Time Zone |
America/Aruba |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC-4 |
Daylight Saving Time |
Daylight saving time is not observed in the current region. |
Time Zone |
Europe/Zagreb |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+1 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC+2 |
Aruba Fontaine is not an independent country, but the capital and largest city of the Caribbean island nation of Aruba, officially known as Oranjestad. Located on the southwestern coast of Aruba, facing the Caribbean Sea, the city is known for its colorful Dutch colonial-style architecture, bustling port and duty-free shopping area.
Founded in 1796, Oranjestad derives its name from the Dutch royal family of Orange. Historically the political and economic center of Aruba, the city retains a large number of 17th and 18th century Dutch buildings, such as the Willem III Tower and the History Museum. The local culture is a blend of Caribbean, Dutch and Latin American elements, and traditional celebrations such as Carnival are held throughout the year.
As a duty-free port, Oranjestad attracts a large number of cruise ship passengers, and the main street, Caya G.F. Betico Croes, is home to international brand stores. The economy is dominated by tourism, finance and services, and is surrounded by world-class white sand beaches such as Eagle Beach. The city has a well-developed infrastructure, with an international airport and port connecting it to North and South America.
Hum is located in the north-central Croatia Istria Peninsula, Guinness World Records certified "the world's smallest city". This miniature ancient city has a population of only about 20-30 people, but has a complete urban structure and a thousand years of history. Its iconic stone-walled hilltop castle, built in 1102 as a medieval military fortress, still retains its Romanesque architecture.
The 12th-century church of St. Jerome, with its frescoes in Gothic and Renaissance styles, remains in the old town of Khoum. The traditional annual "Election of the Mayor of Khum", in which the inhabitants of Khum vote for their leader on wooden boards, is a unique folklore that has been practiced for centuries. At the entrance to the city, the stone boulevard "Glagolitic Alley" inscribes the history of Croatian writing in the ancient Glagolitic alphabet.
Visitors can walk through the main street, which is only 100 meters long, and visit the hand-forged silver jewelry workshop in Hum and taste the local specialty, Biska. It is a 2-hour drive from the capital Zagreb, and it is recommended to combine this with a visit to the nearby town of Rovin. The best time to visit is from May to September, when you can take part in the medieval-themed summer festivals.