Dubrovnik Travel Guide » Visit Croatia

The Hvar Island

Katarzyna — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 08:37:43 +0000

Hvar Island has always attracted a cosmopolitan mix. Its position on the Adriatic made it a coveted staging post for trade, and its bright blue coves and hills carpeted with pine, sage and lavender made it an easy place to stay. It’s been fought over by the Greeks (as early as 300 BC), Illyrians, Romans, Venetians and Ottoman Turks.
It’s still a melting pot. Over an early morning cappuccino at Loco cafe in Hvar Town’s main square, I do some people-watching, noticing plum-accented British yachties, Dutch, Russians and slick Italians who look as if they’ve been spray-tanned and stepped straight from a cologne advert. Even the Serbs have started to return.
I feel a little under-dressed – this is undoubtedly fashionista territory. But behind the glitzy sheen of yachts and flashy restaurants there’s still a local culture – rugged fishermen singing love songs over their seafood, old timers selling crochet wares, sombrely dressed nuns with wise faces trudging up and down hillside steps from the Benedictine monastery.
Not so long ago, in the early 90s, Croatia was a war-torn country, and places as close as Dubrovnik were no-go areas. Even before that, the Communist tendrils of the UDBA (Secret Police) reached as far as Hvar and locals were wary of chatting about politics to outsiders for fear of reprisals. So what I first think is guardedness I gradually understand to be a by-product of the past. Look behind the initial reserve and you’ll find a truly Croatian warmth and cheekiness.
A short walk to the outskirts of town, past the 15th-century Franciscan Monastery, brings me to a little beach: the jetting-off point for Hvar Adventure, who take me on a day’s easy kayaking around the neighbouring Pakleni Islands. Patcho, our group leader, and his assistant Sylvia are charming, easy-going types who set a relaxed pace (our group ranges from 20 to 60 years old). We glide across the bay and find a quiet spot on wooded Jerolim to swim under the scrutiny of some die-hard nudists. By midday we’re on another island: Stipanska, where we stop for a lunch of spaghetti bolognaise and light white wine.
But the real highlight is our final stop, the tiny island of Galisnik. Just a stone’s throw from Hvar town harbour, it’s the perfect place to slake our salt-caked thirst. A restaurant on the summit of the island is home to strutting roosters, two randy dogs and a donkey called Mercedes who’s been called as witness at a number of hush-hush weddings. Strangely, nobody seems to know about Galisnik. Apart from you, me and the donkey.
By around 7pm the dusk is closing in and the town square becomes a sunset-lit runway for the evening parade. At busy Restaurant Posteni, over delicious fried bass, I resume the people-watching.

Naturist holiday in Croatia

Katarzyna — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 12:54:57 +0000

Naturist holidays were first organised in Croatia in the 1930s and one of the early pioneers was none other than Edward VIIIth, who visited a naturist beach on the island of Rab. (He was travelling with Mrs Simpson, but she apparently was not too keen on bathing in the nude.)

The real boom in naturist holidays started in the 1960s when many naturist camps and facilities were opened in Istria and Dalmatia. Over 100,000 holidaymakers enjoyed these holidays annually.

At present, these holidays in Croatia are not as popular as they once were due to competition from other European countries, in which similar facilities have been created. Nevertheless, thousands and thousands of naturists still come to Croatia to enjoy the beautiful country and to have a peaceful holiday.

What about visiting Split?

Katarzyna — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 12:45:54 +0000

Whether arriving by air or sea, Split is a popular gateway. Its splendors must wait, though, for I’m already approaching the island of Hvar in a catamaran due to drop me after one hour at the hippest holiday resort of Croatia, Hvar Town. This paradise comes in two versions; low season offering quiet medieval charms, for example in September, and a high season party zone abounding with yacht-borne celebrities.
Carpe Diem, a famous cocktail bar close to the catamaran’s docking place, has become a trademark of Hvar Town. Around here, I might run into some celebrities at night, when they appear in the bar, on the quarterdeck of their luxurious yachts or under the palms of the Riva promenade. Hotel Slavija, Carpe Diem’s neighbor and contrast, attracts a different crowd; mainly middle-aged couples taking an after-dinner dance to retro pop tunes by Legino Band.
Strains of opera pour out of the Venetian Loggia one morning, part of Hotel Palace. Opera has certainly sounded on many occasions from the stage opposite, Hvar Theater, established in 1612 on the first floor of the Arsenal. The Loggia and the Arsenal mark the lower end of the spectacular St. Stephen Square, whose upper end is adorned with the Cathedral’s trefoil facade. Promenades on either side of the bay lead to small pebble beaches, whereas the most frequented beaches, some of them for naturists only, are found on the Pakleni Islets in front of town.

Croatia in numbers

Katarzyna — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:04:24 +0000

Official name: Republic of Croatia
Official language: Croatian
Alphabet: Latin
Currency: Kuna (100 lipa)
Population (last census): 4.784.265
Number of islands: 1,185 (66 inhabited)
Capital: Zagreb (nearly 1 million inhabitants)
Total state area: 89,810 km2 (55,6822 sq.mi)
Territory area (land): 56,610 km2 (35,336 sq.mi)
Aquatorium area (internal sea line): 33,200 km2 (20,584 sq.mi)
Marine economy region (territorial sea line): 23,870 km2 (14799 sq.mi)
Total economy area: 113,680 km2 (70,481 sq.mi)
Coastline length: 5,835 km (3,617 sq.mi)
Coastline length of mainland: 1,777 km (1,101 sq.mi)
Coastline length of islands: 4,058 km (2,515 sq.mi)

In Croatia with children

Katarzyna — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:02:57 +0000

Croatia is a very suitable travel choice if you plan to travel with children. Besides children-friendly hotels, private accommodations present a natural choice. Arrangements with your hosts can be arranged in order to suit your family habits. Having generally more living space available, together with the option to have your own kitchen, is also an advantage.

The scenery while travelling along Croatia

Katarzyna — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:01:03 +0000

Whether traveling by land or sea along Croatia’s shoreline, you are guaranteed a voyage of spectacular scenery and breathtaking views. The bare mountains running like a spine down the coast, the translucent Adriatic and the picturesque towns are surrounded by more than a thousand islands anchored offshore. The fact that most of these islands are uninhabited make them the ideal destination for those who want to get away from the crowds. There are many offers on cheap flights from most European cities if you should wish to visit. Some of the roads are not very good, but Croatia is rapidly improving its road infrastructure. Croatia is integrated into the European road marking system. European roads have the mark “E” and highway roads “M”. The most picturesque route in Croatia is considered to be the Adriatic highway (Jadranska magistrala) which connects Rijeka and Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik- “heaven on earth”

Katarzyna — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:08:09 +0000

In 1929, George Bernard Shaw, the famous Irish writer, wrote:
” Those who wish to see heaven on earth should come to Dubrovnik.”

His immortal words do not only praise the rich and glorious history of Dubrovnik, but also the natural features of the whole region, known today as the Dubrovnik-Neretva county. Few places on earth exhibit such harmony between nature and men, a harmony still preserved till today. From the clear Adriatic waters, the interiours karst system, to the rich Neretva river in the Northeast, a magnificent combination emerges, taking your breath away every time you visit this region.

The defining characteristics of the landscape are the evergreen flora, pine and oak forests, macchia, karst fields, all creating the beautiful tropical and subtropical vegetation in Dubrovnik Region. Many natural phenomena can be found; Europe’s longest underground river Ombla, the bay of Mali Ston famous for oyster beds, the national park on the Island of Mljet, Arboretum Trsteno, Lokrum Reservation, Konavle, the Elafiti Islands and many more. The real joy is to explore this region by yourself, finding your own secret spots of harmony and peace.

The Blue Flag project

Katarzyna — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:03:46 +0000

The Blue Flag is an European project that rewards achievements within the preservation of the sea and coastline that started 15 years ago, and includes beaches and marinas. From the year 2000 it has extended throughout the world.

From the year 1997 Croatia is a member of this project, when the non governmental organization “Our Lovely” was nominated by the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe to be a national coordinator and carrier of this project in the Republic of Croatia. The Blue Flag symbolizes unpolluted, safe and healthy environment, but it also includes an elaborated system of managing coastal resources, and emphasizes sustainable development within the hospitality industry.

Beaches and marinas that carry the Blue Flag are recognized as properties offering a high quality services, carrying for their environment, and have properly equipped supporting facilities. The Blue Flag is not only a symbol of quality and ecological perseverance, but the carriers of it can count themselves as top tourism destinations.

This prestigious symbol is awarded only to those beaches and marinas which meet all the requirements which are set according to individual criteria, but have in common the fact that they always take care of the quality of the sea and the coastline. The Blue Flag is a symbol that communicates high standards that the marinas and beaches have meet. The Blue Flag is awarded for the period of one year, and it is proudly raised at the beginning of June. For each year it is necessary to maintain the standards and fill out a questionnaire for the license to be extended.

Nautical Info

Katarzyna — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:54:02 +0000

The part of the Adriatic Sea belonging to the Republic of Croatia ranges from Prevlaka in the south to cape Savudrija in the west, embracing all islands, islets and cliffs along the coast, including the archipelago of Palagruza. No other areas in Europe possesses such unique opportunities for cruising, whether with motor boats, speedboats or sailboats. The breathtaking scenery of more than a thousand dazzling islands along the Croatian coast, combined with the unpolluted crystal clear sea, will satisfy even the most demanding nautical enthusiasts.

For those interested in exploring the magic’s of the underwater world we included a special section about diving opportunities in and around Dubrovnik. Croatia has long been proud over its picturesque beaches and marinas. The recognition regarding the quality of sea water and other ecological parameters came when beaches and marinas across the Croatian coast begun receiving the Blue Flag reward. The Blue Flag is an exclusive eco-label awarded beaches and in countries across Europe. The Blue Flag Campaign is owned and run by the independent nonprofit organization Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe (FEEE). It symbolizes high environmental standards as well as good sanitary and safety facilities at the beach/marina.

In the year 1999 ACI marina Dubrovnik along with five other ACI marinas was awarded the “European Blue Flag”, an environmental award, given to communities that make a special effort to keep their beaches and marinas clean and manage them with consideration for the local environment. The marina has been nominated for the same award in the year 2000.

Phone numbers to remember!

Katarzyna — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:12:31 +0000

When traveling to Croatia and Dubrovnik, it is good to know some important and helpful telephone numbers.

At the post offices you can receive all types of service, such as telephone links, telex, fax etc. In order to make a phone call from Croatia to any country in the world, an international prefix 00 is required, followed by the country code.

Here are some important and helpful telephone/fax numbers and the E-mail addresses.

The telephone code for Croatia is +385 and for Dubrovnik and Dubrovnik Region dial (0)20.

A single countrywide number for all emergency situations: 112

Police 92
Fire Department 93
Ambulance 94
Traffic police tel: 443 666
District police tel: 443 333
Coast Guard tel: 443 555
Public Emergency Center 985
Roadside Assistance 987