Press Info 2011-English

PRESS 2011
Kayaking
www.croatiatraveller.com
www.kajak.hr
www.rekreacija.hr
Clear and warm, green waters of the Croatian rivers, interesting to
all lovers of kayaking, have sources in the mountain foothills and run
through canyons, flowing through limestone barriers in the sparkling
curtain of waterfalls. They captivate with their beauty, not danger. High
spring water levels allow an exhilarating experience, while summer
tours are ideal for beginners. All major tourist centers organize daily
kayaking excursions down the rivers Kupa, Gacka and Zrmanja. Paddling
in a kayak you will discover the sites that many locals have never seen.
Even though kayaking in Croatia has a long tradition and the rivers are
beautiful it is not a mass sport. Spring and early summer are an ideal
time for kayaking adventures on the rivers Dobra, Mrežnica, Una, Kupa,
Korana, Cetina, Krupa and Zrmanja.
Rafting
www.dalmatiarafting.com
www.foris.hr
www.raft.hr
www.adventure-sport.net
Rafting has a long tradition in Croatia as a mode of water transport.
However, true, modern adventure-rafting began on the wild waters of
the Croatian rivers only in the late eighties, when the amazing beauty of
Croatian rivers, known to only a few adventurers, enthusiastic kayakers
and fishermen, were discovered. The first pioneers of commercial river
trips and experts on Croatian waters did not anticipate the popularity of
rafting on rivers which have very few strong rapids and rare big waves.
Thanks to them, thousands of people have had close encounters with
the unforgettable magic of rivers, green river banks, steep canyons and
clear depths. All the rivers are green and clear to the bottom and whilst
those on the continent are surrounded by thick forests and mountains,
the ones near the sea have green banks and deep rocky canyons.
The rivers on which rafting is organized are: Cetin, Una, Korana,
Mrežnica, Krka, Zrmanja and its tributary Krupa.
Speleology
www.speleo.hr
www.speleologija.hr
Croatia as a real karst area is abundant in caves. More than 11 500
caves and pits have been discovered on the mainland, the islands,
under the sea, along rivers and in the mountains. There are still
many areas where systematic speleological research has not yet been
done. Speleology associations, clubs and societies and caving groups
in mountaineering associations also bring amateurs along on their
caving expedition trips. The most famous and most charming are
Modra Špilja (Blue Cave) on Biševo and Zmajeva Špilja (the Dragon’s
Cave) on the island of Brač and the cave ‘altars’ near the desert
Blaca. The caves of Papuk and regions of Kordun, Lika, Dalmatia and
Zagora are open to visitors without experience for enjoying various
forms of stalactites and stalagmites. The most attractive caves are
located in Istria, Gorski Kotar and Medvednica, and for true fans of
the underground we recommend Veternica near Zagreb, Cerovac
caves near Gračac and Lukina Jama (Luka’s pit) on Velebit, where you
can meet the olm, while in Šandalji located near Pula, you can find
the oldest remains of prehistoric man - Homo erectus.
Some caves in addition to their beauty also hold interesting tourist
attractions. For example, in cave Veternica one can find traces of the
remains of the extinct cave bear and sometimes you can see examples
of fossils and bats; in Đurovića cave, under the Dubrovnik airport,
authentic Konavle wines are exibited, while natural lighting effects
(blue reflex in sea water) are abundant in Plava Spilja (Blue Cave)
on Biševo. Baredine pit, the only pit renovated for tourists in Croatia,
displays the olm in its natural environment.
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