17. September 2023.

This week, from September 18 to 22, 14 agents of the Italian Travel Agencies Association (FIAVET) are visiting Kvarner, accompanied by the director of the Croatian National Tourist Board Representation in Italy, Viviana Vukelić. According to the program, the agents visited Crikvenica on the first day, spent part of the second day in Novi Vinodolski, and will continue with visits to the island of Krk, Rijeka and Opatija. Along the way, they will get to know Kvarner through its accommodation options, gastronomy and wine offer, sights and outdoor activities.

After their morning program in Crikvenica, the Italian agents continued their tour in Novi Vinodolski. At the family hotel Lišanj, they were welcomed by the director of the Tourist Board of the City of Novi Vinodolski, Tena Peričić, and a representative of Hotel Lišanj.

“I would like to give you a warm welcome to our beautiful Novi Vinodolski and Hotel Lišanj. I always like to say that we are a small coastal town that offers great diversity and a lot to every visitor – from a stunning coastline to spacious green hinterland, wine and gastronomy, as well as rich cultural and natural heritage. We are also proud of our two marinas, which have placed us on the nautical destinations map and have changed the look of our town. Today, you will only get a glimpse of what we offer, but I hope you’ll return to experience and get to know Novi even more,” said Tena Peričić, director of the Novi Vinodolski Tourist Board.

The hotel director and a staff member guided the agents through all parts of the hotel – from rooms and the restaurant to the children’s playroom, gaming room, wellness, and fitness area – and the visit continued on the hotel terrace. Given the schedule, the agents then headed to Pavlomir Winery, where they were welcomed with a wine tasting and a tour of the cellar. The tasting began with local rakija made from grape pomace and dried figs, followed by native žlahtina, an award-winning rosé, and cabernet sauvignon. Their favorite was the native žlahtina. After the wine tasting, they wrapped up their visit to Novi Vinodolski with a gourmet experience at Konoba Studec, where they enjoyed a traditional dish made with dried figs, a specialty of the region.

Tour guide Livio Karavanić introduced the agents to the history of winemaking in Vinodol – how it all began, the historical context of its development, and the origin of the name Vinodol, as well as the grape varieties typical for the area. He also shared some facts about the beautiful hinterland with its biking and hiking trails, panoramic viewpoints “Eyes of Vinodol”, the Heavenly Labyrinths, and the Glass Chapel. Smiling, the Italian travel agents then continued on to Krk, where the next part of their journey through the beautiful Kvarner region awaited them!