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Articles (707)

Celebrate summer with a boat party in NYC

Celebrate summer with a boat party in NYC

This summer, the heat is on and the best way to cool down is to get out on the water. You athletic types can try kayaking NYC’s rivers, and landlubbers can stick to the city’s prominent waterfront restaurants and boat bars, but if you have any hint of seafaring fun in you, a boat party in NYC is one of the best things to do in the summer. Open waters, sea breezes and stunning views of Manhattan are all on tap when you embark on a booze cruise in NYC. Oh and did we mention full bars, great food, and live music? Take your summer celebrations to the next level and set sail with these boat parties. There’s something for everyone, whether it’s a cantina-themed boat, a lobster-centric excursion, a fine dining cruise or a leisurely happy hour float. You’re more than welcome to rock the boat on a rock n roll cruise, and cocktails are tastier when sipped on a yacht. Check out these NYC boat parties for a totally nautical summer.

The 38 best Dubrovnik restaurants

The 38 best Dubrovnik restaurants

Dubrovnik restaurants offer the culinary quality and variety that should be expected of such a luxury destination. But dining in Dubrovnik needn't cost an arm and a leg: many places offer simple, wholesome dishes at wallet-friendly prices. We've compiled a list of the best restaurants, from budget fish and seafood to fine dining. In no particular order, these are the top tables in town. RECOMMENDED: The best bars in Dubrovnik.

The 22 best things to do in France

The 22 best things to do in France

A little bit of realistic thinking is required. It is important to accept that covering everything in France is an impossible task that would take several lifetimes to complete. Best to focus on the best of the best then, right? The best things to do in France are enough to make travel obsessives out of cynics, covering everything from the tops of mountains to secret coves between the seas. France is famous for many reasons, but ‘being France’ is probably the most important.Paris gets most of the attention, yet falling in love with a beautiful village here is almost a rite of passage. The cuisine is as good as our species has produced, while the beaches somehow stay rugged and stylish. France is France, and it can never be anything else. This is the best that France has to offer.

Find divine wine and fine fish at Bura Bistro & Bar by Dubrovnik Cathedral

Find divine wine and fine fish at Bura Bistro & Bar by Dubrovnik Cathedral

Right alongside Dubrovnik Cathedral with its glittering treasury, Bura Bistro & Bar is the latest top spot in the historic Old Town for sensational seasonal food, innovative wines and quality cocktails. Named after local Adriatic wind – hence the NE compass logo used for branding – Bura is overseen and co-owned by professional sommelier Marin, who has travelled the globe inspired by good food. Bura Bistro and Bar Bura Bistro and Bar Here, what’s on your plate and what’s in your glass are given equal emphasis. A few steps from the city’s main market on Gundulićeva poljana, Bura Bistro & Bar strongly believes in seasonality. Its concise menu changes throughout the year, underscored by the long-standing relationship Marin and his team have developed with local farmers and producers. The daily catch is just that, fresh fish and seafood arriving every morning from the Adriatic lapping close by. Bura Bistro and Bar Now that it’s summer, especially, tapas-style dishes come into their own, and at Bura Bistro & Bar, they lean towards a South-American approach to their gourmet street food. The current stand-out option is ceviche, which many have heard of but few know of its composition. Thought of as raw fish in citrus juices from Peru, here, thanks to Marin’s authentic expertise, the chef applies a particular technique to bring out all the flavours. The shrimp and swordfish are provided with an orange emulsion with green chili, topped with fermented fennel and shallots. This mea

The 53 best cities in the world in 2022

The 53 best cities in the world in 2022

Every year, we quiz thousands of city-dwellers worldwide about life in their hometown right now. We want to know about the restaurant scene and the bar circuit. The theatre and the art galleries. The nightlife and the dating apps. What the neighbours are like and which neighbourhoods are actually cool. The idea is to create a global snapshot of city living, and point people in the direction of the places locals are really raving about. And now... the results of the Time Out Index 2022 are in! As ever, we’ve crunched all that data and used it to come up with our annual ranking of the world’s greatest cities. For the past two years, the list has focused on how cities pulled together through the pandemic and made life (just about) tolerable during lockdowns. But now, after two years of travel curbs, the world is opening up again, and we – like you – are itching to get back out there. So while things like community spirit and resilience were two of the most important factors last year, in 2022 we’ve added extra weight to the things that make cities great places to visit as well as to live. Our top cities this year are the ones with thriving nightlife, amazing food and drink, and art, culture and museums galore. We’ve highlighted places that aren’t boring or overly expensive or overrated, and we’ve ensured that our top picks also score well for practical stuff like walkability, good public transport and safety, as well as sustainability. We’ve also tapped into our global network o

Manhattan's 37 best restaurants

Manhattan's 37 best restaurants

Choosing a restaurant in NYC, where new spots pop up all the time, is one of life’s most rewarding challenges, and any way to narrow the field presents a welcome edge. Price point’s a good place to start, and location is always imperative. Manhattan makes sense most of the time, and it just happens to have more than a few magnificent diners, cafes, bistros, power lunch spots and special occasion destinations. Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island all have their share too, but these are the best places to eat and drink on the island of Manhattan.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC

The best dinner cruises in NYC

The best dinner cruises in NYC

There can’t be many better ways to enjoy dinner with a view than to hop aboard a dinner cruise in NYC. And you know what? That’s why we’ve rounded up the best of the dinner cruise bunch in New York to make that experience even easier. The city sparkles the brightest in the summer (it’s still here, right?) so it’s time to take advantage of the many floating restaurants that sail up and down our two rivers. Rooftop bars and beaches are musts, but a dinner cruise is something special to do with your loved ones. Even the best restaurants in NYC can’t compare to the experience of eating out on the water, and most of these dinner cruises offer prix-fixe menus or buffet meals on enormous three-level ships, sailing taverns and ritzy yachts. Whichever you choose, the ambiance just can’t be beaten. Bon voyage – and bon appetit, too! RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do in the summer in NYC This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Les 33 meilleurs restaurants du centre-ville de Montréal

Les 33 meilleurs restaurants du centre-ville de Montréal

MISE À JOUR, été 2022 : Qu'il s'agisse de restaurants bon marché, de certains des meilleures terrasses de la ville ou des institutions de premier ordre, le quartier le plus achalandé de la ville offre bien plus que ce que l'on peut imaginer. Découvrez le plus grand supper club du Canada, l'un de nos spots de sandwichs préférés, le patio le plus Instagrammable de la ville et bien plus encore. RECOMMANDÉ :Les meilleurs nouveaux restaurants où manger pas cher en villeLes 20 meilleurs nouveaux restaurants de Montréal21 meilleurs bars sur des toits à MontréalLes 33 meilleurs restaurants de brunch en ville

The best cheap hotels in Singapore under $200

The best cheap hotels in Singapore under $200

Singapore has (quite rightly, to be honest) a reputation for being one of the most expensive cities in the world. But the bustling metropolis certainly isn’t totally free of affordable places to stay – whether for staycations or wider travels, you can still find plenty of ways to do the city on the cheap. You’ve just got to know where to look.    And luckily enough, we do know where to look. And what’s more is that Singapore’s cheap hotels still manage to be very luxurious indeed. Some even include things like swimming pools and fitness centres, all conveniently located within the city limits. These are our top picks from Singapore’s finest budget hotels. RECOMMENDED: Live list of hotels accepting staycation reservations and the best staycation promotions in Singapore

Las mejores ciudades del mundo en 2022

Las mejores ciudades del mundo en 2022

Cada año encuestamos a miles de ciudadanos de todo el mundo para saber de primera mano cómo es la vida en sus ciudades en este momento. Queremos conocer el panorama gastronómico y el circuito de bares. El teatro y las galerías de arte. La vida nocturna y las aplicaciones de citas. Cómo son los vecinos y qué barrios son realmente fantásticos. La idea es crear una instantánea global de la vida en la ciudad y dirigir a la gente a los lugares que entusiasman a sus vecinos. Y ahora... ¡Los resultados del Time Out Index 2022! Como siempre, hemos analizado todos estos datos para elaborar nuestro ranking anual de las mejores ciudades del mundo. Durante los últimos dos años, la lista se centró en cómo las ciudades se unieron durante la pandemia e hicieron la vida (casi) tolerable durante los confinamientos. Pero ahora, después de dos años de restricciones a la hora de viajar, el mundo se abre de nuevo y nosotros, al igual que vosotros, tenemos ganas de volver a viajar. Aunque aspectos como el espíritu comunitario y la resiliencia fueron dos de los factores más importantes el pasado año, en el 2022 hemos añadido un peso adicional a las cosas que hacen de las ciudades lugares fantásticos para visitar y para vivir en ellos. Nuestras ciudades favoritas de este año son las que ofrecen una vida nocturna próspera, comida y bebidas increíbles, y arte, cultura y museos en abundancia. Hemos destacado lugares que no son aburridos, ni demasiado caros, ni están sobrevalorados, y nos hemos asegurad

Las 53 mejores ciudades del mundo en 2022

Las 53 mejores ciudades del mundo en 2022

Cada año, le preguntamos a miles de habitantes de ciudades de todo el mundo sobre la vida en su ciudad de origen. Indagamos acerca de la escena restaurantera y los mejores bares. Lo destacado en teatro y en las galerías de arte. También acerca de cómo son los vecinos y los barrios que consideran más cool. La idea es mostrar la vida global de cada ciudad y destacar los sitios que realmente entusiasman a los lugareños.   ¡Aquí están los resultados del Time Out Index 2022! Como siempre, hemos analizado todos esos datos y los hemos aprovechado para elaborar nuestra clasificación anual de las mejores ciudades del mundo. Durante los últimos dos años, la lista se ha enfocado en destacar cómo las ciudades se unieron durante la pandemia e hicieron de la vida (casi) tolerable durante los confinamientos. Pero ahora, después de dos años de restricciones para viajar, el mundo se está abriendo nuevamente y nosotros, como tú, estamos ansiosos por volver a salir. Nuestras principales ciudades este 2022 son las que cuentan con una vida nocturna próspera, comida y bebida increíbles, arte, cultura y museos en abundancia. También hemos aprovechado nuestra red global de editores y colaboradores expertos para obtener información privilegiada sobre lo que está de moda, lo que es nuevo y las tendencias. Si estás planeando una escapada por el mundo este año (especialmente si es la primera en mucho, mucho tiempo), estos son los lugares imperdibles.  

The 18 best bagels in NYC

The 18 best bagels in NYC

Much like pizza, New York City bagels are the subject of yearslong debate, competition and consideration. Is it something in our water that makes them so special, and, what exactly are the ideal accoutrement to enjoy them in peak form? We’re gonna go with "maybe" and "whatever you wish, as long as you’re ordering from the very best bagel destinations in NYC." These are our favorite spots in the city now. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC

Listings and reviews (271)

Ambulance

Ambulance

2 out of 5 stars

Free from the robot clutches of the Transformers franchise and his last, direct-to-Netflix thriller 6 Underground, Michael Bay returns where he belongs: a car chase in Los Angeles surrounded by muscled, sweaty men.  War veteran Will Sharp (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), in dire need of cash to pay for his wife’s unspecified surgery, asks his career criminal adoptive brother Danny (Jake Gyllenhaal) for help as a last recourse. Abdul-Mateen II is the more grounded of the two while Gyllenhaal is giving us crazy-eyes. What’s supposed to be an easy job gets really messy, really quickly, and the two brothers find themselves in a LA-wide police chase with an injured cop in the back of the ambulance they’ve hijacked. If he dies, their sentences will be much more severe. The steely EMT Cam (Eliza Gonzalez) rounds off this unhinged scenario, a relatively sane counterweight to the odd-couple brothers as she tries to keep the cop alive.  Ambulance is a remake of a 2005 Danish film of the same name, but pimped up à la Bay. Something is always happening, very loudly, and everyone is concerned with looking very cool while it happens. Most of the action happens inside the titular ambulance, and credit to Bay for making it feel as cramped and frenetic as the story demands through sweaty close-ups and lunatic banter. His camera goes from trembling close-ups to swooping helicopter shots of his beloved LA at dizzying speed. Something is always happening, very loudly, and everyone is concerned with loo

Live Talks Los Angeles

Live Talks Los Angeles

L.A.’s star-studded lecture series returns—both virtually and in person—with a lineup of writers, artists, performers, scientists and business leaders who will graciously blow your mind. For both online and IRL events, you’ll have the option of purchasing the speaker’s book—otherwise, some of the streaming discussions are free to view.

The Who

The Who

The Who—that is, Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, some other musicians and two very prominent ghosts—come to town on their “The Who Hits Back!” tour. See them in Anaheim at the Honda Center or at the Hollywood Bowl.

Picnics on the Lawn by Chiswick

Picnics on the Lawn by Chiswick

After enduring the long and lonely lockdown, most of us are bursting for things to do over the approaching summer, and here’s a brilliant idea: the picnics-on-the-lawn summer series at Chiswick.   A mainstay of the flashy Eastern suburb of Woollahra, Chiswick has long been one of Sydney’s top dining destinations, whether it be for business lunches, birthdays, weddings or hens-parties. No matter the occasion, it’s hard to think of many venues that so comfortably caters for, and excels at accommodating larger groups. And in a stunning setting to boot. Picnics on the Lawn takes the experience one step further by moving the party out the side door and straight into the garden. Picnics became an unlikely beacon of hope a few months back, signalling our impending release from this latest lockdown. Suddenly Sydney couldn’t get enough of them; we could actually socialise again, outside, with friends, at a picnic! And let’s face it, when the sun is shining there are few places you’d rather be than Sydney. Therein lies the beauty of Picnics on the Lawn. Chiswick has teamed up with Bombay Gin and local luxury picnic purveyors To Dine For to create a carefree, relaxed and totally bougie afternoon in the sun, on the lovely lawns of the Chiswick Gardens. Next time you’re craving a picnic, grab a bunch of your besties and book yourselves in for this truly dreamy experience, all you have to do is turn up. A neatly arranged row of low-lying tables sit atop earthy-toned picnic rugs, plush cush

Grand Central Market Holiday Marketplace

Grand Central Market Holiday Marketplace

If you’re making a list and checking it twice, consider this annual shopping event for unique kitchen, pantry and tabletop finds, plus all sorts of foodie goodies. Though GCM has yet to announce a formal holiday market this year, it has started hosting a bazaar every Friday through Sunday in the downstairs basement event space. 

Jingle Ball

Jingle Ball

KIIS FM’s annual holiday behemoth’s lineup reads like a roll call of the station’s playlist: Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Doja Cat, Lil Nas X, the Kid LAROI, Saweetie, Black Eyed Peas, Tate McRae, Bazzi and, erm, Dixie D’Amelio will all take over the Forum this holiday season. The best seats will cost you a boatload, so look out for news of a free pre-show that usually precedes the main event.

Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles concerts

Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles concerts

You know it’s summer in L.A. when the live outdoor music starts swelling all over the city, including at MacArthur Park’s Levitt Pavilion. The Westlake concert series returns this summer with free shows every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Expect a genre-spanning mix of local acts that range from cumbia to ska to EDM. Check out the full season lineup below. Courtesy Levitt Pavilion

SESH Comedy BYOB Summer Pop-Up

SESH Comedy BYOB Summer Pop-Up

Throughout the summer, Lower East Side hidden gem Sesh Comedy is hosting a BYOB summer pop-up. Each ticket comes with an alcoholic drink of choice, while BYOB is still encouraged. Each night hosts two shows that run for 75 minutes each, and features comedians from Comedy Central, HBO, Colbert, Netflix, Amazon, and more. Lineups change weekly, so be sure to check out @seshcomedy on Instagram for weekly show details!

Arcadia Earth

Arcadia Earth

Immersive art exhibit Arcadia Earth has reopened after being closed due to the pandemic, and it looks better than ever! The exhibit aims to inspire visitors artistically and ethically, as it uses 15 rooms to spotlight the environmental challenges that our planet is facing (such as overfishing, food waste, and climate change). This exhibit will not only leave visitors in awe, but it will help support Oceanic Global, an organization devoted to raising awareness around our aquatic ecosystems. In addition, a tree will also be planted for every ticket sold, making it a perfect gift for your eco-conscious friends!

Weekly Buckaroos Comedy Show

Weekly Buckaroos Comedy Show

Looking for some hilarious free fun this summer? Every Tuesday night at Pete’s Candy Store in Williamsburg, the “The Biggest Little Venue in NYC”, comedy fans can gather for a free show at 7pm! The lineups change weekly and can be found on the show’s Instagram and Facebook pages. For the safety of both the performers and the audience, proof of full vaccination is required for attendance. A full-service bar will be available with drinks and snacks for purchase throughout the show. 

Young NYC Artists Showcase

Young NYC Artists Showcase

Hudson River Park is currently displaying a new public art exhibition, displaying works by graduates from NYC SALT, an arts nonprofit photography program that gives students the opportunity to develop both their artistic and career skills in the field. The exhibition focuses on the diverse and dynamic communities throughout the city that the SALT alumni call home, and features 22 works displayed on 7-by-9 foot panels along the park.

Venice Art Walk and Auctions

Venice Art Walk and Auctions

The Venice Artwalk returns in digital form with more than 200 works by nationally-recognized artists up for auction. If you’re flush with cash, you can bid on works donated by local luminaries like Lita Albuquerque, John Baldessari, Larry Bell, Billy Al Bengston, Laddie John Dill, Ed Moses and Ed Ruscha. Proceeds benefit Venice Family Clinic.

News (628)

Okolo takes art to the streets of Zagreb

Okolo takes art to the streets of Zagreb

For ten days from August 20, the streets, passageways and parks of Croatia’s capital will be transformed by some of the country’s most notable artists, muralists and sculptors. In collaboration with the Zagreb Tourist Board, the annual Okolo (‘Around’) initiative interprets contemporary themes through unique creations conceived for this very project, many of them site-specific. Okolo Zagreb/FacebookOkolo Zagreb Among the many creatives taking part this year will be the internationally renowned, Zagreb-born Lonac, recently highlighted for his transformation of a tram stop in Osijek. His huge, photorealistic works are now in evidence across the globe. Look out, too, for the acclaimed Nikolina Ivezić, who uses several artistic disciplines – painting, sculpture, comics – to express her thoughts. For this year, it’s an ironic take on the nature of luxury. Vitar Drinković uses multimedia to transform public space into art while Ana Sladetić creates her 3D characters by means of AD technology. See here for more details about the items on view from August 20, including a map so you can take your own art walk around the city.

Street artist transforms tram stop for Osijek Summer of Culture

Street artist transforms tram stop for Osijek Summer of Culture

As part of an urban Intervention project and the Osijek Summer of Culture, the city’s oldest tram stop on Europska avenija has been transformed by Lonac. The Zagreb muralist has worked all around the world, including China, the USA and Dubai. Dubravka Petric/PIXSELLOsijek The shape of the stop itself reminded the artist of cupboards and cabinets from his childhood, each filled with strange curiosities. Croatia’s only tram network apart from the one in Zagreb dates back to 1884, when it was horse-drawn, before being electrified in 1926.

Taking it slow in Croatia

Taking it slow in Croatia

In July 2022, a unique contemporary cultural attraction was unveiled in the tiny traditional village of Momjan in north-west Istria. The House of Castles is a visitor and creative centre as well as an artist-in-residence space and virtual museum showcasing the architectural heritage of castles across Istria. The initiative is part of a general move involving a different approach to tourism. Visitors are being encouraged to connect more with the surrounding culture they see and not simply consume then leave without a deeper interaction. In turn, local centres receive funding to be more accessible, more sustainable and aim to welcome visitors year-round. Momjan is the latest in a string of projects under the umbrella of Take It Slow, a high-budget, EU-funded strategy to regenerate the Adriatic region across Italy and Croatia, along the coast and into the interior. Its remit is to use their natural and cultural heritage as tools for sustainable and more balanced local development. Thousands flock to Poreč every summer to lie on a beach – now there’s a perfectly good reason to take a cloudy morning out and head to Momjan, 35 minutes away. Running over 30 months, Take It Slow extends until December 31, 2022, by which time it will have assisted 120 separate sites and centres focused on promoting natural and cultural heritage. Slow tourism is nothing new, of course. A burgeoning trend in the industry, it grew out of Italy’s successful Slow Food movement, initially a one-man campaign

Brač cake to be celebrated around the caves of Dol

Brač cake to be celebrated around the caves of Dol

A stone cake might not sound like the most appetising dessert, but the residents of Dol on Brač would beg to differ. Perhaps their most important tradition, harking back to the 18th century, is a cake called hrapocusa. Unique in its coarse and rustic look, the cake shares its name with a local reddish stone used in almost all construction in Dol. Many houses have been hewn from historic caves where island’s early residents, named after a mythical supernatural being, first lived. CENTAR ZA KULTURU BRAČ Now the present-day citizens of Dol will be celebrating the almond-and-walnut flavoured delicacy – protected by the Croatian State as an intangible cultural heritage – this evening, Sunday August 14, from 8.30pm. Aside from copious amounts of hrapocusa, the celebrations entail an exhibition on the cake’s history and preparation that takes place within the caves themselves. Around the main square, another exhibition, The Brač Memento, presents the works of famed photographer Aleksander Kukec, who immortalised the island between 1955 and 1965. The musical programme on the square includes the prize-winning Brač traditional klapa singing group Morbin, performing amid beautifully illuminated surroundings.

Kylie Minogue spotted in Rovinj

Kylie Minogue spotted in Rovinj

Australian singer Kylie Minogue is in Rovinj, staying at a luxurious villa in the company of her friend and producer Sky Adams. Recently, the Melbourne-born star reprised her role in the farewell episode of Neighbours, the TV soap that launched her career back in the 1980s. Eagle-eyed PIXSELL photographer Srečko Nikitić spotted Kylie as she was about to take a tour of the city.

Sports for all

Sports for all

Croatia is a land of sporting champions. Millions around the world have seen the country’s footballers, tennis players and basketball stars grace the greatest stage and win the most prestigious tournaments and trophies. And yet Croatia has a population of barely four million, less than half of London’s.    The reasons can be linked to physique, an active lifestyle and deep national pride. Then there’s also the landscape itself. Croatia is blessed with dramatic mountains for skiing, hiking and caving, verdant cycling country, fast-flowing rivers – not to mention one of the world’s most beautiful coastlines, ideal for sailing. With so much of it unspoilt, and so little built over or disturbed by industry, Croatia beckons active visitors of all ages and abilities. Kids can learn the basics of sailing on the calm, clear waters of the Adriatic, the business traveller staying in Zagreb can slope off to Sljeme for a day’s skiing, and anyone who loves riding horses will have a field day in Slavonia. Peaks & slopes The Paklenica National Park is a popular destination for climbing. Close to the sea, an easy hop from Zadar, Paklenica offers nearly 600 signposted routes of varying degrees of difficulty. The shortest ones are in Klanci, the narrowest section of the Velika Paklenica canyon. These are even suitable for the youngest climbers, with the right equipment and headgear, of course. Julien Duval / CNTBHiking at Northern Velebit National Park The most famous rock is Anića kuk, 35

New bridge now the gateway to adventures on Pelješac

New bridge now the gateway to adventures on Pelješac

Much has been made of the newly unveiled cable-stayed bridge that gracefully spans the Adriatic between the village of Komarna on the Croatian mainland and the Pelješac peninsula facing it. After decades of having to pass through a section of Bosnia to drive between the main Dalmatian hubs of Split and Dubrovnik, motorists can now skirt round it completely, thus avoiding border crossing to and from the EU. Then there’s the bridge itself, a thing of wonder when backdropped by the sea and rolling vineyards of Pelješac. Anyone who has been to Podgorica in Montenegro will recognise the handiwork of Slovenian engineer Marjan Pipenbaher – his cable-stayed bridge over the Morača looks similar in appearance, albeit much smaller in scope. Igor Kralj/PIXSELLPelješac Bridge Driving over this huge construction, though, toll-free and well signposted, is another matter entirely. Leaving behind the half-moons of beaches, bars and konobas lining the seafront of previously little-visited stretch of Dalmatia south of the Makarska Riviera – there’s now even a Bridge Restaurant at Komarna 97 – you head for Pelješac as pylons 98 metres high tower above you. Dramatic is the word you’re looking for. It’s then that you realise that the bridge, all 2.4km of it, now grants access to the vineyards, windsurfing spots and oyster beds of the Pelješac peninsula, without you having to take the infrequent ferry from Ploče or Korčula. More than just shortening the route between the familiar hubs of Split an

Undiscovered Croatia

Undiscovered Croatia

A country with more than 1,200 islands, Croatia is bristling with undiscovered nooks and hidden beaches. Beyond the most popular holiday destinations and tourist trails, the adventurous traveller is rewarded with remote villages, picturesque rivers and under-visited towns ripe for fresh discovery. Bjelolasica Bjelolasica is the highest mountain in the Gorski Kotar region and offers incredible views of forests, meadows and the neighbouring mountains of Velebit, Lička Plješivica and the islands of Krk, Cres and Lošinj. It's a rare sight to be able to look over each of Croatia's different regions – the coastal, continental and mountainous – from one vantage point, even more so from one whose views are undiminished by the season. Bjelolasica exists within one of the justly most popular areas for hiking in summer (there's great access for cyclists, too), while in winter it offers skiing. Cetina river Omiš is regarded as one of the prettiest towns in Dalmatia, but what makes this area so distinct is the river Cetina, which meets the sea at the town. Forget the beach for the day and venture inland, following this 100-kilometre-long river for as far as you can. There’s a plethora of water-based activities as well, from boats that drop you at traditional eateries to canoeing, kayaking and white-water rafting. The river also has one of the best zip lines in Croatia, passing over the waters and steep canyon walls. Daruvar The Slavonian town of Daruvar has a history of winemaking dating

Top 10 things to do in Vodnjan

Top 10 things to do in Vodnjan

Top-quality olive oil, strange stone huts and mummified saints attract visitors to charming little Vodnjan, conveniently located near Pula in the south-west of Istria. Get lost in a maze of streets Postcard-perfect Vodnjan conceals ecclesiastical treasures and a wealth of architectural detail around its medieval churches and Venetian mansions. Exploring focal Piazza del Popolo reveals façades and entrances bearing ancestral coats of arms, while the narrowest street in Istria numbers among the winding, cobbled thoroughfares. Getting lost is half the fun. Admire Vodnjan’s arty side Vodnjan brings out the creative spirit, strikingly illustrated by the 30 murals painted across the city’s façades for the Street Art and Boombarstick Festivals. Challenging exhibitions regularly fill a former apothecary, today the Apoteka Space for Contemporary Art, a few paces from Piazza del Popolo. In summer, El Magazein gallery stages exhibitions, poetry readings and book presentations. Its walls built by traditional elements of red clay and other materials local to Vodnjan, rather than plain concrete, El Magazein is known for its special acoustics, ideal for live classical and jazz performances. Sasa Miljevic/PIXSELL Sample supreme olive oil Vodnjan is the centre of Istria’s celebrated extra virgin olive-oil production. Olives have been produced here since Roman times. Because of Vodnjan’s northerly latitude, olives ripen later and produce few acids. They are superior to those grown elsewhere

Grand opening unveils spectacular Pelješac Bridge

Grand opening unveils spectacular Pelješac Bridge

The opening ceremony has just taken place of Pelješac Bridge, a spectacular crossing that stretches for nearly 2.5 kilometres between Komarna on the Dalmatian mainland and Brijesta on the Pelješac peninsula. Milan Sabic/PIXSELLPelješac Bridge Traditional boatmen, musicians and klapa singers welcomed the opening of the bridge that was mainly financed by EU funding. Its location just north-west of the Bosnian section of shoreline means travellers can continue their journey through Dalmatia without having to go through passport control either side of the resort of Neum.

Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic holidays in Dubrovnik

Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic holidays in Dubrovnik

Novak Djokovic, considered the greatest tennis player of all time, has been holidaying in Dubrovnik with his brother Djordje. A frequent visitor to Croatia’s most prestigious destination, the Belgrade-born champion has been happy to pose with fans and restaurant staff for selfies. Grgo Jelavic/PIXSELL The winner of 21 Grand Slam titles, including Wimbledon this month, Djokovic is one of a number of major sports stars who have chosen Croatia for their holidays. Fellow tennis player Venus Williams has been seen in Zadar while footballer David Beckham celebrated his wedding anniversary on the island of Lopud.

12 best family-friendly destinations in Croatia

12 best family-friendly destinations in Croatia

Beaches bring families to Croatia in droves but there are many more attractions up and down the country to keep the little ones entertained. Here are 12 of our favourites. Aquatica Croatia’s only aquarium dedicated wholly to freshwater fish, Aquatika is the main family-friendly attraction in Karlovac, a historic city located between Zagreb and Rijeka. Croatia has more indigenous freshwater fish species than any other country in the continent of Europe, with over 150 species living in its many freshwater rivers. Aquatika tells you the story of them all, huge tanks and (sometimes) huge fish layered over three floors. The upper levels correspond to the cold waters of river sources and the fish that dwell there. As you descend, you follow the paths of the rivers until, you arrive at the species who live at the river mouths, where the freshwater meets the sea. Tours, texts and info are presented in various languages, and the aquarium has won awards for its disabled access and for its architecture. Nearby, a beautifully constructed trail runs through nature, including a riverside beach which is one of the city's best spots for swimming. Ulica Branka Čavlovića Čavleka 1A, Karlovac Baška Aquarium More than 100 types of Adriatic fish, including moray eels, lobsters, grouper fish and octopi, are on display in 21 tanks here at the Baška Aquarium on the southern tip of Krk island. There’s also a huge collection of less photogenic but strangely attractive mussels and snails. Summer openin