May 19, 2022 - The latest flight news to Croatia as 16 Wizz Air flights to Split and Dubrovnik will run this summer, offering more than 370,000 seats to and from Croatia during the tourist season. 

Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air plans to operate to two Croatian airports, Split and Dubrovnik, on a total of 16 international routes this summer, which is more than last year's summer flight schedule, reports Croatian Aviation. 

Wizz Air is still negotiating with certain airports in Croatia, so there is a chance that more new routes will be announced in the peak season, although the chances are getting smaller as we approach the summer.

Currently, 16 international lines to Split and Dubrovnik are available for booking. 

Lines from Split to:

Vienna, from 1 June, three times a week, until the end of September,

Rome, from June 6, four times a week, until the end of September,

Vilnius, from June 13, twice a week, until the end of September,

Gdansk, from June 13, twice a week, until the end of September,

Katowice, from June 4, three to five times a week, until the end of October,

Krakow, from June 4, three to five times a week, until the end of October,

Lublin, from June 13, twice a week, until the end of September,

Poznan, from June 17, twice a week, until the end of September,

Warsaw, from June 14, three times a week, until the end of October,

Wroclaw, from June 6, two to three times a week, until the end of October,

London (Luton), from June 13, daily, until early October

Lines from Dubrovnik to:

Vienna, from June 4, three times a week, until the end of September,

Rome, from June 13, three times a week, until the end of September,

Warsaw, from June 13, twice a week, until the end of September,

Wroclaw, from August 4, twice a week, until the end of September,

London (Luton), from July 4, four times a week, until the end of October.

Currently, 1,778 operations have been announced on these lines for this summer, with most, of course, to Split Airport. A320 and A321 aircraft with a capacity of 180 to 230 seats have been announced on all routes.

Thus, 282,150 seats are available to and from Split on Wizz Air, while 89,452 seats are available to and from Dubrovnik Airport.

The Hungarian airline is offering more than 370 thousand seats to and from Croatia in the upcoming summer season, and most of the routes will start operating in the first half of June, or in a little less than a month.

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

May 28, 2022 - The celebration of Statehood Day was held last Friday in the restaurant Dubrovnik in New Rochelle, NY.

The ceremony was opened by Lidija Babić, Consul of the 1st class, and then the Consul General of the Republic of Croatia in New York Nikica Kopačević greeted everyone on her own behalf and on behalf of all employees of the Consulate General. He emphasized that this year also marks the 30th anniversary of Croatia's international recognition and thanked all Croatian veterans and their families, especially those who laid down their lives in the Homeland War, which is the foundation of the creation of a free Croatia. Kopačević also emphasized the importance of the unity of Croats in the homeland and Croats in the diaspora and thanked emigrated Croats around the world and especially Croats in the United States and New York for all they have done to create a free and independent state of Croatia.

In his speech, he also referred to the words of the first Croatian president, Dr. Franjo Tuđman, who said that May 30 was the constitutive creation of a new and democratic Croatian Parliament, which was the beginning of modern Croatia and the long-term dream of many Croats. and emigration. A minute of silence was observed in honor of all the fallen Croatian defenders who built their lives into the foundations of Croatia.

The program of the celebration began with the performance of the American and Croatian anthems, which were magnificently sung by the klapa Astoria from New York, accompanied by Viktor Šarić. Along with the klapa Astoria, everyone sang “God Save Croatia”, and later during the party they were joined by Joško Grbac, a member of the group Dalmati from New York and Croatian-American music artist Tommi Mischell.

The celebration of Statehood Day in New York was enhanced by representatives of the Society for the Preservation of Šibenik Heritage Juraj Dalmatinac (http://www.jurajdalmatinac.com/) led by its president Nikola Grubić, who set up the exhibition Šibenik Through the Centuries and presented the work of the society on rebuilding fortresses and portals in the city center of Šibenik, the Geonucleus project, magazine Juraj and other projects.

Special thanks for preserving Croatian national and cultural identity in New York was given to the Croatian Catholic priests from the Croatian Church in Manhattan and the Croatian Catholic Mission in Astoria, as well as to the Croatian Radio Club NY - "Voice of Free Croatia", which has been operating in New York for more than 50 years. Among the representatives of the Croatian Radio New York, the celebration was attended by Zvonimir Crnogorac, the oldest member and one of the hosts of that radio since 1972.

(Photos credit: Ane Strazicic Rodriguez)

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

ZAGREB, 18 May 2022 - Social Democratic Party (SDP) leader Peđa Grbin said on Wednesday that the left-wing opposition groups in parliament had agreed that it was necessary to launch an initiative to amend the constitution to include the right to abortion.

"We from the seven groups that represent the progressive opposition in parliament have agreed today that it is necessary to amend the constitution to enable women to have the right to choose when it comes to abortion," said Grbin, adding that they do not want current developments in the USA concerning abortion happen in Croatia.

In early May, foreign media outlets reported that the US Supreme Court might overturn the nationwide legal right to abortion, according to a leaked draft of a court document.

Grbin told a press conference today that representatives of the left-wing opposition parties would in the coming days discuss and agree on how to amend the constitution. He said that one option was to collect the signatures of a fifth of MPs in the 151-seat legislature for a motion to amend the constitution while the other was to start collecting signatures for a referendum petition.

Grbin said the opposition was discussing whether to request a hearing of Health Minister Vili Beroš in parliament, adding that he did not rule out that the opposition would table a motion of no confidence in the minister.

For more, check out our politics section.

ZAGREB, 18 May 2022 - The Ministry of Health stated on Wednesday that it was taking steps for a solution to demands by striking non-emergency medical transportation drivers, adding that their strike was illegal because it affected the rights of numerous patients.

Ambulance drivers have been striking for three days and have said they would continue until their demands are met for their wages to be equalised throughout the country as now their wages can differ up to HRK 1,500 depending on which county employs them.

"The ministry and government are doing everything within the framework of financial abilities to resolve the status and financial problems of non-emergency medical transportation drivers and paramedics which dated back from the period of the government of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and their coalition partners 11 years ago. We believe that we will very quickly find a satisfactory solution to that issue," the ministry said in the press release.

Regarding the protest calling for wage indexes to be equalised in calculating wages based on job complexity, the ministry noted that it understands the justified demands, however, it cannot support an illegal strike that the unions organised contrary to regulations.

The ministry says that the strike has unjustifiably deprived numerous patients in the entire country of their right to medical transport which is of exceptional importance in their treatment and providing daily medical services.

About 400 non-emergency medical transportation drivers and paramedics in eight counties started their industrial action on Monday.

Unlike the ministry that claimed that the unfavourable status of ambulance drivers dates from the period of the SDP government, unionists told a press conference last week that the problem has existed since 2011 when the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) was in power and Darko Milinović served as the health minister.

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

ZAGREB, 18 May 2022 - Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said in an interview with the Xinhua news agency released on Wednesday that he looked forward to deepening political and economic relations with China.

 "I very much look forward to deepening our political relationship, our consultations, our economic cooperation," Plenković said on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Croatia and China.

The Croatian prime minister pointed out that the relations between Zagreb and Beijing over the past 30 years had been excellent.

He said that bilateral cooperation within the Chinese initiative "One Belt One Road" had intensified and that the 17+1 initiative, within which Beijing cooperates with Central and Eastern European countries, was an excellent tool for all of us in Central and Eastern Europe.

Plenković also noted that Chinese companies had built the Pelješac Bridge and the Senj Wind Farm, and he also called for more cooperation and dialogue between China and the European Union on global issues, including global security and peace and climate change, especially in the energy sector, Xinhua reported.

"We should cooperate more. I think we have a very solid basis. We have 30 years of cooperation and a very intensive period over the past couple of years," the Croatian PM said.

He said he particularly appreciated that Croatia had been able to acquire sufficient amounts of protective equipment and masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more, check out our politics section.

ZAGREB, 18 May 2022 - President Zoran Milanović said on Wednesday that he would instruct Croatia's Permanent Representative to NATO, Ambassador Mario Nobilo, to vote against the admission of Finland and Sweden to the alliance until the election law in BiH is amended.

Milanović believes that Croatia should not cease making Finland's and Sweden's membership of NATO conditional on the issue of the equality of Bosnia and Herzegovina Croats in elections.

"That is not an act against Finland and Sweden but it is for Croatia," Milanović insists.

Addressing a news conference in his office, Milanović said that he believed that Croats in BiH as a political entity, are being "destroyed" and that it is in Croatia's national interest to prevent that.

He underscored that he would instruct Ambassador Nobilo to be against that membership.

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs last week said that in that case, Nobilo would follow the instructions of the ministry rather than the president's.

Milanović said today that Turkey, which is opposed to the two Nordic countries joining the Alliance, is showing how to fight for national interests.

"Turkey certainly will not move away from the table before it gets what it wants," said Milanović.

He believes Croatia is acting quite the opposite.

"How are we fighting for our interests?" he wondered, adding that after all the peace missions in BiH, there is not one Croatian officer there.

"Why? Because they will not allow that. Not one uniformed Croatian can step  in here."

He said that he had called for a meeting of the National Security Council because of the problem of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but that he had not received a response from the government.

"The government does not have a monopoly on foreign policy," he said.

"We can talk about Ukraine, but that is not a burning problem for us. This is," he said.

He called on the parliament not to ratify the agreement on the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO. "I will talk about this until the last moment and warn that the Sabor has the last word."

He is convinced that that would turn the international community's attention to Croatian interests and that is the only way for Croatia to resolve this "serious problem in BiH."

If the Sabor doesn't ratify it "at that moment unbelievable interest for Croatia's problem would arise," he said.

He added that he wants to avoid any possible reaction by Bosnia and Herzegovina Croats to an unfair election law and consequently proclaim a Croat self-government in BiH.

"I want Croatian interests in BiH to be modified within the framework of the Dayton (Peace Accords)."

He rejected the prime minister and foreign minister's criticism that he was damaging Croatia's reputation.

"If I am to be blamed I am prepared to be. I have said that Croats in BiH are more important to me than the entire Russian-Finish border," Milanović underscored.

"Let's look at what Turkey is doing," he added.

"It certainly will not go empty-handed yet it is seeking a lot. While we are seeking very little in BiH, a country for which we are guarantors in the Dayton (Accord)."

For more, check out our politics section.

May 18, 2022 - The 2022 Water Polo World Championships will be held in Hungary from June 18 to July 3, 2022, with Croatia playing the first part of the competition in Debrecen, where Group B will compete. Croatia will play against Greece (June 21), Germany (June 23), and Japan (June 25).

"Over time, according to FINA rules, we will narrow down that list and determine the final 13 players who will travel to the World Champs in Hungary. As we know, we will never have shorter preparations and less time to work with a very young team," said Ivica Tucak, who persists in his intention to create a new, significantly rejuvenated national team.

"Nevertheless, we will continue to be the team with the greatest ambitions. Those preparations before leaving for the World Champs lasting only ten days, as well as the end of the club season in which our players come as exhausted as possible, are not in our favor, but it's the same for us and other national teams," Tucak added. 

"We are gathering a new national team, so I hope that in that extremely short time we will be able to correct the mistakes we noticed at the World League tournament in Podgorica and are ready to welcome the World Champs. However, the main focus of the Croatia water polo team this summer will be the European Championships in Split (August 27 - September 10) and a rather busy schedule awaits us this summer," Tucak said.

Preparations for the World Championships begin on June 14 in Pula with the Croatia - Italy match, followed by a short gathering in Zagreb and a trip to Hungary. European Championship preparations start on July 18 in Kranj and Maribor, followed by the tournament in Cagliari, preparations in Šibenik, and a tournament in Belgrade. Finally, on August 24, Croatia gathers for the European Championships in Split.

GOALKEEPERS
1. Marko Bijač (Olympiacos)
2. Ivan Marcelić (Jadran)
3. Toni Popadić (Jug Adriatic osiguranje)
4. Jerko Jurlina (Mladost)
5. Marin Šparada (Solaris)

CENTERS
6. Ivan Krapić (Noisy-le-Sec)
7. Josip Vrlić (Radnički)
8. Lovro Paparić (Vouliagmeni)
9. Antonio Dužević (Jadran)

DEFENDERS
10. Hrvoje Benić (Jug Adriatic osiguranje)
11. Marko Žuvela (Jug Adriatic osiguranje)
12. Kristijan Milaković (Szolnok)
13. Matias Biljaka (Mladost)

ATTACKERS
14. Luka Bukić (Jadran)
15. Loren Fatović (Jug Adriatic osiguranje)
16. Ante Vukičević (Marseille)
17. Jerko Marinić Kragić (Jadran)
18. Konstantin Harkov (Jadran)
19. Rino Burić (Jadran)
20. Ivan Domagoj Zović (Szolnok)
21. Franko Lazić (Mladost)
22. Andrija Bašić (Palermo)
23. Jerko Penava (Solaris)
24. Zvonimir Butić (Jadran)
25. Filip Kržić (Jug Adriatic osiguranje)
26. Dario Rakovac (Mladost)

Source: HVS

To read more about sports in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

18 May 2022 - If New York had a Croatian equivalent of a city that never sleeps, Hvar town would be it. The vibe here is a complete 180 from the chill, whimsical air of Stari Grad, so let’s dive right into 24 hours in Hvar town!

9.00 a.m. - 10.00 a.m.

After getting off the bus from Stari Grad, leave your bags at your next accommodation and walk over to Kava37 to start your day. Here, you can get an outstanding flat white, perfectly paired with a freshly baked, palm-sized, hazelnut and chocolate chip cookie.

Everything served in this cafe is organic and fair-trade, while the coffee beans are roasted in Kava’s Split-based roastery. They even offer milk alternatives such as oat, almond, and soy!

From this point, there are 2 options for spending the day, or better yet, the next 48- hours in Hvar Town.

OPTION 1

10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.

Time to make up for the lack of beach time and a dip in the turquoise waters of the Adriatic by exploring the nearby Pakleni Islands!  Honestly, the best way to go about this if you have a boating license is to rent a small boat and explore the nooks and crannies of the islands at your own pace.

Do note that prior to 2022, you might not have needed a boat license to rent a 5hp boat (€160 for a full day) but the rules have since changed!

Discover your own magical bay by renting a boat and weaving through the islands. Hvar tourist board/Facebook screenshot.

With that said, you’ll be treated to some of the most stunning waters in the area. Imagine finding your own secluded bay, dropping anchor, diving into the crystal waters, and enjoying an ice-cold beer while soaking up the Mediterranean sun. And doing it over, and over, for the entire afternoon. Isn’t this what all vacation dreams are made of?

Better since these small boats usually come with an ice box (already filled with ice in our case) so you can bring your own snacks and drinks. Most tour providers will also rent you additional snorkeling gear, and towels, or even provide you with food and beverage packages to save you the trouble of bringing your own.

Alternatively, if you don’t have a boating license, there are also guided half-day (4 hours) or full-day tours around the islands. Or hire a skipper (€40) who will gladly take you to some of the best spots in the area.

OPTION 2

10.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m.

Since Stari Grad was packed with activities, it’s time to sit and enjoy some time in the Adriatic Sea. Pokonji Dol is about a 15-minute walk from Hvar Town and is the most accessible beach from the downtown area. Like Pakleni Islands, you won’t miss out on the inviting clear, turquoise waters of the Adriatic, while the pebbled beach means no sand in every nook and cranny imaginable. Makes for easy clean-up!

Pokonji Dol, Mekicevica and Bonj are some of the beaches within walking distance from Hvar Town. Image: Pixabay.

Sunbeds and umbrellas are also available for hire for around 100 kuna (€15) a day, and it’s good if you get there early since this beach tends to fill up quickly!

There are also a couple of restaurants along the cove that serve up the catch of the day, and make perfect pit stops to grab an ice-cold beer and seek a bit of refuge from the heat.

From the comfy day beds to exotic cocktails, Hvar Beach Club's got you covered. Image: Hvar Beach Club/Facebook screenshot.

For those seeking a more luxurious experience (with an exorbitant price tag to match), Hvar Beach Club is where you’d want to be. This place is the embodiment of what Hvar Town is known for - chic and glamorous experiences.

1.00 p.m. - 2.30 p.m

After a relaxing time on the beach, slowly wind your way back towards Hvar Town’s harbor and head towards Lungo Mare. This popular family-run restaurant (notice a theme here?) mainly serves traditional Croatian cuisine including seafood, meat, and vegetarian dishes.

The cozy restaurant has lovely terrace seating, nestled amongst the winding vines, and whimsical fishing nets scattered with huge shells dangling overhead. Do save room for dessert here such as the rožata, a local creme caramel, or the semifreddo with almonds, for a light, refreshing ending to your meal.

Rožata is the perfect way to end a meal on a sweet note. Image: Pinterest.

Do note that they only open from 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. for lunch and from 6 p.m. - midnight for dinner.

2.30 p.m. - 5.00 p.m.

After lunch, take a couple of hours to explore St. Stephen’s Square, reportedly the largest square in all of Dalmatia. Here you’ll find some of Hvar Town’s main attractions such as the 400-year-old Arsenal from Hvar’s military past; the Cathedral of St. Stephen’s, complete with a bell tower; and the Loggia, which used to be part of a palace in the 15th century when Hvar was under Venetian rule.

St. Stephen's Church still holds mass today. Image: Rory321/Tripadvisor screenshot.

Also, take the time to pop into the Hvar Theater, which was the first civic theater in all of Europe! As well as the 15th century Franciscan monastery that houses a collection of artifacts like Roman and Venetian coins, and an ancient edition of Ptolemy's Atlas from 1524!

The Franciscan monastery. Image: Hvar Tourist Board/Facebook screenshot.

Take the time to wander through the back alleys of Hvar Town, away from the buzz of the Riva and St. Stephen’s square. Here, you can hear yourself think, and be treated to another dimension of the Dalmatian way of life. One at a much slower and deliberate pace where neighbors stop for a quick chat, and cats lounge on the cool stone entryways.

Explore the tiny alleyways of Hvar town at your own pace. Image: Pixabay

Along the way, you may stumble across the occasional boutique selling one-of-a-kind items that make perfect souvenirs for loved ones back home or capture a picturesque alcove as a memento.

5.00 p.m. - 6.00 p.m.

You should not leave Hvar without trying some desserts from Slasticarnica Hvar. This restaurant/cafe/ice cream bar offers a variety of treats that provide the perfect pick me up after all that walking, and its location right by the harbour makes it a great spot for people-watching.

6.00 p.m. - 7.30 p.m.

After a spot of people watching with your afternoon treat, time to head back to your accommodation to get dressed for an evening out on Hvar. Maybe even a nap if you plan on partying the night away!

7.30 p.m. - 9.00 p.m.

Again, because the sunsets in Croatia are some of the most spectacular in the world, time for a drink and a spot to watch the sun go down. I find it difficult to pick just one spot so here are a couple, Hula Hula or Falko Beach Bar.

The spectacular Croatian sunsets. Image: Pixabay

Hula Hula has a much livelier crowd (sometimes, it can get downright rowdy), but is the ideal place to watch the golden sunset if you manage to nab a seat! The fact that it’s a short walking distance from the square is also a plus.

However, if you’re more like me and looking for a more chill, relaxed vibe with an equally spectacular view of the sunset, then you’re in for a 20-minute walk to Falko Beach Bar. Think hammocks, lounge music, and innovative cocktails.

9.00 p.m. - 10.30 p.m.

Tucked down an alley in Hvar’s old town is Konoba Menego. Cozy, rustic (also family-owned), and dotted with an eclectic mix of antiques and pictures, this place is well-known to both locals and tourists alike. Not only is it a must-visit whenever we’re in Hvar Town, but it also tops the list of recommended places when friends and family visit the area as well.

The food is slightly pricey, and the menu limited, but what they do make is nothing short of exceptional. Start off with the Dalmatian stuffed bread and cheese plate, followed by the boar, or for seafood lovers, the shrimp gnocchi. Pair this with a liter of their house red or white wine that is produced by the family’s neighboring vineyards.

For a taste of home-cooked Dalmatian cuisine. Image: Konoba Menego.

Again, because you’re on vacation and calories take a back seat, finish off with the drunken figs that are so saturated with brandy, and the assortment of Dalmatian cakes and biscuits.

Do note that this is a small restaurant, so either head there early or after the dinner rush, otherwise the wait times can be around an hour. Bear in mind that they only accept cash!

10.30 p.m. - the sun comes up

Opened in 1999, Carpe Diem Beach Bar remains the most famous place to see and be seen in Hvar. After all, it’s a favorite haunt of star-studded celebrities when they happen to be in this part of town, so the prices tend to reflect their status.

While the party really gets going around 1 a.m., the club is a whole day affair where you can get coffee in the afternoon, lunch, and even a message all in one place. The short boat ride is included in the 150 kuna (€20) admission price (it might have changed since) and it runs every 10-15 minutes, so you won’t be kept waiting too long.

Be literally and figuratively transported into a different world. Image: Carpe Diem Beach Bar/Facebook screenshot.

Once you’re there, it’s a completely different world with light shows, fire breathers, DJs, the occasional fashion show, and creative cocktails, which may be the perfect way to end your 24 hours in Hvar Town.