Latest Croatia News

Author: Tommy Croata

Visit beautifull Island of pag one of the best place in the world for summer vacation , we are tourist agency for private accommodation service on the island

http://www.soleil.batcave.net

www.novalja.tk

more of island of Pag

More than one thousand islands and reefs make the Croatian coast the most indented on the Mediterranean, and the second most indented coasts in all of Europe. Island of Pag is one the largest Croatian island covering and area of 270 km2. It’s mix of attractive beaches, green fields, dry rocky areas of fantastic shapes, a view of mighty Velebit mountain and a score of surrounding islands make it an oasis of outstanding beauty.

Island of Pag belongs to the Kvarner archipelago. It is distinguished by a variety of natural attractions: sand and pebbles, crystal clear sea, numerous wonderful beaches,

deforested hills, here and there macchia, immortelle and sage give the island a special charm and a mysterious atmosphere. So Pag is an ideal place for you to enrich your life with a multitude of experiences and enjoy relaxing in the quiet atmosphere and the scenery of thousand years old olive tree, oaks and black pine trees.

On Pag you can also visit notable historical monuments and archaeological sites.

The island is also well-known for its rich folklore and in particular for lace.

Cheese and lamb are among its gastronomical specialities.

Apartments are equipped with all modern conveniences.

Novalja is a tourist center and the main port on the Pag Island. Its beautiful sand beaches, mild Mediterranean climate, rich cultural and historic heritage, a score of cultural, sporting, and recreation activities coupled with good transportation links attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world

About the Author:

Tomitours agent

Croatia news @ Croatia site

Author: rolly rees

Magical adventures

Croatia Hundreds of sparkling waterfalls and more than a thousand islands set amid the blue of the sea, green mountain rivers and streams, virgin canyons, wild karst and mellow plains. In a pleasant climate, with amiable people and experienced guides, you will travel under your own steam through a realm of unfettered nature by kayak, bicycle, raft, under sail; or slowly wend your way through mountain wilderness…

Nestling between the Alps, the Pannonian Plain and the Adriatic Sea, in the south-eastern part of the European continent, Croatia jealously protects eight national parks, ten nature parks and a whole range of special reserves, including plant life, animals, geological formations, hydrological phenomena, all within a small but rich area that can be travelled by car from one end to another in a single day.

Many paths run between rivers, mountain peaks, tiny island ports and beaches, leading to Illyrian hill forts, to Roman ruins, to towns and cities that are themselves monuments, to ethno-entities of popular architecture.

Rafting Rafting as a mode of transport up and down waterways also has a long tradition in Croatia. However, white-water rafting as a modern form of adventure began only in the late 1980s and served to attract notice to the amazing beauty of Croatian rivers which, up until that time, was known only to relatively few kayaking adventurers and fishermen. The founders of the Riverfree Club, pioneers of commercial trips through the rivers and experts on the waterways of Croatia, did not anticipate the Subsequent level of interest and the resulting popularity of rafting on rivers which do not abound with savage rapids and high waves. Nevertheless, thousands of people have since enjoyed their close encounters with the unforgettable magic of rivers, of green river banks, sheer canyons and crystal-clear depths. Rivers in the continental parts of the country are flanked by dense forests and by mountains, while those closer to the sea boost broad green banks and deep and shady mysterious canyons. What they all have in common are greenish clear waters that one can see through right down to the river bed. The grade of difficulty of Croatia’s white waters is, on average, grade 3; only on the Rivers Dobra and Una can you encounter grade 4 waters.

Diving The Adriatic’s submarine world is a veritable paradise for those who wish to observe o little of the teeming underwater life. Fish and crabs hiding beneath the varied plant world along the rocky shores; shells dug into a sand/ sea bed; a lively, colourful and ever changing world that invites you to dive again and again however long you moy be staying by the sec. With each new dive your eyes are sharper in discovering sea creatures so skilled in hiding themselves from others. Should you want to go deeper and venture further from the shore, an experienced guide will take you to underwater caves, beneath steep cliff faces, among the rocky habitats of fascinating species of fish, shellfish and corals. Sunken galleys, men of war as well as other archaeological finds are in an authentic submarine museum demonstrates the Adriatic’s rich and turbulent post, This is the living proof of the wars, adversities, trade and culture of the lands of the Mediterranean. On the surface, the sea is warm and clear, while 30 metres below, the temperature is cooler. There are no large sharks or other predators which would pose a danger to divers, and venomous organisms are rare.

About the Author:

croatia-adventure.com is non profit agency who presents Croatia and adventure travel in Croatia.

Author: rolly rees

Peninsula Peljesac in Southern Dalmatia, stretch between the river Neretva and Mali Ston Channels to the northeast, and the island Mljet and Peljesac Channels to the southwest. It is around 65 kms long and encompasses an area of 34K krn2. Geologically, Cretaceous limestone predominates in the hills and dolomite in the longitudinal valleys, while Eocene strata cover the western part with its highest peak of 961 m.

It is exposed to dry north winds from the Neretva Valley and the Dinaric Mountains, and to wetter and warmer south winds from the open Adriatic Sea; in the summer, fresh western winds predominate. Peljesac, being within the Mediterranean climatic belt, has an average temperature of 8 C° in January and 27 C° in July.

Except for areas overgrown with pinewoods and Mediterranean vegetation, a significant portion is under olive groves, and even more under vineyards producing bigh-qualky red wines (famous Dingae and Postup). Orange and lemon groves are also present. Administratively it belongs to Dubrovnik Neretva County, with community seats m Orebic, Ston, Trpanj and Janjma. It has a total of 9,000 inhabitants. Peljesac is connected with the mainland and the main Adriatic coastal highway at Ston, and by boat from Orebic with Korcula, which then connects to Dubrovnik and Split. It also has ferry connections with Ploce, and from Orebic with Korcula and Mljet.

About the Author:

Rolly Rees is webmaster of Croatia Holidays and text writer for region Southern Dalmatia and Croatia Vacation.

Author: Stuart Cheese

In my capacity as the UK Director of Operations for One World Tours Limited, I am often asked about the destinations I have been to so that is why I try to give a good opinion on those places. Here then, are my top suggestions for sites to take in during your holiday in the Croatia.

Croatia’s coastline stretches thousands of miles, and offers more than 1,000 offshore islands. The country has a mild Mediterranean climate which makes it such an appealing destination.

A visit to Zagreb, which is the capital city of Croatia offers itself as the focal point of culture and science and is located between the Adriatic coast and Central Europe.

Zagreb also offers its tourists the Baroque atmosphere of the Upper Town. There are quaint open-air markets which give the browser a variety of shopping facilities. The country boasts many stunning green parks which you can visit including places of interest in the beautiful surroundings.

Trogir is situated in the centre of Dalmatia and considered to be one of the best places to stop on the Dalmatian coast which is on the eastern coastline of Adriatic sea. Trogir is also a good place to be if you wish to travel on to Split, where obviously you can see the Diocletians Palace. Split is the second largest city in Croatia and is located on the coast. Being a very old and stunningly beautiful town it is hardly surprising that many that visit choose it to take advantage of the water sports that are available here.

Located near Sibnik and along the Krka River you will find the Krka National Park. It has many beautiful waterfalls some of which have naturally fresh waters to swim around in. You will see a backdrop of rugged limestone mountains and glimpse the many islands archipelagos of the Adriatic Sea. Whatever your age it is a fantastic place for a family to spend some quality time together.

Another National Park in Croatia is the Brijuni islands which were proclaimed as a national park over twenty years ago. There are a total of islands which make up the park, the largest being the Veliki and Mali Brijuni.

The islands are a haven of unspoilt nature pockets which make a natural home to a safari park and a zoo.

There are also traces of early neolithic inhabitation have been discovered on the island but one of the most amazing archaeological sites here is the pre-historic settlement on Gradina hill.

Alternatively the beauty of the Plitvice lakes and National Park lies in its sixteen lakes which are inter-connected by a variety of waterfalls. These waterfalls are and set in deep woodland which is home to a diversity of wildlife, including rare bird species, bears, wolves, and deer.

Zagorje could be described as possibly the most idyllic county in Croatia, with its rolling hills, many villages and small towns that spread out across these hills and the rivers, creeks and lakes it makes a picturesque scene that is fit for the finest jigsaw puzzle.

In the past Krapina-Zagorje was a part of the Austrian Empire making the majority of 40 castles and mansions built in the country of this era. Some of the best known monuments are Veliki Tabor and the castles of Trakoscan and Miljana.

About the Author:

Stuart Cheese is the UK Director of Operations for One World Tours and, having visited over 110 countries, has a wealth of travel experience. One World Tours / The Holidays in Croatia Specialists

Author: Andrew Regan

Visitors from the USA are expected to flock to Croatia in record numbers this summer as a survey by U.S. Tour Operators revealed the country was tied at second for hottest places to visit this year. Only two years ago 200,000 Americans visited the beautiful country bordering the Adriatic Sea, and this year the Croatians are expecting double that number. So, what do the canny Americans know that us Brits don’t?

Most obvious are the financial considerations. With the dollar taking a hammering in the international money markets Americans are finding it increasingly expensive, to the point of prohibitive, to visit their traditional European stomping grounds of the Italy, Greece and the French Riviera. Searching for cheaper alternatives has led Americans to Croatia, eager to establish itself as a top European destination. Outstanding quality food and drink at incredible value combined with the clean water, less-than-crowded beaches and friendly, helpful approach of the locals immediately makes the Croatian Tourist slogan of: “The Mediterranean as it once was” ring true. It also helps their ambition to be big on the European tourist map.

Picking up the pieces from the horrendous four-year conflict that saw the disintegration of Yugoslavia in the mid-1990s, Croatia emerged with a spectacular 1,100-mile coast and almost 2,000 islands. Add the imposing and historic city of Dubrovnik to the mix and you already have the basic ingredients for an enticing country. Inland is found one of the country’s biggest tourist attractions: Plitvice Lakes National Park. A series of waterfalls joins 16 beautiful turquoise coloured lakes between the Mala Kapela and Pljesevica Mountains. This gorgeous natural attraction, mixed with the coastal hotspots, the friendly locals and the amazing value all make Croatia one of Europe’s great undiscovered destinations. It is easy to see why the Americans are flocking here in their hundreds of thousands; it is the antithesis of their crowded, busy and expensive culture.

To make the most of a trip to Croatia, especially those planning on island hopping or travelling up the stunning coast will find that car hire is not essential as the country is well-served by buses and ferries. However, those who prefer to drive, like most things in the country, will find incredibly cheap car hire in Croatia. Most major airlines operate directly to Split which is centrally located on the Adriatic coastline, and also has one of the highest concentration of car rental offices in Croatia.

Toll is charged on most highways, the only exception is the Zagreb bypass. Normally paid in kuna, all major credit cards and euros are accepted at all toll gates.

Shunpiking is a widely accepted practice for commuters driving what would otherwise be a short stretch of tolled highway. Because of the price of monthly and yearly SMART cards, many commuters from outer exurbs use state routes.

You can find a toll fee calculator for Croatia Highway (Expressway) at : http://www.hellotourist.net/info.php

Other ways to pay:

SMART card, a nonrefundable and unexpiring prepaid toll card showed to the toll attendant. As of August 2007, a SMART card costs 20 kn. Additional toll may be preapid at owner’s will. The SMART card enacts a 10% discount on toll when used. It is not recommended to use the SMART card for paying less than 200 kn in toll. 200 kn equals to two travels from Zagreb to Zadar. SMART card must be purchased pre-paying at least 100 kn of toll. Additional money can be added to the toll account at any time.
seasonal SMART card offers a siginificantly higher discount rate of 23.5% usable during specified five months. Unused amount upon expiry of these five months will be used with the standard, 10% discount. As of August 2007, a class I vehicle seasonal SMART card costs 1200 kn. The full amount is submitted to the toll account.
ENC (Elektronička naplata cestarine) is an electronic toll collection system. As of August 2007, the transponder costs 122 kn and a 10% discount on tolls is available. The user must pre-pay at least 90 kn of toll at purchase. Additional money can be added to the toll account at any time. ENC is usually recommended only for at least 10 longer journeys across Croatia. In the tourist season, ENC can drastically shorten wait times on large toll plazas with dedicated ENC lanes (especially toll plaza “Lučko” in Zagreb).

For your info - driving distance from European cities

Amsterdam-Zagreb -1339km
Athens-Zagreb 1495km
Belgrade-Zagreb 398km
Bratislava-Zagreb 431km
Brussels-Zagreb 1400km
Munich-Zagreb 549km
Paris-Zagreb 1393km
Prague-Zagreb 670km
Venice-Zagreb 381km
Venice-Pula 278km

Don’t drink and drive - you can spill it !

Skyservice airlines is offering a direct route from Toronto to Zagreb, the first flight directly from North America to Croatia.

Toronto - Dublin 22:45h 10:15h +1 Terminal 3
Dublin - Zagreb Pleso 11:15h 15:00h

Zagreb - Dublin 19:00h 20:55h
Dublin - Toronto 22:15h 00:34h

Flight makes a stop in Dublin (there is no plane change)
Luggage limitation is 30 kg per person

For detailed info go to www.skyserviceairlines.com

Torrential rain has brought floods to many parts of England and Wales in the last 10 days of June - but travellers flying to Greece are warned that Greece is suffering the worst heatwave in over 110 years.

The severe heatwave covers several areas of the mediterranean including Turkey, Italy, Croatia, Bosnia and Romania.

Fires have burned out of control of the greek island or Poros and several parts of Greece have had powercuts due to air-conditioning units being set to full blast draining the country’s electricity supplies.

For travellers going to the above areas, we’d advise extreme caution as temperatures have reached 46C and to drink plenty, stay out of the sun and take extreme care of young children.

For all of you who travel this way, we have good news. New ferry line from Pula to Zadar with stops at Mali Losinj, Ilovik and Unije.
Pula - Zadar
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00 7:00

Zadar - Pula
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
16:00 16:00 16:00 16:00 16:00

The ticket is 100 Kunas from Pula to Zadar ( good price).
Ride takes 5 hours