May 5, 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 Rogoznica.
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, Discover Brela and Discover Omis.
Next up, Marijo Mladinic, Director of the Rogoznia Tourist Board, who sent me some virtual tools to help us discover Rogoznica.
Let's begin!
Discover Rogoznica, the Heart of Dalmatia
Rogoznica is VERY photogenic, so let's get to know it first of all via some general intro videos. The Heart of Dalmatia in 2017.
And the Heart of Dalmatia in 2016.
Rogoznica ,SailHo Croatia.
Rogoznica, Untold Stories.
Rogoznica as It Once Was
How has Rogoznica changed over the years? Some clues in this delightful home video of Rogoznica and Skradin from 1990.
Marina Frapa, a top Adriatic sailing destination, complete with underwater cocktail bar.
Rogoznica is very well-known to sailors on the Adriatic, with its premier Marina Frapa. Official promo video above, introduced as follows:
We are glad to present You new Marina Frapa Official video 2019.
Marina Frapa is the most beautiful and awarded marina on the Adriatic and certainly one of the most beautiful on the Mediterranean.
It's located in the heart of Dalmatia in the middle of the Croatian coast, between Šibenik and Split, in the lovely and sheltered bay of Soline. The marina has been receiving the Blue Flag award year after year, an world-renowned eco-label.
The Marina Frapa resort covers an area of 170 000 m2, 500 berths in sea, 396 meters long transit pier and 150 dry berths. Includes: Gas station, Service, 2 hotels, 38 double rooms with balconies, 7 apartments with balconies, Restaurant Ancora, International cuisine, Konoba, Traditional cuisine, Teppanyaki, Asian cuisine, Sushi bar, Champagne & cocktail bar, Dragon's cave, Underwater bar, Captain's club, Pastry café, Pizzeria, Wine shop, Congress hall (capacity 300 seats), Conferences, Events, Weddings, Gala dinners, Fashion shows, Outdoor pool, Sport facilities, Tennis, Electronic bowling with 2 tracks, Squash, Fitness center, Boccia playground, Dragon's eye lake, a unique geohydromorphological phenomenon, Cristal Night club, Shows.
Adrenaline Rogoznica: Red Bull Cliff Diving
Back in 2012, Orlando Duque visited Croatia and searched for the most attractive cliffs to dive. He found some very interesting spots where he executed a number of jumps. He was delighted with the Croatian natural beauties and executed a number of jumps from cliffs on lake Zmajevo Oko (Dragon's Eye) and the island Veliki Garmenjak.
And there are plenty of other activities to try in Rogoznica. Sailing.
Scuba diving.
Cycling.
Tuna Fever.
The Awakening of the Dragon
Event ‘AWAKENING OF THE DRAGON’, is a unique staging of the ancient legend of the DRAGON’S EYE LAKE and the dragon Murin, which takes place along the Rogoznica seafront. It presents the story of true love that transforms the world. It is a story about courage, love, loyalty, and the triumph of good over evil. Visitors have the opportunity to experience and become a part of the legend about the creation of the magnificent lake Dragon’s Eye, the symbol of eternal and true love.
The Legends of Rogoznica
I first met Marijo five years ago as part of the Legends of Croatia tour of Sibenik-Knin and Dubrovnik-Neretva counties. He was an excellent host and presented his destination in a very engaging way. Three Rogoznica legends were reenacted.
First up, Legend of the fight for the land: Dragon’s Eye.
After the death of their parents, three brothers were to share the land. One of them was blind, but not foolish, and he knew quite well that the other two wished to trick him. In a fervent discussion and with tumultuous feelings the blind man cursed his brothers saying:
“If you tricked me, the land will turn into a lake and a dragon will surface and swallow you.” The lake from which the dragon emerged is known as the Dragon’s Eye.
Legend of St. John of Trogir (Cape Planka).
In the oldest part of the Croatian coast, Cape Planka, there is a natural dividing line between the Adriatic’s winds and currents which makes the sea dangerous for ships. Of course, this was not beneficial for the sailors who sailed the sea but in spite of that, on one occasion, during a shipwreck, a miracle occurred. Whilst walking across the waters, St John of Trogir saved the sailors and all the cargo on the ship, and they happily landed on the coast. As a sign of gratitude, a chapel was later erected at that exact location.
Legend of the Painting.
An old fisherman was at sea catching fish when all of a sudden he noticed an unusual light. It was a painting of Our Lady which he took home after fishing. However, the next morning, the painting was not there. He went fishing again and the same light took him by surprise, but this time he took the painting to the priest. The painting seemed every time to mysteriously find its way back to the sea where it would then be found by someone. On this exact location, the chapel of the Lady of Chapel was erected and this is where we will film the story.
Don't miss the stunning Lady of the Chapel procession each July.
Beaches, beaches, beaches
Rogoznica lies at the heart of the Central Dalmatian coast. Which means beaches!
Crljina beach.
A general beach overview.
Klapa Kopara - Rogoznica Moja Mila
Nothing encapsulates the romance of a Dalmatian holiday than the wonderful local klapa music. Meet Klapa Kopara.
Webcams in Rogoznica
If you can't be there physically, you can follow all the live action from Rogoznica on these live webcams. Gorgeous, isn't it?
Virtual tour of Rogoznica
Get to know Rogoznica, the 360 way.
Official Rogoznica Tourist Board & a TCN Rogoznica Trip Report
Discover Omis via the official Rogoznica Tourist Board website.
Marijo has also prepared a very handy Discover Rogoznica PDF guide of the destination.
So what is a visit to Rogoznica like? I was fortunate to visit with the wonderful Karin Mimica and her Gastronaut foodie group in April, 2017. This was my Discover Rogoznica experience - Rogoznica, a Dalmatian Sailing Gem North of Split.
THIS. IS. ROGOZNICA. 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)
