Croatia's Haven for Art Lovers
Croatia may have developed a reputation in recent years as the new Ibiza, sun-drenched music festivals on pristine island beaches the new must-do for fun-seekers, but for those looking for something altogether more relaxed head to Rovinj on the northern coast. Newly-reopened as a boutique luxury art hotel following a major refurbishment, Hotel Adriatic (pictured above), the oldest and only hotel situated in the centre of the historic town, features an impressive and unique collection of over one hundred art works by world-renowned artists from Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Italy, Germany and France, as well as bespoke art installations created specifically for the hotel.
Inspired by local art and the hotel’s 100 year heritage, the re-design has transformed the hotel into a hub for art lovers, involving a complete new contemporary look with enlarged guestrooms, adding another star to the property. With just 18 luxurious rooms, all uniquely decorated with their own individual artwork, the hotel aims to feel more like a home from home for guests, while works of art can also be found throughout the communal areas of the building, including the hotel bar and new brasserie restaurant, complimented by the site-specific art installations including a collection of taxidermy birds in flight and a dramatic neon light feature in one of the hallways.
A number of visual artists were hand-picked by specialist art curator Vanja Žanko to create the art installations for the hotel, which each offer their own interpretation of the hotel’s historical layers, whilst bringing the hotel’s interior into the 21st century. Along with the guestrooms, Hotel Adriatic comprises a chic French brasserie style restaurant on the ground floor and a hotel bar, offering Croatia’s largest selection of classic cocktails and whiskeys. The menu at Adriatic Brasserie incorporates local flavours and ingredients, whilst playing homage to the legacy of the rich history of the hotel.
The hotel offers spectacular views of the island of St. Katarina on one side, and Rovinj’s main square and old city on the other. The central square is edged with lively cafés and restaurants spreading out on to a charming harbour, whilst traditional taverns such as Kantinon, are only a few steps from the hotel. Rovinj can easily be reached from the UK, by flying to Trieste, Ljubljana, Zagreb or Rijeka, but the closest airport is Pula (served by Ryanair), an easy half-hour transfer to Hotel Adriatic.
For bookings visit www.maistra.com or telephone 00385 52 800 250.
Early Bird Discount on Canary Sunshine
With year round sunshine and a mere four hour flight from London, there's a lot to be said for a break in the Canaries and Tenerife is not to be sniffed at. Jardines de Nivaria, a five star hotel on the Costa Adeje seafront in the south of the island, has launched an online shop for guests to pick and mix their own 'à la carte' packages before departure, whether it's a honeymoon couples massage or bike hire for a day exploring the surrounding area.
What's more, the award winning hotel group has launched a ‘Winter Early Bird Special’ offering a 15% discount on hotel bookings for this winter, available at Hotel Jardines de Nivaria as well as sister properties the five star Roca Nivaria Gran Hotel and four star adults-only Hotel Colon Guanahani (based on all winter bookings made before 30th September for stays from 1st November 2015 to 30th April 2016, including Christmas, February half-term and Easter). Visit www.adrianhoteles.com to book.
Activity Holidays With A Difference from Vidados
From night photography in Fuerteventura to canoeing in British Columbia and gelato-making in Sorrento, the world is filled with incredible learning activities; until now the challenge has been finding them. The introduction of Vidados is changing that. A new marketplace for activity holidays, Vidados works exclusively with independent local hosts and connects travellers directly with them online.
With over 800 holidays, incorporating sports, adventure, food and wine trips, horse riding holidays, creative breaks and spa retreats - amongst other - the site was developer to not only make it easier to find and book activity and learning holidays in one place, but to help local holiday providers reach a global market and take secure bookings and payments online. Having joined forces with the CTO of ASOS Marketplace to build a leading technology platform that is easy to use and inspirational, the result is a slick website with hundreds of activities across the globe to lure you in.
Visit www.vidados.com to see for yourself!
