Destination Update:
New Archaeological tour operator launches in Croatia
Timetrekkers, a new tour operator offering archaeological trips to Croatia and the Adriatic has been launched. Established in 2013 by Dr Patrick Skinner, Timetrekkers works with a team of experts and have recently unveiled their first 12-night tour for 2014: “In Search of Archaeological Treasures”. The trip will start in Zagreb and end in Dubrovnik from the 7 – 18 September. The tour will take in three UNESCO World Heritage sites, Croatia’s breathtakingly beautiful scenery and the Roman provincial city of Salona Stari Grad Plain – the oldest preserved ancient Greek landscape in the world, along the way. For further information, please see here.
New tourist attraction in Northern Adriatic aims to extend season
The Institute of Physical Planning hope that scuttling will become a key new tourist attraction in the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County. Scuttling is the deliberate sinking of ships and the Institute of Physical Planning believe it could be the perfect attraction to extend the tourist season to hotspots such as Rijeka, Crikvenica and Opatija, as well as the islands of Krk, Cres, Losinj and Rab. Once sunk, these ships become marine shelters and become inhabited by weird and wonderful sea organisms, making them fascinating sites for divers. For more information, please see here.
Croatia – home to the World’s Best Sheep Milk Cheese Producer
Sirana Gligora, based in Kolan, won the Best Sheep Milk Cheese category at the 30th World Cheese Championships in March. Hosted in America’s cheese capital Wisconsin, 2,619 cheeses from 22 countries across the world were sniffed, cut, bored and tasted by international cheese experts. The cheese, named “Paški sir iz maslinove komine” stood out among famous American, Spanish and Italian sheep milk cheese and won the top prize, demonstrating the outstanding quality of cheese available in Croatia. This achievement is a first for the country, as it is the first time a Croatian cheese has struck gold at the championships. For further information, see here.
Croatia’s capital among Europe’s Cheapest Cities for Travellers
Zagreb was listed as the tenth cheapest European city for travellers on a budget, according to the European Backpacker Index for 2014. A day’s budget in Croatia’s capital averaged at just $38.95 (£23.42). The findings are based on the price of a good-rated hostel bed, two public transportation rides, three budget meals, the average cost of cultural attractions and three inexpensive beers or wines. Whilst in Zagreb, visitors could take a trip up the Zagreb Eye or blend in with the locals with a leisurely coffee along Tkalčićeva Street. For more information, see here or here.
Events & Festivals:
12 April – 28 September 2014: Zagreb Time Machine
Now in its ninth year and lasting for six months, Zagreb’s streets, squares and Maksimir Park will feature the popular Zagreb Time Machine. Locals and visitors alike can expect a nostalgic journey through Zagreb’s historical, spiritual, political and cultural past, including the changing of the ceremonial guard in front of St Mark’s Church. Appropriately named the “Zagreb Time Machine”, visitors will be taken back in time as they explore the old town of Zagreb and stumble upon street performers, singers of old parlour ballads or buy vegetables from women dressed in traditional folk-wear typical of Zagreb’s past at the Dolac market. For more information, please see here.
13 – 18 April 2014: In the Fairy Tale World of Ivana Brlić Mažuranić
Citizens of Slavonski Brod come together to celebrate the works of famous Croatian author Ivana Brlić Mažuranić, who spent some of her life there. For one week every year, the town becomes a pigment of every child’s imagination, as her works are celebrated via literary, theatre, art and photo events such as workshops, performances and exhibitions. Starting with a play at Ivana Square and ending with another at a primary school named after her, Ivana Brlić Mažuranić’s fairy tales come to life, providing visitors with entertainment dedicated to children. For more information, please see here.
17 April 2014: Following the Cross, Jelsa
Following the Cross is a long-standing tradition on the island of Hvar during Holy Week and has been so for the last 500 years. The procession takes place on Great Thursday each year and is attended by six parishes around the island, including Jelsa, Pitva, Vrisnik, Svirče, Vrbanje and Vrboska. Astonishingly, although participants from the six separate parishes take part in the procession, they never actually meet, even though they walk in the same direction. For more information, see here.
25 – 27 April 2014: Zadar County Flower Festival
For the past 14 years, the Zadar County Flower Festival in Sv. Filip I Jakov has continued to be a hub for exhibiting an exquisite selection of flowers from the region. Held in the town centre and waterfront, the festival is the perfect weekend excursion for those keen to explore Croatia’s natural beauty. In addition, visitors can visit art exhibitions, presentations, flower arranging classes, eco-workshops and fashion shows in stalls scattered around the area. Visitors to Zadar should also take this opportunity to take in the inspiring light and sound display on the harbour front thanks to the Sea organ and Sun Salutation art installations. For more information, see here.
2 – 11 May 2014: International Festival of Small Theatre, Rijeka
Having become one of Europe’s best known gatherings for theatre enthusiasts, the International Festival of Small Theatre is renowned for its unconventionally unique approach to the performing arts. Since its inception in 1999, it has presented a broad range of contemporary theatre productions in an intimate yet lively atmosphere, creating a truly exceptional theatre experience. With 13 awards up for grabs, theatre companies from across Europe, including the UK, Switzerland, Belgium and Germany attend, making it one of Croatia’s most prestigious theatre festivals. For more information about the festival, please see here.
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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.
