April 25, 2019 - Hvar's adrenaline credentials continue to grow. No sooner has the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Series finished than Mountain Madness is upon us.

Hvar used to be such a peaceful island... 

Lazy days at the beach, even lazier days drinking coffee in the cafes of its picturesque cafes. 

And then something happened. 

Don't worry, those award-winning beaches are still there, and nothing truly beats a little people watching on the 'pjaca', but there has been a new addition to the tourism sector in recent years - adrenaline tourism. 

Hvar is of course an adventure playgrouns, with fabulous conditions for cycling, sailing, kayaking, climbing, hiking and more. But there has also been a subtle change of emphasis in its shoulder seasons, as more adrenaline races and activities are added to the calendar. 

Earlier this month, for example, there was the third edition of the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Series, and you can check out the fabulous official video above. 

Caught your breath after that one? Hvar Town is the place to be once more this Saturday, with the return of Mountain Madness. There is still time to register, and full details below. Another fun and healthy addition to what some believe is the nicest time of year to visit the island. 

Mountain Madness Croatia is a race designed to test strength, endurance, but also to challenge skills, speed, and ability to overcome various obstacles on a 7km long trail, regardless of weather conditions. The race is suitable for fit participants of all ages and also for dogs! At the finish line there will be an after party with great prizes for everyone to win.

Register here for the MOUNTAIN MADNESS HVAR powered by RUN CROATIA! The race is held on April 27th 2019 (Saturday) in the city of Hvar with the start at 10.30 am!

OBSTACLE RACE: MOUNTAIN MADNESS HVAR (7km)

Race organizers: RUN CROATIA, MOUNTAIN MADNESS CROATIA, SUNČANI HVAR HOTELS

Location: City of Hvar, Island Hvar

Start time: 27.04.2019 at 10.30 am (Saturday)

Start – Finish: Hvar main square

Registration: until on the race day

Information: Mobile +385 91 443 0007, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Length: 7 kilometers

Time limit: 2 hrs 30 min

Track profile: asphalt, dirt road, single trail track

To learn more about the island, check out the Total Croatia Hvar in a Page guide, or follow the latest island news on TCN. 

April 16, 2019 - Hvar Town's luxury and heritage credentials are growing by the day. Inside the new Palace Hotel Elisabeth, heritage hvar hotel.  

It has been a while since I visited Hvar Town, a place I used to know well during my 13 years living on the island. 

It is a destination which has been through various phases in recent years, and one which is showing signs of returning to its core strengths as an elite destination with a strong heritage story at its core. 

As previously reported, May 1 will finally see the reopening of the oldest public theatre in Europe, built in 1612, when it opens its doors for its first performance after its decade-long renovation.  

One floor below the theatre, the imposing and majestic Arsenal building, which guards entrance to Hvar's magnificent main square (the largest in all Dalmatia at 4,700 m2), will also reopen after its own upgrade. 

Across the square, the first ever 5-star hotel will open this summer, as Palace Elisabeth, heritage hvar hotel will raise the standard of accommodation on the island, following its total overhaul at an estimated 300,000 euro a room, making it one of the most expensive renovations by room in Croatia's history. The fact that the hotel stands on the spot where organised tourism in Europe began back in 1868 adds one more piece to Hvar's impressive heritage jigsaw. 

I had a very productive working breakfast with the new Hvar Tourist Board director and a representative from Suncani Hvar, during which we discussed the direction of tourism in this gorgeous town. And it was very reassuring to hear of what seems to have been a change of course, with more emphasis on quality tourism than has been the case in recent years. Change will not happen overnight, of course, but it seems that some important fundamentals are being put in place in terms of strategy. 

And there is no doubt that the focus of Suncani Hvar Hotels to raise the bar in terms of quality is adding a level of quality to this new direction. A view from the Penthouse Suite on the top floor of Hotel Adriana above shows just what is possible in the centre of town.  

I will do an extended blog on the luxury hotel offer at Suncani Hvar in the coming weeks, but this was a view to beat all views to wake up to in the morning.  

But perhaps those views will be beaten by the new-look Palace Elisabeth, which has just been added to the 'Leading Hotels of the World' group, becoming only the fifth hotel in Croatia to do so.  

With a combination of heritage and luxury at its core, Palace Elisabeth, heritage hvar hotel, is set to raise the level of hotel accommodation on the island. These image renditions of the final product have been released by Suncani Hvar today, giving the first insights into how the hotel will look.  

Plenty of great spots for a little relaxed sun worship, but the views from the luxury suites on the top floor towards the fabled Pakleni Islands will rival that spectacular penthouse view from the Adriana, above.  

Another layer of luxury, another layer of heritage.  

With so much quality coming online in 2019, and with such a focus on heritage, culture and heritage, are the good times returning to this elite destination? The noises being made are increasingly the right ones, and the projects being realised certainly point to that direction.  

And when you coming this new direction and Hvar's fantastic holiday offer with clear waters like this from your penthouse suite, why would you holiday anywhere else?

A very inspiring visit, and we will be focusing a little more closely on the subtle changes coming to Hvar Town in the coming months, but all the signs are looking great for 2019. Learn more about the new luxury heritage hotel on the block on the Suncani Hvar website. 

To follow the latest from the island of Hvar, follow the TCN dedicated page. 

April 13, 2019 - Another boost for luxury Hvar, as its first 5-star hotel becomes a member of the Leading Hotels of the World group.

I am looking forward to a return to Hvar this weekend for the magical Easter period, a time of joy and family reunion. But apart from catching up with friends and family, one of the things I am most looking forward to is having a sneak peek inside Palace Elisabeth, hvar heritage hotel, the new luxury 5-star hotel just off the main square. Incredibly for such an elite island, it will be the first 5-star hotel on Hvar, although more are coming soon. 

Fully renovated from the old 2-star Hotel Palace on the location here organised tourism began in Europe back in 1868, There is considerable anticipation as to what the new heritage hotel will offer, and we will be doing a full picture special, as soon as Suncani Hvar Hotels are ready to do so. 

And it seems that the 100-million-kuna renovation is already catching the eye of industry chiefs far beyond pristine shores, as HR Turizam announced last night that Hotel Palace Elisabeth had become a member of the Leading Hotels of the World group, quoting Gordana Tomicic:

"We are very pleased to have become a member of the prestigious group The Leading Hotels of the World, whose portfolio includes 400 luxury hotels and resorts. Hotel Palace combines the highest standards of luxury with a vision to provide guests with top service and unique experience."

Palace Elisabeth, hvar heritage hotel will become the fifth Croatian hotel to join the prestigious group, joining Villa Dubrovnik, Sun Gardens Dubrovnik, Ikador Luxury Boutique Hotel and Spa in Ika, and Hotel Monte Mulini in Rovinj. 

It is the latest investment from Suncani Hvar Hotels, whose flagship hotels underwent a total overhaul when they were taken over by ORCO Group back in 2006, and the Palace Elisabeth renovation follows upgrades last year at Hotels Adriana and Amfora. 

The hotel takes its name from Empress Elisabeth, whose generous patronage enabled the hotel to open back in 1899. The founding of the Hvar Health Society, back in 1868, is credited as the birth of organised tourism in Europe, something which was celebrated in some style last year on the 150th anniversary on Hvar. 

The branding of Elisabeth as a luxury hotel paying close attention to its heritage plays to one of the strengths of this historic destination, and it is one of three major heritage renovations to open its doors to the public in 2019. 

May 1 will see the first performance of the oldest public theatre in Europe, which will also reopen after more than a decade. The Hvar Public Theatre was built in 1612, and it sits on top of the imposing Arsenal, which guards entrance to the town's main square. The Arsenal has also undergone renovation and will reopen as a spectacular events and exhibition space. 

To follow the latest from Hvar, follow our dedicated TCN section. 

April 8, 2019 - Hvar Town is ready for another busy tourist season, and this year it will be served like never before with connections from Hvar to Split. 

Great news for Hvar Town for the upcoming season, as there will be no less than SIXTEEN daily catamarans to the birthplace of organised tourism in Europe for the peak season to and from Split. 

Having lived on Hvar for many years, the issue of connectivity to the mainland has always been an emotive issue, and it seems finally that the issue has been solved - and in some style. 

Both the national ferry company, Jadrolinija, and Krilo have increased their presence in one of Croatia's top destinations, which is great news for tourists, who now have a much wider choice of when to travel. As the route has always been very popular, tickets would often sell out leading to disappointment, but this now should be a thing of the past. 

Crucially, there will also be later connections to and from the island, meaning those arriving by plane to Split airport will have an opportunity to go to Hvar Town directly, rather than waiting for the last car ferry to Stari Grad and onward transfer.

These timetables, taken from the Suncani Hvar Hotels website (which also has a comprehensive timetable from April onwards), give an overview of the flexibility now on offer for tourists coming to Hvar. These should be used as a guide only at this stage, as timetables are subject to change. 

Taking a catamaran to Hvar Town from Split is just one arrival point. Jelsa is also served by daily catamaran from Split, via Bol on Brac, while the main ferry terminal in Stari Grad caters to the most car traffic. Visitors from Dubrovnik and the south also have the option of the small car ferry from Drvenik to Sucuraj on the east of the island, from where an 80-minute drive across the island will bring you to its main town. 

For a complete overview of all the options on getting from Split to Hvar and back, check out the complete Total Croatia guide. 

Apart from much easier access for guests staying on the island, the increase of transport options makes Hvar an ever-more attractive day trip option from Split. Water taxis to the fabled Pakleni Islands are certain to be popular, an escape to one of the truly great natural paradises of Europe. 

The old town of Hvar itself is a major attraction, of course, and visitors this year will be able to visit three newly renovated treasures, all within metres of the catamaran arrival point. 

The oldest public theatre in Europe opened in 1612 on the main square in Hvar Town. After years of renovation, it will finally reopen on May 1 this year. The theatre is situated on the first floor of the historic Arsenal building, which guards entrance to Hvar's famous square, the largest in all Dalmatia at 4,500m2. And just across the square is another heritage gem worth a visit - Palace Elisabeth, hvar heritage hotel, the first luxury 5-star hotel on the island, fully renovated on the spot where organised tourism in Europe began in 1868. 

To follow the latest from the island of Hvar, follow the dedicated TCN page.

March 4, 2019 - Hvar's growing reputation as an active tourism destination gets another boost with the return of Mountain Madness Hvar for the second time.

Fifteen years ago, Hvar was hardly known for its adventure tourism. With the notable exception of the Faros Marathon 16km open sea swim, the most exercise experienced on the island was walking to the beach.

And then something changed. 

Back in 2005, the first adventure tourism agency was founded, bringing new tourism possibilities in sailing, kayaking, cycling, hiking and rock climbing. The trend took hold and started to expand, and new events appeared on the Hvar tourism calendar. 

The first Hvar Half Marathon took place about ten years ago, and it has proved a popular and very international August fixture ever since. There were more regattas, and more and more tourists took time out from the beach to hike, cycle, climb, sail and kayak. 

The island's cycling credentials were given a huge boost in December 2017 when one of the world's leading teams, Bahrain Merida and including world champion Vincenzo Nibali, took up residence at Suncani Hvar's Pharos bayhill hotel for their winter training, an event they repeated in 2018. 

More international events were added, including the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Hvar (see video above), which returns for the third edition in April. 

And last October, Hvar's adrenaline calendar got another event - Mountain Madness Hvar.

Mountain Madness Hvar is a race designed to test strength, endurance, but also to challenge skills, speed, and ability to overcome various obstacles on a 7km long track, regardless of weather conditions. The race is suitable for participants of all ages and also for dogs!

Mountain Madness originated in Croatia in Ravna Gora, Gorski Kotar, where is has been held for four years, before moving to Zagreb for the first time for the Medvenica Outdoor Festival. The first Mountain Madness Hvar event took place on October 6 last year,  the first on a Croatian island.

The event was a great success, and organisers Mountain Madness, Suncani Hvar Hotels and Run Croatia could obviously not wait a whole year to repeat it, and this year's event has been announced for April 27. 

Want to get an idea of what you might be getting into? Below is a video of Mountain Madness where it began in Croatia - Ravna Gora in Gorski Kotar.

February 11, 2019 - The island of Hvar is set to welcome its first ever 5-star hotel with the opening of Palace Elisabeth, hvar heritage hotel. So what gives it the authentic historic feel?

2019 is going to be a great year for the heritage of Hvar Town. No less than three of its giants are set to reopen to the public after renovation: the oldest public theatre in Europe, the 13th-century Arsenal one floor below the theatre, and the first 5-star hotel on the island, Hotel Palace Elisabeth, hvar heritage hotel.

All three have played a major part in the history of the town, and all three are set to play an important role in its future. With two outstanding public spaces such as the theatre and the Arsenal reopening, the possibilities for quality cultural events on Hvar are enticing indeed. 

But so too is the opening of the Palace Elisabeth. Part of the Suncani Hvar Hotels group, the hotel has been upgraded from its previous life as 2-star Hotel Palace, to be the first 5-star hotel on the island. According to the Suncani Hvar website:

Palace Elisabeth is the first full-service 5-star heritage hotel situated in the heart of Hvar, directly above the city hall overlooking the main square. It is located in one of the key places in the city and is considered a historic landmark with stunning Venetian and Austrian architectural details. The history of the palace dates back to the 13th century and in 1899 it was rebuilt under the name Spa Hotel Empress Elisabeth; the famous Austrian Empress Sisi who was known for her exceptional travelling lifestyle.

So what gives Palace Elisabeth its historical feel?

Venetian / Austrian architecture

The history of the hotel dates back to the 13th century, with the first building a Duke's palace built during Venetian rule, which included four towers. The eastern tower was converted into a clock tower. Having been burned down, it was rebuilt in the 16th century. The opening of the Hvar Health Society in 1868, the oldest organised tourism in Europe, which celebrated 150 years on Hvar last year, was the next intervention in the building's history, and it was converted into the Spa Hotel Empress Elisabeth, after its main imperial sponsor, whose name returns to the hotel in 2019. A quick look at the astonishing architectural detail shows many historic Venetian and Austrian influences.  

Historic Loggia

At the front of the hotel is the City Loggia, one of Hvar's most iconic and historic buildings. Construction began in the 15th century and was completed in the 16th, before the Ottoman attack devastated much of the town, including the Loggia. It was fully restored, and it has served a variety of functions during its 500-year existence, from Venetian courthouse and public auction house to spa salon, cafe, reading room, dance hall, exhibition hall, and the meeting place for the town council. The level of historical detail is plain to see, and the upgrading of Palace Elisabeth to a luxury heritage hotel will only add to this. The miniature obelisks were created by the Late Renaissance master, Tripun Bokanic, in the 17th century.  

The look of the rooms / suites

 There will be 45 luxury rooms and suites, with unique design and fantastic views out to the main square and waterfront, where the emphasis will be on the historic nature of the building. More details to follow. 

The view (of the historic Arsenal, main square)

The views from Hotel Palace Elisabeth are exceptional. Here is what you can expect at the hotel's restaurant, San Marco. Apart from an excellent view of the exclusive waterfront and Pakleni Islands, included in the view is Europe's oldest public theatre, the 13th century Arsenal and the largest public square in Dalmatia. Not a bad heritage collection, and what better place to have a pre-theatre cocktail before a performance in the 1612 theatre than in the hotel where organised tourism in Europe began?

Public hotel spaces

There will be a big emphasis on the heritage of Hvar in the public hotel spaces. I have seen some preliminary sketches, and they look VERY nice indeed. Once I have something more concrete, I will publish them. But it is, I think, what Hvar has been missing. A luxury hotel with an emphasis on the tradition, history and heritage of this lovely town. I for one am very excited and look forward to the opening this summer. You can track progress as Suncani Hvar updates their dedicated page for Palace Elisabeth.  

February 8, 2018 - Whisper it quietly, but the sunshine elite island of Hvar is quietly introducing a new aspect to its tourism offer - active tourism.

One of the things I have been watching over the years in Dalmatia is how destinations are reinventing themselves and expanding their offers. Perhaps the best example of this is Bol on Brac, which 15 years ago was known as probably the biggest party destination on the Adriatic. The tourism chiefs decided that this was not the kind of tourism they wanted, and they diverted Bol's tourism message towards family and adventure tourism. Helped by strong investment in the town's hotels, the results have been spectacular. 

But spare a thought for what is happening a little further south of Brac on the island of Hvar. Famous for its sun, beaches and nightlife, in recent years Hvar has succeeded in adding another exciting section to its tourism offer - active tourism. 

With the strong support of leading island hotel group Suncani Hvar Hotels, Hvar is managing to bring more and more events and bigger sporting names to the island. 

Not that many people know that Hvar has been the home of one of the most demanding swimming races since the early 1970s? The Faros Marathon is a 16km open sea swim from the harbour in Stari Grad to the mouth of the Stari Grad Channel 8 km away, and back. It is a truly international event, attracting talent including Olympic Gold Medal winners in the past. 

And while the Faros Marathon has been on the island calendar for more than 40 years, there have been many new initiatives in recent years which are starting to exploit Hvar's true adventure tourism paradise. A group of young enthusiasts started offering tours for sailing, kayaking, hiking, cycling and climbing. Adventure tourism on Hvar was born. 

(Photo Miro Stec - Are you brave enough for the new Ferrata Via Avalon?)

And from those humble beginnings, the active Hvar offer has mushroomed, so that today, it can truly call itself an activitiy island. The Hvar Half Marathon, surely one of the most beautiful races in Europe along the old road from Stari Grad to Hvar Town, has been an established fixture for more than a decade. New initiatives with Run Croatia have meant that Hvar is rapidly increasing its profile as a running destination. 

Perhaps the most progress has been made in cycling, and the island's roads are becoming increasingly busy in the shoulder and off-season months with cyclists from all over the world. From popular races such as Cycling Through Heritage (through Hvar's UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Stari Grad Plain) to a winter training camp for one of the world's best cycling teams, the island's roads (and off-road) are being discovered by cyclists of all levels of ability. Bahrain Merida returned to Hvar in December to once more bring their 75-strong team together for winter training. There seemed to be delighted with the facilities on offer on Hvar, staying as they did in the island's first bike-friendly hotel, Pharos, bayhill hvar. 

The annual New Year sailing regatta has been taking place for more than 40 years, and it has recently been joined by an Easter regatta. Competitive sailors will note a rice race list throughout the year, with several regattas taking in the island. For less competitive sailors, or for those who just want to enjoy a romantic picnic around the Pakleni Islands, the sailing offers on Hvar have increased considerably in recent years.

Perhaps the most high profile addition to the Hvar activity calendar in recent years has been the OTILLO Swim Run, a gruelling swim and run through the island's beautiful fields and enticing waters. The global event returns for the third time in April. 

How to best sum up all of this healthy activity? Perhaps with the new Suncani Hvar Hotels promo video for Active Hvar - check it out below.  

February 6, 2019 - Fresh from celebrating 150 years of the oldest organised tourism in Europe, Hvar heritage welcomes back three renovated cultural giants this year.

I heard about the island of Hvar for the first time about 24 hours before I bought a house there. I ended up buying a house after pointing to number 6 on a list of 10 interesting places to live in Croatia. 

By the time I signed the pre-contract hours after first trying to pronounce its name, all I knew about my new home was that it was very beautiful and had lots of tourists in August. 

Everything since then has been a true voyage of discovery. I learned that I had landed on the sunniest island in Europe, no mean feat for a boy born in the rain in Manchester. I learned that this was the island where organised tourism in Europe began in 1868. I learned that my new home had more UNESCO heritage than any island in the world. Hvar heritage was so impressive, in fact, that among the heritage NOT included in that impressive UNESCO list was the oldest public theatre in Europe. This island was incredible! And we hadn't even go to the story of its food and wine, including the most expensive olive oil in the world, and one of the oldest olive trees at 2,500 years old. 

Last year was a major celebration from Hvar Town. It celebrated 150 years of organised tourism in Europe, the very first place after the founding of the Hvar Health Society on May 15, 1868. As successful as the anniversary year was, it took place without three functioning giants of the Hvar heritage world - that oldest public theatre, the Arsenal below the theatre, and the historic Hotel Palace across the large square in Dalmatia. 

And, quite by chance, after varying lengths of renovation, all three are set to reopen in 2019, making the 151st year of organised tourism in Europe one of the most exciting yet for the town. 

Probably the most eagerly anticipated reopening is of the much-loved Hvar theatre. Built in 1612, it is a symbol of the high levels of culture that Hvar has always enjoyed. I can't recall it ever being open since my arrival on the island in 2003, and it has been in a permanent phase of reconstruction for over a decade, even missing its 400th anniversary in 2012. But now things are finally finished, and the first play is tentatively planned for May this year. Take a tour of the newly renovated theatre here. 

The theatre is on the first floor of one of the most impressive buildings in all Dalmatia, the Arsenal. This majestic stone structure guards the entrance to Hvar's massive square and has been doing so since its construction was ordered by Venice back in 1292. It started life as a shipyard, was burned by the Turks in 1571 and rebuilt in 1611. Today it is a very impressive multi-functional event location, hosting conferences, concerts, exhibitions and banquets. Renovation of the Arsenal was slowed considerably when yet more Hvar heritage was discovered below its floor a couple of years ago in the shape of Roman artifacts. 

The renovation process will be complete by April 1, toilets will finally be added to the facility (one of its major drawbacks previously), and a new stone floor and large wooden door to return it to its original feel will be added. 

But perhaps the best news for tourists looking for something a little extra is the scheduled opening of the first 5-star hotel on the 5-star island. Hotel Palace Elisabeth is the first boutique Hvar heritage hotel, and it will be adding three stars to the previous Hotel Palace. The new-look hotel will be open for business this summer, with a June opening targeted. Fittingly, it is located on the very spot where the first organised Hvar tourism took place way back in 1868. 

The main square in Hvar Town is the biggest in all Dalmatia, and what treasures it beholds. Newly reopened for this season - the oldest public theatre in Europe, the 13th-century Arsenal, and a superb boutique luxury hotel, which oozes charm and hints of the island's rich cultural past. To learn more about Hotel Palace Elisabeth, visit the Suncani Hvar website.  

January 23, 2019 - Suncani Hvar Hotels announces the opening of luxury 5-star Palace Elisabeth for Summer 2019. 

The good news keeps on coming from the island of Hvar. 

Last month, the Sunshine Island completed its 150th birthday year, celebrating the oldest organised tourism in Europe. It is just one of a few rather unusual facts about Croatia's premier island, which is famed for its lavender, beaches, nightlife, culture, and the island with the most sun in Europe and the most UNESCO heritage in the world.

Just as one might not perhaps expect organised tourism in Europe to have started on the 'Austrian Madeira' with the founding of the Hvar Health Society back in 1868, another spectacular claim to fame for Hvar is the fact that Europe's oldest public theatre opened on the main square, back in 1612.

The historic theatre, which is housed on the top floor of the historic Arsenal building which guards the entrance to the square, has been closed for renovation for many years. It was announced recently that the theatre will reopen this year, with the first performance planned for May. The theatre has already been opened up to the public to see the results of the renovations. 

The theatre is not the only piece of Hvar heritage around the main square which is undergoing a new lease of life in 2019. 

Meet Suncani Hvar Hotels' Palace Elisabeth, the first 5-star hotel on Croatia's premier island. The hotel group confirmed Palace Elisabeth's opening this summer earlier today on social media. 

Palace Elisabeth will be the first 5-star hotel on the elite island, finally bringing luxury hotel standards to the level of its high-spending guests. And, just like its famous theatre across the square, Palace Elisabeth has quite a history of its own, its real estate dating back to the 13th century. 

(Photo credit Secret Hvar)

Indeed, the new luxury boutique hotel is on the same location as the original structures used by the Hvar Health Society, which opened its doors on May 15, 1868, as a place of rest and recuperation on a fair Dalmatian island with a very agreeable climate. The sich and infirm of the Austro-Hungarian aristocracy came to stay and left much healthier. Hvar as a tourist destination became widely known. And the rest, as they say, is history. 

Construction of the first health hotel began in 1881 after the previous decaying palace was destroyed. It took 17 years to complete and finally opened in 1899. The Spa Hotel Empress Elisabeth was named after the Austrian Empress Elisabeth 'Sisi'. Sisi was a generous sponsor who financed the hotel construction. And so it is perhaps fitting that the memory of the generous empress lives on more than 100 years, as Palace Elisabeth once more takes her name.

The luxury boutique hotel is a significant upgrade on the previous version, the 2-star Hotel Palace. it also represents the latest significant investment from the Suncani Hvar Hotel group. After a major overhaul of its main hotels back in 2006, Suncani Hvar has invested heavily in the last couple of years to upgrade its flagship hotels Adriana and Amfora. Added to the chic Hotel Riva on Hvar's fabled waterfront, Hotel Palace Elisabeth will form a quality quarter of hotels in the town, to give its guest a wide range of choice. 

The boutique heritage hotel will boast 45 luxury rooms and suites, as well as an indoor pool, terraces and spa. In terms of location, there are few places better than the San Marco Terrace, which overlooks the elite waterfront and faces the historic theatre. A new addition which will be a popular place to escape the crowds will surely be the new Cigar Lounge Bar.

Full details of the renovation, as well as the exact opening date, have still to be released, but keep an eye on the Suncani Hvar page for Palace Elisabeth for the latest news. 

And watch out for those theatre performance dates. Imagine being able to stay in a luxury boutique 5-star hotel where organised tourism in Europe began, before strolling across the square to enjoy a play in Europe's oldest public theatre. You don't get THAT on many islands in the world... 

To learn more about Hvar, check out our new sister website, Total Croatia, which brings you everything about the island in one place - meet Hvar in a Page.

For the latest from Total Hvar, visit our dedicated island portal.

January 24, 2019 - The sunshine island of Hvar is expanding its tourism credentials beyond nightlife and the beach, as Suncani Hvar introduces more cycling initiatives.

Famed for its sun, beaches, lavender and vibrant nightlife, the island of Hvar is slowly adding another high-quality tourism offer to its already impressive repertoire - active tourism. 

There have been a number of high profile sporting events held on Hvar in recent years, such as the Otillo Swim Run, which have added to the sporting calendar already populated by long-standing international events such as the 40-year-old 16km open sea swimming race, the Faros Marathon. 

But one sport in particular has really taken off on Hvar in recent years, thanks largely to some very energetic efforts of enthusiastic locals - cycling.  

Cyclists seem to be coming more plentiful on the island's roads (and off-road) in the shoulder months, replacing the rental scooters which are so fashionable with peak season tourists. The founding of adventure tourism agency, Hvar Adventure, back in 2005, first put adventure tourism on the map, but in recent years, things have gotten a lot more organised, particularly on the cycling front. 

More agencies are now offering active tours on Dalmatia's islands, and better organisation has allowed cycling and island-hopping to become a reality. The islands of Brac, Hvar and Korcula, in particular, are popular destinations. 

Hvar Life, an agency which is related to the original Hvar Adventure, has breathed life into the island's cycling story, and a number of initiatives with leading hotel group, Suncani Hvar, has led to the profile of cycling on Hvar going international. 

The best example of this was in December 2017, when Bahrain Merida, one of the world's top cycling teams, descended on Hvar for 10 days for their winter training. The complete Bahrain Merida team, some 75 strong - stayed at the Suncani Hvar Pharos, hvar bayhill hotel, the first cycling hotel on the island.

Included in the team was World Champion Vincenzo Nibali, who was very complimentary about the riding conditions and challenges on Hvar.

The Bahrain Merida visit was a great success all round, and the team returned to Hvar last month for a repeat. A great promotion for the Hvar cycling story. 

Meanwhile, as part of the 150-year celebrations of the oldest organised tourism in Europe, a special cycle ride was organised, which started in Greece. A group of island riding enthusiasts cycled from the island of Paros all the way to the Stari Grad Plain, the UNESCO World Heritage Site that was first cultivated by the Greeks from Paros some 2,400 years ago. The fields of this fertile plain are today filled with vineyards and olive groves and cultivated much the same way as they were all those years ago. It is a very popular cycling route, connecting Stari Grad with Jelsa and Vrboska, and there is even a cycling race - Cycling Through Heritage - held every year. 

The good news is that you don't have to be a world champion to cycle on Hvar, but if you do want to get into training and improve, Suncani Hvar Hotels have teamed up with both Hvar Life and Meridien Ten, two great cycling agencies, to bring 4 cycling training camps to Hvar, which will be run by nutritional adviser and top cycling and triathlete, Miro Bebic, above.

Mijo was born in Split in 1978. In his childhood he was active in rowing and was actually in the rowing champion team of Croatia couple of times. He graduated from Maritime High School in Split and began his maritime nautical studies at Maritime University to become a nautical officer, but although he truly likes and enjoys the sea, he never went to work on the big ships, because his interests and dedication to sport led him to some different shores. And so his ”cruises” continued, still keeping him constantly on the move – swimming, biking, running – and dedicating himself to triathlon, firstly just on a recreational basis which later led to competing in national and international races. He is also a licensed spinning instructor, personal trainer, group trainings leader and nutrition adviser. When not training or working, Mijo really enjoys playing Picigin – a traditional game played exclusively on sandy Bačvice beach in Split (The goal of this game is to impress the watchers by keeping the ball dry while doing crazy stunts in shallow water. The Picigin World Championship takes part each year in June, so if you are lucky to be here, you might see him at his best).Mijo’s philosophy is - Give everything you have, take just what you need!

The cycling camps will be held in the shoulder months, when the temeperatures are cooler and the roads less busy. Suncani Hvar will be hosting Hvar Life groups at Hotel Amfora and Meridien Ten at Hotel Adriana on the following dates:

31/03-05/04 – Meridien Ten

21/04 - 28/04 – Hvar Life

20/10-25/10 – Meridien Ten

27/10 - 03/11 – Hvar Life

You can get a flavour of what the bike camp will be like here. 

Looking to learn more about Hvar or cycling? Visit the new Total Croatia website for an introduction to cycling in Croatia and Hvar in a Page.