The ability to develop a renewed, accessible and sustainable luxury tourism proposal, in a city that until recently was vaguely known, is one of the pillars of Bastion Hotellocated on the charming northern coast of Croatia, ZadarCompared to the country’s more famous cities, Zadar is an emerging city for tourism, thanks to its hoteliers, who have developed an ecotourism proposal based on historical remains.
Adopting the same personality of the city of innovative and technologically sustainable character, the Bastion Hotel is an example of resilience, being a testimony to the transformation over time of Zadar. Its infrastructure is a renovation of the preserved remains of a defense tower on the city walls, right in front of the deep beauty of the Adriatic Sea. Being part of the prestigious chain of sustainable hotels Relais & Châteaux, It is an excellent choice for accommodation, but its greatest attraction, even for locals, is its Kaštel restaurant.
The restaurant is an iconic showcase of local produce, which is intentionally offered to support coastal suppliers. Chef Marijo Cepek, inspired by the rich heritage of Mediterranean cuisine, constantly reinterprets ancient recipes with a modern twist, creating a unique culinary experience. Zadar guarantees an abundance of fresh seafood and fish, but also olives and grapes, as it is surrounded by fertile lands, where these are grown. The quality of wine is not far behind and surprises with elixirs from the surrounding Istria and Dalmatia and, of course, the southern wine islands: Vis, Hvar and Korkula. The local government promotes educational outreach to tourists as an integral part of the region’s sustainability strategy. Thus, Kaštel demonstrates this in its gastronomic experiences where tourists come away knowing more about the agricultural variety that the country has to offer, as Zadar offers a variety of traditional dishes unique to the Dalmatia region.
In the town, tourists can enjoy specialities such as Pašticada (slow-cooked beef stew), Crni Rižot (black risotto made with cuttlefish ink) and Peka, a dish typically made with meat or seafood and vegetables, cooked over a slow fire under a bell-shaped dome called a “peka”. The town’s restaurants and konobas (traditional taverns) pride themselves on serving these authentic dishes, often handed down from generation to generation. Walking through its streets, you will come across a dozen appetising options in a charming atmosphere.
The hotel is committed to promoting Zadar as a destination of interest, and its goal is well underway,for its interesting attractionsRomanesque, Venetian and even Balkan influence.It houses various historical monuments of Romanesque, Venetian and even Balkan influence, as well as other modern and ecological attractions such as: the Sea Organ, the ecological work of the architect Nikola Basicwhich transforms the waves of the sea into music and the Sun Salutationa circle of solar panels that light up at dusk, creating a light show that reflects the natural beauty of the sunset in the Adriatic.
Zadar also serves as a strategic connection point. From this point it is very easy to reach islands such as: Kornati, Telascica or Sakarun, dDuring the summer, there are various tours that offer this tour of the islands, either in large groups or privately. If we head to the inner part of the town, it will be easy to explore natural environments such as the ParkPlitvice National Parkknown for its impressive waterfalls and turquoise lakes or the Paklenica National Parka paradise for hiking and climbing lovers.
So,Bastión goes from being a hotel to a connection point between the islands and the town, the products and the gastronomy, the disconnection and the beginning of an exciting adventure never to be forgotten.
