Monday 20 December 2010

Christmas time on Hvar


Traditional cake - Pašurate [image source]

It is not likely that you will have a 'white' Christmas on our sunny island, but if you are looking for an authentic experience of Hvar's glorious tradition, it's a perfect time of the year to visit us. What is special about Christmas on Hvar? Home made cakes, family gatherings, singing Charismas songs, visiting old churches and decorating the Christmas tree do not make us so much different from any other part of Croatia or elsewhere in the Christian world, but what local people still cherish with great pride and grace is a spirit of old times and tradition which come alive year after year at Christmas time. The time seems to stop for a while just to remind us of the real values of life. By coming home for Christmas, we come back for what we left behind – for the spirit of family, spirituality, tradition, friends, all the tastes and sounds that remind us of our childhood and make us feel peaceful and happy.
The day before Christmas is called “Badnjak” or “Bodnji don”, if you are a Hvar native. By tradition this is the day when we decorate a Christmas tree. Most attention is paid to the Nativity scene which exhibit, below the Christmas tree, figures representing the infant Jesus, his mother Mary, and Mary's husband, Joseph. Usually nativity scenes include other characters from the Biblical story such as shepherds and angels. The figures are usually displayed in a stable, or cave and around it.
Hvar women are traditionally engaged in making traditional cakes called pašurate (look and taste like mini donuts). Bakalar (codfish) or any other fish is served for lunch, and the whole family starts to get ready for “Ponoćka”, the midnight Mass, celebrating the birth of Jesus. Singing traditional Christmas songs a capela, by amateur church choirs composed of men, women and children of all generations, greatly enrich the distinctively festive mood of “Ponoćka”.
Christmas itself is a family day. Gifts are exchanges together with the best wishes on Christmas (Sretan Božić = Merry Christmas). After the morning Mass, everyone gathers round the table to enjoy the rich Christmas menu. Meat dishes are served at this occasion after which a whole spectrum of home made cakes follows. It is common to spend the Christmas day at home with family in festive yet intimate atmosphere.
Since it is time of giving, let us share with you a recipe of a traditional Hvar cake called Pašurate. It is very simple but delicious. Hope you will enjoy it.
¼ boiling water
salt
2 teaspoons of sugar
1 tea cup of rough flour
yeast
1 egg
Lemon peel
Orange peel
A little bit of fresh orange juice
Vanilla sugar
raisins
Cinnamon
2 teaspoons of rum
2 teaspoons of grappa
A bit of fine flour
Leave it to raise
Use a teaspoon to shape it and they fry in boiling oil


Merry Christmas! Sretan Božić!

Need more information? Don't hesitate to write on our Facebook wall and find us on Twitter!

Monday 6 December 2010

The Total Package – New Year's Eve in Hvar




Excited for New Year's? We are! Look at the pretty stars...

New Year's Eve is just around the corner - how will you be ringing in 2011?

It’s traditionally a time to spend with family and loved ones. Why not break from the ordinary and take the celebrations elsewhere this year? Travel to sunny Hvar and considering staying at Suncani Hvar’s Adriana Hotel this year for New Year’s Eve – we’ll have everything prepared for you.

Be Pampered and Relax

Suncani Hvar Hotels invites you for a New Year's celebration at Adriana, hvar spa hotel! For only 198 euros per room, this special New Year's offer includes:

 2 Nights / 3 days deluxe accommodation
 Welcome Drink
 Daily breakfast buffet
 Sensori glow steam treatment at the luxurious Sensori Spa

In addition to these amazing extras, you can enjoy our year-round rooftop seawater swimming pool and multi-level garden terraces with stunning views over the sea and marina. It's definitely time to spoil yourself with this package and ring in the new year in luxurious style!

Get ready to dress up for the New Year's Eve Gala Dinner

Don't fret on not knowing what to do in a foreign city waiting for the clock to strike 12. It's time to party at Hvar's hot spot, The Top Bar, which overlooks the yacht harbour. It features the latest domestic and foreign hits and you can enjoy a New Year's Eve meal specially prepared by the chef and his team at the Val Marina restaurant. It’s only 70 euros per person to enjoy the delicious New Year's Eve buffet dinner.

Some of the menu items include (we are already drooling): Dalmatian smoked ham with marinated goat cheese on a bed of rocket salad, Seppia risotto, Turkey medallions with mushroom sauce, Black Forest Cake, and much, much more.

Suncani Hvar Hotels New Year's Gift to You


We invite you to be our guests and experience a complimentary, yes complimentary sailing tour! Sail around the Hvar aquatorium in old wooden sailing boats with authentic lateen sails. Ring in the New Year by the seas.

Now this is definitely something to tweet about. Need more information? Don't hesitate to write on our Facebook wall and find us on Twitter!

For more information and reservations please contact us at reservations@suncanihvar.com or call +385 (0)21 750750.

Thursday 2 December 2010

Have a very Merry Hvar Christmas!



Lit Up for Christmas

Christmas isn't Christmas without some holiday shopping. It can be stressful with the packed shopping centres, endless choices, and overly eager sales people. So why not make it easier for yourself and embrace the gift challenge with some smart choices this year?

Discover Suncani Hvar gift certificates. They are the perfect present because anyone – your sister or your mother who likes to be pampered, your brother-in-law who is all about food – can use it towards pretty much anything Suncani Hvar Hotels offer. Gift certificates can be used in the following ways:

 Guest room reservations
Sensori spa treatments at hotel Adriana
 Dining at one of Suncani Hvar Hotels restaurants
 Additional services provided by Suncani Hvar Hotels

To purchase a gift certificate, email reservations@suncanihvar.com or visit our website for more information

Been good this year and want to get something special for yourself? Leave behind the snow and come into Hvar for restful and relaxing holiday. Consider putting the 2 night spa package at our hotel Adriana in your own stocking this year. The package includes 2 nights with breakfast in the superior room, welcome drink, 2 dinners in the Val Marina Restaurant, usage of Adriana's swimming pool and fitness room, and a relaxing spa treatment of your choice. You can also get a FREE upgrade subject to availability.

To find out more about the 2 night spa package, visit our website!

What is the perfect holiday vacation for you? We'd love to find out – write on our Facebook wall or tweet us with your answer!