DELIGHTS I P€$TIT{ATICINS Thesea, sun and culture abou nd in Croatia pulaArena in lstriais the onlyremaining Roman amphitheatre preserved in itsentirety. lt wasbuilt in the 1stCentury AD hen people ask me how much tory, way of life, food and even mentality. time they should spend in Cro- Croatia is one of the best ecologically atia, usually my answer is two preserved parts of Europe. Our eight to three weeks. You might ask why so national parks cover 7.5 per cent of the much time for such a small country - country's landscape. There are also 11 na- Croatia is about the same size as Nova ture parks and two arboretums. We have Scotia, with a population similar to that of 10 sites on UNESCO's World Heritage List Alberta, at 4.2 million. and 15 rnore sites on UNESCO's Tentative Bu Marica Matkoatc The reason is simple. If you really want List. to experience Croatia, you'lI have to visit Croatia's Adriatic Coast ranks as one of regions that are inland and those on the the longest in Europe, thanks to its craggy coast. Every region tells a different story nature. Running to a total of 6,278 kilo- when it comes to landscape, culture, his- metres, and with 1,,244islands, islets and 102 SPRING 2018 I APR-MAY-IUN OT$YINATNONSI DELIGHTS crags surrounded by crystal clear waters, it's easy to see why a British newspaper - after comprehensive analysis of Google data in 2016 - determined that Croatia was the most desirable destination in the world. I'm happy to say that Croatia is a well- known destination among Canadians. In 2017, my country welcomed more than 142,000 tourists from Canada. Since the summer of 201.6,visiting Croatia has never been easier. Air Transat's direct seasonal flights already connect Toronto with Za- greb and Air Canada will start offering the same service in June 201.8.And what better excuse to visit than this yeal, whery onApril 14, Canada and Croatia will mark 25 years of bilateral diplomatic relations. Zagreb:A captivating capital Zagreb, with a population of nearly one million" is very different from the rest of the countrf,but the Croatian capital is the perfect starting point to introduce you to the country. The heart of Zagreb and its most popular meeting spof Ban Jelacic Square, is a great place to start. A few steps away, you will discover Dolac, the country's biggest farmers' marketplace. Bring your Christmasin Zagrebat BanJelacic Square is a reasonto visitthe capitalin December. camera because this open-air market is picturesque, thanks to traditional red parasols with a pattern you'll also find on souvenirs in the area. While in Dolac, take a selfie with the bronze statue "Ku- mica Barica," which is an homage to the peasant women selling their products here. The city's main highlights can be dis- covered on foot but try to do at least one tram ride. The squealing sound of Zagreb blue trams adds an extra note of old-world charm to the city's unhurried pace. On your way to Upper Town, take the shortest cable car in the world - the Zagreb funicular. In just 64 seconds, you will find yourself at the base of Lotrscak Towe4, one of the symbols of Zagreb. This 13th-Century tower houses the Gric can- nory which fires every day at exactly noon. Don't be scared, just set your watch to it. In Upper Town, you will find Saint Mark's Church in neo-gothic style with a uniquely colourful tiled roof. If you are a museum love4 don't miss one of Zagreb's - quirkiest museums: Museum of Broken F q Relationships, which is dedicated to failed € intimate relationships. In 201,6,a second l one opened in Los Angeles. o E If you find yourself in Zagreb in De- z cembel, consider yourself lucky because, tr E. in 2017, "Advent in Zagreb" \ /as named E. the best Christmas market in Europe SpicySlavonian river fish stew is a Croatianculinary delicacy. lD orprovAr AND TNTERNATToNALcANADA 103 DELIGHTS I DESTINATIONS minac from Ilok cellars was served at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. Since then, Ilodki Podrumi Tiaminac has been held in the Royal Family's wine cel- lars. If you would like to try Traminac/ you don't even have to travel because you can buy it in Canada at the LCBO. lstria'streasures The next step of your Croatian adventure is Istria, a heart-shaped peninsula. Once there, head to the Arena in Pula, the only remaining Roman amphitheatre preserved in its entirety. Constructed in the 1st Century AD, it was used for gladiatorial fights. Today, it serves as a unique concert venue that has hosted musicians such as Leonard Coheru Elton ]ohn and Sting. Your next hidden treasure is certainly Groznjan. This hilltop town, full of artists, is my favourite while in Istria. I enjoy Gro- znjan' s lazz Festival, numerous art galler- ies and a full glass of Teran wine. Visit Brijuni Islands to enjoy a safari featuring animals such as elephants and zebras - or simply play a round of golf. Take a tour of the olive oil routes and leave room for a truffle hunt in the oak woods. Istrian wine is another unique symbol ZlatniRat (Golden Cape) Beach on Braclsland in the Dalmatiansoffers a wholeother dimension to that truly defines the region's identity. Croatian tourism opportunities, This region grows various wine grapes that reflect the diversity of its climate and based on an online poll by the website Croatia during the Medieval period. soil. They include Istrian Malvasia, Terary European Best Destinations for the third EasternCroatia's UNESCO draws Muscat, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. year in a row. Fabulous street food and the Eastern Croatia is the country's least- You can combine your wine tour with smell of spiced mulled wine will get you explored tourism regiory as well as one of some Istrian delicacies, such as truffle (ox) ready to experience the largest outdoor the most fascinating. Have an adventure dishes, boskarin and wild asparagus a ice rink in this part of Europe, various free at the UNESCO-lauded Geopark Papuk, and I recommend spending a night at events, concerts and streef performances. with its 3S-metre-high waterfall in the flat- countryside luxury villa in Istria. lands of Slavonia. Sail through Kopac&i Rit On your way to Dalmatia, visit the Medieval northern Croatia Nature Park, a bird paradise often called famous Plitvice Lakes and make a stop at From Zagreb, visit the Zagorle regiory a ro* the Amazon of Europe with more than Pag island. On its moon-like landscape, mantic landscape filled with Medieval and 2,000 animals and insects. experience an alleged UFO landing site at Renaissance fortresses and Baroque cas- You will be amazed by the Vucedol the Pag Triangle; visit the Olive Gardens tles. And if you really want to go back in archeological site. This is a must-see for of Lury which are protected as a botanical time, visit Krapina Neanderthals site and all archeology lovers. Vucedol gave its reserve; eat world-renowned, award-win- - museum. In 1.899,the largest number of name to an entire Neolithic culture the ning Gligora cheese and try Pag's famous Neanderthal fossil bones in Europe were Vucedol culture - which lasted from 3000 lamb dishes. You can also visit the home of - found in a rock shelter near Krapina. The to 2200 BC. The most famous ceramic find one of the greatest inventors of all time remains date back about 130,000 years. is the Vucedol Dove and you can buY a Nikola Tesla. He was born in the Croatian Spend the night in a hii,a, a traditional replica as a souvenir. village of Smiljan and his home has been house in the Zagorje region that includes While in Slavonia, don't miss listening furned into a museum. His inventions in- (AC) all the charms of the country's rural ele- to some traditional singing (becarac),which cluded alternating current electriclty, ments - it should be an idyllic setting on is included on UNESCO's List of Intan- the electric moto4, fluorescent lightbulbs, a hill. Homemade traditional delicacies, gible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Try the radio and the laser. He also contrib- such as turkey with mlincl (a thin dough regional specialties such as river fish stew uted to the discovery of X-rays. baked on a wood-stove) or bucnica (a cobanac(traditional Slavonian meat and phyllo pastry with pumpkin, cheese and vegetable shepherd's stew) andkulen (sau- Dalmatia'sunique attractions sour cream), should be on offer. sage). After that, you can't go wrong with Discover Zadar's one-of-a-kind installa- - Only 80 kilometres from Zagreb, you Sljivovic4 a plum brandy that is also avail- tion a "sea otgart" that produces music - will find another hidden treasure - able at the LCBO. If you are a wine 1ove4, powered only by the sea waves as well Yarazdin, a true Baroque gem. Until a you should know that wine-making in this as "The Greeting to the Sltr.," a colourful disastrous fire, Yarazdin was the capital of region dates to Roman times. A1947 Tra' structure of 300 solar-powered panels. r04 SPRING2018 I APR-MAY-TUN MK$TINAT!CIf{$ I DELIGHTS Both have one thing in common - their use of nature. Without the sea or the sun. neither would work. Here, you can sip Maraska liqueur, Zadar's signature drink, and head to St.