Five of 17 Things Not To Be Missed in Croatia in Central Dalmatia

So what are the things not to be missed in Croatia?

With so much UNESCO heritage, natural beauty, beaches, history and tradition, compiling a definitive list is quite a challenge.

Leading travel guide website Rough Guides has done just that however, recently publishing a list of 17 Things Not to Miss in Croatia, of which five were in Central Dalmatia.

The list was a strong recommendation for Hvar, with Hvar Town, Hvar Island and Stari Grad all appearing on the list, along with Diocletian's Palace and one of the region's favourite activity sports - sea kayaking. See the full Rough Guides list here.

Vis in Europe's Top Ten Secret Summer Hotspots, Says Yahoo

How to escape those summer crowds? How indeed. Yahoo News has done a little research and come up with a top ten list, which includes our very own island of Vis, surely one of the most beautiful and tranquil islands in the world. Here's what Yahoo had to say:

Europe is popular in the summer for a reason: the days are longer, the sun is shining and everyone's in a vacation mood. Unfortunately, it's also peak season, when tourists swarm the continent, prices skyrocket and hotels are booked up far in advance. So leave the well-trodden tourist trail behind and discover these 10 secret European summer hot spots instead!

Leave the tour buses walled up in Dubrovnik and head to Vis, Croatia's most remote island. The two-hour ferry ride from Split will be worth it, as you'll be rewarded with amazing natural beauty, fantastic restaurants and cultural heritage. Get active with sea kayaking, hiking, sailing or caving, or lounge on the near-deserted beaches and then treat yourself to some fresh fish and local wine, as vineyards are abundant on the island.

To see the full list, click here.

Makarska Featured in Britain's Daily Telegraph

With Croatia's imminent accession to the EU and the tourist season in full swing, there are lots of column inches to be had about Croatia as a tourist destination in the international media. The Daily Telegraph today ran a feature on the beach haven that is the Makarska Riviera...

"Most visitors to Dalmatia head straight for the islands, but the Makarska Rivijera on the mainland coast, between Split and Dubrovnik, is home to some of the country’s loveliest stretches of beach. Running from Brela in the north to Gradac in the south, the riviera is 38 miles long and centres on Makarska." Read more... 

River Cetina in Lonely Planet's Top 40 Amazing Experiences in Europe

It has not been a secret for anyone who knows Dalmatia a little, but now the world will know for sure - the Cetina River is an amazing experience! Who says so apart from us? None other than Lonely Planet, who have named the Cetina as one of the top 40 amazing experiences in Europe in a new publication to mark the travel guru's 40th birthday. Lonely Planet says of our favourite river:

'The Cetina is the longest river in Dalmatia, the sea-kissed jewel in Croatia’s crown. Stretching 105 km from the eponymous village, it flows through the Dinara mountains and the fields around Sinj, before gathering speed and pouring into a power plant around Omiš. It is an extraordinarily scenic journey as the limpid blue river is bordered by high rocky walls, thick with vegetation, and the best way to enjoy it is on a rafting trip, braving the rapids on a three-to four-hour trip.'

The book is available for free download here: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/campaigns/europe-experiences/

An Opportunity to See One of Dalmatia's Rarest Games: Zoga Falo with Wine

Bogdanuša Evening is a celebration of Hvar culture and also its best known indigenous white grape variety. Translated, it means 'a gift from God' and it only grows on Hvar. It was a star performer at a Croatian wine tasting in Oslo recently, and you will have the chance to sample the Carić Bogdanuša which won the silver medal in Bulgaria last month. But that's not all...


The traditional game of zoga falo has all but died out in Dalmatia, and the village of Svirče is one of the few places where it is still played. As part of the celebrations, there will be a game of zoga falo at the beginning of the evening. An exhibition of famous people from Svirče, as well as the excellent male klapa Veli Kamik, and it has all the hallmarks of a great evening. Check out Hvar TV's report on last year's event - including a game and explanation of zoga falo - and see you in Svirče!

Active Dalmatia and Green Tourism: Vrlika Hosting Rowing Regatta

With temperatures soaring, the temptation is to not stray far from the beach, but there are some fantastic events and initiatives taking place in Central Dalamtia, all of which are very accessible from Split.

Take the Green Tourism Lake2Lake regatta on Peruća lake, for example, which takes place this week. I will be on official Central Dalmatia Tourist Board blogging duties with my two little ones. It looks like a stunning spot, and one with EU funding to start a rowing centre. The potential of Dalmatia as an adventure tourism destination is huge, and something we will be featuring on the website a little more. (With thanks to the Sinj and Vrlika tourist boards for the information below). 

VRLIKA

PROGRAMME
Saturday, June 22
5:00 p.m.  Football match: VRLIKA – RAMA
8:00 p.m. Cultural programme

Sunday, June 23
10:00 a.m. Rowing regatta on the Peruća lake
 2:00 p.m. Lunch for all participants

About the Project ''Green tourism, LAKE 2 LAKE''

Sport Recreational Centre is the backbone of the "Lake2Lake – green tourism" project, financed by the European Union throught the IPA CBC Programme Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Project partners are Vrlika city in the Republic of Croatia and municipality Prozor – Rama from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Sport Recreational Centre is becoming the main driver of the tourism development in the city of Vrlika and municipality Prozor – Rama.

It is located by two natural attractions – Peruča Lake and Rama Lake that have the ideal conditions for the implementation of active tourism. Because of their position in the basins, there are no hurricane winds or tidal waves, which enable unobstructed rowing, canoeing and fishing for professional and recreational athletes.

The establishment of the Center is based on regional similarities, natural resources and services, complementary to the cultural and gastronomics offer that enables creation of a common economic space. The Center contributes to people's assembly from both sides of the border, ensuring a socialization based on positive values; entertainment, recreation and enjoyment of nature. Organizing of traditional annual sporting events creates a point of connection and sense of collectiveness of people on both sides of the border.

ABUNDANT SPORTS AND RECREATION EQUIPMENT OF THE CENTER
Professional and recreational athletes at Lake Peruča will be able to use a paved road, access ramp to the waterfront, 24 meter long starting pontoon for landing the gear in the water, catamaran for referees and coaches and a main starting pontoon with 8 tracks of 100 meters total length. Rama Lake is equipped with a hangar for storage of equipment, 3 pontoons for landing the gear in the water and for fishing, marking strips system for competitions, four catamarans for coaches, animators and referees during the competitions.

By variety of accessories, reconstruction of lake shore and allocation of the Center, a foundation and prerequisite for the organization of sporting events, competitions and various events was created. Possibility of spending time at both locations across the border under the same high – quality conditions raises the service value and attractiveness of both destinations' offer.

A Glimpse into the History of Dalmatia: Tomorrow in Split!

A GLIMPSE INTO THE HISTORY OF DALMATIA

Dalmatia from ancient times to the present

A journey through Dalmatia's history

A unique experience of the past times

Cultural-historical events             Fair of authentic products             Workshops

Organizer of the event:

DALMATIA EVENT ASSOCIATION & DALMATIAN HOT SPOTS MAGAZINE

Sponsors of the event:
Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board
Split-Dalmatia County
Tourist Board of Split
City of Split

VENUE:
Prokurative, SPLIT
7 June 2013
Starts: 19:30

SPLIT, Prokurative, 7 June 2013, beginning at 19:30

In the extraordinary surroundings of one of the most beautiful Croatian squares – Prokurative, in one of the most attractive Croatian destinations, in Split, for a moment we will take you back to the past, where you will experience the sounds, tastes and aromas, music and spirit of the bygone times.

Calendar of events

Cultural programme

The event begins with the alignment of all participants (over 250 participants in traditional costumes) and then the procession which starts from the understructures of the Diocletian's palace and goes to Prokurative. Each group represents a certain historical period of Dalmatia and will be positioned on the scheduled area on the Prokurative. Stands with authentic manufactured products and presentations of old crafts will be beside each group of performers.

Antique workshops

Throughout the day, visitors will be able to enjoy and participate in the making of ancient mosaics, ancient pottery, ancient hairstyles and creams for women.

Fair/Exhibition of original products and old crafts

Small manufacturers will exhibit their products - souvenirs, handicrafts, traditional and organic products on the stalls. In this way they are promoting their products, which are made thanks to their skills, knowledge, but also humility, and this event is helping them to find their way to the consumers.

Objective of the event

The aim of this event is to promote authentic Croatian products and cultural tourism as a special form of tourism.

6 Traditional and cultural-historical stories

This project consists of six historic-cultural experiences, condensed in 90 minutes.

The narrator follows the whole manifestation – he tells a short story in Croatian and English language before every performance.

1. THE ARRIVAL OF THE EMPEROR DIOCLETIAN

Dioklecijanova legija (Diocletian's Legion) is an association which promotes ancient cultural heritage with special emphasis on Roman culture. In their performance, Diocletian's legion will show us how the emperor Diocletian lived, how he travelled, who was his beloved. They will also perform gladiator fights which will take us back to 3rd century AD. Soldiers will be clad in authentic armor from Roman times, while the emperor will be dressed in luxurious robes.

Performers: Association of Diocletian legions Split (Udruga Dioklecijanova legija Split)

2. THE SIEGE OF SINJ

Sinj Amateur Theater will stage a short summary of events which preceded the glorious victory over the Ottomans on 15 August 1715.

40 000 of Ottoman soldiers led by Mehmed Pasha Ćelić wanted to conquer the Cetina Valley and to seize the town of Sinj. However, the people of Sinj, led by Father Ivan Grčić, rejected an ultimatum only 700 people defended the town. During the seven-day siege, the defenders had put up a strong resistance, praying to the Mother of Mercy, the Miraculous Madonna of Sinj and they have defeated the Ottomans. Having been once and for all defeated, the Ottomans finally left Sinj and the Cetinska Krajina Region at dawn on 15 August.

Performers: Amateur Theater of Sinj (Sinjsko amatersko kazalište)

3. USKOKS' BATTLE FOR KLIS, ”Days of Petar Kružić, Captain and Prince of Klis 2012”

Historical units of Klis' uskoks will take us back to 1537 and show us a part of the historic battle between the inhabitants of Klis and the Ottoman army.

Croatian captain Petar Kružić led the defense of the fortress against the Turkish invasion and siege that lasted for more than two and a half decades. During this defense, as Kružić and his soldiers fought without allies against the Turks, the military faction of Uskoks was formed, which later became famous as an elite Croatian militant sect. Ultimately, the defenders were defeated and the fortress was occupied by the Ottomans in 1537.

Performers: Historical Unit Kliški uskoci (Povijesna postrojba Kliški uskoci)

4. Presentation of old customs and crafts of Dalmatinska zagora (Vrgorac region)

Members of the Vrgorac Region Cultural Arts Society will show the customs and old crafts of Dalmatinska zagora. In this performance you can hear ojkavica, ganga, šijavica. In front of numerous audience they will be cutting Dalmatian dry-cured ham, drink from a jug and singing.

Performers: Vrgorac Region Cultural Arts Society (KUD Vrgoračka krajina)

*Ganga is a type of singing from rural Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is characterized by a lone singer singing one line of lyrics and then others joining in for what can be best described as a wail. It is under the protection of the Croatian Ministry of Culture.

*Ojkanje is a tradition of polyphonic folk singing from the Dalmatian hinterland region, marked by a distinctive voice-shaking technique. In 2010 it has been inscribed in UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in need of Urgent Safeguarding

*Šijavica is a hand game dating back thousands of years to ancient Roman and Greek times. It can be played to decide issues, much as two people might toss a coin, or for entertainment.

5. MRDUJA

Sulet Amateur theater from the island of Šolta will perform a small play about the eternal rivalry between inhabitants of the islands of Brač and Šolta entitled "Whose is Mrduja island".

According to the legend, the inhabitants of Brač and those of Šolta wrangled over whom the island belonged to so they used a rope in an attempt to pull it from one side of the Split Channel to the other. The people of Brač won the tug of war so the island is nearer to Brač than to Šolta.

Thanks to Mrduja, which has become a traditional feast between Brač and Šolta, these two islands became twinned and Mrduja had linked them in a cultural - entertaining way.

Performers: Šoltanska amateur theater Sulet

6. SUPETAR CULTURAL POSTCARD

Amateur Theatre "Bracera - Supetar" will stage a segment from the show "Mister Keko" by the legendary chakavian poet from Brač island, Stephen Stef Pulišelić. The performance of this theater group will be accompanied by the tune "Ti Gariful" by klapa "Pupe" Supetar and Brač folk group "Ciciljona" Supetar will perform Brač Quadrille or šotiš dance.

Performers: Amateur theater "Bracera - Supetar", Klapa "Pupe" Supetar, folk group "Ciciljona" Supetar

Fair of local authentic Croatian products

With Croatia's preparations for joining the European Union, our exhibitors got to know how to
draw attention of the public. With these joint actions and common market placements they are adapting themselves to EU standards more quickly.

Their products are made with great skill, knowledge, but also humility in small crafts, co-operatives, family business and small businesses. This project seeks to inform the public of the existence of hard-working people who manufacture organic products, souvenirs, handicrafts, traditional products, so that such products could find their way to the consumers.

At the same time we would like to emphasize the need to preserve old, local/original Croatian crafts which are on the brink of extinction, so that the knowledge and skills that our small craftsmen-entrepreneurs have can be transferred to future generations.

Organizer of the event:

Dalmatian Hot Spots Magazine &  Dalmatia Event Association 

Dalmatian Hot Spots Magazine is a magazine which promotes tourism, Dalmatian culture  and  cuisine and Croatian manufacturers. It also organizes numerous tourist events and fairs. It is published in 15,000 copies in English and Croatian and distributed to over 500 locations – you can find it in all tourist offices in Dalmatia, nautical ports, catering industry, apartments, hotels, hostels, via business entities, representative offices of Croatian National Tourist Board and embassies. We are also present at international tourism fairs.

The magazine is published with the support of the Croatian Ministry of Tourism, Split-Dalmatia County, Sibenik-Knin County, Dubrovnik-Neretva County, Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board,  Dubrovnik and Neretva County Tourist Board, Sibenik-Knin County Tourist Board, Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Crafts.

Dalmatia Event Association promotes Dalmatian culture and tradition, and organizes numerous fairs and events. The Association encourages small manufacturers to exhibit their products at the Eco-Ethno fairs and festivals which are organized independently by Dalmatia Event Association, or in collaboration with other similar associations. We also promote small businesses with the project of representing small-scale producers in Dalmatian hot spots magazine.

PURPOSE OF THE EVENT

This event enriches the cultural tourism offer of Split-Dalmatia County, with the revival of the historical and traditional events through staged historical narratives, battles and legends.

These moments of mystical history, with top actors and superb scenery, will be accompanied with a lot of entertainment, dancing and many surprises …

Be our guests and experience Dalmatia! :)