CroaRiva : News

Message board of CroaRiva and its networked sites launched

CroaRiva — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 17:00:46 +0200

The first social feature of CroaRiva, its Message Board has just gone live today.

The board is a convenient place to share questions, answers, information about the Croatian part of the Adriatic coastline. Registration for adding comments to the board is optional.

20100806170046Fri - CroaRiva

Drvenik - Korčula ferry re-launches on the 18th of June - by Jadrolinija

CroaRiva — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 13:48:39 +0200

Following the announcement of Mediteranska plovidba about their inability to serve the Drvenik - Korčula route Jadrolinija jumped in. Jadrolinija's Hanibal Lucić ferry sails between 18 June to 14 July two, between 15 July and 16 August three and between 17 August and 12 September three times a day.

20100617134839Thu - Slobodna Dalmacija

Police telephone number changed to 192 in Croatia

CroaRiva — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 10:38:45 +0200

To meet the international standard of three character long telephone number for emergency services, Croatia changed its police call numbers from the old 92 to the new 192 on June 3, 2010.

Parts of the problem with the old number were that some old cell phones couldn't call the old number and similar problems occurred with foreign operators.

The old number remains operational until October 31, 2011 to allow a grace period for the change.

20100617103845Thu - Jutarnji list

Dubrovnik city cards now available

CroaRiva — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:45:19 +0200

Dubrovnik's new city card was introduced yesterday. The card grants admission to several museums in Dubrovnik, as well as the city walls and free use of the local public transport. It can be bought either as a Daily card for 130 Kunas (22 USD) or as a Weekly card for 220 Kunas (37 USD).

Currently the cards are available at museums and at the information offices of Dubrovnik's Tourist Board.

Talks about further selling locations and other attractions and offers to be included are underway.

20100616144519Wed - Dubrovački vjesnik

The list of Croatia's Blue Flag beaches for 2010 published

CroaRiva — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 21:21:29 +0200

Today the Foundation for Environmental Education, the organization awarding the prestigious blue flag titles to the world's best environmentally friendly beaches published its 2010 list for the Northern Hemisphere.

For Croatia, there are both new and dropped entries in the Blue Flag awarded group of beaches.

Rijeka entered its first beach, just like Dramalj, Brzac (near Malinska) and Podgora. Split stressed its presence with two more beaches in the town and one more next to it (Stobreč), and also, Camp Vira near Hvar (town) helped Hvar Island to step up from one to two blue flag beaches.

There are several beaches on Makarska's Riviera that lost their blue flags for 2010: Brela's three beaches, Makarska's main beach, Tučepi's major beach are out of the list, similarly to Komiža's main beach, Mandre's Mala Mandra and Fažana's Children's Playground Beach.

Our site, CroaRiva has a map of the blue flag beaches in Croatia with the exact locations of these fine beaches.

20100607212129Mon - Blue Flag Programme

2x2 lanes on the leg of Istria Y highway (Kanfanar - Pula) from June 18 - for a fee

CroaRiva — Fri, 28 May 2010 14:41:35 +0200

With today's opening of the Višnjan Junction on the highway between Kanfanar and Pula, the leg of Istria's main road, the Y, is near to completion. The 2x2 lanes motorway connecting the center of the Y (Kanfanar) with its southern end (Pula) is scheduled to open on the 18th of June.

There will be a toll on the motorway, which will be in par with other tolls in the country, possibly about 12 Kunas (1.65 Euros).

Another part of the Y, the short section connecting the Umag Junction with the Croatian-Slovenian border is expected be launched on the 23rd or 24th of June.

20100528144135Fri - Glas Istre

Vestibul Palace, Riva Hvar, Lešić Dimitri, Bellevue Dubrovnik on Sunday Times' short list

CroaRiva — Tue, 25 May 2010 17:13:05 +0200

Sunday Times travel writers compiled their list of Europe's 100 small(er) hotels. The Croatian entries on this 'bolt holes' list are Split's Vestibul Palace, Hvar's Riva, Korčula's Lešić Dimitri and Dubrovnik's Bellevue.

20100525171305Tue - Times Online

Croatia's first motorhome rest area in Istria open soon, 15 to follow

CroaRiva — Tue, 25 May 2010 16:28:55 +0200

Farm Pino in Istria's Katun is going to offer the first caravan rest area in Croatia when it opens at the beginning of the season. Their services include secure parking for nights, water, electric power, wastewater treatment for 3-5, later up to 15 caravans.

The first of its kind motorhome rest area is to be followed 15 other units in Istria.

20100525162855Tue - HTV

Open fires forbidden in several Croatian counties from the 1st of June

CroaRiva — Tue, 25 May 2010 14:30:10 +0200

To prevent fire outbreaks several of Croatia's counties have ordered bans on open fires for the period starting on the 1st of June.

The forbidden periods end either on the 30th of September or on the 31st of October.

20100525143010Tue - Policija.hr

12th dry stone cross set up at Kornati firefighters memorial

CroaRiva — Tue, 25 May 2010 12:55:44 +0200

With the set up of the 12th stone cross on Kornati the memorial for the 12 firefighters who were lost in the tragic 2007 mission is now completed.

The crosses and St. Florian's Chapel were built using the ancient dry-stone technique of the Adriatic by more than 400 volunteers coming from all parts of Croatia. The memorial was set up without any tools and equipment, its builders used only their skills and hands.

20100525125544Tue - HRT

Francesca von Habsburg gives up Lopud monastery renovation

CroaRiva — Sat, 22 May 2010 13:51:54 +0200

Croatia's Conservation Department confirmed that Arcus Dalmatia desisted from the renovation of the 15th century Franciscan monastery on the Island of Lopud. The renovation that started in 2005 is now suspended and the monastery is closed and secured.

In 1997 Arcus Dalmatia, backed by Francesca von Habsburg (nee Thyssen-Bornemisza), gained a 99 years franchise to the monastery from the Franciscan Province of Saint Jerome (Zadar). As a collector and sponsor of modern art, von Habsburg planned to set up an art laboratory and colony in the former church complex.

Nevertheless, an other project sponsored by Francesca von Habsburg's on Lopud, Olafur Eliasson's and David Adjaye's Your Black Horizon Art Pavilion re-opens its doors to the public on the 11th of June.

20100522135154Sat - DubrovnikNet.hr

World's longest wild asparagus found near Bale - 2.8 m long

CroaRiva — Sat, 22 May 2010 09:30:31 +0200

This year's wild asparagus season turned out to be very lucky for Mario Sirotić. At the bushy locality he visits during the asparagus season this time he found not one, but five asparagus monsters, each about 2.5 meters long.

One of the long asparagus pieces, the 2.8 m giant will be nominated for the Guinness Book of Records. After the photos of evidence were taken Sirotić would prepare a fritaja (omelet) for friends and family using his delicate find.

20100522093031Sat - 24sata.hr

Tourist Board of Jezera (Murter) gets new website

CroaRiva — Fri, 21 May 2010 18:42:21 +0200

Jezera's old, obsolete website had been completely rewritten and the new site full of information was put into work a couple of weeks ago.

The depth of content available on the new site meets all expectations - the only flaw is that the pages are available only in Croatian.

20100521184221Fri - Turistička zajednica mjesta Jezera

Small Dubrovnik hotel sold to Russian company

CroaRiva — Wed, 19 May 2010 20:08:23 +0200

Due to tough times in business the owner of the Sumratin hotel group decided to sell its properties. One item of their offering, Hotel Zagreb (23 rooms) in Dubrovnik's Lapad Bay has found its buyer, Russian-backed Renesansa Ltd.

The hotel, which was renewed in 2004, keeps its hospitality profile until the end of the season - the long time plans of the new owner are unknown.

20100519200823Wed - Dubrovački vjesnik

Dalmatian Zagora's first educational path opened

CroaRiva — Wed, 19 May 2010 18:20:41 +0200

On the 18th of May in River Cetina's picturesque canyon the first one of the 22 planned educational paths of the Zagora area was opened to the public. The 2,6 km path 9 information plates, 11 relax stops and 5 panoramic stations serve the education, relaxation and pleasure of visitors.

The path is named after St. Leopold Mandić and starts in Zakučac, St. Leopold's place of birth.

Two further paths in Splitsko-Dalmatinska County are close to completion, these will lead to Brač's Vidova gora (St. Vitus' Mountain) and to the lakes of Imotski.

20100519182041Wed - Splitsko-dalmatinska županija

7 days in Dubrovnik for $250? Apartment lessors work on cheap packet

CroaRiva — Wed, 19 May 2010 11:27:12 +0200

Dubrovnik is an expensive destination - this is the cliche that should be busted, think apartment owners. In the recent meeting representing the 1250 families with free apartment capacities plans about an attractive packet for Dubrovnik vacationers were discussed.

The 7 day packet with the price of 1499 Kuna/person would include 7 nights of accomodation, 7 meals in a restaurant, 7 day pass for the city's public transport, 7 day pass to 7 museums and the city walls, 1 ticket for either a Dubrovnik Summer Festival event or 4 tickets for a Dubrovnik disco club.

Apartments that wish to join the initiative must meet a set of standards.

When launched, the offer will be available through the Tourist Board of Dubrovnik.

20100519112712Wed - Dubrovački list

Ship Marko Polo takes the sea again

CroaRiva — Wed, 19 May 2010 10:07:00 +0200

Following the repair works in Mali Lošinj's shipyard Jadrolinija's Marko Polo is getting ready to carry passengers and cargo again. Currently the ship is on test routes, Marko Polo should return to scheduled sailing on the Rijeka-Dubrovnik line on the 24th of May.

Marko Polo stranded on October 24 last year when it hit ground on the islet of Sit in the area of Pašman, Žut and Dugi otok islands.

20100519100700Wed - eZadar

Budget for summer events halved by the Town Hall in Makarska

CroaRiva — Wed, 19 May 2010 09:35:14 +0200

Harsh economic and budget conditions had the local government in Makarska to reduce the funds that the town can expend to support entertainment events during this summer season. Compared to last year's 60,000 Kunas this year 35,000 Kunas will be available for programmes like Makarsko ljeto (Makarska Summer) and fishermen's nights.

All is not lost, though. Local entrepreneurs step in to subsidize the town budget, just like with Makarska Summer's opening event, the concert of Jelena Rozga and Klapa Iskon on the 10th of July.

20100519093514Wed - Makarska kronika

Lovište country wild boars would play with playground children

CroaRiva — Mon, 17 May 2010 19:20:09 +0200

The residents of Lovište, the village on the westernmost area of Pelješac Peninsula are in despair because the 16 wild boars that had been bred then, a couple of weeks ago, have been let free now returned. The wild boars enjoy the excellent food available in the village, stroll about in the village center - and would happily play with the children found on the playground.

The wild boars now frequent mainly the potatoe plants, locals are afraid that later this year the vineyards with plavac mali, rukatac, pošip and maraština, prime ingredients of Pelješac wines will appeal to the uninvited guests as well.

20100517192009Mon - Slobodna Dalmacija

Museum of agriculture opened at Baredine Cave near Poreč

CroaRiva — Mon, 17 May 2010 15:05:00 +0200

A new attraction at the 15 years old visitor center of Baredine Cave (Jama Baredine) has been added to the things to be seen in the Poreč area. The entrepreneur behind the research and opening of Jama Baredine, Silvio Legović-Kavasaki had another venture to collect objects and equipment that were used in Istrian agriculture. The items, some of them 200 years old, are on show in Baredine Manor.

Tractors and other machinery are expected to be the most appealing part of the exhibition. The private collection opened to the public on the 14th of May.

20100517150500Mon - Parentium.com

Free wifi in old town Zadar - with vouchers

CroaRiva — Sun, 16 May 2010 14:06:39 +0200

By the beginning of the summer season the old town part of Zadar (the peninsula) will be covered by free wifi access - this way visitors of the area can enjoy free broadband internet.

Connection is possible after registration at Zadar's Tourist Board Office - this is also where the time-limited vouchers for access are issued.

The argument of the Town Hall with the registration policy is that it is needed for security.

20100516140639Sun - 057info

Renovation of Motovun's town walls completed

CroaRiva — Sat, 15 May 2010 18:16:50 +0200

The 7 year long restoration of the 12th century walls surrounding one of Istria's real pearls, Motovun has come to an end. Next items on the historic town's to do list are the construction of the sewerage system and adding a make-up to the town. According to the mayor the make up consists of restoration of buildings, construction of a promenade and setting up handrails.

In addition to Hotel Kaštel, the old town would receive another unit by turning the Retirement home into a hotel. Then, residence area, golf course, hotel and villa settlement are planned in the Mirna Valley below the old town.

20100515181650Sat - Slobodna Dalmacija

Dubrovnik as European Capital of Culture in 2020?

CroaRiva — Sat, 15 May 2010 14:17:09 +0200

Dubrovnik mayor Andro Vlahušić wrote a letter to Croatia's PM Jadranka Kosor, in which he expressed Dubrovnik's will to candidate for the European Capital of Culture in 2020 title.

The letter is not the first sign of Dubrovnik's aims to winning the title. As CroaRiva.com reported earlier, the ECOC title was already a subject of meetings during Vlahušić's visit to Pécs, Hungary (one of the three title holders this year), back in January 2010.

20100515141709Sat - Dubrovački vjesnik

Hotel construction at Kaštel Novi's Cipicco Tower starts for real

CroaRiva — Fri, 14 May 2010 21:04:53 +0200

Ministry of Culture had ordered the construction to stop, but its builders now have court decision to restart the works in Kaštel Novi's very center, around Ćipiko Tower. The plot gets a 52 room hotel, the height of the tower will be raised by 6.5 meters (to reach its original height) - the rooms of the tower are to be converted into luxurious apartments.

Kaštel Novi's newer history started with the erection of the Ćipiko (Cipicco) Tower, the old town was arranged around that tower in 1512.

Considering the plans to renovate Kaštel Novi's seaside promenade and the under-way construction of the sewerage system of Kaštel Bay, the people behind the hotel project and Kaštel Novi locals hope that the so far neglected, industrialized area of Kaštela will finally be able to appeal to tourists.

20100514210453Fri - Portal Grada Kaštela

Expedia names Mostar's Muslibegovic House the World's 8th best hotel

CroaRiva — Fri, 14 May 2010 18:04:10 +0200

Every year, based on the reviews of its audience, Expedia, one of the largest travel websites, publishes its global Insiders' Select top list. On the 2010 top list one of Mostar's historic monuments - with a hotel inside - Muslibegovic House occupies the 8th place on the global chart and 3rd place in the European competition.

From the 100,000 hotels in Expedia's inventory on the Insiders' Select chart three Zagreb, four Dubrovnik, one Podstrana and one Split hotel made it to the top 1000: Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik (#283), Bellevue Hotel (#477), Hotel Berkeley (#642), Hotel Splendid (#814) - these are Dubrovnik's best ones, then come the Le Meridien Lav Split (Split - Podstrana, #896) and Atrium Hotel (Split, #984).

20100514180410Fri - Expedia.com

Photographer water bombed twice on Kornat Island

CroaRiva — Fri, 14 May 2010 10:34:50 +0200

Marko Lepur of Murter was taking photos for his travel agency at Magazinova škrila (a spectacular location in Kornati National Park with limestone slides) when he suddenly heard some noise of an airplane. A few seconds later the airplane, a so-called kanader (fire fighter aircraft) was already right above him - ejecting its water cargo.

Lepur desperately tried to give signals to the plane, but when he saw that the kanader turned back and was approaching him again he had to take cover under a bush. This may have saved his life, as the plane dropped another water bomb to the spot.

Later in their response to the strange case authorities explained that their kanader was not there to threat Lepur's life, instead, Magazinova škrila is the usual training ground of fire fighter airplanes. Lepur had a narrow escape, but his equipment was totally broke.

20100514103450Fri - Zadarski list

John Malkovich, Roger Moore amongst Rachlin's friends in Dubrovnik this year

CroaRiva — Fri, 14 May 2010 08:53:50 +0200

The chamber music festival Julian Rachlin and Friends in Dubrovnik celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. Concerts and performances on show from 1 through 12 September will include John Malkovich and Sir Roger Moore in the line up.

John Malkovich will be part of the Music Critic concert (10th of September) with reading critics accompanying the music.

One opus from Croatia's President, dr. Ivo Josipović will also be played.

20100514085350Fri - Dubrovački list

Water quality of Croatian beaches for 2009 now available

CroaRiva — Thu, 13 May 2010 20:01:03 +0200

Following the data series of 2007 and 2008, Croatia's government agency has published water quality of beaches in 2009.

There is not much change for the Kaštela Bay area (bad results) and the lack of quality for the industrial area of Ploče is no surprise, either. One of Makarska's beaches suffered from the lack of drainage system, while the unacceptable quality around Premantura and Medulin was probably due to the volume of the crowd.

20100513200103Thu - Ministry of Environmental Protection, Physical Planning and Construction

Terminal B of Dubrovnik Airport launched

CroaRiva — Thu, 13 May 2010 12:57:57 +0200

By the presence of Croatia's Prime Minister, several ministers and local notabilities Building B, that is Terminal B of Dubrovnik Airport was declared open on the 12th of May.

With the new building the covered area doubled and as a Croatia's first, Terminal B has passenger bridges directly connecting the building with airplanes - leaving the building is no more needed.

Development didn't come to an end, though - the construction of Terminal C is bound to start.

20100513125757Thu - Dubrovački list

Kosor: highway to Dubrovnik ready by 2012, Pelješac Bridge by 2015

CroaRiva — Thu, 13 May 2010 12:38:51 +0200

The Day of Dubrovnik-Neretva County on the 12th of May was celebrated in the presence of PM Jadranka Kosor and other high ranking guests. Kosor declared that highway A1 that would put an end to Dubrovnik's isolation from the rest of the country should reach Dubrovnik in year 2012. The preliminary works on Pelješac Bridge that would connect the peninsula with the mainland have started and the bridge should be ready by 2015 - she said.

In his address, Andro Vlahušić, Dubrovnik's mayor urged the construction works so that the highway to Ploče and the semi-highway between Ploče and Dubrovnik should be ready by 2011.

20100513123851Thu - Dubrovački vjesnik

Illegal work: 24 Poles, 1 German, 1 Slovak fined and expelled

CroaRiva — Thu, 13 May 2010 12:10:32 +0200

As a result of a raid of authorities on 20-21 April foreign citizens became the target of legal action. One Rabac hotel employed 24 Poles as masseurs, an other hotel was the service venue for a German and a Slovak who represented foreign travel agencies without proper Croatian licenses.

Court of first instance ordered a fine of 3,000 kunas (520 US$) for each of the Poles and also they should be expelled from Croatia for a term of one year.

20100513121032Thu - Labin.com

Islands around Medulin up for sale?

CroaRiva — Wed, 12 May 2010 15:22:23 +0200

While locals are in debates with local authorities and the legal declaration about sea goods has been long due by the government, Frašker and Fraškerić, two islets in Medulin's archipelago have already been sold to Russian investors.

The preemptive rights of the state, then of the county and then of the settlement to buy islands in private hands notwithstanding, offers from foreign investors keep coming. Current targets are islets Bodulaš and Ceju - 20 million Euros have been offered for the latter one from Russia.

20100512152223Wed - GradPula.com

Rijeka's and Dubrovnik's youth hostels receive HI-Quality awards

CroaRiva — Wed, 12 May 2010 14:51:11 +0200

Out of the four East-European recipients of the Hostelling International's HI-Quality titles two are located in Croatia. Hostelling International is the international organization of national hostel associations.

The HI-Quality system has been set up by combining the special quality expectations to youth hostels with international ISO standards. The sign of quality is now awarded to Rijeka's and Dubrovnik's youth hostels.

20100512145111Wed - Dubrovnik Tourist Board

Debute of Cromaris on European Seafood Exposition

CroaRiva — Wed, 12 May 2010 13:27:03 +0200

Croatia's representation on European Seafood Expo (Bruxelles, 27-29 April) featured the Cromaris Booth. Cromaris is a newly established Adris Grupa-funded venture to process seafood.

Besides the fresh and cleaned fishes of Cromaris smoked and marinated brancin (seabass) and orada (gilt-head bream) product lines were also on show.

In April 2010 Cromaris signed an order worth of 6.8 million Euros with leading seafood processor Norway's AKVA Group ASA to purchase their technology.

20100512132703Wed - ADRIS grupa

Renewed Valamar hotel opened in Poreč

CroaRiva — Wed, 12 May 2010 11:59:37 +0200

The former Hotel Neptun in Poreč, which had been purchased by Valamar Hotels, following its total renovation was opened as Hotel Valamar Riviera on the 29th of April.

The costs of the renovation of the maritime style hotel right on Poreč riva went up to 7 million US$ and further 2.8 million US$ was spent to renew Villa Polesini, similarly a Valamar property in Poreč's old town.

The hotel started fully reserved and Villa Polosini, planned as an event venue, won't stay empty long, either - for a start the villa hosts the 1st Valamar Jazz Festival in July 2010.

20100512115937Wed - GradPula.com

Organic olive grove consecrated in Preko

CroaRiva — Mon, 03 May 2010 18:46:20 +0200

Preko's Drobnica Co-Op ventures in renewing an olive grove that has been uncultivated for 10 years. In a joint work with local companies, local authorities and the school, and with the expert help of Zadar County's institutions they are the lessee of the Komorok property for 30 years.

At the opening of the renewed olive grove, its owner, the Roman Catholic Parish of Preko was represented by Preko's parson, who consecrated the garden.

20100503184620Mon - Preko.hr

Showers become paid on Makarska beaches this summer

CroaRiva — Sun, 02 May 2010 10:16:51 +0200

According to the Makarska Town Council decision guests will have to pay 2 Kunas (about 0.25 Euros, 0.35 USD) per occasion for using the showers on Makarska beaches. At the same time, showers will pour 6 liters/min instead of the current 18 liters/min output.

Due to water bills maintaining 17 showers is not cheap at all - the bill of a single shower runs up to 60,000 Kuna (8,250 EUR, 11,000 USD) for a season.

20100502101651Sun - Index.hr

5th photo exhibition in Benkovac about diversity in nature

CroaRiva — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:10:24 +0200

The exhibition featuring photos of Jasenice's Tulove Grede Mountaineering Club was opened in the Benkovac Town Library on the 21st of April and is accessible through the 17th of May.

This is the fifth exhibition about diversity in nature in Benkovac, this time the subject of the photos are the Velebit Mountains.

20100430131024Fri - eZadar

Funtana to build its own lungomare

CroaRiva — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:00:51 +0200

This year's agenda of development is taking shape in one of the two youngest municipalities of Istria, in Funtana. The largest undertaking is the construction of the seaside promenade that would connect Funtana with Bijela Uvala Camp.

The path has already been beaten by both locals and by the guests of the camp. The construction of the 220,000 Euros project has been commissioned to Pula's Cesti Ltd.

20100125200051Mon - Limun.hr

Vrana Castle and the Mašković Khan to be revitalized

CroaRiva — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:18:00 +0200

The Town of Pakoštane, as the owner of the property, received the green light from Croatia's Ministry of Culture to go ahead with the project of restoring and revitalizing the dilapidating medieval castle of the Templar and Hospitaller knights in Vrana, as well as the Jusuf Mašković Khan - caravanserai - built in the castle's vicinity in the 17th c.

Besides the restoration of the buildings and their area the project to be completed by 2013 also includes the relocation of Vransko Lake Park of Nature HQ to the facility, adding a small hotel, restaurant, a shop selling products of local agriculture and an exhibition area with the finds of the planned archeological research of the monuments. 75% of the 2.5 million Euros budget would be provided by EU's IPA fonds, a part of 25% is to be financed by Croatia.

20100125181800Mon - Zadarski list

Dubrovnik's photo was featured on Bing.com homepage

CroaRiva — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:37:55 +0200

The homepage of Microsoft's Bing.com search engine shows photos of places from all around the world. On 21 January, in the course of the daily changing images a view of Croatia's most craved city, Dubrovnik was on show.

20100125173755Mon - The Dubrovnik Times

Competition for the Original souvenir of Korčula Island title

CroaRiva — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:21:16 +0200

ULIPUK, the society of Korčula Island artists invited islanders and Croatians to compete for the title of Original Souvenir of Korčula Island. Samples are expected to be made of natural materials and their prices should not exceed 5 Euros.

The jury holds its meeting on the 9th of April, followed by an exhibition of the entries from April through May 2010.

20100125172116Mon - ULIPUK

Line 506 between Vodice and Prvić Island bites the dust

CroaRiva — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:29:01 +0200

The renewed public tender for the establishment and serving of shipping line 506 to connect Vodice with Prvić Island's two settlements turned out to be unsuccessful, the commission for the winner in turn one (Ivante Ltd.) was withdrawn. 506 could have been the second, supplemental line serving Prvić, as Jadrolinija's 505 sailing between Vodice and Šibenik has stops in Šepurine and Prvić Luka.

The initial support of Prvić residents for 506 plunged because of the fear of losing 505 due to the abundance of two lines. The establishment of 506 with an annual cost of 300,000 Euros isn't likely get back on the agenda anytime soon.

20100125152901Mon - Grad Vodice

Mali Lošinj to replace its shipyard with a resort and marina

CroaRiva — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:12:08 +0200

Lošinjske plovidbe, Inc. considers to change its profile by ceasing its ship building activities and constructing a resort and marina property on the 20,000 m2 area of the 100 years old shipyard. The complex with 1500 beds, including a 5 star hotel and a marina that would host even luxury yachts could be ready in 5 years with a budget of 100 million Euros.

Initiators say that the 100 workers of the shipyard should not fear of becoming unemployed, as the marina with its service facilities like repair and dry docks would need a workforce three times bigger than the current shipyard.

20100125141208Mon - Volim-Losinj.org

Ten locations on Croatia's shortlist for the 2009/2010 EDEN award

CroaRiva — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:03:53 +0200

The Croatian Tourist Board chose 10 out of the 19 tenders in the competition for the European Destination of Excellence (EDEN) title. This year the theme of the competition is "Tourism by the water".

The 10 destinations on the list will be visited by the Tourist Board in February and 5 of them will be named for the final national competition. 7 of the 10 are continental or semi-continental (Raša, Karlovac, Otočac and Gacka, Fužine, Kostajnica, Cetina Valley, Ilok) and 3 are on the Adriatic: Krapanj Island, Kolan on Pag and Nin.

20100125130353Mon - Hrvatska turistička zajednica

Lopud Museum's missal from 1521 restored

CroaRiva — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:22:57 +0200

Experts of the Croatian Restoration Institute in Dubrovnik have completed their job on the damaged 1521 missal from the holdings of the R. C. Parish Museum of Lopud. Now the precious book is given back to the church authorities in Dubrovnik.

The parish museum in Lopud was founded in 1931, renewed in 1974. Due to the harsh conditions, like high humidity, all of its preserved values, including a 8-9th c. reliquary, 15-19th silver works, 18-20th c. ethno collection were transferred to the Bishop of Dubrovnik's Office in 2006.

20100125122257Mon - Dubrovački vjesnik

King Arthur's countrymen from Podstrana to kayak across the Channel

CroaRiva — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:19:38 +0200

A tomb recently discovered in Podstrana, a small village near Split might contain the remains of King Arthur - or at least this is what British historian John Matthews believed when the tomb was opened up in 2009. According to him, it was Roman general and local ruler Lucius Artorius Castus born and buried in Podstrana who became King Arthur in history.

A local team in Podstrana led by Denis Jonjić is now doing preparations to cross the English Channel on six kayaks on June 10, 2010.

20100125111938Mon - Croatian Times

Croatia's king of fireworks invests in splashing

CroaRiva — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:06:47 +0200

Franjo Koletić, totum factum in the Croatian fireworks market has bought a 45,000 m2 parcel of land near Biograd with plans do turn the area into what the press calls the Croatian Gardaland. In three years the facility could offer discos, casinos, swimming pools and a small hotel. The land is by the Adriatic main road, somewhat 1 km off the coast.

Although the theme park will certainly have features related to water, the actual list of features is yet to be defined. Koletić is impressed by the Dolphinariums seen in the US and Mexico, this might, however, be met with the anger of greens. The budget for the project would be in the 15-20 million Euros range.

20100125100647Mon - tportal.hr

Construction teams on both sides of Sv. Ilija Tunnel finally shake hands

CroaRiva — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:58:52 +0200

The construction of the Sv. Ilija Tunnel has reached another milestone on the 21st of January, when workers digging on opposing northern and southern sides met each other. The purpose of the tunnel is to conveniently connect the coastal area (Brela, Baška Voda, Makarska) with the highway and the hinterland on the northern side of the Biokovo Mountains.

The completion of the project is expected to last two more years. The length of the tunnel is planned to be 4249 meters, width to be 7.7 meters, 1+1 lanes plus a 3 meters wide service road. The height of the mount overlaying the tunnel is 1336.5 meters, which makes Sv. Ilija Tunnel Europe's Number one in this aspect.

20100122145852Fri - Slobodna Dalmacija

Digital library of Croatian newspapers and journals launched

CroaRiva — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:07:11 +0200

On January 21st, 2010 with addresses and introductions to the project the Portal of Digitized Old Croatian Newspapers and Journals. The host of the project is Croatia's National and University Library in Zagreb.

On the day of its opening the collection provides 6 digitized newspapers, including the oldest ones of Croatia, as well as 5 humanities journal titles. The library expects to grow the collection by adding further titles. Besides browsing full-text search features are provided.

20100122130711Fri - Nacionalna i sveučilišna knižnica u Zagrebu

Dean Todorović named the 2009 best chef in Croatia

CroaRiva — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:03:45 +0200

The Croatian Chef Federation delivered its 2009 Crystal Chef awards in three categories today. The winner in the overall category came from Primošten's Hotel Zora restaurant, Dean Todorović. Th second place is occupied by Tomislav Karamarko of Zadar's Stomorica Restaurant, bronze went to Slađana Herman of Goričan's Herman Restaurant.

The winner is qualified to represent Croatia on the Culinary World Cup in Luxembourg and on the Golden Chef of the Balkans championship in Belgrade.

20100120180345Wed - Slobodna Dalmacija

New road to Vir Bridge to usable by Easter

CroaRiva — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:40:27 +0200

Construction works on the new D306 connecting Nin and Vir Island with the mainland are underway. The road should be usable by Easter and completed by the end of May. The new track of the road goes straight between Nin and Vir and thus avoids the populated area of Privlaka.

20100120144027Wed - 057info

Pag-Košljun Channel on the agenda

CroaRiva — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:17:48 +0200

With authorities and interested parties present a meeting was held to discuss the plans about a channel that would divide Pag Island into halves. The advantage of the channel between Pag (town) and Košljun would be that it would connect the Velebitski Channel with the sea (Virsko more).

The length of the channel is planned to be 6.6 km, out of which a section of 1500 meters would be 64 meters, the rest 490 meters wide. The construction would involve the removal of 5 million m3 of stone. The planners believe that the best location for the Pag end of the channel would be the area between the old Pag town bridge and the Pag saltworks.

20100119221748Tue - eZadar

First in a row ValBandić Regatta in Valbandon puddle

CroaRiva — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 11:47:50 +0200

Sailing addicts of Pula's PIJK Hijena Club couldn't stand seeing the pond created by the heavy rains of recent weeks empty, so they announced the first ever ValBandić Regatta and the 20ish sportsmen sailed for two hours on Sunday.

20100119114750Tue - Glas Istre

Lopud riva broken by the sea

CroaRiva — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:03:46 +0200

Waves during two strong tempests crushed the promenade in Lopud town. Comparing to the recent damage done by the sea in Orebić the visiting authority said that the damage in Lopud was bigger and the claim of a natural disaster was valid. Weather elements are only part of the problem: the riva was built in the 1920s and aging is a factor in its deterioration.

The locals ask why the taxes collected from visitors are not returned to the locality so that they could be used for reconstruction. Repairs so far have been done by the good will of a Dubrovnik construction company.

20100112220346Tue - Dubrovački list

Dubrovnik: future European Capital of Culture?

CroaRiva — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:11:04 +0200

At the meeting with the mayor in Pécs, Hungary Dubrovnik's mayor Andro Vlahušić discussed the European Capital of Culture project. Vlahušić mentioned that besides being labeled as a tourist destination they wished the city could also have the tag of a cultural and educated place - a European Capital of Culture.

Together with Essen in Germany and Turkey's Istanbul Pécs, Hungary is a European Capital of Culture in year 2010.

20100112121104Tue - Dubrovački list

Pag town and Povljana join REPS to protect dry-walls

CroaRiva — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 11:28:19 +0200

Pag town and Povljana submit their application to the REPS project. REPS (Réseau Européen de la Pierre sèche) is an EU-funded Interreg IIIC programme to protect dry-stone structures, its members include various bodies from the south of Europe.

Pag Island has about 1000 km of dry walls. They are not only the largest man-made structures on the island, but some of them being 1000 years old are considered to belong to the oldest ones, too.

20100112112819Tue - eZadar

Trogir in need of solution for the growing flood threat

CroaRiva — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 15:57:36 +0200

Situated right on the coast, the UNESCO listed old town of Trogir is faced with the problem of the growing sea level. The concrete used to strengthen basements also add to the problem. Unlike old earthen floors, concrete ones doesn't allow the water to leek off and the sinking of Trogir by 1 mm during the last 10 years might also be caused by the weight of concrete structures.

The frequency of floods looks like growing. The last time it happened on New Year's Day Pasika, the western part of old town and the riva were effected the most. Floods damaged restaurants and the bank had to be closed for traffic, as the line dividing the sea from land could not be seen.

20100109155736Sat - Slobodna Dalmacija

Vodice restored the Rašinov stan bunja

CroaRiva — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 15:05:47 +0200

Following the inscription of the old building to the Register of Cultural Goods of Croatia in 2008, the Rašinov dwelling near Vodice was first cleaned of the weeds, then its structures were restored by the only master of dry walls in the Vodice area, Ivan Juričev-Griginov. The Rušinov stan project is considered to be the first on the dry stone restoration agenda of Vodice.

Bunja (pl. bunje) is a hut typical of Dalmatia. Its dry wall building technique is comparable to the kažun in Istria, the trullo in Apulia and other similar structures in the Mediterranean. The construction of the Rašinov stan bunja was started by Josip Strikoman in 1880 to be completed by his son. The family used the hut up to WW2.

20100109150547Sat - Grad Vodice

Call for šokol - Šokolijada in Nin announced

CroaRiva — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 11:35:08 +0200

The Tourist Boad of Nin is doing preparations for the 8th Šokolijada of the town. Makers of this delicate dish are now called to sign up for the competition to be held on the 18th of July later this year.

Šokol is carefully prepared neck of swine. Its making starts with a salt bed, continues with cooked red wine bath, followed by adding spices and putting the meat into a net to get its oval shape, smoking for two weeks and finally exposing it to bura to let it dry.

20100109113508Sat - 057info

First time festival of music documentary films in Starigrad Paklenica in August

CroaRiva — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:37:27 +0200

To continue the film industry tradition of Starigrad Paklenica an international festival of music documentary films between 8 and 14 of August is under organization. The list of 10 feature and 20 short films to compete for the Velika Paklenica and minor awards is being compiled.

The Paklenica National Park is famous for being the location of shooting the movies Winnetou, Vagabond (with Kirk Douglas) and possibly the cult WW2 movie, Sutjeska. The showing of films will be exceptional venues, as they will be projected at ambient open-air locations of the national park.

20100108223727Fri - Zadarski list

Stari Grad on Hvar to be renamed to Faros?

CroaRiva — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:55:57 +0200

Polling on a well visited local website about Stari Grad on Hvar Island shows that 80% of the voters would be for changing the current name of the town back to its ancient one, Faros.

Faros (now Starigradsko polje or Faroska hora), founded in 384 B.C., is the oldest settlement in Croatia and is inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List. The change of the name could happen as early as 2010, following the local elections later this year.

20100105185557Tue - Slobodna Dalmacija

Olive oil production heading north, deep into mainland - first ever drops of Ričice oil

CroaRiva — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:17:06 +0200

Twenty or ten years ago, given its harsh climate and conditions nobody thought that the Ričice soil, NW of Imotski, next to the Bosnian-Herzegovian border would be the home of olive trees. However, local Frano Lukić Fratić, trained in the Metković region, planted seedlings four years ago and this year his efforts paid off.

The first harvest brought 50 kg olive and 8 liters of extra quality oil. Lukić Fratić hopes that the young plants survive the flurry of winter with recent temperatures of -16 C and next year the yield might go up to 50 liters of ekstra djevičansko.

20100105181706Tue - Slobodna Dalmacija

Bike atlas of Zadar County brewing

CroaRiva — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:52:20 +0200

The popularity of bicycle tourism is spreading from the northern parts of the Adriatic towards south. Zadar County is working on an atlas for cyclists that would include all the special information needed for ecotravelers on two wheels.

The county already opened seven bike trails both on the islands and on the mainland with thematic routes for cultural values or reserves of nature. Zadar County's eco travel offer also includes 17 rural households welcoming visitors and this number is expected to grow.

20100105095220Tue - Zadarski list

Dannii Minogue on Twitter: Would like to visit Croatia in the summertime

CroaRiva — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:14:40 +0200

Answering a question from a fan about the part of the world that she hasn't visited but would love to Dannii named Croatia in the summertime.

Dannii might be kind of late to the party: according to AskMen.com the Dalmatian Cost _was_ a party scene in the 1990s. Is it no more?

20100104211440Mon - Twitter

With escalator to Sv. Mihovil? - Šibenik might get new attraction

CroaRiva — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 17:47:37 +0200

The town of Šibenik asked Nikola Bašić to bring out his plans, as they consider to construct the designed escalator connecting Šibenik's old quarter Dolac with the fortress sitting above the town, Sv. Mihovil.

Architect Nikola Bašić, known for his Greeting to the Sun and See Organ projects in Zadar, would build a plexiglass covered escalator in the Rescue Alley (Strada Socorso, Cesta spasa) by replacing the old wooden steps with modern machinery. In the mean time the town is doing paperwork to have the EU finance the project.

20100103174737Sun - Slobodna Dalmacija

No bids received for shares in 4 state-owned hotel companies in Croatia

CroaRiva — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 14:09:41 +0200

In October 2009 CFP, the Croatian Privatization Fund announced a tender for shares in four companies: Hoteli Podgora, Hoteli Živogošće, Hoteli Medena (Seget Donji) and Hotel Modra Špilja (Komiža). The offer didn't turn out to be appealing, only two companies bought the documentation of three offers (two for Živogošće and one for Medena) - but not one bid was received.

The asking price for the 75% stake in Živogošće was 3.3 million US$, only 20% of its nominal value and an offer in the 15% range of nominal value could have bought a share of 56% in Podgora.

20091230140941Wed - e-turizam

Croatian hoteliers looking for smaller agencies and different markets after the cancellation by Thomas Cook

CroaRiva — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:38:38 +0200

Following the collapse of its partner Holiday Options, top UK tour operator Thomas Cook canceled all of its flights to Split for the 2010 season. The withdrawal affects mostly the Makarska Riviera, which received 20,000 guests last year through Thomas Cook. Thomas Cook brought a roughly 1 million Euros business for Blue Sun hotels in Brela and Tučepi.

Hoteliers are now in negotiations with smaller operators from the UK and also reaching out actively to other markets, including Russia, to be able to sell their capacities.

20091230113838Wed - Makarska kronika

Tavern Stomorica wins the Christmas bakalar competition in Zadar

CroaRiva — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 11:05:28 +0200

For the third time Zadar challenged restaurants from Zadar and its area to prepare the most traditional ingredient of the Christmas menu in Dalmatia, bakalar. The crews of nine restaurants competed in two categories as they had the task to make two courses, appetizer and soup/stew.

The jury chose the dishes prepared by Tavern Stomorica to be the winners in both categories. Bakalar, the dried and smoked cod is a product of Norway, from where it's imported throughout the year with the largest quantities arriving for the Christmas season.

20091228110528Mon - Zadarski list

Zepter's 50 m yacht launched in Kraljevica shipyard

CroaRiva — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 10:40:40 +0200

The yacht under construction was launched on Monday. Bad weather conditions didn't allow its future owner, the Serbian born magnate, Philip Zepter to be present at the event. The ship hasn't received its name, it's planned to be introduced during the Monte Carlo F1 Grand Prix in 2010.

Equipped with full luxury, 2 821 KW Cummins engines the yacht is going to get a special layout with Mondrian-like base colours. The construction brought 3 million Euros worth of business to the shipyard Kraljevica.

20091222104040Tue - Glas Istre

Dubrovnik's new attractions for 2010: cable car, multimedia in Revelin

CroaRiva — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 10:11:00 +0200

Following a meeting of the Dubrovnik Tourist Board the city's mayor talked about the new attractions coming in the 2010 season. The reconstruction of the once popular cable car Žičara, which was destroyed during the Homeland War, is underway and would lift passengers up to Srdj Hill from June.

A new multimedia museum in the Revelin Fortress with 15 wide screens is set to open by Easter 2010.

20091222101100Tue - The Dubrovnik Times

Underwater museum under construction at Silba

CroaRiva — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 09:37:34 +0200

The area around the underwater find of a 1500 years old sarcophagus in Island Silba's Pocukmarak Bay is now being explored by Zadar archeologists. They prepare the plot for the opening of an underwater exhibition of the ancient Roman sarcophagus and its related finds - the sarcophagus apparently was the cargo of ship that got wrecked.

This museum will be different from other underwater locations due to the fact that the object rests only 2 meters deep from sea level and hence it will be accessible not only to fully equipped divers, but to anyone who can swim.

20091221093734Mon - Croatia Travel Blog

Party beach Zrće gets its photo album

CroaRiva — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:22:32 +0200

(Almost) All things ever happened on Croatia's iconic Zrće Beach are now on display in a photo documentary book hitting Croatia's stands next week. Its author, journalist Zvonimir Krstulović took the photos between 2005 and 2009 to give back the feeling of the hot-hot-hot beach.

According to Krstulović the book with the title "Zrće from dusk till dawn" is a prayer for Zrće party people, the pilgrims of hedonism on Pag Island.

20091218102232Fri - Glas Istre

Croatians can't eat golf balls - Greens in Croatia say

CroaRiva — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 09:20:46 +0200

In a protest against the act of law about expropriation of agricultural land for golf course establishment Green Action Croatia together with GONG and Transparency International Croatia packed golf balls into boxes of eggs for sale on Zagreb's famous Dolac Market.

The groups argued that the unique act about land expropriation instead of encouraging golf tourism serves as a masque to capture parcels for apartments and villas and is a hotbed of corruption. About 60 golf courses are being planned in Croatia now and these would occupy approx. 7,500-10,000 hectares of land - this is double of the area intended for organic agricultural production in the country.

20091218092046Fri - Glas Istre

39 different prices for the same hotel room in Dubrovnik

CroaRiva — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:52:52 +0200

Perhaps partly owning to the economic crisis slamming travel in Croatia, too, a hotel room in Dubrovnik is sold for 39 different prices. Besides the usual reasons of divergence, such as time of the year, number of persons, discounts for children the hotel discounts the price also if the guest arrives late and thus can't use services like the wellness spa during the day, or if (s)he leaves early in the morning and thus gets packaged breakfast instead of the buffet.

20091217205252Thu - Dubrovački list

7000 portions of meal made from 200 kg of bakalar for Split folks

CroaRiva — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:41:21 +0200

Using the traditional ingredient of the Christmas menu in Dalmatia, 20 chefs prepare close to 2000 liters of meal from bakalar - dried cod fish. The free lunch is being served in the presence of local politicians in Split right now.

The fish is prepared on two ways, the menu options are either bakalar na crveno (bakalar in red) or bakalar s njokima (bakalar with gnocchi). Half of the fish came as a traditional donation from two commerce companies in Norway, other ingredients were donated by Croatian companies.

20091217124121Thu - Slobodna Dalmacija

ID cards with addresses without house numbers (bb) to be revoked in Croatia

CroaRiva — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:49:37 +0200

It's not unusual in Croatia that houses don't have their own numbers in addresses - these are specified as 'bb' (bez broja, without number). The issue was a hot topic during local elections in Dusina (Vrgorac) and Vinjani (Imotski) as the numbers of constituents sharing the same addresses were 404 in Dusina (Dusina bb) and 820 in Vinjani (Vinjani Donji bb).

ID cards with these unnumbered addresses are now being considered to be revoked.

20091214094937Mon - eZadar

25 MW solar power plant planned in Istria

CroaRiva — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 11:04:21 +0200

Istria County was given the green light from the Ministry of Justice for the project to build solar power plant in the immediate vicinity of the prison in Valtura, NE of Pula.

The plant would occupy 25 hectares of land and would produce 25 MW of green energy. Construction would not begin before 2012. The project would be financed through a public-private partnership.

20091213110421Sun - Glas Istre

Demolition of vacation houses without permits in the Kolan, Pag area

CroaRiva — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:25:19 +0200

The Ministry of Environmental Protection, Planning and Construction started the action of pulling down illegally constructed buildings in Križine. The issue was brought up in 2003 when owners were invited to find a solution. Authorities decided to step into action early December and the excavators started with 8 out of the 20 illegally built houses.

Most of the affected owners reside in the Zagreb area and according to one of them 80% of the owners are veterans of the Civil War. They barely succeeded to save the furniture and roof tiles of their properties before the excavators entered the plot.

20091211112519Fri - eZadar

Archeological excavation of medieval cemetery in Trogir underway

CroaRiva — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:32:41 +0200

In preparation of canalization the road between the town market and the fish market is an archeological exploration area till mid-January 2010. Based on early 20th c. findings experts expect to uncover an early Christian church, an ancient Roman bath and medieval cemetery.

Archeologist Miroslav Katić reports that the medieval cemetery is now confirmed, as diggings unearthed skeletons from that era - some of them wounded. The finds indicate the appearance of suburbs of Trogir during the 15th century.

20091211103241Fri - Trogir

Dubrovnik riva promenade to open before Xmas, parking garage in 5 years

CroaRiva — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:41:32 +0200

Following a meeting with authorities Dubrovnik's mayor announced that Dubrovnik was about to open part of the closed area of the Gruž international port, where a 1 km long seaside promenade between Super Konzum and Kantafig would be established.

To answer the growing issue of parking in Dubrovnik the agenda of the meeting also included the establishment of a public parking garage with a capacity of 300 cars and 50 buses.

20091210184132Thu - Dubrovački list

New Ryanair route from May 2010: Brussels-Charleroi - Zadar

CroaRiva — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:46:09 +0200

Ryanair announced 6 new routes from Brussels (Charleroi) for the Summer season of 2010. One of them will connect Brussels-Charleroi with Croatia's Zadar, 3 times a week. Flights are scheduled to start on the 1st of May.

20091210174609Thu - Ryanair

Dr. Who in Trogir now, Medieval next year

CroaRiva — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:20:47 +0200

Croatia is becoming a preferred venue for film directors as the old districts of its towns are attractive for shooting films with historical themes. This time BBC makers of the cult sci-fi series Dr. Who arrived to Trogir to record another travel in time with space ship Tardis.

Trogir, Split and Dubrovnik are preparing for another shooting scheduled for the Spring of 2010. Roni Cohen (Mid Atlantic Productions) is going to bring Nicholas Cage and a crew of 600 for the production of the film Medieval.

20091210102047Thu - Trogir

Troubled saving of Adriatica.net

CroaRiva — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:18:25 +0200

One of Croatia's largest tour operators, Adriatica.net has been struggling with its debt of 37 million Euros. The saving of the company has been unsettled for quite some time now, recapitalization is probably the way to go. Investors bringing new capital could gain a 13% share in Adriatica.net.

There is no consensus in choosing the investors helping with recapitalization. There used to be plans to involve state-owned companies in the deal, including Croatia Air, however, Croatia Air itself is slammed by the harsh economic conditions. Later two investors from Slovenia emerged as potential buyers, and most recently the involvement in Croatia's former PM Ivo Sanader in the Adriatica.net story has been covered by the press. Some sources suggest that during his visits to Germany Sanader met with media company WAZ to invite them to this business. WAZ is the owner of Europapress Holding, one of the largest players in Croatia's media industry. The winner of the business still seems to be Slovenia's Bojan Petan, the owner of Terme Catez.

20091209161825Wed - Nacional

New ferry terminal planned for Korčula

CroaRiva — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:21:32 +0200

The ferry port working on the northern side of Korčula old town will be moved to a place a couple kilometers west from its current location: Polačište Bay (between Medvinjak and Zrnovska Banja) will most probably host this facility in future.

The proposed plans and the location of the new ferry terminal were set to be the subject of public discussion of Dec 1, 2009.

20091209122132Wed - Korcula Blog

72 yo man stole poles from mine field for his farm fence

CroaRiva — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:21:21 +0200

The Police Department of Lika-Senj County investigates the case of a 72-year-old Otočac person who is supposed to enter a mine field area and to steal 14 poles with labels "Attention, mines!" on them, several occasions between April and May 2008.

The suspect needed the 110 cm metal poles to carry the concrete fence around his family farm.

20091118212121Wed - Slobodna Lika

Construction of the Sv. Ilija Tunnel may stall

CroaRiva — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:06:35 +0200

Information leaking from government sources suggests that the construction of Sv. Ilija Tunnel that would connect Makarska with the hinterland over the mountains might be a victim of economic difficulties hitting Croatia.

Leading under the Biokovo range Sv. Ilija (Elijah) is a major undertaking to make a convenient link between the littoral region and the continent, most prominently with Imotski. Experts say that the costs of the pause may be higher than that of finishing the project.

20091118100635Wed - Slobodna Dalmacija

Olive oil events - day in, day out

CroaRiva — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:18:54 +0200

This week alone two events take place that spin around extra virgin olive oil. The fair and exhibition of oils in Zagreb's Captol Center started yesterday and closes on Thursday - just to pass the ball to Vodnjan. Between the 20th and 22nd Istria's Vodnjan/Dignano hosts the Days of New Olive Oil.

The international authority on the subject is also amongst the visitors of the Zagreb event: Marco Oreggio, publisher of L’extravergine - the absolute leading guide in the world of olive oils. As a guest in Croatian National Television's Dobro jutro Hrvatska (Good morning Croatia) together with his host, the spiritus movens of the Croatian enology scene, Rene Bakalović, they mentioned, that the price of top Croatian oils is higher than that of the best quality oils of the world.

20091117181854Tue - Gastronomad

CroaRiva launches its initial pages in German

CroaRiva — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:36:51 +0200

Following the debute of CroaRiva in Hungarian, English and Croatian the website about the Croatian part of the Adriatic released its first pages in German today.

All the existing features of CroaRiva are available in the newly rolled out version, but only one local site has been prepared in German on the day of its launch. Up to 40 local sites are planned to open in 2009 and 100 more are expected for 2010.

20091116183651Mon - CroaRiva

Herzegovina winery is the exclusive supplier of wine for Croatia Airlines

CroaRiva — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:27:52 +0200

For the next three years Croatia Airlines offers the quality Blatina wine to passengers flying with them. This red wine is made from a grape that is autochthonous of Herzegovina.

The wine comes from the Vino Domanovići cellar, which utilizes the latest French and Italian technologies, and also famous for owning the largest wooden barrel in Herzegovina with a capacity of 16,230 liters.

20091115212752Sun - Slobodna Dalmacija

Mljet National Park to buy hybrid powered catamaran

CroaRiva — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:47:53 +0200

The National Park on the island of Mljet plans the acquisition of a catamaran vessel that is powered by a hybrid drive using solar cells and diesel fuels. The boat does doesn't make any noise or waves and its pollution is minimal.

The catamaran is expected to start its service in 2011 - transporting up to 70 visitors to the small island of Sv. Marija (St. Mary).

20091113154753Fri - Dubrovački vjesnik

Bilice attracts more and more tourists - pending opening of the tourist board

CroaRiva — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:37:01 +0200

Located somewhat off the Adriatic coast, marked mainly by the Magistral, it took Bilice some time to be discovered by tourists. Thanks to the growing interest in hinterland areas and to ambitious locals Bilice might add its name to travel offerings.

The Stubalj Bay of Lake Prokljansko received most of the development, gravel, showers, changing rooms, sporting facilities and a transit port is in the plans, too. 14 hectares of the Cape Lučeva area might be the location of a tourist settlement with hotels and villas in the capacity of 1400 beds. In the canonization process of the would-be destination locals also plan to found the tourist board of Bilice.

20091113103701Fri - Novi Tjednik

American magazine Islands puts Brač into the World's Top 10 Islands to Live On

CroaRiva — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:23:10 +0200

The November 2009 issue of US magazine Islands, after wading through thousands of islands, named its Top 10 of islands that are the best places to live on. Amongst the locations from the various continents of the world, Brač is listed for its healthy cuisine, relaxed way of life, the old-world ethos, as they call it.

20091112212310Thu - Islands

Vinorela, painting with wine revival on Krk

CroaRiva — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:16:54 +0200

Hosted by famous Krk wine producer Antun Katunar and guided by Dr. Ivan Kiš, a group of painters have been invited to Krk Island to revive a painting technique that almost died out: vinorela, that is using wine to paint. The artist colony started on St. Martin's Day and closes on Saturday.

Vinorela used to be a common form of gaining coloring material for painters in Italy up to the 19th c., when ready-made colors became widely available.

The sort used by the colony is plavac mali. Plavac mali is essentially Dalmatian grape, Katunar has the northest plantation of them in Croatia.

Artists of the vinorela colony are free to decide on their themes - the best pieces of their work would be used on Katunar's wine bottle labels.

20091112091654Thu - Slobodna Dalmacija

Ston's Mihovil Chapel restoration underway

CroaRiva — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:25:01 +0200

Experts of the Croatian Conservation Institute in Dubrovnik climb their way to the Gradac hill above Ston, every day. At this location of the Sv. Mihovil (St. Michael) Chapel a complete restoration of the medieval monument is taking place. After cleaning the area from excrescent vegetation and documenting the architecture the team has the tough job of removing the mortar draining salt from the interiors frescoes, as well as protecting the monument from excess moisture coming from the ground, through the windows and the roof.

Sv. Mihovil is an important monument of both the early medieval and early modern times. Originally established in the pre-romanic era of the 8th c., the church served as the home church of Zachlumia (Zahumlje) ruler Mihovil (Mihailo) Višević (10th c.) and was developed into a monastery. The still standing stone walls of the monastery of the 16th c. were based on the wooden structures of the location. The interior of the church is richly decorated with frescoes, including the figure of Mihovil.

20091111102501Wed - Slobodna Dalmacija

Webcam set up in Višnjan

CroaRiva — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:55:18 +0200

Istrian small town Višnjan can now be watched 24/7 thanks to the newly installed webcam. The webcam is hosted by the observatory of the town.

According to their claims, even the lights of Italy's Venice can be seen during the night. Considering the 110 km distance between the two places this is somewhat hard to believe, though.

20091110125518Tue - www.parentium.com

Section of medieval walls in Sv. Lovreč collapsed

CroaRiva — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:21:17 +0200

The much feared damage of the 14th c. walls in Istria's Sveti Lovreč has become reality early in the morning this last Friday. The heavy rains Sv. Lovreč received during previous days had the leaning part of the walls collapse.

The restoration of the wall had been arranged, even the firm hired to do the job had brought its slabs to the spot, but because of an emergency situation elsewhere the construction could not begin by Friday. Following the collapse conservators from Pula were expected to take over the job.

20091109202117Mon - Glas Istre

Dodik: Trebinje Airport operational as early as late 2010

CroaRiva — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:06:43 +0200

Milorad Dodik, PM of the Serbian Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina is very optimistic about the progress of the planned Trebinje International Airport. Following the feasibility studies the new airport, which would apparently compete with near-by Dubrovnik and Tivat airports with its low fees, the development received the all clear sign and financial sources from the entity's government.

RS is decided to complete the planning phase by April 2010 and to open the airport for traffic as early as the end of 2010 - either with a concessionaire or backed purely by the state.

Trebinje Airport is expected to serve 250,000 passengers annually in its early years, then this number could grow to 1 million at full throttle. As Dubrovnik Airport, due to its geographical settings, can't be extended and Tivat Airport hasn't really lived up to its promise, and considering that there is a newly built road connecting Trebinje with Herceg Novi, the Trebinje Airport can be a promising one.

20091109160643Mon - Dubrovački list

Svetvinčenat castle's slow renovation

CroaRiva — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:01:36 +0200

The Morosini-Grimani Castle, mainly from the 16th c., is one of the jewel pieces of Svetvinčenat, small town in the Istrian hinterland. Due to the slow influx of financial sources the renovation process started in 1995 is yet to be completed. Thanks to the 600,000 Kunas allocated by the local government and to the 200,000 Euros won in the EU-backed REVITAS Project one definitive step forward can be planned for 2010-2011, though.

The next two years the square tower of the castle, as well as the palace will receive restoration. A lookout point is designed for the top of the tower, while the ground floor of the palace will serve as an info-point and the second floor will be used for exhibitions.

20091109150136Mon - Glas Istre

Marlera Golf Course Project (Ližnjan) questioned due to sloppy gov offices?

CroaRiva — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:22:52 +0200

Leader of Marlera investors, Dražen Ladić voices the concern of the group that due to the lack of response from Croatia's Privatization Fund and the State Assets Office for almost three years, the development of a luxury golf course and apartment-hotel complex on the Marlera peninsula in Istria's Ližnjan could be cancelled.

The two government agencies have failed (showed unwillingness?) to incorporate 6 out of the 67 particles that are found on the grounds of the would-be travel destination.

The 150 million Euro project has hired 300 locals for the construction and would employ a workforce of 300 when complete. The income from the tourist tax alone that Ližnjan would gain from the project equals one year of its budget.

20091109132252Mon - Glas Istre

CroaRiva launched in English

CroaRiva — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:42:12 +0200

Three days after the opening of CroaRiva.com's Hungarian language site on October 15, 2009 CroaRiva's English version is ready to go. CroaRiva is the newest website full of information about Croatia's wonderful Adriatic coast.

CroaRiva was created to provide information both about localities on the Adriatic and about Croatia in general. At the launch local sites cover four towns and several dozens more are planned for 2009, then in 2010 it's expected to feature about 150 places.

20091015164212Thu - CroaRiva