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.