Unusual Dalmatian Sports: Glavomet... or Headball

Dalmatia is well-known for having a range of unique games, and the summer months offer a good chance to watch and even take part.

Probably the most famous game is called picigin, which is played in shallow water, most famously at Bacivce beach in Split, where the objective of the game is to keep a small ball in the air for as long as possible. Frantic efforts to keep the ball airborne lead to some spectacular diving, and picigin is well established as part of the Split scene.

Not far away, on Firule beach, there is another unusual and unique sport called glavomet - or headball. As the name suggests, the only part of the body to make contact with the ball is the head. There are two teams of two in shallow water, with two goals, and the aim is to score as many goals as possible in the opposing goal.

Check out the video below for more of a visual explanation, or head to Firule beach on Sunday August 25 from 10:00 to watch the glavomet championship taking place - it is very competitive!

One of the Events of the Summer: The Pirate Battle of Omis!

Want to see some real life pirates in action? Then head to Omis this Sunday evening for the seventh annual reenactment of a 13th century battle in the city harbour.

Omis has a rich and proud pirate tradition. Located on the mouth of the might Cetina, with its numerous fortresses, it was the perfect location for pirates in times gone by, as the Cetina provided them with escape routes where they could use their local knowledge. 

The reenactment is very spectacular and will take place at 20:30 on Sunday August 18, with all the participants parading before that. This year's festivities will also include guest historical societies from Dubrovnik, Klis and Korcula. It is not clear if the most famous pirate of them all, Johnny Depp, will be attending, as he was invited to last year's event.

A Return to Roman Times: Days of Diocletian in Split

While you may have thought that all you need for a holiday in Split is a couple of bikinis and party dresses for evening fun, if you really want to blend in as a local in the next few days, you need to get your hands on a Roman toga.

Days of Diocletian is upon us, an annual event where the rich Roman cultural heritage of the city is celebrated in some theatrical style. From the Split Tourist Board:

Days of Diocletian

This fun musical costumed event (from 16.8. to 19.8) is the historical event that will show a credible way the rule of Emperor Diocletian in Split with all the essential features of this period. The streets and squares will line up of the Roman legions, the Emperor Diocletian, together with the parade of carriages lead the Roman legions from the waterfront to greet the Peristyle where the crowd, will present a co-ruler Diocletian and family and the city will be able to hear the sounds of trumpets, drummers, Roman music ...

The Wall Street Journal Sails Down the Dalmatian Coast

 

With its pristine water, plethora of islands, fantastic gastronomy and rich heritage, it is little wonder that sailing holidays in Dalmatia are proving ever more popular. Word about the joys of sailing along the Adriatic coast is slowly getting out, with the influential Wall Street Journal the latest international publication to report bacl on the magic of a holiday on the seas of Dalmatia:

HEADING INTO A BIG sea on a small sailboat unleashes the nautical poet in a man. That, anyway, is my justification for leaping to the foredeck and bracing myself against the rigging, "Master and Commander"-style, to bellow lines from Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "Rime of the Ancient Mariner."

"Water, water, every where/Nor any drop to drink," I manage, before memory fails me. I crawl back along the bouncing deck to the cockpit, where my wife has the helm.

"Too early for a beer, then?" she says.

We have chartered a 33-foot yacht out of Kremik Marina on Croatia's Dalmatian Coast and, within minutes of casting off, the nerves associated with commandeering somebody else's $100,000 vessel have been swept overboard by a wave of euphoria. Read more... 

The Famous Sinj Alka: The Children's Version

One of the most important cultural events in the Dalmatian summer calendar is the Sinj Alka, an annual knights' tournament which in 2015 will be celebrating 300 years of the defeat of the Ottomans after the Siege of Sinj in 1715. This year's event once more welcomed the Croatian President Ivo Josipović and General Ante Gotovina, and was son for the third time by Ante Zorica. You can read more about the day here.

And from August 16-18, there will be the children's version - take a look at the pictures above to give you an idea. It promises to be a special few days. It is just half an hour by car from Split, or just under an hour on the regular bus. By way of explanation, we turn to the Sinj Tourist Board once more...

Children's Alka Tournament of Vučkovići

In memory of their ancestors Father Pavao, Bože, Tadija and Zec, whose heroism and bravery made them become prominent in the decisive battle against the Ottomans in 1715, the people in the hamlet of Vučkovići (Brnaze near Sinj) instituted in 1955 their Alka Tournament in which only children can participate. The Children’s Alka was naturally instituted following the example of the famous Alka of Sinj.

In the Children’s Alka of Vučkovići, boys up to 10 years of age run on their feet. Their Alka squires are elderly local people, whereas those oldest from the hamlet play the roles of the Alka Court of Honour and the Alka Tournament Master (alkarski vojvoda). In the Children’s Alka procession the standard-bearer rides a horse, a donkey is a symbol of edek (the Pasha’s horse) and the Tournament Master’s adjutant carries the sabre of the hero Bože Vučković.

As the right to participate in the Tournament only belongs to children from the hamlet of Vučkovići, the little Alkari have interesting nicknames: Wolf, Horned Viper, Biter, Hairbreadth, Additional Number, Live Wire, Scatterbrain, Bumblebee, Beetling Brows, Friar, The Apple of Gramps’s Eye...

Unique and an attraction in itself, the Children’s Alka Tournament of Vučkovići has been outside the scope of ordinary local festivities and nowadays it makes a precious and unique experience to all visitors, just like the true Alka of Sinj.

The ceremony of the Children's Alka Tournament of Vučkovići lasts for three days.

Bara – Friday 16 August at 6 p.m.
Čoja – Saturday 17 August at 6 p.m.
Alka – Sunday 18 August at 5.30 p.m.

FREE ENTRANCE

For more information visit the Sinj Tourist Board website, www.visitsinj.com 

Half of Top Beaches in Croatia in Central Dalmatia, Says Rough Guides

More good news and international acclaim for the beaches of Central Dalmatia, as leading travel guide gurus Rough Guides recently came up with their top ten list for Croatia.

And for lovers of the beaches of Central Dalmatia, it will come as little surprise that no less than five of the ten are in Central Dalmatia. Which ones, and what did Rough Guides have to say about our beaches? Read on....

BAČVICE, SPLIT

For many of its inhabitants Split is not so much a city as a religion, centred around a collection of semi-mystic locations. Among the holiest of holies is undoubtedly Bačvice beach, a shallow bay of sand and shingle that has played an important role in the early childhood and teenage years of virtually anyone who has ever called the city home. Immensely popular as a family beach, it’s also a buzzing social hub, with a café-packed pleasure pavilion rising immediately to the east. Bačvice is also famous for being the spiritual home of picigin, a uniquely Dalmatian sport that involves a lot of acrobatic leaping around as players try to prevent a small ball from hitting the water.

LOVREČINA BAY, BRAČ ISLAND

Four kilometres east of Postira on Brač, Lovrečina Bay is one of several beaches on the island that genuinely deliver what you read about in the brochures, with a sandy shore bordering translucent waters, and a ruined medieval church among olive groves just behind the strand. The fact that there is limited parking and no clear bus stop nearby helps to the beach from becoming overrun. Apropos rent out apartments in Postira, while Villa Adriatica up the coast in Supetar is one of the island’s cosier hotels.

UVALA DUBOVICA, HVAR ISLAND

The Renaissance port of Hvar enjoys a worldwide reputation when it comes to chic bars and racy nightlife. If a good beach is what you’re after, however, it’s best to get out of town. There are several good choices in the coves and bays to the east, of which the most attractive is Uvala Dubovica, a broad pebbly affair beside a historic manor house. The bay’s shallow nature makes it good family paddling territory, although it gets popular with yachts and motorboats in season. Otherwise, difficulty of access tends to filter out the guests – the parking strip on the main road above the bay is only big enough to accommodate about fifty vehicles. Rent a bike or scooter from Luka Rent in Hvar and beach-hop your way along the coast.

GREBIŠĆE, HVAR ISLAND

While many of Hvar’s beaches involve perching on a rock before stepping gingerly out onto a stony seabed, the silkily sandy Grebišće is absolutely perfect for smooth paddling around. Located 4km east of Jelsa just off the Sućuraj road, the beach is reached by walking through the Grebišće campsite. The beach itself is very narrow and contains very little shade, but the bay is both very shallow and sandy underfoot – which is why it’s such a popular venue for splashing around. Drinks and basic snacks are available at the campsite café or the Čorni Petar beach bar, nestling beneath trees on the headland to the east.

ZLATNI RAT, BRAČ ISLAND

A silvery tongue of shingle extending into a turquoise sea, Zlatni Rat (“Golden Cape”) is very much the poster boy of Dalmatian beaches, pictured in countless brochures and guidebooks. The pebbly peninsula remains a compelling destination despite the crowds; indeed its clear shallow seas and gripping maritime views make it a difficult place to leave. It’s within walking distance of Bol, where More Travel or Adria will sort you out with accommodation.

To see the full list, click here.

Dalmatian Beaches on Huffington Post Dream Travel List

If you had travelled the world and seen the most amazing places, and then were offered the chance to experience the very best, where would you choose? Such was the dilemma facing the influential Huffington Post newspaper in America, whose travel sections is celebrating its third birthday.

Lovers of the Dalmatian coast will not be surprised that one of the 17 places was of course Dalmatian beaches... Here is what the HuffPost had to say:

"Today HuffPost Travel is three whole years old! It’s been three lovely years of breathtaking photographs, stress-relieving vacation advice, the ups and downs of airlines and, of course, nude beaches.

So to celebrate this special day, we're going on a virtual journey to some of our favorite places. Is one of them a nude beach? You’ll have to read to find out..." Read more... 

Come and Experience the Alka Preparations, a Dalmatia Heritage Jewel

Of all the fabulous events of 2013 in Dalmatia, the one I am most looking forward to is the Sinj Alka in a couple of months. I was delighted to receive an invitation for one of the region's most individual traditions, and I will be covering the event for Google News and the Central Dalmatian Tourist Board.
Tickets for the main event are almost impossible to find, but the good news is that there are two events before the main Alka called The Bara and The Coja, where participants perform without the traditional dress, and entrance to both days is free. Details below. Preparations for the Alka are ongoing, and dress rehearsals take place daily from 18:00 - 20:00 from Monday to Friday until the Alka on August 4. For more information about the Alka, read on below, or check out the Sinj Tourist Board website.

THE ALKA OF SINJ (Knights’ tournament) was the best cultural event in the framework of the ״Doživi Hrvatsku – Experience Croatia 2012״ project.
The Alka of Sinj was inscribed in 2010 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (UNESCO).

In honour of its heavenly patroness the Madonna of Sinj, who, according to the tradition, forced the Turks into flight in 1715, as an eternal vow of devotion and respect, the people of Sinj instituted the Alka – the knightly tournament of Sinj, and thus each year on the first Sunday in August the glorious victory is revived. The tournament of Alka originated at the time when there were many similar knightly tournaments in Europe. All of them have now fallen into oblivion, except the Alka Tournament of Sinj, which is at the dawn of its three hundredth anniversary and under the protection of UNESCO as world’s intangible heritage.

The ceremony of Alka lasts for three days.
Bara - 2 August 2013 at 5.30 p.m.
Čoja - 3 August 2013 at 5.30 p.m.
Alka - 4 August 2013 at 4.30 p.m.
Come and have a look at Alka preparations!
Dress rehearsals (Prove), 12 Jul. - 1 Aug. 2013, Mon - Fri 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Entrance to dress rehearsals, the Bara and the Čoja, is free.
Tickets available at: The Alka Knightly Tournament Society
Address: Šetalište A. Stepinca 2/I
Telephone: +385 (0) 21 821 542
www.alka.hr
 

Driving in Dalmatia and Looking for the Latest Traffic Info?

Planning your drive around Dalmatia and want to know if there are any traffic issues, but not sure where to look?

The national automobile association HAK has a rather useful service which is regularly updated, giving the latest news on roadworks, border delays and major traffic jams. In English!

To visit the site, click here. 

Official Sinj Tourist Guide Available Online

The Tourist Board of Sinj has released its official tourist guide online!

The 38-page publication covers the town's history, sights, gastronomy, activities and accommodation, as well as various practical information and contact details. You can view it online here, or pick up a hard copy from the tourist board in Sinj.

Why the Central Dalmatia Has a Bright Future for Adventure Tourism

(With thanks to Ilija Veselica for the photos)

Tourism on the Dalmatian coast is booming. An enviable combination of sun-kissed beaches, pristine water, astonishing heritage, island-hopping options, varied water sports and outstanding gastronomy, coupled with EU entry and a massive increase in incoming seasonal flights mean the tourism future for the Dalmatian coast all but guaranteed. 

Less than 30 minutes from the coast, however, the tourism looks very different, is much less developed and yet has arguably more long-term potential than its seaside neighbour, as it has the potential to utilise inland Dalmatia’s rich heritage and natural resources to build a sustainable year-round tourism industry.

Located within a short drive of coastal destinations such as Split, Sibenik and Omis, the inland area of Zagora has a diverse and undiscovered range of tourist attractions, which have the potential not only to complement the neighbouring beach and sun tourism, but to develop the region into a longer season destination.

The main settlements of Zagora are mostly old and historic towns, with plenty of heritage and tradition. Trilj, Sinj, Vrgorac, Vrlika, Dugopolje and Imotski. It is a region of rich cultural heritage, with the annual festivals and traditions attracting national media interest, including the Sinj Alka every August, which was last year named as best cultural event in Croatia by Experience Croatia 2012.

Zagora rich in natural beauty, whose attractions include the Red and Blue Lake in Imotski, the mighty Cetina River,which Lonely Planet named among Europe’s Top 40 Amazing Experiences in June 2013. The leading travel guru said of the Cetina:

'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.'

Its indigenous gastronomic offerings often take visitors by surprise, both by the individual and unique dishes to each region, as well as the guaranteed freshness of (very often) organic products, while the wines of Dalmatia are starting to attract serious international attention.

It is the area of adventure tourism, however, where the biggest potential lies, and the potential to develop Zagora as a major adventure sport destination, including a centre for winter training for sporting associations from less temperate northern climes, has already started to be realised.

The Vrlika Lake2Lake Green Tourism rowing project on Lake Peruca is a cross-border EU-funded initiative, with financial support from the Zagreb Rowing Federation. It aims to develop adventure tourism in the area with Olympic-class rowing facilities, while offering year-round rowing facilities for associations from colder climes in Europe and beyond.

Rowing is but one adventure sport in the region. It is home to some of the best paragliding in the country at Hrvace near Sinj, whose starting point is an altitude of 820 metres, while skydiving is becoming increasingly popular, especially the Alka Skydivers Cup in early August, which coincides with the main Alka festivities, where divers from all over the world attempt to land in a signature Alka ring using various parachutes.

The Cetina is home to various activity sports such as white water rafting and canoe safaris, and the region has the ability to develop its water activities into more organised competitive challenges for visiting sporting teams. The recent 3rd Cetina Adventure Race, a 100 km combination of bike, kayak and running, is an example of what can be organised successfully. A strategy of encouraging international sporting associations to take part in such events, while combining the visit with a holiday on the coast for its participants, could quickly bring a range of competitive sporting events for enthusiasts, which would help establish the area as an adventure destination with beach and heritage in close proximity.

The Cetina is also a popular destination for fly fishing enthusiasts, and its cold depths make it an attractive proposition for a wealth of fish species, including brown trout and grayling, and the Cetina Sports Fishing Club has over 450 members, and is responsible for fish stocking and preserving the cleanliness and beauty of the river. .

While the Sinj Alka Tournament may be the most high profile event featuring horses, equestrian sport is well established in Zagora, and several local and international hurdle and gallop tournaments are held annually, and there are a number of private stud farms of great reputation in the Greater Sinj area.

Zagora is a cycling and trekking paradise, activities which are set to increase in popularity with the completion of cycling paths in February 2014 with another EU-funded project, MEDPATHS, whose primary objective is the protection and revitalisation of local heritage (cultural and natural) alongside the Adriatic coast. One of the results of the project is the detection/creation of management model in local zones based upon natural and cultural heritage.

As demonstrated by the Lake2Lake project mentioned above, cross-border cooperation with neighbours Bosnia and Herzegovina, and another EU project, The Our Lady of Sinj Route is already underway, aiming to develop small scale infrastructure along Our Lady of Sinj Route in order to enhance the attractiveness of the cross border region as a tourism destination.

All this screams one word - potential. In isolation, Zagora’s natural beauty and abundant resources for adventure tourism sound exciting enough, but there are several other factors which indicate that these initial EU-funded projects could be the beginning of a bigger story which will see the region transformed into a major adventure tourism destination.

The first is the timing. This month saw Croatia enter the EU as its 28th member. There is funding available for numerous projects for the newest family member. With committed professionals on the ground with a record of successful application for funding, a coordinated strategy of developing adventure tourism in Zagora should bring more funding and benefits to the region.

The second is location. EU entry and the sharp increase of flights to the neighbouring airport in Split (more than 80 destinations for the 2013 season via 43 airlines) means that accessibility to Zagora is not an issue.

Thirdly, climate. The more temperate climate of Dalmatia was a significant factor in the support of the Zagreb Rowing Association for the Lake2Lake project, and there has also been international interest in using the facilities for winter training from rowing associations from colder climes. This interest will not be restricted to rowing if other activity facilities are built.

And finally, location again. Access to Zagora is covered above, but access from Zagora is another trump card in the region’s development. Within one to two hours of travel, the treasures of the Dalmatian coast await - Dubrovnik, the Pearl of the Adriatic, the Dalmatian capital of Split, gateway to the magical islands of Hvar, Brac, Vis and Solta. Having some prime tourist attractions on the doorstep is attractive indeed, but the greater prize would be to coordinate developed adventure tourism into the Dalmatian tourism strategy, which would lead to longer season tourism for all.

New York Times Falls in Love with Hvar All Over Again

Having named Hvar in its 46 must-see destinations for 2013, The New York Times love affair with the island of lavender and sun continues, with another positive piece about Hvar.

A Croatian Island's Day in the Sun

Hvar, an island in the Adriatic Sea off Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, is in many ways a contradiction. As a visitor, you might wake up and hike across brambly hillsides to a medieval ghost town, and by sundown be drinking infused cocktails while dancing to techno music. It’s an island where opulent hotels continue to sprout up across the coastline, but the equivalent of $30 can still get you a room in the house of a local grandmother.

Read more...

Go Brac in Time, Says The Sun, Britain's Most Popular Newspaper

Lots of column inches about Dalmatia at the moment in the world's press, and rightly so. It is gorgeous on the  coast at the moment. Britain's most popular paper, The Sun for example, has done a major feature on the island of Brac, with a trip to Hvar.

Go Brac in Time

IT’S time to welcome Croatia to the EU – and add it to your holiday destination list.
The TripAdvisor website polled 4,000 Brits and found 61 per cent would take a trip there.

So here MASON BROWNLOW explores one of its smaller islands, Brac, before everyone else does.

I “DID” the Croatia island hop five years ago when it wasn’t quite on the package tourist map.
I was anticipating a much busier country than the one I found.

But as we stepped off the ferry on to the isle of Brac, it was like going back in time. While Croatia is on many people’s travel lists, Brac is still untouched and its dramatic coast, lined with pine and olive trees, hidden coves and rolling countryside, should see it added to those lists.

It’s the largest island in central Dalmatia on Croatia’s Adriatic coast and is a melting pot of cobbled streets, stone houses, town squares, fishing villages and beautiful secluded beaches.


Read more: 

Croatia in Lonely Planet's Top Ten Destinations for 2013

Leading travel guide Lonely Planet published its Top 10 European travel destinations for 2013 on June 18, 2013, and Croatia - which is marketing itself as 'the New Tourist Star of the European Union - made the list in the latest piece of good news for the country's tourism industry, ahead of EU entry on July 1. Lonely Planet said of Croatia:

"Calling Croatia a hotspot is somewhat old news in travel circles – its popularity is firmly established among European travellers and steeply on the rise among Americans as well. But many travellers are only seeing one sunny slice of the country, lured to the nearly 2000km-long coastline meanwhile missing the diverse charms of the inland cities, national parks and countryside. Zagreb, soon to be the EU’s newest capital city."
It is not the first time that Croatia has featured in Lonely Planet's top ten, with its premier island of Hvar appearing at number 5 in the 2012 top destinations.

Discover which other destinations made the top ten list.

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! :) 

Connecting Central Dalmatia: Free WiFi Hotspots from Croatian Tourist Board

As part of its commitment to improving the tourist experience in Croatia, the Croatia Tourist Board recently launched a 200,000 euro initiative to provide 269 free WiFi hotspots in the country by July 1. Several of these hotspots will be located in the Central Dalmatia region - the list is below:

Omis – 3
Tucepi – 6
Bol – 1
Jelsa – 1
Dugi Rat – 2
Marina – 2
Solta – 3
Sinj – 3
Vrlika – 1
Vrgorac – 1

Construction Starts on Huge Water Park in Dalmatia

Few places have seen as much change in Dalmatia over the last ten years as Dugopolje. Once a small sleepy town, the arrival of the motorway from Zagreb changed the fortunes of the town forever. As the closest point to Split from the motorway, there has been a surge in traffic. Just as significant is the huge out of town shopping complexes which have sprung up, and maybe people looking to shop in Split head out to the big stores by the motorway.

Work started this week on another project, and quite a cool one. Covering some 120,000m2, the Dalmatia Water Park will have some 14 slides from heights up to 12 metres, and provide employment for up to 150 people. The initial investment will be 220 million kuna, with another 80 million earmarked once the first phase of construction is completed in mid-2015. Central Dalmatia Tourist Board director Josko Stella told news portal Dalje that the water park would be the biggest tourism project in Croatia next year. 

In a sign of the more international world Croatia is about to enter on July 1, the investor is the Hungarian government via the Hungarian Investment Bank, and the company Margaritum doo who will constuct the park has its roots in Luxemburg, while a Turkish company Polin will provide the equipment for the park.

Lots of cool pictures of how the park will look. Check them out here.  

Celebrate Dalmatia's Heritage and Traditions This Friday in Split

Looking to enjoy a little Dalmatian culture and tradition? Split is the place to be on Friday from 1930, as a major fair celebrating the traditions, heritage, culture and indigenous products of the region will take place, an event supported by the Central Dalmatia Tourist Board..

It all begins at 1930 at Prokurative, and there will be something for everyone - see the programme below in Croatian (which will be updated with an English version shortly). 

Planning a Dalmatian Beach Holiday: Check the Sea Temperature Online

With swimming in the sea and lying on the beach an integral part of most holidays to Dalmatia, it would be useful to know the sea and air temperatures for your proposed stay. Additional information about facilities available at each beach, and an aerial map which you could zoom in and out to check the local area, would also be welcome.

You can have all this and more, with an excellent service provided by the Ministry of Environmental Protection, which monitors the conditions of many of Croatia's beaches throughout the season, including several in Split.

Ministry officials visit the beaches every fortnight from May to September, and record information about the beach's cleanliness and condition, as well as the air and sea temperature. All these results are posted online integrated into a map which you can use to search for your ideal beach in Dalmatia.

So what are you waiting for? Get surfing and check out the sea temperatures from May to September 2012, as a guide to what awaits you for your 2013 holiday. Click here!

Croatian Gastro Vignette Opens in Diocletian's Palace

As part of its commitment to promote eco-ethno tourism and indigenous products, the Central Dalmatia Tourist Board is among the sponsors support the Croatian Gastro Vignette, which is taking place from May 30 to June 2 in the basement of Diocletian's Palace in Split.

Entrance is free, and there is an impressive array of products for sampling, including olives, cheese, prsut, wines, liqueurs, fish products, souvenirs and hand made products. If you are looking for a taste of traditional Dalmatia in a historic setting, this is the place to be...

Adventure Dalmatia: Take Part in the Cetina Adventure Race

Dalmatia is an adventure sporting paradise. With the Adriatic Sea, mighty Cetina River, moutains and wide open spaces, there is plenty to choose from for the adrenaline rush.

With not pit your body against the ultimate challenge - the third Cetina Adventure Race on June 8? In the words of the excellent Sinj Tourist Board:

"3rd CETINA ADVENTURE RACE 2013

The starting point of the race is near the Youth Centre in Sinj (disco club Piccadilly) at 06:00, and the deadline to finish is at 19:00 also near the Youth Centre. So you have a total of 13 hours to finish the 3rd Cetina Adventure race. The race will start with the MTB - around 50 km, and after MTB's comes kayaking - around 18 km, after the kayakimg comes trekking - around 26th km and the last discipline is canyoning - around 6 km.

The path is very interesting and not too challenging, but very long, checkpoints are plotted in the 5 topographic maps that you will receive during the briefing on the Friday June 7 at 19:00 (the exact meeting location will be announced by our administrator on the Facebook Cetina Adventure).

At the briefing, you will receive T-shirts, team numbers and maps and directions. A race director will explain in detail everything about the race and behaviour during the race. The race has a total of 7 control points, on each of them live controls will await you with water, juice, food, etc.

On the checkpoint where you leave your bikes do not worry because we have organized transportation of your bikes to the finishing line where they will wait for you.

During the race you will have a task that is secret until the briefing day and all teams have to perform it.

Regarding kayaking, you will have identical boats with equipment (paddles and vests) and they are all the same except for two or three - difference in color.

Through canyoning is prohibited to jump, competitors will have the opportunity to go down in a diaper like last year or to bring their own belts and descend by abseil - it is your decision.

Competitors are required to have mandatory equipment: (equipment will be controlled at the start of the race)

1 MTB for both parties, if someone can not get mountain bike can ride a bike trek. (Max. 1 per team) with min tread width 2.0 and the largest distance is 30 meters between competitors in the same team. Racing bike is forbidden.

2 Headlamp or hand lamp that works correctly

3 First aid, min 1 per team, or at least patch and one compression bandage if you do not have pack of hiking first aid.

4 Map of the race with instructions.

5 Helmets (which you will get at the start) you should have it during cycling, kayak and canyoning. Please return it after the race.

6 Spare shoes "who wants to" after the canyoning. "

Mob: +385 98 601 533 (Petar Mandac)
Email: adventure.cetina@gmail.com
Date: 08 Jun 2013

One team consists of two people.

For a taster of what is in store, check out last year's event in the video below.