sunshine,
natural be-auties, various accommodation
facilities, gastronomic offer, sports
and recreational opportunities, etc. Hvar
is frequented both in the summer and winter
months, and its very special climate favo-ured
the development of health tourism. The
so-called Hygiene Society was established
in Hvar as early as 1868; the major task
of the society was to take good care of
the visitors from abroad. This marked
the beginning of tourist development.
The first hotel, Empress Elisabeth, was
opened in 1903.
Hvar has an outstanding historical heritage
- the cathedral, the Franciscan monastery,
the Hvar theatre and the fortresses which
offer a beautiful view on the Pakleni
Islands and the island of Vis. Accommodation
facilities include hotels, apartments,
boarding houses and campsites. Sports
and recreational opportunities are excellent
- tennis, table tennis, basketball, boccia,
bowling, water sports (equipment rented).
Hvar is famous for its very specific climate
with a lot of sunshine, very few rainy
days and almost no snow at all. As a rule,
hotel guests pay only half a price if
it is raining for the whole day and nothing
at all if it is snowing (which occurs
almost never). Hvar is very much appreciated
by those who are keen on bathing in the
sea, although there are indoor swimming
pools with heated seawater. Tourists are
much attracted by a visit to the Pakleni
Islands, a small archipelago in front
of the Hvar port, where one may enjoy
the sun and the sea in one of the solitary,
wooded coves. Restaurants and taverns
in the town of Hvar offer excellent fish
specialities, with exquisite local wines.
Among interesting souvenirs and products
of Hvar one should emphasize a unique
kind of lace made of agave fibres, which
may be bought in the mo-nastery of Benedictine
nuns, as well as the famous Hvar lavender,
either in form of dried flowers or oil,
which may be used as a medicine, fragrance
or moth repellent, and rosemary oil.
Traditional cultural events play an important
role in the visitor opportunities of Hvar.
These are the Hvar Summer (July-August-September),
folk music and entertainment programs
and fishermen's fiestas. Among religious
feast days the most important are the
Day of St. Stephen the Pope (2nd of August),
with a large procession, also the Municipal
Day, then St. Prosper (10th of May), the
Holy Cross (14th of September), the procession
on Good Friday and other. Excursions are
regularly organized. |
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