Croatia, the Mediterranean as It Once Was
By Robert Haru Fisher
Tipping its hat toward nostalgia with a slogan, "The Mediterranean as it once was," Croatia is at the same time welcoming lots of new attention with several sources declaring it to be a hot destination for 2006. That accolade comes from such publications as National Geographic Adventure magazine and Hideaways International, to mention only two. In addition, Lonely Planet guidebooks said Croatia was Number One in 2005, and dozens of other sources seem to agree, including the New York Times, Travel & Leisure and more. It appears the country is on the move in every sense of the word, including planning to be a full member of the European Union by 2009, it is said.
Among the features that make Croatia an outstanding destination, and "the new Riviera" according to the NBC Today show, are an ancient cultural history, tons of artistic churches and acres of beautiful villages. Unique, also, are some of these drawing cards that appeal to lovers of the picturesque: the best preserved fortification system in all Europe in the magnificent Dubrovnik city walls; the birthplace of Marco Polo in the lovely town/island of Korcula; and all along the coast, the translucent and astonishingly blue waters of the Adriatic...(more)
AT-A-GLANCE:
| • Capital: |
| |
• Zagreb |
| • Population: |
| |
• 4,437,460 |
| • Largest City: |
| |
• Zagreb (population about one
million people) |
| • Neighboring
Countries: |
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• Italy, Slovenia,
Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia and Montenegro |
| • Size: |
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• 21,831
square miles |
| • Currency: |
| |
• Kuna (1 Kuna = 100 Lipa).
There are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 Lipa coins and one dollar will give
you approximately 6 Kuna. |
| • Upcoming
Events: |
| |
• 45th HVAR Summer
Performances - through October 13, 2006
A traditional cultural event held in the summer, one of the oldest on the Croatian coast: concert, theatre and folklore programs in the picturesque ambient of the City of Hvar with the participation of artists from the country and abroad.
•
International Cultural Centre of Jeunesses Musicales Croatia in Groznjan - through October 8, 2006
The program is made up of several parts: music projects (master's courses for individual instruments, the work of the orchestra, chamber orchestras, choirs), non-musical projects (dance, theatre, comic strip, film, architecture, ethnology, journalism), other programs (visiting ensembles and orchestras, seminars by other associations and international organisations, humanitarian activities) and concert activities (the "Grožnjan Summer of Music" – concerts by participants of the courses, their leaders, visiting soloists, chamber orchestras, orchestras and choirs in Grožnjan and other places around Istria).
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| • Fun Fact: |
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• Dalmatians - The dogs of 101 Dalmatians fame originated from the Dalmatian Region in Southern Croatia. An unsigned oil painting dated 1724 from the tiny Franciscan Monastery in town of Zaostrog is thought to be the first record of this famous breed.
• Tie - It wasn't London, Paris or Milan that invented the necktie, it was Croatia! The necktie is the descendent of the Cravat, a part of the Croatian soldier's uniforms which was then adopted by the French in the 17th Century. The word Cravat evolved from Croat. From the renaissance to the modern day that article of clothing has survived numerous changes in size, shape and material, but has remained an unmistakable masculine adornment. Today, it serves as the mark of the businessman, expressing ambition, knowledge and comfortable elegance.
• Quarries - The white stone and marble from the quarries of Croatia's Island of Brac was used to build the White House, the Diocletian Palace in Split, as well as Stradun, the longest street in Dubrovnik.
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| • Tourist Office
(U.S.A.): |
| |
• Croatian National
Tourist Board
350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4003
New York, NY 10118 USA
Tel: +1-800-829-4416
Fax: +1-212-279-8683
cntony@earthlink.net
http://www.croatia.hr |
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