Destination Update:
UK & Ireland visitors to Croatia continues to rise
British visitors to Croatia increased by 11 per cent from January – July 2014 compared to the same period last year. There was also a massive 16.5 per cent increase in Irish visitors. In total, 231,794 Brits travelled to Croatia, while 25,776 Irish visitors travelled to the destination between January – July 2014. The month of July also saw a year-on-year rise with 13 per cent more British tourists heading to Croatia, while there was also a 22 per cent rise in Irish visitors. For more information on what to see and do in Croatia, please see www.croatia.hr.
Zagreb launches new mobile application
The Zagreb Tourist Board has launched a new mobile app, Zagreb Be There. The app provides five themed sightseeing tours of the city, allowing visitors to get away from the usual tourist trail when exploring the city. One of the routes, Space Explore, takes the viewer around an art installation of the solar system which has planets located around the city, while the Indie Zagreb route explores the Museum of Street Art and Museum of Broken Relationships. Other routes include Hidden Spots, Refreshing and Classical Zagreb. Users are encouraged to check-in online at various locations using the app to compete for discounts on entrance tickets. The app is free and available to download on iPhone and Android. For more information, please see here.
Five star renovation for Hotel Bellevue
Hotel Bellevue on the island of Losinj has been renovated for a new generation of hedonistic travellers, becoming the first five-star hotel on Mali Losinj. The hotel is located in Cikat, one of the most elegant bays of Losinj which has been recognised since 1966 for being a place of luxury. Hotel Bellevue now offers 185 rooms, 21 suites, private jet services and anti-stress immune care programmes. The island is renowned for its pine forests and lush vegetation, offering over 1,100 species of aromatic and healing herbs. If the island’s nature doesn’t relax you, then you could take a trip to the Spa Clinic ‘La vie en Rose’ for a holistic treatment. Located in the Kvarner Gulf, more than €50 million was invested in the redevelopment by the Jadranka Group, and it is hoped this will help Losinj become a top luxury destination. For more information or to book, please visit here.
Park Plaza Belvedere in Medulin refurbished
The Park Plaza Belvedere Hotel in the picturesque former fishing village of Medulin in Istria, has recently unveiled a complete refurbishment by Arenaturist. The hotel has expanded to 429 rooms and now also boasts a restaurant accommodating 700 people, a bar, conference hall and three meeting rooms with state-of-the-art technology. As well as introducing new indoor and outdoor sea water swimming pools, the hotel has developed its spa and wellness centre with saunas, massage rooms and whirlpools, a fitness studio and an athletic gym. There are also outdoor sport courts, a beach and a chill-out terrace on site. The Park Plaza Belvedere is perfect for a family holiday during the summer months, while it is also suited for mini sport breaks during the pre and post season. For more information, please see here.
New luxury camping site opens near Zagreb
A new luxury camping site has opened on the northern bank of Rakitje Lake, in the small town of Sveta Nedelja. Located 30 minutes from Zagreb, the ten thousand square metre-sized camp has been awarded four-star status and will have fifty spots for campervans and vehicles, four bungalows, a wine cellar, lounge bar, mini wellness facility and a children’s playground. Guests will be able to make the most of the idyllic countryside location by taking up the numerous walking, cycling and fishing opportunities. Those looking to explore the surrounding areas could also head to the nearby nature parks, Medvednica and Zumberak, or the castles and museums of the Zagorje region. For more information, please see here.
Mega Yacht Marina opens in Trogir
The 77 million Kuna investment into the Trogir Marina has recently been completed, putting the town on Croatia’s nautical map. The mega yacht Marina Trogir is located on the northern side of the island of Ciovo and gives Trogir 133 sea and 80 land berths. It is also home to four berths for mega yachts and the investor aims to create a marina that will have five anchors. Trogir’s beautiful medieval walls and maze-like streets make a perfect day trip from nearby Split for those keen to experience the town’s great range of Romanesque and Renaissance architecture. For more information, please see here.
Selce celebrates 120 years of tourism
The Adriatic seaside town of Selce, near the resort of Crikvenica, has celebrated the 120th anniversary of its tourism industry. Tourism Day was celebrated in memory of 3 August 1894 when the town opened its first public baths on the beach. The day-long celebrations included live music, free fish lunches, a boat race and a fireworks display at midnight. Selce, which can currently accommodate over 5,000 guests, is the perfect place for a relaxing beach holiday and is also close to the island of Krk and the town of Rijeka. For more information on Selce, please see here.
Events & Festivals
16 – 19 August: Days of Diocletian, Split
Diocletian’s Palace is the symbol of Split’s magnificent history and for four days during August the streets of Split are brought to life to celebrate the city’s history. The streets of the former palace are filled with passers-by in togas and tunics, while vintage carriages pass along the waterfront. The smells of Mediterranean cuisine fill the narrow streets, while colourful stalls offer delicacies and crafts from past and present. For more information please see here.
22 – 31 August 2014: Days of Beer, Karlovac
For ten days throughout the summer, the town of Karlovac near Croatia’s capital Zagreb celebrates all things beer-related on the beautiful banks of the river Korana. Karlovac lies at the confluence of four rivers, the Korana, the Mreznica, the Dobra and the Kupa, but during the festival, the locals state that the fifth river, a ‘river of beer’, flows through the town. During this time, locals enjoy a range of different beers, live music, folklore ensembles and gourmet delicacies including big Karlovac pretzels. Karlovac is the home of popular Croatian beer Karlovačko and the beautiful historic district, Zvijezda, is well worth a visit. For more information, please see here.
23 – 25 August: What our forefathers ate, Vrbovec, Central Croatia
This rustic food festival continues to grow in popularity year-on-year with the locals of Vrbovec showcasing their culinary talents and traditional gastronomic dishes. For a weekend in August, expect the town to be awash with mouth-watering aromas as the competition for the best traditional dish takes place. There is also a number of sporting events during the weekend and a music programme for those who want to relax and soak up the atmosphere. For more information please see here.
26 – 30 August: Liburnia Film Festival, Ičiči, Kvarner
This outdoor film festival, which celebrates its 12th year in 2014, showcases the finest talent in the Croatian documentary film industry. Taking place in the harbour of Ičiči, the festival shows the best documentaries from Croatian film makers. There are also awards for best director, best cinematographer, best editor and best sound editing. After the event, visitors can enjoy drinks on the harbour, before returning to the nearby coastal town of Opatija. For more information please see here.
28 August – 1 September: Dimensions Festival, Pula
The Dimensions electronic music festival returns to the Fort Punta Christo for its third year. With chilled out daytime beach sessions and daily boat parties, the festival plays a range of electronica, techno, house, dubstep and drum & bass. This year will also see an opening concert in Pula’s Roman amphitheatre with performances from Darkside and Caribou. For more information, please see here.
29 – 30 August: Vrbnik Wine Days, Krk Island
Croatia has a rich tradition of wines and the local viticulturists from the town of Vrbnik on the east coast of Krk Island are renowned for their fine produce. For a weekend every August, wine makers, connoisseurs and fans gather in Vrbnik to taste wine and gastronomic treats from all over the island. There are also lectures from experts and producers and plenty of wine to purchase to enjoy in your own home. As well as being home to Vrbnička žlahtina white wine, Krk is the island for gourmands, enticing visitors with delicious olive oil and cheese products. For more information, please see here.
3 – 7 September: Outlook Festival, Pula
Outlook Festival is a celebration of soundsystem culture from its Jamaican roots to its modern day counterparts, which is recognised as Europe’s largest bass music festival. The event, which is now in its seventh year, welcomes over 400 acts playing in the 150 year old Fort Punta Christo with its 1km stretch of beach and range of boat parties. This year’s festival includes music from Busta Rhymes and Lauren Hill. While in Istria, guests could visit Pula’s Roman Amphitheatre or take a boat trip to the stunning Brijuni Islands. For more information, please see here.
-Ends-
For further press information, please contact:
Sarah Taylor/Melissa Hobson/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
