Countdown to 2010
Check out the best places in Croatia to celebrate the arrival of the New Year – from clubbing parties, hotel bashes to open air celebrations.
Clubbing
Ministry of Sound New Year’s Eve Party – Split
The world’s biggest clubbing attraction Ministry of Sound is performing on New Year’s Eve at the Spaladium Arena in Split. The main acts include French DJ Antoine Clamaran, one of the most wanted club DJs on the dance floors around the world, famous hip hop band from Split The Beet Fleet and a special performance by the world-famous dance attraction Artists from Ibiza with the leading lady and vocalist Tischy. The rest of line up are one of the best Stockholm clubbing DJs – Dejan Vallentino, MoS Tour Resident Shane Kehoe and Croatian local support Luka Jakir.
Tickets start from £18.50, and are available on www.eventim.hr . For more info on the program and the event go to www.set2split.com.
New Year’s Eve party with David Morales – Zadar
Internationally acclaimed house music DJ and producer David Morales is sure to make the night at the Visnjik centre a memorable event with his prolific remixing and club-friendly dance tracks. Main floor line-up: David Morales, Stipe, Bush and Fera, techno floor: Pero Fullhouse, Ivan Komlinovic and Eddy C.
Tickets 300 - 400kn (£38 - 50) with unlimited drinks, 750kn (£94) with unlimited food and drinks, available at www.eventim.hr. Special rates for accommodation have been arranged with hotels in Zadar, starting from £26pppn, more info and details at www.morales-zadar.com.
RNB Confusion New Year’s Eve 2010 – Zagreb
A great time is guaranteed at the RNB Confusion New Year’s Eve party in Gjuro club. DJ’s Oli Dobolli and Zrne will get the party rocking with a brilliant mix of R&B, funk, disco and classic club hits.
Limited number of ticket at the special price of Kn299 (all inclusive - soft and alcohol drinks, cocktails, champagne at midnight, plus canapés, cold and hot appetizers, mains and various specialities) available until 26th December (Kn349 afterwards), VIP tickets Kn449. Details and bookings through R&N Confusion (+385 95 8558 585, www.rnb-confusion.com).
Terminal Club – Rijeka
Get ready to party in the Terminal club in Rijeka with guest DJ’s Silky (Seminal Grooves, London), Luca Montecchi and resident DJ Chiwe. Tickets from Kn120, various packages available as well (from Kn2000 for a party of four). Details and bookings through Terminal (+385 91 598 9952, www.terminal.hr).
Temple Club – Rovinj
Club Temple at the Monvi Centre in Rovinj, one of the premier clubs and entertainment hubs in Croatia, will host a New Year’s Eve party with DJ’s Tom Jay & Rosho, Make, Lemon and resident DJ Bebetto. Tickets cost Kn70, details and booking at the Monvi Centre (+385 52 545 117, www.monvicenter.com).
Hotel bashes
Lesic Dimitri – Korcula
The five-star boutique retreat, tucked away in Korcula’s Old Town, occupies a restored 18th century bishop’s palace and five medieval cottages. Its six residences – Arabia, China, Ceylon, India, Venice and Korcula – are inspired by Silk Road destinations and fitted with bespoke furnishings, designed to complement the Palace’s centuries-old original features.
New Year’s package includes three nights accommodation, five course New Year’s Eve gala dinner and live entertainment at the Kanavelic restaurant, hotel’s branch and dinner at the Ranc Mah on January 1st, and hotel’s branch and dinner at Konoba Mate on January 2nd. Three day package from €884 per person (€93 for additional night). Details and bookings Lesic Dimitri Palace (+385 20 715 560, www.lesic-dimitri.com).
Hotel San Rocco – Brtonigla
See in the New Year in an elegant, traditional setting of San Rocco, the meticulously restored Istrian family estate surrounded by landscape gardens and olive groves. Indulge in eleven courses New Year’s Eve Gala dinner then sit back and enjoy the fireworks by the pool.
New Year’s package starts from €280 (£254) per person for 2 nights, €350 (£317) for three nights. Includes 2/3 nights accommodation with breakfast, use of wellness area (sauna, whirlpool, pool), New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner, fireworks at midnight by the pool, champagne and cake. Details and bookings through Medadria (+385 51 312 279, www.medadria.com).
Excelsior Hotel & Spa – Dubrovnik
A spectacular setting to see in the New Year awaits you at the Excelsior Hotel & Spa, one of Dubrovnik’s premier hotels offering unique views of the Old City walls. Accompanied by dance rhythms of a six member band Showtime, this party will see you dance the night until the wee morning hours.
The New Year’s Eve dinner price of €110 (£100) includes a welcome cocktail, a seven course gala dinner, a glass of champagne at midnight, and a New Year’s Eve program. Double rooms on a B&B basis start at €200 (£180). Info and details Adriatic Luxury Hotels (+385 20 353 291, www.alh.hr).
The Regent Esplanade – Zagreb
Celebrate New Year in the glamorous Emerald Ballroom in the Regent Esplanade, a hotel which has been a byword for style and comfort for over 80 years.
Three nights New Year stay including breakfast and New Year’s Eve gala dinner in the Emerald Ballroom from £285per person. Gala dinner includes canapés, wine, and a 6 course menu featuring the finest of Croatian cuisine as well as live music. Details and bookings Croatian Villas (020 8888 6655, www.croatianvillas.com).
New Year’s Ball in Hotel Bristol – Opatija
Celebrate in style with New Year’s ball in the imperial ambience of the luxurious 4-star Hotel Bristol in Opatija, the town with the longest tourist tradition on the Adriatic Sea.
The New Year’s package starts from €335 (£303) and includes 3 nights’ accommodation, Gala dinner on New Year’s Eve, live entertainment, welcome gift, spa and beauty voucher, 10% discount on à la carte offer, early check-in and late check-out. Details and bookings through Medadria (+385 51 312 279, www.medadria.com).
Open-air New Year’s Eve celebrations throughout Croatia
Shake off the old year and celebrate the arrival of 2010 under the stars, with music, dancing, and spectacular fireworks. Most cities and towns have public displays in a central square accompanied by a live entertainment with famous bands. New Year’s Eve on on Jelacic Square in Zagreb, Stradun in Dubrovnik and Korzo in Rijeka are known for having one of the best and biggest New Year's fireworks displays in Croatia.
Dubrovnik
New Year's Eve celebration on Stradun, Dubrovnik’s main thoroughfare, is something you surely don't want to miss. The celebrations will start in the morning hours with carol singing in front of the Sponza Palace, followed by traditional event ‘kolenda’ in front of St. Blasius church with performances by the folklore ensemble Lindjo, Libertas Dubrovnik Choir, Dubrovnik City Band and Dubrovnik majorettes. The main event of the New Year’s Eve will start at 9pm with the concert by Croatian singer Milo Hrnic and Da Riva band.
A special musical treat for visitors to Dubrovnik will be the New Year's Day Concert on Stradun by the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra who will perform some of the most famous opera compositions.
Zagreb
Like the previous years, New Year’s Eve celebrations will be organized at the Ban Jelacic square and will feature performances by many pop and rock singers and bands as well as a grand fireworks display. Zagreb’s visitors are also in for a treat as, from 7pm on January 1st, there will be a New Year’s folklore evening at the city theatre Komedija (Theatre of Comedy). The large, heated tent at the main square will remain open until January 10th.
Split
The New Year’s Eve open air celebration will take place at the Split waterfront promenade, the Riva. Visitors will be entertained by Croatian musician Tony Cetinski. Several bands will join in the event scheduled to start at 9.30pm. The city of Split is expecting over 80 000 visitors.
Rijeka
Visitors to Rijeka will enjoy one of the biggest open-air parties in Croatia at the Korzo, the favourite meeting place and city’s promenade. The concert will feature performances from Croatian hip hop band TBF (The Beat Fleet) and Serbian musician Bajaga with his band.