Latest news with #Dalmatian
NDTV
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Kartik Aaryan Offers Glimpses From Trip To Vis Island In Croatia
Kartik Aaryan has chalked out the perfect plan to beat the summer heat. Wondering how? Well, the actor is cooling off by the beach during his trip to Vis Island in Croatia. The Chandu Champion star is soaking up the Mediterranean vibes and making us wish we could tag along too. Kartik treated his fans and followers to a photo dump from his travel diaries on Instagram. The carousel post offered a peek into his fun-filled day on the island. From sipping a drink by the beach and strolling through the island's charming streets to enjoying a seaside dinner and indulging in water adventures, the star is clearly living his best island life. In the caption, Kartik Aaryan wrote, "Vis Vibes." View this post on Instagram A post shared by KARTIK AARYAN (@kartikaaryan) Has Kartik Aaryan's post given wings to your wanderlust spirit? Here's everything you need to know about Vis Island before you hop onto the Croatia travel bandwagon: 1. Unspoiled beauty and charm Vis Island, the most remote inhabited island in Croatia, is known for its untouched natural beauty, rich history and relaxed pace of life. It is perfect for travellers seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure and a taste of traditional Dalmatian culture. 2. Getting there Located beyond popular islands like Brac, Hvar and Solta, Vis lies about 45 kilometres from the mainland. The island is primarily accessible by ferry from Split, with a car ferry taking around 2 hours. High-speed ferries are also available to nearby Hvar on select days. 3. A hidden gem with a military past Vis was closed to the public for decades as it served as a strategic military base during the Yugoslav era after World War II. This secretive past adds a fascinating historical layer for those interested in exploring military relics and underground tunnels. 4. Wine, food and culture Vis has a strong fishing tradition and is also known for its local wine production. You can enjoy authentic Dalmatian cuisine and sample regional wines at cosy restaurants and family-run cellars across the island. 5. Peaceful and authentic stays Unlike Croatia's more commercialised destinations, Vis remains relatively undeveloped. You will find private houses and apartments instead of large hotels, making it an ideal spot for a peaceful, authentic island escape, even in the peak summer season.
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Health
- Miami Herald
Dalmatian was ‘clinging to life' tied up in a back alley. But she's a ‘survivor'
A gentle dog has a long road of recovery ahead of her in Philadelphia after being rescued right in the nick of time. The Dalmatian was discovered in dire condition by officials for the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) with barely any light left in her eyes, the shelter said. 'Her name is Brandy. And she is a survivor,' the shelter said in a May 30 Facebook post. The shelter's animal law enforcement team was called to an alley for a report of a dog tied up. What they found, the shelter said in its post, broke their hearts. 'Brandy, a beautiful Dalmatian, was barely clinging to life. She was emaciated, with two heavy nylon leads hanging from her neck,' the shelter said. 'Fly eggs clung to her coat. Every step she tried to take ended in a stumble. Her body temperature had dropped so low, she was hypothermic.' Photos that are attached to the post show a gorgeous dog who has been severely neglected, with her ribs visibly protruding through her spotted coat. 'We immediately rushed Brandy to our shelter hospital where our veterinary team started heat support, IV fluids, and critical medications. Her condition was dire,' the shelter said. 'Luckily, Brandy didn't give up. She fought with all she had and she's still fighting.' Even though the photos show a weary Brandy, the shelter notes that she is currently on the mend. 'She is now stable, but she is far from healed. The road ahead is long, and she will need continued care, patience, and love,' the shelter said. For more information on Brandy, visit the shelter's Facebook page.
National Geographic
3 days ago
- National Geographic
How to plan the ultimate island-hopping adventure in Croatia
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). The fascination of islands is that they appear to be distinct, self-contained worlds. If that's true, then Croatia is practically its own solar system. From the Kvarner Gulf at the head of the Adriatic to the Dalmatia region between Zadar and Dubrovnik, more than 1,185 islands spray down the coast like a meteorite shower. Whatever you're looking for, you'll find it here — from buzzy resorts for a party crowd on Hvar to towns like Korčula or Rab, their streets an insouciant jumble of gothic and Renaissance beauty. In between are endless pine-scrubbed specks with no firm grip on the 21st century, washed by the cleanest waters in the Mediterranean. Lazy beach days may be the draw, but this is a country rich in history. Grasp that Croatia is all about cultural tectonics and you're halfway to making sense of a destination that's exotic and familiar by turns. It's a nation created where the plates of European history — Ancient Greek and Roman, Austro-Hungarian in the north Adriatic, and the Venetian Republic in the south — have met and occasionally collided over millennia. All have left their mark, whether in architecture, cuisine or culture. Likewise, the people of Croatia mix Central European business head, Mediterranean heart and Balkan soul. Holidaymakers have been fascinated by this destination for more than a century. George Bernard Shaw said of Croatia's islands: 'On the last day of Creation, God wished to crown his work, so he created the Kornati islands out of tears, sand and breath.' Edward VIII, on a romantic cruise with Wallis Simpson in 1936, entertained daydreams of escaping state duties by buying and renovating a little mansion by the sea. After the implosion of Yugoslavia in 1991, Croatia saw a return to form; the dreary accommodation that had sprung up during the Communist era beginning to make way for luxurious small stays. With so many islands to choose from, it's tempting to hop furiously between them — especially as, in season, ferry connections are good and cheap if you travel on foot. However, each destination deserves a few days, at least. Slow down to the islands' pace and you'll find that individual identities slowly reveal themselves. The trick is to select islands whose ferry routes daisy-chain into coherent paths — as they do in these two itineraries. See our highlights as gateways for your own discoveries. Itinerary 1: Dalmatian classics The islands off the Dalmatian coast showcase Croatia at its most vivid. They're sunbaked and wild, perfumed by pine trees and herbs, silvered by olive trees and contoured by the grapevines introduced by the ancients. Blasted by the light and heat of centuries, it's a land of living poetry, packed with history, which has elevated easy living into an art form. This route visits Croatia's most celebrated islands — plus one curveball — and is bookended by its most beautiful cities: Split and Dubrovnik, both of which have international airports. After sleepy Šolta comes an archipelagic beauty parade: Vis, bohemian and increasingly upmarket; Hvar, which combines Renaissance looks with a modest club scene; then Korčula Town, one of the finest medieval citadels in the Mediterranean. A car limits your options for this itinerary, so pack light and travel on foot. 1. Šolta One hour from Split harbour by ferry, Šolta is a pipsqueak of an island. It was called Solenta, meaning 'Sun Island', by the Romans. It's now a backwater of olives and pine scrub, whose rich soils produce a red wine so dark it's almost black. Hire a scooter or mountain bike at the port — the island is just 12 miles long — to taste dobričić wine and olive oil at Kaštelanac Agroturizam, discover idyllic harbours Maslinica and Stomorska, and follow tracks to rocky coves on the south coast. Top picks include Stračinska, Senjska, Jorja and Tatinja. The town of Jelsa, just 30 minutes from Hvar Town, offers views of the blue Croatian coast and mainland in the distance, especially when venturing up to St. Mary's Church. Photograph by Getty Images, 4FR 2. Komiža, Vis Today Vis's chief claims to fame are Stiniva beach and Mamma Mia! — the 2018 sequel was filmed here — but millennia ago, Caesar described Croatia's furthest inhabited island as 'the most distinguished in the area'. Vis Town's Issa Archaeology Museum has various Roman finds, while the Venetian houses in adjoining Kut village are also worth exploring. Next, cross Vis to set-jet in Komiža, the island's prettiest harbour: ABBA renditions optional. From here, Alternatura runs sailing trips in falkuša (traditional fishing boats). 3. Hvar Town, Hvar A village-sized Saint-Tropez meets Ibiza, Hvar lures superyachts and young holidaymakers with its beach clubs; the best is Carpe Diem — it's on Stipanska, one of the Pakleni islands, easily reached from Hvar. Among all the glitz is Hvar Town's Renaissance core, constructed by the Venetian Republic as a naval base and trade route staging post. Ascend to a 16th-century castle for harbour views, admire art in the Franciscan Monastery and drink in chichi cocktail bars. 4. Korčula Town, Korčula Approaching this UNESCO-listed town by sea is bewitching. It's a medieval citadel of walls and towers like chess pieces, crammed onto a thumbnail of land and ambered in the faded glory of 400 years of Venetian rule. The gothic-Renaissance cathedral is its highlight, but it's better understood as a tiny city. You'll circle it in 30 minutes yet discover new detail for days: a heraldic crest here, a hole-in-the-wall gelateria there. Pair it with a day trip to Lumbarda village, where you'll find the sandy beach of Pržina and a white wine introduced by Ancient Greeks, Grk — Bire vineyard has tastings. 5. Mljet One third of Mljet is protected by its namesake national park. Swim in interconnected saltwater lakes near Pomena or paddle a kayak to the former Benedictine church but, to escape Dubrovnik day-trippers, be sure to take a five-hour walk around northwest bays, winding up at the village of Govedari. For adventure, visit Odysseus Cave, where the hero was said to have been captivated by Circe. How to do it Intrepid offers an eight-day trip visiting all islands except Šolta aboard a shared four-cabin 52ft sailing yacht , from £1,753 per person. Šolta is an hour from Split by ferry, which are frequent. To travel independently, take Jadrolinija ferries from Vis to Hvar, then take Kapetan Luka for the rest of the route. 'Closer to reminiscence than reality,' said Victorian architect TG Jackson of the old dream-like town of Rab. Its embankment offers great spots for sunbathing. Photograph by Getty Images, Patstock Itinerary 2: The Kvarner Gulf Because Dalmatia hogs the spotlight, the islands of the northern Adriatic are quieter, ferry travel with a car is easier and there's usually more space on the beach. Yet the region offers many quintessentially Croatian holiday experiences. There are semi-wild islands like Cres — roughly pronounced 'tsress', with seductive sibilants — where rare vultures ride thermal winds. Also Pag, which has a singular, austere beauty. On Lošinj — 'losheen' — there are handsome harbours and, in Rab Town, a cat's cradle of historic streets as picturesque as any in the country. Ironically, this region was the first to appear in Croatia's brochures — Lošinj emerged as a wellness destination for Austro-Hungarians in the late 1800s. King Edward VIII, visiting Rab in 1936, so thoroughly embraced the holiday spirit he was moved to skinny-dip. 1. Krk Town Pick up a car at Rijeka airport and you're already on Krk island. A bridge to the mainland has introduced development, but you soon escape its excesses in the older part of compact Krk Town. How old? Well, beneath a glass floor in beachwear shop Memento is a Roman temple of Venus, while cafe-nightclub Volsonis incorporates an antique tomb. Pair it with a trip to surrounding settlements: wine village Vrbnik and rustic Dobrinj are the best. 2. Tramuntana, Cres Wild, rare and spectacularly ill-suited to modernity, griffon vultures seem emblematic of Tramuntana, in the northern part of Cres. Here, Beli village is an Adriatic idyll of grey stone and terracotta and home to a rehabilitation centre for Europe's rarest indigenous vulture. You may see them soaring over sea cliffs while you walk signposted paths into the wooded region. Afterwards, head south to the Venetian harbour of Cres Town; nearby rustic restaurant Bukaleta serves the best lamb on the island. 3. Mali Lošinj, Lošinj This town was destined to be a major port of the Austro-Hungarian empire until its harbour was deemed too small for steamships, which is why it remains a handsome little waterfront with good restaurants in former captains' houses along the quay. Culture comes in at the Apoxyomenos Museum; its star piece is the eponymous 2,000-year-old bronze of an athlete positively twanging with youthful vigour. 4. Rab Town, Rab 'Closer to reminiscence than reality,' said Victorian architect TG Jackson of this dream-like old town. Above alleys jostling with gothic and Renaissance mansions, a series of church spires rise like masts on a square-rig sailing ship. If you only ascend one make it the highest, St Mary's Campanile's bell tower, built in the 12th century. Be sure to stop in on 11th-century St Andrew's Monastery, where Benedictine nuns sell herbal remedies, heirs to a tradition dating to the Middle Ages at least. Pag is well known for its sheep's cheese and wild sage-fed lamb. Photograph by Getty Images, Simon002 5. Pag The Venetian Republic cleared this island's forests and the Adriatic's bura wind cold-blasted their regrowth so, today, Pag is as austere and magical as a desert; its bare limestone more lunar than terrestrial. Pag's beaches are hugely varied — from August clubbing on Zrće to wild escapism at Ručica — but among Croatians it's best known for paški sir (sheep's cheese), and lamb self-seasoned by a diet of wild, salty sage. Producer Gligora offers tours and a cheese bar, while rural hotel Boškinac has a fine slow-food restaurant. How to do it Getting there & around British Airways, EasyJet, Jet2, Average flight time: 3h. is the nationwide ferry operator, providing the majority of roll-on, roll-off car ferries, plus some fast passenger-only catamarans, often scheduled for commuters. Private operators offer tourist-friendly routes in Dalmatia; the most useful for these itineraries are When to go Spring and autumn, especially, are the perfect seasons to visit, with average temperatures around 23C in both May and October. The sea is at its warmest in September, hovering between 22 and 24C. Temperatures in July and August are around 30C, but a bigger issue is visitor numbers; reservations are essential for accommodation and ferries. More info Lonely Planet Croatia, £14.99 How to do it: Independent travel with a car is the way to go for this itinerary. Cres and Lošinj are connected by bridge, ' eight-day Kvarner Bay Bike and Boat Deluxe itinerary offers accommodation and travel aboard a 17-cabin yacht, plus optional guided e-bike cycling in Cres, Lošinj, Dugi Otok, Zadar, Pag and Rab. From £1,990 per person, B&B, including five lunches and two dinners. Flights are excluded. Ryanair and Wizz Air fly to Split and Dubrovnik from airports throughout the UK. In the Kvarner Gulf, Ryanair flies to Rijeka from Stansted. Alternatively, EasyJet and Jet2 fly to Pula; you can cross quickly to Cres island from Brestova, an hour's drive north.: 3h. Jadrolinija is the nationwide ferry operator, providing the majority of roll-on, roll-off car ferries, plus some fast passenger-only catamarans, often scheduled for commuters. Private operators offer tourist-friendly routes in Dalmatia; the most useful for these itineraries are Kapetan Luka and TP Line Spring and autumn, especially, are the perfect seasons to visit, with average temperatures around 23C in both May and October. The sea is at its warmest in September, hovering between 22 and 24C. Temperatures in July and August are around 30C, but a bigger issue is visitor numbers; reservations are essential for accommodation and ferries., £14.99Independent travel with a car is the way to go for this itinerary. Cres and Lošinj are connected by bridge, Jadrolinija runs services between all other islands. You'll need to double-back to Krk to continue to Rab. Note that the Rab-Novalj ferry — to Pag — is passenger-only. For onward travel with a car, catch a ferry to the mainland then drive to Prizna for the 15-minute crossing to Pag, or continue south for a road bridge to the island. Utracks ' eight-day Kvarner Bay Bike and Boat Deluxe itinerary offers accommodation and travel aboard a 17-cabin yacht, plus optional guided e-bike cycling in Cres, Lošinj, Dugi Otok, Zadar, Pag and Rab. From £1,990 per person, B&B, including five lunches and two dinners. Flights are excluded. National Geographic Traveller (UK). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click Published in the June 2025 issue of(UK).To subscribe to(UK) magazine click here . (Available in select countries only).
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
The underrated sunshine spot with fabulous beaches, vibrant nightlife, cheap pints and €50 Ryanair flights from Dublin
TAKE a look at the underrated sunshine spot with fabulous beaches, vibrant nightlife, cheap pints and €50 Ryanair flights from Dublin. Split is a stunning coastal city located in Advertisement 4 Split is one of Europe's most underrated travel destinations Credit: Getty Images - Getty 4 It features stunning beaches and a vibrant nightlife Credit: Getty Images - Getty 4 The city is also steeped in history Credit: Getty Images - Getty The hottest month in Split is July, but with temperatures already reaching the high 20s, now is an ideal time to visit. Split is one of Croatia's most breathtaking coastal destinations, known for its ancient ruins, breathtaking beaches and vibrant nightlife. And Ryanair flights from Situated on the Adriatic Sea, this historic port city has been called the 'pearl of Dalmatia' and it's a must-visit for those looking for a holiday that's different from Spain or Portugal. Advertisement READ MORE IN TRAVEL It also remains one of the more affordable Split has Roman ruins, turquoise waters and hidden coves that look like something out of a postcard. The underrated sunshine spot is also home to some of Croatia's most popular beaches. This includes Bacvice Beach and Kasjuni Advertisement Most read in News Travel Water-based activities are also hugely popular among tourists during the warmer months, such as snorkelling, paddleboarding, sailing and jet skiing. What's more, tourists can take boat trips to nearby islands - with Split known as one of the best places in Discover Europe's Secret Isles: Top 8 Underrated Destinations And for those who prefer to stay on land, there's lots of things to do - including visiting the stunning Diocletian's Palace and hikes up Marjan Hill. Split is also a must-visit for Advertisement There are guided tours through the Old Town, with highlights including the 4th-century Roman palace and features narrow stone streets, bell towers and lively markets. What's more, there's still plenty of bars, shops and restaurants located across the city. The region's food is another major draw, with restaurants serving fresh seafood, grilled meats and traditional Dalmatian dishes. VIBRANT NIGHTLIFE More popular among younger travellers is the Bacvice district – a vibrant beachside area just minutes from the centre, known for its nightlife and sea views. Advertisement Here you'll find open-air clubs, cocktail bars and beachfront lounges that stay open into the early hours - with happy hour deals available throughout the What's more, drinks are cheap with pints of beer and glasses of wine going for less than €3. Split also hosts several festivals throughout the summer, including the Split Summer Festival – featuring theatre, music and dance performances. The city is easily accessible, with regular flights to Split available from major cities across Europe - including Dublin. Advertisement 4 Ryanair flights go for only €50 this summer Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Threatened, near-threatened birds flock to Udaipur's Menar wetland
In Rajasthan, a small village, less than 50 km off Udaipur, has emerged as a biodiversity hotspot with sightings of several threatened and near-threatened bird species over the last few years. These sightings and community-driven conservation efforts have bestowed Menar with the moniker of 'bird village'. Two wetlands — large and deep Brahma and small and shallow Dhandh — along with a host of ponds constitute the Menar wetland complex, providing habitat to nearly 200 species of birds every winter. A bird census earlier this year, conducted by the Bombay Natural History Society and the state's forest department, revealed presence of several species of vultures and a large number of resident and migratory wetland birds around the grasslands of the hamlet. Recent sightings include species such as cinereous vulture, long-billed vulture, Himalayan griffon vulture and Egyptian vulture in the grasslands, besides Asian wooly-necked stork, ferruginous pochard, Dalmatian pelican, and black-tailed godwit in the wetlands. Villagers conserving these wetlands for generations as a 'common' resource for their livestock and water requirements during the dry season, have only recently realised that the hundreds of birds that are spotted in these wetlands, perched on balconies and temple tops, are in fact threatened species. 'We conducted a bird census in Menar along with the forest department. All wetlands in India fall in the Central Asian Flyway. Menar also plays a very important role because of its strategic location in southern part of Rajasthan. It's important to understand why so many birds are visiting that area,' Sujit Narwade, deputy director, Bombay Natural History Society, said. He emphasised the key role the 'very supportive' local community plays in ensuring the birds are safe. 'Menarians are known for their coexistence with birds. Look anywhere in the village and you will find birds. In Rajasthan, we largely see this love for nature. We see the same thing at Khichan bird sanctuary as well,' he added. Menar is not one wetland, but a complex of wetlands, making it conducive for birds, which normally visit large areas with multiple wetlands and grasslands. 'For example, cranes will feed in the farm land and come to roost in the wetland. There are so many grasslands nearby which also support unique and endangered species like vultures. This is seen in Menar. We are trying for some long-term studies around the village to understand the commute of migratory birds,' Narwade said. Menar wetland complex was notified in 2023, effectively giving it legal protection and ensuring that the land use cannot be changed. However, the move has evoked mixed reactions from the locals, popularly known as Menarians. While residents are happy with the recognition to their collective conservation efforts running into generations, their primary concern stems from the apprehension whether such legal protection would restrict their rights to graze livestock or extract fertile soil from wetlands. A proposed 765-KV sub grid power station near the Kheroda wetland, also part of the Menar complex, is also a reason for their concern as locals believe the project could endanger migratory birds that traverse Kheroda on their way to Menar. The gram panchayat of Kheroda has objected to the proposal, according to documents seen by HT. 'These wetlands are formed through a collection of rainwater and overflow from our farms. Brahmasagar overflow forms Dhandh wetland while Dhandh lake's overflow creates other ponds. We do not extract water from these overflow wetlands because these are left for livestock and birds,' Shankar Lal Menariya, former vice-sarpanch of Menar, said. Villagers' resolve to the wetland free of disturbance may also have helped create a bird habitat in Menar. 'Hunting and fishing is not allowed here. Even disturbance to still water is discouraged. There is strict penalty for those who violate. The birds need fish, which is in abundance in these wetlands,' local resident Mangi Lal Menariya (82) said. The scientific assessment of bird diversity has enhanced the pride of villagers, who see themselves as custodians of these wetlands, the octogenarian said. 'We have consciously decided not to allow any shops, commercial establishments bordering these wetlands because that can disturb the birds,' another resident Shankar Lal said. Birders like Darshan Menariya, by documenting the frequent sightings in the recent years, have played crucial role in establishing Menar as a key bird habitat. 'You can never become familiar with any species unless you know their names. Once I started identifying them by name, it became addictive and very interesting,' Darshan, who also teaches at a government school, said. 'During winter, you can see 200 species of birds. We see two species of Pelicans — greater white pelican and Dalmatian pelican — as well as common cranes, flamingos that come from Rann of Kutch, and sarus cranes, etc. Black-necked stork has started breeding in Brahma Talab. We have created some islands for roosting of these birds and planted acacia mainly for their nesting,' he said. 'We also see a lot of common pochards here. They are an indicator of clean water. Bar- headed geese also come in large numbers from high altitude areas.' Darshan's work has also inspired several youngsters take up birding as a hobby. 'Every time there is a rare bird sighting many of us are very excited. Most of the younger generation can identify birds here,' 20-year-old Hemlatha, Darshan's niece, said. Sharing Aravalli commons In sharp contrast to some parts of the Aravallis, where mining and real estate are threatening common lands, Gogunda in Udaipur district sees a network of ponds being conserved, utilised and carefully rationed by villagers. The rule here is clear — use water from wetlands efficiently for irrigation, leave the rest for livestock, wild animals, insects and birds. Kanji Ka Guda village in Gogunda tehsil is an example of how wetlands, pastures, hills, small streams and sacred groves are carefully managed as 'common' lands spanning around 400 hectares of Aravalli landscape. 'The rule is that villagers can take water only for the Rabi crop. There is enough water for the crop. The rest will be left for livestock, animals and birds because if there is no water, there is no life,' Bawar Singh (70), head of a local committee looking after pasture land, said. Foundation for Ecological Security (FES), a non-profit, in its monitoring of the area has found at least 36 species of odonates (insects), including the red marsh trotter, black stream glider, blue ground skimmer, ditch jewel, blue darner, and little blue marsh hawk. These findings are likely to be published in a journal soon. Migratory bird species, including greenish warbler, garganey, citrine wagtail, Siberian stonechat, ferruginous duck, white wagtail, western yellow wagtail, green avadavat, red-breasted flycatcher, bluethroat, common pochard, green-winged teal, northern pintail, gadwall, and northern shoveler are also reported in Gogunda. Just as in most places across Rajasthan, caste is a dominant aspect in all villages, including Menar. But when it comes to 'commons', the rules are even. 'You may say that caste inequities take a backseat when it comes to access of common resources,' Vinod Paliwal, senior programme manager, Foundation for Ecological Security, said. While Gogunda is largely dominated by scheduled tribes, Menar is an all-Brahmin village. (The reporter is a recipient of Promise of Commons Media Fellowship, on the significance of Commons and its community stewardship)
