According to Agency, there are no confirmed plans yet for future of this ferry line.  However, the Agency’s spokesman  suggested that the small number of passengers during off season (sometimes less than 10)  as well as high cost of running these ferries will play important role in decision about future of this ferry line.

“There is no more luxurious place to start a road trip than Dubrovnik. Well, landing in Dubrovnik airport doesn’t send me into raptures, but seeing the city, some 20km up the coast, is as spectacular and exciting as the first time I saw it on a school trip when I was 12… Driving up the winding coastal road towards the border with Bosnia-Herzegovina requires steady nerves – the curves are demanding, the landscape too beautiful to ignore. So I stop along the way in Ston and Mali Ston, two tiny settlements encircled by ancient walls, fantastic spots for eating local mussels and oysters. If they’re in season, I buy a kilo from the stands along the road to take to my mother….”

Read the whole article here

Croatian State Agency for Coastal Lines and Maritime Traffic

For all further info about future of this ferry line as well as about all other Croatian ferries , subscribe to our ferry news feed

Updates – Join the conversation :

http://www.find-croatia.com/forum/index.php/topic,2186.0.html

A great crested grebe chick is able to dive and swim at birth, but it’s always nice to hitch a ride instead. The great crested grebe is one of over 260 different species of birds found in the wetlands of Kopacki Rit, eastern Croatia..

At an average altitude of 800 m, the palace is  surrounded by areas of untouched nature, fresh air and spring water. Ravna Gora is surrounded by the mountain Bjelolasica and the hills Višnjevac and Suhi vrh on one side, and the hills Javorova kosa, Kosica and a number of smaller hills on the other where one can try various Ravna Gora mountain paths.

Walkers and hikers can enjoy in the mountain path that leads through the wider area surrounding the town. The tour begins at the chasm Kosice, 970 metres above sea level and ends on the highest peak of Gorski kotar – Bjelolasica. It includes Kicljeve jame caves, one of the largest cave systems in Croatia, as well as surrounding hills and mountains – Javorova kosa, Vijenac, Turmin, Višnjevica and Bjelolasica.

The tour also includes rest stops along the way on platforms, lookout-spots and excursion destinations, where visitors can enjoy in the natural and cultural sights. It takes around 24 hours to walk the entire tour on foot depending on the will and stamina.

Completely developed cycling trails and a completely new and bowling alley are new facilities. It also features winter sports facilities, offering, just like many other neighbouring towns, paths for Nordic disciplines – Nordic running and skiing, as well as ski slopes, sledge slopes and areas for children.

In Šije, a town in near vicinity, there is a small ski lift where skiers can ski day and night.

Home-made food and mountain fruits are on offer in Ravna Gora restaurants, while mountain lodges offer the a unique accommodation options.

The hunting area ‘Višnjevica’ offers recreational hunting and photography tours. For more info visit Ravna Gora Tourist Board www.tz-ravnagora.hr

Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor used to escape to this beautiful Croatian city for a bit of holiday loving, and it still has the right atmosphere for a glamorous romantic break. The centre of the compact walled town is full of gorgeous boutiques and unusual jewellery stores (in case gifts are in order), pretty cafes with flower-filled gardens (should the Mediterranean sun make an appearance) and tiny bars with plenty of private nooks and crannies. Hidden Croatia (0844 477 9999; hiddencroatia.com) has three nights at the five-star Hotel Excelsior and Spa from £355pp, including flights and transfers.

Check which other perfect getaways for Valentine’s Day are recommended – read the whole article + More info about Dubrovnik, find other Dubrovnik hotels & look at Croatian Heart Shaped Island  - a tiny island in the Croatia that has become a holiday hit for lovers because it is shaped like a heart.

This supercool beach club (sunbeds £24pp, cabanas from £31pp) on Croatia’s trendiest island is about scene, rather than sand — you step straight from its graceful bathing deck into the turquoise waters of Amfora Bay. The pure-white 1930s colonnade, shaded by scented pine stands, was built so the jet set had somewhere to strut while soaking up the stunning views of the surrounding Adriatic isles.

These days, Kevin Spacey and Giorgio Armani help ensure that the vibe remains ultra-glam. Sunbathe, swim, book a seafront massage or nibble sushi on the muslin-draped teak terrace. It’s like a tiny slice of St Tropez without the sleaze. Best for: stars, star-spotters. Details: the sleek, sophisticated Adriana (00 385 21 750200, suncanihvar.com), a pleasant stroll away from the beach club, has doubles from £180, B&B. The most convenient airport is Split: airlines flying there include Jet2 (0871 226 1737, jet2.com) and EasyJet (easyjet.com). Hvar is a two-hour, £4 ferry ride (jadrolinija.hr).

See which other hottest European beaches for 2010 are recommended – read the whole article + More info: About Hvar Island,  Map and timetables of all ferries to Hvar , other hotels on Hvar Island , about Adriatic Sea, about other Croatian Islands

During this period, in Rijeka and the entire Kvarner varioius events, concerts, exhibitions, theatre performances and celebrations will be held,. On January 30th, the Carnival Snowboard Session will be held in the centre of Rijeka, at which around 20 top snowboarders from around 10 countries will participate. This snow event is unique for its snow trail 200 meters from the sea for which 70 m2 of snow is transported into Rijeka.

The carnival is continued on February 6th, when the Rijeka Korzo (main square) will host the children’s carnival.  The climax of the carnival is on February 14th when the international carnival procession will be held at the same location. The competition in creativity, wittiness and originality, the fireworks of colours and shapes will result in a parade of hundreds of allegorical floats, thousands of masks and a great audience.

According to some estimates, the streets of Rijeka gather more than 150,000 participants from the country and all over the world during this event. Six centuries of carnival tradition in this area and the influence of the Venetian and Austrian bourgeois carnivals are the basis on which the renewed Rijeka carnival started to create is unique identity in 1982. Starting with three local carnival groups and 100 participants, it has grown into an international event, numbering today over ten thousand participants from various countries.

The number of participants and spectators has ensured the Rijeka carnival membership in the  Federation of European Carnival Cities (FECC)  placing it among the most significant in Europe.

The Rijeka Carnival has imposed itself with its uniqueness as the fifth season of the year – the season of going crazy and relaxation, and with its rich entertainment, sports and cultural program. More info on  Rijeka International Carnival web:  www.ri-karneval.hr

The planned new ferry route will run from Patras and will sail via Igoumenitsa , Corfu and Dubrovnik to Venice.

If this ferry line is introduced, it will be the first ferry link from Dubrovnik to Greece since October 1990 .

As Minoan Lines already serves a regular ferry line which runs between Patras, Igoumenitsa, Corfu and Venice, with ferry whith capacity of  few houndered vehicles and more than 1000 passengers, and is sailing  just 15 miles from Dubrovnik, it is expected that introduction of Dubrovnik as stop over will only extend sailing times slightly.

As Dubrovnik is located on ideal position on this route and if introduced, the new ferry will offer great additional options of travel around Italy, Adriatic, Croatia and Greece . Read more about Dubrovnik ferries and other ferries that sails around Croatia.
View Ferry Dubrovnik to Greece in a larger map

EasyJet’s biggest ever sale slashing fares on over 22 million seats – Up to 25% off every seat; every route, every day, including Valentines Day, Half-Term and Easter!  Save up to 25% off every seat, every route, every day on flights from 3 February to 14 July 2010. Hurry! This sale must end midnight tonight. Easyjet is flying to Split and Dubrovnik

Beside Dubrovnik , the video shows short clips from variety of places in Dubrovnik County, including Peljesac, Mljet, Korcula, Lastovo, Elafiti.. Soothing instrumental music in the background brings alive the ambience

Have a look & enjoy:

Find out more about Dubrovnik, Dalmatia and Croatian Islands

Zagreb

This year, the female slalom was held on January 3rd, while the male slalom will be held three days later during night.  Both events at the Audi FIS World Cup “VIP Snow Queen Trophy 2010” will be held on Sljeme, the tallest peak of the Medvednica mountain overlooking Zagreb.

Since the first year of the World Cup visiting Zagreb, the Sljeme race  has provided an excellent trail and superior organisation and has been one of the most generous when it comes to the awards, but it is best known for the unique atmosphere, created before during and after the events, by the great number of the audience, ski-enthusiasts from Zagreb and other parts of Croatia, cheering for all skiers with the same enthusiasm.

The Sljeme races are also special as they are held in close proximity to a city. Zagreb is the only European metropolis hosting the “world ski circus” in its back yard. It should be pointed out that that the Zagreb race had the highest TV viewership out of all the FIS world cup races. This was in Germany, with 4.72 million viewers of the women’s race on the ZDF TV broadcaster and 4.67 million viewers of the men’s race on the ARD TV broadcaster.

Brother and sister Ivica and Janica Kostelic, have made their first ski steps on Sljeme. In her career, Janica has won a total of 30 FIS World Cup races, three Crystal globes and three small globes as the slalom winner. She is a five-time world-champion, and is one of the rare athletes who have won as many as four Olympic gold medals at the Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002 and Torino in 2006. Her brother Ivica is still successfully participating in the World Cup, in which he has won one of the medals nine times. He has also won the small crystal globe as the overall slalom winner, but his biggest success is the title of the slalom world champion in St Moritz in 2003 and winning the silver medal at the Winter Olympics in Torino in 2006.

Medvednica is a nature park, that is, with its highest peak Sljeme (1,033 m), the favourite excursion destination of Zagreb locals, who use it to run away to nature, relaxation and recreation. In the winter, Medvednica offers its visitors opportunities to ski, sledge and enjoy the fresh air and winter idyll. In the summer, it attracts many visitors on account of its much more pleasant climate, with temperatures several degrees lower than in the city. Medvednica offers 11 mountaineers’ lodge huts, two hotels and 8 hospitality facilities, 15 bicycle trails with a total of 110 km in length and four educational paths. Here is also the cave Veternica which was proclaimed a protected geomorphological monument of nature in 1979. The entry into the cave is located at 320 m above sea-level. The overall length of the until-now explored canals is 7,218 m. The first 380 meters have been adapted for visitors. Visitors can get to know the mysterious underground of Medvednica through a tour of the mine Zrinski.

Mining on Medvednica, in the area of the “Rudarski vrt” (“the mining garden”) dates back to 1463 when king Matija Korvin granted the royal mining benefits to count Petar Zrinski. These benefits allowed Zrinski and his heirs to open gold, silver and other mines on their estates. This benefit enabled the Zrinski to mine on Medvednica.

Medvednica Nature Park www.pp-medvednica.hr VIP Snow Queen Trophy www.zlatnimedvjed.hrVIP Snow Queen Trophy www.snowqueentrophy.com

EasyJet, the largest UK airline, today announced it would launch flights to Split and Dubrovnik from London Stanstead Airport.

Flights to Dubrovnik from London Stanstead will start on 15 May. EasyJet will fly this route on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Fares starts from £26.99 one way and £48.98 return.

Flights to Split from London Stanstead will start on 14 May. EasyJet will fly this route on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Fares starts from £26.99 one way and £54.98 return.

Beside these two new routes, EasyJet will launch a further 19 new routes in the coming year, taking the total number of routes to be launched across its European network in 2010 to 70. The addition of these new services means the airline will now offer choice of over 500 routes connecting its 19 bases across the UK and the continent to key airports across Europe and North Africa.

Check other Flights to Croatia news at Flights to Croatia Blog

The Museum of Contemporary Art (Muzej Suvremene Umjetnosit MSU)  the largest museum institution in Croatia and the largest cultural institution since the independence of Croatia has recently been opened in Zagreb.

The new building of the Museum will enable the appropriate conservation and exhibition of the collected art, and the conditions necessary for various programs, educational work-shops, film-projections and theatre performances aimed at the wider public and will make this part of the city the new cultural centre of Zagreb as well as a place of family outings, entertainment and new knowledge.

The overall size of the museum is 14,500 square meters, 3,500 of which is intended for the permanent exhibition, 1,500 for temporary exhibitions and 700 for exhibitions on the roof. The museum features a multimedia hall, library, pedagogical hall, museum store with book-store, cafe, restaurant, suites for visiting artists and curators and a 725 square meter lobby.

After more than 50 years of careful collection, treatment and presentation of only a part of the collection, the fist
exhibition with which the museum introduced itself to the public was its permanent exhibition “Collection in
Movement”. The other exhibition is “Acquisitions 2004-2009″. 

The visitors were also welcomed by the exhibition “Museum before the Museum”, a photography collection by Jasenko Rasol who followed the construction of the museum with his camera.

The art of Croatian and foreign artists that are part of the collection are testimony to the different styles such as abstract expressionism, geometrical and lyrical abstraction, minimalism, proto-conceptualism, analytical and primary painting, Fluxus, conceptual art, optical art, transavangard… reflecting the role of the Museum in following the newest artistic movements.

MSU contains several collections – paintings, sculptures, drawings, graphics, posters, photography, film and video and the media art collection. The museum is also looking after the Richter collection, numbering 182 works of art, the
Josip Seissl collection, numbering 1,258, the Benko Horvat collection with 611, the Toše Dabac archive numbering 200,000 items and the Ivan Kožaric collection with 6,000 items.

Several installations enrich the museum, “the slide” by world-renowned artist Carsten Höller, “Eyes of purification” by Polish artist Miroslaw Balke, on the roof terrace the “Artist at work” by Dalibor Martinis is installed, and in from
of the museum “Frames” by Ivana Franke, Lee Pelivan and Tomo Plejic. On the roof, the installation “War field” is
located, by Ivan Božicevic, and in the museum store the “Alchemy polyptich” by Silvije Vujicic.

The 2010 museum program also features the following exhibitions: A pair of nice shoes – Reality Check in
Eastern Europe, independent exhibition of Danica Dakic, independent exhibition of Aleksandar Srnec, project Gilbert
& George, works from the FRAC collections, exhibition of Zlatko Kopljara, and the Murtic donation.

The Zagreb MSU was founded in December of 1954 and has instantaneously become the reference point on the cultural map of the city. The desire to extend the museum existed in the 1960s, primarily because of the significance of the collections that were kept in unsuitable conditions and were not available to the public.  At the international tender in 1999, the project of architect  Igor Franic won. Construction began in 2003, and was jointly funded by the City of Zagreb and the Ministry of  Culture.

Museum of Contemporary Art website : www.msu.hr

Ilocki podrumi

This was the estate of the Italian Odescalchi family, which was given to them, as well as surrounding lands in Srijem, by the Austrian Emperor Leopold in 1697.

The summer residence is located in one of the most beautiful vineyard areas of Ilok, Principovac which because of the heights it dominates is called “the roof of western Srijem” by the people of Ilok. The estate is located in the centre of a large plantation which stretches over around 87 hectares of agricultural land and around the residence itself there are about 15000 m2 of grassland.

After being renovated, the four star residence has become the only hotel building in Ilok. Asides from an attractive restaurant that can hold a hundred guests, it has five two bedded apartments as well as a luxuriously furnished President’s apartment that covers an area of 120 m2.

 The total investment by “Ilocki podrumi” in the development hall should start that will cover an area of around 850 m2. of the tourist-hospitality offer in Ilok in the last two years, Guests in Principovac can use the numerous sports facilities, alongside the planned investment for this year and the tennis and badminton courts, 4 km of asphalted road for following year will reach an amount of around 35 million cycling, paths through the vineyard, tourist train rides and HRK.

In the autumn they are able to take part in the grape harvest as well as try top quality wines from the Srijem vineyards. They can also use the panoramic lift which takes them to the summer residence from where they can see the whole of Ilok, Srijem and Backa in Vojvodina.

 By advancing with its tourist offer, which now can satisfy those guests with a deeper pocket, “Ilocki podrumi” have put Ilok itself on the map in capital letters as an elite tourist destination. The firm “Ilocki podrum” purchased the annex of the Odescalchi castle complex, an impressive building built on the foundations of the castle of King Nikola Ilok.

This was built in the 15th century and is located on the old town centre of Ilok above the old cellars. The medieval castle and the entire Ilok estate were given to Pope Innocent XI Odescalchi and his family by Emperor Leopold as a reward for helping to liberate Ilok from the Ottomans. In this period it covered most of the Srijem area. After the war and exile, the castle which is a protected cultural monument was renovated and restored and the contemporary museum of the town of Ilok was returned to it.

The renovated three star annex is made up of 18 accommodation units and extends and enriches the offer of the old cellars which are visited annually by numerous visitors.

Beautiful little photo album of Plitvice Lakes (Plitvicka Jezera) , one of the Croatian National Parks,  containing just 9 photos, is published at Jutarnji List newspapers. The photos are taken just few days ago at Plitvicka Jezera, where , at the moment, everything is frozen and white, real winter wonderland. Have a look at the photo album here or click on above image.  See Plitvice Lakes photo in spring/summer time

View Larger Map
Last year the remains of a sarcophagus were found in Pocukmarak bay on Silba Island, as well as the remains of another one. Recently, a second phase of underwater research started where archaeologists will explore the wider area and carry out the preparations for opening an underwater museum.

The stone coffer, which is over two metres long, is located at a depth between two and a half and three metres. It has algae growing on it and it is covered by roughly cut stone. On the basis of the lid decor, it is thought to come from the late antique period – from either the 4th or 5th century.

The sarcophagus and other remains were not carved in Silba and it is believed that they were delivered from one of the sculpture workshops on the Adriatic. Sarcophagi are rarely found under the sea so this discovery in Pocukmarak bay surprised experts who are only just beginning to discover Silba’s past, especially that of the antique period.

Archaeologists will clean the silt from the sarcophagus and the other remains, document their current state and record their location on the land and in the sea in the bay in Silba.

The opening of the underwater museum on the site where the sarcophagus was found, which lies in crystal clear sea in a wonderful bay, should prove to be a very interesting destination for inquisitive visitors. Since it is located at a depth of two metres, it is accessible for almost anyone who knows how to swim, and not just professional divers, which is most often the case in terms of underwater archaeological sites that are often found at much greater depths.

Zagreb was featured in yesterday’s edition of Observer’s series ” World throught a lens“. This is an extract from the article : A whirl of tutus in a Zagreb cafe-bar during a break in ballet rehearsals: poise, and skin, and fabulous discs of swan-white tuile, and yet what are our eyes drawn towards? Exactly. A little paper tube, being happily smoked…

Read the whole article here

It will be held on:

26. November 2009  7,15 pm

at 

NANO Gallery, Gajeva 26, Zagreb

Projection ‘Crtić za laku noć’ is part of Upgrade!Zagreb gatherings for promotion of  new media arts.

Read about Dubrovik

Croatia

With very rare but large flood forests, river islands, pebble and sand coasts and oxbow lakes, this protected area covers 500 kilometers of three river flows and around 630 000 hectares of unique natural and cultural landscape. The reserve is also the home of the most numerous nesting population of the white-tailed eagle in Europe and other endangered species, such as the little tern, black stork, otter or sterlet. It is also an extremely important area for more than 250 000 wading birds, which rest or spend their winters here every year.

According to a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) representative, the biological diversity of the species in this region is one
of the richest in Europe. This river ecosystem is vital for the social and economic development of the cross-border region. It is the primary source of drinking water, it serves as an efficient flood defense system, offers sustainable forestry, includes agriculture and fishery management, and also has an important role in the development of continental ecotourism and raising awareness of the need to protect the natural surroundings and environment in the entire region.

Due to the establishment of a Croatian and Hungarian cross-border biosphere reserve, a bilateral work group for the nomination preparation has been determined and a nomination plan for the Mura-Drava-Danube biosphere reserve (click for map)  has also been prepared. As a result, Croatia must create the Mura-Drava Regional Park, ensuring efficient management of the future biosphere reserve’s central zone.

According to expectations, the biosphere reserve will be declared in 2010 and this should additionally entice people and the competent authorities to develop in harmony with the natural surroundings and the environment. The issue of the protection of the River Drava is an extremely significant initiative within the European framework since it is the only remaining part of the River Drava’s natural flow. Great efforts concerning the retrieval of the river bed’s natural appearance and the renewal of biological diversity are being made in other countries, while in Croatia this area is still protected.

Due to the specific natural assets of the River Drava area, Croatia has decided to engage in the active protection of this area with the establishment of the Mura-Drava Regional Park which would include the area of this ecosystem on Croatian territory. Besides this, the area has been enlisted into the National Ecological Network as a potential area of the European Union ecologically significant areas network – NATURA 2000. In addition to this and the cross-border
cooperation with Hungary on the establishment of the Mura-Drava-Danube biosphere reserve, the entire area of
the ecosystem between the two states would be included,which is of exceptional significance for the protection of
the natural surroundings.

The Croatian and Hungarian statement on the establishment of the cross-border reserve could become the foundation of an international biosphere reserve and countries such as Austria, Slovenia and Serbia might join it. The first reserve
of this kind, which would cover five European countries, would be formed and also it would be the largest protected river area in Europe. The representatives of Croatian and foreign non-governmental ecological associations have, therefore, invited Austria, Slovenia and Serbia to join the idea of the proposed biosphere reserve and complete the
process of protecting this green zone located in the heart of Europe.  (Download factsheet about Mura-Drava-Danube biosphere reserve  here )

Croatian Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure

Almost 2.9 million Kuna of building grants will be given to the owners of 10 companies, where four of them are companies from Krilo Jesenice, two from Suhi Potok and one company from Babino Polje on Mljet, one from Biograd, one from Solin and one from Virovitica.

Around HRK 340 000 will be paid to a company from Povlje and a tourist firm from Privlaka for the reconstruction of the boats.

The tourist fleet development and renewal support project began five years ago and during this period, the state has participated with almost 12 million Kuna for the construction of 33 boats and the renewal and reconstruction of 16 boats. The goal of the project is the improvement of sea safety, the protection of the Adriatic environment and the development of tourism and small-scale entrepreneurship on the coast and the islands.

The Croatian Tourist Fleet has 405 registered ships, owned by 336 private ship owners – small entrepreneurs, which
can carry around 5000 passengers.

Ferry owner Jadrolinija head Slavko Loncar said today the ship would not be scrapped and he expects this ferry to be back to serve Rijeka-Split-Hvar-Korcula-Mljet-Dubrovnik-Bari route by the begining of next summer season. More photos of refloated ferry here and here .

The oldest cultural festival in Croatia, Dubrovnik Summer Festival takes place every year from 10th July to 25th of August in Dubrovnik . It started back in 1950’s . The Dubrovnik Summer Festival presents a rich programme of classical music, theatre, opera and dance on more than 70 open – air venues. Above image is festival advert from 1963. Click here to have a look at large image of  Dubrovnik Summer Festival Advert from 1963

British Airways has included Dubrovnik in its ten destinations that it expects to prove popular among travellers in 2010.

This is what BA says about Dubrovnik:

Known as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, Dubrovnik offers privacy and tranquility making it a popular hideout for the jet set, including recent visitors Jay-Z and Beyonce. 
Mirjana Dostal, BA commercial manager Croatia, said: “Dubrovnik holds many attractions and delightful boutiques, with each corner of the city offering a unique experience. However its cluster of private islands have made this a new favourite destination for Hollywood A-Listers to get-away.”

Other 9 destinations are: Cape Town, Istanbul, Las Vegas, Vancouver, Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), New York, Stockholm, The Maldives and Delhi.