October 7, 2019 - The Split Tourist Board is moving quickly to plan this year's Advent festivities, and has revealed some exciting new attractions this year. 

With the summer over, we must move our focus onto the next eventful season and look forward to what’s in store this Christmas and New Year’s holiday. Fortunately, for the citizens of Split, all winter events could already be known by the end of this month.

Namely, Splitski Dnevnik writes that the Split Tourist Board has already announced two important competitions - one, for the organizer of the New Year's Eve party, and another for an ice skating rink at Dardin park.

Thus, after last year's Advent events, there will likely be an ice skating rink at Dardin, similar to the one in Zagreb. The competition for all interested parties is open for another ten days, and 400,000 kuna will be provided.

Those wishing to compete must submit a detailed program description and financial offer, and must have at least three years' experience organizing the same or similar events. Also, applicants must not owe the City of Split.

The Advent cottages we enjoyed at Dardin last year will remain, and the ice skating rink will only serve to enhance the atmosphere. 

“The rink will be a part of the Advent events, like in Zrinjevac, and it will be one of the novelties during the Advent celebration. The rink will act as paths between the cottages and an additional offer to the citizens of Split and tourists during the Christmas holidays,” says Split Tourist Board director Alijana Vukšić.

The ice skating rink must have a total capacity for 200 skaters, free skating for Split's kindergarten and elementary school children should be organized in the morning from 10 am to 1 pm every day except weekends and holidays, and there must be an exciting opening and closing program.

The organizer must also set up four catering cottages, one for merchants, and one for storing equipment and selling tickets. Opening hours will be from 10 am to 9 pm.

Recall, Split first had an ice skating rink at Prokurative nine years ago. 

Furthermore, call for proposals to select the organizer of the “New Year's Eve 2020” concert has also been launched.

The organizer must ensure the following:

A.) design the program to follow new trends in local and foreign music, with performances by pop stars and renowned musicians, B.) stage, lighting and sound must be part of the offer and designed in a sophisticated manner, C.) room for VIP guests, D.) 5 minutes of fireworks, E.) perform all other necessary activities to hold a safe and legal event, F.) the duration of the program is from 31 December 2019 at 9 pm to 1 January 2020 at 2 am.

The Split Tourist Board, in cooperation with the City of Split, will provide financial support of 500,000.00 kuna gross to co-finance the event. The Split Tourist Board and the City will also provide and allow the organizer to use the public area where the reception is held for free. 

The deadline to submit offers ended on September 19, 2019. 

Although the competition ended, the bidder has not yet been selected because the decision of the Tourist Board is pending. Thus, who will organize the New Year's Eve party on the Riva will be known after the competition for the ice skating rink at Dardin has been completed.

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

December 16, 2018 - The third advent candle was lit on Sunday for Gastroadvent at the City of Split Museum, complete with the flavors of the distinguished Split restaurant "Perivoj" and chef Braco Sanjin.

Sunday’s candle was lit by the help of portal journalists alongside exclusive guests and representatives of the Split Tourist Board and Split-Dalmatia County. Gastroadvent organizer Olja Martinic again introduced the theme for this year’s favorite event: garlic and thermal water. 

Specifically, this year's Gastroadvent aims to highlight the importance of consuming garlic and water and their role in the prevention and treatment of many diseases. 

“Water is the source and the base of everyday life on earth, a prerequisite for human biological survival,” reads the first sentence in the book about Split water by Stanko Piplović.

Scientists investigate the existence of creeks, sea life, wells, cisterns and fountains, and sanatoriums marked by sulfur water. Our region is well-known for Diocletian's aqueduct, a nine-kilometre-long flawless construction that is admired by the most modern designers, which brings water from the source of the Jadro river to the proximity of the palace. Split is the city of water (seawater, thermal water, spring water, and rainwater), which anticipates a great economic and tourism future. 

Garlic, on the other hand, is a plant known for its robust flavor - and it helps to know that it carries top quality culinary and medical properties. The main ingredient in garlic is allicin, which possesses miraculous antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic and antioxidant properties. Just some of the benefits of garlic are that it stimulates circulation and acts as anti-hypertensive, anti-atherosclerotic, and anti-cholesterol, and thus promotes the formation of H2S in the body. Garlic has anti-malarial activity, especially for the digestive system and regulation of the intestinal flora - and its sulfur compounds protect against stress and act as an antioxidant!

The medicinal properties of garlic come in direct contact with the soil where it grows, and because the area around Split is rich in thermal springs, garlic, as well as other vegetables are considered extremely healthy. Thermal waters soak in the soil, making it unique for vegetation while its volatile components improve the air quality at the same time. Sulfuric thermal waters are used in therapy for dermatology, respiratory problems, and especially in chronic rheumatism and neuralgia. Sulfuric thermal water is also helpful in chronic fatigue and anti-stress programs.

At Split’s famous Gothic Renaissance palace, the Museum of the City of Split, journalists enjoyed the creations by Braco Sanjin of Perivoj, who prepared pljukanci with bakalar and collard greens, smoked shrimp and mussels, fuži with shrimp, garlic, and chilli, gregada, and pasta fazol in a brudet. 

The desserts were made by Dolcemania, who prepared six different cakes, including the famous Split cake, Trogir cake, and Kaštela cake. 

And for the wine, guests enjoyed Rukatac Pilač, Pošip Krolo, and Plavac Violić from Wine Box, which specializes in promoting small vineyards and native Dalmatian wine varieties.

The Gastroadvent manifestation this year includes Konoba Lučac tavern, Movi, Pizzeria Galija, Bokerija, Bakra-Steak & Pizza Bar, Zora Bila, Marvi Hotel, Hotel Vestibul, Hotel Park, ZOI, Brasserie on 7, and Apetit. 

To learn more about Gastroadvent, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

Here’s a scenario: it’s the weekend, you’re in Split, and you need something to do. Lucky for you, there are (almost) too many options for you to choose from this weekend. 

One of the most anticipated events of the weekend is the ‘A DI SI TI?’ humanitarian action by the MoSt association, which will take place to for the 18th consecutive year. This year’s event has even more significance, however, as the association registered on December 15th 20 years ago, reports Dalmacija Danas on December 14, 2018. 

With stalls in front of HNK Split, visitors can expect 48 different organizations, institutions, associations, schools, clubs, parties and entrepreneurs who will exhibit handicrafts, services and new and used items. From 9am, visitors can also enjoy an entertainment program, presentation of sports clubs, games for prizes, and other accompanying events.

Like all previous years, all money collected is intended exclusively for the needs of the beneficiaries at the Center for Homelessness and to decorate and equip the Center itself.

Though MoSt’s event is the highlight of our weekend, here’s a list of everything else you can enjoy in Split on Friday and Saturday, thanks to InfoZona. 

Friday

Olive Tree: Samo vinyl baby! w/ A. Jakir 

Restoran Rusulica: XXS Band 

Galway Pub: La Grange 

Adriatic Social Club: Filio b2b Kibo 

Paradox Wine & Cheese Bar: Little Sister 

Ghetto club: DJ Azid 

Caffe bar Mythos: Acoustic Night 

Rock-O Bar: ByeBye Band 

Caffe bar Dreamers: Magic Wish 

Quasimodo: Partibrejkers 

Moon bar: Warm Up Friday 

Caffe bar Versi: Jukebox Live Band 

Bounty: Visoki Napon 

Kocka: Taman w/ Eduardo de la Calle 

Zenta Club: Rasta 

Judino Drvo: Sana Garić 

Jazzbina: Okitimo Bor 

Vanilla: Viva 

Klub Toxic: Seka Aleksić 

Velvet Club: Let’s Go Out 

Kauri: Friday Smash 

Central: Circle 

Saturday 

Restoran Rusulica: XXS Band 

Roof 68: Roof-Mich-An 

Crkva sv. Dominika: Oštrokondže & gosti 

Adriatic Social Club: Petar Đ b2b Stefan B. 

Paradox Wine & Cheese Bar: Saša Jakelić 

Metal klub Eks: Eks Batcave 

Kavana HOK: Vlado Unplugged 

Galway Pub: Harpoon Blues Band 

Pivarij Burger & Beer: Souler Akustično 

Teatar Bar Split 3: Salsa Party 

Split Circus (Monty Python): Čuvari Svirala 

Moon bar: Moondance Party 

Antique Bar: Diktatori acoustic 

Caffe bar Versi: Smile Band 

Kauri: Showtime by Gallardo 

Kocka: Piknik Park 

Quasimodo: Dobra šema 

Zenta Club: Underwater w/ Lawrence Klein 

Judino Drvo: All Night drive w/ Eddy Ramich 

Jazzbina: Okitimo Bor 

Velvet Club: Let’s Go Out 

Central: Mash Up Or Shut Up 

You can also find all the Advent events here.  

Because the current weather forecast of rain, rain, and more rain might interrupt the weekend’s planned DJ performances and concerts for Split Advent, be sure to check the Facebook pages of Spalatum DMC, OLOLO in front of the Art Gallery, Perivoj and Đardin for updates. 

To learn more about Split, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

December 2, 2018 - Local journalists joined forces at Chops Grill in Split on Sunday to officially light the first Advent candle for Gastroadvent.

The first Advent candle for Gastroadvent was lit on Sunday at the famous Split restaurant Chops Grill Steak & Seafood. The first candle was burned by Croatian journalists and representatives of Split-Dalmatia County, including Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board director Joško Stella, Split-Dalmatia County prefect Blaženko Boban, and Split Tourist Board director Alijana Vukšić. 

After the initial presentation of Split’s increasingly positive tourism results, Gastroadvent organizer Olja Martinic introduced the theme for this year’s favorite event: garlic and thermal water. 

Specifically, this year's Gastroadvent aims to highlight the importance of consuming garlic and water and their role in the prevention and treatment of many diseases. Garlic is a plant known for its robust flavor - and it helps to know that it carries top quality culinary and medical properties. 

The main ingredient in garlic is allicin, which possesses miraculous antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic and antioxidant properties. Just some of the benefits of garlic are that it stimulates circulation and acts as anti-hypertensive, anti-atherosclerotic, and anti-cholesterol, and thus promotes the formation of H2S in the body. Garlic has anti-malarial activity, especially for the digestive system and regulation of the intestinal flora - and its sulfur compounds protect against stress and act as an antioxidant!

The medicinal properties of garlic come in direct contact with the soil where it grows, and because the area around Split is rich in thermal springs, garlic, as well as other vegetables are considered extremely healthy. Thermal waters soak in the soil, making it unique for vegetation while its volatile components improve the air quality at the same time. Sulfuric thermal waters are used in therapy for dermatology, respiratory problems, and especially in chronic rheumatism and neuralgia. Sulfuric thermal water is also helpful in chronic fatigue and anti-stress programs.

Chops Grill created a stunning spread using the prized ingredients, including focaccia with garlic and rosemary, bruschetta with beefsteak, horseradish, and garlic, fried monkfish with a white garlic dip, Caesar salad, risotto with shrimp and garlic, pasta with garlic, chili and almonds, and much more. 

There was even a fantastic selection of wines!

Sunday marked the 9th edition of Gastroadvent, which was inspired by the passing of journalist Maja Stanisljević.

"When we first started Gastroadvent eight years ago, a beautiful, beautiful journalist who loved the environment and gastronomy and followed all the food and beverage fairs, Maja Stanisljevic, passed away. We then sat down and agreed that journalists bring light to the city - they deserve it because they work all year long, and this is the time when the city of Split needs to be honored,” said Gastroadvent organizer Olja Martinić at last year’s event.

To learn more about Split Advent, follow TCN's dedicated page here.  

The Split Advent Advisory Committee met on Tuesday where the Split Mayor addressed the group from the road via a video call. 

The longest-ever Advent in Split finally comes to a close this evening.

A look at Split, alive and well, in the middle of January. 

Uber has proven even more popular for users during the busy holiday season - here’s how.

A look back at the festive, food-filled December with Gastro Get.

A look back at the magical holiday season in Split.