Tourism in the Corona Age: 10 Virtual Ways to Discover Brela
May 2, 2020 - Tourism is on hold, but most of us have plenty of time. So let's look at the virtual resources available to explore Croatia virtually. We continue our new Virtual Croatia series with the tools to discover Brela.
A few weeks ago I wrote that being a tourism blogger in the corona era was about as useful as being a cocktail barman in Saudi Arabia. I feel less useless now, a few weeks later, and I am encouraged by the number of Croatian tourism businesses who are contacting us wanting to start thinking of promoting post-corona tourism.
One of the challenges of writing about tourism at the moment is that there is nothing positive to write about. With people confined to their homes and tourism in Croatia currently not possible, many have decided to go into hibernation until it is all over.
I think that this is a mistake, and I have greatly enjoyed the TCN series by Zoran Pejovic of Paradox Hospitality on thinking ahead to tourism in a post-corona world. You can find Zoran's articles here.
Way back on March 14 - several lifetimes ago - I published an article called Tourism in the Corona Age: 10 Virtual Ways to Discover Zagreb. The way I saw things, now was an OUTSTANDING opportunity for tourism promotion. People have time, they yearn for their freedom and former lives, so give them the tools to thoroughly research and enjoy your destinations, and you will have then longing to be there. And when they do come, they will have a deeper understanding of the destination due to their research.
South Africa and Portugal were the first to do their post-corona tourism promotion videos several weeks ago (Post-Corona Tourism Planning: Lessons from South Africa and Portugal), a trick which has been followed by other tourism countries, the latest being Croatia with the national tourist board campaign, #CroatiaLongDistanceLove, going live yesterday.
But while these campaigns create longing and market presence, they don't really educate. People now have time to really get into destinations. And dreams of escape to somewhere more exotic are high on the list of priorities of many.
So TCN has decided to help with that education with a new series called Virtual Croatia, where we will be helping you discover many of Croatia's destinations with all the best virtual tools available on your self-isolating sofa at home.
We started last week with Tourism in the Corona Age: 10 Virtual Tools to Discover Hvar.
After this, we put our a press release (which you can read here in English and Croatian) offering a free article to any local tourist board in Croatia who would like the free promotion in our Virtual Croatia series.
The Sinj Tourist Board was the first to respond, and now you can see just how rich the tourism offer is in this proud Alka town - your virtual tools to Discover Sinj. This was followed by DIscover Opatija.
Next up, Valentina Vitkovic, Director of the Brela Tourist Board, who sent me some virtual tools to help us discover Brela, one of Croatia's most Instagrammable destinations.
Let's begin!
I left my heart in Brela
Discover Brela from above
Brela has some fantastic beaches, some of the best on the Adriatic. Take a tour!
More aerial magic, with Brela in 4K.
Beaches, beaches, beaches
Let's explore those beaches in greater detail. Punta Rata.
One of the most beautiful gravel beaches of the world is in a protected area, a cape covered in pine forest. In July 2004, the American Forbes magazine listed this beach among the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world. Among the most famous ones, such as Copacabana, St. Tropez, Costa del Sol, and the exotic beaches in Belize, Antigua and the Maldives, there is also a small part of the Croatian beauty and for a good reason. In 2014 The Huffington Post website described Brela as a dream destination and a perfect reason to get on a plane to Croatia as soon as possible. According to Belgian website European Best Destinations - Punta Rata was one of the most beautiful beaches in 2015. The beach has been a winner of numerous prizes in Croatia as well.
Alongside Punta Rata and Podrače, one of the most delightful beaches in Brela is also Jakiruša beach. It is situated on the west end of Brela. Feeling of peace and tranquillity is guaranteed.
The Podrače beach in Brela is one of the most photographed beaches of Croatia. It is in very close proximity to Punta Rata beach. The European Parliament published a video on their Twitter profile providing suggestions on where to go swimming this summer. The first place was taken by our magnificent pebble bay – the Podrače beach in Brela. In 2015 beach Podrače was listed among the 15 most beautiful and desirable vacation destinations by the site European Best Destinations. The peak of the picturesque stone embracing this turquoise blue bay in the past was used by local inhabitants for the production of sea salt by evaporation of sea in shallow pools
The most famous and most patriotic rock in all Croatia
Brela Stone is one of the most famous rocks in all Croatia, perhaps the most famous. And one which appears in thousands of photos and Instagram feeds each year. And in 2014, just head of the opening match of the World Cup in Brazil, where Croatia took on the host nation, it assumed a very patriotic look.
An adventure paradise - parasailing
Brela is also a great adventure tourism destination - by land, sea and air. Let's start with the bird's eye view - parasailing.
Get active on two wheels
Cycling.
Or walk and bike.
Climb for the best views
You don't have to take to the air to get incredible views - how about a bit of rock climbing?
The clear waters of Brela, perfect for diving, kayaking, semi-submarines and dolphins!
But those crystal clear waters of the Adriatic will entice you back in for a swim very soon. And there is plenty to do, both above and below the water.
Discover Brela underwater - this is great diving terrirtory.
Or glide along the surface on the Adriatic above water by sea kayak.
Or combine above water with underwater with the semi-submarine tour - great fun for the kids.
But respect the locals and be prepared to share the Adriatic with them - including dolphins!
Traditional UNESCO romantic music - Klapa Brela
Nothing beats the romantic memories of your summer in Dalmatia than a fabulous dinner of local fish and great wine to the sounds of the enchanting male a capella music of Dalmatian klapa, a tradition which has been inscribed as UNESCO intangible heritage. Meet Klapa Brela.
A walking tour of Brela
Discover Brela close up with this walking tour of the town and its environs.
The Napoleonic Road
The road represents an exceptional architectural contribution in road construction from the beginning of the 19th century (built during the period 1810-1811). It was never completed so it is possible to reconstruct all phases of its construction. It was built, or rather laid, on a slope of Biokovo, between 357.41 and 443.73 meters above sea level. The rise does not exceed 6%, in order to make the road very comfortable for driving carts, horse-riding and walking. The architect Frane Zavoreo is the project engineer of the French road on Biokovo.
Interpretation boards are positioned along the road, in order to bring you closer and to provide you an understanding and to explain you the manner and purpose of building this truly exceptional and valuable road. In addition, the entire road is a wonderful viewpoint on Brela, the Riviera of Makarska and the islands!The French road is listed in the Register of Cultural Goods of Croatia on 25th September 2017.
Brela as it once was - Karavan in 1984
And finally, a step back in time - Brela and the Makarska Riviera as It Once Was back in 1984.
Official Brela Tourist Board
Discover Brela via the official Brela Tourist Board website.
THIS. IS. BRELA. When can we expect your visit?
To discover more of virtual Croatia, you can follow this series in our dedicated section, Virtual Croatia.
If you are a local tourist board in Croatia and would like your destination featured in this series for free, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Subject Virtual Croatia (and destination name)
Tourism in the Corona Age: 10 Virtual Ways to Discover Opatija
May 1, 2020 - Tourism is on hold, but most of us have plenty of time. So let's look at the virtual resources available to explore Croatia virtually. We continue our new Virtual Croatia series with the tools to discover Opatija.
A few weeks ago I wrote that being a tourism blogger in the corona era was about as useful as being a cocktail barman in Saudi Arabia. I feel less useless now, a few weeks later, and I am encouraged by the number of Croatian tourism businesses who are contacting us wanting to start thinking of promoting post-corona tourism.
One of the challenges of writing about tourism at the moment is that there is nothing positive to write about. With people confined to their homes and tourism in Croatia currently not possible, many have decided to go into hibernation until it is all over.
I think that this is a mistake, and I have greatly enjoyed the TCN series by Zoran Pejovic of Paradox Hospitality on thinking ahead to tourism in a post-corona world. You can find Zoran's articles here.
Way back on March 14 - several lifetimes ago - I published an article called Tourism in the Corona Age: 10 Virtual Ways to Discover Zagreb. The way I saw things, now was an OUTSTANDING opportunity for tourism promotion. People have time, they yearn for their freedom and former lives, so give them the tools to thoroughly research and enjoy your destinations, and you will have then longing to be there. And when they do come, they will have a deeper understanding of the destination due to their research.
South Africa and Portugal were the first to do their post-corona tourism promotion videos several weeks ago (Post-Corona Tourism Planning: Lessons from South Africa and Portugal), a trick which has been followed by other tourism countries, the latest being Croatia with the national tourist board campaign, #CroatiaLongDistanceLove, going live yesterday.
But while these campaigns create longing and market presence, they don't really educate. People now have time to really get into destinations. And dreams of escape to somewhere more exotic are high on the list of priorities of many.
So TCN has decided to help with that education with a new series called Virtual Croatia, where we will be helping you discover many of Croatia's destinations with all the best virtual tools available on your self-isolating sofa at home.
We started last week with Tourism in the Corona Age: 10 Virtual Tools to Discover Hvar.
After this, we put our a press release (which you can read here in English and Croatian) offering a free article to any local tourist board in Croatia who would like the free promotion in our Virtual Croatia series.
The Sinj Tourist Board was the first to respond, and now you can see just how rich the tourism offer is in this proud Alka town - your virtual tools to Discover Sinj.
Next up, Zeljka Stasic from the Opatija Tourist Board, who sent me some virtual tools to help us 'Dream Today, Visit Opatija Tomorrow.'
Let's begin!
Dream Today, Visit Opatija Tomorrow
The current message and latest Opatija Tourist Board video release - Dream today, visit Opatija tomorrow.
Some more intro videos - Opatija, Queen of the Adriatic
Opatija, Be Charmed.
Opatija from the air.
Discover Opatija as It Once Was
A look at how life and tourism used to be in this beautiful Adriatic destination. 1984.
1965.
The 1950s.
Opatija, an event destination throughout the year
There is a LOT going on all year in Opatija - you can take a tour with the official tourist board events page for the latest. Some highlights below.
RetrOpatija is a musical time machine in which swing, rockabilly, rock, jazz and electric disco music merge together to create a fantastic party dedicated to the key decades and musical styles of the twentieth century. This retro festival brings together excellent Croatian and foreign musicians, pin-up models, dancers, jugglers, street musicians, makeup artists and hair stylists, and presents vintage cars and motorcycles, such as Vespas, Tomos and Fiats. Dance at the hot ‘party of the century’ beneath a large disco ball together with thousands of other visitors.
Liburnija Jazz Festival.
Liburnia Film Festival
Viennese Ball.
Hedonist Gourmet and Wine Festival.
Advent in Opatija.
Opatija Chocolate Festival.
The warmup for the Eurovision Song Contest representative from Croatia - Dora is an annual institution in Opatija.
Step aside, Monaco. Opatija used to host one of the most famous motorcycle races in Europe - the Adriatic Grand Prix, held on a 6-kilometre track from Preluk to Opatija between 1939 and 1977. As the region was ruled by Italy in the 30s, the track was first known as Circuito di Abbazia (Opatija Circuit) and Circuito del Carnaro (Kvarner Circuit). It became internationally popular after the Italian team decided to compete in Opatija instead of participating in the French Grand Prix in Rheims. The rest is history, as they say - read more here.
When the Grand Prix fame died down, Opatija didn't allow for racing to go out of style, instead introducing a peculiar manifestation named Balinjerada. The race features hand-made vehicles running on ball-bearings (balinjere in Croatian) which zoom past the delighted audience gathered along Opatija's main street. Both the drivers and their vehicles don themed costumes, giving the entertaining race an air of a next-level carnival.
And when you have had enough events, take the Opatija Walk of Fame.
Romantic Opatija, the perfect wedding destination
Thinking of tying the knot? Why Opajita may be a great option to consider.
The birthplace of tourism in Croatia, and a health, wellness and congress tourism destination today
The first holiday home in Croatia was built in Opatija in 1844 - 174 years ago. While we can't exactly speak of organised tourism at that point in time, Villa Angiolina hosted famous historical figures since it first opened its doors, including Emperor Franz Joseph I, Empress Maria Anna and the Croatian Ban Josip Jelačić. Owing to the line of renowned guests who stayed at the villa, the year is considered to mark the beginning of tourism in Opatija.
Opatija's tourism has always included an element of health tourism, with its excellent healthcare and temperate climate. Opatija clinics are competitive with the very best in Europe, and one cannot complain about the location either.
The pleasant climate mentioned above has always been one of Opatija's most attractive features, and it makes no surprise the town grew to become a famous wellness destination. Franz Joseph I declared Opatija a spa town in 1889; from the 19th-century elites gathering in Opatija in colder months of the year to the current impressive offer of wellness services in Opatija's most distinguished hotels, the town has remained a desirable destination for those who want to relax and recharge their batteries while getting pampered in well-equipped facilities.
Opatija is also one of the Adriatic coast's strongest destinations for congress tourism. You can learn more about Opatija's congress facilities here.
A beach and sailing destination, with the oldest sailing club in Croatia
How could a holiday town on the coast not have a long history of sailing to match? In 1877, an Austrian cartographer and writer named Heinrich von Littrow founded the first sailing club on the Adriatic coast in Opatija, naming it Union Yacht Club Quarnero. More than a century later - in 1990, to be more precise - ACI Marina Opatija was opened in the nearby town of Ičići as the 18th marina in the prestigious Croatian network.
And if you prefer to laze the day away on the beach instead, there are plenty of options.
The Lungo Mare
One of Opatija's most beloved features is the seaside promenade that spans from Volosko town all the way to Lovran, with Opatija standing as the centrepiece. Officially named the Franz Joseph I Promenade, the lovely trail is commonly referred to as Lungomare and measures around 10 kilometres in length. The northern part from Volosko to Opatija was built in 1889, while the second leg to Lovran was completed in 1911. On weekend mornings, you'll find plenty of tourists and locals taking a relaxing walk in the fresh air, every now and then stopping to take a photo of the stunning scenery.
Moho
Andrija Mohorovičić, a Croatian meteorologist and seismologist, was born in the small town of Volosko near Opatija. An earthquake near Zagreb in 1909 led Mohorovičić to discover the boundary between the Earth's crust and the underlying mantle, which is nowadays referred to as 'Mohorovičić discontinuity', Moho for short. The scientist is considered one of the founders of modern seismology; take the Lungomare to Volosko to see his place of birth and read more about Moho here.
Klapa Opatija
No Adriatic destination would be complete without those beautiful male a capella voices - meet Klapa Opatija.
A 360 Panorama of Opatija
Official Opatija Tourist Board and 25 things to know about the Old Dame of Kvarner
Discover Opatija via the official Visit Opatija website.
For even more detail on Opatija, get to know the destination through TCN's 25 things to know about the Old Dame of Kvarner.
THIS. IS. OPATIJA. When can we expect your visit?
To discover more of virtual Croatia, you can follow this series in our dedicated section, Virtual Croatia.
If you are a local tourist board in Croatia and would like your destination featured in this series for free, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Subject Virtual Croatia (and destination name)
Tourism in the Corona Age: 10 Virtual Ways to Discover Sinj
April 22, 2020 - Tourism is on hold, but most of us have plenty of time. So let's look at the virtual resources available to explore Croatia virtually. We continue our new Virtual Croatia series with the tools to discover Sinj.
A few weeks ago I wrote that being a tourism blogger in the corona era was about as useful as being a cocktail barman in Saudi Arabia. I feel less useless now, a few weeks later, and I am encouraged by the number of Croatian tourism businesses who are contacting us wanting to start thinking of promoting post-corona tourism.
One of the challenges of writing about tourism at the moment is that there is nothing positive to write about. With people confined to their homes and tourism in Croatia currently not possible, many have decided to go into hibernation until it is all over.
I think that this is a mistake, and I have greatly enjoyed the TCN series by Zoran Pejovic of Paradox Hospitality on thinking ahead to tourism in a post-corona world. You can find Zoran's articles here.
Way back on March 14 - several lifetimes ago - I published an article called Tourism in the Corona Age: 10 Virtual Ways to Discover Zagreb. The way I saw things, now was an OUTSTANDING opportunity for tourism promotion. People have time, they yearn for their freedom and former lives, so give them the tools to thoroughly research and enjoy your destinations, and you will have then longing to be there. And when they do come, they will have a deeper understanding of the destination due to their research.
South Africa and Portugal were the first to do their post-corona tourism promotion videos several weeks ago (Post-Corona Tourism Planning: Lessons from South Africa and Portugal), a trick which has been followed by other tourism countries, the latest being Croatia with the national tourist board campaign, #CroatiaLongDistanceLove, going live yesterday.
But while these campaigns create longing and market presence, they don't really educate. People now have time to really get into destinations. And dreams of escape to somewhere more exotic are high on the list of priorities of many.
So TCN has decided to help with that education with a new series called Virtual Croatia, where we will be helping you discover many of Croatia's destinations with all the best virtual tools available on your self-isolating sofa at home.
We started last week with Tourism in the Corona Age: 10 Virtual Tools to Discover Hvar.
After this, we put our a press release (which you can read here in English and Croatian) offering a free article to any local tourist board in Croatia who would like the free promotion in our Virtual Croatia series.
And it was no surprise to me that the first response I received was from the Dalmatian town of Sinj, whose tourist board is a shining example of how to run a local tourist board, and it continues a tradition of proactive responses from the Sinj Tourist Board.
Back in 2013, I got the job as the official blogger for the Central Dalmatia Tourist Board. An email was sent out from the regional office to all the local tourist boards informing the local directors of this, and inviting them to contact me to discuss articles to write about the destination. Within an hour, then Sinj Tourist Board director Jelena Bilic had contacted me with an invitation to visit Sinj and discuss everything over a traditional Sinj arambasi lunch. It was a fascinating day, which I recorded on Canadian news portal Digital Journal, and it was part of Jelena's very successful campaign to put Sinj on the tourism map of Dalmatia. It was also the seed which started the launch of our Total Inland Dalmatia portal, which has helped to promote inland Dalmatia over the last few years.
Jelena went on to be promoted to the Croatian National Tourist Board's director in Prague, and her successor Monika Vrgoc has been equally proactive, which is why we find ourselves in a position to Discover Sinj.
Let's begin!
Sinj, My Town and Sinj, Alkar Pride by Ana Rucner
A lovely introduction from the Sinj Tourist Board website.
And a beautiful contribution from famed Croatian cellist, Ana Rucner.
And a charming overview of the town dating back to 2014.
UNESCO Heritage: the Sinj Alka Knights Tournament
It is the last knights' tournament in all Europe, and one which has been celebrated every year for 300 years since the Siege of Sinj by the Ottomans in 1715. If there is one thing which defines Sinj, it is this. Every year, Sinjska Alka attracts the Croatian President and other dignitaries and is broadcast live on national television.
You can learn more about the UNESCO intangible heritage above.
A journey back in time - Sinjska Alka in 1931.
Space is very limited for spectators for the Sinjska Alka itself, but in the days before the event in early August, you can enjoy the rehearsals.
And the Children's Alka event is a great event. Aren't those outfits cute!
Vela Gospa and Walking the Path of Our Lady of Sinj
Sinjska Alka might be the most famous event in this historic Dalmatian town in August, but it is not the most popular.
Up to 150,000 people take part in the annual pilgrimage from Split to Sinj on the Feast of the Assumption on August 15 each year.
The pilgrimage takes place each year to honour the Miraculous Madonna of Sinj, who helped repel the Ottoman Turks during the 1715 Siege of Sinj.
The Siege of Sinj - a Spectacle Not to Be Missed.
The 1715 Siege of Sinj is part of the genetic makeup of the people of Sinj, and it is remembered in different ways. One of the most spectacular is the reenactment of the siege, which takes place several times during the season. Check with the tourist office for details.
Discover Sinj traditions: Didi from Kamesnice.
The annual carnival pageants in the villages at the foot of the Kamešnica mountain, from the area of towns of Sinj and Trilj and the Municipality of Otok, have traditionally been held for a long time, handing down and preserving local carnival customs. In the villages of Gljev, Han, Bajagić and Gala carnival pageants have served as a unique and authentic way of presenting the age-old customs, interwoven with the sound of carnival pageant bells and other accompanying rituals.
Traditional hand-wheel pottery-making in Potravlje
Traditional hand-wheel pottery-making in Potravlje has been only preserved in this village near Sinj, in the Municipality of Hrvace, whereas in the last few centuries many other villages in the Cetinska Krajina Region were known for cultivating this ancient skill. Up to the Second World War, there were around fifty families involved in pottery-making in the Cetinska Krajina Region, out of which around twenty of them in Potravlje. The potters from Potravlje, or, as they are usually called in this region, bakrari (derived from a local name for a traditional earthen pot, bakra), used to supply the whole Cetinska Krajina Region and greater Dalmatia with their products. Up to the present day, they have sold their products at fairs in Sinj, Trilj, Zadvarje, Vrlika, Metković, Benkovac, Split and elsewhere. Apart from traditional pots, new types of pots are made nowadays, for instance, amphoras (for tourist purposes), flowerpots or pitari, and various miniature traditional pots sold as souvenirs. In ethnologic terms, a pottery-making tradition in Potravlje is categorised as hand-wheel pottery, where the hand wheel concerns a special kind of a small, low potters's wheel which the potter turns with one hand, unlike the foot wheel consisting of two wheels joined by a metal axle, where the potter turns the lower wheel with his foot. It is generally considered that hand-wheel pottery dates from prehistoric times, and in our region from the 4th century B. C. In most of Europe, this type of pottery disappeared a long time ago, having been replaced by foot-wheel pottery. Up to this day, the craft of pottery-making has been only preserved in two families in the village of Potravlje – the family of Jure Knezović (1933-2012), where his sons Ivan (b. 1962) and Pile (b. 1965) have carried on the tradition, and the family of Jure's brother Dušan Knezović. Source: Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia
A vibrant music festival scene - from SARS to Gljevstock
Sinj has a VERY vibrant music scene, with not one but two main festivals each year - SARS...
... and Gljevstock, which I was fortunate enough to be I think the first foreigner ever to attend, and certainly the first to write about it for a Canadian news portal back in 2014.
And for a very good overview of the Sinj music scene, complete with English subtitles, check out this documentary.
And there are plenty of other types of music to enjoy, including more classical, in the tranquil surroundings of Kamicak Fortress and its summer music programme.
Sinj Aerodrom, the original Split Airport and fantastic sporting resource
Sinj has its own airfield. Indeed, it was the original airport for Split decades ago. And what a lovely flight from Brac, for example.
It even has its own air show.
And parachute tournament.
And if you would like to organise a flight over Sinj, it could look like this.
Sinj's gourmet treasure - arambasi
There is one dish you simply have to try when you visit Sinj, the delicious stuffed cabbage rolls called aramasi, which are a local speciality.
Did you know Sinj was the birthplace of football?
And they celebrate it every year with a tradition game between the Delmates and the Romans.
An adventure tourism paradise.
An introduction to the treasures of adventure tourism in Sinj
Cetina Adventure, one of its most successful events.
The annual bike race To the Source of the Cetina River.
And it is perhaps no surprise to learn that a town with such a proud Alka equine tradition has its very own - and very active - hippodrome.
A webcam to discover Sinj
Official Sinj Tourist Board, Virtual Tour, and downloadable guide.
Sinj Tourist Board website - in English, French, German, Italian and Croatian.
Take a virtual tour of the town.
And download the official guide for further reading.
THIS. IS. SINJ. When can we expect your visit?
To discover more of virtual Croatia, you can follow this series in our dedicated section, Virtual Croatia.
If you are a local tourist board in Croatia and would like your destination featured in this series for free, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Subject Virtual Croatia (and destination name)
Tourism in the Corona Age: 10 Virtual Ways to Discover Hvar
April 22, 2020 - Tourism is on hold, but most of us have plenty of time. So let's look at the virtual resources available to explore Croatia virtually. We begin a new series with the tools to discover Hvar.
A few weeks ago I wrote that being a tourism blogger in the corona era was about as useful as being a cocktail barman in Saudi Arabia. I feel less useless now, a few weeks later, and I am encouraged by the number of Croatian tourism businesses who are contacting us wanting to start thinking of promoting post-corona tourism.
One of the challenges of writing about tourism at the moment is that there is nothing positive to write about. With people confined to their homes and tourism in Croatia currently not possible, many have decided to go into hibernation until it is all over.
I think that this is a mistake, and I have greatly enjoyed the TCN series by Zoran Pejovic of Paradox Hospitality on thinking ahead to tourism in a post-corona world. You can find Zoran's articles here.
Way back on March 14 - several lifetimes ago - I published an article called Tourism in the Corona Age: 10 Virtual Ways to Discover Zagreb. The way I saw things, now was an OUTSTANDING opportunity for tourism promotion. People have time, they yearn for their freedom and former lives, so give them the tools to thoroughly research and enjoy your destinations, and you will have then longing to be there. And when they do come, they will have a deeper understanding of the destination due to their research.
South Africa and Portugal were the first to do their post-corona tourism promotion videos several weeks ago (Post-Corona Tourism Planning: Lessons from South Africa and Portugal), a trick which has been followed by other tourism countries, the latest being Croatia with the national tourist board campaign, #CroatiaLongDistanceLove, going live yesterday.
But while these campaigns create longing and market presence, they don't really educate. People now have time to really get into destinations. And dreams of escape to somewhere more exotic are high on the list of priorities of many.
So TCN has decided to help with that education with a new series called Virtual Croatia, where we will be helping you discover many of Croatia's destinations with all the best virtual tools available on your self-isolating sofa at home.
And in order to help things along, TCN will offer a free article such as this one to any local tourist board which wants to send us their best virtual tools of their destination. If interested, please send all the resources to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Subject Virtual Croatia (and name of destination).
So where to begin? Where else than my beloved Hvar.
An oldie but a goodie - the Visit Hvar beach tour of the island
It is more than 8 years since Visit Hvar published Island Hvar, My Place in the Sun. It was a smash hit back then, and I watch it still about 3-4 times a year. I love the music, the aerial footage, everything. It is my favourite Hvar video when I am longing for summer.
Hvar Tourist Board YouTube channel
The Hvar Town Tourist Board has really upped its social media presence in recent years, including an excellent YouTube channel which I only came across recently. Here you can find some great resources about island life and events. here are just three.
ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Hvar 2019
Hvar Theatre, the oldest public theatre in Europe
Exciting and delicious - the island of Hvar
You can follow the Hvar Tourist Board YouTube channel here.
Central Dalmatia Tourist Board postcard from Hvar, Stari Grad Plain and cycling destination
The Central Dalmatia Tourist Board only has a view videos on its YouTube channel, but they are very widely viewed. Three great ones for Hvar.
Hvar Timeline Stairs
Hvar Dynamic Postcard
Stari Grad Plain - brief history
Suncani Hvar Hotels and the wedding and honeymoon destination
Hvar is one of the most popular wedding destinations on the Adriatic. Imagine a wedding AND honeymoon on Croatia's premier island. It looks something like this. You can learn more about wedding options on Hvar here.
UNESCO, UNESCO, 6 times UNESCO
Did you know that Hvar has more UNESCO heritage than any island in the world? Time to start learning about them all from the official UNESCO videos, so that you can impress your mates when you are chilling your favourite Hvar beach in the summer.
UNESCO World Heritage Site the Stari Grad Plain
Za Krizen
Mediterranean Diet
Agava lace from the Benedictine Nuns in Hvar Town
Klapa singing in southern Dalmatia
Dry stone walling
The fabulous resource of Hvar TV
Hvar even has its own TV channel in the form of YouTube channel, Hvar TV. When Maja and Jure are not reporting for national television on all things Hvar-related, they put together some brilliant local feature stories, many of which are subtitled into English. Here are a few of them.
Remember those 'Happy' Videos?
Celebrating Bogdanusa in Svirce
Hvar Harbour fast forward
Za Krizem - Following the Cross
You can follow the Hvar TV YouTube channel here.
When YouTuber Joe Sugg came to discover Hvar - 4.5 million views later
That moment when I contacted YouTuber Joe Sugg for an interview, then suggested he go for a swim in Gariful's shark tank for his vlog. 4.5 million views later - meet Hvar's most-watched video EVER.
A video guide to the best view in Dalmatia
Where is the best view in the world? This is mine, but the view is only half the story. A video explanation of just how much magic there is to explore in the view below.
Hvar into the Storm by Romulic and Stojcic
Hvar - into the storm from Romulic & Stojcic on Vimeo.
Nobody captures the beauty of Hvar better than the Osijek Maestros, Mario Romulic and Drazen Stojcic. They have the best photos. And then there are those timelapses. Yes, the sunshine island does occasionally take a break from the sun. And the results are stunning - Hvar in the Storm is one of my faves.
Hvar in 4K
Hvar with the 4K treatment - divine.
Pjover and the Lavender Festival in Velo Grablje
Aromatic Hvar and the fabulous Lavender Festival in Velo Grablje, courtesy of those amazing chaps at Udruga Pjover.
VELO GRABLJE-OTOK HVAR from Filmofil.tv on Vimeo.
The Sight Run app
The app SightRun has Hvar as one of the cities you can run trough while sightseeing. You can download the app from this link.
Official Hvar Tourist Board websites
THIS. IS. HVAR. When can we expect your visit?
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Tourism in the Corona Age: 10 Virtual Ways to Discover Zagreb
March 14, 2020 - With the coronavirus disrupting tourism all over the world, perhaps it is time to postpone plans a little and spend some time researching destinations for a visit later in the year. Some virtual tips to discover Zagreb.
There is no hiding the fact that the world has changed in the last week, and that more change is on the way, as countries respond to the coronavirus threat by locking down. As with many other people, I feel a little lost in the new reality and am struggling to come to terms with the best way to proceed. Suffice to say that being a tourism blogger is perhaps not the most in-demand thing in the world right now.
And yet...
As the season should be beginning and positive texts about the incredible things to see and do from now until the end of the summer would usually be appearing on portals such as TCN, I don't think many would disagree that promoting travel to Croatia or anywhere else at the moment, is perhaps not the wisest or most responsible course of action.
But does that mean we should not talk about tourism promotion at all then? Not at all! In fact, in some strange way, perhaps the current situation will provide a better and more informed tourism experience in the future. With so many people now self-isolating and with perhaps a little more time on their hands as they get frustrated with the isolation, thoughts will inevitably turn to that well-deserved holiday when this whole crisis is over.
So why not spend the time alone getting to know the destination you plan to visit a little better than perhaps you otherwise might have done? Rather than reading the guidebook on the plane on the way there, why not take a closer look at all the options available to you online, from the comfort of your self-isolation sofa.
Why not discover Zagreb, for example? Here are ten great virtual resources to discover Zagreb. Check them out, get inspired, and we will see you in the Croatian capital on the other side...
1. Around Zagreb Video Series
Zagreb is much more than just a city. Zagreb County offers some outstanding day trips. Learn more in the Zagreb Tourist Board's video series, Around Zagreb.
2. Zagreb Shortcuts
Get to know the city through its people, habits and traditions. Zagreb blogger Andrea Pisac produces a very local insight to the city through the tourist board's Zagreb Shortcuts series. Check it out above.
3. Zagreb Trivia
Want to impress your travelling companions on your local knowledge, or surprise your host with how much you know about the city? The tourist board's Zagreb Trivia video series is a real treasure trove of fabulous stories and useful information.
4. Love Zagreb
Several years ago, the Zagreb Tourist Board launched a project called Love Zagreb, Stories Created by Locals. Photos, blogs, vlogs and more. Love Zagreb has been a popular addition to building a more rounded picture of the city - check it out for yourself.
5. 360° Zagreb Panorama
Nothing beats a great photo, of course, or the chance to get 360-degree visuals of the top places of a destination. 360 Zagreb offers some of the very best views, from angles most tourists never get to experience. Check them out here.
6. Zagreb Apps, Apps, Apps
We live in the world of mobile apps, and a popular way to discover Zagreb is via the various phone applications which are on offer. Choose from:
Zagreb Be There - Want an insider to show you around Zagreb? This free iOS and Android app takes you to the coolest places in the city. Sightseeing with character.
VoiceGuide Zagreb - When you come to an area with tourist attractions, the application will start automatically so that you get the information about the sights near you. It will first give you the information about the area you are in and then about some sights that can be seen there.
Greetings from Zagreb - Time travel with old postcards of Zagreb. Check out how it looked then and how it looks now.
Find all the apps to discover Zagreb, and download them here.
7. Research one of Europe's most exciting medical tourism destinations for that procedure later this year
And having researched a little and discovered what a wonderful city Zagreb is, why not combine the tourist experience with some practical stuff which will pay for the holiday AND give you some spending money? Zagreb has an excellent reputation for medical tourism, from dentistry and cosmetic surgery, to pharmacogenetic testing and stem cell therapy, and much more. Check out what is on offer in the official video above and the detailed TCN feature recently on medical tourism in Zagreb.
8. It should be over by Christmas...
Nobody knows how long the current situation will continue, but let's hope it will be over by Christmas... One of the great things about Zagreb is that it is a year-round destination, with some pretty cool events happening all year. And if you haven't discovered Advent in Zagreb yet, come and visit and find out why it has become established as one of the best Christmas markets in the world.
9. Light at the end of the tunnel
One of the early casualties of the current crisis was the postponement of the popular Festival of Lights in Zagreb, as authorities commendable decided to delay the event until the situation improved. There is no fixed date at the moment, as it will depend on how things progress, but good to know that there will be light at the end of the tunnel.
10. A rather impressive website to delve a little deeper
Keen to know more to prepare yourself to discover Zagreb? Take a tour of the very comprehensive Zagreb Tourist Board website.
Be safe, research online, and see you in Zagreb later in the year!
