ALH TIMES - 2017 edition

i s s u e 2017

w elcome

ALH TIMES the official adriatic luxury hotel s periodical

During February and March this year, the City of Dubrovnik once again became a huge outdoor film set. page 28

c r oat i a n s h a k e s p e a r e

lo n ge s t fo r tif y in g wa l l sys tem in euro pe

ta s t e s o f d u b r o v n i k

Marin Držić

Ston City Walls

Green Market

Marin Držić is considered the greatest Croatian playwright of all time, one of the most eminent Croatian writers in history, as well as one of the key authors of European Renaissance comedy.

In previous issues of ALH Times we mentioned two good reasons to leave your beach lounger and visit the small city of Ston on the northern edge of the Dubrovnik-Neretva region.

Strolling through these town markets, typically held outdoors in a central square, gives visitors an unparalleled glimpse into the day-to-day life of locals.

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content

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Content h i g hl i g ht s

new blockbuster “Robin Hood: Origins” with an impressive lists of Hollywood stars, including Jamie Foxx, Jamie Dornan, Taron Egerton and Eve Hewson.

phrases and their pronunciation for easier communication with the locals.

Good luck!

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The Croatia’s Shakespeare

Karaka

30 Grebeni Lighthouse

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Rum Zacapa

Konavle Tips

Renaissance Football Graffiti

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Dubrovnik Top Instamoments — Tiramole

Great Ston Walls

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Life According to Kawa

Dubrovnik Green market

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Robin Hood Story We bring you the press conference with director Otto Bathurst and executive producer E. Bennett Walsh. Read on how Dubrovnik transformed in the legendary town of Nottingham and became a major scene for filming the

44 8 Dubrovnik summer don’ts

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Mljet — Dive into happiness Dare to follow the route of ancient Greek galleons, Ulysses and Jacques Cousteau into the purest waters of the Adriatic and explore the amazing underwater world of the National Park Mljet.

Corallium Rubrum

This year we are marking 450 years of legacy of our greatest playwright, one of the most eminent Croatian writers, as well as one of the key authors of European Renaissance comedy - Marin Držić.

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Pardon my Croatian – green market Try to say Balančane? Hard, right? Well if you ever want to buy some at our green market, we bring you some useful

50 10 fun facts about Croatia you’d never have guessed If you ever visited Croatia then you are probably familiar with our culture, food, coast and people. But did you know that the necktie has its origin in Croatia?

Yeah, we thought so; this is why we will add this little fun fact list about Croatia to tease your knowledge!

r e g u la r colu mns 04 News 06 Dubrovnik — a Mediterranean treasure 08 The short list 10 Dubrovnik Quintessentially 23 Dubrovnik as a Stage 24 dream-haves / Fashion 26 Dubrovnik Summer Festival 39 Events in Dubrovnik 45 Delicious Secret Dubrovnik recipes 46 ALH Kitchen confidential 54 Adriatic Luxury Hotels

Impressum Publisher: Adriatic Luxury Hotels, Jadranski Luksuzni Hoteli d.d. | Masarykov put 20 | 20 000 Dubrovnik | Phone: +385 (0)20 300 350 | Fax: +385 (0)20 300 319 E-mail: marketing@alh.hr | www.adriaticluxuryhotels.com Editor in Chief: ALH Sales & Marketing Team | Design and pre-press: Negra Nigoević | Photo credit: Adriatic Luxury Hotels archive, Clara Stones Jewellery, The House of Marin Držić, Ston City Walls: Društvo prijatelja dubrovačke starine – Photo: Ljubo Gamulin, Maria Concept Store, Grgo Jelavić/Pixsell – Robin Hood, Blue Planet Diving Centre, Aquatica Diving Centre, Dubrovnik Summer Festival, Šime Fabris | Advertising: Silvija Valjalo | e-mail: silvija.valjalo@alh.hr | Tel: +385 (0)20 300 317 | M: +385 (0)91 430 1508 Printing copies: 15 000 | Print: Alfa-2 ©Adriatic Luxury Hotels May, 2017

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News

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alh

We welcome you to our hotel group! Adriatic Luxury Hotels (ALH) is a management company managing most luxurious hotels and villas in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Currently, our portfolio consists of altogether 12 properties. Find out more about our properties and, maybe, your next holiday destination on page 54.

A r e you r e a dy f or th e gr a n d r e ope n i ng of th e r e va m pe d Ho t e l E xce l sior i n Du brov n i k ?

The iconic Excelsior Hotel, set in coveted location just steps from the Old Town, has long seduced visitors with its natural beauty and dramatic vistas of Dubrovnik. This beloved century-old landmark now begins a new chapter in its storied history. After an extensive renovation and refurbishment, the hotel opened its doors this May, revealing 158 beautifully redecorated rooms and suites, a transformed lobby, lavishly redesigned Abakus Piano Bar and Terrace and new fine dining restaurant Sensus.

What remains unchanged is the magnificence of the setting: impeccable service, a private beach and three restaurants, all offering cinematic views of the Adriatic, as well as an indoor swimming pool in a glamorous spa and fitness centre.

Here the same wonderful story is told every day. Here you know what to expect and are still eager to see what the new day will bring. Historic but yet modern, old memories are blended, harmoniously, in a world where time is suspended. With its prestigious location, just steps from the UNESCO Old City of Dubrovnik, Hotel Excelsior is ready to show its revamped grandeur as one of the most lavish hotels on the Adriatic.

R ej u v e nat e you r se lf w i th S i s l e y Spa produc t s at E xce l s ior’s E n e rgy Cl i n ic Spa a n d W e ll n e s s ce n t r e

We are delighted to announce that the Energy Clinic has teamed up with one of the most prestigious French cosmetic brands – SISLEY - bringing their products, for the very first time, to Dubrovnik and Croatia exclusively at Hotel Excelsior. Guests staying at Excelsior hotel will benefit from the unique “savoir faire” and experience of this prestigious brand, best known for its use of essential oils and plant extracts to create highly effective products of the highest possible quality. You are welcome to discover Sisley’s signature Phyto-Aromatic Treatments and let yourself be transported to a wonderful sensorial world.

Tip SISLEY face and body products for personal use can be purchased at the Energy Clinic Spa shop.

N e w a ddi t ion t o ou r cu l i na ry off e r — F i n e di n i ng r e s tau r a n t S e ns us

M ich e l i n gu i de r e com m e n de d

We invite you to visit our newly opened restaurant Sensus, and enjoy contemporary cuisine in an inviting space at Hotel Excelsior with spectacular Old Town views.

Hidden from the outside world on a 30-metre high cliff, the Hotel Bellevue’s restaurant, Vapor, is a must-taste dining experience for gourmet visitors to Dubrovnik.

Reserve the chef ’s table and enjoy a unique culinary masterpiece of a 9-course meal, prepared for you by our Executive chef Petar Obad and his team. Or, if you would like to try something less ambitious, we recommend our 5-course tasting menu… Interested?

We are proud to say that, for the very first time in its history, the prestigious gastronomic guide Michelin has published a selection of top restaurants in Croatia among which, Restaurant Vapor was also listed.

Find out more on more on page 49.

Please continue to read more about our renowned restaurant Vapor on page 48.

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dubrovnik — a mediterranean treasure

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Dubrovnik a Mediterranean Treasure At the southern tip of Croatia’s long coastline, Dubrovnik has long been known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, but it is in fact one of the great sights of the Mediterranean, rightly designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In addition to its natural beauty and rich history, Dubrovnik’s cultural events and diverse programme of attractions and activities in all seasons, make Dubrovnik the perfect destination for sightseeing, sport, cultural events or simply relaxing in a beautiful Mediterranean setting.

For many centuries Dubrovnik was an independent Republic, a proud cultural centre and an important Mediterranean trading power.

Although no longer politically independent, it remains a centre of culture and tourism - a city of museums and galleries, famous for its annual Summer Festival, an international celebration of outstanding music and theatre.

Add to all this the seductive charm of a balmy Mediterranean climate and coastal scenery of incomparable beauty, and you have a powerful magnet for international tourism.

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Dubrovnik is more than a city. A perfect combination of past, present and future, of culture, heritage and natural beauty, it offers a unique experience and unforgettable holidays. No wonder it has become the latest must-see Mediterranean destination.

The enchantment starts with the panoramic view of the Old Town of Dubrovnik, glimpsed first from the winding road that brings you to town from the airport. Rare are the cities that can boast a comparable location, or such well-preserved medieval walls.

These ancient fortifications were built with good reason - conquerors have always been attracted to Dubrovnik’s beauty and wealth, even as recently as the last decade of the 20th century. But now Dubrovnik’s walls teem not with soldiers, but tourists and open-air theatre performers.

Half a million people visit the city every year, to experience its fascinating historic attractions. Dubrovnik is itself a living museum, a treasure trove of Baroque, Renaissance and medieval churches and palaces.

The people of Dubrovnik are immensely proud of their city.

They love their beautiful coastline, the sparkling emerald and sapphire hues of the clear sea as it crashes against the rocks of countless bays and coves, and the cliffs of lush subtropical vegetation. And they love the warm southern climate. With more than 250 days of sunshine a year, Dubrovnik sunbathes even in winter, when the orange and

lemon trees are filled with fruit. The average temperature is 10°C in winter and around 26°C in summer.

Dubrovnik’s long history of renowned visitors starts with Richard the Lionheart, crusader king of England, whom legend claims visited here in the 12th century.

The city’s guest book includes royalty, statesmen, athletes, actors, artists, and musicians of every nation. Edward and Mrs. Simpson, Queen Elizabeth II, King Olaf, Margaret Thatcher, Edward Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Michael Douglas and Catharine Zeta Jones, Richard Gere, Nick Nolte and Tom Cruise are just some of the great names who have walked the shining marble stones of the Old Town Stradun.

Many celebrities anchor their luxury yachts just outside the Old Town, in front of the island of Lokrum. Roman Abramović, Paul Getty, Bill Gates, Caroline of Monaco, the King of Jordan and the Sultan of Oman are among those who value the privacy of their floating palaces.

Oligarchs and humble backpackers alike succumb to the seductive beauty of Dubrovnik.

Did you know?

The Dubrovnik Republic was one of the first countries in the world to recognise the newly independent United States of America, in 1776.

Richard the Lionheart, King of England, came to Dubrovnik in the autumn of 1192, on his return from the crusades. He took shelter from a storm on the island of Lokrum.

In 1296 the Dubrovnik Republic built a sewage system which is still in use.

The pharmacy in the Franciscan monastery in Dubrovnik has been operating continuously since 1317.

The Dubrovnik maritime insurance law (“Ordo super assecuratoribus”, 1568) is the oldest such law in the world.

Dubrovnik’s navy in the 16th century consisted of 40,000 sailors and more than 180 large ships, and was one of the most powerful in the Mediterranean.

Dubrovnik passed a resolution abolishing slavery and forbidding the transport of slaves on 27 January 1416, making it the first state in Europe to abolish slavery.

The orphanage founded at the Convent of St. Claire in 1432 was one of the first in the world.

Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice” and “The Taming of the Shrew” mention the term “argosy,” meaning “a boat from Dubrovnik.”

The first quarantine in the world was established in Dubrovnik in 1377. Travellers arriving from areas infected with contagious disease were separated and held in the quarantine until they were proven to be healthy.

When the Minčeta Tower was builtin 1464, the builders did not have enough stones to complete the building. Everyone arriving from Gruž or Ploče was required to bring with them the heaviest stone they could carry to contribute to the project.

Trsteno arboretum near Dubrovnik was founded in the 15th century and is the oldest arboretum in the world. Some of the plane trees are almost 400 years old.

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dubrovnik — the short list

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T H E REC T OR ’ S P A L A CE The unadorned simplicity of this Gothic-Renaissance palace may seem too modest for the affluence of the Dubrovnik Republic, but restraint was the style of those times, and this splendid building has survived explosions and earthquakes throughout the years.

The Rector of Dubrovnik lived in this palace during his one-month rule, separated from his family, and was only allowed to leave the building for official business. The atrium is a harmonious space, with Corinthian columns, galleries, a beautiful Baroque staircase and outstanding acoustics. It is often used for chamber music concerts.

The Short List

S T R A DUN Although its official name is Placa, everyone knows the main street of the Old Town as Stradun, the favourite promenade of every Dubrovnik resident and visitor.

Rebuilt after the earthquake of 1667, it is a broad axis of graceful and harmonious stone buildings, impressive in their simple dignity.

After the disaster, the devastated city needed to secure its defence quickly and ensure that life in the city would continue. Thus all the houses along the Stradun were rebuilt according to designs approved by the Senate of the Republic. Buildings along the Stradun were all rebuilt to a uniform height, with nearly identical facades, and similar layout, with shops on the ground floor, as trade was a top priority of the Republic of Dubrovnik.

Our guide to must-see Dubrovnik sights L OVRIJEN A C F OR T RESS

CI T Y WA L L S Dubrovnik’s most celebrated landmark is its city walls, a 1,940m stone curtain surrounding the old city. Much more than a simple wall, the strongest and most beautiful city fortification complex on the Mediterranean includes towers, bastions, castles and fortresses.

The outer dimensions have remained the same since the 14th century, but the structures themselves took shape gradually during the golden age of Dubrovnik - from the fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the great earthquake of 1667. Walking the ramparts is a magnificent introductory tour of the city.

Perched on a cliff 37 m above the sea, this fortress was built in the 16th century to protect the city from Venetian attack. On the fortress’ walls an historic inscription can still be read: Non bene pro toto libertas venditur auro. Freedom cannot be sold for gold. The fortress is often used as a performance stage during the Summer Festival, and makes a magnificent setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

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dubrovnik — the short list

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S P ON Z A P A L A CE All trade routes of the Dubrovnik Republic led to this building, one of the loveliest palaces in the city.

Constructed in a blend of late Gothic and Renaissance styles according to the designs of Paskoje Miličević, the palace successfully combines many styles and gives us a glimpse of the richness of the lavish palaces that stood in Dubrovnik before the 1667 earthquake. The arcaded courtyard was a lively trading centre and meeting place. One wing of the building housed the state mint, founded in the 14th century and operated within the Sponza Palace until the fall of the Republic. Today the palace is the seat of the Dubrovnik archive, which safeguards the city’s oldest documents and invaluable historical materials.

The square in front of the Sponza Palace is the site of the opening ceremony of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival each year; from the palace’s beautiful piano nobile terrace, actors dressed in costumes of Dubrovnik’s rector and noblemen evoke the spirit and noble traditions of the Dubrovnik Republic.

RO L A ND ’ S CO L UMN On the main square, between the Sponza Palace and Church of St. Blaise, stands a 15th century stone column with a sculpture of a warrior. The sculpture represents the knight Roland, who allegedly saved Dubrovnik from the Saracens and was deeply revered during the Dubrovnik Republic.

The white flag of the Republic was always flown proudly here.

MIN Č E T A F OR T RESS Dominating the city, and defying all enemies, this beautiful fortress is a symbol of Dubrovnik’s freedom. A smaller rectangular tower on this site dates from the 14th century, while the monumental round tower we know today was designed by the Florentine Renaissance architect Michelozzo Michelozzi and the Croatian Juraj Dalmatinac, and was completed in 1464. From the top of Minčeta tower, you can enjoy a stunning view of the town and surrounding areas.

C H URC H O F S A IN T B L A ISE This church is a symbol of the city of Dubrovnik and its protector and patron saint. It stands at the centre of the Old Town. Each year the city celebrates St. Blaise’s Day on February 3, in festivities attended by the citizens of Dubrovnik and visitors from many cities across Europe.

d u b r o v n i k q u i n t e s s e n t i a l ly

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Dubrovnik Quintessentially EX P L ORE Choose your own luxury adventure

01 D u b r o v n i k Ca b l e Ca r

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Walking the walls and enjoying the beach is always fun, but for a happening holiday packed with the best parties, bars and shops, you need some inside information. Let ALH Times be your guide to an oasis of chic, in a Dubrovnik you’ve never seen before.

Inside Tip It is less known that, the pharmacy still sells home-made, cold-pressed soaps and creams prepared of natural ingredients like olive, palm and almond oil, goat’s milk, lavender, rosemary, honey, lemon and crushed almond prepared according to 200-year-old recipes. Some of the products are Aqua Rosae, Aqua Rosmarini, Aqua Lavandulae, Gold Cream (wax and almond oil), cream of roses and rose oil, Rosemary Cream, Moisturizing cream with Almond, Wrinkle Proof cream (cocoa butter and bergamot oil), Lip Balm (wax and vanilla).

Ride up to the top of Mount Srđ and enjoy, without a doubt, the best view of the Old Town, the Adriatic Sea, and nearby islands, along with a coffee or cocktail. Up here, even the rainiest day makes inspiring scenery.

BRING H OME SOME T H ING S P ECI A L

Inside tip Wait a bit later in the day, and avoid the morning crowd – sunset makes the perfect time.

Unforgettable buys for everyone on your gift list

03 Deep blue treasures of Ca v tat a q u a r i u m

02 T h e pha r m a c y o f th e Franciscan Monastery o f th e F r i a r s M i n o r The pharmacy of the Franciscan Monastery of the Friars Minor in Dubrovnik is one of the inevitable components of every guide book or tour.

How could it not be, when founded in 1317 along with the monastery, it is one of the oldest in this part of the world.

(According to some, it is the third oldest, surpassed in age only by those in Baghdad and Padua). If measured solely by the continuous work, it is perhaps the oldest on the continent. In the beginning it was used only for the purposes of the monastery, but as the needs of the city expanded, so the pharmacy aided with the contributions of its citizens. It smelled of mint and sage and many other medicinal plants which the Franciscans used in preparing medicinal compounds. Their library holds quite a few pharmaceutical manuals with well-kept secret recipes and quite ordinary remedies. Among the manuscripts there are many formulas referring to elixirs that aimed to prolong youth, recipes for a good memory, but also those which, in their opinion, could preserve peace in marriage!

For scuba diving enthusiasts visiting Dubrovnik, it is worth the short drive to Cavtat. This area, once on the pathway of the main trading routes leading from Greece towards northern Italy and their colonies on the Adriatic coast is filled ancient shipwreck sites.

One such has the largest and best preserved cargo of amphora (vases carrying olive oil and wine) on the Eastern Adriatic coast, located at a depth of 27 meters. The wood of the ship is gone, only an anchor was found close to the site, but more than 600 undamaged amphorae from North Africa and the Aegean region have been documented on the surface layer, whereas the three site layers are assumed to contain more than 1800 pieces. The site has been preserved with the assistance of the Croatian Ministry of Culture, and the main site has been fenced in by a metal cage to guard against thefts as the amphorae are worth quite some money. Its estimated value on the black market is approximately 5 million £.

Inside Tip Only one diving centre has concession from the Croatian Ministry and the exclusive right to take tourists to this amazing “underwater museum” and that is Epidaurum Diving Centre whose owner of the company discovered this remarkable historical finding in 1996.

04 Sta r ta s t e n n i s s h o e s We’ve seen them on Vogue’s recommended list, in The New York Times’ features, on all kinds of blogs ... They are the playful, stylish, trendy Croatian sneaker brand proudly reclaiming its former cult status. Created 40 years ago in Vukovar, at a time when Western brands were scarce, they represent a culture of youth and fun; the Converse of Yugoslavia so to say. And it all lasted until dark 1991.

Rising from the demolition of war, Startas sneakers are slowly making a comeback. Their designs are fresh, inspired by tradition and culture, their models are hand stitched and made of natural materials, proudly standing above their cheaper mass produced counterparts.

Choose your pair on their instagram account at @startasusa or pick them up in their Old Town store – Borovo shoes, za Rokom 7 street.

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Ma r i n s k i H e a r t m a d e s

Ba j a d e r a

D u b r o v n i k B e llt o w e r

Bajadera is a praline candy made from fine nougat blended with almonds and hazelnuts, produced by the largest Croatian confectionary company, Kraš, since 1923.

The Bajadera box has been a staple gift when visiting friends and remains a definite go-to souvenir if you wish to bring someone a typical Croatian sweet. Other sure favourites from Kraš include Griotte, sophisticated cherry liqueur pralines, Dorina milk chocolate and Ki-Ki candies for your youngest family members.

Standing tall over Dubrovnik’s main street Stradun the belltower and its Jaquemarts (bell strikers) witness the life of the city which plays out underneath them. As of recently so can you as it has been opened to the public. Climb up, witness its past and share a “selfie” back dropped with Dubrovnik’s red-tiled roofs.

ceramics @Life according t o Ka w a This little fairytale-like world of handmade ceramics has its Dubrovnik address in Kawa store - one of our favourite go-to places for finding original Croatian design souvenirs. They come from a Rijeka-based family art studio of Marina Marinski in the form of playful serving bowls, cups, honey containers, planters and jewellery. Inspired by nature and happy childhood memories, every ceramic item is handmade with love and heart-warming artistic expressions, using traditional materials and techniques.

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You’ll get to taste them if you are staying in one of ALH hotels as “good night” sweets.

They await you at Ploče gate, on street number Hvarska 2.

10 T o p o f th e M o u n ta i n S r đ ( Ca b l e Ca r ) It is only when you see the Old Town from above you will be able to fully understand what people of Dubrovnik wanted to protect when they build the City Walls.

06 Dubrovnik for kids: A d v e n t u r e s o f Ma r o a n d Ba r o Maro and Baro are the main characters of Dubrovnik picture books by local designer Maro Krile. They are based on the two cast iron figures that guard Dubrovnik’s bell tower. Standing for centuries atop Dubrovnik’s main bell tower, and striking the bell with hammers every hour, the figures of Maro and Baro have witnessed the life of the city for centuries. In these picture books, they take you on adventures throughout the history of the Dubrovnik Republic. Pocked sized, and available in nine languages, they are a perfect keepsake for little ones.

You can find them in the following stores in the Dubrovnik Old Town: Dubrovnik museums (at the Rector’s Palace), Algoritam Multimedia Bookshop (second street from the Sponza Palace), Algebra bookshop (next to the Široka street).

CO L L EC T MEMORIES Travelling; it leaves you speechless; then turns you into a storyteller.

11 Pa r k Gr a dac Drop into the Game of Thrones “Red Wedding” filming spot, while keeping the west entrance to the Old Town and Lovrijenac fortress behind your back.

08 Wh e r e t o ta k e y o u r u lt i m at e D u b r o v n i k s e lf i e ?

12 V i c t o r i a L o u n g e Ba r This one truly comes with a hashtag #goodlife and the best strawberry mojito in town. Sometimes the best views really are sun-bathed city walls but sometimes Ryan Gosling sitting next to you really steals the show. #selfietime We would love to see how they turned out – tag us #ALHhotels

corallium rubrum

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R e d g o l d f r o m t h e A d r i at i c S e a

Corallium Rubrum It looks like a plant; it feels like a stone; it seems like a mineral, but in fact, it’s an animal. Always gladly used as a symbol in folk traditions and legends, it was given many names: the “daughter of the sea”, “flowering animal” and “divine creature”.

Red coral is considered the most beautiful of all corals.

It symbolizes love, loyalty, faith and obedience throughout the world and has served many purposes: as a gemstone, amulet, ornament, medicine, fertilizer, and even currency.

Ea r l i e s t r e c o r d s o f r e d c o r al According to ancient Greek legend, coral was formed from Medusa's blood. When Perseus cut off Medusa's head, he sat on the sea-bank to wash his hands and laid down the sack containing Medusa's head next to him. The blood from the head dripped into the sea. As the seaweed became covered with blood from Medusa’s head, it petrified and transformed into the impressive corals which are today known as red coral.

Red coral was considered a mineral, a stone and a plant because of its shape. Even though the Neapolitan alchemist and astrologer Filippo Finella claimed, during the 17 th century, that this stone or a plant was in fact an animal, hundred years later a French doctor Andre Peyssonnel was given credit for the discovery.

The first written records of coral harvest on the Adriatic date from the 13th century, precisely from 1412 when the first known coral divers originated from the island of Zlarin. They harvested corals and sold them to Naples and Sicily. The Dubrovnik Republic played an important

In the time of the Dubrovnik Republic, coral was considered a “girls’ best friend”, and because of its natural red colour, it was very valuable. It was a status symbol reserved only for the elite class and the richest.

Of the fifty-six species of coral in the Adriatic Sea, the most valuable and precious for the making coral and silver jewellery is red coral, located in the depths of central and southern Adriatic. Dubrovnik jewelry, in addition to its beauty, is known for the complexity of the workmanship.

Creating timeless pieces of jewelry made of silver and red coral has always been admired and sought after because of the precious coral elements.

role in commercializing coral, but the exclusive control over the Adriatic Sea coral fishing was held by Dalmatian people from the island of Zlarin, which had a fleet of 18 boats at the peak of red gold fever around 1900.

Harvesting This sea creature made almost entirely from calcium carbonate grows at a depth of 50-200 metres. At first, it was collected using sea vessels made specifically for fishing coral. Coral fisherman used heavy wooden planks in form of St. Andrew's cross, with nets hanging on the ends that were dragged along the rocky bottom to capture the precious treasure. This method, also used in times of the Dubrovnik Republic, was later abandoned since it damaged not only the sea ecosystem as a whole, but also the coral colonies as well.

Recent data indicate that around 20 tonnes of red coral a year were taken out from the Mediterranean Sea. Although many scientists still argue that red coral is not in danger, the reality is quite different. Unfortunately, because of its high value and constant harvest, the red coral has almost disappeared from shallow areas, so it is considered an endangered species. Therefore, the extraction of coral today is regulated by the government and is environmentally sustainable with a number of quotas per year and a limited number of valiant divers who dive from 60 to 100 meters below the surface to find and hand pick hidden branches of precious red coral.

Today we know that red coral is in fact a polyp colony belonging to the genus Corallium. Red coral or Corallium Rubrum is found only in Mediterranean Sea. It can be found from the Adriatic and Aegean Sea in the east to the west coasts of Atlantic in Portugal and the Canary Islands. Since the 1800s, the centre of coral in the world has been the town of Torre Del Greco in Italy.

C o r al s R u b r u m a s D u b r o v n i k ’ s t r a d i t i o n al j e w e ll e r y

— There are about 6000 known species of coral and the Adriatic Sea is home to 56, of which the red coral from the Corallium Rubrum genus is the most famous.

— As corals are considered endangered, coral diving is prohibited from 1 December to 1 April each year.

Ma n u fa c t u r e If you are interested in observing the creation of coral jewellery, be sure to visit Coral Concept store “Clara Stones Jewellery” – which includes a gallery and coral workshop in the heart of Dubrovnik’s Old Town. They provide a unique coral experience by sharing with you the whole processing of coral – revitalizing Adriatic coral manufacture while following sustainable practices and centuries’ old tradition. We are sure that you will certainly find a special piece in their collection to call your own.

corallium rubrum

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— Even when removed from the sea, red coral still seems irresistibly alive. It represents the captured moment of eternity whose branches have been carved by waves that preserve untold stories from the sea depths.

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I n t e r e s t i n g fa c t s v s . b e l i e f s — 01 — In the Greek legend of Perseus and Medusa, coral was formed by the blood Medusa’s severed which colored sea algae and turned them into a coral reef.

— 02 — Coral was found 30 000 years ago in Palaeolithic caves in Lausanne and in the jewels of a Sumerian queen 4000 years before Christ. Ornaments of corals were found in Celtic graves from the Iron Age. — 03 — In the ancient times, coral was considered the sacred stone of the goddess of love, Aphrodite.

— 04 — Zarathustra gave it a symbolic status of pure magic with infinite powers in protection against evil.

The ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans used it as jewelry; their palaces and the vessels were decorated with coral patterns.

— 05 — In Morocco, some tribes used coral beads as currency until 1800.

— 06 — In Christianity, coral symbolizes the blood of Christ and sacrifice, because it was believed that corals are not ordinary animals, but the work of God. Coral is considered an amulet against evil and often painted above the Virgin.

— 07 — Corals radiate, and this radiation is associated with the planet Mars that affects body temperature, bone marrow, and the central nervous system.

— 08 — In ancient Croatian legend, corals were described as delicate flowers that petrify the moment they are taken out of the sea. It was also considered that corals should be placed around the wrist when a little girl is born, as a protection from spells.

— 09 — It is believed that corals have healing powers for curing anaemia, circulatory diseases, infections and infertility. In addition, red coral is believed to protect child-bearing women and an unborn child from diseases, infections and spells.

— 10 — According to beliefs, this irresistible stone is associated with happiness in marriage. Before the wedding, brides would often decorate themselves with coral jewelry.

— 11 — Some beliefs indicate red coral as a symbol of motherhood. It protects the baby and enables its healthy development. The red color of love affects the child emotionally and after childbirth it follows him all his life.

— 12 — Today it is a common custom in many nations for new-born children to be given a coral bracelet, because corals pale when body temperature is elevated so they are an excellent indicator of fever in a child.

marin držić

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Marin Držić (1508 — 1567)

Marin Držić is considered the greatest Croatian playwright of all time, one of the most eminent Croatian writers in history, as well as one of the key authors of European Renaissance comedy.

M a r k i n g t h e 4 5 0 th a n n i v e r s a r y o f t h e d e at h o f CROATIA ’ S S h a k e s p e a r e

In this 450th anniversary tribute to the genius of Croatia’s great comic dramatist, we will paint you the background scene of Renaissance Ragusa.

Marin Držić’s lifetime coincided with the golden age of the Republic of Ragusa (Dubrovnik), which was founded in 1358 and maintained its independence and sovereignty until 1815. The Republic extended from Sutorina, on the border of present day Montenegro, to Neum (Bosnia and Herzegovina), and included the island of Mljet, the Elaphiti islands, the island of Lastovo and the Peljesac Peninsula. At its peak, the town itself had around 6,000 inhabitants and population of the Republic was no more than 40,000 souls.

Ragusa was one of the great maritime powers of the day, with a fleet of 180 ships, nearly a hundred shipbuilders 33 of them from the island of Lopud – and approximately 4,000 active seafarers. The shores of the nearby Ombla River (Rijeka Dubrovačka) and the island of Šipan were the locations favoured by wealthy Ragusans for some 300

splendid country mansions set among olive groves and well-kept vineyards, where noble families would spend their summers. These families also maintained fine palaces and other Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance residences in town Sadly, most of these were destroyed by the great earthquake of April 6th 1667, after which the town acquired the essentially Baroque look that is visible today.

The power of the Republic was founded in trade. One fifth of the European silver trade was carried out in Ragusa, and the Republic was an important political player on the international stage, its neutrality guaranteeing it a presence in every court. Thanks to its famously effective intelligence service and a well-developed network of trading colonies, consulates and agents in courts across Europe, Ragusa sailed the stormy seas of international politics with remarkable success, maintaining trade links with all warring parties. By the end of the 16th century, Ragusa had 50 consulates, mostly in Italy, but also extending from Cadiz to Alexandria via Valencia, Mallorca, Crete and Malta. While other states employed their own citizens

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as consuls, Ragusa preferred to use well-connected and influential local citizens, a system later to be known as ‘honorary consuls’.

Ragusa even had two representatives in Constantinople, known as “tribute envoys”, among whose responsibilities was payment of the annual tribute of 12,500 ducats that the Republic had been paying since 1440, before the Turkish invasion of eastern Europe. It was a small tax to pay, considering that Ragusan trade in territories under Ottoman rule brought in some 2 million ducats a year. The tribute is estimated to have consumed no more than 2 percent of the interest on the Republic’s deposits in Italian banks at the time.

The ruling aristocracy of Ragusa modelled their state on a Platonic ideal, which may not seem wholly admirable today, with its concept of three social classes - gold, silver and brass – that must never mingle. However, minorities were also accepted. The Republic did not allow the Inquisition to operate in its territory, and welcomed Sephardic Jews, who were persecuted in Spain, inside the city walls.

Ragusa’s Ghetto, a small area of two streets near the main square, is home to one of the oldest synagogues in Europe.

Recently renovated, the synagogue and adjacent museum are open to visitors.

Most European countries were monarchies, but northern Italian city-states such as Genoa, Florence and Venice provided a model for the Ragusans. Both aristocrats and commoners took part in the government of Genoa, and Držić cited this in his objections to the Ragusan system, which bore a closer resemblance to Venice’s aristocratic regime. All Ragusan noblemen who were of age were members of the Grand Council. They elected the Senate and the Small Council was elected from the members of the Senate. The head of all these administrative bodies was the Duke, or Rector. Unlike the Doge of Venice, who held office for life, the Rector of Ragusa ruled for only one month, after which he could not be re-elected for two years. The Rector’s position was honorary and he lived in the Palace, leaving its confines only on rare occasions.

In this elaborate way, Ragusa sought to prevent individuals from becoming entrenched in power and abusing their position, and to avoid the concentration of power in the hands of one person, family or clan, as was the case with the Medici dynasty in Florence. Only one member of each family was elected to the Small Council.

Other state posts were also short-term appointments of one or two years. State supervisors oversaw the administration and there was a special body to supervise all those who managed state funds. The Senate managed all the internal and external affairs of the Republic, with each aristocrat filling ten or more different positions during his lifetime. But state officials were not particularly well paid, nor were they permitted to conduct private business in the territory under their control. Merchant families were generally wealthier, and thus content to be excluded from the political process.

The Republic of Ragusa won independence from Venice in 1358 and kept its independence for nearly half a millennium, until 1815.

All the world’s a stage. Držić directed troupesof actors who performed his comedies in Dubrovnik’s Town Hall and outside the Rector’s Palace.

Držić wrote in many genres: poetry, pastorals, comedies, political letters and pamphlets. His pastorals and comedies are still highly regarded as masterful examples of the genre, and are considered among the best in Renaissance European literature. Filled with exuberant life and vitality, they celebrate love, liberty and sincerity, while ridiculing avarice, egoism and petty tyrants - both in the family and in the state. Držić was trained and ordained as a priest in spite of his rebellious temperament; he was extroverted and had a warm personality. He held various positions - as Rector of the University of Siena in Tuscany, interpreter, scrivener and church musician.

T H E L EG A CY O F M A RIN DR Ž I Ć

Marin Držić and his comedies can compete with the works of the world’s greatest comic dramatists.Perhaps the best proof of that is the fact that they are performed to this day; moreover, contemporary audiences are captivated by their dynamism and relevance to today’s world. The masterful drama magnificently developed comic characters, successful situational comedy and discourse, enhanced by the knowledge that his works were strongly influenced by real life. These works reflect themes of human destiny, as well as ironic comments and an overt personal vision of the world, which in some works develops into a genuine critical utopia.

Držić’s famous cult comedies, including Uncle Maroje, A Story of Stanac, Skup and Pomet (a prose comedy), and pastorals such as Grižula and Tirena, made him one of our greatest writers.

— The works of Marin Držić have been translated into more than 18 languages so far and more are in progress.

— His works usually enjoy a central role in the annual Dubrovnik Summer Festival.

— Dubrovnik’s theatre is named after this great comedy writer to whom the Croatian theatrical history owes everlasting gratitude. Even today, you have the chance to watch the characters from Držić’s comedies and be a part of its famous theatre repertoire.

— Držić’s works also inspired some of the greatest Croatian composers to compose accompanying music. Some of the very popular Renaissance masterpieces of Marin Držić, such as A Story of Stanac, Pomet and Uncle Maroje, inspired many Croatian composers to write musical verses and compose operas that were performed not only in Dubrovnik and Croatia but also at many international theatres.

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Although he was not alone among European writers of this type, Držić was among the earliest of the age and a pioneer of the form.

Consider the fact that Shakespeare was only three years old at the time Držić died.

Molière, the great French comic dramatist, was born a whole century after Držić.

A century and a half passed from his death until the appearance of Carlo Goldoni.

T H E H OUSE O F M A RIN DR Ž I Ć The House of Marin Držić, a cultural institution of the City of Dubrovnik, was founded in 1989 and is dedicated to the life and work of this great Croatian playwright. It is located adjacent to the St. Domino Church, in a building erected after the earthquake in 1667, partly on the site of the destroyed house and previous All Saints Church, of which Držić was a rector in accordance with family law.

Today, the building houses a small museum whose permanent exhibition serves as a place of memory of this Dubrovnik Renaissance writer. Due to his multiple journeys – first, mainly to Italy and later to Vienna and Istanbul – Držić was familiar with wider European cultural heritage, but his entire literary work was based on the tradition of the city-state from which he originated.

Inside the Marin Držić house, the themes of his life are interpreted by different techniques. Phases of his life, from his birth in 1508 to his death in 1567, are marked on the staircase; family and genealogical tree; Držić’s conspiratorial letters; reconstructions of object collections made on the basis of Držić’s promissory note; references to the author’s theatre characters through costumes.

These exhibits transform the place where Držić spent some of his time to a place of inspiration for the visitors.

Years of Držić’s life (1508 – 1567) are marked on the staircase in the home of Marin Držić.

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Years of Držić’s life

1508

1542

Marin Držić, later nicknamed Vidra, was born in Dubrovnik into a merchant family of plebeians (nobility).

His father Marin and mother Anukla, born Kotruljević, had another five sons and six daughters. The best known among them was Vlaho (1503-1567), a painter.

The Siena police investigated a play performed in a private home. Držić, the chancellor, was among those who took part in the play in the role of the lover. The participants were severely punished, because gatherings in private homes had been prohibited since the Spanish occupation. The authorities nevertheless treated Držić benignly, because of his high social position.

1526

According to the minutes of the Archdiocesan Office dated 12 April, “the Dubrovnik cleric Marin Držić” was appointed one of two rectors of the All Saints’ Church in Dubrovnik, better known as Domino Church. The document, which describes in detail the taking over of the rectorate, is the oldest known document which includes precise information about Marin Držić’s life.

1538 The family of Marin Držić had financial problems; because of a five thousand ducat debt, they sold the family house, situated in the vicinity of the Rector’s Palace, at auction for 1000 ducats. On the last day in February of 1538, “Vijeće umoljenih” (the Senate) unanimously appointed Marin Držić as organist at the Cathedral (St Mary’s Church) with a temporary salary of 100 perpers per year. However, already on 24 August of that same year, the Senate granted Marin Držić an additional amount of 30 ducats to support his studies in Siena, Italy.

1541

The first piece of information about Držić in Siena is dated 12 June 1541, when the Senate voted and the Council appointed him Dominus Marinus Raugeus Chancellor of the House of Wisdom (Casa della sapienza) and Vice-Chancellor of Siena University.

1545

Without graduating from Siena University, Držić returned to Dubrovnik. In order to travel the world, as he later claimed, Držić came into the service of the esteemed Austrian Count Kristof von Rogendorf, accompanying him as a cameriero on the way to Vienna.

1546 Držić remained in Vienna about three months. Convinced he was not fit for this service, he left Rogendorf, and retuned to Dubrovnik via Celovec and Venice. Late in August, Rogendorf returned to Dubrovnik, determined to go to Constantinople this time, after new disputes with the Court. He engaged Držić again in the role of interpreter. Travelling through Novi Pazar, they reached Constantinople late in September.

1547 Early in January Držić came back to Dubrovnik. The authorities interrogated him in order to find out details about the activities of Count Roendorf and Marin Zamanja, the pro-Spanish oriented aristocrat and friend of Držić, who was actually the one who recommended him to Rogendorf.

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marin držić

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1548

1554

1562

In front of the Rector’s Palace, the Pomet Theatre Company performed the comedy Pomet, the text of which has been lost. Marin was still a cleric, which is evident from the debt certificate in which he is mentioned as the creditor of Ðivo Marin Gundulić.

The Garzarija Theatre Company performed the partially preserved comedy Džuho Krpeta at the wedding of Rafo Gučetić. This is the period when Držić wrote Pjerin, Mande (or Tripče de Utolče) and Arkulin, of which only fragments have been preserved. Neither the venues nor the chronological order of performance of these comedies are known.

In December Marin Držić was in Venice where he was appointed the Archbishop’s curate.

1549

The pastoral play Tirena was premiered in front of the Rector’s Palace. Držić’s contemporaries and fellow-citizens accused Držić of plagiarizing the poet Mavro Vertanović.

The old poet himself joined those who defended Držić from false accusations by writing an important document entitled “A Poem of Support for Marin Držić”.

1550 Late in April or early in May, The Tale of Stanac was performed at the wedding of Martolica Hajdinov (Zamanjić). In May Držić was mentioned as a priest for the first time. That same year his father apparently died at a very old age.

1551 Two of his books were published in Venice (the only ones printed in his lifetime): Marin Držić’s Poems along with Many Other Fine Things, including, apart from lyrical and mainly love poems, The Tale of Stanac, A Story of the Goddess Venus Passionately Falling in Love with Adonis the Fair, and a special edition of “Tirena”. At that time, the Pomet Theatre Company also performed the comedy “Uncle Maroje” at the Rector’s Palace hall.

1555

The Njarnjas Company performed The Miser at the wedding of Sabo Gajčin.

1556 The pastoral comedy Grižula was performed at the wedding of the nobleman Vlaho Sorkočević.

1558 The city authorities opposed the performance of Hecuba, Držić’s adaptation of Dolce’s version of the tragedy of the same name by Euripides.

They banned it for the first time on 9 March, and later on 21 May with the explanation that «the current political situation does not permit any sort of disturbance».

1559

The Bidzar Theatre Company finally performed Hecuba.

This is the last precise data on the performance of Držić’s plays during his lifetime.

1566 Late in April or early in May Držić came to Florence and wrote seven letters to the Tuscan monarch Cosimo Medici, inviting him to use his political, diplomatic, personal, military and financial resources to help him overthrow the aristocratic regime of the Dubrovnik Republic. Držić elaborated his idea to carry out his revolutionary plan in the five letters written in his own hand in the Italian language from 2 July to 28 August (the fifth one was discovered in 2007). Having received no satisfactory reply, in the last two letters Držić claimed that he was giving up his plan, and announced his return to Dubrovnik in order to show the authorities that «the purpose of his four-month sojourn in Florence was pleasure».

1567 According to the records of his descendant Jere Držić in the family genealogy in 1603, Marin died on 2 May 1567, and was buried in the Church of St John and Paul (Zanipolo).

However, his grave has never been found, and there is no death register or any other document that confirms this. Mavro Vetranović, Antun Sasin, Miho Monaldić and Sabo Bobaljević wrote poems commemorating the death of Marin Držić.

*Source: Hrvoje Ivanković; Extracts from

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‘Držić reminds us that man has not changed; instead, man is changing the world around him, but in all his essential aspects - love, hate, jealousy, gluttony, and envy – he remains the same. That’s what makes Držić a universal author.’

Apart from theatre programs, posters and photographs based on Držić’s works, the museum collection of the House of Marin Držić is comprised of portraits of contemporary painters, small format sculptures and objects of applied arts. Among many exhibited objects, there is one piece that we must especially point out - a document in the form of a promissory note by which Marin Držić pawned a group of objects in his private property, among which was a gold ring with a red stone. As an addition to the Držić collection, this year, the House of Marin Držić is exclusively exhibiting this extremely rare Renaissance gold ring dating from the 15 to 16th century, containing a natural, uncut polished ruby. People in those times believed it held magical powers.

The permanent collection and new exhibition develop the museum’s activities and present the artistic creativity related to the life and work of Marin Držić. The House of Marin Držić invites you to step into the past and learn about the importance of this Renaissance writer.

Be sure not to miss If you visit Držić’s house, don’t forget to visit the museum shop. You’ll find many interesting things such as Dubrovnik traditional jewellery, old maps and charts, books of Marin Držić and even a replica of Držić’s ruby ring.

2017 PROGR A MME HONOURING M A RIN DR ŽIĆ To mark the 450th anniversary of Držić’s death, the house of Marin Držić will be hosting a number of different programs during the year 2017. We’ll point out just few of them:

the chronology made after the works of F. Čale, P. Kolendić, L. Košuta, M. Pantić, M. Rešetar, J. Tadić, E. Stipčević and L. Kunčević.

DR ŽIĆ MEETS SHA KESPEARE July 6 at 21:30, Sponza Palace Admission free CELEBR ATING 450 YEA RS OF THE LEGACY OF THE GREAT RENAISSANCE PLAYWRIGHT MARIN DR ŽIĆ Selected scenes from Marin Držić’s comedy Dundo Maroje will be performed in English by the Midsummer Scene Festival Ensemble; Music by Plazarius - ensemble for early music

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b e s t d u b r o v n i k i n s ta m o m e n t s

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B e s t D u b r o v n i k I n s ta m o m e n t s

Tiramola ...

Did you know that this is one of the most photographed motives inside Dubrovnik Old Town?

Tiramola cro. a clothes hanging line suspended over the house facade or over the street, characteristic for old Dalmatian villages and city centres.

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Did you also know that most Croatians don’t own a clothes dryer? Especially the ones living on the coast.

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This is why: — you always know which day is Laundry day —

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— which kind of weather can you expect in the next few hours — — who lives there (undergarments say a lot ;) —

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It is not so much the matter of being able to afford it. Rather it is a mixture of: — mentality ‘my mother never used one, why should I’ — — the luxury of enjoying 2,715 hours of sunshine a year — — an opportunity to chat with the neighbour while hanging them— ... and in case of Dubrovnik Old Town, an always present issue of space – let us see you try to cram a dryer in a 2x2 meter bathroom ;)

... ... and that there are still people living in the shades of centuries-old walls who give Dubrovnik its character, warmth, authenticity and a sense of place.

life according to kawa

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Life According to Kawa

Introducing Wonderful T h i n g s M a d e b y C r o at i a n s

Dubrovnik is well known for its monumental ramparts, rich history, natural beauty, and recent forays into Hollywood & Bollywood - but a local boutique is helping put Croatian Design on the map, and in the process, transforming the neighbourhood just North of Lazareti.

From must-have handbags hand-stitched from top quality Italian leather to wooden phone cases, watches, sunglasses, backpacks, bowties, suspenders, and wallets, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to pick up unique accessories to compliment your wardrobe. Tip for the ladies, be sure to check out Mucca bags - you’ll fall in love with their simple straight lines and styling! The limited edition ties by Isola, Sheriff & Cherry sunglasses, and Urban watches are also popular.

For centuries, merchants and visitors from all over the world congregated in the medieval quarantine of Lazareti before being allowed to enter the Republic through its eastern gate. Nowadays, the neighbourhood North of Lazareti (nicknamed ‘NOLA’) is home to a selection of great Mediterranean eateries, world-class Japanese fusion cuisine, a traditional stone masonry, local watering hole, a lovely retro self-service launderette, and Life According to KAWA.

With its breezy views of the Old Harbour and convenient central location just minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Dubrovnik’s main street and city beach, KAWA offers a well curated and eclectic mix of small-batch design, Croatian craft beer, wine, hand-roasted coffee, local delicacies, souvenirs, cosmetics, books, bags, shoes, jewellery, clothing, artisanal ice cream, and concierge services.

Here’s what not to miss.

— C L O T H ING — When it comes to clothing, you’ll find unique one-off pieces and a rotating selection of tunics, dresses & tops from both indie and established Croatian designers.

We love the limited edition cotton t-shirts and streetwear (Hint: Happy Cevapi, GoT, & Tesla shirts will have strangers smiling at you the world over).

— IN T ERIOR & H OUSE —

— A CCESSORIES —

A shop set in a converted garage that sheltered locals during the war isn’t the type of place you’d expect to find yourself shopping during a visit to Dubrovnik. But with the help of a talented young architect from Sarajevo (Armin Mesic, fo4a.ba), the space was reimagined by a Croatian/Canadian couple into a modern and airy shop showcasing the very best from local designers and artisans.

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If you can tear your eyes away from the beautifully designed locally produced furniture (BTW, they ship internationally), you’ll find a wonderful mix of unique and original items that are certain to look great in your abode. From vintage style glassware decorative plates (Wallware), sculpted ceramics (Terra), wistful bowls & cups (Marinski Heartmades) to quirky canned illustrated dioramas exclusively made for KAWA by Croatian actor Vladimir Tintor. Just be careful, you might find yourself tempted to move in and camp for awhile!

— S H OES — Hip hand-crafted canvas sneakers recently featured in Vogue & InStyle magazine? We’re talking about Startas by Borovo of course! Best part? The sneakers are made in Vukovar, Croatia so you can pick up a pair or two at a fraction of the price you would pay stateside. Another great find are the stylish and comfortable hemp sneakers with cork soles made by Miret.

— KI T C H EN — With an abundance of fresh local ingredients and mixed cultural influences through the ages, it’s no surprise that Dubrovnik has a rich culinary history. What might surprise you is the variety of great gifts for your favourite foodie friends. From gorgeous recipe books created by local chefs, hand-made olive wood utensils & serving trays, to a fine selection of Croatian olive oils, world famous Istrian truffles, and salts.

— COSME T ICS — Organic handmade soaps, skincare, moisturizers, and men’s beard oils may sound a bit hipster but in reality, this is your chance to take advantage of some incredibly high-quality cosmetics. Locally sourced and without the high mark-up of international brands, you might end up back at home wishing you bought more. Cosmel, Azena, and Sapunoteka are highly recommended!

life according to kawa

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— DRINK — It’s hard to find good Croatian wine outside Croatia (it all gets drunk domestically) so be sure to try some local varieties! Sommelier Ana Jukic offers bespoke wine & foodie tours (insiderholidays.eu) and helped select her favourite and hard to find local wines for KAWA. Grab some chilled rose for your next beach picnic (piknikdubrovnik.com) or take a great wine home to share with your fellow oenophiles. Another tip, the Teranino liqueur is fantastic!

From IPAs to Blonde Ales (brewed by the first woman brewery collective in Croatia), beer lovers will be happy to discover a large selection of Croatian craft beer.

Where else can you enjoy a cold beer while shopping?

— F A BU L OUS L Y KI T SC H — In such a beautiful and well-curated shop, you might think there isn’t room for the fabulously kitsch. But you would be wrong. This place has a wonderful albeit small selection of baubles and decorative knick knacks.

— JEWE L RY — — GI F T BOXES & VI P S —

The shop is well stocked with distinctive pieces and styles to suit a wide range of tastes. From playful and fun jewelry (Sexy Plexy) to clean modern necklaces (Iva Stojkovic). You’ll also find local silver filigree, whimsical designs created by a biologist (Vicious Delicious), and stunning pieces made from 3500 year old fossilized oak (Woodoir).

— CO F F EE — You either love the local coffee scene or you miss your local coffee house. Regardless, you can find freshly ground single origin and select blends at KAWA. They do takeaway filter coffee and grind hand-roasted beans to your preference. Brewing kits and filters also available.

The shop offers lovely gift boxes and packaging. They can also ship internationally. So if you want to impress your next boss… or if you are looking for 100% unique Croatian gift boxes for events or even your wedding guests, your life just got a whole bunch easier. VIP private shopping with champagne and personal shoppers available upon request.

— F OOD — Croatia is well known for its olive oils, salt, and truffles but it’d be a shame to miss out on the other wonderful artisanal products available at KAWA. Our favourites include candied orange peels, hot sauces, smoked sea salt, delicious vegan & gluten free energy bars and natural ice cream, and of course hand-made chocolate bars!

KAWA is a wonderfully curated shop with a relaxed low-key atmosphere, jaw-dropping views, and very helpful and friendly staff. Don’t miss out and be sure to visit. If for nothing else, you’ll experience more of what Croatia has to offer. wor k i ng hou r s 9:00 - 00:00 (Season) 12:00 - 20:00 (Offseason) Payment cash, credit card T +385 20 696 958 | GSM +385 99 6680 145 E info@kawa.life www.facebook.com/KAWA.LIFE8 www.instagram.com/kawa.dubrovnik

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d u b r o v n i k a s s ta g e

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Dubrovnik as stage But with all the hype in Dubrovnik around Game of thrones, Star Wars and 'Robin Hood: Origins' some other multimillion dollar productions seem to have passed under the radar. For example, NBC used Dubrovnik as the backdrop for the critically acclaimed TV series Emerald City, the US television series Knightfall, directed

by Douglas MacKinnon and produced by the US A+E Television Networks filmed for three days on different locations in Dubrovnik.

However, Hollywood is not alone in its love for Dubrovnik as a film location. One of the world’s largest film centres, Bollywood, has come twice to film on location in Dubrovnik. The first production was Fan, starring Shahrukh Khan, the most famed and beloved Indian actor. A second was the film Prisoner no. 150, whose dance scenes were shot in Dubrovnik.

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International projects filmed in Dubrovnik over the last few years have greatly contributed to Dubrovnik’s popularity among tourists. Attractive locations used during filming greatly influence the perception tourists have of the country these films are shot in, hence making Croatia attractive for 'screen tourism': the affect the film industry has on tourism.

G A ME O F T H RONE s For those who may not have yet heard, (which seems impossible), Dubrovnik is the main filming location in Croatia for King’s Landing, the fictional city in Game of Thrones, one of the most popular TV series of all time, based on fantasy novels by George R.R. Martin.

The seventh season of the fantasy-drama television series Game of Thrones is set to premiere on HBO on July 16, 2017.

S T A R W A RS The next chapter in the Skywalker saga, Star Wars: Episode VIII was filmed in Dubrovnik. Stradun and the City Walls were used as locations for the filming of this epic American space opera, centred on the film series created by George Lucas. The latest of the Star Wars movies is called STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI. It was written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman with executive producers J. Abrams, Jason McGatlin, and Tom Karnowski. STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI is schedule for release December 15, 2017.

d u b r o v n i k a s s ta g e / fa s h i o n

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fa s h i o n

Dream-Haves With so many cameras rolling, make sure you are looking your best as you walk the streets of Old Town. This is what our ultimate fashion address “Maria Concept Store” has in store for you this summer.

Ma r i a l o o k — d a y Retro elegance is the perfect look for strolling the Old Town.

You have never looked cooler than in a combination of Marni jeans matched with a Stella McCartney silk blouse and gold Gucci accessories as “the” chic accent.

KNIG H T F A L L Knightfall is an upcoming historical fiction-drama television series on History, directed by Douglas MacKinnon and filmed for three days beneath the Pile gate bridge. This ten-episode drama series is set during the Crusades and explores the tales of the Knights Templar. The famous American actor Jeremy Renner is the producer and a guest star.

— maison michel —

— s t e lla m c c a r t n e y —

Tom Cullen (Downton Abbey) stars as Landry, a veteran warrior of the Crusades, who becomes the leader of the Templars and serves as the driving force behind their quest to retrieve Christianity’s most prized relic: The Holy Grail. A teaser trailer debuted on February 1, 2017 on History Channel.

— gucci —

EMER A L D CI T Y Described as a mixture of the Wizard of Oz and the Game of Thrones, Emerald City is an American fantasy television series developed for NBC

by Matthew Arnold and Josh Friedman, and based on the Oz book series written by L. Frank Baum, set in the fictional Land of Oz. Parts of the series were filmed in Dubrovnik, in fact using exactly the same location as Game of Thrones, in the Bay of Pile at the base of the ancient city walls. This tenpart series Directed by Tarsem Singh, stars Adria Arjona as Dorothy, Oliver Jackson-Cohen as Lucas and Vincent D’Onofrio as the Wizard of Oz. The first episode premiered on January 6, 2017, with a two-episode debut, and concluded on March 3, 2017.

— gucci — — marni —

Ma r i a l o o k — n i g ht For night life, have fun in rock style with a ladylike note – Gucci pants and Chloe blouse with frills, in combination with luxurious accessories and golden rock boots are a winning combination.

BO L L L YWOOD — P RISONER NO . 1 5 0 & F A N The Indian film Prisoner no. 150, whose dance scenes were shot in Dubrovnik in November 2016, was one of the most watched films in India this year. The dance sequences were, among other locations, also filmed in Dubrovnik, and scenes from Croatia can be seen in the trailer which, to date, has more than 6.4 million views on YouTube. The lead role is played by singer and dancer Konidela Siva Sankara Vara Prasad, better known as Chiranjeevi, who returned to acting after a ten-year break. This is his 150th role.

This was the second major production from India filmed on location in Croatia. The first was Fan, starring Indian megastar Shahrukh Khan, which was filmed in Dubrovnik in March, 2015. Fan stars Khan, a man with arguably one of the greatest fan followings globally, in the role of being the biggest fan himself.

The film premiered in April 2016, and earned more than 20.6 million dollars, while the trailer on YouTube – which shows scenes from Dubrovnik – has more than 25 million views.

— d e lf i n a d e l e tt r e z — — c hl o e —

— givenchy —

— c hl o e —

— gucci —

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d u b r o v n i k s u m m e r f e s t i va l

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68 Dubrovnik Summer Festival th

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10 J u ly – 2 5 Augu s t

The oldest cultural festival in Croatia, Dubrovnik Summer Festival presents more than 70 rich and vibrant theatre, classical music, ballet, opera, jazz, folklore and other program. This year Festival is celebrating its 68th anniversary.

Relying on the City’s and its own rich and living heritage, the Festival promotes site-specific programme policy, combines tradition and modernity, and connects local, national and international creativity. As a place where people gather to exchange ideas and create new projects, the Festival promotes Dubrovnik as a Croatian and world spiritual and cultural centre.

P ROGR A MME H IG H L IG H T S OPENING CEREMONY 10 July, 21:00 In front of St Blaise's Church

State Opera Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre and was the artistic director of the Staatsballett Berlin.

LINĐO FOLKLORE ENSEMBLE Croatian Folk Songs and Dances 12, 26, 31 July and 12 August, 21:30 Revelin Fort Terrace

STEFAN MILENKOVICH — violin ROHAN DE SILVA — piano 17 July, 21:30 Rector's Palace Atrium

DMITRY SHISHKIN — piano 13 July, 21:30 Rector's Palace Atrium

Stefan Milenkovich - Serbia’s Artist of the Century (2002), Most Humane Person (2003), and Brand Personality of the Year (2010)

P. I. Tchaikovsky: SWAN LAKe VLADIMIR MALAKHOV choreographer and director Ballet of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb 14, 15 and 16 July, 21:30 Island of Lokrum

Vladimir Malakhov, named by many critics 'the dancer of the century' due to his lyrical dance style and flawless technique, was the principal dancer in several prestigious ballet theatres around the world, such as the Vienna

THE BIRDS EDWARD CLUG Concept and choreography Bitef Dance Company Bitef Theatre and New Fortress Theatre 18 July, 21:30 Revelin Fort Terrace

Dance production, as completely surrounded as this one, has it all, clean-cut movement, imaginative and substantial choreography, and a dramaturge full of unexpected twists, poetic scenes full of magic, but also

something else that is important - a touch of humour and irony.

ALEKSANDAR MILOŠEV — viola LOVRO POGORELICH — piano 20 July, 21:30 Rector’s Palace Atrium Sonatas for viola and piano by Dmitri Shostakovich and César Franck

Drama of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb Tena Štivičić: 3 WINTERS IVICA BULJAN director 22, 23 July, 21:30 Komolac The play premiered in London to great success, and won the prestigious Susan Smith Blackburn Prize in New York. Its production at the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb was received with universal enthusiasm, becoming a genuine hit.

UMBERTO GIORDANO ENSEMBLE Dino De Palma, violin | Luciano Tarantino, cello | Gianna Fratta, piano | Ripalta Bufo, soprano | Aldo Caputo, tenor | Giampiero Mancini, actor | Music by Ludwig van Beethoven | Story by Francesco Sanvitale 23 July, 21:30 Rector’s Palace Atrium “Ludwig's Songs” – a concert-show that describes an unprecedented profile of Beethoven through the reading of an imaginary letter of his nephew Karl to English publisher George Thompson, in which he communicates his uncle’s death.

LUKÁŠ VONDRÁČEK — piano V. Novák, L. Janáček, B. Smetana, F. Chopin, J. Brahms 24 July, 21:30 Rector’s Palace Atrium Winner of the International Queen Elisabeth Piano Competition 2016

d u b r o v n i k s u m m e r f e s t i va l

Festival Drama Ensemble Carlo Goldoni: LA BOTTEGA DEL CAFFÈ VINKO BREŠAN director 25, 26, 27 July, 21:30 In front of Sponza Comedy with singing and dancing

OPERA PREMIERE G. F. Händel: ORLANDO David Bates, artistic leadership | János Szikora, director Croatian Baroque Ensemble | Orlando: Owen Willetts | Angelica: Ivana Lazar | Medoro: Renata Pokupić Dorinda: Marija Kuhar Šoša | Zoroastro: David Oštrek 28, 29, 30 July, 21:30 Island of Lokrum

MONIKA LESKOVAR — violoncello PETRIT ÇEKU — guitar 29 July, 21:30 Rector’s Palace Atrium

4 GUITARS ZORAN DUKIĆ, PETRIT ÇEKU, TVRTKO SARIĆ & MAROJE BRČIĆ 30 July, 21:30 Rector's Palace Atrium

L. Boccherini (arr. J. Sparks), M. Ravel (arr. D. Petrinjak), I. Albéniz (arr. M. Llobet), B. Šipuš, F. Moreno Torroba, V. Čop, P. Bellinati, M. de Falla (arr. D. Petrinjak), A. Piazzolla (arr. T. Fellow)

Festival Drama Ensemble William Shakespeare: OTHELLO IVICA BOBAN director 31 July and 1, 2, 3 August, 21:30 Lovrjenac Fort Orlando Award for the best performance of the Theatre Programme of 67 th Festival | Best Director Award 2016 by the Croatian Dramatic Artists Association to Ivica Boban for play Othello at the 67 th Festival

PREMIERE Festival Drama Ensemble Miroslav Krleža: MESSRS. GLEMBAY ZLATKO SVIBEN director 6, 8, 9 August at 23:00 7, 10 August at 21:30 Museum of Modern Art Miroslav Krleža has often been proclaimed the greatest Croatian writer of the 20th century and beyond. Messrs.

Glembay - a drama in three acts from the life of one Agremerian Patrician family - is a standard repertoire of major theatres across Croatia, and it is considered a classic of Croatian literature.

GORAN FILIPEC — piano 8 August, 21:30 Rector's Palace Atrium Soirée Franz Liszt

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SRĐAN BULAT — guitar 13 August, 21:30 Rector's Palace Atrium G. Regondi, A. García Abril, F. Tárrega, J. Rodrigo, M. Ruždjak, S. Šulek, I. Albéniz, Ž. Brkanović

FILIP MERČEP & NICOLAS SINKOVIĆ percussions and electronics Project: Dialogue 15 August, 21:30 Rector's Palace Atrium

NEMANJA RADULOVIĆ & FRIENDS 17 August, 21:30 Rector's Palace Atrium M. Glinka, S. Robinovitch, A. I. Khachaturian, W. A. Mozart

PREMIERE Festival Drama Ensemble #DRŽIĆ - ENEMY'S VICTORY HRVOJE IVANKOVIĆ dramaturge IVICA BOBAN director 20, 21, 22, 23 August, 21:30 Art School Park On the occasion of the 450th anniversary of the death of Dubrovnik born comediographer Marin Držić

KATARINA LIVLJANIĆ mezzosoprano DANIJEL DETONI piano La belle époque... médiévale 21 August, 21:30 Rector’s Palace Atrium

ZARA MCFARLANE 24 August, 21:30 Revelin Fort Terrace Jazz

25 August, 22:00 In front of St Blaise’s Church CLOSING CONCERT ALEKSEY SEMENENKO — violin CROATIAN RADIO AND TELEVISION SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA A. Semenenenko - Winner of the Orlando Award for the Best Performance at 67 th Festival

Contact: Dubrovnik Summer Festival E. sales@dubrovnik-festival.hr T. +385 (0)20 326 100 A. Od Sigurate 1, Old City Visit: Web shop and tickets: www.dubrovnik-festival.hr Facebook: dubrovnik.festival

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robin hood story

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robin hood story

Grgo Jelavić/PIXSELL

Dubrovnik is the perfect Nottingham

During February and March this year, the City of Dubrovnik once again became a huge outdoor film set. Lionsgate Productions and the newest edition of Robin Hood’s tale “Robin Hood: Origins”, directed by Otto Bathurst and starring Taron Egerton, Jamie Foxx, Jamie Dornan and Eve Hewson, began filming on Monday, February 20th in Dubrovnik. The shooting continued in Dubrovnik’s historic centre until March 10th, after which the crew moved to Istria, then finally to Budapest.

For the history themed movies, the choice of location is simply crucial.

We looked at dozens of locations around the world, but Dubrovnik was very quickly chosen as the only choice, said Bathurst, confirming that our city will be “the heart of the film itself” – Nottingham.

It was the biggest Hollywood production shot in Croatia to date, with Dubrovnik transformed in the legendary town of Nottingham. Stradun, the old city port, St. Dominik street, and the Ploče gate bridge were just few of the places where sets were erected and where the major scenes of the film were recorded. Attracting both locals and visitors, we all had a unique opportunity to witness directly how world class film production functions in real life.

Prior to the start of the filming, a press conference was held in Grand Villa Argentina in Dubrovnik, where director Otto Bathurst and executive producer E. Bennett Walsh introduced the crew, announced the filming and shared details of the new film about the most famous heroic outlaw, Robin Hood.

Director Otto Bathurst, also known for directing hot TV shows (“Peaky Blinders”, “Black Mirror”, “Hustle”) announced that Dubrovnik is going to be the heart of the “Robin Hood” movie.

Before I discovered Dubrovnik, I spent three months in England, desperately searching for a destination resembling medieval Nottingham. But once I came here, I immediately knew that this was the right place, Bathurst explained. Once we started to drive from the airport to Dubrovnik, on our way to the Old Town, the view revealed itself, and I immediately knew – Dubrovnik is the perfect Nottingham.

Dubrovnik is a vital part of Robin Hood: Origins, and in the final version, the whole city will be visible. The first scene where Robin Hood and Little John will be seen together will be set in the

Old Harbour of Dubrovnik, commented Walsh.

In the movie, the city will certainly be visible; we will just have to delete some of the modern appliances visible on facades, concluded Bathurst.

The film’s executive producer, E. Bennett Walsh, whose filmography includes such blockbusters as Disturbia, The Amazing Spider-Man and both parts of Tarantino’s Kill Bill, was delighted with the kindness and cooperation of locals in Dubrovnik.

We found local people very co-operative, and I’m really grateful for that. We were also delighted with the fact that no obstacles challenged our work here. On other destinations, people were restricting our options, but Dubrovnik was very open for all our wishes. Walsh commented.

Not much is known about the upcoming version of Robin Hood, but producer and director hinted that it will be quite different from previous versions. It will uphold the entertaining layer of the tale, but emphasize themes of corruption and the ability of an individual to fight for what is right.

Described as an origin story in the vein of Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, this new take on the folk hero finds Robin Hood returning from The Crusades to discover a Sherwood Forest rife with corruption and evil. Teaming up with a band of outlaws, he takes matters into his own hands to set things right, with very little merry-making along the way.

Taron Egerton (Eddie the Eagle, Kingsman: Secret Service) appears in the role of Robin Hood, Jamie Foxx is Little John, Eve Hewson is Marian, Ben Mendelsohn (Rogue One, Bloodline) is the sheriff of Nottingham, Paul Anderson (Legend) is Gisborne and Tim Minchin (Californication) is friar Tuck, while the role of Will Scarlett is interpreted by “50 Shades of Grey” and “50 Shades Darker” star Jamie Dornan.

Lionsgate has set “Robin Hood: Origins” for a March 23, 2018, release.

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M o v i e ID / F u n F a c t s

Otto Bathurst is directing from Joby Harold’s script.

Producers are Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Davisson Killoran, Basil Iwanyk, Tory Tunnell, and Joby Harold.

Grgo Jelavić/PIXSELL

‘Robin Hood: Origins’ is set to be released on the 23rd of March 2018.

A number of “Robin Hood” movies have been made in the past century. The most recent came in 2010 when Ridley Scott directed Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett in Universal’s “Robin Hood,” which topped $321 million worldwide.

The story will centre on Robin Hood being a warhardened crusader and joining with a Moorish commander in an audacious revolt against the corrupt English crown. The film will also be released in Imax format.

Grgo Jelavić/PIXSELL

Egerton is starring in the origins story along with Jamie Foxx as Little John and Eve Hewson as Maid Marian.

“Fifty Shades of Grey” star Jamie Dornan will portray Will Scarlett, the half-brother of Robin Hood.

In the story, a war-hardened Crusader and a Moorish commander mount an audacious revolt against the corrupt English crown.

Packed with gritty battlefield exploits, mind-blowing fight choreography, and a timeless romance, “Robin Hood: Origins” is a never before seen story of how Robin Hood became the icon and legend as we know him today.

Grgo Jelavić/PIXSELL

Production companies are DiCaprio’s Appian Way, Safehouse Pictures, and Iwanyk’s Thunder Road Pictures.

grebeni (reefs) islands

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Grebeni (Reefs) islands

Rock ‘n’ nature Imagine the magnificent scenery of striking rocks dotted with sparse Dalmatian vegetation, the most desirable diving locations and shipwrecks, a lighthouse on a desert island bathed in golden sunlight, surrounded by the blue sea, welcomed by the songs of seagulls as a warm welcome! And yet, that’s not all....

Grebeni South of the island of Daksa, one nautical mile west of Dubrovnik and Petka Hill, just across from the Hotel Dubrovnik Palace, the scattered reefs called Grebeni stand proudly in a semi-circular formation. Grebeni is a group of five small islands about 300 meters from the coast of the Lapad peninsula. These stark, rocky and very rugged islands cover a total area of 2200 square metres and are the natural habitat of the yellow-legged gull – a protected species of seagull in Croatia. The largest middle island is 250 meters long and about 30 meters wide. The most interesting island is the last one, which is shy, and sits about 1 kilometre from the mainland.

So, you are probably wondering why, on earth, are these reefs so special? Allow us to take you on a special journey.

We guarantee you, at the end of this story, you will wish Grebeni to be part of your next summer vacation.

To give you an overall picture of the uniqueness of this island, let’s go back a little bit in time... precisely to the year 1872.

T o th e l i g hth o u s e Arriving in Dubrovnik by boat at night from the open sea was always extremely risky during the strong southern and north-western winds because of the danger of stranding on the underwater reefs or crashing into the rocks.

Many Dubrovnik fishing boats met their ends on these rocks, while their remains were quickly carried off by the strong sea currents. In order to prevent these accidents, Dubrovnik authorities decided to build a lighthouse.

With the construction of the lighthouse, Grebeni no longer presented a threat to Dubrovnik captains, easing the

docking of the ships and helping them to navigate the Gruž harbour safely at night.

The lighthouse was named after the island Grebeni, and ever since has stood proudly in its seclusion, saluting the passing ships from the highest rock at the entrance to Dubrovnik Port.

Today, the light is automated, so this idyllic 145-year-old lighthouse has been redecorated and converted into a luxurious holiday home. This oasis of peace, with a priceless combination of luxurious amenities and “Robinson Crusoe” isolation, creates a special atmosphere for anyone who wishes a vacation far from every day cares, busy lifestyle and stress. The location offers stunning uninterrupted 360-degree views of the cobalt blue Adriatic Sea and the Elafiti islands, with the sound of waves splashing the rocks around you, at every sunrise and every sunset.

And when night falls, you get your own private planetarium — watch the stars twinkling over Dubrovnik sky, and city lights in the distance outlining the historic city of Dubrovnik and its majestic walls. What more could you wish for?

No wonder the British „Independent“ newspaper has named Grebeni one of the six most beautiful luxury lighthouses in the world and the Condé Nast Traveller ranked it among the world’s 22 most incredible private islands.

Of course, you cannot find a beach here; however, only 15 metres from the lighthouse, on the northern side, there is a pier convenient for small boats to dock and for swimming during the summer months. The pier is connected

to the lighthouse by a staircase dug into the rocks.

However, Grebeni islands are not only famous for the lighthouse. These majestic islands hold many treasures under the surface, hiding quite a few outstanding diving sites for advanced and novice scuba divers.

Diving sites Reefs of the island of Grebeni include several underwater rocks in the direction of Hotel Dubrovnik Palace. That narrow underwater passage along the shore is punctuated by numerous shoals abundant in rich underwater vegetation and all sizes of fish – up to 20 species, as well as shellfish, coral, sponges and starfish.

As you drop below the surface of the Adriatic Sea, you’ll find yourself close to a narrow tunnel that leads to the open sea and a wall that drops 18 meters deep. In the middle of the ridge is a small, beautiful, and almost undetectable cave with a beautiful arch. Passing through,

grebeni (reefs) islands

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you can feel special excitement. Did you know that this tunnel has a legend attached to it? The legend says that if a couple goes together through this „Love Tunnel“ while holding hands, they will stay together for a lifetime.

As you rise slowly to the opening in the ceiling, the refraction of light and a combination of light and shadow are dazzling. During your scuba dive experience, you will be amazed with marine life including octopus, moray eels, sea bream, scorpion fish and gurnards.

Diving enthusiasts will be excited to learn that about 100 meters from the Grebeni islands is another popular diving site - the well-preserved wreck of the Italian merchant ship “Taranto” lying at a depth of 23 to 52 meters. It sunk here on 15 February 1943 while carrying flour and tractors to Dubrovnik, when it struck an underwater mine, ran into the Grebeni islands and sank.

The hull broke and the cargo, including the two tractors, were scattered over the sea floor. The Taranto is now an ideal home for many underwater species such as mullets, cardinal fish, scorpion fish, lobsters and octopus, as well as sponges and underwater fauna. At a depth of only 10 metres you’ll come across the ship’s bow and as the Taranto now sits at a 45 degree angle, the dive will take you down towards the ship’s steam engine. The stern is located at a depth of 40 metres while a part of the stern is another 12 metres deeper along the seabed.

This site is available only for advanced divers.

The “Little Africa” reef ranges in depth from 10 to 40 metres and has something to offer every scuba diver: a sandy bottom, where fish parade up and down, provides an opportunity to take excellent photos. A rocky reef with a cave; a seabed covered with seaweed where fish live and feed; ancient amphorae fragments and a wide array of marine species.

Knowing all of this, you will surely agree with us that Grebeni islands are truly a paradise and offer a little of everything for any discerning traveller, both on the shore and in its beautiful undersea world.

— Each stone has its own story; every cliff remains a symbol of the past and legends, and each step towards the lighthouse takes you to new adventures. So if you ever wish to experience this unique and iconic beauty, immerse yourself in the sea and nature, and enjoy life where time and obligations don’t exist, we recommend visiting Grebeni.

Imagine - just the sea, the sun and the greeting song of seagulls... and you.

If you are interested in exploring these amazing diving locations, there is also a PADI diving centre „Blue Planet“ located in the nearby Hotel Dubrovnik Palace (1 minute boat ride from Grebeni). For more information, contact the Guest Relations department at your hotel.

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z aca pa rum

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Zacapa Rum Crafted in Guatemala, Zacapa Rum is a work of art and an expression of patience, richness, quality and master blending. Aged to perfection in the highlands of Quetzaltenango, Zacapa Rum develops its complex flavour and character 2,300m above sea level in the mystical House Above the Clouds.

Zacapa 23 “Attractive and evocative. Elegant and noble.”

The story of Zacapa begins in the Spanish province of Burgos with the union of the Botrán and Requejo families, in the early 20th century. This union-yielded 5 sons who later moved to a Guatemalan town called Quetzaltenango which is situated on the mountainside about 2,300 meters above sea level where the days are warm and the nights cool. Zacapa rum is named after a city in Guatemala as a celebration, in 1976, of the centenary of the city’s foundation. Handcrafted with the utmost care and barrel aged to maturation, ZACAPA® 23 Rum is a deep, rich sipping spirit known for its superior taste and quality. It is an ultra-premium blend of rums between 6 and 23 years old, which is barrel aged to achieve its complex flavours and aromas.

Resting in once re-charred white oak barrels impart additional flavour from the wood before bottling. Master Blender Lorena Vásquez uses only the first pressing of sugarcane in Zacapa 23, creating a pure and unique spirit.

Zacapa 23 Rum has specific dark mahogany colour and specific scent of sweet fruitiness, vanilla, almond chocolate, toasted wood and delicate hints of spice. Each bottle is wrapped with a petaté ring symbolizing the “unity of everything.” These petaté rings are created in the Guatemalan township of Jocotán.

Zacapa 23 Old Fashioned Cocktail „A modern twist on a classic boasting an unparalleled combination of red fruit and sherry notes along with hints of dried fruit, chocolate and almond.“

Respected by top mixologists and chefs for its complex flavor profile, Zacapa is best enjoyed mixed in a classic cocktail such as the Signature Old Fashioned so as not to mask or dilute the flavour. Considered among the cocktail trinity alongside the Martini and the Manhattan, The Old Fashioned has a rich and extensive history dating back to the 19th century. A whiskey-based cocktail at its origin, the original recipe has evolved over the years with the help of countless variations and experimentation.

Withstanding the tests of Prohibition, World Wars and the Gilded Age, bartenders are rediscovering and reinventing the historic recipe with the resurgence of classic cocktails in recent years.

Ingr edients 45 ml of Zacapa 23 Rum 7 ml of sugar syrup 1 Dash of Angostura Bitter 1 Dash of Chocolate Bitter Expressed Orange Peel Dark Chocolate Grated Over Top Per fect Serv e 1. Combine ZACAPA 23 Rum, simple syrup, Angostura aromatic bitters and chocolate bitters into a mixing glass with ice. Stir well.

2. Strain contents into an Old Fashioned Glass over ice.

3. Express orange peel over drink and discard.

4. Grate dark chocolate over top.

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z aca pa rum

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The taste of Zacapa will take you through Guatemala’s volcanic soil along with the varied landscape and climate that developed characteristic Zacapa Rum colour, body, flavour and aroma in a consistent cold temperature and high altitude. Master Blender of Ron Zacapa Lorena Vásquez beautifully orchestrates the complex notes of Zacapa, infusing it with her extraordinary passion and award-winning craft.

Zacapa XO „A connoisseur’s delight and the ultimate expression of the Master Blender’s art.“

The complexity and attention to detail that goes into the production of Zacapa XO is reflected in the intriguing multi-layered profile of these ultra-premium rum. Aged between 6 and 25 years in five types of oak barrels including former Cognac barrels. The barrels are left to age until Lorena Vásquez decides that the process needs to be repeated. It is the skill and attention to detail of the Master Blender that is principally responsible for the creation of these exceptional rum. Zacapa production supports the employment of an entire community. The secret of Zacapa is the slow ageing process that takes place at high altitude in the cool air of the highlands – Aged Above the Clouds.

Zacapa Rum XO reveals dark cherry and spicy characteristics that give it qualities comparable to that of a fine Cognac. A wonderfully complex and satisfying balance of sweetness, fruit, spice and spirit, all tempered by the extra ageing stage in ex-cognac French oak barrels. Enjoy long, smooth and sweet taste with a weight of dark cherry chocolate and flavours of intense dried fruits like sultana, date and prune. Sweet oak spices of clove, vanilla and cinnamon with lighter notes of dried mango and raspberry, with a subtle hint of ginger to finish, gives a hint of mistery to the final taste. Zacapa Rum is available wherever fine spirits are sold.

Per fect Serv e: Best enjoyed on a single large lump of pure, clear ice in a luxury rocks glass with a heavy base.

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Dubrovnik’s Renaissance Football Graffiti

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Not far from the church Domino is the area called “za Rokom”, and as them name itself implies, it is situated near the Church of St. Roch. Its construction started in 1543 and was probably prompted by the plague which raged in the area of Dubrovnik in 1527, given that the St. Roch is the patron saint against contagious diseases. It was built as a work of late Renaissance style, with rectangular naves and square apse. The main portal is emphasized in sculpture, with triangular gable carried by two Iconic pillars, while above the portal there is a harmonious façade window, circular in shape within a square shape.

Today the church is unfortunately not in liturgical use. It is famous for the oldest Dubrovnik graffiti, carved into the side of the church stone by a priest on one very warm summer day. The priest probably lived next to the church, with the city children running and shouting around Za Rokom, and obviously they had a ball which they kicked into the doors and windows of the church, so we might suppose that some sort of Renaissance football used to be played back then in Dubrovnik.

— “Pax. Vobis memento mori/qvi. Lvdetis pilla 1597” (Peace be with you, remember that you, playing with the ball, will die).

—

ston city walls

Credit: Društvo prijatelja dubrovačke starine, Photo: Ljubo Gamulin

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Ston

ci t y

Walls In previous issues of ALH Times we mentioned two good reasons to leave your beach lounger and visit the small city of Ston on the northern edge of the Dubrovnik-Neretva region.

We feel that we quite convincingly persuaded true gourmets to visit this small place for its incredibly precious oysters and ‘fleur de sel’ production from centuries old salt beds, but if some history buffs still need some encouragement, let us round up this topic (literally) with walls –

5,5 km of the Ston City Walls to be exact, the second longest fortifying wall system in Europe. It all started with salt …

Salt was a commodity almost as valuable as gold throughout the centuries. Because it was very hard to extract, it was scarce, but was essential not only as a necessary dietary requirement but as pretty much the only method of food preservation at the time. Salt was so valuable that it was often used as a currency and a method of payment (hence the origin of the word ‘salary’).

The Ston area was naturally blessed with a protected bay and very shallow waters, which meant higher salinity and easier extraction process. The saltpans as they are formed today, were created in 14th century, starting in 1333 when the Dubrovnik Republic acquired control over the Pelješac peninsula.

This area quickly became the backbone of the Republic’s trading efforts all over the Balkans and beyond, and it became of strategic importance to protect it. The construction of the wall started a year later, in 1334, and for the most part lasted until 1506. At the time this was one the biggest fortification – urban construction projects in Europe.

The first phase, which lasted about 30 years, included fortifying the Pelješac Peninsula with a defensive bulwark from one shore to the other. This was also when the two small cities on each shore, Ston and Mali Ston were architecturally planned, erected and surrounded by their own walls.

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IN T ERES T ING FA C T S — 01 — Ston Walls are the second largest fortification system in size in the world — 02 — They are unique mainly because of their size (5.5 km long) and monumental proportions, but also because of its defensive and urban solutions — 03 — The construction of the walls began in early 16th century in 1333 — 04 — The Ston walls consist of several parts: · the Stone city walls, the Mali Ston city walls and the Big wall (1200m, 3937 ft) with its three forts (Veliki Kaštio, Koruna and Podzvizd), · forty-one towers (10 round and 31 square) and 6 semi-circular bastions · seven bastions, (Sokolić, Arcimon in Ston, the three bastions of Veliki Kaštel, the Podzvizda bastion and the Arcimon in Mali Ston), four pre-walls (the eastern and south-western Ston pre-walls, the Mali Ston pre-wall and the Korun pre-wall), · and a water-filled moat that stretches around the western, southern and eastern edges of Ston.

— 05 — Originally the walls were 7000-meters (22 965 ft.) long

This is one of the rare examples in Europe of settlements that didn’t spontaneously develop in a location selected due to its natural advantages but rather grew as a result of political efforts of the Republic to strengthen its territorial possession and economic resources.

It was actually well-known that nobody was happy to be employed in Ston - including builders, border guards, and other officers, captains and castellans of the Republic, and even the Rector himself - because the shallow sea around Ston was swampy and a real breeding ground for mosquitoes. The area was very gloomy, unhealthy, malarial and ravaged by epidemics.

The second phase of construction included the second, 1200 meter Large Wall over the Pozvizd hill and included the Pozvizd Fort. The walls now circled the peninsula and the two cities. It was recorded that the cost of building this section of the wall, in the 18 months that it took, was 12 000 dukats –a significant investment for the time, testifying to how much the Republic valued the salt pans.

Paskoje Miličević, who was born in or near Ston, Juraj Dalmatinac, Michelozzo of Florence and Bernardino of Parma were just some of the builders connected with the construction of the wall.

Leaders of the Republic were always aware of the constant danger of attack by sea by Venetians and from the land by Turks. Therefore construction and strengthening of the walls continued over the next 400 years, adding a total of 40 watchtowers and 5 forts and adapting to the development of modern warfare.

After the 19th century, with Napoleon’s conquest and the fall of the Republic, the walls of Ston lost their defense function. Damaged by time two earthquakes, they remained untended until the 1960’s when the reconstruction stared under the guardianship of the Society of Friends of Dubrovnik Antiquities.

Reopened in 2009, today, the monumental complex has been restored to its original grandeur. They are open to visitors year round as follows:

S u m m e r wo r k i ng h ou r s 08:00 – 18:30 h (1 April – 31 May) 08:00 – 19:30 h (1 June – 31 July) 08:00 – 18:30 h (1 August – 30 September) 08:00 – 18:00 h (1 October – 31 October)

W i n t e r wo r k i ng h ou r s 09:00 – 15:00 h (1 November – 31 March) T ic k e t p r ic e s Individual – 50 kn Group – 40 kn Children (up to 18 years old) – 30 kn Students – 30 kn

Ston Wall Marathon Each September, The Ston Walls also serve as a marathon race route which attracts running enthusiasts from around the globe.

The 42 km (26 mile) route starts in Ston, continuing through Kobaš and Duba. It is a definitely a challenge; altitudes vary significantly over different sections of the race, climbing as high as 1200 metres. Regardless of that, most participants agree that the views of the two seashores, the saltpans, the olive orchards and vineyards which surround the area are definitely worth their while.

Credit: Društvo prijatelja dubrovačke starine, Photo: Ljubo Gamulin

Credit: Društvo prijatelja dubrovačke starine, Photo: Ljubo Gamulin

— 06 — It took almost four centuries for the walls to be finished

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naslov teme

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events in dubrovnik

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Events in Dubrovnik

AUTUMN MUSIC VARIETY FESTIVAL September 29– October 13, 2017 (Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 21:00, Rector’s Palace) Gypsy jazz, Chamber music and many renowned artists.

OTHER CONCERTS

EXHIBITIONS EXHIBITION - “REVELIN – ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH / SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT / FOUNDRY“ June 03 – December 31, 2017 Open: 10:00 – 16:00 (except on Wednesdays), Fort Revelin PERFORMANCES & M U SIC F E S T I VA L S LE PETIT FESTIVAL DU THÉÂTRE June 15 – 18, 2017 The theme of Le Petit Festival 2017 is “Water is Life”. The Festival every year raises the curtain revealing creations carefully selected and talented artists whether they are poets, actors, dancers, or something else.

MUSICAL SCENE FESTIVAL “ANA IN TOWN” June 21 – 23, 2017 This three-day music festival starts with the sunrise concert on the 21st of June at 5AM on the first day of summer featuring cellist Ana Rucner, a young artist of distinctive musical style, in a dual role - a classical musician and a crossover instrumentalist.

MIDSUMMER SCENE FESTIVAL June 24 – July 05, 2017 Fort Lovrijenac, (Every day at 21:30) Take a look at Shakespeare’s one of the most beloved comedies “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (performed in English) as a main part of this famous Croatian festival aimed for international visitors.

This year, celebrating 450 years of legacy of the great renaissance playwright Marin Držić, Midsummer scene festival in cooperation with The House of Marin Držić, will present the programme „Držić meets Shakespeare“ whereas selected scenes from Držić’s comedy ‘Dundo Maroje’ will be performed in English by the Midsummer Scene Festival Ensemble.

PARK ORSULA MUSIC FESTIVAL 2017 July 01 – September 01, 2017 Open Air Stage – Archaeological Site –Panoramic Gazebo. Apart from being a place where one can enjoy nature and the view, the park was conceptualised as a unique open air stage for cultural and entertaining events with 250 seats in new amphitheatre.

More info at: www.parkorsula.com SUMMER EVENTS programme AT DUBROVNIK SOURROUNDINGS July 01 – August 31, 2017 Enjoy music and entertainment programs on the Elafiti islands, in Zaton and Orašac and witness the Mediterranean melody, folklore and folk traditions that have been cherished for ages.

PERFORMANCES OF FOLKLORE ENSEMBLE LINĐO May 02 – July 9 / August 27 - October 31, 2017 (Tuesdays and Fridays at 21:30), Lazareti (east entrance of the Old Town Dubrovnik) The Linđo Folk Ensemble was founded in Dubrovnik in 1964 and consists of more than 300 members between the ages of 12 and 30, who perform traditional songs and dances from all regions of Croatia. With

their youthful enthusiasm and traditional costumes, they celebrate the heritage of our people.

AKLAPELA – VOCAL GROUP FESTIVAL April, 2018 Aklapela is a yearly gathering of the most accomplished klapa a cappella singing groups in Croatia. Concert performances feature both men’s and women’s groups, in this traditional vocal style. The festival is held after Easter.

QUIET, PLEASE! middle – end April, 2018 This new film festival in Dubrovnik offers to its visitors interactive educational content, film screenings, visual attractions, and plenty of surprises.

During the fourteen days of the festival, tourists and Dubrovnik locals of all generations have the opportunity to become acquainted with all of the ties between Dubrovnik and the history of film culture over the last hundred years.

CLASSICAL MUSIC CONCERTS Featured by Dubrovnik Symphyony Orchestra *concert programme is subject to change.

Please visit www.dso.hr for more information DUBROVNIK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA program May – October, 2017 (Tuesday and Friday at 21:00, Rector’s Palace) Featuring a wide repertoire and many distinguished guests, performing famous classical, Baroque, romantic, contemporary and Croatian compositions.

ORLANDO FURIOSO June 6-16, 2017 (Rector’s Palace, Lokrum Island and Dubrovnik Cathedral) This is new happening in the city that presents a cycle of a baroque music, led by a Russian multitalented musician Dmitry Sinkovsky.

INTERNATIONAL OPERA ARIAS FESTIVAL “ TINO PATTIERA” June 30 - July 7, 2017 (Rector’s Palace, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 21:30) The festival honours the memory of the world famous tenor Tino Pattiera, who was born in 1890 in Cavtat, a town about 20km from Dubrovnik, where he died in 1966. Tino Pattiera was one of the major singers in the opera houses of Europe and throughout the world during the first half of the 20th century.

INTERNATIONAL LATE SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL DUBROVNIK August 26 – September 23, 2017 (Tuesday and Friday at 21:00, Rector’s Palace) With concerts, which are traditionally held in beautiful ambience of Rector’s Palace, we bid farewell to summer through four weeks of the festival. In the last two years the festival hosted many Croatian and internationally renowned artists, and it aims to continue offering citizens of Dubrovnik and its visitors quality cultural events when Dubrovnik Summer Festival is over.

“THE BEST WORKS OF GREAT COMPOSERS” CONCERT April 27 - October 30, 2017 (Fridays at 21:00) Candlelight Concert held in church of St Saviour SPORT EVENTS DUBROVNIK HALF MARATHON April 29-30, 2017 The marathon running, especially two-kilometre long race with a limited number of participants held at Dubrovnik walls is certainly an attraction. With the motto “More than a race” this new event is more than just a sporting event since, through running, healthy lifestyles will be promoted.

WATERPOLO “WILD LEAGUE” July 12 – August 06, 2017 This is the largest amateur water polo competition in the world. Teams from various local neighbourhoods compete at beach locations throughout the city.

ITF MENS FUTURES & ITF WOMENS CIRCUIT October 07 – 21, 2017 Tennis tournament that will be held at Tennis Court Lapad GASTRONOMY CROATIAN FESTIVAL OF JAMS AND MARMALADES 7 – 8 October 2017 Stradun, in front of St. Blaise church GOOD FOOD FESTIVAL DUBROVNIK October 19 – 22, 2017 The four day programme includes several presentations of culinary specialties of the region, cookbooks in English, programmes for children, tasting of regional wines, culinary workshops and other activities such as “dinner with a famous chef“ and workshops on how to prepare a typical Dubrovnik sweet “gulozece”, “Eat & Walk“ gastro tour, “Sweet Tooth Map“ – a map for those who have a sweet tooth and other surprise activities.

OYSTERS FESTIVAL March 19 - 22, 2018 Oysters are one of the specialities of southern Dalmatia, while those from Ston, a small town just north of Dubrovnik, are especially prized. These local culinary treasures are at their fullest and tastiest in March, so the Oyster Festival is held on the Feast of St. Joseph, March 19 and is held both in Ston and all down Dubrovnik’s main street, the Stradun.

Enjoy local vocal groups singing a capella while you taste.

DUBROVNIK FESTIWINE April 2018 Usually held in Lazareti, this regional wine festival gathers more than hundred regional winemakers who have the opportunity to present their wines to numerous wine professionals and visitors.

Visitors will have an opportunity to taste fine wines and be a part of numerous wine workshops together with wine experts and sommeliers.

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NIGHTLIFE CULTURE CLUB REVELIN Hours: Until June 1, 2017, the club is open on Friday and Saturday from 23:00— 06:00. From June 1 - October 1, 2017, the club is open every night.

Located in the Revelin fortress at the entrance to the Old Town at Ploče Gate, the club is famous for its 3-day festival in August featuring famous performers on the global electronic music scene.

CELEBR ATIONS 68th DUBROVNIK SUMMER FESTIVAL July 10 – August 25, 2017 This is the largest and most representative cultural manifestation not only in Dubrovnik but in Croatia.

CHRISTMAS FAIR December 2, 2017 – January 6, 2017 During the Advent season, Dubrovnik shines with magical decorations and sparkles with lights, creating an atmosphere of a fairy-tale Renaissance city. The Christmas Fair features traditional arts and crafts, Dubrovnik sweet delicacies, Christmas decorations, candles, toys, glassware, embroidery, ceramics, porcelain and a variety of other hand-made souvenirs and gifts by local artists.

DUBROVNIK NEW YEAR’S PARTY December 31, 2017 On New Year’s Eve, the musicians of Dubrovnik see the old year out with traditional carols and an all-day music program leading up to the wildest night of the year. The Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra’s New Year’s Day concert on the Stradun on January 1 will be a special gift to those visiting the city.

FESTIVAL OF ST. BLAISE February 2-3, 2018 Each February 2nd, Dubrovnik celebrates the Virgin Mary Candlemas. An old saying is then repeated: Candelora, winter is gone, followed by Saint Blaise, who says it is untrue? Indeed, on this day, Dubrovnik is full of mimosa, narcissus, and sunny, spring weather. On the morning of the festival, white doves are released in front of St. Blaise’s church, and prayers are said in front of the altar by the faithful the entire day. The priests bless everyone with a cross shaped out of two intertwined candles, and raise a silver monstrance to their lips, the work of Dubrovnik goldsmiths.

DUBROVNIK CARNIVAL FESTIVITIES 24 – 28 February, 2018 Our ancestors had fun, so why shouldn’t we? This proverb can often be heard in Dubrovnik in February, during the carnival season preceding Lent.

Experience the special atmosphere of the Dubrovnik carnival festivities characterized by jokes, laughter, merriment, joy, satire.

EASTER FAIR April 01 – April 10, 2018 The traditional Easter Fair is an opportunity to see and purchase unique handmade souvenirs and gifts made by local crafters. Of special importance are the crosses woven by hand from palm fronds, and the hand-painted Easter eggs, featuring intricate and unique designs made with deep red natural dyes.

dubrovnik green market

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Tastes of Dubrovnik Green Market As Croatians still cling to a “shop small”, buy locally and eat-home-cooked mentality most of the towns and villages set up a daily market at which residents can purchase fresh ingredients and even textiles or home goods in tiny batches, rather than stock up en masse at a super-sized supermarket.

Strolling through these town markets, typically held outdoors in a central square, gives visitors an unparalleled glimpse into the day-to-day life of locals.

So …

hers! Taste!” — Each person is completely committed to his product, proud of it, and happy to share it with you.

Spend time meandering through the many stands, scoping out whatever fruits and veggies are in season and admiring the fish vendors, though you’ll also find folks hawking nuts, olive oils, homemade wine and fruit brandy, as well as non-edible goods like hand-sewn tablecloths.

Plan to forgo your hotel continental breakfast one morning while in Dubrovnik, and hightail it to the Gundulićeva Poljana, or Gundulić Square, one of Dubrovnik’s most bustling squares and home to the town’s popular daily morning market. Set in the middle of Dubrovnik’s charming Old Town in the shadows of the Dubrovnik Cathedral, the market is a veritable hub of produce and other sundries, which can be bought for a pittance and become the makings of a tasty - and fresh - breakfast.

Dried fruits are everywhere. Beautifully dried. “Look at these figs! And taste? Absolutely! Taste! Compare mine to

Expect old-school weight scales and vendors speaking CRinglish [trying but struggling English with Croatian words throw in (like you are supposed to understand them) delivered with a smile and a lot of hand gestures] … which is why we prepared you a “Pardon my Croatian” lesson for you: For an ultimate Dubrovnik #Instamoment wait until noon, when hundreds of pigeons, already lined up on the nearby roofs, impatiently wait for Dubrovnik belltower to strike, announcing the time to come soaring down to the market for their corn & grains lunch.

While the boisterous market is one of the most popular events to occur in the square, Gundulićeva is also a scenic spot to stop for an afternoon coffee and a venue for evening concerts in warm weather.

Hap py ex pl or in g and bon ap pe ti te!

pa r d o n m y c r o at i a n

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Pardon my Croatian Dubrovnik Green Market Edition Following our earlier Green Market story here are some useful phrases for getting around, which will, if nothing else, draw a smile from your vendor.

Good afternoon — Dobar dan. [ DOE-bahr dahn ] ...

Hi — Kenova. [ KE-no-va ]

With the summer season in the Mediterranean, we present the following fruits and vegetables: (also bear in mind that these are local expressions, which are not often used outside the Dubrovnik region, but will definitely earn you „extra points“ with Dubrovnik market ladies)

Is it fresh? — Je li freško? [ Yeh-lee freshko ]

Paprika — Paprika [ PA-pri-ka ]

Is it homemade? — Je li je domaće? [ Yeh-lee DOH-ma-chay ]

Croatian is a piece of cake, right?

Or if you want to keep it in a more relaxed and local manner:

How much does it cost?

— Koliko košta? [ ko-lee-ko KO-shta ] or simply (and definitively locally) Pošto? [po-shto] Bear in mind that you will probably get a price for 1 Kilo, so if the metric system isn’t your strong suit, here is a cheat sheet: — 1 kg is 2.2 pounds — 1.5 kg is 3.3 pounds — 2 kg is 4.4 pounds and more than that you probably don’t need!

Tomatoes — Pomadore [ po-MA-dor-ay ] Zucchinis — Tikvice [ TIK-vi-tsay ] Eggplants — Balančane [ ba-LAN-cha-ney ] good luck with this one Cucumbers — Kukumari [ KU-ku-ma-ri ] no we are not kidding Peaches — Praske [ pra-skey ] Plums — Šljive [ shlYi - vey ] just try to squeeze a little Y sound next to the L!

Cantaloupe — Pipun [ PI-poon ] Water melon — Dinja [ DIN-ya ] Cherries — Kriješve [krY-jesh-vey] if it doesn’t work the first time just give up with this one and point with your finger grapes — Grožđe [ groz-jay ] if you want it red, ask for black (no kidding) Crno Grožđe [ tsrno ] and for White ask for Bijelo Grožđe [ bee-ye-lo ] With the classics for the end: Thank you very much — Hvala lijepa [ HVAh-lah LYEH-pah ] Goodbye! — Adio! [ adio ]

sail into the history

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Sail into the history Experience cruising on Karaka, the magnificent replica of a 16th century Dubrovnik Republic traditional merchant ship.

Highlighted as Dubrovnik’s supreme attraction by numerous influential world media, the impressive Karaka will unquestionably take your breath away unlike any other, offering a truly unique experience that you are bound to treasure for years.

Expect to be astonished with the breathtaking view of the famous Dubrovnik Old Town and surrounding landscape that would paint your mood in vivid and warm summer colors. Treat yourself with a day out on the sea and discover the tastes and aromas of Mediterranean while enjoying fresh made local specialites served for you aboard this unique boat.

A must-hav e experience

You’ll gasp in awe

Elaphite Island Cruise

Sunset and Dinner Cruise

— one of the most wonderful ways to discover history while cruising on a warm summer day (includes Koločep, Šipan and Lopud). Included in the price: transfer to and from the hotel to the port, as well as a professional and friendly guide who will share with you the islands’ best-kept secrets.

Price: 450,00 kn per person / 59,00 EUR per person.

— sipping champagne, enjoying Croatian delicacies and listening stories about old times while sailing towards Dubrovnik sunset is an amazing experience that you should not miss. The tour price of 400,00 kn /app. 53,00 EUR per person includes an evening sailing cruise, along with some of the most delicious Mediterranean style specialties and drinks, with top notch service.

sail into the history

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VACATION WITH ST YLE

Karaka Travel Dubrovnik Our story began with Karaka and continued to grow with us, people who strive to make everyone enjoy the beauties of Dubrovnik, and our products that were made to help you fully experience the city and everything it has to offer. After all, despite all the technology, the ones you are dealing with are people – they will organize, show you around, and take care of you. Our team would be very honored to be chosen as your host and organizer of your activities while you are in Dubrovnik area.

Today, the Karaka ship is the most prestigious of its kind, a true replica of the 16th century carrack, offering unique sailing in style on a fully air-conditioned ship with first-class service. During his stay in Dubrovnik a couple of years ago, CNN’s Richard Quest highlighted it as ‘the best way to explore Dubrovnik’. We invite you to check out some of the recommended tours and excursions that are on offer for the summer of 2017.

MEETINGS, EVENTS AND INCENTIVE SERVICES Our experienced and higly professional staff are at your disposal to organize for you incentive trips, private excursions and cruises, teambuildings, meetings, luncheons, dinner cruises, product presentations, wedding ceremonies and receptions, pre or after wedding cocktail cruises, anniversary celebrations, birthday parties, and much more.

book today At the Adriatic luxury services desk / at the hotel or + 385 (0)91 3496 410 info@karakatravel.hr www.karaka.info | www.karakatravel.hr

Discover King’s Landing

Game of Thrones tour — Game of Thrones Panoramic Cruise – immerse into the amazing world of Game of Thrones TV series and experience magic of King’s Landing Game of Thrones Panoramic Cruise and Walking Tour – hop on the ship used in filming of HBO’s Game of Thrones, explore the streets of King’s Landing and sit on the Iron Throne on this unique tour Starting at just 175,00 kn / 23,00 EUR per person, this unique trip will leave you and your youngest ones with a feeling of pure raw excitement as you enjoy views of the awe-inspiring Old Town with a drink in your hand, along with costumed GOT opportunities.

8 d u b r ov n i k s u m m e r d o n t ’s

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J u i c e aft e r a f i s h m e al

Sa n d al ’ s a n d s o c k s

C i t y Wall s t o u r

‘oslobodibože’ or ‘Godforbid’ — almost treated as an insult. Same goes for beer, and coke ... pretty much everything exept wine and water.

seriously?! need we say more?

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at J u l y ’ s n o o n unless spaghetti strap tan becomes a trend

8 Dubrovnik summer don’ts R u l e b o o k f o r s u r v i v i n g y o u r s u m m e r h o l i d ay s on the streets of Dubrovnik!

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f o r g e t s u n g la s s e s !

Beachwear on main street

F all a s l e e p i n th e d r aft ! O r

St r a d u n

s i t o n s t o n e s u r fa c e w i th o u t

locals never do! Even on a rainy day. As for which ones: the bigger the better, the bolder the cooler.

05 Ball g a m e s a n d b i k e s inside the Old Town are tolerated exclusively to kid’s living with the city walls ;)

08 H e av y m a k e - u p sun&sea holidays are a perfect excuse for no or minimal make up.

among people of Dubrovnik, especially older generations, entering the Old Town is almost seen as entering a church. The dress code for going for a stroll and coffee on the main street was „Sunday finest“, to the point that until last 15 years men did not wear shorts.

Over the years the attitude has ‘relaxed’ a bit, but you will still not see local people going around in swimmer.

As of 2016 there is even a new bylaw instructing that that tourists who are seen topless or wearing swimwear on the streets of the old town will be fined of up to £250.

So shirt ON!

a cushion! this one also goes in the God forbid section. You may not believe but the draft and cold stone are two of the deadliest weather conditions on the Adriatic! Seriously!

Ask any of the grandmas around!

We’re just kidding of course, but don’t be surprised if, when resting on the benches or staircases in the Old Town, nice old lady offers you newspapers or cushions to sit on, in general concern for your future offspring.

Now you are all set for great holiday!

old dubrovnik recipes

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DELICIOUS SECRETS : OLD DUBROVNIK RECIPES

Rozata Dating back to the year 1300, from the Venetian time it was known as “ friar’s pudding”. Rozata (or Rožata) got its name from Rozulin - a Dubrovnik liquor made from roses (something to write about in our next edition…) used to give a special flavour to desserts. People tend to compare it with flan and crème brûlée, but Dubrovnik people know that would be impossible. Rozata has a very special, light but one-of-a-kind flavour that stays on your palate for a long time…and when it starts to fade, you just want to have some more…. The perfect blend of rose liquor, grated lemon peel and caramel, makes it an ideal summer refreshment.

The recipe for this amazing dessert is very simple; you only need a few readily available ingredients. No wonder it’s so popular.

The basics for this recipe are milk, eggs and sugar. Sounds simple, right? But wait until we get to the cooking part.

Although there are many, let’s say, modern versions of this tasty dessert, with add-ons such as nuts, raisins, vanilla extracts, fruit dressings and more, we bring you the original recipe made according to the instructions of our grandmothers:

Serv e s: 4 Pr epa r at ion t i m e: 60 minutes Di ff icu lt y: Basic I ngr edi en t s: — 0.5 l milk — 6 eggs — 6 tablespoons sugar — 2 tablespoons vanilla sugar — Grated zest of 1 lemon — Rose Liqueur (Rozulin) — 8 tablespoons of sugar for caramel

tip Although perfect for the hot summer months, this dessert is a calorie bomb!

So if you want to fit into your bikini, try to stick only to one portion.

As a part of Dubrovnik’s culinary heritage, Rozata has been passed down for generations and is today one of the most popular traditional local desserts. So, there is no wonder that it can be found on almost every restaurant menu in Dubrovnik.

Di r e ct ions: Caramel Sauce — To make the caramel, pour sugar in a pan and cook it on low heat to dissolve.

— Increase the heat to medium-high and boil until it turns golden brown, but make sure it doesn’t burn! Do not stir the sugar during this process.

— Remove the pan from heat and carefully spread the caramel into four ceramic or glass bowls. Make sure to do this very quickly, as the caramel hardens in a matter of seconds. If you like, you can shake the bowls so that some caramel sticks to the sides as well. This isn’t essential though; it’s purely aesthetic.

— Turn the serving bowls upside down, so that the caramel slowly covers the sides, and leave to cool.

Preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F). Do not overheat, since Rozata needs a low heat to turn out right.

Rozata — In a medium saucepan, heat milk with sugar and stir constantly until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.

— In the meantime, beat together eggs with vanilla sugar with a whisk. The key is to whisk the mixture just until it blends, making sure it doesn’t foam. Otherwise, your Rozata will be filled with air bubbles. Although the flavour stays the same, it won’t look good as it is supposed to. Therefore, to avoid this, we advise you rather to use the hand whisk and to stir gently.

— Add the lemon zest and rose liqueur and stir to combine.

— Finally, pour the milk into the mixture and slowly stir with a hand whisk until you get a well-blended liquid.

— Pour the mixture through a thick sieve into the previously cooled bowls.

— To bake, arrange the bowls in a deep baking pan and make sure they are not touching.

— After placing the bowls in the baking pan, pour hot water into the baking pan until 2/3 of the bowl sides are covered. Be careful not to get any water on the custard.

— Bake for 35 minutes, or until the custards are almost fully set.

— Carefully remove the bowls from the hot water and leave to cool to room temperature.

— Cover it with cling film and leave in the fridge overnight.

— When ready to serve, simply (but carefully) turn the bowls upside down on the serving plates and tease them out by tapping. Here’s a hint: if Rozata doesn’t drop out when tapping, use a thin knife to separate the custard from the edge. The caramel sauce will come out and flow down the plate and over Rozata.

— Use your imagination and creativity for décor and serving

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alh kitchen confidential

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ABAKUS PIANO BAR

Dubrovnik in the palm of your hand

Abakus Piano Bar is one of those places where many famous faces have sipped champagne in a setting both contemporary and timeless, soaking up mesmerizing views of the Adriatic Sea and Dubrovnik Old Town just steps away.

With tasteful Art Deco motifs, the Abakus Piano bar is the centrepiece of the hotel and a welcoming retreat of classic elegance, as well as an excellent place for guests to enjoy drinks before or after dinner, or evening cocktails in style.. The four corners of Abakus are made of five-metre-high glass walls, overlooking the historic Old Town. It adds to the hotel’s unique aesthetic and fluid design - it welcomes guests throughout the day and evening to refresh themselves, meet friends, network or just relax.

In accordance with the designers’ vision, the entire bar space is conceptualized as a series of living rooms in various complementary styles in order to emphasize the two moods of the space and the hotel itself. To further accentuate this fusion, the furniture and decorative lighting at the bar show a mixture of styles from different design periods - with accents of classic antique, modernist and contemporary styles.

Open and warmly lit during the day, once the sun goes down, Abakus is transformed into an elegant but welcoming bar space, making it the perfect spot to savour signature cocktails or snacks before venturing into the Dubrovnik night.

Ou r t i p Be sure to come just before the old city clock tower bell rings at six o’clock; it’s time for spectacular sunsets best viewed from the Abakus Piano Bar terrace with a glass of wine, or cocktail and bar bites. * After extensive refurbishment, the iconic Hotel Excelsior has been fully revitalized into a space that celebrates a rich history and a bright future. It reopened its doors this spring 2017 and showed its renovated grandeur as one of the most lavish hotels on the Adriatic.

Discover a secret treasured for more than 100 years — visit the newly renovated Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik, a favourite hideaway for celebrities. Don’t miss the jewel in its crown, the Abakus Piano Bar.

General info L oc at ion: Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik, Frana Supila 12, Dubrovnik St y l e t i p : Laid back luxe HOURS OF OPER AT ION: Monday to Sunday: 07:00 - 24:00 (June - September) SIGNAT URE COCK TA I L: T EX A S MU L E — Tito’s vodka, gingerbeer, lime, fresh mint

alh kitchen confidential

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sensus

Fine Dining Restaurant

Dinner menu designed for newly opened Sensus Restaurant is created to reflect its sleek and contemporary interiors; unconventional and creative dishes are made from fresh local delicacies and carefully paired with finest Croatian wines from wine cellar shelves which adorn the walls.

Croatia Wine Map

Executive chef Petar Obad, a bard and native of Konavle in south Croatia, infuses his masterful cuisine with a near-poetic beauty to elevate traditional homemade Mediterranean classics to world-class works of artistry.

i n digenous croat i a n gr ape s

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There are some extraordinary meat-based creations but he always gives a slightly bigger accent to the fresh seafood and fish, including his signature dish: a trilogy of finest white fish fillets with spinach macaroons, garden vegetables and garlic sponge.

m alvaz i ja | i s t r i a white

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Lunch offer is a somewhat “lighter” selection of wraps, soups, risottos but the dinner takes you on the ultimate Mediterranean gourmet journey, where you can even opt for a specially created a 9-course tasting menu called The Chef’s Table, where our sommelier and the chef team up to personally acquaint you with each individual dish and wine paring.

žlaht i na | k r k i s la n d white

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In Sensus, the food can only be outshined by the magnificence of the setting: the sun reflecting of the stoned walls of the Old Town and deep blues of the Adriatic in the background. b a bić | š i be n i k red

p o š i p | korču la i s la n d white

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General info 05

plavac m al i | pe n i ns u la pe lj e š ac red

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m alva s i ja | konav l e r e gion white

L oc at ion: Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik, Frana Supila 12, Dubrovnik St y l e t i p: Classy seaside chic HOURS OF OPER AT ION: Monday to Sunday: 12:00 - 23:00 SIGNAT URE di sh e s: R AVIOL I — Sweetbreads, truffle, prosciutto chips, Malvasija sweet wine sauce T RI L OGY: Three fillets of white fish, garden vegetables, spinach macaroons, garlic

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RESTAURANT VAPOR

Cool cuisine – “What’s on the menu?” is out. “What would I like to eat?” is in.

For the very first time in its history the prestigious gastronomic guide Michelin has published a selection of top restaurant in Croatia among which, Restaurant Vapor was also listed.

I nsi de t i p for th e f u ll Vap or e x per i ence Book a table on the terrace and enjoy incomparable vistas of the Adriatic azure. While trying to decide what to indulge in, order one of the Vapor’s delicious cocktails or sample some of the best local wines.

Hidden from the outside world on a 30-metre high cliff, the Hotel Bellevue’s restaurant, Vapor, is the must-taste dining experience for gourmet visitors to Dubrovnik, and its style invites diners to adopt a new approach. “What’s on the menu?” is out.

“What would I like to eat?” is in.

Vapor is a restaurant with character where interior design and decorative detail combine exclusivity with authentic local flair.

Vapor’s repertoire of dishes represents Mediterranean cuisine at its best, with fish and seafood creations beyond imagining.

All is organic and prepared with subtlety and supreme refinement. The wine card is without doubt one of the finest ones in Dubrovnik.

Our Executive Chef Saša Računica is among best chefs in Croatia and a master of modern cuisine. He describes Vapor as a restaurant that offers gourmets the chance to enjoy Mediterranean cuisine presented in a uniquely 'playful' way. The restaurant follows the fundamental philosophy of the Hotel Bellevue: everything is adapted to the wishes of the guests.

We are less interested in showing off what we can do, than in preparing what our guests tell us they want to eat, says the chef. That is why we don’t insist on following the suggestions on the menu strictly to the letter, but adapt our offerings according to the preferences of our guests and the availability of fresh produce. In this way we refresh the usual restaurant routine, add a new dimension to the satisfaction of our guests, and present our team with a new creative challenge for each meal.

The focus is on finest seasonal produce prepared with an innovative and aesthetic twist, and complemented by one of the best wine lists in Dubrovnik. Small wonder that Vapor was named one of the 20 finest restaurants in Croatia by a panel of food experts.

Saša Računica’s philosophy would seem perfectly attuned to a restaurant that has quickly gained an iconic reputation as one of the finest in Croatia and recognized by Michelin guide - a must-taste experience for every gourmet visiting Dubrovnik.

General info L oc at ion: Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik, Pera Čingrije 7 St y l e t i p: Should you choose to join this restaurant’s chic atmosphere, keep it jet-set casual. c apaci t y: indoors 72, terrace 44 HOURS OF OPER AT ION: Monday to Sunday: 12:00 - 23:00 SIGNAT URE di sh e s: BA KED A NGL ER — served with mashed broccoli and vanilla sauce BEEF F I L L ET “ROSSINI” — Served on potato blinis with Parma ham and gruyere au gratin, laced with truffle and Marsala jus

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For reservations, please contact the Front Desk.

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If you are up to escaping D u b r o v n i k f o r a d ay …

Discover Konavle Pa s j ača b e a c h

No music, no bars, no cars, no crowds, no phone or internet signal, just pristine waters and the open sea in front of you – sounds like a dream right? Or DiCaprio’s movie description? And it is, but a hard reached one. Pasjača shyly emerges from the giant Konavle cliffs, close by to the village Popovići.

It is not a natural beach; the sea word down the surplus of stone left from the tunnels dug in World War Two creating a surreally beautiful beach.

Locals have not made it east to find, and it is definitively not easy to reach; think about thousand steps up and down on a steep cliffside, and no mojto waiting for you on either end. But once you do get there, as a reward the views are simply breathtaking. Its sunny all day long, with a little cave offering a much needed mid-day shade and only a few people to share it with. This piece of heaven is not available for long; unfortunately, the beach is disappearing because the sea is eroding the sand.

Di r e ct ions: ... don’t think so. You have to be perusive enought to have the locals show you the way or persistant enought to google it youself (remember no internet signal).

Čilipi If you want to explore the folklore and ethnography of Konavle, you must visit Čilipi, the cultural centre and one of the largest settlements in Konavle. For over forty years now, every Sunday morning at 11.15 am, from Easter to the end of October, traditional folk dancing is held in front of the St. Nicholas church. This is surely the best way to get to know the tradition and customs of this region. We also recommend visiting the Konavle County House museum that contains the ethnographic treasures of Konavle, displayed in a perfectly restored typical Konavle house. The collection contains about 500 items including men’s and women’s folk costumes, embroidery, jewellery, arms, musical instruments and items used in the everyday life.

F o r t “ S o k o l“ ( H aw k f o r t ) Dating from the 15th century, the impressive Sokol fort was built at the foot of the stone cliffs that rise above the village of Dunave in Konavle. It was the largest fort in the area, built to guard the border of the Dubrovnik Republic and defended the area from enemy invasions through the natural passage between the massive Snježnica and Bjelotina Mountains.

Throughout the centuries it was constantly adapted and upgraded.

T i p When you set foot on the last step and reach the top of the fort, you will be impressed by the breath-taking view of the entire Konavle region.

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10 facts

a bou t croat i a you’d never have guessed

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T h e n e c k t i e ha s i t s o r i g i n i n C r o at i a

It ’ s h o m e t o th e w o r l d ’ s s m all e s t t o w n “ H u m ”

It ’ s th e h o m e o f th e w o r l d ’ s b i g g e s t t r u ffl e

(in Croatian: Kravata, English: Cravat, French: Cravate, German: Krawatte, Italian: Cravatta, Spanish: Corvatta) — The cravatas it was named originated from Croatian soldiers who served as mercenaries for the King of France during the Thirty Years' War. In their own way, with the cravat, the Croats have started conquering the world from the coasts of the Adriatic Sea from 17th century. The consequences of that conquering are today felt around the necks by 600 million businessmen worldwide.

Hum in Istria with a varying population of 18 – 23 people holds the Guinness World Record for being the smallest town in the world.

The Guinness Record holder of the largest white truffle belongs to a Croatian. A white truffle weighing 1.31 kg (2 lb 8 oz) was found near Buje, a town in Istria, Croatia.

04 1 0 1 Dal m at i a n s ?

The dog breed actually comes from Dalmatia, a region in Croatia.

07 hours of sunshine The people in Croatia enjoy 2,715 hours of sunshine a year.

That is more than Sydney, Australia.

02 unesco It has the highest number of UNESCO Intangible Goods of any European country (in a tie with Spain).

05 T h e m o n e y i s n a m e d aft e r a rodent Croatian currency is known as the Kuna, which is the Croatian word for marten. A marten was a forest rodent whose highly prized skin was used to pay taxes in the Roman provinces of eastern Croatia. The marten appeared on medieval coins before giving its name to the new currency in 1994. And the coins are named after a lime tree.

08 i s la n d s Croatia is rightfully known as a country of 1,000 islands, as it has 1244 islands, islets and reefs. However, less than 50 are inhabited.

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09 Dubrovnik Built in 1296, Dubrovnik still has in use today one of the first medieval sewage systems.

10 Z i n fa n d e l g r ap e Zinfandel grape variety comes from Croatia.

Oh yeah, this one is for real. Croatian old wine variety, Crljenak Kastelanski, is the same grape variety as Zinfandel. DNA proved. Napa Valley, you’re welcome!

And we couldn’t resist throwing in a few others: Words without vowels are everywhere in Croatian language. Try pronouncing: Krk, trn, vrt, prst, strm… need to continue?!

Pay att en t ion: When giving flowers to somebody, make sure there is an odd number of stems. Othervise they would be offended - flowers with an even number of stems are for the graveyards. #thecroatianway If somebody invites you for a coffee, you can actually order something else. Coffee culture in Croatia is so strong, that the word “coffee” just got the meaning of the word “drink”. Sometimes by watching busy cafes in the middle of the day, you might get a wrong impression that Croatians don’t work. We actually do. In the bar. While we drink coffee. #thecroatianway

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mljet island

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mljet island

Dive into happiness!

Follow the route of ancient Greek galleons, Ulysses and Jacques Cousteau into the purest waters of the Adriatic...

Do you remember Ulysses, the great mythical Greek hero and king of Ithaca? According to one of many legends, Odysseus was shipwrecked on the island of Mljet and lured by the nymph Calypso into a cave where he became her hostage.

Today, the island of Mljet is a forested paradise and national park with marvellous salt-water lakes. Famous for its stories and legends, the Island of Mljet is the largest island of the Dubrovnik Archipelago. It is often called the ‘green island’ because of its lush vegetation. Its beauty comes from the beautiful beaches that create an amazing contrast with steep rocks, caves and cliffs.

— The western part of the island was proclaimed the first national park in the Adriatic in 1960. Because of its natural features and cultural-historic monuments, the park has been designated an area of special purpose and a protected indigenous eco-system of the Adriatic coast.

of the Great Lake, a small isle, called St. Mary, is home to an ancient Benedictine monastery and a small church dating to the 12th century. The small island bestows an exceptional aesthetic image to all of Mljet and is a favourite tourist destination. Beautiful rich forest surrounds the lakes and fills the park, featuring small forest roads and discrete pathways, ideal for hiking and bicycle rides. The woods gently descend all the way to the surface of the clear crystal lakes, giving hikers, bikers and swimmers refreshing shade, and enhancing the tranquil feeling that Mljet radiates.

Time magazine once named Mljet one of the 10 most beautiful islands in the world, and legendary underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau loved exploring this area.

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Walking across Mljet, you will experience this unique environment with its cliffs, rocks, bays, scattered islets and unique geological system of salt lakes. These were freshwater lakes from their formation about 10,000 years ago until the beginning of Christian era. To experience their beauty, people swim and sail across them in gondolas. This way, you can really see the inner beauty of the island. Seeing all this makes you feel like you are walking through heaven on earth.

The natural secrets of Mljet’s two lakes have attracted many scientists over the years, as well as innumerable nature lovers seeking pristine surroundings. In the middle

DIVING Diving around Mljet’s is completely different from diving throughout the rest of Croatia. The great 20th century marine biologist and explorer Jacques Cousteau said that Mljet is one of the world’s top ten most beautiful diving destinations.

Mljet is located along an important maritime route, and many ancient Greek galleys sailed through the Adriatic.

Some of these ships sank, ran aground, or shipwrecked, leaving behind fascinating ruins, such as the famous amphorae, terra cotta containers used for transporting oil and wine.

According to Cousteau, the sea around Mljet is one of the purest in the world, making this area perfect for diving and exploring underwater life. The sea around Mljet Island is clear and transparent so you can explore underwater animal life, numerous caves and fascinating Roman ruins.

Explore this underwater world and discover red coral, octopus or lobster, or simply enjoy searching for different kinds of shellfish. There are beautiful rock formations and caves, which you will find along your diving route.

While diving, you might see some amphora or some other ancient artefacts.

D i v i n g l o c at i o n s You will never get the chance to discover all the secrets of the sea, but you will find many when you dive on Mljet, a beautiful area with a clear crystal sea. We recommend several diving locations: Greben Štit is an area on the southwest part of the island, rich in flora and fauna. While diving here you will see schools of different kinds of fish and certainly some lobsters. If you are lucky, you will find some red coral.

Ulysses’ cave is a marine cave that owes its name to an ancient legend according to which the adventurous Ulysses spent seven years on Mljet, enchanted by the beautiful nymph Calypso who lived right in this cave. While diving, you will see the amazing colours on your way in and out,

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Diving on the island of Mljet is only possible if accompanied by a licenced diving centre guide authorized by the Ministry of Culture or National park. So, in order to comply with national laws and regulations of the Mljet national park, you are strongly advised to contact the Diving Centre “Aquatica” located in Pomena just next to our Hotel Odisej. This is the only diving centre that has permission to access the underwater beauties of the island of Mljet. which will surely make this an unforgettable experience!

Lenga is located on the southern part of Mljet. In deeper parts of the Lenga diving spot you can find red coral, while in shallow parts there is also rich flora and fauna and various sea animals. This area features forgotten holes in the rock where lobsters or octopus hides.

Vanji škoj is a reef near the Great and Small Lake. This area is full of algae. There are lots of cliffs, and interesting rock formations to explore. The seabed is covered with white sand.

Goli rat is located on the westernmost part of the island.

Here you can see ruins of shipwrecks from ancient times.

Finding an old anchor or ancient amphora is how you will discover one of the secrets hidden in the sea.

One of the most interesting dives in the whole Adriatic certainly belongs to the wreck of the German torpedo boat S-57 from WW II that sank on 19 August 1944 when the British Navy ambushed an entire German convoy.

Still armed, the wreck is a national protected site and today lies at an ideal depth of 20 to 37 meters. We will not reveal to you the whole story; rather we invite you to come here and to find it out on the spot.

Bear in mind that, because of the large number of ancient sites, the Ministry of Culture proclaimed not only the area of the national park, but also the entire island as protected zone. Diving in the inland salt lakes is not permitted, but you are free to snorkel if you wish.

One thing is certain - diving in the resplendent waters around Mljet and viewing its abundant marine life is an unforgettable experience and, no matter how deep you choose to dive, an experience worth recounting to others.

A n d f i n all y , h o w t o g e t th e r e f r o m Dubrov nik There are two ways to get to Mljet, and both are by sea.

There are direct boat lines from Gruž harbor in Dubrovnik to the main ports of Mljet. The high-speed catamaran “Nona Ana” takes you comfortably and quickly there in just 45 minutes or so. The trip starts from Dubrovnik’s Port Gruž.

There is also another ferry line to Mljet from the town of Trstenik on the Pelješac peninsula, about an hour and a half up the coast from Dubrovnik. This slower ferry ship is a wonderful sightseeing experience, giving you a glimpse of all islands from Dubrovnik to Mljet as you pass along, even an inside view as the ferry stops at many islands of the Elaphiti archipelago along the way. The trip is an opportunity to take unforgettable pictures and see what the Dubrovnik Riviera is all about. There is also a third option, via the ferry line in Prapratno, also located on the Pelješac peninsula.

Whatever way you choose to go, you will be glad you visited The Green Island. It has something for everyone — beautiful walking paths and bicycle trails, hundreds of hidden swimming spots and beaches, including Saplunara beach, and many more attractions like the unique Ulysses Cave.

h o t e l i n f o r m at i o n

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h o t e l i n f o r m at i o n

Adriatic Luxury Hotels

DRE A M CO L L EC T ION HOTEL E XCEL SIOR DUBROV NIK Dubrovnik’s iconic Hotel Excelsior is one of the finest luxury five-star hotels in the Mediterranean. Completetly refurbished, this lavish hotel ha open its doors in spring 2017. Overlooking the island of Lokrum and the Old Town of Dubrovnik, the hotel offers an outstanding location, understated elegance, and incomparable charm. Enjoying a rich 100-year history, the Hotel Excelsior has a longstanding reputation and loyal client base, having played host to some of the world’s greatest performers and royalty.

Accommodation: 139 rooms and 19 suites Dining: three restaurants and one bar Conference facilities: six multifunctional rooms for up to 650 people Wellness and recreation: Energy Clinic spa and beauty centre; private beach HOTEL BELLEV UE DUBROV NIK Hotel Bellevue is a boutique luxury hotel which prides itself on its chic style, attracting a younger, funkier, and more design-savvy clientele to the city of Dubrovnik.

Perched 30m above the picturesque Miramare Bay, nestled in a sandy cove overlooking the Adriatic Sea, the Hotel Bellevue sets a new standard for Croatian properties, attracting the most discerning and affluent visitors.

Accommodation: 77 rooms and 14 suites Dining: two restaurants and two bars Conference facilities: three meeting rooms for up to 140 people Wellness and recreation: Energy Clinic spa and beauty centre; pebble beach V ILL A OR SUL A dubrovnik This new boutique hotel is just a five-minute stroll from the unforgettable UNESCO-protected Dubrovnik Old Town. Its prestigious seafront location offers spectacular sea views, while the surrounding gardens offer exclusive privacy in a secluded corner of Dubrovnik. Built in the 1930’s, Villa Orsula's gracious Oriental style architecture creates an atmosphere of exotic luxury.

Accommodation: 11 rooms and 2 suites Dining: Victoria Restaurant and Lounge Bar V ILL A AGAV E Recognised as the best way to experience the ancient and luxurious city of Dubrovnik, Villa Agave is one of the most exclusive villas on the Mediterranean. With an atmosphere of relaxation, comfort, and informality, Villa Agave is a three-bedroom, 270 m 2 summer house overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Surrounded by five terraces,

Villa Agave offers exceptional privacy and breathtaking views across the bay of the Old Town of Dubrovnik and the Island of Lokrum.

V ILL A SHEHER E Z A DE Vila Sheherezade was built in the early 1920’s. Its outstanding white stone architecture makes it one of Dubrovnik’s protected historic sites. The legend behind this marvellous villa, about a great love manifested in the form of a monument, resembles the story of the Taj Mahal. This architectural masterpiece, surrounded by colourful gardens of palm and cypress trees includes over 4,200 m 2 of exuberant greenery, creating a charming and unique atmosphere.

e s c ap e CO L L EC T ION GR A ND V ILL A A RGENTINA Just minutes from the gates of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, Villa Argentina was built as a gilded private residence at the beginning of the 20th century and was converted into a five-star hotel complex in the 1950’s. Overlooking the blue Adriatic Sea and nearby island of Lokrum, the hotel is just a short walk from the Old Town of Dubrovnik, providing the ideal starting point for exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Accommodation: 127 rooms and 4 suites Dining: two restaurants and three bars Conference facilities: three meeting rooms for up to 200 people Wellness and recreation: Outdoor swimming pool; deck beach HOTEL DUBROV NIK PA L ACE Hotel Dubrovnik Palace, a luxury five-star resort, opened in May 2004 and renovated in 2014. Revered for its multifaceted approach to lavish holiday escapes, Dubrovnik Palace offers a full range of activities and facilities for couples and business travellers. Celebrated as Europe’s finest five-star resort for 2011, the Hotel Dubrovnik Palace was also the proud winner of two World Travel Awards for two consecutive years – Croatia’s Leading Hotel and Croatia’s Leading Spa Resort. Its wellness and spa centre, conference rooms, superb gastronomy, and spectacular terraces with breathtaking sea views make it the first choice for a memorable, luxurious stay.

Accommodation: 271 rooms and 37 suites Dining: four restaurants and three bars Conference facilities: eleven conference and meeting rooms for up to 750 people Wellness and recreation: Energy Clinic spa and beauty centre, three outdoor swimming pools, PADI diving centre, tennis court, private beach, jogging paths and walking routes.

HOTEL CROATI A CAV TAT Located a pleasant 20-minute drive from historic Old Town Dubrovnik, near the picturesque village of Cavtat, Hotel Croatia Cavtat is the leading 5-star resort and conference hotel on the southern Adriatic. Built to demanding specifications allowing Hotel Croatia to blend

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seamlessly with its natural surroundings, it is the ideal destination for relaxation or business. The hotel serves as a convenient base for exploring Dubrovnik, the crown jewel of the Adriatic.

Accommodation: 480 rooms and 7 suites Dining: four restaurants, three bars, night club Conference facilities: ten conference and meeting rooms for up to 850 people Wellness and recreation: Energy Clinic wellness and spa centre, private beach, outdoor swimming pool HOTEL KOMPA S dubrovnik All new 4- star hotel opened in August 2015, the charming Kompas is located in the most peaceful and calm neighbourhood of Dubrovnik, the beautiful Lapad Bay. Less than 4 km from the Old Town city centre - away from summer crowds, Hotel Kompas enjoys one of the best positions in Dubrovnik. Thanks to its proximity to the sea and the beach, its ideal location in a quiet area, hotel Kompas has become one of the most popular places to spend summer holidays in Dubrovnik.

Accommodation: 170 rooms and 3 suites Dining: Sphere Restaurant & Lounge Bar and Zenith bar Conference facilities: conference room for up to 400 people Wellness and recreation: Energy Clinic wellness and spa centre, outdoor and indoor swimming pool V ILL A GL AV IĆ dubrovnik Villa Glavić is an historic three-storey building, with 21 rooms, offering complete privacy and beautiful sea views.

The location of the hotel makes it convenient for trips into Dubrovnik, to learn of its colourful history, to dine in its many restaurants or to shop in the boutiques of the walled city.

u n w i n d CO L L EC T ION HOTEL ODISEJ mljet Hotel Odisej is a three-star hotel in the heart of the Mljet National Park, on the Island of Mljet. It is a perfect place for nature enthusiasts, history buffs; those who like to explore the myths of ancient times or scuba diving fans.

If you are looking for a secluded island retreat, where time stands still, the island of Mljet makes a perfect choice.

Accommodation: 153 rooms and two suites Dining: two restaurants and three bars Wellness and recreation: Children's swimming pool; fitness studio; hiking and biking trails; diving centre HOTEL SUPETA R cavtat Hotel Supetar is a comfortable 3-star hotel ideally situated for a family holiday in the centre of the charming historic town of Cavtat, a typical Dalmatian seaside town with harmonious architecture. The hotel is just steps away from the beach and offers guests a more intimate setting to enjoy their Adriatic vacation. Old Town Dubrovnik is a pleasant 20-minute drive away.

Accommodation: 28 rooms Dining: restaurant and bar

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