Croatia – Its Rich Heritage

By admin, 20 April, 2008, 3 Comments

Croatia is a land of natural beauty and enjoys a varied landscape with different cultural traditions. Croatian property styles vary across the country, from Istria with its Italian influence, often referred to as “the new Tuscany”, down to Split, a town built in a Roman palace, and further south to Dubrovnik, a one time maritime and cultural rival to Venice, preserved in its pristine renaissance beauty.

Hvar with its lavender and its “A” list celebrities contrast with the traditional cultural attractions of Korcula. Each of the many Croatian islands offer something different. The islands also offer ideal opportunities for Croatian property investments and development.

Buying a holiday home on the Croatian coast has become increasingly popular with both Croatians and non-Croatians alike. Strict government planning regulations ensure that Croatia will maintain its natural beauty and of course with limited supply, property prices continue to appreciate.

For sailors of all types of boat, Croatia and its islands offer a perfect environment for a holiday afloat with well equipped mooring and easy access to towns and villages, sailing in Croatian waters is an experience which cannot be surpassed.

Croatia offers abundant choices for those looking to invest in property developments and, or existing properties. Winkworth, with its extensive knowledge of Croatia is the natural partner of choice for holiday home owners, smaller and larger investors; investment funds and developers looking for sites of differing sizes.

Travelling to and within Croatia

Over the last 10 years Croatia has built a first class motorway systems linking Zagreb with Rijeka, Slovenia, Slavonia, Split and the Dalmatian coast. The next section of major motorway will be from Split to Dubrovnik and is due to open in 2010.

The tunnel outside Split has just been names by the EU as the safest tunnel in Europe.

Flights to Zagreb are frequent and come directly from UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, France, Hungary, Czech Republic, and most major European countries.

Croatia Airlines operate a full internal air service linking all the major cities with frequent flights daily.

From London Heathrow and Gatwick both British Airways and Croatia Airlines fly to numerous Croatian destinations. From Stansted, Easy Jet, WizzAir and RyanAir fly to several popular holiday destinations.

Croatia is linked by a ferry service from Dubrovnik to Bari in Italy and a daily ferry service operates between Rijeka and Dubrovnik. Most Croatian islands are easily accessible by regular air or ferry services.

Culture, Cuisine and Wines

Croatia is rich in culture and culinary heritage with a range of unique organic produce that include truffels from Istria, cheese from the island of Pag and Dalmatian smoked ham. Most Croatian produce is organic and Croatia enjoys an organic farming heritage as opposed to western European industrial scale farming traditions, reliant on pesticides and fertilizers. Each region offers different delicacies from Štrukli pasta dishes in the north west, Slubica pork from the central region, Fuži soup from Istria and Rožata dessert from the south.

Croatia also has a long history of wine making with several hundred different types of wine ranging from Riesling type whites produced in Slavonia to classic ruby reds from the Dalmatian coast, as well as fine dry white wine from Korcula. There are also sparking wines from Istria and various specialist liqueurs such as Grappa and local fruit brandies. Fresh fish is a staple of the Dalmatian coastal diet and Croatia produces excellent olive oils and fine herbs that add to the extensive range of foods and wine that visitors can enjoy.

Croatia – the country of culture

By daisy, 25 March, 2008, No Comment

The country of Croatia is hugely cultural with people having lived in the area for over thirteen centuries. Amazing buildings, architecture and art are just some of the delights on show in beautiful country.

Many people from England and the rest of the UK are now looking at the array of Croatian Real Estate available on the open market and hoping to move to this facinating country or holiday there.

An interesting and unusual tourist destination, Croatia is fast becoming one of the most favourable holiday settings in the world.

Tropical Cookie Recipe

By admin, 12 March, 2008, No Comment

Cookie ingredients:

1 large egg.
1 tablespoon of milk.
1 cup of unbleached white flour.
1/2 cup of flaked coconut.
1/4 cup of mashed banana.
1/4 cup of pineapple juice concentrate.
1/4 cup of vegetable oil.
1/4 teaspoon of baking soda.
Grated orange rind.

Preparation and baking:

Mash a ripe banana with a fork to measure ¼ cup.

Beat together the banana, pineapple juice concentrate, vegetable oil, egg, and milk until creamy.

Add the flour, baking soda, and flaked coconut. Beat thoroughly.

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto lightly oiled baking sheets and sprinkle with grated orange rind.

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 7-8 minutes or until just brown around the edges and firm to the touch.

Allow to cool on wire racks.

Source: http://www.cookierecipes.org/tropical-cookies.html

Bakewell Tart

By daisy, 20 February, 2008, No Comment

The Bakewell tart is a traditional English cake first produced in the town of Bakwell.

The tart is made from a shortcrust pastry case, covered in jam and filled with a sponge style topping flavoured with ground almonds, known as Frangipane.

The tart is then given a coat of icing and nuts are traditionally spinkled on the very top.

Entertainment at your finger-tips

By daisy, 20 February, 2008, No Comment

A new and exciting website has been launched bringing celebrity fanatics up to the minute news and information about their favourite stars!

Entertainment Daily  is the self proclaimed “one stop shop for Celebrities, Gossip and Entertainment News.” on the web with information, gossip and stories posted daily.

Berwick-Upon-Tweed to return to Scotland?

By daisy, 17 February, 2008, No Comment

After changing hands an amazing 13 times in the past, the local people of Berwick-upon-Tweed have once again taken to the polls to decided in which country their town should be located- England or Scotland?

Results showed that around 60% of locals would prefer their home to be part of Scotland, giving superior public services and free health care for the elderly, as the main reasons for their decision.

The vote was undertaken as part of ITV1′s “Tonight” program, which is due to be aired on Monday 17th February and will include a feature on the town.

Hunstanton: Then & Now

By daisy, 13 February, 2008, No Comment

The seaside town of Hunstanton is believed to date back to prehistoric times following the discovery of evidence of Neolithic inhabitants in 1970. This original settlement is now known as Old Hunstanton and connects to the main town.

Henry Styleman Le Strange, a local landowner, decided to turn Hunstanton into a seaside holiday resort in 1846. Many new buildings were errected, mainly from the famous Norfolk carrstone which is still quarried at nearby Snettisham.

Within a few years the town started to become popular with tourists from across the country and had the added benefit of a Victorian pier, until it was blown down during a storm in 1972. Sadly it has never been rebuilt.

Today, Hunstanton is still a fanatastic place to take all the family for a traditional seaside holiday with plenty to see and do for all ages with beautiful beaches, fun fair and an array of interesting shops.

Insane Priest

By admin, 11 February, 2008, No Comment

Although I’m not an insect, some people found me very difficult to exterminate. They called me something like ‘insane priest.’ The first half of my name means the same as ‘scrape’, and my last three letters are a metal. Who am I?

Read More →

Asparagus and Lamb Meal Recipe

By admin, 11 February, 2008, No Comment

List of ingredients:

1 red onion, chopped.
3 cloves of garlic, crushed.
1/2 cup of dry white wine.
3 cups of steamed sliced asparagus.
1 1/2 lb of boneless lamb chopped into small cubes.
Salt to taste.
Freshly-ground black pepper to taste.

Preparation and cooking method:

Heat a large frying pan and add half of the wine.

Bring to the boil and add the onion and garlic, cook until softened.

Add the lamb and cook for about 6 minutes.

Add the rest of the wine and the asparagus.

Cover and cook for about 10 minutes, until the lamb is tender.

Add pepper and salt to taste.

The UK’s most famous ghost?

By daisy, 8 February, 2008, No Comment

A debate appears to be raging to decide which is the UK’s most famous and well known ghost!

Candidates range from the Brown Lady of Raynham Hall to the elaborate haunting of Borely Rectory (or the site on which it used to stand).

The real question seems to come down to what makes a ghost “famous”? Is it the number of people who believe to have seen it or the one which has got the most media attention over the years?

I think if we were looking at the latter, the Brown Lady would definitely be the front runner as it’s hard to come across anyone who has not seen “that” famous photograph!

So who do you think is the most famous ghost in the UK… let us know your thoughts.

Page 4 of 5«12345»