Why You Should Never visit Croatia

PULA AMPHITHEATER

The most famous and important monument, the starting and ending point of every sightseeing tour is the Amphitheater, popularly called the Arena of Pula, which was once the site of gladiator fights. It was built in the 1st century AD during the reign of Emperor Vespasian, at the same time as the magnificent Colosseum in Rome. 

The ground plan is elliptical, the longer axis measuring about 130 m and the shorter one about 100 m. Gladiator fights took place in the central flat area called the arena, while the spectators could sit on the stone tiers or stand in the gallery. It is believed that the Amphitheater could seat about 20,000 spectators. Local limestone was used for its construction. In the Middle Ages it was the site of knights tournaments and fairs. 

Today it is the venue for summer performances - the Film Festival, Opera Season, Equestrian Festival, concerts, ... which can seat about 5,000 spectators. The underground passages, once used by the gladiators, nowadays host a regular exhibition of viticulture and olive growing in Istria in ancient times. The exhibits include reconstructions of machines once used for the production of olive oil and wine (mills, presses, vessels) and amphorae used for storing and transporting olive oil and wine. 

The Amphitheater is situated outside the old city walls because of its size and geographical configuration. The road that leads to the center was constructed during Emperor Vespasian, after whom it was named - Via Flavia. Even today it represents one of the main city roads.

MAP OF PULA

THE BRIJUNI ARCHIPELAGO

The Brijuni archipelago stretches along the south west coast of the peninsula of Istria. The islands consist of two large islands, Veli (big) Brijun and Mali (small) Brijun plus twelve other smaller islands. For travellers from all around the world, national park Brijuni has become one of their favourite holiday destinations with its spectacular beauty, and mild climate since the beginning of the 20th century. The coastline is mostly low and rocky, although very accessible, with a few sandy and pebble inlets.

The picturesque islands have been attracting people since ancient times for its tranquillity and natural beauty. The islands have been populated since the Roman age, and the remains of many luxurious Roman villas prove to the alluring beauty of the archipelago. The most significant of the remains on the islands are in the bay of Verige, part of which were found temples to the god Neptune and the goddess Venus. On the west coast of the island of Veli Brijuni, in the gulf of Dobrika, the Byzantine castles and the basilica of St. Mary are located. These remains confirm the existence of settlements from the 16th century.

The white villa on the island in Veli Brijuni was the residence of Joseph B. Tito, during his reign as presidents of Yugoslavia and there received many public officials and delegates. As he was an animal lover, he received many as gifts from visitors from all parts of the globe. Today there are more than 600 indigenous plant species, mostly Mediterranean, and in the northern part of Veli Brijun there is a safari park where there are deer, zebra, ostriches, giraffes and other animals.

Golf lovers can enjoy playing and nature. Renting bicycles at the park lets our guests experience the park in a different way.

Brijuni has a ferry connection to the main land from the port at Fažana (Pula - 8km)

Nautical Map of Brijuni near PULA

MAP OF NATIONAL PARK BRIJUNI

NATIONAL PARK BRIJUNI ISLANDS

Brijuni National Park is an oasis of the magnificent harmony between man, animal and plant life. There are almost 700 plant species and about 250 bird species on the islands, whereas the mild Mediterranean climate makes it a pleasant health resort. After leaving Fažana, the line of green islands viewed from the boat, transforms into Veliki Brijun, the largest of the 14 islands. The traces of dinosaurs, remains of Antiquity and later periods, achievements of modern times are all present in this area, whose development as an exclusive resort starts in 1893 thanks to the “old Austrian” Paul Kupelwieser, owner of the Brijuni Islands. This fashionable seaside resort and one of the leading health resorts started developing and gaining popularity all over Europe and worldwide.

From then on Brijuni were mostly known as a summer residence of Marshal Josip Broz Tito, the president of former Yugoslavia, who arrived on Brijuni for the first time in 1947. The usual, short introduction to Brijuni is a tour by tourist train that takes visitors through all the different natural beauties; through the safari park, by the Byzantine castrum, Roman residential villa in Verige Bay and many other interesting sights. Right by the harbor, there is the church of St. German from the 15th century which houses an exhibit of Istrian frescoes and copies of Glagolitic monuments. Nearby is the natural science exhibit, archaeological museum and exhibition "Tito on Brijuni".

ROVINJ-one of most picturesque towns in the Mediterranean .......

Rovinj

Rovinj is a picturesque nice town located on the west side of the Istrian region. The attractions in Rovinj are: The Old Town, Church of St. Eufemija, Town Gates of St. Benedict, Gates below the wall, Gates of St. Cross. Rovinj was mentioned for the first time as Castrum Rubini in Cosmographia in 7th century. 

GIANT TUNE

The tuna fishing season begins no longer in July (the 7th month), but shortly after New Year - in February (2nd month). The season continues the whole year, except for the month of June (6th month), but then it´s a great time for catching smaller specimens, either by trolling method or with line and hook. In fact, there is no end of season, as for instance even the month of December in 2011 (12th month) has been absolutely excellent, even incredible.

- fishing around tuna breeding sites (specimens with an average weight of 180 kg are caught, and often these specimens weigh from 200 to 300 kg)

It is a fact that there are several tuna breeding sites on the Adriatic. These sites are in fact floating cages in the sea, where tunas are fed, and after they gain an appropriate size, the fish is exported to Japan. Free-living tunas attracted by the large amount of food the tuna in the breeding cages are fed with, gather around the cages. This is a safe position because of the large number of tuna that appear there, and that means the chance for a catch is immense. But this is not the only reason why you should take your chance around these cages. GREAT TUNAS of a seize of 250 to 400 and even 500 kg are swimming around the cages as well.

This is the ultimate challenge and rush of adrenaline that even involves some risks and dangers. Unfortunately, a lot of fish is getting dropped while being fought, wrapping around the anchor ropes that hold the cages at the surface.

Nevertheless, the team "BAKUL" team caught the three biggest caught fish until now (263 kg, 272 kg and 298 kg), caught with the rod in the Adriatic Sea in the last 7 years.

OUTDOOR AQUARIUM OF ROGOZNICA

The Dalmatian settlement of Rogoznica became popular for the lake called Zmajevo Oko (The Dragon’s Eye). According to a local legend, an old dragon formed a layer on its bottom, and would occasionally show his rage by sudden outbursts of boiled water. In modern times, scientists discovered that aforementioned phenomenon is caused by sulphur release in lake’s water column, a rare but recorded event in nature. Yet, fishes on the photo above don’t have to fear dragons and chemical reactions. Situated in Outdoor Aquarium of Rogoznica, a 17-meter long tank available for anyone to see, they live their life surrounded with curious eyes of children and interested people.

Map of ROGOZNICA

Dubrovnik

1. Dubrovnik is a city in southern Croatia fronting the Adriatic Sea. It's known for its distinctive Old Town, encircled with massive stone walls completed in the 16th century. Its well-preserved buildings range from baroque St. Blaise Church to Renaissance Sponza Palace and Gothic Rector’s Palace, now a history museum. Paved with limestone, the pedestrianized Stradun (aka Placa) is lined with shops and restaurants.
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Old City Dubrovnik

The 'Pearl of the Adriatic', situated on the Dalmatian coast, became an important Mediterranean sea power from the 13th century onwards. Although severely damaged by an earthquake in 1667, Dubrovnik managed to preserve its beautiful Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces and fountains. Damaged again in the 1990s by armed conflict, it is now the focus of a major restoration programme co-ordinated by UNESCO.

sea organ in Zadar -Video

Sea organ in Zadar -must see

The device was made by the architect Nikola Bašić as part of the project to redesign the new city coast (Nova riva), and the site was opened to the public on 15 April 2005.^[1]The waves interact with the organ in order to create somewhat random but harmonic sounds.

The Sea Organ has drawn tourists and locals alike. In addition, white marble steps leading down to the water were built later. Concealed under these steps, which both protect and invite, is a system of polyethylene tubes and a resonating cavity that turns the site into a large musical instrument, played by the wind and the sea.

MAP OF KORNATI ISLANDS

THE KORNATI ISLANDS-NATIONAL PARK

Stretching along the central part of the Croatian Adriatic, are the Kornati islands. With their immense natural beauty, diverse coastlines, and preserved marine ecosystem, most of the Kornati islands were declared a National park in 1980. National park Kornati sizes about 220 km2 which consists of 89 islands, islets and reefs. National park Kornati was named after the biggest island in the group - Kornat. Vegetation on the islands is minimal, giving the islands a bald look, however, nature still thrives with plant life on the rocks. Crystal clear water, and uncover the all kinds of reefs, shellfish and many species of fish below the surface.

The Kornati islands were populated in prehistoric times; findings of stone hatchets at the bottom of the hill Pasinka on the islands of Kornati confirm the stated. The Kornati islands were a frequent target for invaders and thieves, from the Romans and the Venetians to the aristocracy from Zadar. Although today the Kornati islands are only populated during the summer months, old field and fishing houses spread out in secluded inlets on the Kornati islands, give away the presence of their owners. There is no electricity or fresh water springs on the islands.

The Kornati islands are a real heaven for yachtsmen, divers and all those who enjoy the solitude of untouched and the magnificence of nature. There are 20 restaurants on the Kornati islands which serve fish specialities. You can get to the Kornati islands by boat (if you own or you rent), or by organised boat excursions offered by tourist agencies. For more information you can visit the public bureau „Nacionalni Park Kornati “in Murter. The park is located about seven nautical miles from the island of Murter.

BAČVICE BEACH

No, it’s not in the least bit exclusive or elegant, but the point about Bačvice – not ten minutes’ walk from Split’s main bus station and ferry terminal – is that it’s a city beach, used by everyone. A modest half-moon of shingle lined with a couple of bars (most notably Žbirac) and few nightclubs just metres from the sea, Bačvice is all things to all men and even provides showers too. If you’re feeling really adventurous enough, try and join in with a game ofpicigin, a popular local pastime for which Bačvice is famous. It involves a group of lithe-looking lads arranged in a circle who use their acrobatic skills to hit a small rubber ball between themselves – the more outrageous the dive to save the ball from hitting the water, the more admiring the looks from everyone on the beach.

TOP TEN DESTINATION (TIMEOUT) 4. SPLIT

Split is no longer a mere hop-off point on the way to the nearby destination islands of Brač, Hvar and Vis. Today the de facto capital of Dalmatia, built around a living Roman ruin, has everything you could want from a holiday and then some. A rash of new four- and five-star hotels, galleries filled with works by Ivan Meštrović, Croatia’s most celebrated sculptor, and the best bar crawl on the Adriatic coast – not to mention beach parties and a major music festival – all make for a perfect summer getaway.

But Split also provides a great year-round city break, not least due to the recent phenomenon of quality bistro openings. Venues such as Uje, NoStress and Bokeria form a part of this new culinary wave, making the best use of fresh, organic regional produce and the bounty of the Adriatic. And, unlike the more glamorous Dubrovnik, Split is also eminently affordable.

The island do HVAR

The island of Hvar is the queen of the Croatian Dalmatian islands. It has been famous since the antique because of its important strategic and nautical position, the rich of the various historical periods, the culture and natural monuments and the literature.

NATIONAL PARK KORNATI

from the air....what are ...beautiful...amazing...

TROGIR RIVIERA

Trogir, the center of the Trogir Riviera is a town with approximately 13000 inhabitants, situated in the heart of Dalmatia, 20 km west from the city of Split. The Adriatic tourist road is located in its immediate vicinity and connects it well with neighboring places:Kaštela, Solin, large center - Split, and smaller municipalities: Seget, Marina and Okrug (on the island of Čiovo) which were once part of this Riviera. 

Frequent bus connections with the surroundings make it approachable from all sides, and also with other large Croatian centers. The boat routes towards Split and the neighboring island of Drvenik Veliki and Drvenik Mali are also good, especially during the summer season. 

The vicinity of the airport connects the town with the entire world.

The natural protection and spaciousness of the harbor, the favorable accommodation on the small island between the land and the island of Čiovo, and the fair climate were the main reasons for establishing the town. 

Many nations have changed and mutually assimilated in this small area: Illyrians, Greeks, Romans, and then Croats. It was also under Venetian, French, and Austrian authority. They have left their traces, but despite all of this, the Croatian people and their language stayed preserved during the stormy Trogir centuries till the present day.

The city of Trogir, Marina, Seget Donji, Seget Vranjica, Vinišće and the island of Čiovo make up the Trogir Riviera. This area is rich with Mediterranean vegetation, olive groves and vineyards, numerous islands and bays, sand and pebble beaches . 

Except for high quality accommodation in hotels, boarding houses, apartments, camps and homemade delicacies, especiallyfish specialties, it also offers a wide variety of sport and recreation. The coast of the Trogir Riviera is separated with smaller bays, capes, and islands with lush Mediterranean vegetation, still preserved in its original form. 

This is favorable for those who are attracted to cruising along the Adriatic coast. The climate is favorable with mild winters and warm summers which are cooled by the pleasant wind – the maestral.

Croatian coast in July

The tourist season is in full swing in July. Marinas are full of pleasure boats, beaches are crowded with sunbathers, ferries are full, hotels hang out the "no vacancy" sign and tourist offices work from dawn to nightfall dispensing information and solving problems. There are no shortage of daytime trips, activities and excursions plus a range of music and cultural festivals that attract locals and visitors. The most important ones are listed below but nearly all coastal and island towns have music in the evening.

ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACH ON THE ISLANDCIOVO -UVALA DUBOKA

WHAT ARE BEAUTIFUL DAY

Today's temperature in Croatia is very very high 34-38 C .Sea temperature is 25-26 C.

Ideal swimming weather!!!!!

Today 's morning walk --Dominican Monastery And Church Of The Holy Cross(Island Ciovo)

The church and the Dominican monastery of the Holy Cross (Sv. Križ) (5 kilometres (3 miles) from Trogir) were built in the 15th century by the masters Ivan Drakanović and Nikola Mladinov.