March 9, 2023 - Medimurje County was awarded a prominent award for sustainability in tourism this week in Berlin. On the stage of the leading global tourist expo "ITB Berlin," the "silver of a golden glow" award, as they call it in Medimurje, was awarded to Prefect Matija Posavac and Director of the Tourist Board of Medimurje County Rudi Grula.

As Poslovni writes, the Green Destinations Certification Committee's official decision, which has so far certified hundreds of destinations worldwide, signed by president Dr. Albert Salman, has been ready for a few days. However, in Medimurje, they were meticulously preparing for the big award ceremony in the German metropolis.

"This great recognition came as a result of the effort, work, and commitment of all residents of Medimurje. This is a reward for all those who tirelessly and devotedly take care of the orderliness of their homeland, environmental protection, and preservation of natural and cultural values. Medimurje is the green cradle of Croatian sustainable tourism; all our tourism development strategies are aimed at sustainability, promotion of rich natural values between Mura and Drava, revitalization of cultural heritage, our history, quality of enogastronomy and local products, and everything that carries the strong identity of Medimurje. With this valuable award, our efforts have been recognized by profession at the world level", said the Prefect of Medimurje County, Matija Posavec, while receiving the award in Berlin.

The director of the tourist board of Medimurje, Rudi Grula, who has been managing the destination for 20 years, points out that this is the culmination of the work of the past year in cooperation with the county and the company Tourism Lab, the official representative of Green Destinations in Croatia. He also emphasizes that "we do not perceive sustainability in Medimurje only as a tourist trend, and we do not carry out activities related to sustainability because it is "in fashion." We want to achieve long-term sustainable development through numerous segments, which is a source of attractiveness and quality."

From Green Destinations, they reveal that Medimurje is the first destination in this part of Europe that, as a region, has passed the certification process and thus joined the remaining three tourist regions in the world, while there are over 200 individual certified destinations in the world, which speaks of the complexity and importance of this process for positioning and establishing destinations in the world. During the next two years, Medimurje County has the right to use the acquired marks, after which the reevaluation process awaits it again.

Medimurje achieved the highest marks in the segments of destination management, nurturing culture and tradition, social well-being, and maintenance of nature and landscape, while in the categories of environment and climate, they continue to develop, which will be significantly helped by a report that recommends in detail further development steps in the destination. By the way, Green Destinations is present in more than 80 countries worldwide, developing sustainable and responsible tourism.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated Travel section.

January 26, 2022 - As part of the construction of the new Cycling Information Center on the hill of Mađerka, a lookout tower will accompany it to offer visitors a vantage point that will allow them to enjoy a privileged view of the natural beauties of Međimurje, and the bordering countries.

The works on the construction of the new Cycling Information Center with a lookout tower on the hill of Mađerka will be completed soon, reports HrTurizam.hr. The idea of ​​the lookout tower came from the choice of a location that can present the natural beauties of upper Međimurje and its geographical position.

Mađerka is a hill above Štrigova, towards the border with Slovenia, at 341 meters above sea level, and only three meters lower than the highest point of Međimurje. The advantage of Mađerka is that you can see as many as four countries - Slovenia, Hungary, Austria, and Slovakia, and in good weather, you can see Sljeme.

Photo: Međimurje County

"With the desire to raise the entire tourist offer to an even higher level, to offer tourists top tourist content, the municipality of Štrigova in cooperation with Međimurje County has designed a project to build a lookout tower with the aim of being a visitor center, cycling resort and presentation/tasting center for the Međimurje Wine Road", said Međimurje County Prefect Matija Posavec.

After its completion, which will give Međimurje another tourist destination, the final works in the new Cycling Information Center and its equipment will follow. At the location, visitors will have access to information about the tourist offer of the whole of Međimurje, and cyclists will have at their disposal a rest area equipped with a service station, adapted to e-bikes.

The new Cycling Information Center with a lookout tower is one of the components of the CycleSeeing Attractour - CSA project, co-financed from the cross-border program, implemented by the Municipality of Štrigova in partnership with the Tourist Board of Štrigova and the City of Nagykanisza.

"As there were no open tenders from national funds at that time, we applied for the cross-border program Interreg Croatia Hungary, and the project was assessed as very high quality and received the approval for co-financing of 85% of the total project value of 7,395,000 kuna," Posavec added.

Photo: Međimurje Bike

In order to attract as many tourists as possible, not only for short-term visits but also for longer stays, three tourist packages have been designed - a bicycle package, a health and wellness package, and an eco-tourist package. These packages will contribute to making the project area a more attractive tourist destination, not just a transit one. Tourists will get acquainted with the newly built attractions, but also with the existing cultural and natural heritage of the destination.

"The project is in the development phase and we expect it can be completed by May this year. Terme Sveti Martin is close to Štrigova and all this is important for further development of the overall tourist offer of Međimurje, since I believe that it will awake the great interest of domestic and foreign guests, and will further present the beauties of Međimurje and develop continental tourism.", explains Posavec.

The new Cycling Information Center with a lookout tower is located on Pušipel's bicycle route. It is a circular trail that connects Štrigovo with Čakovec and passes through the wine-growing area of ​​the county, so it is ideal for e-bikes.

Međimurje abounds in attractive and well-kept bicycle paths and is located at the crossroads of international bicycle routes. Recreational and fun cycling is ideal for family vacations, but also for socializing. Međimurje offers something for everyone, easier and more demanding sections, road and off-road routes, and there are also customized terrains for XTC and cross driving.

"We were the first in Croatia to introduce Cyclist Welcome Quality, a brand accepted by neighboring Varaždin and Zagreb counties, and applied in Hungary. Accommodation facilities are fundamental to the quality of the overall cycling offer of a destination and therefore their services are classified into five quality classes up to five gears", emphasizes the director of the Tourist Board of Međimurje County, Rudi Grula and adds that in Međimurje, in addition to groomed trails, there are a number of equally arranged rest areas, charging stations for e-bikes and other facilities that attract cyclists from all over Europe.

The emphasis, as he says, is on foreign guests, but also those from nearby destinations from which they can come to Međimurje by bicycle, and the e-bicycles, which are becoming more and more popular in Europe. For example, guests from Graz, which is 70 to 90 kilometers away, can cross the section by e-bike in one day, and then cycle around Međimurje, neighboring counties, or cross to Slovenia and Hungary. Namely, the desire is to make Međimurje a kind of base in which cyclists would spend several days and explore the whole area.

''Our plan is to connect the Goričan Border Crossing with a bicycle path along the Trnava River, with Čakovec, and then Varaždin. The bicycle path would avoid road crossings and move along the river bank.", Grula announced.

Cyclists aim not only to ride but also to rest, and such visitors are the target group of the tourist offer of Međimurje County. Ecological sustainability, reduction of carbon footprint, the offer of local producers... this is something that cyclists take special care of when choosing their holiday destination, and Međimurje is a region that can provide them with that.

If you want to learn more about everything Međimurje County has to offer on your next trip, be sure to check out Total Croatia's guide, Međimurje in a Page.

For more, check out our travel section.

October 9, 2021 - In order to make the treasures of Međimurje known to locals and tourists alike, a creative transportation initiative called Bus on the move allows them to explore the county in a unique way.

The hop-on, hop-off bus is a real hit in Međimurje, reports Turističke Priče. Positive attitude, creativity, and desire to raise the quality of the destination offer to a higher level were the common visions of the three partners of the project Bus on the move or Međimurje on the move. Međimurje is the only destination driven by such a bus, which until now was characteristic exclusively for large urban cities.

The Bus on the move project started taking off through Međimurje back in July, and now they have presented a new autumn timetable. Autumn in Međimurje smells of wine, meat from Tiblica, and fragrant strudels with apples, as well as the traditional all-season Međimurje gibanica.

Međimurje - Bus on the move Official Facebook Page

Transport can be used by tourists and all residents of the region, who want to visit one of these attractions, as well as all other tourist stakeholders who have accommodation facilities and want to provide additional content to their guests.

A new autumn timetable has been announced this week: Longer route: Departure at 10:00 am at Terme Sveti Martin towards Čakovec, stop at the bus station and in Lopatinec near Međimurski dvori, and return to Terme Sveti Martin at 2:00 pm.

Shorter route: Departure at 11:30 am at Terme Sveti Martin, departure to Cmrečnjak winery, Štrigova center, Kocijan winery, deer and mouflon farm, Hažić wine camp, Sveti Martin na Muri, Med dvemi vodami center in Križovac and return to Terme at 12:45h.

Any tour you choose to discover Međimurje is guaranteed. Get on the Bus and discover the north of Croatia on the move.

Located in the fertile lowlands between the rivers Mura and Drava, Međimurje justifies its nickname – the Garden of Croatia. The neat little villages and towns intertwine with an enchanting landscape. The region might be small, but it offers a bounty of attractions to impress any visitor. Whether you are into food and wine, relaxation and outdoor activities, or exploring local history, Međimurje is a garden full of possibilities. If you want to learn more about the ''Garden of Croatia'', be sure to read Total Croatia's Međimurje in a Page HERE.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated travel section.

October 5, 2021 - When it comes to Croatian tourism, wine and camps are always part of the conversation in almost all regions of the country. In Međimurje, a family has combined both concepts, and it is thus that the Hažić Wine Camp has recently been recognized for its wine and accommodation offer.

This year, the Hažić family opened the first wine camp in Croatia, located in Međimurje, more precisely in Sveti Martin na Muri. As Turističke Priče reports, the aforementioned wine camp received the OK Mini Camps quality award and was thus included among one of the best small camps in Croatia.

''We are pleased to announce that based on the analysis of the quality of the content and service of our camp by the KUH commission, we are included in the list of 46 best small camps in Croatia'', said the Hažić Wine Camp.

This wine camp is the first camp of its kind in Croatia. It is located in the untouched nature of upper Međimurje, on the famous tourist route in the immediate vicinity of Terme Sveti Martin and the Mill House by the river Mura.

Photo: Hažić Wine Camp Official Facebook Page

The camp on the family farm Hažić offers 12 pitches for campers and eight wooden mobile homes, electricity, water, wi-fi, toilets, children's playground, grill area, laundry service, and pets are allowed. Otherwise, the entire Hažić Wine Camp was built according to the highest environmental standards with the category of four suns.

The camping pitches range in size from 80 to 110 square meters and bear the names of the most represented grape varieties in the Međimurje vineyards, which is another great example of connecting with a local and authentic story.

Međimurje got its first Wine Camp thanks to the Hažić family, which has been recognized for more than 30 years for quality local products such as wine, apples, and honey, and to their Hažić Family Farm and Wine House, they have now added the third in a series of investments, but certainly not the last.

Photo: Hažić Wine Camp Official Facebook Page

Apart from quality products, the Hažić, Biserka, and Radenko family, with their daughters Tatjana and Valentina, who continued the family farm, is also known for innovative ideas aimed at tourism and the agriculture sector, which is confirmed by this investment.

Međimurje is a top wine region

Međimurje is a top wine region, and proof of that are the numerous medals from last year's, but also this year's Decanter World Wine Awards, where it was confirmed that the best Croatian sparkling wines come from Međimurje. And this is no coincidence, since in 2016, for the first time in history, the first two medals arrived in Međimurje.

The camp offers accommodation to tourists who want to enjoy nature, fine wines, sparkling wines, juices, and other products from the workshop of the Hažić family.

Campers in the area can enjoy cycling, wellness services of Terme Sveti Martin, getting to know local cultural sights, enjoying numerous adventurous activities organized by the Accredo Center or a picnic with excellent local food and drinks of the restaurant Međimurski dvori, and at the request of the guest will offer delivery breakfast in the form of a pinklec basket on the plot. Guests and tourists of the camp can also enjoy local products from Međimurski štancun.

Photo: Croatia.hr

Located in the fertile lowlands between the rivers Mura and Drava, Međimurje justifies its nickname – the Garden of Croatia. The neat little villages and towns intertwine with an enchanting landscape. The region might be small, but it offers a bounty of attractions to impress any visitor. Whether you are into food and wine, relaxation and outdoor activities, or exploring local history, Međimurje is a garden full of possibilities. If you want to learn more about the ''Garden of Croatia'', be sure to read Total Croatia's Međimurje in a Page HERE.

Croatian wines and grapes are among the best in the world, and you can find more information about them in Total Croatia’s Guide to Croatian Wine HERE.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated travel section.

ZAGREB, 19 July 2021 - The Terme Sveti Martin hotel in Međimurje is the first hotel in Croatia to receive the EU Ecolabel after it met the relevant 22 criteria about general management, energy efficiency, the use of renewable resources, rational water consumption, reduced waste, and proper waste management.

Tourism Minister Nikolina Brnjac presented the EU Ecolabel to the hotel's director Igor Nekić at a ceremony held on Monday in the hotel located in the town of Sveti Martin na Muri, the ministry said on Monday.

The EU Ecolabel is approved by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development for products and services that motivate innovations and contribute to the aim of the EU's climate neutrality by 2050 and the circular economy.

Congratulating the hotel on that important step towards sustainable business and a sustainable destination, Minister Brnjac recalled that market surveys around the world have shown that guests no longer look for massive tourism but that they prefer sustainable and ecologically aware destinations that provide an authentic experience and an active vacation and services providing health tourism which comprehends spas and wellness treatments.

She said that the government encourages and invests in developing green and sustainable tourism through its National Recovery and Resilience Plan and the Multiannual Financial Framework.

The Terme Sveti Martin comprises the hotel, apartments, a wellness center, and other amenities. There are more than 200 people employed in this establishment.

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Increasing the accommodation capacity with another 600 beds, increasing the average daily consumption of domestic tourists by 1/5, increasing the number of day visitors by 1.2, and utilization of the accommodation capacity by 12 percent are just some of the goals set out in the Master Plan of Tourism Development for Međimurje County by 2020, which were made by the experts of the Institute for Tourism, Zagreb.