ZAGREB, 29 May 2022 - In the last 24 hours, 188 coronavirus cases, out of 1,743 tests, and 4 related deaths have been registered in Croatia, the national COVID-19 crisis management team said on Sunday.

There are 2,421 active cases, including 224 hospitalised patients, five of whom are on ventilators, while 1,139 persons are self-isolating.

To date, Croatia has registered 1,136,417 coronavirus cases, 15,983 related deaths, and 70.79% of the adult population has been vaccinated, including 68.74% fully.

May 29, 2022 - The Sinković brothers have won the World Cup rowing gold medal in Belgrade!

Martin and Valent change disciplines, lakes, and competitions, but not their winning spirit.

With a time of 6:09.26, they won the gold medal in the double sculls at the 1st World Cup rowing competition in Belgrade! With a great finish in the final 250 meters, they defeated the leading Poles and entered the finish line with just over a one-second advantage. Third place went to the Spaniards who were 3 seconds and 26 hundredths of a second behind.

"This was an interesting final race, tense until the very end. We started well in the first 1000 m, it was a good feeling even though we were not 100% physically ready for the last two days, but we did our best in the finish, we pulled out our maximum and managed to win. It is even more beautiful when it is so tense until the very end, so we are overjoyed with the victory!" said Valent Sinković.

"There is no easy victory! I have had problems with an intestinal virus for the last two days, and ten days ago we were both sick, so we are overjoyed that we still managed to win. I think that we can still progress physically and technically and I believe we will because there is no easy victory! We have to train even harder and we hope that we will be at 100 percent in Poznan and row better than today," said Martin Sinković.

"More tense races await us, an even stronger season, some crews yet to come like the French who are Olympic winners. We will definitely have to strengthen for the second part of the season, especially for the European and World Championships, but we are ready and we are going to train further!" added Valent Sinković.

It has been a full six years since the Sinković brothers won the unforgettable Olympic gold in Rio in the double sculls discipline. They then moved on to coxless pairs in which they also experienced an Olympic triumph last year in Tokyo, and have now returned to double sculls, in which they were absolutely invincible from 2014 to 2016. The Sinković brothers still hold the world record in the double sculls discipline from Amsterdam in 2014, when they crossed 2,000 meters in 5:59.72, which has not been surpassed to date.

Sisters Ivana and Josipa Jurković took fifth place in the coxless pairs final race.

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

May 29, 2022 - One of Croatia's coolest tourism stories lies in one of its truly undiscovered gems - meet Eko-Ethno Strug in Lonjsko Polje, which owes its existence to the desire to buy a parking spot for fishing.  

Why do many of Croatia's best tourism stories remain largely untold?

One of the things I have appreciated over the years in Croatia is just how many amazing stories there are out there of private individuals who are putting their own stamp on tourism in this country,  many of them without much publicity. This is especially true in continental Croatia, which has a lot less exposure than the Adriatic coast. 

I knew that continental Croatia had its many attributes, but without a guide to show me the way, it would be a hard job to find these hidden gems, which is why I was delighted to accept an invitation from the Croatian Rural Tourism Association over 5 years ago to go and visit some of their members in northern and eastern Croatia. It was a magical trip, including my first visit to Baranja and the incredible Baranjska Kuca in Karanac.

Among the other excellent businesses on the 4-day trip, was a visit to Eko-Etno Strug in the Lonjsko Polje Nature Park, one of Croatia's most fascinating regions, and yet one which officially sees just 5,000 tourists a year.  Superb wetlands famous for its storks, Lonjsko Polje is also a popular fishing haunt for Zagreb fishermen, located as it is about an hour east of the city. 

One such Zagreb fisherman was the owner of Strug, Zeljko, whose wife has roots in the area.  A wonderful lunch of river fish in the restaurant directly on a lake, followed by a tour of an impressive collection of traditional wooden houses from different eras, which Zeljko had converted to modern accommodation without losing the authentic appearance, were highlights of that visit back in 2016. As was the opportunity to sit on my first tractor - a Porsche no less! You can read more on Strug and that visit to Lonjsko Polje in Meet the Croatian Nature Park on UNESCO List with Just 15 Tourists a Day.

Earlier this year, I found myself back in the area filming with my daughter and a friend. Although it was out of season and everything was closed, I wanted to show them the little Strug complex as a great example of a private initiative. As we walked around admiring all the period houses, a man came out of the main restaurant building to find out what we wanted. After a few steps, he recognised me from all those years ago, hugged me like an old friend, and insisted I come into the closed restaurant for a drink. 

And then he told his story... 

A keen fisherman living in Zagreb, Zeljko was first introduced to the area by his wife who hails from the Lonjsko Polje area. He found the fishing to be fantastic, as well as the birdwatching and general escape from the busy city life he inhabited. After several visits, he decided that he would like buy a small piece of land that he could use to park his car, as he did not feel comfortable coming regularly without a permanent place to park. Feelers were put out to the local population to see if anyone had a small plot for sale. 

And that is when is started. An old lady offered him what was for her a useless piece of land, 10,000 m2 in total, which was located right on the lake. She wanted ten thousand for it. Unclear if this was kuna or euro, he asked for clarification. 10,000 m2 was rather excessive for a parking spot for one car, after all. Having confirmed that the seller's price was in kuna, new possibilities opened up. Not only would he have a place to park his car, but waterfront access to the lake as well. But what to do with such a big piece of land?

And so the concept of Strug was born. It started with a restaurant, then progressed with the restoration and conversion of traditional houses of the region into tourism accommodation. And then it expanded into whatever services guests would ask for, including the purchase of horses to offer horse-riding. 

Lonjsko Polje is particularly rich in wildlife and river fish, and delicacies such as venison, wild boar and rabbit are staples on the menu, while the shifting water levels of the region mean that at times the lake is very shallow and the fish are there to be literally lifted from the water and onto the grill. Zeljko had added a fishing and adventure tourism aspect to his expanding portfolio. For those in the city who want to escape the stress of modern life and experience the beauty and taste of Croatian nature at its finest, Strug in Lonjsko Polje is a real treat under the radar. 

My favourite part of Zeljko's story was the reaction of the local population to the opening of the first restaurant in the area. There were of course excited, and yet very disappointed when they saw the menu. The menu understandably focuses on the rich diversity of the wildlife and fresh catch from the rivers and lakes. The problem for locals, however, is that they are all accomplished fishermen and hunters, so the far on the menu is standard food back home. What they really want to try at the restaurant is pizza... 

Lonjsko Polje Nature Park is a unique piece of Croatian natural beauty, as well as home to some extraordinary traditional wooden villages. And although it is supposedly off the beaten track, it is really just an hour east of Zagreb, off the main motorway to Belgrade. Step back in time and into nature with a choice of wooden traditional house (or a more modern version including heated outdoor pool), and explore this delightful and undervisited slice of Croatian magic. 

The Strug website is being updated, but you can connect via the Facebook page (you are advised to book in advance, especially out of season, as Zeljko is based in Zagreb and not always there).   

So the next time you are thinking about buying a parking spot, be aware - you never know where you might end up... 

Learn more about this wonderful region in the TC guide, Lonjsko Polje in a Page. 

May 29, 2022 - Mateo Žugec, a 20-year-old gymnast from Varaždin's GK Vindija, stepped on the podium in his first World Cup final!

He won silver on the pommel horse in Varna with a score of 13,850 in the final, in which Croatia had two finalists. Liam Rabić (ZTD Hrvatski Sokol) was also a debutant in the finals and finished 7th (13,300).

This is only the second senior season for Mateo, the student of coach Emil Šanjek, but he has already shown he can hang with the big boys. In his only second appearance at the World Cup, after the recent one in Cairo, he won a medal in his first final.

Slobodan Kadic

Only Cypriot Marios Georgiou (14,500) was better than Žugec, while the bronze went to Jordanian Ahmad Abu Al Soud (13,800).

"I entered the exercise with confidence; I knew I had to be on the podium. It was written that in the end, I was third; I thought I was third, but the judges made a mistake, corrected the Jordanian's score, and I jumped to second place. I am delighted and very satisfied with myself, and I hope that it will continue like this. Both at the World Cup in Koper, which awaits me in June, and at the European Championships in August in Munich. We will continue training for these competitions," said Mateo Žugec from Varna.

Croatia also had a representative in the women's final.  In her 36th career final, Tijana Korent finished 8th with a score of 12,200. The gold medalist was Aline Friess (13,600).

"Unfortunately, it was not as successful as in the qualifiers. For the second jump, I had to do a new jump, I made a mistake, so I didn't even make that jump. I did the first jump, which is also new, and I'm happy with that. But I can’t say I’m pleased with the final performance. I hope that I will fix that by Osijek and that it will be better in the next competitions," commented Tijana.

On the second final day, Ana Đerek will fight for a medal on the beam and the floor. Recall, Ana was brilliant in qualifying on Friday, taking third place in both disciplines. 

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

May 29, 2022 - Among the growing number of foreigners relocating to Croatia, international students are increasingly visible. So who are these foreign students choosing Croatia, and why? In the fifth of a new series, we get the perspectives of life and study in Croatia through the eyes of its foreign students, continuing with Nirupam Kumar Mundra from India. 

Among the many foreign tongues heard around the Croatian capital these days is the growing number of students choosing to do their graduate programmes in Croatia. A safe, affordable EU country, with a rapidly expanding programme of high-quality graduate courses in English, with excellent employment opportunities upon graduation, are just some of the reasons for choosing Croatia. And the quality of that education was highlighted recently, as Algebra University College signed an academic partnership agreement with Goldsmiths, University of London (as reported previously on TCN), thereby allowing Algebra students to study under the approved programmes of one of the 500 best universities in the world according to the World University Ranking.

Despite the growing excellence of English-language graduate and post-graduate education in Croatia, the opportunities are not so well known, and so TCN - in partnership with Algebra University College - has compiled an authoritative guide to what you need to know about studying in this beautiful country. Check out the Total Croatia Study in Croatia guide.

Nothing paints the real picture of studying in a foreign country better than the real experiences of students living the day-to-day reality. In a new series on TCN, we meet some of the international students who have fallen in love with Croatia, many of whom plan to stay and work here if they can find employment. We look at the realities of life, why they chose Croatia, and what advice they have for others contemplating studying in Croatia. 

Time to meet Nirupam Kumar Mundra from India who is doing a graduate course in Applied Computer Engineering, Game Development at Algebra University College.

1. You chose to study in Croatia. Tell us what were the main factors in that decision.

I am from India. We don't have any university that offers game development graduate studies. I was looking for universities across Europe, and I found out that the course I am looking for is offered in Zagreb, Algebra University. The main factors I chose for education in Croatia is the curriculum is what I got attracted to most and the tuition fee, very affordable. The reason why Europe – it is rich in culture & people. I feel like I am on another planet, which I don’t want to leave.

2. How is the experience so far? Give us some pros and cons.

About the experience, I love the education system here. We have a vending machine in the university and a lounge. The technology used in the college is jaw-dropping for me.

Pros

• Beautiful city & people.
• Traveling doesn't take much time.
• Very good education system.

Cons

• Difficult to understand while purchasing grocery & food. The description is in Croatian on almost all products.
• Non-Croatian speakers will have difficulty sometimes communicating.
• Residence permit renewal every year.

3. How was your perception of studying in Croatia different from the reality? Give us some things that have surprised you about the experience?

When it comes to studies in Croatia, I can talk all day about things that surprised me. I was amazed how we can sit randomly in class with no gender rules. My university has an application where we can track our grades, attendance, and check exams & news. I love swiping my college ID card when I enter class, it’s for attendance. I know all these things are very common here but not for me. Especially I love the teaching structure. One day of lectures and another day is practice, a perfect way to learn.

4. How easy was it to do the paperwork to enroll in the study programme? Any suggestions to improve things?

Enrolling in the study program is so much easier. If there is a slight difficulty doing it, the university is always available to help us with the process. Usually, students from my place consult third party institutes to apply for universities abroad, but I did it on my own.

5. Tell us a little about the accommodation and the cost of living.

I started paying 500 Euros when I first came here, due to no exposure about the city and houses here. Later, I started learning things and got myself a new place paying only 250 Euros/ month. Some of my friends from India paid 180 euros/ month (it Includes rent & utilities).

6. Finding work is a key priority for students, both to help finance the study, but also upon graduation. How hard have you found it to find work, and what are the main obstacles?

I chose a different career path for my master studies. I must start from scratch, so I’ve decided to dedicate all my time to the university, so I haven’t made an attempt to apply for a job here. I think I’m not the right person to talk about this question.

7. Tell us about the Croatian lifestyle and making friends. How has it been for you?

What I see is making friends here is easy, everyone here is polite, friendly & welcoming. In my three years in Zagreb, I never encountered any racism or toxicity from students or anyone else.

8. Do you plan to (try and) stay in Croatia when your studies finish? Why/not?

I plan to find work here. The career I choose, which is game design, has a few good opportunities in Croatia. Most importantly I love Europe.

9. Three things you have enjoyed most about your experience studying in Croatia?

1. Festival arrangements & outdoor parties with music and decorated with beautiful lights.

2. Going out on trips to the coastal side of Croatia is the best.

3. Parks & libraries – they look like movie locations.

10. What advice do you have for people who are considering studying in Croatia?

It’s going to be challenging in the first few months, I will tell you one thing if you get to know Croatia and its people: it is worth living here. Since Croatia is not in the Schengen area zone (but it will be soon) with a Croatian resident permit, you can only travel to Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus, which I consider a limited option for few non-Europeans. I highly recommend learning a few Croatian words. It would help in a situation like purchasing food, groceries, also for travel & shopping.

Are you an international student on a graduate or post-graduate course in Croatia, who would like to be featured in this series? Contact us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Subject Study. 

To learn more about the options for studying in Croatia, check out the Total Croatia Study in Croatia guide.

For more information on courses offered by Algebra University College, visit the official website.  

May 29, 2022 - A boost for tourism in Dubrovnik, as the first United Air Lines flight from New York landed yesterday,  a month earlier than last year.  

Things are starting to return to a semblance of normal. 

The important North American tourism market, long in love with the majesty of Dubrovnik, is beginning to reengage with the Pearl of the Adriatic after the COVID-19 interruption. Last year, Dubrovnik was connected to New York directly for the first time, but not one but two major carriers - Delta and United. So happy were United with the new route that they have decided to launch 2022 operations a month earlier than last year, with the first 170 passengers arriving yesterday. Dubrovnik  Mayor Mato Frankovic was clearly pleased at the news, posting on Facebook: 

"Today, the first direct flight from New York with 170 passengers landed at Dubrovnik Airport. The American airline United started flights a month earlier this year, and what makes us especially happy is that this year Dubrovnik will be the only Croatian city directly connected to the United States of America having direct flights from New York four times a week until the end of October.

With the increasing number of passengers in air traffic, the connection to almost 80 global destinations, through 48 foreign and domestic companies, but also the return of ships on round trips the tourist recovery of the City is more visible every day and I believe that we will achieve great results in this season."

According to ExYuAviation, United's results from last year exceeded expectation, with 17,264 passengers contributing to a 77.9% load factor, as well as 405 tons of cargo. Andrew Nocella, Chief Commercial Officer for United, acknowledged the success of the new Croatian route, which was initiated as a result of Croatia's policy of open borders for Americans during the pandemic. 

“We started in a few new markets in Europe last year. In fact, we loaded those for sale very late. And those new markets were actually some of our top-performing city fares, because Croatia and Greece in particular, made it clear to the world that they were open for business. And in fact, our customers responded to it immediately, and our new flights degrees did incredibly well.” 

Dubrovnik enjoyed considerable coverage of its welcome to Americans during the pandemic, including a feature on Good Morning America, which was watched by 12.5 million people. The Dubrovnik Tourist Board has also been running a successful campaign in various airports in the States. 

For more information about Dubrovnik, check out the TC Dubrovnik in a Page guide. 

For the latest flight news to Croatia, follow the dedicated TCN section. 

May 29, 2022 - On Statehood Day and the 30th anniversary of Croatia's international diplomatic recognition, numerous events are being held in the country. A conference entitled "Heritage of Generations: 30 Years of International Diplomatic Recognition of the Republic of Croatia" will be held in Zagreb.

Three panels will be held at the conference "Heritage of Generations: 30 Years of International Diplomatic Recognition of the Republic of Croatia", reports HRT News. Distinguished guests will discuss current topics related to the international position of the country on the occasion of Statehood Day.

The first panel runs from 10:30 am and is called "Witnesses of the Time: Brave Generation". Dr. Mate Granić, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, is taking part in it along with Academician Davorin Rudolf, member of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, prof. dr. sc., Jurgen Chrobog, German lawyer and diplomat, and Associate Professor dr. sc. Ante Nazor, director of the Croatian Homeland War Memorial and Documentation Center. The moderator of the panel is Dr. sc. Gordan Grlić Radman, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia.

The second panel "Croatia for three decades: Generation of transformation" lasts from 12:10 to 13:40 and will be broadcasted on HRT4. Participants include mr. sc. Zdravka Bušić, Member of the Croatian Parliament; Peter Galbraith, US Ambassador to Croatia from 1993 to 1998; mr. sc. Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, the fourth President of the Republic of Croatia, Ivana Maletić, a member of the European Court of Auditors, and Dubravka Šuica, Vice-President of the European Commission, will deliver a video message. The moderator is Vladimir Drobnjak, special advisor to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia.

The third panel "Croatia Today: Generation for the Future" lasts from 14:40 to 16:10 pm. Participating are Gracija Filipović, actress in the Cannes-awarded Croatian film Murina; Albert Gajšak, Circuitmess doo; dr. sc. David Matthew Smith, director of the Ruđer Bošković Institute; Dejan Nemčić, professor and Tin Srbić, gymnast. The moderator is Zrinka Grancarić, an HRT journalist.

For more, check out our politics section.

May the 29th, 2022 - The brand new DUBoak facility, a Malinska maritime heritage centre, has now opened its doors to the public and will showcase all that this area has to boast of when it comes to its rich maritime history and heritage.

It's not exactly news to anyone that the Republic of Croatia as a whole has an enormous tie to the sea, with the Adriatic part of the country drawing a long and extremely rich history based on the depth of its relationship with it. From food to trade, transport and defense, these ties continue to bind to this very day despite history having altered tremendously throughout time.

As Morski writes, the new Malinska maritime heritage centre (DUBoak) has been opened in Malinska on the popular island of Krk. The Malinska maritime heritage centre was built thanks to the European Union (EU) project Arca Adriatica, which deals with the protection, promotion and tourist valorization of the Adriatic's extremely extensive maritime heritage.

The rich maritime heritage, sailing culture, shipbuilding skills and coexistence of island people with the sea and forest were evoked in the facility worth around 11.5 million kuna, and the Lastavica Sports and Fishing Association and the Malinska Sailing Club also found their home there.

It was built on the place where the people of Dubas once busied themselves and unloaded wood from ox-carts, which were then loaded into bracers and camps headed for Rijeka and even across the Adriatic Sea to Venice, a place where a deep and strong connection between Dubasnica and the sea was formed.

Given the unbreakable connection between the sea and traditional boats on the coastal side and oak on the forest side, the name "DUBoak" is reminiscent of the deep sea, and also represents a play on words.

The conceptual design of the new Malinska maritime heritage centre and the very execution of the project comes signed by a talented team of architects, heritage interpreters, marketers and experts in the field of multimedia.

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