10. ZAGREB'S GORNJI GRADThe city of Zagreb, capital of Croatia, on the historic and political threshold between East and West, illustrates both the continental and Mediterranean spirit of the nation it spearheads. Zagreb is the cultural, scientific, economic, political and administrative centre of the Republic of Croatia, and is home to the Croatian Parliament, Government and President. Its favourable location between the Pannonian plain, the edge of the Alps and the Dinaric range has allowed it to become a crossing point for mass international communication. Gornji Grad is the medieval core of Zagreb and translates as Upper Town. It developed as two separate towns, Kaptol, the seat of the Bishop, and Gradec, the free town where tradesmen and artisans lived. In the mid-13th century the Tatars ravaged Hungary and their king Béla IV fled to Zagreb where its citizens provided him with a refuge. In gratitude, in 1242 Béla gave Gradec a charter proclaiming it a free royal city. His generosity is symbolically reenacted every day by the blasting of the cannon at noon from the Lotrščak tower overlooking central Zagreb. The towns merged in the 1770s to form the northern section of historic Zagreb. The focal point of Gornji Grad is the square around St. Mark’s Church, the parish church of Old Zagreb. VISIT ZAGREB ON ONE OF KATARINA LINE ROUTES:9. MLJET NATIONAL PARKMljet is a quiet and protected area where you can enjoy the serenity, the nature and relax your senses. It is a home to many endemic plant species and rich historical heritage. The legend says Greek hero Odysseus spent years on this island. During his travels, he was captured by the nymph Calypso and spent years with her in the cave right here, on Mljet. Part of the island is a protected National Park zone. Within the National Park Zone there are two connected salt water lakes (The Big Lake and The Small Lake) and within the Big Lake there is a small island called St. Mary’s Island, with a 12th century Benedictine Monastery on it. You can walk around the lakes and visit the island by a local boat. VISIT MLJET ON ONE OF KATARINA LINE ROUTES:KL DELUXE CRUISE KL 2 SOUTHERN EXPLORER KL 5 DUBROVNIK DISCOVERY KL 6 (ONE WAY) NORTHERN PEARLS SPLIT - OPATIJA KL 7 (ONE WAY) SOUTHERN PEARLS SPLIT - DUBROVNIK WALK & HIKE DALMATIA GAY CRUISES YOUNG FUN CRUISE MINI (ONE WAY) CRUISES SPLIT - DUBROVNIK 8. ZADAR'S ROMANESQUE CHURCHESZadar has been the capital city of Dalmatia for centuries and today is the centre of North Dalmatia. It is a city with rich cultural-historical heritage, first Croatian university (founded in 1396), a city of Croatian basketball, traditional Mediterranean cuisine and unique in the world sea organ. Its top attractions are its fine Romanesque churches, built between the 9th and 13th centuries, and filled with religious paintings and ornate golden treasures On the Roman forum, dating back to 1st century AD is situated the church of St. Donatus, dated to the 9th century AD, the most famous medieval basilica and the symbol of the city. Today is no longer used as a church, but due to its extraordinary acoustic features, it houses many musical performances. Take a look at the Zadar cathedral, the biggest cathedral in Dalmatia dedicated to St. Anastasia (one of the four patrons of the town), and if you like you can climb up the cathedral tower and have a fantastic look at the whole town and its surroundings. Be sure to check out the 11th century Church of St. Mary and the Church of St. Chrysogonus from the 12th century. VISIT ZADAR ON ONE OF KATARINA LINE ROUTES:KL 4 NATURE AND CULTURE KL 6 (ONE WAY) NORTHERN PEARLS FROM OPATIJA KL 6 (ONE WAY) NORTHERN PEARLS FROM SPLIT KL 8 (ONE WAY) FROM OPATIJA KL 8 (ONE WAY) FROM DUBROVNIK MINI CRUISE ZADAR - OPATIJA MINI CRUISE OPATIJA - ZADAR NATURIST CRUISE FROM OPATIJA ![]() 7. ZLATNI RAT BEACH (BOL)The island of Brač has been inhabited since prehistoric times and the oldest coastal settlement is the town of Bol. Bol is situated at the island's southern landscape, at the foot of Vidova Gora (Vid Mountain) which is the highest peak of the island and also the highest peak of all Adriatic islands (778 m). Bol area stretches few kilometres along the coast and has many beautiful beaches, among which is the world famous beach Zlatni Rat (Golden Cape). This beach is a unique natural phenomenon that extends nearly half a kilometre into the clear blue sea like a small tongue. It "grows" with the depositing and sedimentation of small gravelly pebbles around the underwater reef, and the tip of the beach constantly changes its shape, attempting to conform to the will of the waves and gentle sea currents. VISIT BOL ON ONE OF KATARINA LINE ROUTES:KL DELUXE CRUISE KL 2 SOUTHERN EXPLORER KL 3 CROATIAN WILDERNESS KL 7 (ONE WAY) SOUTHERN PEARLS SPLIT - DUBROVNIK KL 7 (ONE WAY) SOUTHERN PEARLS DUBROVNIK - SPLIT WALK & HIKE DALMATIA NATURIST CRISES FROM SPLIT GAY CRUISES YOUNG FUN CRUISE MINI (ONE WAY) CRUISES DUBROVNIK - SPLIT 6. KORNATI NATIONAL PARKIn the central part of the Croatian Adriatic, on the meeting point of Šibenik and Zadar islands, a separate and by many a specific group of islands, called Kornati, is situated. Because of its exceptional landscape beauty, interesting geomorphology, diversity of the coastline and especially because of the rich biocoenosis of the marine ecosystem, greater part of the Kornati maritime zone has been declared a National Park in 1980. Today this National Park occupies an area of about 220 km2 and it includes 89 islands, islets and cliffs, altogether with a coastline about 238 km long. Despite this relatively large number of islands the continental part of the park forms only a small part of the total area, while most of it belongs to the marine ecosystem. The National Park Kornati has so many beauties and specifies, both dealing with its natural and cultural heritage, and especially interesting are its “crowns” - vertical cliffs of the Kornati islands facing the open sea are the most popular phenomenon of this park. The "crowns" represent a large tectonic fault surface that extends from the Istrian peninsula and ends somewhere in the middle of Dalmatia (maybe even southern), and it was caused by a global movement of Africa to the north and its "driving" into Europe. VISIT NATIONAL PARK KORNATI ON ONE OF KATARINA LINE ROUTES:5. DIOCLETIAN'S PALACE (SPLIT)Split is the second largest city in Croatia and capital of Dalmatia. This 1700-year-old city will fascinate you with its history, culture and lifestyle. The layout of the Roman Palace now outlines the core of the city, and today this is the place where people live, socialise and do business. Split is world known for its 1700 years old Diocletian's palace, the best preserved monument of late antiquity in the whole world. Diocletian’s Palace in Split was built by the Roman emperor Diocletian in preparation for his retirement. He lived out his retirement in his palace tending to his vegetable gardens. After the Romans abandoned the site, the Palace remained empty for several centuries. In the 7th century nearby residents fled to the walled palace to escape invading barbarians. Since then the palace has been occupied, with residents making their homes and businesses within the palace basement and directly in its walls. Today many restaurants and shops, and some homes, can still be found within the walls. VISIT SPLIT ON ONE OF KATARINA LINE ROUTES:KL DELUXE CRUISE KL 2 SOUTHERN EXPLORER KL 3 CROATIAN WILDERNESS KL 4 NATURE AND CULTURE KL 6 (ONE WAY) NORTHERN PEARLS OPATIJA - SPLIT KL 6 (ONE WAY) NORTHERN PEARLS SPLIT - OPATIJA KL 7 (ONE WAY) SOUTHERN PEARLS SPLIT - DUBROVNIK KL 7 (ONE WAY) SOUTHERN PEARLS DUBROVNIK - SPLIT KL 8 (ONE WAY) ADRIATIC EXPLORER OPATIJA - DUBROVNIK KL 8 (ONE WAY) ADRIATIC EXPLORER DUBROVNIK - OPATIJA CYCLE & CRUISE FROM SPLIT NORTH DALMATIA CYCLE & CRUISE FROM SPLIT SOUTH DALMATIA WALK & HIKE DALMATIA NATURIST CRISES FROM SPLIT GAY CRUISES YOUNG FUN CRUISE YOUNG FUN CRUISE MINI (ONE WAY) CRUISES DUBROVNIK - SPLIT MINI (ONE WAY) CRUISES SPLIT - DUBROVNIK CROATIAN RHAPSODY TOUR 4. AMPHITHEATRE (PULA)Pula is the largest town on the Istrian peninsula offers a diversity of attractions to lovers of culture. The rich itinerary of its three thousand year old history, where every step you take through the old town is a landmark, begins and ends with the Roman amphitheatre. While strolling through Pula-Pola you will come across numerous monuments of Roman architecture: the Triumphal Arch of the Sergi from the 1st century B.C., Hercules’ Gate and Twin Gates, the Temple of Augustus and Small Roman Theatre in the town centre. Still, there is more. You will come across the Amphitheatre, revealing itself to you in all its beauty. This is one of the best preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world, the most significant monument in Pula! Arena, the place where gladiators faced lions, used to be able to entertain 25 000 spectators. This grandiose edifice allows you to get an insight of its glorious history, the one you can see, feel, and experience. It also serves as a host to greatest cultural programs. A unique experience will be moments of relaxation in the main town square, which has managed to retain its role as the meeting place since the Augustan Age. VISIT PULA ON ONE OF KATARINA LINE ROUTES:3. OLD TOWN HVARHvar is the sunniest Adriatic island and a fashionable destination - if it is good enough for Beyonce, Prince Harry or the president of Croatia, it is good enough for us! But it’s not all about sun and party; Hvar has rich history and tradition and beautiful nature; the island is the only destination in Croatia with three sites listed on UNESCO list of protected natural and cultural heritage. Stari Grad (literally Old Town) is a town on the northern side of the island of Hvar in Dalmatia, Croatia. It's one of the oldest towns in Europe because the same year - 384 b.c. when greek philoshoper Aristotel was born in Trakia, the greeks from the island of Paros in Agean sea have settled the town on the island of Hvar, and named it Pharos. The town is situated in a landscape where the blue of the deep bay touches the green of the wide an famous field of Pharos, with vineyards and olive-groves. The fields used to provide sustenance and the bay provided protection. VISIT HVAR ON ONE OF KATARINA LINE ROUTES:KL DELUXE CRUISE KL 2 SOUTHERN EXPLORER KL 5 DUBROVNIK DISCOVERY KL 7 (ONE WAY) SOUTHERN PEARLS SPLIT - DUBROVNIK KL 7 (ONE WAY) SOUTHERN PEARLS DUBROVNIK - SPLIT CYCLE & CRUISE FROM SPLIT SOUTH DALMATIA WALK & HIKE DALMATIA GAY CRUISES YOUNG FUN CRUISE MINI (ONE WAY) CRUISES DUBROVNIK - SPLIT 2. PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARKPlitvice Lakes National Park is one of the greatest natural wonders of Europe. Embraced by high wooded mountains, one beneath another lie sixteen beautiful lakes of crystal blue-green water. Connected to each other by a series of foaming cascades and thundering waterfalls, the lakes are fed by many rivers and streams. Over the millennia, waters of these lakes have dissolved the limestone rock and carved out the valley in which they now lie. Through the process of sedimentation of calcium carbonate and the work of special kinds of algae and moss, tufa or travertine has been deposited, and is still deposited to form the natural dams that separate the lakes. Each of the four seasons has its own little story of different colours, sounds, patter of the waterfalls, odours and quietness -life in a word. There are sixteen blue-green lakes connected to each other by a series of waterfalls, resembling a pearl, all embraced in a magic greenery of the forests and meadows. Every nook and cranny of this rich vegetation is a wonderful place for birds, butterflies and game of all sorts to live. Words fail to describe the beauty and harmony of the Plitvice Lakes. VISIT NATIONAL PARK PLITVICE LAKES ON ONE OF KATARINA LINE ROUTES:1. DUBROVNIK OLD TOWN WALLSDubrovnik’s proud and turbulent history goes back to 6th century and there is an abundance of reasons why the city is known as “the pearl of Adriatic”. During the 14th and 15th c. Dubrovnik was the most significant maritime and mercantile centre of the Adriatic, alongside Venice and Ancona. The city suffered great damage during the Croatian war of Independence (1991-1995) but proudly managed to rise and restore its greatness. Stroll along Stradun, favourite promenade and meeting place, the main street going mid Old Town from Pile to Ploče Gate and do not miss out on the walk along the awesome fortified walls of Dubrovnik. It is one of the best preserved fortification complexes in Europe. The 1940-metre long walls encompass five forts and sixteen towers and bastions so give yourself at least an hour to walk its full length. VISIT DUBROVNIK ON ONE OF KATARINA LINE ROUTES:KL DELUXE CRUISE
KL 5 DUBROVNIK DISCOVERY KL 7 (ONE WAY) SOUTHERN PEARLS SPLIT - DUBROVNIK KL 7 (ONE WAY) SOUTHERN PEARLS DUBROVNIK - SPLIT KL 8 (ONE WAY) ADRIATIC EXPLORER OPATIJA - DUBROVNIK KL 8 (ONE WAY) ADRIATIC EXPLORER DUBROVNIK - OPATIJA GAY CRUISES YOUNG FUN CRUISE MINI (ONE WAY) CRUISES DUBROVNIK - SPLIT MINI (ONE WAY) CRUISES SPLIT - DUBROVNIK CROATIAN RHAPSODY TOUR
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
July 2017
Categories
All
|