Makarska - summer paradise for gays

According to gay tourists, Makarska has been identified as one of the most gay friendly destination on Croatian Adriatic. "I am proud at my town's citizens, and when we start a gay association, this will be one more achievement for our tourism", says Ante from the initiative for the constitution of local branch of "Drugi korak" in Makarska, one of Croatia's nationwide gay organizations, in an interview to Slobodna Dalmacija newspaper.

Ante says that in Makarska could happen some unpleasant situations, just like anywhere in the world, but as a general Makarska has become a very tolerant in accepting gay tourists.

In the article beach "Cvitacka", west from the town, has been mentioned as well known gay beach, but not exclusively so because it is used by other people as well. It is unwritten rule that everybody enjoys them selves there and that nobody disturbs no one. There are no restrictions for any kind of fun. Cvitacka is know as a place where Makarska's straight guys come in search for foreign girls, as well as place where boys come to meet sun tanned foreign boys. Also the rumor is that the beach is visited by married men who hide there with their female lovers. So, Cvitacka has been recognized as a place of absolute love freedom, says the article.

Croatia Gay Club Radio

First Croatian Gay Club Radio, has started whit his work on 10.04.2006. as local internet radio project for gay population in Croatia. In the beginning radio was good accepted and has rouse big media interest! They broadcast 24/7 and to listen the radio visit their home page.

Croatia 16th in the world according to the quality of life

According to the annual Quality of Life list for 2007, released by International Living (http://www.internationalliving.com) the world's #1 travel publication, Croatia has positioned place #16, which is 7 places better than last year. The first place is reserved second year in a row for France .

There are 193 countries on the list which have been marked by 9 different criteria: cost of living, leisure & culture, economy, environment, freedom, health infrastructure, risk & safety and climate.

Croatia is sharing its 16th place together with Finland , Malta , Lichtenstein , Portugal and Monaco .

Top 10 countries are France , Australia , Netherlands , New Zealand , USA , Switzerland , Denmark , Italy , Luxembourg and Argentina on the 10th place. Argentina is a newcomer on the list.

Comparing with other ex-Yugoslavian countries, Croatia is highest ranked. Slovenia is #32, Bosnia and Herzegovina #91. One place below Bosnia is country that doesn’t exist anymore – Yugoslavia (probably they meant Serbia ). Interesting is that for category “freedom” Bosnia got poor score – only 58, Yugoslavia is a bit better – 77, while Croatia and Slovenia got maximum of 100 points.

Totally, Croatia got 77 points, which is 10 less than leading France . Comparing with France , Croatia has been scored scientifically lower for economy and health, and to the some point in environment. Comparing with our neighbours Slovenia , Croatia got less point for economy, but more for infrastructure, climate and environment.

Magazine has not taken into the account only official country data, but also opinions of their local magazine’s correspondents in order to make the list more correspondent to the actual conditions and real life, and not only according to the statistics.

At the bottom of the list are Yemen , Somalia and Iraq .

Read about this year’s list here: http://www.internationalliving.com/issues/2007/2007_article.html.

Complete list is available only for subscribers of International Living, but if you want to check out last year’s list, you can find it here:

http://www.il-ireland.com/il/qofl06/index.php

Croatia water polo players with style

Water polo players from Split's team Jadran have become stars of New York Times. Not because of their play, but because of their perfect hard bodies presented in designer clothes on the pages of famous newspaper's fashion section.

In their sport club in Split guys have posed in clothes by fameous designers such as Dries Van Noten, Ralph Lauren, Luis Vuitton, Versace etc. Story is a result of a last August's study trip to Split by editor Bruce Pasko and photographer John Balsom.

First Croatia's natural beauties have inspired American fashion line The Territory Ahead, which has published in its spring catalog photos of Croatia and named clothes after Croatia's tourist areas, and now this linkage of sport and fashion is a step further in sophisticated promotion of Croatian tourism in the USA.

I mean, you have to admit, guys are looking great! As the NYT article says:
this season, nothing beats a great pair of legs!


Front row, from left: Marko Corvilo, Ivan Brnas, Andelo Setka, Ivan Milardovic and Miro Skiljo all wear Emporio Armani Bermuda shorts, $198 to $298. SIn background are their teammates Viseslav Saric and Ivan Bebic. (photo: John Balsom, NYTimes)


Condition training by Calvin Klein and Prada. (photo: John Balsom, NYTimes)


Ralph Lauren and and Bottega Veneta locker room. (photo: John Balsom, NYTimes)

See the slideshow here.