Rio / Venice / Rijeka - it's Carnival season!

Carnival in Rijeka

Carnival season in Croatia
Carnival in city of Rijeka is the third biggest carnival manifestation in the world after Rio de Janeiro and Venice. Celebration of Carnival, or how locals call it "karneval" or "maskare," has a more than 100 years old long tradition in Croatian culture. City of Rijeka, and Rijeka region overall, preserved this tradition the most. After Three Kings holiday (January 6h) Carnival season starts. Both universal carnival traditional and local traditions are practiced during this festival in Croatia.  



Mayor of city or Rijeka hands-over city "key"

Hand-over of the city key

During the big carnival opening celebration, mayor of Rijeka is handing-over "the key of the city" to Master Toni, who will "rule" the city during the season of carnival (until Ash Wendensday). During this period every Saturday many carnival events are happening in Rijeka as well as in other parts of Croatia. Some of the events include: Carnival Queen pageant show, inauguration of Master Toni, diplomatic ball, car-rally Paris - Bakar, dozens of art gallery and museum exhibitions, concerts, Carnival party and so on.

Carnival ball for diplomats, ambassadors and presidents
Diplomatic ball is hosted in the ancient Governor palace where foreign diplomats, ambassadors and presidents mingle and enjoy gastronomic delicacies prepared by top chefs.

International Carnival Parade in Rijeka

Carnival Queen pageant event

Carnival season culminates with the International Carnival Parade in Rijeka. This year, more than 9000 participants danced and cheered in a day-long parade which counted more than 100 different groups. Each year this event draws more than 120.000 visitors to Rijeka's main square and seaside promenade.


Here are a number of photos from the official Rijeka Carnival website. Picture speak more than 1000 words, so please enjoy them and I hope to see in Croatia during next carnival season.

Stay tuned!

International Carnival Parade in Rijeka

Rijeka mayor, Carnival Qeen and Master Toni

Parade through Rijeka's main promenade

Group masks get very creative 

A little bit or Rio flair

Lobsters

Anything Goes

Most of the group participating in the parade have special vehicles AKA "Allegoric vehicles"

Carnival time is perfect to ridicule government, social norms... for example this is Croatian ex Prime Minister

Again, Prime Minister 

Sheeps from nearby island

Bananas!!!

Spanish theme

Local sardines

Island Cres renaissance group

Tradition is passed onto new generations

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How to reach Croatia?

For all of you that would like to visit Croatia but are not quite sure how to reach it, this post will provide all the necessary information. 

Croatia can be reached by sea, land or air. 

By Sea

Fast ferry approaching island Korcula

There are a number of various companies that make Croatia very easily accessible by sea from Italy, Slovenia or Montenegro. Most of the national and international routes have a more frequent schedule during the summer months, although certain routes are available only in summer months.

These are major ship travel companies: Jadrolinija, SEM, SNAV, Venezia Lines, Emilia Romagna Lines and Jadroagent. These companies offer a variety of travel options, from hydrofoils to speedy ferryboats. 

By Land

Railway in central Croatia

Croatia has daily bus schedules with Austria, Bosnia, Italy, Serbia, Montenegro, Slovenia and Hungary. Prices for bus ticket are not very expensive. For example bus ride from Vienna to Zagreb is about 29 Euros. 

In case you like more comfort, but don't have a car, railway is the perfect choice. You can come to Croatia via train from Italy, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia and Serbia. For example, a train ticket from Venice to Zagreb is around 45 Euros. Check croatian Railways website for more information. 

Scenic roads along the coast

If you travel by car, Croatia has an extensive number of location along its borders where you can legally enter into the country. One thing to bear in you mind is that people opearating a vehicle need to have a vehicle registration papers and green insurance card in order to enter Croatia. This is especially important if you rent a car in another country and plan to enter Croatia with a vehicle with foreign license plates. In case you do not have the right stamp on your car insurance, border official might refuse you entry into the country. Therefore, make sure you get all correct stamps!

By Air

Croatia has many airports along its coast, while the biggest ones are: Dubrovnik, Pula, Rijeka, Split, Zadar and Zagreb (Croatia's capital). There are also a number of smaller international airports on islands like on island of Mali Losinj, Brac and similar. 

Map of Croatian Airports

There are many low cost European airlines like Easy Jet, Ryan Air, German Wings among many others that have daily flights to Croatia. For a complete list please visit low cost airlines in Croatia.

OK, so not that you know how to get to Croatia, there is no more excuses to book your ticket, and plan your next vacation on the Adriatic coast!

Stayed tuned for future posts!

Island of Lošinj - natural aromatherapy

Island of Losinj -  a natural garden of aromatic scents 

Anyone who has been to the island of Losinj knows that aromatic scents are present wherever you go. If you decide to take an off-road path your nose receptors are up to a serious “challenge”. Under the effect of sun, especially during summer months, aromatic plants like lavender, sage, myrtle, common mallow, chamomile, mint and pine tree, among many others, release aromatic scents that just fill up your nose and nurture your body instantly. This is like 100% natural inhalation.

Forget about your asthma inhalers while on Losinj

Given the Losinj uniqe climate and natural elements, Losinj was proclaimed a health resort in 1892 by the contemporary State Ministry of Health of Austro-Hungarian monarchy (but more about his in one of the future posts). The point is that favorable climate factors result in people not using asthma inhalers (pumps) while they reside on the island.

Mediterranean’s first Garden of Fine Scents

In 2003 a local entrepreneurs and admirer of island Losinj, Sandra Nicolich, had a vision of creating a place that would become a sanctuary for body and soul, a garden that servers both educational and tourism purpose. She created a garden of fine scents, located on the small hill overlooking beautiful Valdarke bay. Garden is a place for escaping craziness of everyday life, for relaxation, contemplation, education, meeting new friends and exchanging ideas – a place to appreciate nature and life. In the middle of the garden there is a house, build in a traditional way (stone). Its interior design is a good representation of what Losinj households used to look like back in the day. Here you can buy homemade products and souvenirs like Lemon, Sage and Myrtle liquors, handmade soaps, dried fruits and much more.

Best-smelling donkey

As you walk through the garden you pass by a local superstar – donkey named Dragan. People call him the best smelling donkey in the world as not many donkeys have a chance to live in such a unique habitat!

All you travelers,  looking for something very unique there is no need to look further you have to visit island of Losinj!

For more info on island of Losinj visit Lošinj Tourist Board website. If you are looking for accommodation in apartments, definitely check out Apartments Atila and for hotels check-out Losinj hotels & villas.

Talk to you soon!

Why visit Dubrovnik?

Stradun - main street in Old Town

Dubrovnik - Pearl of the Adriatic
One of the most famous tourist resorts on the Croatian Adriatic is the old city of Dubrovnik. It is located on the most southern part of Croatia and many renowned travel magazines like Conde Nast Traveler call it the"Pearl of the Adriatic." There are many people that have not heard of Croatia, but have heard about Dubrovnik - which says a lot about Dubrovnik's status on the world travel map. 

Famous Beach Banje overlooking the Old Town

Dubrovnik is a city that can pride itself by its beauty, typical Mediterranan lifestyle and rich cultural heritage, which is why many of its buildings are today protected by UNESCO. 2554 hours of sun hours per year makes it one of the sunniest places in Europe!

Ancient City Walls 

View from Minceta fortress

When you visit Dubrovnik you will first see monumental city walls that surround the old part of the city. They are almost 2 km long (1.2 miles), 25 meters high (82 feet) while it depth ranges anywhere from 2 to 6 meters (7 - 10 feet). Along the city walls there are number of fortresses that play an integral part in city life. Fortress Lovrijenac, with walls thick as much as 12 meters (40 feet) at certain parts boasts an amazing courtyard which is each year a home for performance of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Fortress Micenta has a crown-like shape and is often reffered to as "La bella femme" or "Beautiful women's crow" reffering to the 70 tons heavy cannon located within the structure.

Loverijenac fortress

Minceta fortress

Dubrovnik Summer Festival

Summer Festival opening ceremony

For over 50 years Dubrovnik is a host to Dubrovnik Summer Festival that starts with a grandiose  opening ceremony on July 10th and lasts until August 25th. Live plays, concerts and theatrical events take place in every corner of the city. For example you can look at theatrical plays in one of the ancient open-air squares and only few streets further you will stumble upon a serenade performers. Wherever you go you see people dressed traditional Dubrovnik medieval costumes. This is a festival for all senses. 

Dubrovnik Summer Festival fireworks

First European Pharmacy and First European Maritime Law

Europe's oldest pharmacy

Dubrovnik is a home to the European first pharmacy, which opened in 1317 and is still open today. If you visit Dubrovnik it is located on the left side when you enter the Old Town from the Pile "gate".

The earliest history of Dubrovnik goes back to Ancient times, at least to the 6th-5th centuries BC. 

Dubrovnik Republic was very famous for building galleons ships for Atlantic travels. For example galleon Dubrovnik's Argosy is mentioned in two Shakespeare's plays: "Merchant of Venice" and "Taming the Shrew."Dubrovnik's 1395 Insurance Law is the oldest in Europe and it had all aspects of contemporary maritime insurance. This law is three centuries older than Lloyd's insurance, London, which dates from the end of 17th century.