The renovation of a number of castles, the Baroque city centre, the construction of the Archeological- tourist park Vučedol, with the Museum of Vučedol culture and the renovation of the historical town core and the Odescalchi castle in Ilok are also a part of the mentioned project.

The outer part of the Eltz castle, whose construction began in the middle of the 18th century and was finished at the beginning of the 20th century, is now open for visitors and sightseeing.

The inner part will be opened next summer and will serve as a new museum-exhibition space of the Vukovar city museum. The whole complex of the castle encircles four Baroque country houses, a string of buildings, the chapel of St. Rok and an orange grove in the park.

The Tourist Board of Vukovar-Srijem County

www.tzvsz.hr

Croatia already has ten cultural goods on UNESCO’s list and with these two additions, Croatia is among the leaders in Europe and the world by number of phenomena of intangible cultural heritage on UNESCO’s world list.

A Croatian Tradition Adds to the World Heritage List

Off-peak tourist season in a city whose history has been written for a thousand years is a perfect thing for all those looking for tranquillity and serenity.

For the most memorable stay in Dubrovnik, we invite you to explore our crème de la crème suite accommodation, and enjoy the most unforgettable vacation in Dubrovnik celebrity-style.

Our exciting Suite Supreme Package tempts you to explore the most luxurious accommodation on the Adriatic – the renowned Hotel Excelsior, a favourite meeting point for many royalties, celebrities and politicians. We have singled out the most lavish accommodation options, inviting you to choose from one of our three favourite and most tempting options – the Presidential Suite, the Executive Suite and Vila Agave. Hotel Excelsior’s suites are recognized for their spacious design and the most outstanding view on the nearby island of Lokrum and the City Walls – one of the most beautiful examples of fortification on the Adriatic. Already the choice of celebrities like Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey, Mickey Rourke and many others, the 13th-century Vila Agave located in a close proximity to Hotel Excelsior guarantees the most serene vacation ever.

Our package includes luxury limousine transfer to and from the Dubrovnik Airport. Additionally, to make sure your vacation is the most memorable one you have ever experienced, we offer a designated Personal Travel Assistant at your service, to advise you and help you plan your perfect Dubrovnik retreat. This is a person fully knowledgeable about the offer in Dubrovnik and its surrounding region, and is at your service to take you beyond all your dreams and expectations.

Please visit us online at http://www.alh.hr/en/suite-supreme-excelsior-hotel-dubrovnik/

The historical festival of Giostra takes us back to the distant history of Porec. To be more precise, back to the year 1672 when, according to the archive records of the Regional Museum of Porestina and the National Archive in Pazin, a popular fiesta known as Fiera franca friudana took place in the streets of Poreč. Its participants competed in crossbow shooting, a variety of dances and popular games, but the main attraction was the Giostra horse race. Visit Poreč and experience for yourself this return into history.

INTERNATIONAL LACE FESTIVAL, Lepoglava, Spt. 23 – Spt. 25

Lace making is a part of Croatian tradition, one which is cherished to this day. Proud of their Lacemaking tradition and skill, the people of Lepoglava organize the International Festival of Lace successfully promoting the value of lace as their ethnographic treasure. Although prestigious lace creations from numerous European countries are available at the festival, the visitors always find the local works from original Croatian lace centers particularly attractive – in addition to Lepoglava, such centers include Pag, sv. Marija and Hvar.

ISTRIA MTB TRUFFLE TOUR– Parenzana Cannondale

Istra, Spt. 26 – Oct.

Parenzana, once a narrow-gauge railroad, today serves as a track venue for a marathon cycling race which, due to amazing surroundings, has been included in the calendar of the World Cycling Association in the Category. Bearing in mind that participation in this race brings world rating points, it is expected that the best cyclists in the world will attend, making Parenzana a superb sporting event, and one which sports enthusiasts should not miss.

All customers who have at least one of these destinations on their itinerary will automatically receive 10% discount on fall tour prices:

Zagreb

Rovinj

Split

Hvar

Korcula

Brac

Dubrovnik

The only pre-condition is that they have to stay in 5 star properties and minimum stay is 7 days. Universal’s tours starting prices are $475 per day per person and include abundance of perks and features.

Universal’s tour starts by picking up clients by limo at their home to take them to their departure airport for their overseas flight. The limo is supplied a bottle of Champagne and delicious hors d’oeuvres. The driver will collect the luggage at the client’s home. Universal’s staff will be on hand at the airport to meet clients and check in the luggage and clients at their specified airline and will handle their bags during the entire trip. Express baggage and check-in service is provided at hotels.

Upon arrival at the hotel, clients will be escorted directly to their reserved rooms. A Personal Tour Director (PTD) is assigned for the duration of trip to oversee handling. Clients are driven around for sightseeing in private shiny limos. Various excursions, visits to museums and galleries are scheduled with the assistance of private guides and curators. Breakfasts are served in bed, lunch and dinner open a la carte dining; clients may choose the restaurant and order anything on the menu. Meals are preceded with cocktails and aperitifs.

After dinner there is usually a concert, opera or some kind of live show and entertainment. There are Old Europe’s traditional “digestifs” or good-night drinks before retiring. But wait! This is not all. High tea in the afternoon is provided to soothe and relax. This kind of pampering, and more, is repeated every day of the tour.

www.uts-travel.com

Pope Benedict XVI will be in apostolic visit to Croatia in June. The welcoming ceremony at Pleso International Airport in Zagreb June 4th. Also in the program is a prayer Vigil with the Croatian youth in Ban Josip Jelacic square and a Holy Mass on the occasion of the National Day of Croatian Catholic Families in the Zagreb Hippodrom on June 5th.

DISCOVER CROATIA BROCHURE

The Association of Croatian Travel Agencies published a new brochure „Discover Croatia!“. The brochure is a listing of Croatian travel agencies specializing in special interest programs like adventure, gastronomy, enology, religious etc. The listings give a description of the programs offered by the listed agency and contacts. You can see the e-brochure by following the link in the title.

UNIQUE DE-STRESS PROGRAM

Vuglec Breg, a village about 40 kilometers from Zagreb, in Croatian Zagorje has come up with a unique ‘de-stress’ program– looking after and feeding of sheep. The program includes overnight stays in one of Zagorje`s traditional houses including breakfast, lunch and dinner. Along with looking after and feeding sheep on the southern slopes of Vuglec Breg, the program includes feeding and grooming of ponies. Those who wish to look after the sheep will even have a sheep dog at their disposal, while those interested in additional activities, can join the owners in seasonal work in vineyards or orchards, chopping of wood, and other farm activities.

RICH ENTERTAINMENT OFFER IN ZAGREB

Zagreb summer’s are known for many cultural and entertainment events. Evenings on Strossmayer from late May through 05 September brings free daily ethno, jazz, soul, rock and other concerts to one of the most romantic parts of Zagreb’s Upper town – the Strossmayer promenade. The international gardening show Flora Art, a flower exhibition will be held through June 5th in the Bundek Park in Zagreb. Theatres from across the world have for years been participating in Eurokaz, a popular theatre festival to be held June 15th – June 25th. For two days in June an army of people in search of a good time and good music appear for the T-Mobile InMusic Festival. The Cest is d’best, a festival transforming the streets of downtown Zagreb into a bright world of circus and street theatre for a week or two is happening June 2nd – June 12th.

50th INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL

Sibenik, June 18th – July 2nd

The International Children’s Festival is a unique cultural event during which Sibenik city squares are surrendered to children and dedicated to the development of all the artistic forms of their creative drive. The festival has three basic programs: a festival of domestic and international children’s ensembles, the workshop program directly and publicly involving children in the act of creation, and the educational part where a symposium addresses issues such as aesthetic education of children.

THE LEGEND OF THE DJURJEVAC ROOSTER

Djurdjevac, June 24th – June 26th

One of the most entertaining historical legends in Croatia is the one of the Djurdjevac rooster that saved the town during a Turkish siege.. Djurdjevac celebrates this legend by a unique outdoor stage performance that takes place at the location where the legend actually happened, and involves hundreds of extras, horsemen and professional actors. This event has been given the status of a non-material cultural good of Croatia.

HISTORIC REGATTA OF GAJETA FALKUSA BOATS

Komiza, June 24th

For centuries the fishermen from Komiža used to fish sardines near Palagruza, where they salted them in barrels on its pebble beach to then ship them by their falkusa boats back to Komiza barracks. It was a well organized industry of the time and a ground of existence for the islands of Vis and Hvar. Learn here why they had to go to the sea “en masse” and what the prize for the fastest boat was. On June 24th at 9am a regatta of falkusa boats will depart Komiza to sail towards Palagruza.

The 4th National Cultural Tourism Day will be celebrated on May 19th. The central part of the event will take place in Dubrovnik highlighting the development and destination management projects in the field of cultural tourism, and the lectures by renowned national and international lecturers.

The marking of the Cultural Tourism Day within the Dubrovnik-Neretva County will include free guided tours of cultural sights, the attending of plays, concerts and lectures, free admission to the museums and different activities aiming at the preservation and maintenance of cultural resources.

TWO CROATIAN MUSEUMS NOMINATED FOR THE EUROPEAN MUSEUM OF THE YEAR AWARD

Museum of the broken relationships and Museum of contemporary art, both located in Zagreb, have been nominated for the European Museum of the Year Award. The winner will be announced on May 21st.

DIRECT FLIGHTS USA-CROATIA ANNOUNCED

Swift Air, as direct operating carrier, will be operating non-stop flights to Zagreb Pleso airport from Chicago O’Hare airport, the company announced at a press conference last week in Chicago. Kompas, their Croatian travel agency partner, confirmed the statement in their press release this week. Starting with a summer schedule June 20th until September 11th 2011, flights will depart O’Hare airport for Zagreb every Monday, return flights are scheduled for every Wednesday. The winter schedule will be announced in June 2011. Aircraft that will be used for their operation is Boeing B767-200ER with 235 economy seats.

GOOD START TO THE TOURIST SEASON

In the first four months of 2011 Croatia had 12 % increase in arrivals and overnights. This was just announced by the Croatian Tourism Minister Damir Bajs. This result comes after the Croatian Tourism Ministry in cooperation with the private tourist sector adopted a new set of measures to ensure better results in the tourist season, notably in low-season as of the beginning of this year.

NEW LONELY PLANET CROATIA GUIDE

The new Lonely Planet guide on Croatia is available now in print and online editions. This new guide includes easy to use maps, comprehensive listings and more.

BLANKA VLASIC MAKING U.S DEBUT IN NEW YORK

The 2010 Female World Athlete of the Year, a four-time World champion and 2008 Olympic silver medalist in the High Jump, Blanka Vlasic will make her U.S debut in New York on June 11th 2011 as one of the headliners in the 2011 Adidas Grand Prix. The event will be held in the Icahn Stadium, a state-of-the-art facility on Randall’s Island, New York. Purchase your tickets now and should you happen to be a Croatian fan – receive a special 10% discount by entering the promotion code BLANKA.

NEW ACCOMODATION CAPACITIES IN MOTOVUN, ISTRA

House of Gold is the name of the new accommodation facility available in Motovun, Istra. Had you ever been to this magical part of the Istrian peninsula, you would have gathered the lack of space therefore accommodation available. House of Gold is a completely restored medieval house, in the heart of Motovun.

DUBROVNIK INTERNATIONAL WINE & JAZZ FESTIVAL

Dubrovnik, May 25th – 29th

The Dubrovnik International Wine & Jazz Festival, an artistic partnership with the Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival, will feature the internationally acclaimed jazz, blues and crossover classical musicians; the award-winning Croatian wines; local artists and craftsmen; and the outstanding Dalmatian cuisine. All this – and much more – will be featured at this first-class culture and arts festival.

18th INTERNATIONAL SMALL STAGE THEATRE FESTIVAL

Rijeka, May 3rd -8th

Equally open to first-class mainstream theatre and unconventional, experimental projects, the Small Scene Theatre Festival pays special attention to setting up the performances on attractive locations and a variety of stages. Alongside with the most famous theatres from all the countries of former Yugoslavia, so far the Festival has hosted theatres from Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Rumania, Russia, the USA, Switzerland, and Great Britain.

1ST CROATIAN MUSEUM OF VITICULTURE AND ENOLOGY TO OPEN SOON

The first Croatian Museum of Viticulture and Enology will soon open in Putnikovic, located 20 km from Mali Ston in the Peljesac peninsula. The museum will not only show exhibits, but also arrange visits to vineyards and wine tastings, and the wine there will be archived in a kind of a wine bank. The museum, covering an area of 750 square meters, will present and sell wines and souvenirs related to viticulture and winemaking. Also planned is the opening of an agricultural pharmacy and a wine Academy for education of sommeliers and all those involved in viticulture and enology.

FIUMANKA REGATTA

Rijeka, May 9th -11th

Yachtsmen from across the world gather once a year at the Great Fiumanka regatta, which follows the route between Rijeka to Omisalj and back, and takes every ounce of strength from even the most experienced. This year, a press regatta called Press Fiumanka will be held within the main regatta. A real must for all sport and adrenaline addicts.

THE DAYS OF SAMOBOR CUSTARD SLICES

Samobor, May 1ST – 30th

Samobor is popular among foodies for its homemade custard slices – delicious cake made of flaky pastry and delicate cream. What makes Samobor custard slices special is the fact that they are served warm rather than cooled like everywhere else. During the celebration of the Days of Custard Slices, the local pastry shops will serve this pastry along with culture and entertainment events taking place in the main town square.

KRK WINE PROMOTION

Island of Krk, May 26TH – 29TH

The excellent Croatian wine producers together with Krk’s caterers will present themselves with special promotional prices inside catering facilities. Guided tastings, professional lectures, watercolor painting with wine – vinorel – exhibition as well as a vinorel painting technique workshop will be organized. The evening program will be enriched by klapas performances and a musical and theatrical program and will take place both in the catering facilities and on the town’s streets.

http://croatia.hr/en-GB/Homepage

KVARNER REGION’S 1ST AGENCY SPECIALAZING IN HUNTING TOURISM

Kvarner’s first agency specializing in hunting tourism has recently opened in Punat on the island of Krk. The agency, Adria Hunt, offers holiday packages and the necessary logistical support for hunting in numerous destinations all over Croatia and abroad.

KOMPAS HOLIDAYS INTERNATIONAL NEW OFFER FOR 2011

Kompas Holidays International, the American inbound and outbound travel specialist for Central and Eastern Europe and Croatia, introduced the new 2011 brochure and offer for Croatia “Villas in Croatia 2011”. The offer is focused on private villa’s accommodating 8-12 pax along the Croatian Adriatic coast.

PAG CHEESE GLIGORA WINS 3 GOLD MEDALS

The Croatian island of Pag is a tourist destination widely known primarily for its famous beach Zrce near Novalja proclaimed by international media as the Croatian Ibiza. However, it is less known that this island produces excellent cheeses. Recognition has come from the World Championships held in Birmingham, where a panel of 200 experts from around the world, awarded gold medals in three categories to Pag`s cheese making family Gligora: sheep milk cheeses, hard cheeses and new cheeses.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2011

The new e-brochure “Calendar of cultural and touristic events 2011” is now available for download.

FESTIVAL OF OYSTERS

Dubrovnik, 19-20 March

The gulf of Mali Ston has been well-known for its mussel and oysters-growing farm since Roman times, and the oysters from Ston (ostrea edulis), have made this region world-famous. Oysters are most delicious in March, when St Joseph s Day in celebrated in this region.. You will have the opportunity to taste the freshly opened oysters around St. Joseph’s Day (19 March) at the restaurants in Ston and Mali Ston. The Festival of Oysters is a gastro event which offers oysters and oyster dishes. Also, the shell growers from Mali Ston will offer this culinary delicacy in Dubrovnik, on Stradun on March 20th.

USA AND CROATIA SIGN OPEN SKIES AIR SERVICE AGREEMENT

The United States and Croatia have signed the Open Skies Agreement that will allow for an open travel corridor between the two countries. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and her Croatian counterpart Gordan Jandrokovic signed the documents in Washington in February. The agreement will result in direct flights between Croatia and the United States and lead to increased tourism opportunities for both the allied countries.

CROATIAN PORTS TO EXIBIT AT THE SEATRADE EXPO

Miami , 14-17 March, booth 1029

Cruise Shipping Miami is the world’s most important and largest annual meeting for the cruise industry. For over 26 years, CSM has brought together top industry suppliers, quality cruise line buyers and decision makers from around the world for 3 days of exhibition and 4 days of conference. In 2010 CSM attracted over 10,000 attendees and 983 exhibitors. This year, Croatian Ports will be exhibiting at booth number 1029.

THE ZAGREB TOURIST BOARD TO EXIBIT AT THE TRAVEL AND ADVENUTRE SHOW

Washington D.C, 12-13 March

The Zagreb Tourist Board will exhibit at the upcoming Travel and Adventure Show in Washington D.C. this March. This two-day event is your ticket to discover authentic travel experiences, snap up the deals, win trips and giveaways, and be entertained and delighted at this amazing travel extravaganza. You’ll hear travel tips from the experts including travel legends Experience zip-lining, dive in the scuba pool, and enjoy cultural performances and much more.

CROATIA RANKED 4TH IN THE WORLD TOURISM PERFORMANCE IN 2010

Croatia, with seven percent increase in the arrivals of foreign visitors, is the fourth best tourist destination in the world in 2010 by tourism performance, as estimated by the tourist organizations and experts from the “ITB World Travel Trends Report 2010/2011″. Only South Korea, China and Germany were more successful while accommodating 28, 23 and 11 percent more foreign visitors than in 2009, respectively. Following Croatia is Mexico with an increase of five percent, which is the same percentage of growth recorded in tourism in the whole world this year.

ZAGREB WINS “AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE-THE MOST PROMISING NEW DESTINATION”

The Zagreb Tourist Board presented Zagreb at the TTF&OTM (Travel Tourism Fair & Outbound Travel Mart) fair, which was held in Mumbai (India) from February 18–20, it’s proud to announce that Zagreb won the “Award for Excellence – the most promising new destination” award. TTF&OTM is India’s largest tourism fair, and the only trade fair that focuses on traveling outside of India. It was attended by more than 700 exhibitors from 31 countries and 25 Indian states in order to present their tourist destinations.

The tour starts by picking up clients with a limo at their home before they depart for their overseas flight. The limo is supplied with bottle of Champagne and delicious hors d’oeuvres. The driver will pick up the luggage at the client’s home. UTS staff will be on hand at the airport to check in the luggage and the clients at their specified airline. Clients won’t need to handle their bags during the entire trip. At all hotels, they are provided express baggage and check-in service from the airport to the hotel. Upon arrival at the best hotel in town, clients will be escorted directly to their reserved suite. No waiting in line to check in, no dragging bags. A Personal Tour Director (PTD) is assigned for the duration of trip, and he/she will do all the formalities.

Clients are driven around in a shiny limo for sightseeing, various excursions, museums and galleries all with the assistance of private guides. Breakfasts are served in bed, lunch and dinner open a la carte dining; clients choose the restaurant and may order anything on the menu. Meals are preceded with cocktails and aperitifs. After dinner there is usually concert, opera or some kind of live show and entertainment.

There are Old Europe’s traditional “digestifs” or good-night drinks before retiring. This is not all. High tea in the afternoon is provided to soothe and relax. This pampering, and more, is repeated every day of the tour. The tour itinerary includes Zagreb, Bled, Ljubljana, Lipica, Postojna Caves, Rovinj, Pula, Opatija, Plitvice Lakes, Zadar, Trogir Split, and of course, Dubrovnik, the jewel of the Adriatic. And to top all this, a 7-day cruise on a private yacht is provided at the end of tour.

www.uts-travel.com

The airport in Dubrovnik has recently also strengthened its connections towards London. British Airways flights will increase from two to four times a week from the United Kingdom during the winter months.

Source: us.croatia.hr

Image via bh-news.com