Makarska, Croatia: Secret Seaside

Most visitors to Dalmatia head straight for the islands, but the Makarska Rivijera on the mainland coast, between Split and Dubrovnik, is home to some of the country’s loveliest stretches of beach. Running from Brela in the north to Gradac in the south, the riviera is 38 miles long and centres on Makarska.

Makarska itself is built around a deep sheltered bay, and backed by the dramatic rocky heights of Mount Biokovo (5,770ft), which acts as a buffer from the harsher inland climate. Biokovo’s sea-facing slopes are criss-crossed by well-marked trails, so besides swimming in the deep turquoise Adriatic, it’s possible to get in some hiking or mountain biking too.

Back in the 10th century, the Byzantine Emperor Constantine VII referred to this region as Pagania. The long narrow coastal strip, between the mouth of the River Cetina and the mouth of River Neretva, Pagania was named after its inhabitants, the Pagani. A rebellious people who lived from piracy, raiding passing galleys, the Pagani hadn’t accepted Christianity until the 9th century, far later than the other Slavs.

Nowadays things are somewhat more peaceful, with the locals making a living from fishing, olive oil and wine making, and tourism, but there’s still a rather pleasing, wild untouched feeling to the place. The settlements here remain small and villagey, with the exception of Makarska, with its lovely main square overlooked by the Baroque Church of St Mark and several elegant palazzi built by wealthy local merchants, recording 18th-century prosperity and refinement under Venice.

Text: telegraph.co.uk

Oznake: makarska, croatia

Makarska: Selling Fish Again along the Waterfront

After a five-month ban on the sale of fish from fishing boats moored along the Makarska town quay, fishermen from Tuesday, November 4 again can sell fish in the port.

This is the result of a meeting of fishermen agree with Makaranian Mayor Tonči Bilić and director of the County Port Authority Domagoj Maroević.

Fish with trawlers, purse seine and other fishing vessels, subject to compliance with the Ordinance on the wrong port, power will be sold to the town's waterfront in the operative part of the city port to Easter, told reporters Gradonacelik Bilic adding to fishermen selling fish in the port could allow next summer after it is completed the new breakwater. Namely, all the yachts and sailing boats to be moored at the docks of the newly built breakwater and the operative part of the port to be free for mooring fishing boats.

Fishermen are grateful to the City and the Port Authority that they otherwise by the decision five months suffered to sell fish in the city, port, and added that the fish along the waterfront sold for thirty years and from her and tourism live they and their families.

Thus the citizens of Makarska and further in the morning and afternoon will be able to buy fresh fish from the boats, and the city has been restored fishing tradition which is supported by the European Commission.

Oznake: makarska

Makarska Riviera: More foreign tourists than last year

Makarska Riviera these days better attendance records yet, but last year, the resorts of Brela to Gradac municipality, according to the tourist office and the county tourist boards, carried out 50,140 holiday guests, or 4 percent more than in the same period last year. Credit for that goes to foreign guests was 48,187, or 5 percent, while domestic tourists 12 percent less than last year. According to the number of leads Makarska where 10,645 tourists staying in Baska Voda were 10,177, followed Gradac, Tucepi and Podgora who are better attended than last year, while Brela, Živogošće and feature decreased the number of tourists.

And the six-month tourist Balance as Makarska Riviera is confirmed in numerous arrivals and overnight guests than last year. On the Riviera is the end of June, paid 165,850 tourists who have made 875,708 overnight stays, which is at 3 percent better than last year's six-month performance. The town of Makarska, according to the Tourist Office, now hosts 10,645 guests and the total accommodation capacity even 7 percent better filled than the same time last year.

In the first six months however Makarska has hosted 42,353 tourists with 214,461 overnight, an increase in arrivals of tourists by 18 percent, while rates of 13 percent compared to the same period last year. Members of the Tourism Council of Makarska Tourist Board at today's session are expressed satisfaction with the tourist traffic, but also warned that the private placement completed worse than last year. While hotels and two newly apart-hotel in Makarska generally very well filled and to continue to rest in these facilities is recommended prior reservation of accommodation in private rooms and apartments Homeowners decreased the number of guests. With this year reported 200 new renters in Makarska 1394 private households involved in tourism, but many offer accommodation in the "gray economy" remains unregistered.

Oznake: makarska, brela, zivogosce, podgora

The Telegraph gives Croatia summer holidays guide

Croatia is now definitely "in", with some 400,000 arrivals from the UK in 2013, up 25 per cent on 2012, the British Telegraph has said on its website. "The newest member of the EU, all but forgotten for almost a decade following the war (1991–1995) that saw the break-up of Yugoslavia, is firmly back on the summer destinations map. And with its stunning coastline, unspoilt nature (including eight national parks) and beautifully-preserved centuries-old harbour towns, it offers a less commercial take on the sun, sea and sand holidays you would expect in Greece or Spain. So where exactly should you head for?," The Telegraph said.

"Fly to Pula in the north-west to explore Istria, a green peninsula with close cultural ties to northern Italy. Popular with both Italians and Central Europeans on account of its accessibility, it's also the most highly organised region in terms of tourism facilities and infrastructure." The magazine says the "region is best known for its Venetian-era port towns on the west coast, including its top seaside destinations, Porec and Rovinj. The undulating hills of the interior are planted with vineyards giving forth the rich red Teran wine, and pungent truffles are unearthed in its woodlands. Ideal for a low-key foodie holiday with some hiking and culture included, Istria also attracts festival-goers with open-air electronic music bonanzas by the sea at Fort Punta Christo (fortpuntachristo.net) just outside Pula."



"More rugged and wild, and less developed, Dalmatia lies to the south, and can be divided into three. From the UK, you can fly direct to Dubrovnik (South Dalmatia), Split (Central Dalmatia) or Zadar (North Dalmatia). The big pluses are the blissful pine-scented Dalmatian islands and the warm Mediterranean climate, but you also get plenty of historic buildings too (most obviously in Dubrovnik and Split, both Unesco world heritage sites), and the dramatic, soaring Dinaric Alps backing the coast," The Telegraph wrote. "The most visited islands are trendy Hvar, with its slick minimalist design hotels and boho-chic seafood eateries, slower-paced Korcula, with its lovely medieval-walled car-free old town, and Pag, where Zrce beach near Novalje hosts a string of open-air music festivals through summer."
The magazine also says that the "main hubs for ferries to the islands are Dubrovnik, Split and Zadar, so with a bit of planning you can fly in and sail out the same day. For ferry timetables, see jadrolinija.hr."

"Islands aside, the Dalmatian coast more than warrants exploration. If you hire a car and drive up from Dubrovnik to Split, you'll pass the Peljesac peninsula, a haven for foodies with its hillside vineyards producing the potent red Dingac, Ston Bay, with its acclaimed oysters and mussels, and the Makarska Rivijera, with its fine pebble beaches and turquoise waters, backed by the imposing heights of Mount Biokovo." "Alternatively, you could fly to the capital, Zagreb, then hire a car and drive (or take the train) across to Rijeka or down to Split to explore Istria or Dalmatia respectively. If you head south for Dalmatia, work in a stop at Plitvice National Park to see spectacular waterfalls and lakes at Croatia's most visited inland destination," The Telegraph says.

Oznake: dubrovnik, zadar, Split, makarska, korcula

Makarska was named the safest city in Croatia 2013.

At the Sixth International Conference "Safety cities - SIGG of 2014." Split today for the best project in the security community was named Makarska, on the basis of regional competitions magazines protection. This recognition Makarska, as explained, was awarded the involvement of city Centre for Information Osejava, which has increased the level of security in the city in 2013th year.

The prize is handed to Makarska Mayor Tonći Bilić by Nikola Miljević, chief editor of protection, which together with the Croatian Forum for Urban Safety and conference organizer. Miljevic said Makarska Municipal Information Centre in one place regulating, organizing and planning tasks of video surveillance of public urban areas, is the operational communication center, managed by intelligent fire control system, distributed to local meteorological data. The Center has seizmografija, delivers important and urgent service information on the official website of the city, provides for the transmission of panoramic images, representing telecommunication management center utilities, organized labor rescue services and coordinate helicopter traffic.

Oznake: makarska