First written document with name Samobor on it dates to year 1242 on which King Bela IV granted to Samobor status of free town.

Samobor and hills surrounding it have always been attractive 20min. away destination for inhabitants of Zagreb who are seeking evening or weekend refuge from busy life in the capital. Samobor today will welcome visitors to numerous restaurants and cafes.

Samobor hills attract hikers to climb numerous peaks stretching all the way to the Zumberak mountain.

Samobor castle

Valleys curved in foothills with creeks disturbing quietness of the forest along with numerous birds are leading to attractive culinary destinations along with those in Samobor where Croatian continental culinary specialties can be tasted; fresh water trout, “cesnjofka” sausages, “kremshinte” cake… – did I mention how good pizzas they make, not only in Samobor but in all of Croatia!?

• Samobor photo gallery…
• Samobor on video…

Bon Voyage!

Archive: Street sounds HD video collection
Camera: Canon T2i / 550D by kB
Recorded: July 2010
Video editing: 2010 by kB
Length: 1.08 min.
Premiere: Sep. 2010

• More videos clips from Croatia…

Until Roman expansion in early years of A.D. (Anno Domini), on the eastern coast of the Adriatic sea lived Illyrian tribe called the Dalmatae. Romans successfully conquered Illyrian lands of Dalmatia and Panonia as well as most of the Europe. Dalmatia had just become yet another Roman province for many centuries, or until collapse of Roman Empire.

Romans in Dioklecian Palace in Split, Dalmatia

Since then many rulers claimed Dalmatia, Byzantine empire right after Romans, Croats settled at that same time and ruled from there with its Kingdom, just to be followed by expansion of Hungarian crown and then Venetian Republic. Even under Napoleon rule Dalmatia had been for few years, to be replaced by Austrian crown and that lasted until 1918. Of course, twentieth century was not any different.

Rulers (and dreamers) were changing but Croats endured and modern-day Dalmatia is in the Republic of Croatia, Central-Europe. Dalmatia stretches from island of Rab and the southern part of Velebit mountain range, on the northwest coastline, to the most southeastern part of Croatia (map), Prevlaka, overlooking the Bay of Kotor.

More inland, behind all the coastal marinas, ports, towns, cities and their beaches is the hinterland called Dalmatian Zagora, place of unique natural beauty (also featured on our photographs and videos).

Dalmatian Zagora photo gallery:

How to get there?

For us, entry point to Croatia (the vacation destination) is Zagreb airport, well-connected with most of the European cities. In your case you may want to skip the continental part of the country and choose one of direct flights to the coastal airports in Pula or Rijeka, in Istria and Kvarner, or airports in Dalmatia – Split, Zadar and Dubrovnik.

Dalmatia on the Adriatic sea

Another option preferred by millions of European tourists, since Croatia is centrally located in the Europe, is to drive by car to the Adriatic coast, also bus and train. Croatia is crisscrossed by net of modern highways, in part featured on our video.

* Did you know that speed limit on the Croatian highways is 130km/h (80mi).

Cities like Split have ferry connection to many of the Adriatic islands as well as to city of Ancona in Italy, on the west coast of the Adriatic sea.

Our short intro to Dalmatia and its more than 1000 Islands along the Croatian (map) coastline we here present with few travel notes, a lot of photos and few videos shoot since 1997.

Non of our post content is ever final and that goes for this one too. New material is added often.

Intro to Dalmatia photo gallery:

More photos from Dalmatia…

After landing in Zagreb (video) we do spend week or two in and around the city rediscovering its old and discovering its new, while in the same time enjoying delicious continental dishes or Mediterranean specialties available in the restaurants, or found in the local fresh food markets. In the same time we are also exploring surrounding towns, like Samobor (travel notes), and Zagroje region (photos) before we get on the road for the coast.

Dalmatia and Islands

Largest cities on the Dalmatian coast are Split (photos), Zadar, Sibenik and Dubrovnik (photos). All of them are marvelous historic jewels just as countless smaller towns, to mention few, Nin, Biograd na moru, Pakostane, Pirovac, Skradin, Trogir, Omis, Brela, Baska Voda, Makarska, Ploce, Cavtat, etc.

Among the many islands along the coast, most of them are not inhabited, with Kornati islands (one of the Croatian national parks) being sailors dream come true. Island of Pag, via bridge connected to the mainland with its Moon like landscape may just surprise you with its world over know cheese. Other Islands, including Rab, Brac, Hvar, Korcula, Vis and peninsula Peljesac will also offer you spectacular gift created by Sun, scarce earth covered with white stone and generations of hands who created some of the greatest grape-varieties on Earth.

On the road

As already mentioned, 380km of highway cutting through extraordinary nature (watch video; Split – Zagreb, 2005 highway drive) brings us just under four hours to Split and since our destination was Brela on Makarska riviera we added extra 1/2 hour to our trip.

After first visit to Skradin and National Park Krka in 2009, Bill Gates recommends it

Dobro došli / Welcome!

Right there, in between crystal clear sea and Biokovo mountain is seated beautiful Makarska riviera (video). Town Makarska is the biggest on Riviera among tens of smaller tourist places that are very popular among European tourists. Some other larger towns on riviera are Baska Voda, Brela – photos and video, Podgora, Tucepi, Zivogosce, etc.

Almost every town has its own marina, many hotels and private accommodations, villas for rent, many restaurants, which will serve you with well-known sea food specialties as well as with regional cuisine like prosciutto and delicious local cheese served with great local wines (once you are at it you may also try some of the south-European specialties like burek and ćevapčići (close relative to Kebab).

Some of the islands are just a stone trow away from the coast, with many local tour operators offering a day trip to explore Islands of Brac, Hvar and others (photos). On some of the boats grilled fish is prepared and served for lunch with local wine and just before the meal drink called rakia – snaps or grappa (fragrant grape brandy with around 40% of alcohol).

Boat excursion to the Islands of Hvar and Brac returning back to Brela

Brela travel notes, photos and video…

By staying on mainland or one of the Islands you’ll most likely find relaxing atmosphere and enjoy your stay on the beach, but there is plenty of opportunities to explore and be active. If climbing Mount Biokovo would be to much of an effort then you may be for some white water rafting on the Cetina river, rent-a-boat, jet-ski, go boat paragliding, etc. If you wake up to a cloudy day and northern wind called Bura then you should definitely visit some of the neighboring towns, try new local dish maybe, or visit a museum. If ancient Romans could conquer it all 2000 years ago then visit to Split shouldn’t be that hard from Makarska riviera in our case. It’s well worth it to park your car in Split, on the Riva, and walk the streets of once fortified retirement palace build by Roman emperor Diocletian, few kilometers from, then Roman settlement of Solona.

More Croatia in travel notes, on photos and video…

Just outside of Split you can travel in to Middle Ages by visiting fortification of Klis. No matter where you choose to spend you vacation in Dalmatia or on the Adriatic islands, every city or town could be pleasant surprise, so do not be afraid to pick a guide [+] or ask locals where to go and explore.

Never enough…

Once we have reached Makarska Riviera how could we resist and not to continue all the way to Dubrovnik, on the same Magistrala road with even more spectacular view (also featured on our Dubrovnik video) passing through river Neretva delta and its many fruit plantations that include oranges.

Dubrovnik is on the south of Dalmatia in the Republic of Croatia. In the background is Lokrum island

Dubrovnik (photos) has been called many times Mediterranean jewel and there are thousands of years of history that will confirm this statement. Cultural events are held on open air throughout the summer months. We were impressed as many before us with the beauty and hospitality of the city and it’s citizens.

Since 19th century Istria, Dalmatian coast and the Adriatic Islands have been one of the favorite destinations for European tourists, and today are visited by millions of tourists every year including those from Germany, Austria, Italy, Czech Republic, France, Poland, Slovenia, Hungary, Switzerland, Sweden, Holland & others.

If you decide to see more than Croatia and take some of many Mediterranean cruises you’ll most likely stop for a day visit in Dubrovnik, or Island of Korcula, maybe Split or some other pleasant surprise for first time visitor.

Hope you’ll enjoy it as much we did, and if you wonder what’s cooking in the Croatian kitchen…

All the regions of Croatia will introduce you to a blend of Central-European and Mediterranean culture, cuisine and hospitality.

Beside already well known coastal belt stretching along the blue Adriatic sea, Dalmatia and Croatia’s thousand Islands, here you’ll also come across places that may be off beaten path for majority of tourist heading to their favorite beach on the coast.

Croatia has an amazing coastline along the Adriatic sea.

Throughout WorldThroughNews.com you can Discover Croatia on photos, video, travel notes or simply by following next links:

• Brela
• Dalmatia
• Dubrovnik
• Knin fortress
• Krka canyon…
• Fortifications and Castles in Croatia 1, 2
• Makarska riviera
• Samobor
• Split – Diocletian’s Palace
• Sveta Nedelja
• Zagorje
• Zagreb (Gradec, Kaptol, Zrinjevac, Jarun, Mirogoj…)
• Zagreb in summer on local lakes and swimming pools

All the regions of Croatia will introduce you to a blend of Central-European and Mediterranean culture, cuisine and hospitality.

Once you end up on the Croatian side of the Adriatic bevanda is no longer any drink…

Historic locations with architecture and archeological findings stretching back for thousands of years if not blend in today’s cities can be found in most amazing places surrounded by pristine beauty of the nature.

Croatian gastronomic dishes stretch from continental central-European to Mediterranean flavors of Istria and Dalmatia

Every region of Croatia has its own distinct culinary specialties. Despite of differences a lot of dishes is prepared all across the country, sometimes in slight variations. Answer to that can be found in different cultural and political powers influencing different parts of Croatia throughout the history.

Collection of high resolution, large format, ready to print photographs featuring Croatia in our online store “/Photography“:

High resolution photographs of Croatia

Hope you’ll enjoy it as much we did!

Brela beach.

For many who come here from around the Europe, some as pilgrims every year for many decades now, this is the place where all of the problems of everyday life will disperse in the light breeze, with sounds of crickets and under the crystal clear waves of the Adriatic sea.

Oleander flowers on Brela beach, southern Dalmatia on the Adriatic sea.

Someone may say “location, location, location” and that may be right as already described but we have to add to it Islands of Brac and Hvar (photos) who are daily provoking you to take a day trip with one of the organized tours (blue boat featured on one of our photos), then just south on the same beach, lively town of Baska Voda with it’s own charms and of course Makarska (all featured on our video) as the largest center on the riviera.

Just north from Brela is city of Omis and Split as the largest Dalmatian city dating back to the Roman empire with well preserved Diocletian’s Palace (photo gallery), charming people and restaurants for every taste. Split, beside being connect with rest of the Europe via modern highway (our video clip taped in 2005) and by air, also has direct ferry connection to many of Croatian islands as well as to Ancona on the other side of Adriatic, in Italy.

Photo gallery:

Previously featured Brela photos and video:

• Brela video (2005/2006)
• Brela photo gallery (2005/2006)

More photos, video and travel notes from Croatia…

I just hope that you’ll enjoy it as we did during our, so far, four vacations in Brela!

Continued from Fortifications and Castles in Croatia…

Series on castles, fortifications, and mansions housing kings, rulers and occupying forces as well as aristocrats in European (map) country of Croatia (discover) we’ll

extend here to four other locations, one on the north of country – in Zagorje region and three on the south, in Dalmatia, two along the river Krka and one build by Romans in Split.

Featured on photos:

(castles, fortifications, and mansions visited in the summer of 2010)

Above the city of Knin, Dalmatia (photos), on Mt. Spas, is located Knin Fortress build in the 10th century. From Knin around the year 1080 King Dmitar Zvonimir ruled with the Kingdom of Croatia.

(Knin fortress photo gallery…)

On the vertical slopes of the river Krka canyon, Dalmatia (photos), in today’s village of Necven you can find ruins of Necven fortification tower, and on the opposite bank of the river is Trošenj fortress. Great place to enjoy the silence and spectacular view.

(coming soon photo gallery from this and other locations around river Krka…)

Diocletian’s Palace or Dioklecijanova palača was built at the beginning of 4th century by the Roman emperor Diocletian. Palace is located in Split, the largest city in Dalmatia (photos).

(Diocletian’s Palace photo gallery…)

Mihanović castle (today restaurant) was built in the 18th century and it is located in Tuhelj (five hundred meters from the largest indoor-outdoor pool complex in Croatia), Zagorje (photos) region of Croatia.

Below you’ll find short intro to first few castles, fortifications or ruins of once magnificent castles we had visited in recent years.

Featured medieval castles and fortifications stretch from the northern part of Croatia called Zagorje, through capital city of Zagreb and all the way to south of Dalmatia and fortified city of Dubrovnik.

Also, see travel notes from Dalmatia…

Featured on photos:

Well preserved Castle Trakoscan (Trakošćan) was built in the 13th century and it is located in the Zagorje region of Croatia (map).

The Tower of Lotrscak (Kula Lotrščak) in Upper town Zagreb is one of few still visible segments of fortification build in the 13th century Zagreb (photos).

Build in the 13th century Samobor castle is located on the Sambor hills, above picturesque town of Sambor (discover).

City of Dubrovnik (photos) and its fortified walls is under UNESCO world heritage protection since 1979.

Fortifications and Castles in Croatia, part II…

Prague today is capital city of Czech Republic and modern European city proud of its rich heritage. Center of the city including historic part is well-connected with trams, buses and subway system.

Prague has been location where from Czech kings ruled from very beginning of foundation of the country. For that reason was build Prague castle overlooking much of the old town and city.

Among other locations that you should visit in Prague are:

Vyšehrad – a baroque fort, whose walls and some of the gates are still preserved.

The Charles bridge (Karluv most, 515m long) over the river Vltava, build in 1357 by Charles IV which was fortified by beautiful Gothic towers, two of them are still standing. Bridge is lined on both sides with a row of sculptures.

Other historically interesting and rich location in Prague is Jewish town.

So, what ever your reason for visit to Prague is, do not forget to walk the Royal route were you’ll view most attractive places of the Old Town Prague.