Brijuni

Brijuni is a group of islands that lies close to Istria's western coast. Its most beautiful part was proclaimed a national park in 1983. The islands are 6 km from Pula and are separated from the mainland by the Fazana channel through which boats from the Fazana harbor to Brijuni operate on a daily basis. The Brijuni archipelago consists of 2 larger islands - Veliki and Mali Brijun, as well as 13 smaller, well-indented islands that have been inhabited since prehistorical times. The islands are known for their mild climate and rich vegetation, while the National Park abounds with tree-lined walks, parks and gardens of tropical vegetation. The Brijuni Zoo is of the open type, meaning that animals can freely roam the island, and there is also a safari park. Brijuni offers many sporting activities: horseback riding, golf, tennis, sailing, windsurfing, bike and boat rental, diving, while guests have access to numerous sports terrains, fields and other facilities. A holiday on Brijuni is ideal for guests looking for first class accommodation and an excellent variety of additional services.

DALMATIAN GASTRONOMIC SPECIALTIES

Dalmatian cuisine, due to its ingredients and preparation, meets all medical and nutritional recommendations for a healthy and well-balanced diet.

Traditional Dalmatian ingredients are various types of fish, shells, crabs, octopus, squid, cuttle-fish, olives, olive oil, vegetables, wild herbs, almonds, figs, grapes, honey, raisins and citrus fruits. Particularly delicious are Dalmatian "prsut" - smoked ham that is dried in the "bura" (north-eastern wind), best served with sheep-cheese, and "janjetina ispod peke" - lamb prepared in the traditional way. Furthermore, Dalmatian wines, both red and white, are a must with every meal and some of them are among the world's top ten.

FISH: "gradele", "leso", "brodet" Fish is prepared in several ways: "na gradele", "na leso" i "na brodet". Fish "na gradele" are grilled fish where particular attention is paid to the type of wood used to make the fire and to the adding of aromatic herbs. The fish (the best are dentex and gilthead), cleaned, salted and oiled, are grilled and basted with rosemary soaked in olive oil. The grilled fish are then covered with finely grated parsley, garlic and oil, and is served with vegetables or salad. Fish "na leso" are fish (the best are grooper, dentex and hake) boiled in water containing oil, wine vinegar, onions, laurel, pepper corn and salt. This extremely light and low caloric dish, ideal for supper, is served with boiled potatoes, Swiss chard or cabbage salad. "Brodet" is prepared with different types of fish (grooper, conger eel) that are cut into pieces and fried with onions. Afterwards, the fish is placed in a clay pot over a light fire. Garlic, parsley, laurel and tomatoes are added. When the fish become soft and the bones can easily be removed, "brodet" is ready to be served with polenta - fine yellow cornmeal cooked to a mush. SCAMPI AND SHELLS: "na buzaru" Mussels, oysters and scampi are prepared "na buzaru" in Dalmatia. They are placed in a pot and covered with grated parsley, garlic, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, wine and oil. They are left on the fire in their juices until their shells open. They are served in their own juices with bread or polenta. DESSERT Dalmatian desserts are made with fruit, dried figs, honey, raisins, almonds, eggs and liqueur. Some of them, such as "rozata" and "fritule" can only be found in Dalmatia. "Rozata" is made with eggs, milk and caramel, and is very popular in Southern Dalmatia. "Fritule" are made with dough, raisins and liqueur, shaped into plum-sized balls and fried in hot oil. "Krostule", similar to "fritule", can be found on certain islands. They are made with the same dough but are formed into long strips by skilled cooks and then fried in hot oil. WINE Dalmatian wines, known since ancient times, are produced from autochthonous varieties of grapes. A photograph of the picturesque vineyard close to Primosten, where the autochthonous grape variety used to produce the "Babic" red wine grows, can be found in the lobby of the United Nations building. In northern Dalmatia you will be served "Babic", "Merlot" and the rose "Opol" produced in Sibenik vineyards. On the Peljesac peninsula, known for its wines, you can taste the world famous "Postup" and "Dingac", as well as "Knezevo", "Carsko", "Rukatac" and "Sveta Ana". Every island has its own wines and winemakers. "Bolski Plavac" and "Bolski Opolo" are produced on the island of Brac, while on Hvar, the islands with the most varieties of grapes, you can try "Faros, "Ivan Dolac", "Zlatni plavac", "Bogdanusa", "Hvarski Pelegrin", "Dobrogost", "Parc" and "Drnekusa". Three excellent white wines "Posip", "Marastina" and "Grk" and red wines "Plavac" and "Admiral" can be found on the island of Korcula. The island of Vis is proud of its "Vugava", while the island of Lastovo is known for "Ladesta" and "Augusta insula". Apart from the above mentioned wines, another Dalmatian specialty is "prosek" - a sweet liquor made from grapes.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CROATIA'S REGIONS

Croatia's coast is 5835 km long, has 1185 islands and islets, and extends from the north-west to the south-east. It is divided into the regions of Istria, Kvarner and Dalmatia. In order to help you choose your summer destination, we have prepared this feature about Croatia's regions. ISTRIA - CRYSTAL CLEAN SEA AND GREEN INTERIOR Istria, placed on the peninsula of the same name, is the northernmost tourist region in Croatia and offers a beautiful coastline as well as a green interior. Visit Porec, Rovinj or Pula, tourist centers of rich cultural heritage with numerous hotels and restaurants to suit everyone's taste. Should you choose Buje, Buzet, Motovun or Groznjan, you will enjoy the privacy and tranquility of these fortified medieval cities and learn more about traditional gastronomic specialties and wine production. There is something for everybody; first class service in 9 marinas on the Istrian coast for boaters, cycling and motocross trails, caves and tennis courts (the best are in Umag and Novigrad) for outdoor enthusiasts, and the Limski channel for nature lovers. KVARNER - MOUNTAINS, COAST AND ISLANDS The Kvarner region lies next to Istria, and consists of the Kvarner coastline with islands and the mountain range. Kvarner, thanks to its favorable climate, has a 150 year tradition in elite and health tourism. Places such as Opatija, Lovran and Icici are ideal for those looking for luxury and first class entertainment, while the carnival city of Rijeka and the surrounding places offer various types of entertainment throughout the entire year. Boaters are welcome to the 8 well-equipped marinas, while outdoor enthusiasts can choose among climbing, cycling, motocross, hunting and fishing. DALMATIA - MEDITERRANEAN TEMPERAMENT Dalmatia is Croatia's largest tourist region. There are three large cities: three thousand year old city of Zadar, Split - residence to the Roman Emperor Diocletian, and Dubrovnik to the far south, a UNESCO World Heritage List city. Choose between larger places such as Sibenik, Trogir and Makarska or the tranquil places on the Sibenik, Zadar and Makarska Rivieras. The Velebit and Biokovo mountain ranges, the Paklenica, Krka, Kornati and Mljet National Parks, wonderful speleological and diving locations, vineyards on the Peljesac peninsula and olive groves - all of this and much more can be found in sunny Dalmatia. DALMATIA'S ISLANDS - BEAUTIES OF THE OPEN SEA Croatia's coast with over 1100 islands is among the most indented on the Mediterranean, and is a favorite destination for tourists, especially boaters. The islands of Kornati and Dugi otok with its Telascica lake near the city of Zadar are particularly interesting, while the small islands near the city of Sibenik, such as Krapanj, are a great place for a tranquil holiday. The island of Hvar, home to the oldest theater in Europe and a summer festival, lies close to Split and has the most sunshine hours on the Adriatic. The picturesque island of Solta with its bays far from the hustle and bustle of big cities is ideal for a quiet holiday. The island of Brac is known for its 200 m sandy beach "Zlatni rat", heaven for surfers. You can also try hang gliding or simply have a good time in the numerous night clubs, discos and restaurants. On the island of Vis, there are ruins of Roman thermae and an ancient theatre, as well as the breathtaking "Modra spilja" (Blue cave). If you are looking for a quiet holiday, Vis is the right destination due to the untouched nature and its few inhabitants. At the far south are the wooded island of Korcula, birthplace of Marco Polo and home to traditional knight dances, the island of Lastovo, known for its rich underwater, and the Elafiti islands close to Dubrovnik.

CROATIA'S MOST BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES

The Republic of Croatia has numerous protected green areas: 8 National Parks, 10 Nature Parks, 2 Strict Nature Reserves, nearly 100 Special Reserves, 19 Forest Parks, 28 Protected Landscape Areas and 72 Nature Sights. In this feature, you will find out more about protected green area on Croatia's coast and islands that we recommend you visit during your stay in Croatia.

NATIONAL PARKS 7 of Croatia's 8 National Parks are placed directly on or in the vicinity of the coast, while the eighth National Park, Plitvice Lakes, is less than 200 km from the coast. The Brijuni archipelago, placed on Istria's western coast, consists of 2 large islands and 12 islets on which the rich and respected have been spending their holidays since ancient times. Kornati National Park is the most indented Mediterranean archipelago and consists of 140 uninhabited islands, islets and cliffs ideal for boaters, divers and lovers of Robinson Crusoe types of holidays. Mljet National Park, also Croatia's greenest island, lies southwest of Dubrovnik and is known for its two lakes (Veliko jezero and Malo jezero) and unique forests. The mountainous National Parks,Sjeverni Velebit, Paklenica and Risnjak, are very popular with hikers, speleologists, botanists and alpinists. Krka National Park lies on Croatia's most beautiful Karst river. Croatia's best known National Park,Plitvice Lakes, encompasses 16 lakes connected by waterfalls and surrounded by dense forests. NATURE PARKS 5 of Croatia's 10 Nature Parks are situated on the coast. Here you will find a list of all of them, as well as the most important information on those 5 placed on the coast. Nature Park Biokovo located on the mountain of the same name above Makarska Riviera is ideal for botanists, cyclists and climbers. Nature Park Telascica, placed at the entrance to Kornati National Park, is a narrow bay with a 100 m high cliff. At its top lies a large salt water lake. Velebit Nature Park, close to Zadar Riviera, is frequently visited by speleogists and active holiday lovers while Vransko Lake, Croatia's largest lake and also a Nature Park, is placed nearby. Above Kvarner Riviera and the splendid town of Opatija is Ucka, a mountain and Nature Park, known for its mild climate. Nature Parks in the interior are Papuk, Slavonia's highest mountain area, Kopacki rit, a marshland area and ornithological reserve at the place where the river Drava flows into the river Danube, Lonjsko polje, one of the largest marshlands in Europe, Medvednica, a mountain mass above Zagreb, and Zumberacko-Samoborsko gorje west of Zagreb, known for its medieval castles and acropolis towns. SPECIAL RESERVES Since there are nearly a hundred different Special Reserves all over Croatia, we will list only the best known, primarily those on the coast and islands. If you are spending your holiday on Zadar Riviera, we recommend you visit Lun and Kolansko blato (island of Pag), Zavizan and Stirovaca (Velebit), as well as olive grove Saljsko polje on the island of Dugi otok. Those staying on Sibenik Riviera could visit the island of Prvic and Grgurov kanal. If you are in Istria and Kvarner, make sure to visit Fojiska reserve on the island of Cres, Limski zaljev and Motovun forests, Dundo forest on the island of Rab and the islet of Kosljun by Punta on the island of Krk. Also worth visiting are Zeleni vir (Green whirl) and Vražji prolaz (Devil's pass). Book your visit near Skrad in Gorski Kotar. If you are headed for Croatia's south, visit the islands of Mrkan, Bobara and Lokrum by Dubronik, take a walk on the cypress lined promenade "Pod Gospu" by Orebic, and try trouts in one of the restaurant on the Neretva Delta or oysters from Malostonski bay by Ston. When passing through continental Croatia, visit Corkova uvala in Plitvice, Japetic (Samoborsko gorje), and Velika Pljesevica or Sekulinacke planine ( Papuk ).

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes are one of the most beautiful natural sights in Europe. In the year 1979 UNESCO has declared it with all rights as the World's natural inheritance. National Park Plitvice Lakes with total surface area of 266 km2 comprises 16 terrace-formed lakes, which are mutually connected with waterfalls and cascades. First lake lies on 636 meter altitude, while the last one, 8 km further to the South lies on 133 meters. Largest depth of the lakes is 46 meters, and natural phenomenon of Plitvice is transparency of lake water, which reaches 8 meter deep.

Interesting Facts:
Plitvice Lakes are best known for its legendary film Winnetou based on classic work by Carl May. Original title of the film from 1960-ies, "Treasure of Silver Lake" (Der Schatz im Silbersee) is filmed on Plitvice Lakes starring actors such as Lex Barker, Herbert Lom and Pierre Brice.

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