Major European City Bans Rolling Suitcases

Under a new law suitcases must be carried and not dragged through the streets of the old town in Dubrovnik in Croatia, with anyone caught rolling their luggage facing a fine of £230 ($252).

The Croatian city sees a huge influx of visitors each year, which is great for the hospitality industry there, but not so fantastic for those wound up by the sound of miniature wheels rumbling across cobbles.

The anti-bag legislation is due to get even more severe in November, when all suitcases and bags will have to be left at the walls of the old town before visitors can enter.

Those laden with things who wish to enter the section of Dubrovnik will have to pay a courier to have their bags delivered to their accommodation by electric vehicle.

The laws have been passed by Dubrovnik mayor Mato Franković, who is attempting to lessen the impact of over tourism on the town.

Each year 1.5million people visit the city, which is almost 40 times the 41,000 people who live there full time.

Another additional noise-reducing measure just introduced will see cafes and bars with terraces where the noise level exceeds 55 decibels face fines and be forced to close for seven-day.

A video urging tourists to “respect the city,” will be shown on cruise ships docking at Dubrovnik and on Croatian Airline flights arriving in the country, Lonely Planet reports.

Walking around shirtless, riding bikes or e-scooters in the city centre, and climbing on statues are all behaviours that will be discouraged in the public announcement.

The city is currently trying to keep its world-heritage status six years after UNESCO warned disrespectful hordes were ruining the city.

In a bid to make Dubrovnik more sustainable, the number of tour buses and cruise ships docking in the port have been limited.

Despite this, the reputation of the city has only grown, capturing large numbers of the post-coronavirus-lockdown crowd looking to visit new place now that travel restrictions have been lifted.

Mayor Franković, who is trying to get the still rising tourist numbers to fall, said: “The most important thing is that Dubrovnik has stopped being a city of excessive tourism, although we still have a lot of work left.”

This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the city's biggest highlights thanks to its eye-catching architecture, picturesque cobbled streets and beautiful Baroque churches.

If you are one of the 1.5million who make it there annually, a walking tour can be a great way of seeing the highlights.

Surrounding the Old Town are impressive walls which make for a scenic stroll as you can enjoy some great views of Dubrovnik and the ocean. The 1940 meters long-walls boast six fortresses.

Rector's Palace is one not to be missed off the itinerary with its intricate Gothic architecture, heaps of fascinating exhibits and plenty of artwork. If you're short on time it is possible to explore it under an hour or so, so if you are nearby it's still worth popping in.

If you're planning to spend a few days in the city it's worth leaving space on the itinerary for a trip to Banje Beach.

Here you'll find everything from high end bars and beach clubs to families tucking into picnics on towels along the shore.

The beach can get quite busy during peak seasons but it offers some pretty views of Dubrovnik, not to mention there are heaps of boat tours you can take to visit the islands.

Source: https://www.mirror.co.uk/

Croatia Opens Adriatic Coast Bridge, Linking Divided Region

Croatia has opened a long-awaited bridge connecting two parts of the country’s Adriatic Sea coastline while bypassing a small sliver of Bosnia’s territory.

Top officials and guests gathered in the evening for a formal opening ceremony that included a flyover by military jets, speeches, performances and fireworks.

Earlier Tuesday, many Croats braved summer heat to be among the first to cross the Peljesac bridge on foot as it opened for pedestrians ahead of the official inauguration.

Co-funded by the European Union and built by a Chinese company, the elegant, cable-stayed bridge with six pylons is a rare venture of its kind amid concerns in Europe over China’s bid to boost its economic influence through investment in infrastructure.

In a video message aired at the opening ceremony, Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang said the bridge “illustrates friendly relations” between his country and Croatia, but also between China and the EU.

“China and the EU present important political forces and leading global economic powers,” said Li.

The 2.4-kilometer (1.5-mile) bridge spans the Adriatic Sea to link Croatia’s mainland to the Peljesac peninsula in the south, allowing easier access to the country’s most important tourism destination — the medieval walled city of Dubrovnik.

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic described the day as historic for the country, which joined the EU in 2013 after splitting from the former Yugoslavia and going through a war in the 1990s.

“I am overwhelmed by the feelings of pride, joy and gratitude,” said Plenkovic.

The Yugoslav federation had no internal borders between its six republics, including Croatia and Bosnia. But when it broke up in the early 1990s, the two parts of Croatia’s Adriatic Sea coastline were split by a narrow strip of Bosnia.

Both residents and tourists had to pass border checks, which slowed down traffic and left the inhabitants of the southern area feeling isolated from the rest of the country.

That area includes Dubrovnik, a stunning medieval town that has been on UNESCO’s protected heritage list and is Croatia’s biggest tourist attraction.

The bridge finally became a reality in 2017 when the EU allocated 357 million euros ($365m), which covered much of the 526 million-euro ($533) cost. The China Road and Bridge Corporation in 2018 won an international tender to construct the bridge.

The project, however, had faced criticism from Bosnia, whose officials complained of unresolved border issues and said the bridge would hamper access to its part of the coastline.

Known for its stunning nature and hundreds of Adriatic Sea islands, Croatia is a major tourism destination, attracting millions from Europe and all over the world every summer. Tourism also is key for Croatia’s economy, which remains among the weakest in the EU.

By DARKO BANDIC