Destination Updates - New Zagreb tourist attraction, flights from Stansted-Rijecka from July and a revamped gastro restaurant in Istria
 
Destination Update

Capital welcomes new tourist attraction - The Zagreb Eye Viewpoint
Zagreb will boast a new tourist attraction with the opening of the Zagreb Eye Viewpoint on Friday 31 May to coincide with the anniversary of the city. Located on the 16th floor of the skyscraper on Ilica 1, at Ban Josip Jelačić Square, the attraction provides stunning panoramic views of the city, including Kaptol, Gradec, the Upper and Lower Town. Visitors to Zagreb can enjoy the views for just 15 HRK (£1.70), for more information or to book, please visit here.

Restaurant in Rovinj undergoes revamp
A traditional Croatian 'konoba' in Rovinj has been reinvented by Croatia's leading sommelier Emil Perdec and Hotel Monte Mulini's Executive Chef Tomislav Gretic.  Restaurant Kantinon's new menu reflects its coastal setting in the gourmet food region of Istria, by using local Istrian products and freshly-caught fish, cooked using long-forgotten traditional recipes. Expect exquisitely prepared dishes ranging from Adriatic squid, sea bass carpaccio and homemade pasta with wild boar, complete with a picturesque view of the fishing harbour and St.Euphemia Church. For more information on Kantinon, please see here.

Terraneo - a new Croatian music festival from 7 - 9 August
Music lovers will be even more spoilt for choice with the addition of Terraneo festival to Croatia's packed calendar of cultural events and summer music festivals this year. Located in a disused military facility just outside the town of Šibenik, the three-day festival will feature over 120 acts including My Bloody Valentine, Azealia Banks and Calexico. As well as the music, the crowds will be able to enjoy the beautiful coastline and soak up the sunshine in-between acts. For more information, please see here.

New promotional video from Croatian National Tourist Board
The Croatian National Tourist Board has released a new promotional video entitled 'Croatia - the new Tourism Star of the European Union' in the run up to the country's admission to the EU in July. The video is an extension of last year's Ode to Joy by Ana Rucner, which marked a shift in the tourist board's approach to focus more on inland Croatia. To watch the video, please see here.

Ryanair announces new flights between Rijeka and London
Ryanair has announced new flights between Rijeka and London starting from July 2013. There will be two flights a week operating on Thursday and Sunday from London Stansted airport, with return prices starting from £89. Located in the Kvarner region, Rijeka boasts many top tourist attractions, including the Modello Palace, the Croatian National Theatre and provides easy access to the nearby islands of Krk, Cres and Rab. For more information or to book your flights, please see here.

New ferry port in Croatia
An extensive project to relocate the city of Zadar's existing ferry port to Gaženica is currently underway in Croatia. The construction of the new port and passenger terminal started in May 2009 and is due for completion by the end of 2013. The port will feature an extended berthing capacity for larger international ferries, cruise ships and ro-ro vessels. The on-shore facilities for passengers and vehicles have also been improved and efforts have been made to improve links between the various ferry terminals along the Croatian coast and other countries in the region.

Dubrovnik hotel joins the ICCA
The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), one of the top global meetings industry trade associations has accepted Hotel Valamar Lacroma Dubrovnik as a member. The hotel was recognised for its top quality products and services for international meetings. Located in the Babin Kuk peninsula, this hotel resort lies just minutes from the city's famous historic quarter and will co-host this year's ABTA Travel Convention with the Dubrovnik Palace Hotel. For more information on the hotel, please see here.

Istria Tourist Board wins Jet2.com award
Jet2.com has named the Istria Tourist Board as their Travel Partner of the Year for the extraordinary cooperation the team showed during the creation of the new Pula to Glasgow route. The route launches on 18 June 2013 and prices start from £43.38 one way. For more information or to book your flight, please see here.

Events and Festivals 

24 - 26 May: Lighthouse Festival 2013
Electronic music comes to Poreč, in the beautiful heart-shaped region of Istria thanks to the Lighthouse Festival. Croatia is fast becoming a popular location for dance music acts and electronic fans will soon be able to enjoy the sounds of Hercules and Love Affair in the ancient Roman town of Poreč. While in the area, visitors should take a look at the 6th Century Euphrasian Basilica, a World Heritage Site offering one of the finest examples of Byzantine art. For more information on the festival, please see here.

26 May - 8 June: Dance Week Festival, Zagreb
In its 30th year, the Dance Week Festival is Croatia's primary international festival showcasing contemporary dance, movement theatre and mime. Organised by the Institute for Movement and Dance, the annual festival provides a platform for choreographic living legends and upcoming performers to share ideas. Featuring various performances, workshops and lectures, the festival also examines the art of dance within Croatian culture and society. For more information, please see here.

29 May - 1 June:  Croatian One-Minute Film Festival, Požega
The 21st Croatian One-Minute Film Festival is organised by GFR Film-Video and the Croatian Film Association and will be taking place in Požega from 29 May to 1 June. The festival is open to film makers from around the world. Located in the county of Požega-Slavonia, visitors to the film festival should take in city's oldest church of St. Lovro and the nearby thermal springs and Lipizzaner horses of Lipik. For more information, please see here.

29 May - 2 June: 48th International Garden Exhibition, Floraart
Floraart returns to Zagreb's Bundek Lake and will showcase magnificent flower arrangements from Croatian and global exhibitors spread over more than 30 hectares of outdoor space and two thousand square metres of indoor space. Visitors will also have the opportunity to take creative cactus and flower-arranging workshops, as well as a series of horticultural lectures. For more information, please see here.

14 - 15 June: Songs of the Podravina Region Festival, Pitomača
Every year traditional Croatian music artists perform at the Songs of the Podravina Region Festival in Pitomaca. Located in the Virovitica-Podravina County, the festival hopes to encourage the continued presence of contemporary folk songs based on the music and poetic tradition of Croatian towns along the river Drava. For more information on the festival, please see here.

24 - 30 June: Wildflower Festival, Stari Grad
The diverse range of flora and fauna on the island of Hvar has led to Stari Grad hosting one of this year's Wildflower Festivals. Sponsored by the European Commission and the partner country Slovenia, the festivals celebrate the importance of wild flowers within European culture. Located in Croatia's oldest town, Stari Grad offers visitors a more laid back vibe compared to the glitz and glamour of Hvar harbour town. For more information on the festival, please see here.

-ENDS-

For press information contact:
Rooster PR
Helen Batte / Jasmin Othman
T: +44 (0)20 3440 8927
E: teamcroatia@rooster.co.uk

About Croatia

Croatia; the Mediterranean as it once was, offers 1,244 islands strung along its stunning Adriatic coast, boasts 16 UNESCO Heritage Sites and eight national parks as well as an excellent tourism infrastructure. From the café culture of its historic cities to the rugged landscapes of continental Croatia, with a packed calendar of festivals and events and a host of home-grown gastronomic delights, Croatia is the ideal holiday destination.
For more information, please visit www.croatia.hr or call on (0)20 3440 8930