NEW EUROPE IN FOCUS
Ground I
Breaking New
t may have become commonplace to hear that the world’s getting smaller, but there are times when Europe appears to be pushing its continental borders with every passing year. Today’s European travel scene gives
UK tourists more overall choice than ever before, and this is largely thanks to the rise in prominence of the swathe of countries known as ‘New Europe’. Destinations such as Slovenia, Slovakia
and, particularly, Croatia – places which not too long ago wouldn’t have suggested themselves to the average holidaymaker – have grown into fully matured short-haul options, boasting enough quality to cater for everyone from the most discerning luxury-seeker to the hungriest culture vulture. The irony, of course, is that this part
of Europe isn’t really ‘new’ at all. You’ll find as much history and tradition here
as anywhere else on the continent, and that’s only the start of the appeal. Prices tend to be less weighty than in
mainstream parts of Western Europe, crowds are generally fewer and, in the case of Croatia, there’s an abundance of superb beach resorts to choose from – more than 1,100 islands sit off the country’s dramatic Adriatic coastline. Slovakia and Slovenia both offer a high-class lakes-and-mountains holidays option, and all three countries are notable for the professionalism of their tourist infrastructure.
As with so many regions, visitor
numbers have been affected in recent times by the global downturn, but it’s still hard to overlook the fact that these are countries that are here for the long- term in the UK outbound market. The overall area (Slovenia borders Croatia on the coast, while Slovakia sits
Slovenia, Slovakia and Croatia may be part of a region known as ‘New Europe’ but between them can add history and tradition to world-class hotels and service and superb beaches, says Ben Lerwill
inland the other side of Hungary) is well served by low-cost airlines, so there’s an opportunity for dynamic packaging, but you’ll also find a good number of inclusive tour packages to sell, ranging from traditional beach breaks to holidays geared to outdoor enthusiasts. It’s important too to see ‘New Europe’ as a number of individual, often very different, destinations, rather than one homogenous option. There’s a huge amount of diversity, seen in everything from climate and landscape to culture and cuisine – and this is all the more reason for repeat visits.
New Europe What's New
Most visitors to Croatia make straight for the Mediterranean balminess of the coast, meaning lively capital Zagreb is often overlooked. This may be about to change, with easyJet introducing a
direct service from Gatwick in February. A recent Post Office currency survey found that the Croatian kuna offered UK holidaymakers 6% more for their money compared with 2009. A Radisson Blu has opened in Split. In neighbouring Slovenia, meanwhile,
hotel stock has been improved by the opening of the four-star Bioterme Hotel in Mala Nedelja, which has its own thermal spa. Elsewhere, visitors to the capital city can now benefit from the Urbana Ljubljana Tourist Card, which allows access to all main attractions. In Slovakia, 2010 saw the unveiling of the five-star Kempinski Hotel River Park in Bratislava. The country’s spa, golf and skiing options have also been augmented with new openings.
Imposing Sacred Heart Church, Dreznica, Slovenia
42 xxxxx 2010 •
www.shortbreaksholidays.com
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