CROATIA MICE. Meetings, Incentives, Congresses and Events.

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1 CROATIA MICE Meetings, Incentives, Congresses and Events. Here you will find general information regarding CD, the advantages of working with us, the creativity and the professionalism of the MICE department, general information on congress and meeting facilities, accommodations, incentive and team building ideas and a short description of each destination within Croatia. DC your potential new business partner in tourism, corporate and business travel for Croatia. Our team of experienced and highly professional collaborators united with quality service that we provide to our customers are the key to our top position.

2 We offers the following services: accommodation (in high standard hotels, apartments, mobile homes) transfers (with quality air-conditioned new coaches and all other small vehicles) escorted coach tours ( western Europe and eastern Europe ) organization of restaurants with all kind of touristic to high class menues with and without folklore professional and trained guides and tour escort personnel organization and assistance in organizing high level congress meetings, and incentives excursions, including city sightseeing, half and full day itineraries rent-a-car fleet with more than 600 cars of different category and many other specialized programs throughout Croatia and neighbouring regions. Special offers which our groups department plans and creates are all kinds of different arrangements for round trips and group travels. We have experience in creating theme travels, gastronomic tours, in organizing congresses, conferences, team-buildings, different kind of events...

3 The M.I.C.E. segment is specialized in doing tours a bit differently, mostly tailor made, incentives and oriented around the business sectors of the world. The M.I.C.E. industry is constantly faced with new challenges and this becomes our motivation in making and creating business travel programs made just for your business partners and buyers. A team of professionals who are passionate in working together with you in order to meet all your expectations by creating creative ideas and developing special events which result in particular overwhelming experiences. The biggest advantages of the MICE department is that we can secure competitive prices with over hotels in Croatia, which enables the MICE department to draft as many people required in order to make your congress and event run smoothly and finally, we know the destination. These elements result in reducing costs, an increase in your return of investment (ROI), saved time, an improvement of quality and performance and a raise of productivity for you and your partners and their event. Meeting, congresses & events Croatia, as a country with rich cultural and historical heritage and with its

4 natural beauties, is the pearl of the Mediterranean coast. We give you the possibility to discover all her hidden secrets. Venues such as the : sport center Žatika in Poreč, the ex-tobacco factory in Rovinj, the historical Arsenal in Zadar, the Old town in Dubrovnik, the Arena and Lisinski hall in Zagreb and more may host from 1000 up to participants. On the other hand, if you are aiming at a more intimate event we offer the beautiful family owned farm holidays, villas and breathtaking historical and natural sites. All the offers are tailor made, always adjusted to your needs and most importantly your expectations. Croatia has increasingly, year after year, invested in quality conference halls and special venues with impressive technical equipment and professional services and has become a sought out destination for organizing business events. Organizing your meeting, congress or conferences is most certainly a challenge. Not knowing the destination or not being able to find that special venue can be frustrating. Let us help! With our experience and cognizance of each specific region, we are eager to meet and surpass your requirements and conditions. Whether your meeting will be held in a hotel, in a theater, at a cultural heritage site or even outdoors in an open air castle, we have experience in finding the ideal location and venue. We are able to supply you with additional technical facilities and equipments, a special IT department for large scale conferences and exhibitions, coordinated transfers, congress planning and staff support, registration of participants, as well as marketing possibilities. Planning a product launch or a fair and you need a specific audience? We work in partnership will national and regional governments and organizations, various domestic and world tourist associations, as well as

5 close connections to European Union institutions. Apart from business events we are able to organize sports and leisure events. Regarding sports event we can organize triathlons, mountain bike competitions, windsurfing, stand up paddle, jet ski and other sporting events. We have very good connections with all major sports associations regional and national. These events can have a professional or leisure character. These and similar events include location finding, logistics, permissions, accommodations, transfers, product launches and marketing, branding, catering, special tours and major concerts and DJs. Leisure events are mostly lower scale events and a part of incentive travel. The locations, such as private beaches, national parks, castles and forts can be transformed into themed events that are decorated in order to create and outstanding atmosphere. Craftsmen, decorations, musicians, costumes, entertainment can be roman, medieval, traditional and most of the time related to history or legends with the goal of taking you to the past. Every event is themed and can also be adapted to a product launch or to a company profile.

6 Incentives Incentives in Croatia are most certainly proof of our creativity and love and passion for our destination. Each incentive offer is closely tied to the culture and traditions of each region. Trying to validate that which is not common or known. Representing our beauty through experience and knowledge of history, legends, way of living and traditions. Meet individuals specialized in their fields and learn their secrets on how to love, experience and feel what they do. Incentives ideas: We invite you to Move, Imagine, Conquer and Enjoy. MOVE: We want you to move and be moved. The incentive ideas in this category are oriented around getting your team to discover the region through movement as a team. Let us organize a sailing regatta where you discover the beautiful islands of Croatia with incredible views of coastal towns. Learn how to tie sailing knots and how to steer and coordinate the crew on a sailing boat whilst you cruise over crystal clear blue waters. Stop over at beautiful towns along the way and have an organized fish picnic on one of the many beaches. If you wish you can sleep over on the sailing boats and wake up to a fresh breakfast on the deck bought at the local market.

7 Maybe you prefer rivers instead of the sea, in that case let us take you on a rafting experience along the wild water rivers in Croatia. Experience the adrenalin rush and the coordination of working as a team. Feel the adrenaline rush as you splash against rocks and challenge cascades. Stop at one of the local restaurants and taste their cuisine. At the end of the day, follow this adrenalin rush with a relaxing wellness delight. Croatia has over km of coastline, but why not discover the hinterlands. Get in jeeps and discover the green of Croatia. Travel on off road trails and discover small producers of wine, olive oil, honey, cheese, grappa and so on. Visit old frescoes in almost abandoned churches, visit medieval towns and be part of the culture and traditions as you are welcomed open heartedly by the common people. This can also be enjoyed by bicycle or for those with enough will, by foot. IMAGINE: The idea of this category is to experience creative, artistic and imaginative activities that allow you to be in sync with nature and history and all their elements and colors in order to find peace and balance. Each element has its natural state and we use them to create something tangible. Let us guide you through all the elements of painting. What colors are derived directly from the earth, how to express yourself through those colors

8 and through the gestures of your paint brush. Mix soil, cut grass or burn wood to make your mark on your canvas. Give your personnel perception to the beautiful surroundings around you, as we take you to picturesque locations of towns, shores, nature parks, forests, valleys and so on. Your panting will then become a post card and an invitation to a friend, to find serenity in our beautiful country. Learn the methods of sculpturing. Witness the importance and beauty that clay, stone and wood have had and have in the world of artists and architects. We visit sculpture parks and with experienced artists, learn the basics of sculpturing as we chisel away at valuable stone and wood or shape clay to its final form. Meet up with souvenir makers and mold and create your own typical Croatian souvenir. We guide you to discover the typical architecture of coastal and medieval towns, as well as farm holidays and old churches. Remember, you won't need to buy a typical souvenir... you have already made one! Let us take you on a photo safari to the very many national parks, nature parks and protected areas in Croatia and search for the beauties of the flora and fauna. Catch tremendous images of dolphins, birds, the endangered white headed vultures at Cres, the zebras on the Brijuni Islands, the wild orchids at the Cape Kamenjak, the many endemic Croatian species and so much more. Other amazing ways of discovering nature include specialized trekking trails, horse back riding, off road bike discoveries, visit of farm holidays and products or help harvest a lavender field and make your own lavender oil and sachets. Why not experience a tremendous hot air balloon ride and appreciate the land from above.

9 CONQUER: The aim of this category is of personal achievement. Compete... and win! Most of the activities are based on an adrenalin rush for each individual. Push your limits under a controlled environment and do the unexpected! Let us challenge you to free climb the rockiest mountains as you use your concentration, patience and every muscle to overwhelm your expectations. With or without guidance you will reach your limit. Once you reach the top, what better way to get down then by paragliding or if weather (wind) conditions are not favorable then get on your bike and follow the extreme downhill path to the bottom. Maybe you prefer underground instead of above it, let our instructors guide you down the many caves. Speleology is remarkably exiting and you will feel a sense of accomplishment when you look back into the cave and know that it was not that difficult. Experience the challenges of the blue. Deep sea diving, wreck diving, sea kayaking, big game fishing, cliff diving are all activities where you need discipline, endurance and patience. Each experience is challenging but always rewarding. If you are competitive and decide to compete within a group then we offer activities such as go-cart racing, off road go-cart racing, quad racing,

10 mountain bike races... Feel the adrenalin rush as you steer passed your opponent through forests, abandoned tracks or on professional racing courses. Other activities involve archery, paintball and a shooting range. Defeat stress every time you pull on the trigger or release your arrow and be amazed at what a good shot you are as you hit your target. ENJOY: What better way to enjoy a destination, than through gastronomy. This category allows you to learn the traditional culinary traditions of the region and to intrigue your palette with all the many authentic products. Croatia is a destination which does not produce a mass amount of products for export so the country has oriented itself on quality and by doing so has put Croatia on the world gastronomy map. Croatia is blessed with seasonal products and this is to be found at local producers, farm holidays, the typical inn called Konoba and the many local restaurants. Taste our culture and enjoy! There are so many possibilities regarding gastronomy, but let us focus on just a few. WINE: visit the most famous Croatian wine cellars which produce eco wines, which use the sur lit method, which produce wines in big anforas or visit wine shops and taste authentic wines from the region. With help from experienced sommeliers, experience a degustation blind folded or help during the harvest of grapes. The locations of the cellars are amazing, the legends and stories are interesting, the wine makers are passionate and the wines themselves are impressive. OLIVE OIL: during September visit an olive tree plantation and with the local producers learn what elements and procedures one has to go through in order

11 to get first class extra virgin olive oil. Learn the types of olives grown in Croatia, the way you cut the tree, the amount of sunlight, the way the olives are harvested and so on. Have a typical local meal on the grass with the locals and learn the primary elements you need to focus on while trying olive oil. At the end of the day, we have a surprise for you. Come find out what it is! Croatia has entered the top 10 producers of the world regarding extra virgin olive oil and the secrets of this success are yours to discover. TRUFFLES: did you know that the biggest white truffle in the world was found in Croatia? To be exact it was found in the region of Istria and is in the Guinness book of records. Come on a truffle experience you will never forget. Experience the truffle hunt with a truffle hunter and his faithful dogs, unveil the mystery of the truffle of where it is found and why its value is praised. Once you experience the hunt, visit a farm holiday, learn with what the truffle best matches and prepare your own local meal! Come during October and visit the infamous truffle fair and be part of the auction of truffles. Caution recommended... the truffle, after all, is an aphrodisiac! FISH & OYSTERS: Croatia has more than a km coastline and over 365 types of fish! Imagine, you can have a different fish every day. Let us take you on a boat trip between the many islands, you can either go underwater spearfishing, fish from the boat or simply help the fisherman pull out his nets. What we catch is what we will prepare, whether on your own private island and beach or in a typical inn (Konoba) with the owner himself. Let them show you the creativity and the many ways in preparing fish. We can also throw in a visit to an oyster producer. Visit the oyster farm and watch as oysters are pulled out directly from the sea and brought onto the boat. Learn the percentage of survival, the hardship in running an oyster farm and the different kinds of sea shells. Open the shells yourself, sprinkle some lemon and enjoy it with a nice glass of champagne or sparkling wine.

12 OTHER: Other activities include the search for wild asparagus and mushrooms, hunting for wild game, try the endemic bull called Boškarin, visit honey, cheese, liquor and grappa producers or simply waking up on a farm and not requiring a store, but instead learning and using all products nature so readily offers us. Team Building With our teams specialized in doing team building programs throughout Croatia, we can assure to bring company leaders and staff closer together and to bring out the very best of each team. All programs are challenging and require all elements of teamwork - communication, setting goals, time planning, problem solving, collaboration, creativity, achievement and of course, always necessary, a lot of fun and laughter. The level of difficulty varies from group to group, learn to solve effortless but challenging tasks or be more active, such as learning to sail a sailing boat as a team and help steer your team to victory. Maybe these proverbs may best describe our goal whilst organizing a team building program: We are most effective as a team when we compliment each other without embarrassment and disagree without fear. - Unknown Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. - Henry Ford

13 GASTRONOMIC EVENTS IN CROATIA Live Nativity Scene Sv. Lovreč Once again the people of the small medieval Istrian town of Sv. Lovreč have prepared a live nativity scene for the upcoming holidays... Rijeka Carnival Rijeka/Opatija Once again, the Rijeka carnival madness begins! From mid January until the end of February, the Rijeka carnival will host hundreds of allegorical wagons. Night of Museums Dubrovnik museums In addition to expert guidance through permanent and theme exhibitions, a rich educational and entertainment programme will also be provided, including lectures, presentations, playrooms and entertainment... - The Feast of St. Vlaho (also known as St. Blaise) Dubrovnik, Old town The Festival of St Blaise, Dubrovnik patron saint, has been a special holiday for the City of Dubrovnik ever since the year 972, when people started to celebrate it Bitter Orange Day Dubrovnik 'The Sour Orange Day' is a humanitarian event organized by the associations DESA - Dubrovnik and the Dubrovnik Orange. The event aims to promote the sour orange from Dubrovnik region which... Dubrovnik Carnival Fest Dubrovnik, Old town Dubrovnik Carnival Fest is an international cultural manifestation, connecting Croatian and regional carnival towns, adding colour and joy to Dubrovnik winter and reviving the town's centuries old cultural and traditional... Four Days Of The Dubrovnik Carnival Dubrovnik - Stradun, Fort Revelin

14 The carnival festivities which had arrived to Dubrovnik oversea - from neighbouring Italy - were banned by the church for some time because they were considered to be too distorted and obscene, but they... Sporchi macaroni culinary carnival competition Dubrovnik Sporchi Macaroni Culinary Carnival Competition is a gastronomic, humanitarian manifestation organized by Dubrovnik Tourist Board... Carnevale Poreč, Valamar Diamant Hotel Once again, guests from Italy and Austria who celebrate the carnival and who traditionally visit Istria (Poreč, Rovinj and Umag) and Kvarner (Opatija)... 29th Riviera Painting Colony Gallery of the Public Open University of Poreč For the 29th time, from 11 to 17 September 2011, Riviera's Painting Colony gathered renowned artists of various generations on the island of Sv. Nikola. Istrian spring - Poreč Poreč, Pazin, Labin, Vrsar, Motovun An international cycling race 'Istarsko Proljeće' (Istrian Spring), is a staged and road race in the duration of several days, which will be held from 15 to 18 March... Istrian Riviera Poreč, the tennis centre Hotel Pical The Satellite Tennis Tournament, Istrian Riviera, this year also gives a great opportunity to young and perspective tennis players... Festa od kamenica (Oyster Festivity) Dubrovnik, in front of St. Vlaho's church The story of oysters, the shellfish with aphrodisiac properties, has been known from ancient times, when the Dubrovnik Republic aristocrats savoured them at their renaissance feasts. Austrian... 9th Mediterranean healthy food and medicinal herbs fair Dubrovnik, Babin Kuk, Tirena Hotel*** The Mediterranean Health Food and Medicinal Herbs fair is considered to be one of the most important organic-agricultural and entrepreneurial fairs... Downhill Gračišće Gračišće Numerous extreme cycling fans will have the opportunity to prove their adventurous spirit in Gračišće again this year during a downhill spectacle

15 which is... Easter Dubrovnik Easter programmes in Dubrovnik present the spirit of tradition and the Catholic spirit of the people who piously attend celebrations of the Holy Week... Dubrovnik Shakespeare Festival Dubrovnik, The Old Town The first Dubrovnik Shakespeare Festival presents top productions of Shakespeare's three plays and international premieres of contemporary theatre productions. Istria Valamar Terra Magica Lanterna (Valamar Club Tamaris),Tinjan Join true lovers of cycling and take part in the Istria Valamar Terra Magica 2012 cycling race. Musikantenstadl Poreč, Žatika Hall 'Musikantenstadl', one of the most popular music shows on German television will be broadcast from Poreč for the first time... Croatia Croatia by regions A land of diversity and beauty. With a surface of km2 and km2 of territorial waters. Imagine a a km long coastline and 1244 islands of which 50 are inhabited. Discover 8 national parks and more than 22 protected areas in the country. 7 cultural heritages protected by UNESCO on such a small surface make us unique as well the many traditions and noon material elements protected by UNESCO. Enjoy the diversity of the Mediterranean cuisine and it's colors, scents, odors and taste throughout the region. Taste the culture, but also meet friendly Croats. Croatia has a polulation of 4,5 million inhabitants. Croatia has the cleanest sea in the Mediterranean and ideal weather, with an average of hours of insolation per year and a mild winter and hot summers (average 11C during winter and 26C during summers).

16 Zagreb & central Croatia The capital of the country and and the biggest town in Croatia. Rich with culture, museums, operas, plays, and possibilities. Ideal for discovering the arts and history of our capital. Visit the Cathedral in the center of the town whilst you pass by the famous Dolac market place. Did you know the tie was invented in Croatia' let's visit a small tie manufacturer and learn the history of the tie and the many ways a tie can be tied. Perhaps we can have your company logo imprinted on the tie or on scarfs. Of course, imprinted with style and taking account details. Since you are doing business in Zagreb, you need a quality pen. Did you know the fountain pen was also invented in Croatia? The word pen is directly derived from the Croatian inventor Mr. Slavoljub Penkala. Let us learn more about the pen and the Capital of Zagreb. We also suggest you visit the the town of Varaždin and surrounding areas, wine cellars and the very many top restaurants. Zagreb is very well connected with the world and with the rest of Croatia. Istria The leading tourism destination in Croatia, with over 1/3 of overnights spent in this region. Proclaimed by Lonely Planet as the 2nd best region in the world to visit. An excellent destination which boasts tourism by the coast as well as the hinterlands. Discover beautiful towns by the coast or better yet

17 medieval towns perched on hill tops. A destination of gastronomy. Some of the best wines are produced in the region, world competing extra virgin olive oil and the almighty truffles are just some the regions gastronomical gems. A region of diversity and beauty. Visit towns such as Pula with its amphitheater, romantic Rovinj, historical Poreč with the Euphrasius Basilica protected by UNESCO, the beautiful Brijuni islands or medieval towns such as Motovun, Grožnjan and so many others. Kvarner The natural wellness center of Europe. Known as a town of aristocrats with an amazing Austro-Hungarian influence in arhichtecture as well as cuisine. The region has the famous Učka mountain one end overlooking the amazing islands and the shore line. Ideal for hiking and trekking trails and boat trips. Walk along the divine riviera of Opatija with a 12 km long walking path along the sea. Opatija and Rijeka are known for organizing congresses and the region has excellent facilities. The area s extensive experience and tradition in organizing conventions, combined with modern quality accommodation, provide excellent foundation for organizing various meetings and events. Today, more than 125 years after the first congress, Opatija hosts more than 500 congresses, seminars, various meetings and events each year. Thanks to the modern motorway network, Opatija can today be easily reached by car in only several hours drive from all major centres of the region. Do not forget to visit the islands Rab, krk, Lošinj, and Cres

18 North Dalmatia Zadar Zadar is the main town in the region but surrounded with beauty of rocky mountains overlooking the very many islands and the very many national parks and protected areas. Visit the NP Paklenica, Velebit or move inland to the famous and UNESCO protected NP Plitvice with its 14 lakes one under the other. Ideal for discovering traditions such as the making of cheese and the making of lace on the island of Pag. Visit the St. Donat church which is the symbol of the town and pass by the famous sea organs and listen to the sounds of the sea. Visit the islands of Pag, Ugljan and Pasman by sailing boats. If you are looking for fun, then you must visit the summer destination of Zrće which is proclaimed the party destination of the region. Organize your gala evening or farewell party in a renovated cultural heritage Arsenal. Central Dalmatia Šibenik/Split The regions of Šibenik and Split and the surrounding areas are for history lovers to discover. With amazing landscapes and beautiful islands, the region of Central Dlamatia is a joy to discover. Visit the Cathedral of Šibenik protected by UNESCO as well as the Diocletians place in Split. Visit the many national parks of Krka, or the amazing Kornati islands. Experience the region by sailing boat, deep sea diving or by canoing or rafting down the Cetina river. The possiblitites are limitless. Visit the islands of Hvar and Brač and the

19 beach of Bol, which was proclaimed one of the nicest beaches in Europe. Have a gala evening with entertainment at the Diocletians palace itself and enjoy the nightlife the town has to offer. Dubrovnik The brand of Croatia and the most known destination of the region. Beautiful Dubrovnik is the must see of the Adriatic coast and has been proclaimed as the Pearl of the Adriatic. With a fortified coastal town with walls of over 50 m high, amazing cultural events and beautiful islands surrounding the region, makes Dubrovnik easy to discover by land or by sea. Do not miss out on a sailing regatta, a visit to the hinterlands with olive oil making and the old flour mill or the exiting islands where you can visit excellent wine producers and try the famous oysters from the Ston region. Dubrovnik has so much to offer, let us show the best!