in medical sensors which are able to measure a child’s heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure, simply by interacting with it. The innovation by Jospia Majić and Ana Burica has generated significant buzz within the industry, and has opened up the possibility of new ways of interacting with children in medical scenarios. For more information, please see here.
Events & Festivals:
25 March – 15 May 2014: Days of Asparagus, Istria
From late March onwards, asparagus takes centre stage in Istria. The plant, significant to the culture of the people of Istria, is picked from mid-March to late April – making it an ideal time for a celebration of the little green vegetable. A number of participating restaurants in the region will showcase delicious and fragrant dishes featuring asparagus, such as the fritaja (omelette) and homemade pastas. For more information, please see here.
1 April: Centre of the World Day, Ludbreg
Every spring, the town of Ludbreg celebrates being the nearest town to the centre of the world on 1 April. The custom was established on the Town Day which signified the birthday of Ludbreg. Each visitor to the event receives a piece of celebration cake and a glass of homemade wine poured from the town fountain. Ludbreg is a small town in north-west Croatia, located in the region of Podravina. For more information, please see here.
3 – 5 April 2014: 2nd Croatian Food and Wine Festival, Zagreb
For three days in early April, the Zagreb Arena will be the place to be if you want to delve into Croatia’s gastronomic offerings. Featuring tasty regional specialities and delicious homemade wines, visitors can look forward to tasting a range of delicacies including cheeses, jams, dry-cured meats, liqueurs and brandies. Those with a sweet tooth will also be able to attend workshops where they can learn to make traditional deserts including the makarana cake of the Makarska region, rožata (crème brûlée) and the creamy štrukli pastry from the Zagorje region. For more information, please see here.
9 – 13 April 2014: Pearl of the Sea International Culinary Festival, Supetar, Brač island
Professional chefs, amateur cooks, restaurants and hotels from more than 20 European countries will head to Supetar on the island of Brač in April to celebrate the beginning of the tourist season. Showing off a range of gastronomic treats through workshops, exhibitions and presentations, the lucky visitors will also be able to taste the best Croatian wines, steak tartare, truffle specialities and traditional Velika teča dishes served in a large pan at the event located along the Supetar harbour. While on Brač, you should take a trip to the most photographed Croatian beach, Zlatini Rat, and enjoy the clear blue waters of the Adriatic Sea or try your hand at the popular water sport of windsurfing. For more information on the festival, please see here or see here to find out more about the island of Brač.
12 – 13 April 2014: Rovinj to host Red Bull Air Race
The historic Adriatic coast of Rovinj will play host to the Red Bull Air Race from 12-13 April 2014. The popular race series’ second stop is the picturesque port town and promises to be an ideal addition to the race calendar. The Red Bull Air Race World Championship features the world’s best race pilots in a motorsport competition which is unrivalled in the aviation race world. Tickets begin from just 13 Euros, and promises to be an unforgettable viewing experience. For more information, please see here.
24 – 26 April 2014: Dubrovnik Festiwine – the first ever regional wine festival
Held in the former convent of St Clare in the city’s beautiful walled old town, the Dubrovnik Festiwine gathers more than 100 regional winemakers who will present their wines to numerous wine professionals and visitors. The first ever regional wine festival will offer wine-tasting sessions, lectures and conferences on wine tourism. The aim of this festival is to showcase Dubrovnik-Neretva County’s rich history of winemaking with over seven wine growing regions and highlight that the city is a fantastic wine-friendly destination. For more information, please see here.
-Ends-
For further press information, please contact:
Helen Batte / Jasmin Othman / Tim Thackray
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
