CROATIA: A PARADISE FOR MEETINGS

By George Keters

Companies looking for an ideal spot where their staff can put their heads together, slow down and recharge their batteries for a week this spring while enjoying gorgeous weather, but without breaking the bank, should red-ink "Croatia" into their already busy schedules.

This lovely bit of the former Yugoslavia has since 1991 been a parliamentary democracy taking the form of a republic. It boasts a 1,777-kilometer coastline and 1,185 islands, of which only 47 are inhabited and all are gems.

Croatia has a population of only 4.5 million. The official language is Croatian, but in shops, restaurants and hotels, many people speak German. English is not so widely spoken, even in the areas attracting the most tourists. In the North, it can be very helpful to speak Italian, as a large part of Northern Croatia formerly belonged to Italy. Croatia is a candidate to adopt the euro in the future; in the meantime, the Kuna is still the national currency, worth about 10 euro-cents.

KVARNER

Kvarner, between Istria and Dalmatia, is one of Croatia 's most attractive regions. In addition to the four beautiful islands of Krk, Cres, Losinj and Rab, Opatija is the pearl of the mainland, while the Plitvice Lakes in the Velebit region, which have been placed under UNESCO protection as world heritage sites, are the main attraction.
Rijeka is the capital and best known for its industry and harbour, the country's largest.
As noted above, their natural beauty makes a day trip to the Plitvice Lakes a must. Sixteen lakes and 92 waterfalls make for a unique aquatic attraction. Slap Plitvica, at 76 meters, is the highest fall. This nature park is breathtaking with its truly impressive waterfalls and ice-cold, azure lakes. A boat ride on Lake Kozjak, which is no less than 46 meters deep, is also not to be missed. The fauna and flora are spectacular here; ornithologists come to view more than 120 different species of birds.

MICE

There is no shortage of appropriate hotel accommodation for MICE visitors, although few well-known hotel chains are present, and four- and five-star hotels are clearly in the minority. Opatija, a former holiday destination for many crowned heads, offers a wide choice of hotels. The Hotel Admiral, with three stars, 180 rooms and all the latest technical gadgets, is one of the better hotels. The standout hotel on the azure Gulf of Kvarner is Hotel & Villa Ambassador, which boasts five stars, 284 rooms and full-service conference facilities. The Grand Hotel Palace-Bellevue, also located on the coast, has three stars and 211 rooms, is a landmark in Opatija and an ideal place for meetings. Then there's the Grand Hotel Kvarner-Amalia, Hotel Admiral and Hotel Imperial, two three-star hotels appropriate for congresses. All these hotels belong to the Liburnia Group and are fully equipped to accommodate congress participants.
The presence of casinos, nightclubs and many outstanding restaurants provides the added value that makes this part of Croatia one of the most frequently visited.
Those who prefer green surroundings will enjoy the Malin Hotel on the island of Krk, a modern hotel right near the beach and walking distance from the pleasant harbour town of Malinska.

CROATIA AIRLINES

Croatia can be reached by several means. The quickest is by air. Croatia Airlines takes you from Brussels to Zagreb in less than two hours. There you will need to hire a car, as public transport to the coast is neither particularly good nor frequent.
Starting this year, Tirol Hotels Travel Europe, in cooperation with several tour operators, coach firms and travel agencies, is offering completely organised trips by charter flight from Liège or Paris, with flights on Mondays, to Rijeka/Krk and Dubrovnik. Tirol Hotels Travel Europe can also arrange personalised à la carte holidays for individuals or for companies and associations of all types.

www.croatiaairlines.hr
www.croatia.hr