Here are some of the venues in Dubrovnik:

City’s Palaces

Palaces are perfect for those who seek for sense the spirit of past times. The Sponza Palace is gorgeous gothic-renaissance palace, situated at the end of the main street of the Old town – Stradun. In its beautiful atrium a breath of rich Dubrovnik history could also touch your unique day, the one that would be permanently recorded by all your family memory archives. Then there is The Rector’s Palace, a gothic palace with renaissance-baroque reconstructions. Today it is the Museum of Dubrovnik, and in its beautiful atrium classical concerts are held during Dubrovnik Summer Festival. The gorgeous stone staircase with stone balustrade makes the atrium’s coulisse within which your wedding could evoke memories of past times, and you could feel as if you were a real princess.

City’s Fortresses

Lovrjenac Fortress was built in the 14th century and was a key fortress for defense of Dubrovnik from the sea. The fortress had through history only fortification purpose, while in the recent years it has become a natural stage for performing dramas. With its beautiful sea view it is perfect for weddings. There is also Saint John Fortress based on Dubrovnik’s ancient walls. It hosts the aquarium and maritime museum, and the view from its roof is on the city’s port. Although it is not as private as some other locations because it is included in regular tour of the walls, for the adventurists that do not mind other people’s glances, this fortress would offer a heightened and unforgettable experience.

The Islands

The island of Dubrovnik are an ideal place for romantic weddings.Lokrum is situated just opposite the Old City! It is a reserved area of forest vegetation under the UNESCO’s protection and it is only 10 minutes away from the City by boat. Inside the island there is Dead Sea – the smallest sea in the world. For the wedding ceremony Lokrum offers several locations. Lopud Island ison the most romantic island out of over thousand Croatian islands! It is about an hour away from the city by boat. It is known for its gorgeous sand beaches. On the island there is Šunj, the most beautiful sand beach in Croatia, while on the opposite side of the island there is a Franciscan monastery and a beautiful garden from the 19th century. Koločep (Kalamota) offers an unforgettable sunset. It is the southernmost Croatian island that has two settlements, situated on the opposite sides of the island. You can sail in with the boat to Villa Ruža (Rose) and celebrate your unique day.

Church Wedding

The churches in Dubrovnik are probably the most romantic churches in the world. They’re a perfect blend of history and the city’s soul. You can choose either a baroque or renaissance church. Except for various Catholic churches, Dubrovnik has one of the most beautiful Orthodox churches in Europe.

Other locations

Dubrovnik as Romantic Wedding Destination offers various locations for your special day. There is Orosula Park and Srđ Amphitheatre that is positioned on a hill above the city. You can also book numerous hotels and villas, such as this vintage villa by the sea erected in 1920s. Dubrovnik is rich in beaches, meaning it can fulfill your dreams about getting married barefoot watching sunset, surrounded by your loved ones. Another very special wedding venue is Cave Bar of the More Hotel in which during the building of the hotel, the builders accidentally found a cave and decided to make it a part of the hotel’s interior. The interior of the hotel bar is inside the cave, and its outside terrace stretches out to the sea.

Find your route to Dubrovnik here.

Learn more about Dubrovnik here.

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The earliest signs of civilisation on Hvar date back to Neolithic times and the so-called Hvar Culture of 3500 – 2500 BC. These estimates by archaeologists are based on artifacts and painted pottery in the caves of Grapceva and Markova Spilija, both of which can be visited today. Examples of the finds are displayed in the excellent Heritage Museum in Hvar Town.

Given its prominent position on a busy sea route, it is perhaps surprising that the island was not settled earlier than 384 BC, when the Ancient Greeks founded the settlement of Pharos (modern-day Stari Grad). The Ionian Greeks, the Parans, were in search of a base for military and trade expansion and the deep bay at Pharos offered the best protection. While there is some evidence of Greek heritage in present-day Stari Grad, the most striking remnant is the UNESCO-protected Stari Grad Plain, a superbly preserved 80-hectare agricultural colony still in use today. Those 8 hectares of land became what is today known as HORA or AGER (“Ager Pharensis” in Roman times, or “Chora Pharou” at the time of the Greeks), and is the largest of all such plains on the Adriatic islands.

With the decline of the Syracuse Empire, Pharos enjoyed a brief period of local rule under Demetrius of Hvar, who kept the Romans at bay until they finally smashed the walls of Pharos in 229 BC. The Romans used the island as a strategic and logistical base, keeping their boats in the protected bays of the Scedro and the Pakleni Islands. Roman holiday houses sprang up in the bays close to fresh water, most notably in Hvar, Stari Grad and Jelsa. Archaeological finds confirm that the islanders were engaged in an existence of wine growing, fishing and trade.

Austrian rule was stable and brought prosperity, most notably in the development of health tourism on the island, with the founding of the Hvar Hygienic Society in 1868. The oldest meteorological station in Croatia was also established in 1858. Austrian rule also brought infrastructure improvements to the island, with all the ports rebuilt, new lighthouses, malaria-infested marshland reclaimed, and a road connecting Jelsa to Pitve and Vrisnik in 1907. The old road from Jelsa to Hvar did not appear until the 1930s, and previous travel options were ship or 8-hour donkey ride.

Hvar was named as one of the top 10 most beautiful islands in the world by readers of Conde Nast back in 1997. Major investments in the town’s hotels and the upgrading of cultural treasures such as the Arsenal and the oldest public theatre in Europe has meant that Hvar is once more a major luxury tourism destination on the Croatian coast.

Hvar, the cradle of Croatian tourism, celebrated 150th anniversary of tourism.

Hvar’s geographic position, its favourable climate, clear sea and rich cultural heritage favoured the development of the organised tourism in the distant 1868, when the Hvar Hygienic Society was founded. It was opening the gate to make it the most important branch of the town economy and bringing Hvar to the fame of a worldwide known tourist destination visited by most demanding and famous visitors from all over the world. The 150th anniversary of the oldest organised tourism in Europe was celebrated in some style in 2018.

Hvar Town

One of the jewels of Croatian tourism, Hvar Town is the capital and largest settlement of the island of the same name. Its rich Venetian architecture harks back to its glorious cultural past, while people watching on the largest square in all Dalmatia is a very popular activity today. The rich cultural heritage which includes the oldest public theatre in Europe continues today with the Hvar Summer Festival, whose locations include the Franciscan Monastery, Veneranda, the Arsenal and theatre, and Hanibal Lucic garden. Don’t forget to climb to the Spanish Fortress for fabulous views of the town and Pakleni Islands.

Hvar’s iconic waterfront, or riva, is among the most exclusive on the Adriatic, where backpackers and superyachts mingle in this most egalitarian of towns. Don’t miss the daily water taxis to the gorgeous Pakleni islands, which offer a range of activities, from beaches and nightlife, sailing and kayaking, to art galleries and fine dining.

Indulge in the restaurants and wine bars of Hvar Town, famed for their excellence in preparing local specialties such as Hvarska Gregada, as well as a wider the Mediterranean and international menu.

How to reach Hvar

Boat

Hvar is connected with the mainland by boat lines:

Split – Stari Grad; Drvenik – Sućuraj; Split – Hvar.

Catamaran connection: Split – Hvar/Hvar – Split, regularly.

Catamaran connection: Split – Jelsa/Jelsa – Split, daily.

Catamaran connection: Split Airport – Stari Grad/Stari Grad – Split, regularly (until September 15).

Ferry connection: Split – Stari Grad/Stari Grad – Split, daily, regularly.

Ferry connection: Drvenik – Sućuraj/Sućuraj – Drvenik, daily, regularly.

Hvar is connected to the mainland and other islands through four harbors, only two of which allow for cars. The main car ferry terminal is near Stari Grad, a 20-minute drive from Hvar Town, and there are regular ferries throughout the year from Split, as well as from Italy during the peak season. On the eastern tip of the island, Sućuraj has a regular 30-minute crossing to Drvenik, useful if you are coming from Dubrovnik and the south. The onward drive to Hvar Town is about 90 minutes.

Hvar Town is well served with regular catamarans to and from Split, as well as onward boats to Korčula daily, and Vis once a week. The town of Jelsa has a daily catamaran from Split via Bol. In 2019, a new private catamaran service was introduced, connecting Split Airport to Stari Grad, with a one-hour transfer.

Plane

Hvar has a small airfield in the UNESCO Stari Grad Plain. While there are no scheduled flights, private planes up to six passengers can land there. There is currently no seaplane service to the island.

Find your route to island Hvar here.

Find your villa for rent on island Hvar here.

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We can all agree that 2020 was totally unpredictable year that shook the economy, especially tourism industry. Full of history and its natural wonders, Croatia has been ranked among the 20 most desirable destinations in 2021, according to the survey conducted by The US Virtuoso association of travel agencies that organize luxury travel. It’s also been published that Croatian National Tourist Board and the European Association of Travel Agencies and Tour Operators (ECTAA) have signed an agreement by which Croatia will have the status of “Preferred Destination” in 2021, i.e., the “Selected Destinations” of the umbrella European Association of Travel Agencies and Tour Operators. Also, USA Today, one of the most popular American dailies, published a list of the 100 most desirable travel destinations in 2021, and Croatia sits in the high 11th place. Travel Daily News portal in the article “Below Deck Mediterranean: Most Instagrammable locations” mentioned Croatia, where among the most beautiful locations around the world alongside Santorini, Capri, Cannes and Mallorca, is beautiful Dubrovnik.

The emphasis will go to the safety and proximity of Croatia as a tourist destination, the richness of Croatian tourism, unique heritage, beautiful nature, and diverse gastronomy, highlighting the diversity of travel and tourism products that the country offers. CNTB and ECTAA will work hand in hand to not only promote Croatia as one of the most attractive destinations in Europe but also as one of the safest. Next year, Black Tomato predicts Croatia to be quieter than ever. Devoid of the usual cruise ships and throngs of tourists, Spring 2021 offers a rare chance to have this usually-heaving destination all to oneself, making it a top destination for 2021.

Croatian National Tourist Board (CNTB) is currently implementing a new campaign for Croatian tourism in 2021 across social media, called “Croatia Full of New Beginnings” combined with the label Croatia Wish List 2021, which aims to promote Croatia through new beginnings and positive wishes. Goal is to maintain the visibility and presence of Croatia on its most important emitting markets by presenting more undiscovered locations and proposals for planning a holiday.

In addition to the above, according to Lonely Planet, here are some reasons to visit Croatia in 2021.:

Coastal Croatia

Croatia’s extraordinary island-speckled coastline is indisputably its main attraction. The first thing that strikes you is the remarkable clarity of the water. When it’s set against a dazzling white pebbly beach, the water sparkles with a jewel-like intensity in shades of emerald and sapphire. But Croatia does not offer only sandy and pebble beaches. For those who worship pure nature there are plenty of rocky beaches and secret coves. On top of that, adventurous visitors can enjoy water-based activities like snorkelling, diving, kayaking, windsurfing and sailing.

The Edge of Empires

Precariously poised between the Balkans and central Europe, Croatia sits on a land that has been passed between competing kingdoms, empires and republics for millennia. If there’s an upside to this continual dislocation, it’s in the rich cultural legacy that each has left behind. Venetian palaces snuggle up to Napoleonic forts, Roman columns protrude from early Slavic churches, and Viennese mansions face off with Socialist Realist sculpture. Excellent museums showcase treasures that cover the gamut of European history, from the prehistoric to the post communist, telling a story that is in equal parts fascinating and horrifying.

Beauty on the Inside

Shift your gaze for just a moment from the glittering waters and chances are an almighty mountain will loom into view. The Dinaric Range, which stretches all the way from Italy to Albania, hugs much of the coast. The limestone karst has bequeathed a wonderland of craggy peaks, caverns, river canyons, waterfalls and ridiculously picturesque lakes. Head further inland and things flatten out again into rolling farmland. Active types will find plenty of chances to get among it on the numerous hiking and biking trails, while the more adventurous can have a go at rock climbing, rafting and zip-lining. Croatia counts 8 National Parks and 12 Nature Parks!

Cultural Feast

If you’re lucky enough to cross the tourist/guest barrier and be invited into a local’s home, you’ll soon become acquainted with the refrain ‘Jedi! Jedi! Jedi!’ (Eat! Eat! Eat!). Sharing food and drink plays a big part in the culture here, which speaks both to the nature of Croatian hospitality and to the quality of local produce. Simple, home style cooking is a feature of family-run taverns, but increasingly a new breed of chefs are bringing a more adventurous approach to the table. Meanwhile, Croatian wines and olive oils are making their mark on the world stage, garnering top awards. The diversity of Croatian cuisine provides something satisfying for everyone.

Find Croatia’s top destinations in 2021 here.

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