The fourth and final Gastro Advent in Split has taken place at Re di Mare fish restaurant.
Split’s never ending tourist season continued in trademark bright sunshine on December 20, 2015 with the fourth and final Gastro Advent in Split event, which was attended by Total Croatia News.
Advent tourism in Croatia has exploded in recent years in a country which is famous for its summer sun and beach tourism, but which has been off the mainstream tourism radar in the winter months, and the historic streets of Split’s UNESCO World Heritage Site Diocletian’s Palace were all but abandoned in the long winter nights until the introduction of Advent in Split a few years ago.
The transformation has been seismic, and the historic centre is now THE place to be in December, as restaurants, businesses and cafes have some together with the local authorities to put on an excellent Advent programme for locals and tourists alike.
A relatively recent addition to the Advent in Split theme has been the weekly lighting of the Advent calendar in different restaurants in the city, giving these establishments the opportunity to present themselves to the assembled regional and national media and various dignitaries.
Total Croatia News was part of an international FIJET journalist delegation at last week’s lighting of the candle on the main square in Diocletian’s Palace, and yesterday’s event took place at popular local fish restaurant, Re di Mare.
The restaurant, which prides itself on having the freshest fish (it is owned by a major fish distributor, Ribarnica Brac) is something of a local secret, located as it on the water in a bay away from the main tourist area, and close to the Hajduk Split stadium, whose top officials are often to be seen dining there.
Re di Mare put on a selection of its renowned fish specialities to mark the occasion.
And there was the chance of candle lighting for the younger generation.
And plenty of fresh fish options for those still a little hungry.
There was a heavyweight presence from the tourist boards of Split and of Central Dalmatia. Split director Alijana Vuksic, pictured above with TCN, has been in the job just over a year, a year of remarkable growth for a city which was once known as the Gateway to the Dalmatian Islands, but is today considered one of the hippest tourism cities in Europe.
She was joined by Josko Stella, director of the Central Dalmatia Tourist Board, which is enjoying considerable success both in lengthening the season and diversifying its tourism beyond the sea and sun stereotype. Stella was interviewed by TCN during the event, an interview which will be published on this website shortly.
Appetites sated, there was ample time to take in the spectacular and tranquil setting with outstanding December weather. Here it is, just five days before Christmas – is it any wonder Dalmatians truly believe they live on Paradise on Earth?
