June 16, 2022 - Galešnjak, a small island in the shape of a heart, is located in the Pašman Channel as it continuously provides a sanctuary for couples seeking moments of connection. It hides amongst Zadar's archipelago and is surrounded by crystal blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. 

“Cupid’s Island”, more famously known as the “Island of Love”, was originally spotted by a 19th-century cartographer working for Napoleon. However, the recognition it received was all thanks to Google Earth and the photograph it published in 2008 – depicting the island's prised heart shape. The awareness of the idyllic sanctuary from the public is unceasingly growing throughout the years as the natural phenomena is seen as a gem on social media.

Galešnjak Island is home to ancient Illyrian burial mounds, low shrubs, and little vegetation – nothing more! It has a population of zero, being an uninhabited, featureless island and a perfect place for some peace and quiet. Additionally, it is only 32 acres or so in area; allowing visitors to walk across it in less than ten minutes.

The exotic Island is currently privately owned by locals; the Jureško family. The family extolled Galešnjak’s features as a serene destination for honeymooners or other lovestruck couples, as well as cut down some of the natural foliage across the island in order to plant olive orchards that could host weddings and showcase splendour like no other.

Therefore, if you are visiting Croatia and find yourself near Zadar or Pašman, do not miss the opportunity to experience seeing the Island of Love in person and dive amidst its breathtaking marvels. And do know that the island's astonishing natural shape, the sound of the sea, and the occasional singing of birds charmed one of the most famous singers in the world, Beyonce, as she decided to celebrate her 39th birthday with her family on Galešnjak in 2020!

For more, check out our dedicated travel section.

June 16, 2022 - "Love is the soul of faith.” With this in mind, thousands of young people participated in the 4th Antunovski hod Mladih in Zagreb.

Religious tourism is not something new in Croatia, in fact, it has a long history thanks to pilgrimage and sacred sites. St. Anthony of Padua, for example, known as the “Saint of the whole world”, is especially honored by Croatians. Therefore, on June 11, exactly one week after the spiritual-musical spectacle “Progledaj srcem” at Maksimir Stadium, thousands of believers from several parts of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, Germany and Switzerland visited Zagreb for the 4th “Antunovski hod mladih” (transl. “Anthony’s youth walk”). One could also meet non-Croatian-speaking people.

For the feast of St. Anthony on June 13, thousands of pilgrims – mostly younger generations – walked about 16 km from the Church of St. Anthony in Sesvetska Sela to the Church of St. Anthony on Sveti Duh in Zagreb.

With the 1st „Antunovski hod mladih“ in 2019, this pilgrimage has already become a tradition that attracts more and more young people every year. While last year the walk saw at least 2,000 participants, in 2022, there were about 3,000 or more. As complaints about young people’s lack of interest in faith and religion can often be heard, this walk showed the strength of unity and love under the motto „Love is the soul of faith“, one of the Saint’s most popular quotes.

It all started with the Holy Mass at 1 pm in front of the Church of St. Anthony in Sesvetska Sela, after which the pilgrims, including more than 100 hundred young musicians, dancers, drummers, and other volunteers, headed to Zagreb‘s Dubrava. As this is probably the most difficult part of the whole route, a short break with refreshments prepared by Herzegovinian friars awaited them there. They re-formed a column of 2 km through the entire capital city with the main square in the centre being their next destination. 

At Ban Josip Jelačić Square, thousands of people celebrated with their prayers and songs. After walking for about 5 hours in the sun, some would assume the pilgrims were tired, but in the city center, their performance was taken to another level. Volunteers prepared a dance and act, which was attended by one of the main organizers and priest Stjepan Brčina, sending a strong message to stay united and be strong in forgiveness, love, and service. The whole point of this was to encourage people to jump out of the frame they set for themselves or that others set for them.

Finally, at about 8 pm, the pilgrims arrived at the Church of St. Anthony on Sveti Duh, where already hundreds of fellow citizens awaited and welcomed them with applause and cheers. The 4th „Antunovski hod mladih“ then concluded with Eucharistic Adoration and a celebration afterward. Of course, after this walk, people were certainly a little tired physically, but at the same time spiritually very strong, fulfilled by happiness, gratitude, and love. 

For more, check out our lifestyle section.

June the 16th, 2022 - A brand new application (app) aimed at the residents of the City of Zagreb is set to make everything rubbish related that bit easier. The new Zagreb Moj otpad (My waste) app is now here.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, ever walked past your building's rubbish containers and seen how that bit of paper or single banana peel was holding on to the edge for dear life? Ever wondered when these mystical binmen actually come and take everything away? Now you'll have your questions answered if you live here in Zagreb. You'll be informed of when the waste removed from your building or doorstep, when a specific street is on the schedule again, and how many visits were there to the recycling yard.

Personalised data on each user of Zagreb's Cistoca is available on the new Zagreb Moj otpad app, which can be accessed from a computer or mobile phone, as reported by Vecernji list.

Prior registration isn't required for use of the new Zagreb Moj otpad app, but the code of the obligor of payment (ie the system number of the obligor) and that of the billing point (ie the system number of the facility) must be entered. Both of these pieces of information can be found on one of Zagreb Holding's single payment slips.

In addition to personal data, the new Zagreb Moj otpad app is equipped with a 2022 collection calendar, which is useful for those who can’t remember which day binmen are due to come to their neighbourhood to deal with the rubbish containers. The calendar can be printed and placed in a visible place such as a staircase or in a building's waste storage area and thus be a reminder of the days when mixed municipal waste is removed, and when biowaste, paper and plastic and metal are taken away. The new Zagreb Moj otpad app is available on Cistoca's website, and can also be accessed directly at mojotpad.cistoca.hr.

For the Android and iOS operating system, the mobile application Cistoce Razvrstaj MojZG is also available, which is intended for all residents and visitors of the City of Zagreb.

It contains a simple overview of waste collection schedule and times at the selected address, as well as full instructions on how to properly sort your waste. In addition, the application contains a list and an interactive map of all recycling yards and green islands in Zagreb.

For more, make sure to check out Made in Croatia.

June the 16th, 2022 - Ongoing inflation is continuing to force Croatian price lists to alter more and more frequently, with some very simple services now significantly more expensive than they were this time last year.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, the increase in prices across all fields owing to inflation has particularly affected Croatian islanders, and even on the gorgeous Central Dalmatian island of Korcula, company owners had to adjust their business to the recent price increases, writes HRT. As costs increase, it's now questionable how altering Croatian price lists will affect the upcoming height of the summer tourist season.

New Croatian price lists - new measures. The recent price increases have greatly affected all of the island of Korcula's small business owners, and they've had to adjust their business to this new and rapidly changing situation.

“Some artisans and small business owners had to increase their prices, some had to lay off workers, some were thinking about it. Everything is difficult, materials have become more expensive, fuel has become more expensive, now electricity also has, and what's worse, we don't know how it's going to go on like this and to what extent it will continue,'' pointed out Mihovil Depolo, President of the Korcula-Lastovo Association of Craftsmen.

Most craftsmen from this particular island have changed their price lists in line with rising costs, meaning that their prices, in order for their businesses to survive, are higher almost all over.

"We were forced to raise our ice cream prices, and a scoop of ice cream went from 12 kuna to 15 kuna, maybe it's symbolic as it's a mere three kuna, but it means a lot to us because looking at the example of a litre of milk I need to make the ice cream, well... I can't find that for under nine kuna,'' said Korcula pastry chef Jagoda Milina.

"We've increased our prices a little, we haven't done it by much, ten kuna, so enough cover this increase in fuel prices because fuel has risen by 50 percent when compared to last year," said the president of the Korcula Barcarioli, Stipe Separovic. However, it seems that tourists are also aware of the situation, and aren't too bothered about the altering of Croatian price lists on the island.

"It's not extremely expensive, it's kind of in our country, in big centres it's always a little more expensive, but it isn't too expensive for us. It's okay,'' said Marius from Lithuania.

“I love the grocery stores here, I think the prices are fair, just like when we eat out,” added Jessica from Florida.

"It's similar to some larger cities, except that in restaurants I'd say that the prices may be a little higher, but let's say in stores it's similar, more or less," believes Aleksandar from Serbia.

The global coronavirus pandemic is now finally behind us and a thing of the past, but with new price increases, it seems that another uncertain summer tourist season awaits small business owners and artisans on the islands.

For more, check out our business section.

June the 16th, 2022 - Rijeka beaches are set to be better adapted to those with various physical disabilities following the end of this year's main swimming season.

As Morski writes, as part of the preparations for local Rijeka beaches for the main summer swimming season, which began on June the 1st, special attention was paid to people with disabilities this year as well.

In the City of Rijeka, locals are especially proud of Kostanj beach, which, they say, is one of the best equipped beaches in the entire Mediterranean for this purpose, and from where people with disabilities of all ages can easily move around and functionally use the entire space for swimming, rehabilitation and rest.

All of the surfaces on this particular beach have been fully treated in order to prevent people from slipping or falling, and the beach itself is equipped with special equipment: a device for lowering immobile people down into the sea below, a ramp for entering the sea, toilets, showers, handrails and a safety net placed in the part of the sea for swimming. In the immediate vicinity of the beach, there is also an easily accessible and separate carpark.

In order to ensure safe conditions for the use of local Rijeka beaches for people with all forms of disabilities, from June the 1st to September the 31st, the City of Rijeka is financing the work of specially trained lifeguards.

In order to reduce the pressure on Kostanj beach, the plan is to turn the western part of Ploce beach, located just below the famous Kantrida pools, into a beach for people with disabilities. However, the works on adapting the western plateau of Ploce beach to people with disabilities, whose value is estimated at 457,000.00 kuna, have not even started yet because no valid bids have been received for the two public tenders, so the works will have to start after this year's summer swimming season comes to an end later on.

Regarding the quality of the sea water at local Rijeka beaches, a look into which is conducted ten times a year, Kostanj beach continuously records excellent quality sea water, while Ploce beach, where the sea quality is tested at two points, the water is mostly of excellent quality, read a statement from the City of Rijeka.

For more, make sure to check out our lifestyle section.

June the 16th, 2022 - Croatian continental tourism has had yet another boost in the form of new hiking and mountaineering trails which are sure to attract not only nature lovers but those who love a nice glass of local Eastern Croatian wine.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, at 253 metres above sea level, it isn't exactly the highest, but it is the easternmost checkpoint of the Croatian Mountaineering Bypass. Skandala is located in the heart of the Srijem vineyards on the magical Fruska gora, just above the well known wine destination of Ilok.

The beautiful rolling hills, landscapes and views of seemingly endless rows of vineyards are worth every step. A mountaineering stamp significant for mountaineers, a break in one of the wineries with a glass of fine local wine and enjoying part of the country few give enough credit to are more than enough of a reason to head to Eastern Croatia.

Of the six new hiking trails set to provide a spring in the step of this form of Croatian continental tourism, as many as four lead across Skandala. Two trails are named after it, the longer one is 14 kilometres, the shorter one is nine, both are circular, starting from the Vukovo lookout point, leading through vineyards to the highest peak of Liska at 297 metres above sea level, and back over Skandala, returning to the starting point.

From Bapska to Principovac, there is a 22-kilometre-long hiking trail, also the longest of these six new ones. Whoever decides to hike along it will follow the paths of Odescalchi, the famous Ilok prince's family, who planted the first Traminer vines on the Principovac country estate way back in 1710. Those who walk the 17-kilometre-long Lovka-Rados trail, which leads to the Easternmost Croatian settlement and its vineyards, will also enjoy the beauty of the vineyards and a refreshing glass of said Traminer.

Hikers will be able to enjoy the silence of Srijem on the 12-kilometre-long Slovak House (Slovacka kuca) trail that leads from Rados to Liska, and the 6.5-kilometre-long trail that leads from Principovac to the highest peak through vineyards and forests.

"In addition to mountaineers, cyclists, recreationists and athletes, these six new hiking and mountaineering trails are attractive to all sorts of nature lovers, as well as to lovers of high quality wines. These trails pass through famous vineyards such as Principovac, Vukovo and Rados, they're arranged, marked out, properly traced, mapped, and are connected to the already existing well-known hiking and biking trails of Srijem and Slavonia.

This new Croatian continental tourism offer local to Srijem and Slavonia is the result of successful cooperation between the Tourist Board of Vukovar-Srijem County and the Croatian Mountaineering Association (Cibalia) from Vinkovci, whose members regularly hike in this beautiful area,'' stated Rujana Busic Srpak, the director of Vukovar-Srijem County Tourist Board.

For more, check out our dedicated travel section.

June 16, 2022 - Croatian Aviation exclusively reveals that Korean Air Zagreb charter flights are in the plans for October, connecting Seoul and Zagreb later this year. 

A Croatian Aviation exclusive reveals that the Korean national airline and SkyTeam alliance member is planning charter flights to Zagreb in October this year!

The Korean airline used to operate on a regular route between Seoul and Zagreb until the outbreak of the pandemic. At one point, Korean Air announced on its official website the possibility of re-establishing this direct line this summer season, though this will not happen, which, given the reduced demand, was expected. The airline plans to replace the risk of re-establishing this regular line with charter operations between Seoul and Zagreb in October this year.

October, along with April and May, is the month in which Korean citizens travel the most abroad, so it is not surprising that operations are announced at the very end of the summer season. It is at the time of Chuseok when most citizens use their vacations and go on trips abroad.

Several South Korean tour operators are offering travel packages to Croatia in October, and an agreement was reached between the tour operator and Korean Air on conducting charter operations to the Croatian capital. The project is logistically supported by Croatian Aviation, primarily in the form of the organization of transport and crew accommodation in Zagreb.

Regular charter operations are planned once a week, from October 7 to 29 this year, with arrival in Zagreb on Friday and departure on Saturday.

Tour operators are also working on the option to turn the planned direct line between Seoul and Zagreb into a stop line in Athens in case of lower interest in holidays in Croatia. The final decision will be made in the coming months.

A330-200 aircraft with a capacity of 218 seats in Korean Air's fleet is planned for these charter flights. This type of aircraft was not frequent in Zagreb when Korean Air operated on a regular route between the two cities.

The airline claims that the decision on the summer flight schedule for next year has not yet been made, so the regular line between Seoul and Zagreb for the next summer season is questionable. As these are currently planned charter flights, operational changes are certainly possible.

For more on flights to Croatia and other travel announcements, make sure to check out our dedicated travel section.

June 16, 2022 - Two-time Queen's Club champion Marin Čilić has advanced to the Queen's Club quarterfinals for the 9th time in his career!

Two-time winner of the London ATP tournament, the best Croatian tennis player Marin Čilić (ATP - 17th), advanced to the quarterfinals on grass at the Queen's Club for the ninth time in his career. Marin defeated Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik (ATP - 37th) in the 2nd round with 7- 6 (6), 7-5 in 94 minutes of play. 

It was their third meeting and Čilić's third victory, after winning the previous two on clay at the Roman Masters.

Both tennis players were very confident in the first set, so neither game went to a draw and the outcome was decided by a tie-break. Bublik opened it brilliantly and took the lead at 5-0 to reach three set points at 6-3. But a big turnaround from Čilić stopped all set points and after swapping sides, Marin scored two more points and thus won the first set.

Still in shock about how the first set ended, Bublik was disoriented in the second and Croatia's best tennis player took a 3-0 lead after nine minutes of play. 

Everything pointed to the quick end of the match and Čilić's spot in the quarterfinals. However, Marin played the worst game of the entire match, and Bublik came to a break without losing a point, making the outcome of the match a bit uncertain again. 

Čilić did not repeat the mistake from the seventh game and with two more games, he secured at least one more tie-break. But there was no need for that. Bublik paid for his mishaps in the 12th game, and Marin turned the first match point into a victory that brought him a spot in the quarterfinals.

It will be Marin's ninth quarterfinal in his 15th appearance at the Queen's Club. For a spot in the semifinals, Marin will play against Emil Ruusuvuori (ATP - 56th), who defeated Jack Draper 6-2, 7-6 (2) on Wednesday.

It will be Čilić's first match against the 23-year-old Finnish tennis player, and the quarterfinal matches are scheduled for Friday.

Source: HRT

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated sports section.