Dalmatia, a Perfect Place to Bring Up Children

One of the pleasures of living in Dalmatia is the chance to observe and appreciate what an outstanding place it is to bring up children. In an age of commercialism, technology and globalisation, kids are growing up faster than ever before, and peer pressure and their environment do little to allow children to grow up as they used to.

Not so in Dalmatia, and as a British father to two beautiful Dalmatian daughters, I am often struck by the good fortune we have to grow up in such a heavenly environment as the island of Hvar, for the kids especially.

It is often thought that life on the islands is boring out of the season, but nothing could be further from the truth. Dalmatia is a natural paradise and a great educating ground for life skills. Having learned to swim at the age of 29, I look on with pride (and a little envy) as my two girls followed in the footsteps of their mother and learned to swim like dolphins at the age of three. Given that the world's most alluring swimming pool - the Adriatic - is part of their daily summer routine, this is perhaps not a surprise.

Coming from Manchester, it was a surprise to learn that tomatoes do not grow all year, as they do in British supermarkets. Being a city boy, I have learned many other secrets about Mother Nature in my time here, not least to appreciate the far superior quality of seasonal vegetables. So too the kids, who now know which fruit is about to come into season, and who like nothing better than to help their grandfather in the field, with the olive harvest being an annual highlight for the whole family. A natural, healthy education and communing with nature.

It is hard to equate all the scare stories about child safety in other countries, when one looks around the pretty squares of Dalmatia, as children come out of kindergarten at midday to play on child-friendly squares as their parents enjoy a relaxing coffee in the sun. The tourist season brings international arrivals, and the fearless interaction of children with no common language, who become best friends in an instant, is one of the people-watching highlights of the summer.


Beaches and squares apart, I am amazed at the wealth of activities available to the little ones on an island which supposedly sleeps all winter. For our two girls, 4 and 6, the weekly routine includes a mixture of rowing club, chess club, horse riding, ballet and the weekly pilgrimage to a ramshackle art studio and fabulous gardens in the village of Dol.

As if all that were not enough, an added bonus is the lack of commercialism in Dalmatia. I live in a town where the Christmas tree goes up in the main square in late December, and where the magic of Christmas (albeit without the snow) still exists. 

Discover the Central Dalmatian islands by Video: Hvar, Brac, Vis

Split is the perfect base from which to discover Dalmatia. If you fancy a little island hopping, the treasures of Hvar, Vis, Brac and Solta await. Take a video tour of some of the highlights of the islands below:

Vis

  

 Hvar Town

  

Stari Grad on Hvar

  

Bol on Brac


Supetar on Brac

Calling All Prsut Lovers! A Day Trip to Sinj on April 20

While there is plenty to enjoy and discover in terms of nature, activities and heritage in inland Dalmatia, one of the highlights is also undoubtedly the food. The region is rich in local specialities, fresh vegetables... and dried meat products, of which the most famous is Dalmatian ham, or prsut.

Few places produce finer prsut than the town of Sinj, just 30 minutes north of Split, and yet a world away. Why not taste the quality yourself this weekend as some of the region's best prsut producers will be descending on the town?

The 8th national festival of prsut and dried meat products will take place in the school sports hall in Sinj on April 20, and if you are a lover of prsut, this is one not to miss! Complete your day out with a tour of Sinj, which has some fascinating sights and history (see the link to the article above). The programme (Croatian) for the festival:

PROGRAMME OF THE FAIR

19 April 2013, Friday (closed to the public)

10.00 a.m. PROSCIUTTO HAM QUALITY EVALUATION PROGRAMME

10.30 a.m. SAMPLE DELIVERY AND MARKING

11.00 a.m. PROSCIUTTO HAM QUALITY EVALUATION

20 April 2013, Saturday

09.00 a.m. ARRIVAL OF EXHIBITORS

11.30 a.m. CULTURAL PROGRAMME

01.00 p.m. OPENING CEREMONY

02.00 p.m. WORKSHOPS AND PRESENTATIONS

03:15 p.m. CULTURAL PROGRAMME

05.30 p.m. FAIR CLOSING PROGRAMME

- Announcement of contest results

- Awarding ceremony

- Closing of the Fair

Organised by:

SINJ ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTRE Ltd for enterprise development;

41 Vrlička, Sinj, 21230;

Telephone: 021 82 44 53

Fax: 021 66 03 78

Mobile: 091 735 65 26

pcsinjab@net.hr

www.pcsinj.hr

A Video Tour of some Central Dalmatia Coast Hotspots

The famous Dalmatian blue skies are out in force, the sun bringing warmth and radiance to morning coffee, and the glistening Adriatic is filling with sail boats.

Preparations for your Dalmatian summer holiday and underway, but which destination will you choose? Here are four great - and very different holiday destinations - all a short drive from each other, so why not visit them all? Simply pour yourself a drink, sit back and explore the wonders of Baska Voda, Omis, Split and Trogir. For more information about all destinations in Central Dalmatia, visit www.dalmatia.hr

Baska Voda

 


Omis

 

Split

Trogir

Discover the Fortress Settlements of the Kaštela Riviera

Split airport lies between Trogir and Split, two popular destinations and often the first port of call for tourists arriving by air. Many new visitors, passing through the relatively modern and industrial area by the airport are unaware of the heritage and rich treasures that await them just outside the airport and on the waterfront.

For this is the so-called Kaštela Riviera, a collection of impressive fortresses spread over seven settlements, and one of the lesser visited places outside of Split. There is plenty of heritage and old Dalmatian stone charm, and the hordes have yet to discover the riviera, making it an ideal place to enjoy the tranquility of a quiet Dalmatian holiday by the sea.

Although the region's heritage goes back much further, the fortified buildings in existence today date back to the 15th and 16th century, as local noblemen from Split and Trogir built fortifications to protect themselves from Ottoman attack. There are seven settlements in all, which can easily be visited in one day. Starting from Split...

Kaštel Sućurac

Originally inhabited during the time of Ancient Salona whose inhabitants built summer palaces there, Kaštel Sućurac  is the gateway to the riviera from Split. The most significant palace is the archbishop's summer residence, which protected the villagers of Putalj. Kaštel Sućurac is also the starting point of a hiking path leading to Vela stina, from the hiker's home Putalj (480 m) across the path to the Vrata pass situated on the Kozjak ridge and then west to the small church of St. Luke (690 m).

Kaštel Gomilica

Originally known as Kaštel Opatica, the Benedictine nuns from Split built a fortress on the small islet of Gomile, which led to the name change to Kaštel Gomilica. A property gift from King Zvonimir to the Benedictines resulted in the church of church of St. Cosmos and Damian. The fortress is accessed by a wooden bridge, and used to house the population, until villagers started to build their own dwellings around the city walls.

Kaštel Kambelovac

Brothers Jerolim and Nikola Cambi built a castle on an islet in 1517 to protect themselves from their enemies and the inhabitants of Lažana and Kruševik, and Kaštel Kambelovac takes its name from the brothers. The only cylindrical fortress on the riviera, it was an effective defence. The property was gradually expanded and the Cambi coat of arms can be found there no a later construction, dated 1589.

Kaštel Lukšić

The largest and most central of the seven settlements, Kaštel Lukšić was the boundary between Split and Trogir properties and takes its name from a property of the same name. It was previously called Kaštel Vitturi after the noble family who constructed it in the latter part of the 15th Century. Brothers Nikola and Jerolim Vetturi was granted permission in 1487 by Trogir Count Carlo Pesaro to build a fortification with towers and trenches by the sea.

Kaštel Stari

The oldest of the settlements is Kaštel Stari ('stari' means old in Croatian). It is a fertile place, rich in vineyards and olive groves, figs and cherries, with a particular micro-environment which makes it conducive to Mediterranean herbs.

Kaštel Novi

Kaštel Novi ('novi' means new in Croatian) dates back to an order to construct in 1512 by Pavo Antun Ćipiko, a fortification around which the village later developed and expanded. It is a pretty place with great sporting facilities.

Kaštel Štafilić

The final settlement on the riviera is Kaštel Štafilić, whose fortifications date back to 1508 and the construction ordered by Stjepan Štafileo of a fortress with courtyard overlooking a cliff - known today as Rotondo Castle. The village gradually expanded around its fortification, and is full of symbols or Christian culture and churches.

One riviera, seven great villages. For more information visit www.kastela-info.hr

The Pristine Adriatic: A Dolphin Playground

(Photo by http://www.prijatelji-zivotinja.hr)

One of the great attractions of a holiday to Central Dalmatia is the inviting Adriatic Sea. With beaches galore and some of the cleanest water in the world, pictures of the Dalmatian coast circulate the globe on Facebook during the winter as people long for their Croatian summer paradise.

Dalmatia's clean seas are not just the preserve of visiting tourists, however, and the region has a rich marine life. The increasingly rare Mediterranean monk seal was spotted between Vis and Hvar last year, and one of the delights of a holiday for many is seeing dolphins playing in the sea.

Not only is it a relatively common sight (so keep your eyes peeled on those tourist boats...), but the friendly creatures often like to play with boats in the area, swimming and jumping alongside before diving underneath and appearing on the other side. Here is a great example of one such occurrence last week in the Scedro Channel, south of Hvar.

For a different and more tranquil scene, early morning is often the time to catch dolphins gently playing in the sea, as in this very tranquil piece of filming off eastern Hvar last year.


So keep your eyes peeled when swimming in the gorgeously azure Adriatic - you never know who may come and play... 

Taking a Closer Look at the Pakleni Islands

The Pakleni Islands, the emerald jewels opposite Hvar Town, are a major attraction for sailors, beach and nature lovers. Often mistakenly called Hell's Islands, the name Pakleni is taking from a type of resin used in ship building. While they may all look fairly similar from the air, there is incredible diversity - a quick overview of the most interesting islands.

Sveti Klement (Palmizana)

The largest of the Pakleni Islands, and also one of its most interesting.

Looking for a sandy beach? Head for Perna, next to Palmizana, which is one of the most popular destinations on Hvar. It is also one of the most fascinating, and home to tourism since 1906, five years before the first hotel opened in Jelsa, for example.

Leading the way is the Meneghello estate, tourism pioneers, who continue with their innovative ways, housing an art gallery and arboretum, in addition to their quality accommodation and two restaurants – Toto’s and Meneghello.

Next door and one of Dalmatia’s premier restaurants is Zori, discreet destination for the rich and famous, and popular wedding reception destination, while the impressive olive trees at Bacchus offer ample shade and a more earthy dining experience. Making up the exclusive waterfront is Laganini, as chilled a cocktail bar on the Adriatic as you will find.

To reach Palmizana, either sail into the bay directly, or else moor up (or take water taxi) to the ACI marina on the northern shore, and make the short journey through the natural forest – there are plenty of signs.

Much less visited – but equally fascinating – is Vlaka, a small settlement on Sveti Klement’s northern shore. Here you will find the vineyards of Andro Tomic, just 1m above sea level, whose wines bear the name of the island, the excellent Dionis restaurant, and the remains of a Roman settlement and mud bath.

Marinkovac (Stipanska Bay)

Known better by the name of its most famous bay, Stipanska, Marinkovac is one of the Pakleni’s more visited islands.

Stipanska is the home to Carpe Diem Beach, the Full Moon party and some of the hottest nightlife on the Adriatic, but also one of the great chill out zones by day, with 5-star service. Interspersed between the two is Dinner Nights, a new exclusive 7-course dining experience from 21:30 on selected evenings.

Across Marinkovac, and a world away, are the delightful bays of Zdrilca and Mlini, both serviced by regular water taxi, and home to two excellent restaurants – Patak and Tri Grede.

Regular water taxis leave from the Hvar waterfront to all three destinations.

Jerolim

Named as CNN’s top naturist beach in the world in 2011, Jerolim is one of the most liberal islands in Dalmatia. The crowds head for Amo beach facing the town, where there is a bar, restaurant and sunbeds for hire, but walk 30m through the woods to the other side of the island to Kordovon bay and Mare’s place, one of the most chilled places in Dalmatia – a combination of FKK, gay and clothed sunbathers, where everything is organic, and almost anything goes.

Galesnik

The oldest building is on the nearest island, Galesnik, built originally as a quarantine station by the Franciscans, whose monastery is close by on the mainland. The Venetians built a jetty before the Austrians built an artillery fort.

There is a great eco-ethno restaurant with excellent food and astonishing views back to Hvar Town. Ask at the port authority on the riva for more info. And don’t forget to say hello to Galesnik’s only resident donkey, called Mercedes, and with a love of rakija…