In one of my searches on the Internet about interesting travel websites I found a spot on the sea-kayaking in the Adriatic. I contacted the webmaster to make a reciprocal link exchange and of further investigation, I asked Ivana, one of the founders of the website, actually an interview with me. " As you will see, she is an expert on Croatia and a pretty interesting individual herself.
Ivana Grzetic born and raised in Dubrovnik in a "crazy for the sea" family of divers andSea kayaking. She is an graduate of ACMT (American College of Management and Technology) in Dubrovnik.
As Miss Universe Croatia 1998 and a model, Ivana traveled all over the world, including in Hawaii, California, Hong Kong, China, South Korea and Europe. She now looks forward to sharing their knowledge and love of the Dubrovnik area and the sea, with international visitors.
Founded in 2003, and Edi Brkic Ivana Grzetic Adriatic Sea Kayaking. Their mission is to provide DubrovnikVisitors the opportunity to experience and explore the Dalmatian coast, offshore islands, the waters of the Mediterranean and the region's history and culture in a safe, healthy and active way. Adriatic Sea Kayaking offers quality active excursions that the region's natural beauty and cultural heritage to celebrate with minimal negative impact on the environment.
1st Please tell us more about Croatia, its location, its landscapes, towns and history.
Croatia is situated in the heart of Europe,between Italy, Hungary, Slovenia and Bosnia. Although this country has only 4.7 million inhabitants, it has three very different regions: costal, continental and mountain. Perhaps the most attractive one is costal, Mediterranean Croatia - the land of the islands. Namely, in this part of Croatia there are 1185 islands!
The most attractive city of Dubrovnik in Croatia (50,000 inhabitants), on the south part of the Croatian coast. Surrounded by majestic almost 2 km longCity Walls, this town a World Heritage site. Among the many attractions there are: Rector's Palace, once the seat of the Dubrovnik government, the Franciscan Monastery and the third oldest pharmacy in Europe, and fine Romanesque-Gothic cloister, Baroque Cathedral of St. Blaze's Church, second oldest synagogue in Europe, Jesuit church with small version of the "Spanish Steps".
Dubrovnik has the most amazing story: for almost five centuries it was an independent republic (1358-1808), who was his ownGovernment and the rector, who was the head of the republic. During this period, Dubrovnik one of the richest cities and one of the most powerful economic centers in Europe was.
2nd Please tell us about the connection to Croatia. How to get to Croatia?
Croatia has 3 international airports: Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik. Zagreb is well connected with most European countries year round. During the season (April to October) there are direct charter flights from England,Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Italy, Germany, France, Spain and many other European countries to Dubrovnik and Split.
Dubrovnik has a direct ferry services connected with Bari and Ortona in Italy, while Split and Zadar are well equipped with Ancona and Pescara (Italy). Road construction between Zagreb-Dubrovnik is under way, and right now we have a highway from Zagreb to Sibenik (80 km north of Split). There is a local road from Sibenik to Split and Dubrovnik (Dubrovnik is 220km south ofSplit)
3rd Please comment on the options in Croatia (such as hotels, motels, apartment rentals, Bed and Breakfast, Camping, etc.)
Croatia offers a wide range of accommodation options: camps, private rooms, apartments, hostels and hotels. There are many good campsites on the coast. However, wild camping is not allowed, especially on the islands. Private accommodations are on the rise and can be booked via the Internet. Book private accommodation,generally book room only, as most owners of private accommodations does not offer breakfast and other meals. Hotels have very good standards. This offer included especially breakfast, but you can find some that offer all-inclusive programs.
4th What are the main tourist areas in Croatia? What kind of activities there for the traveler?
The main tourist area of Croatia is the costal part, which could be divided into two large regions: Istria in the northern part, with the towns:Rovinj, Umag, Porec and Dalmatia in the southern part of the Croatian coast, with the cities: Dubrovnik, Split, Sibenik, Zadar, Makarska and islands: Brac, Hvar, Korcula, Mljet, Pag. Two largest cities along the Croatian coast are Split and Rijeka. Both have a population under 300,000. The island of Pag is one big party place, ideal for young people. Istrian and Dalmatian towns offer a range of opportunities for tourists: from cultural attractions you will find great restaurants, nightlife and day activities:Kayaking, diving, sailing. In Dubrovnik region, apart from sea-kayaking, diving and sailing, there are very interesting, horseback riding, jeep safari and wine tasting.
3rd What is the weather in Croatia? What are the best times of the year for travel to Croatia?
Croatia is a country of three different climatic zones: Continental to the north, costal mountain - in the middle of Croatia and the Mediterranean in his pars. At the rib part of Croatia summers are long, dryand hot, while winters are mild and humid, with lots of rain. The best time is to come to Croatia, a period from early April to mid October. If you come for the sea, June, July, August and September are best. But in July and August Croatia gets very crowded.
4th You are located in the city of Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik was also affected by the Balkan wars in the early 1990s. Please comment this difficult time and give us a description of this city today.
During hisHistory, Dubrovnik was never real war on its territory, until 1991. The main weapon of the Dubrovnik Republic was its skillful diplomacy. Namely, Dubrovnik was negotiating and often buys his freedom. The cost was really high sometimes, but it was always worth it.
When the war in Croatia started, nobody really thought that Dubrovnik - a city in the world heritage listed, it would be really attacked. The period 1991-1992 was the hardest time of Dubrovnik history. TheCity by air bombardment from land and sea. The main street in Dubrovnik - Stradun burned. It had no water or electricity, and the shelves in supermarkets had completely empty. You could only buy bread at this time. It seemed as if there is no way out ...
Reconstruction was carried out immediately after the war. Today, one could never imagine what was going on in Dubrovnik in the early nineties. The city is full of tourists and this year Lonely Planet as one of them proclaimed the most popular destinations in the world.
5th Your company offers sea kayaking trips, from one-day excursions to week-long tours. Please tell us more about what does your company and what your unique tours.
Avanture Adriatic sea kayak is the only company from Dubrovnik. We offer a wide range of sea kayak tours:
Half day tours: with daily departures from Dubrovnik to the islands and Lokrum Kolocep. This> Tours require no previous paddling experience.
Multy Day Tours: Short Break Tour and a week kayaking stress to those looking for just that are adventure and escape from every day.
We also offer some very interesting team-building programs.
to emphasize Adria Avanture we were on a very personal service. Our guides are here at home and they know every rock, every hidden bay on your route, the local population to compelling stories of the places you visit.
WeSupport the Croatian slogan: "Help us clean the Adriatic." We leave the environment, as it is. All we take with us the photos and the memories. That is why people are friendly to local kayakers.
6th How did you get with this business idea, how long you have business and where your customers come in? What time of year to offer these tours?
I was born in a "crazy for the sea" family of divers and canoeists. My parents gave me a TransmitedLove of nature and the sea. As a model, I spent some time in Greece, where I saw organized sea kayaking tours. This inspired me, and in 2003, together with my friend, I founded Avanture Adriatic. We organize trips by sea kayak from May to October. The majority of our customers from UK, Ireland, Sweden come, Norway and USA.
Thank you, Ivana, for sharing with your knowledgeable insight into the beautiful, aspiring region in Croatia with us.
