- Croatia has been announced as Lonely Planet Staffers' number one destination for 2005. Croatia won the first place, followed by China, Argentina, USA, Italy und Costa Rica.

- Michelin Europe Tourist and Motoring Atlas puts Croatia on the front page of its 2005. edition,

- USTOA chose Dubrovnik as the host of their 2006. Annual Conference, On July 17th 2005, New York Times publishes an article In Croatia, A New Riviera Beckons, Croatia was the favourite ''last minute'' destination of German tourists last summer, shows a poll conducted by the European Tourism Institute (ETI), National Geographic Adventure announces Croatia as number one Hot Adventure Destination in 2006.

The necktie (cravat) originates from Croatia.

"... Around the year 1635, some six thousand soldiers and knights came to Paris to give their support to King Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu. Among them were a great number of Croatian mercenaries.

The traditional outfit of these Croats aroused interest on account of the unusual and picturesque scarves distinctively tied about their necks. Later on, during the reign of Louis XIV, the Croatian scarf was accepted in France, above all in court, where military ornaments were much admired. The fashionable expression, a la croate, soon evolved into a new French word, which still exists today: la cravate.

Croatia was visited by 10 million tourists in 2005.

LADO is an archaic Slavic word, frequently used as a refrain in old ritual songs of the North-West Croatia, and a synonym for the expression meaning "good", "lovable, "dear".

LADO Ensemble of Croatian folk song and dance was founded in Zagreb, in 1949 as a profesional national ensemble.

36 brilliant dancers of the Ensemble, who are also excellent singers, can easily transform the folk dance ensemble into a representative folk choir, while its 15 superb musicians play some forty different instruments.

In its imposing choreographic and musical repertoire, the LADO Ensemble primarily pays homage to original folk art, making it recognizable and well known throughout the world.

With its unique collection of highly valuable authentic national costumes (more than 1000 costumes), each concert of the LADO Ensemble is a kind of fashion show of the original Croatian traditional attire.

When in the review of a LADO's concert one reads that its perfomance tastes of the spring- water, it is perhaps the best description of its character: clear, refreshing and indispensable to life, reflecting on its surface the man and the whole nation and its culture.
Web: www.lado.hr

When we invite you to Croatia, we want you to share with us:

THE TASTE
THE FEELING
THE COLOUR
THE PASSION
THE HOSPITALITY
THE HERITAGE
THE BEAUTY
THE SPIRIT
OF

THE MEDITERRANEAN AS IT ONCE WAS