A-listers on the Adriatic
split and trogir / coolio, bill gates
It is often overlooked in favour of more picturesque Dubrovnik but Split, on the central Dalmatian coast, is one of Croatia’s most vibrant cities. Its main attractions are the Roman emperor Diocletian’s 4th-century palace and the Riva, a glamorous seafront promenade – Tara Reid, Eva Herzegovina and Coolio have all been snapped hanging out here. The narrow backstreets behind the Riva are endlessly fascinating, with hip little bars and restaurants crammed between Roman ruins.
Trogir, half an hour’s drive away, is where many of Croatia’s most famous visitors dock their yachts, Bill Gates among them, sneaking into the country under the radar of the paparazzi. Trogir is also the place to buy a handmade suit – Boris Buric’s satisfied customers include tennis ace Goran Ivanisevic. Stay in Le Meridien Grand Hotel Lav, or try one of the boutique hotels inside the city walls.
hvar / george clooney, sharon stone
Dubbed ‘the new Ibiza’, Hvar is Croatia’s party island, attracting new-money Russians, old-money Italians, and Hollywood glitterati: George Clooney, Sharon Stone, Clint Eastwood and Sylvester Stallone have all had the red-carpet treatment here.
A two-hour ferry ride from Split, Hvar town is a pretty Venetian port centred on a horseshoe bay rimmed with Conran-esque terrace bars, complete with white canvas sofas and canopies. The summer party crowd gather at cocktail bar and DJ club Carpe Diem on the harbour (www.carpe-diem-hvar.com), where the VIP area gets very busy – apparently Roman Abramovich insisted on bottles of the best vodka, while Gérard Depardieu ordered the cheapest house wine. Other venues include the minimalist Zimmer Frei bar, just off the main square, and the low-key Hula Hula Beach bar on the edge of town. The best place to stay is Riva (www.suncanihvar.com/riva), a boutique hotel, restaurant and bar combo on the waterfront.
Jelsa on Hvar’s north coast is a cheaper and only slightly less stylish destination, where younger crowds head for British-owned Vertigo, which flies its DJs in from London.
dubrovnik / bill clinton, owen wilson
Residents of Dubrovnik run sweepstakes on which famous faces will arrive each summer: Paris Hilton is a current favourite. In this medieval walled city, which has a history of illustrious visitors, the question is less who has been than who hasn’t: Sir Roger Moore, Richard Gere, Prince Charles, Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta Jones and Owen Wilson have all have been drawn to its historic charms. Part of the appeal is that stars are left to wander the town without being bothered, due to the locals’ indifference to celebrity status. Maja Milovcic, who took Richard Gere around, says: “He was astonished. He told me Dubrovnik was the only city in the world where he could stay so long without being hassled.”
The Hemingway Bar is a favoured drinking hole for those who want to be spotted while the Troubadour Bar is perfect for those who don’t. Restaurants Nautica, Proto and Arsenal are the best places to see a famous face, or try Restaurant Orsan in the village of Zaton Mali, about 10 miles away, where John Malkovich and Princess Caroline of Monaco are regulars. Hotel Argentine is the smartest hotel, although the Pucic Palace (www.thepucicpalace.com) is also a favourite. High fashion is provided by shops including Max Mara, Fendi and Escada.
Stars in search of total privacy hire a yacht and head for the peaceful Mljet islands, as Tom Cruise did following his split from Nicole Kidman.
For more information about Croatia, contact the Croatian National Tourist Office on +46 853 482 080, or + 44 (0)20 8563 7979, or visit http://se.croatia.hr or www.croatia.hr
Fly me there…
Sterling flies to Trieste, Italy, from Copenhagen and to Split, Croatia, from Copenhagen. See pages 102-104 or visit www.sterling.com for more details
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