October 17, 2020 - The first digital nomad conference in Croatia kicked off in Dubrovnik yesterday, an action-packed day including the presentation of the day from British Columbia, where the view is that Croatia has the potential to be the world's number 1 digital nomad destination. 

I don't think I have been involved in organising a conference before and so I was not sure quite what to expect. 

In truth, I didn't do that much regarding the actual organisation of Dubrovnik for Digital Nomads, the first dedicated digital nomad conference in Croatia. With superb support from Deputy Mayor Jelka Tepsic and Dubrovnik Tourist Board director Ana Hrnic, as well as the outstanding efforts of Tanja Polegubic from Saltwater and her VERY international team of volunteers (from Chile, Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA and, of course, Croatia), the first day more than exceeded expectations, both in terms of organisation and content.  

A word on the setting. Symbolically located in the Lazareti, the original quarantine station for the city of Dubrovnik (the Dubrovnik Republic was the first to introduce quarantine way back in 1377 in Cavtat), the historic buildings have recently been renovated to high standard for multi-functional purposes, including conferences, exhibitions, concerts and - until October 25 as part of European Freelancer Week - a free coworking space for digital nomads.  

Could there be a more perfect backdrop to hold a remote worker conference during a pandemic, with views out to the Adriatic and those famous Dubrovnik city walls? 

The conference had to deal with its corona challenges, of course, both in terms of social distancing, as well as the technology. With strong global interest in the conference, and with several of the expert speakers unable to attend in person, pulling off a live conference with a combination of live and Zoom audiences and speakers was quite a technical challenge, but one which the AV team pulled off superbly. Svaka cast! 

And there were certainly stars of the Croatian digital nomad world on show, including keynote speaker Jan de Jong, whose drive to introduce a digital nomad visa for Croatia has received the backing of the Prime Minister, and it should become a reality in the first quarter of 2021.  Much more on Jan and his update in another TCN article coming later today. 

The biggest online audience was reserved for another keynote speaker, the NY Times bestselling author of 'Blue Mind', Dr Wallace J. Nichols, whose interactive session on wellbeing and productivity with Tanja Polegubic was a hit. 

There was plenty of minute detail and facts presented, including a great session on Croatia, digital nomads and tax from KPMG. 

But the speaker who really caught the eye - well, my two eyes at least - was beamed in from British Columbia and put forward the case for Croatia with the potential to become the number one digital nomad destination in the world. Kashlee Kucheran runs the successful lifestyle and travel blow, Travel Off Path, with a current focus on providing the latest COVID-19 global travel updates. It has become essential reading for travellers and nomads, with over 3 million unique visitors and rising rapidly. 

And the first feedback that Kashlee shared was that Croatia is 'absolutely buzzing' as a current digital nomad destination in her rapidly expanding community. 

It was fascinating to watch her presentation, for here was an experienced traveller monitoring the global situation offering a unique insight into the current digital nomad scene around the world, and why Croatia appears to be even more competitively positioned than ever its most ardent supporters had realised. And then the most surprising aspect of Kashlee's presentation as she explained all the reasons why Croatia is such a hot digital nomad destination - she has not managed to visit yet, although by the end of her presentation she had accepted an invitation to spend a month in Dubrovnik as part of the City of Dubrovnik/Durbovnik Tourist Board/Saltwater/Total Croatia News international digital nomad competition in April.  

So what makes Croatia such a special digital nomad destination, according to Travel Off Parh?

What I really liked about her presentation was the simple, step by step guide of the thought processes and considerations that were the backbone of the presentation. Providing services for digital nomads is a lot more complex than providing a bed and decent WiFi. Here are some of the main considerations to look at, all of which Croatia excels at - weather, cost, community, connection, ease, safety, culture.

Corona changed the digital nomad landscape, with many countries no longer accessible. Additional considerations are also ones where Croatia compares favourably - freedom of movement within the country, how they handled their lockdown, and, of course, open borders 

All of these factors, believes Kashlee, position Croatia as a potential leader in the digital nomad destination rankings, a position which will only be strengthened by the introduction of the digital nomad visa being championed by de Jong. 

With Dubai announcing a digital nomad visa this week, there are now six countries ahead of Croatia offering this service, with Estonia currently the only one in Europe. Each country has its own criteria for the visa, and visa prices and minimum income requirements vary wildly. 

As do the destinations. While life on a small Caribbean island like Anguilla sounds idyllic, it is perhaps more for a holiday than an extended stay for a nomad looking for activities, culture and a social life. If Croatia can gets its visa pricing and income requirements right, it will be superbly positioned to offer the best package, which will include its trump card - its fabulous lifestyle.  

The global digital nomad view on what Croatia offers.  

Croatia took a very different approach to other EU countries, and it remains open to all (with PCR tests required by non-EU/EEA countries), and its approach to American visitors makes it very appealing to nomads from North America.  

So what are the benefits to Croatia for embracing this digital nomad wave? 

 Year-round visitors investing in community, providing free marketing, and spending, spending, spending, while drip feeding the local mindset with progressive ideas and new opportunities. 

What do the Croatian authorities need to do to take advantage of this huge economic gift? Not a lot. Focus on keeping the entry requirements flexible and deliver a digital nomad visa with reasonable conditions to benefit all. 

Even without the visa, Croatia is buzzing, according to Kashlee. It was, she says, one of the top 10 COVID-19 destinations in the world even without the visa. Many digital nomads are die-hard travellers, and Croatia will be an increasingly interesting destination for them with so many countries off limits.  

So how can businesses in Croatia prepare and adapt to the new digital nomad opportunity? Focus on the things that are important to these remote working visitors - affordable accommodation throughout the year (not being held hostage to tourist season prices), comfortable working environments, access to communities and lifestyle. And, of course, great WiFi. 

Simple steps. Achievable steps. This is a really fantastic opportunity for Croatia, and there is already a significant waiting demand. The after-party discussions on the first day (many thanks to Polyclinic Glavic - who had a sensational announcement in the presentation following Kashlee, of which more on TCN soon - for the catering) were very lively, as nomads, speakers, organisers and local residents digested the best of a very exciting day. 

A great presentation from Kashlee, and we look forward to welcoming her to Dubrovnik in April. If she was this impressed by Croatia without even visiting, one wonders how she will be feeling after a month in the Pearl in the Adriatic. 

To follow the latest in the Croatian digital nomad journey, follow the dedicated TCN section. 

October 15, 2020 - Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Frankovic has been very active promoting his city as a digital nomad destination. TCN catches up with him ahead of the Dubrovnik for Digital Nomads conference which starts tomorrow. 

One of the most interesting initiatives I have been involved with this year has been the push to develop Croatia as a destination for digital nomads. With more and more people working in the same office globally (the Internet), many of whom who are looking for lifestyle rather than living in the same village, and with Croatia the lifestyle capital of Europe, the potential to match up the two opens up some rather exciting new options for Croatian tourism. 

The imminent arrival of a digital nomad visa for Croatia (only the 5th in the world, and the second after Estonia) will make Croatia an even more viable option, and a debt of gratitude is owed to Dutch entrepreneur Jan de Jong for his successful campaign which resulted in Prime Minister Plenkovic tweeting his plan to introduce the visa just 44 days after receiving an open letter on Linked in from de Jong. 

Other officials have been very quick to react to the new opportunity as well, among them Dubrovnik Mayor, with whom I met in late July with a digital nomad concept for Dubrovnik. 

Having had many meetings with public officials over the years in Croatia, I was not quite prepared for what happened next. Not only did the mayor grasp the essence of the opportunity, but he agreed in principle to support the initiative during the meeting, and the wheels were set in motion the very next day.  

The results of that meeting will be twofold - the conference starting tomorrow as part of European Freelancer Week, and an international competition for digital nomads to be guests of Dubrovnik next Spring.  

1. Firstly, a quick word on the 2020 tourist season, which was the most challenging in living memory. As a flight destination and with no cruise ships, Dubrovnik suffered more than most. Can you give us a little insight into how it was, as well as any positives?

The start of the tourist season coincided with the ending of lockdown, so June and July weren't bad. We coped well with COVID-19. For 60 days we didn't have any cases of infection, and we had very good announcements for September and October. With the opening, we accepted the risk that more people could be infected, and when the first indications appeared that the UK would put us on the red list, I wrote to Prime Minister Johnson to look at the data by regions and counties. But after four weeks, we ended up on the red list even though we were doing everything in our power. The numbers of those infected were crucial.

2. From undertourism to overtourism. The change in tourism from last year to this could not have been starker. How have the events of 2020 shaped your thinking regarding developing tourism in Dubrovnik in the future?

At the beginning of my mandate, I was faced with the challenge of an excessive number of guests, and at the end of my mandate, we are facing a shortage of guests. I see this whole situation as an opportunity for a fresh, clean start. I believe that we will get out of this story quickly and successfully, but also wiser for the future. I am optimistic and I think we can come back relatively quickly, this time with some new rules and thinking about sustainable tourism. I also believe the vaccine will be available in the first quarter of the next year, which will ultimately allow people to travel more easily and safely.

(Press conference of October 12 for the Dubrovnik for Digital Nomads conference - Ana Hrnic, Dubrovnik Tourist Board Director, Mato Frankovic, and Tanja Polegubic of Saltwater)

3. One of the new opportunities for tourism in Croatia is catering to the remote worker industry. Prime Minister Plenkovic has committed to introducing a digital nomad visa for Croatia which should be in place in early 2021. What are your thoughts on that, and what could this mean for Dubrovnik?

We fully support this initiative and see it as one of the directions for the future development of tourism in Dubrovnik. We are the first city in Croatia to turn to the digital nomad market. After the Prime Minister announced an easier stay for digital nomads and special visas for them in Croatia, Dubrovnik is organizing a conference on this topic. By signing an agreement with Hrvatski Telekom (Croatian Telecom) and the Ministry of Regional Development, we are bringing a much faster Internet network to Dubrovnik, which will cover a wider area, thus enabling what is very important for digital nomads, and that is fast Internet. Everything else is already here. 

4. After this event in October, the City and tourist board of Dubrovnik have announced a digital nomad project partnership with TCN and Saltwater for another event next April. Can you tell our readers more about that?

This event in October will be some kind of an introduction to the whole story with digital nomads, for Dubrovnik and digital nomads to get to know each other. Next year we will go a step further. To popularize Dubrovnik as a destination for digital nomads, it is planned to organize an international competition in April. Dubrovnik would therefore host 10 winners as special guests of the city who would do their work from Dubrovnik and actively participate in shaping and developing strategies for developing these types of business.

5. What advice do you have for local Dubrovnik residents who are interested to know more about this digital nomad opportunity and perhaps reorientate their business/accommodation rentals in that direction?

All those who work in tourism are aware and must be aware that some things will change in the future. When it comes to digital nomads, it is important to offer better long-term rental opportunities, and the City is working to promote and provide other infrastructural conditions, such as high-speed Internet. This is, of course, an opportunity for everyone, not just for those dealing with accommodations. There are also caterers, as well as everyone else. Considering that these are the people who will stay here for longer, so they will need hairdressing services, health services, and maybe babysitting services if they are with their families, etc. 

6. And finally, a message from Dubrovnik for any digital nomads considering moving temporarily to Croatia. Why Dubrovnik, and what are the key things you can offer digital nomads should they choose your city?

Digital nomads are very welcome in Dubrovnik. Here they have everything for a good quality of life, from a good climate and pleasant living space to the people of Dubrovnik who have always been hospitable to their guests. They also have excellent working conditions here, and the City of Dubrovnik is constantly working to improve the quality of life and stay in this city.

To follow the latest digital nomad developments in Croatia, follow the dedicated TCN section. 

• If you would like to addend the conference, either virtually or in person, Tickets are available here. There are also a limited number of tickets available free for residents of Dubrovnik if you would like to learn more about the digital nomad lifestyle and opportunity. Regarding ticket purchase, please note that once you buy a ticket, you will be emailed your receipt and then a link and instructions on how to attend within. 
• Event program and speaker information is on saltwaternomads.com/events
• Speaker Bios: https://saltwaternomads.com/speakers/
• If you would like to ATTEND IN PERSON - there are some remaining spots for digital nomads who are in or get to Dubrovnik for EFWeek. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

October 10, 2020 - Dubrovnik for Digital Nomads next week, as more details on the speaker line up are revealed, as well as a last call for Early Bird tickets. 

One of the things I really enjoy at TCN is taking a topic I believe in, pushing it forward, and then watching things develop through other like-minded people with better skill sets than my own. 

And nowhere is this more exciting currently than the buzz which is developing about the potential of digital nomad tourism and the imminent digital nomad visa. 

I have been writing about the digital nomad potential for Croatia for some time now with articles such as How Croatia is Becoming Increasingly Attractive for the Digital Nomad Lifestyle, but it was Dutch TCN reader Jan de Jong who really moved things forward after I sent him some articles on the subject to help him prepare for a tourism conference back in May. The rest is history, with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic tweeting his response to Jan's open letter asking for a digital nomad visa for Croatia. As things stand, things look set for Croatia to become only the second country in Europe after Estonia to introduce the visa next year. 

You can read Jan's latest LinkedIn update on the subject on LinkedIn, although if you want to get the real scoop of what is happening with the visa and digital nomad movement in Croatia in general, I advise you to tune in to Jan next week at the Dubrovnik for Digital Nomads European Freelancer Week conference, which is taking place from October 16 - 25.

One of the other early pioneers of the digital nomad scene in Croatia is Tanja Polegubic, whose Croatia-based remote work and lifestyle business Saltwater is quickly become known as a go-to resource for remote workers coming to Croatia, especially those looking for a touch of Bali on a beach in Split. While others (including myself) talk about the potential in more general terms, Tanja has put more thought into the realities of where the digital nomad revolution could take Croatia, and I heartily recommend interested parties to read her excellent piece - 10 Ways Croatia Will Be At The Forefront of Countries with a Digital Nomad Visa (DNV).

Sometimes Tanja and Jan come together to brainstorm about Croatia's digital nomad future. And next week, you can join them!

Together with the City of Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik Tourist Board and TCN, Tanja and Saltwater are hosting a series of events as part of European Freelancer Week from October 16-25, which you can attend in person or online. Tanja has done an incredible job arranging speakers for the event, a combination of Croatian experts and global names from the world of remote work. 

What I particularly like about the lineup is how full it is with practical information and real-life experiences, in addition to the chance to hear from and engage with the pioneers such as Jan and Tanja. One such example is taxation and digital nomads in the Croatian context. We are very grateful to Kristina Grbavac, Director of Taxation Services at KMPG Croatia, whose tax thoughts on the subject are sure to be of great interest. 

Having dealt with many local authorities over the years, I have to say that I have been very impressed by the engagement of the Dubrovnik authorities since we first approached them with our digital nomad concepts for the city back in July. Both Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Frankovic and Dubrovnik Tourist Board director Ana Hrnic will be speaking at the conference, and - together with Deputy Mayor Jelka Tepsic - the city is very focused on promoting this new opportunity. I look forward to our bigger initiative for Dubrovnik for digital nomads in April. 

The sessions will be a mixture of live presentations, as well as speakers tuning in from Istanbul, Baltimore and New York. The event will also be streamed at other EF Week events in other cities, further promoting Dubrovnik as a digital nomad destination. 

In addition to Jan, the other two keynote speakers are fabulous additions to the programme. Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, a marine biologist and author of the NY Times bestseller 'Blue Mind' will be discussing Wellbeing and Productivity, especially as it relates to digital nomad life. You can learn more and support the work of Dr Wallace J. Nichols over on Patreon. We are also thrilled to be joined by Kashlee Kucheran of the successful travel blog TravelOffPath.com. Kashlee will be talking about how Croatia can stand out, trends, digital nomad demographics, and how the tourism sector is pivoting to cater to digital nomads.

• Tickets are available here, including details of early bird tickets. There are also a limited number of tickets available free for residents of Dubrovnik if you would like to learn more about the digital nomad lifestyle and opportunity. Regarding ticket purchase, please note that once you buy a ticket, you will be emailed your receipt and then a link and instructions on how to attend within. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DEADLINE FOR EARLY BIRD TICKETS IS MIDNIGHT TONIGHT.
• Event program and speaker information is on saltwaternomads.com/events
• Speaker Bios: https://saltwaternomads.com/speakers/
• If you would like to ATTEND IN PERSON - there are some remaining spots for digital nomads who are in or get to Dubrovnik for EFWeek. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

See you in Dubrovnik! It promises to be an exciting meeting of minds, exploring new opportunities for tourism in Dubrovnik. 

For the latest on the Croatian digital nomad scene, follow the new TCN dedicated section. 

October 8, 2020 - Croatia offers the best lifestyle in Europe, and with a digital nomad visa imminent, remote workers are sensing the healthy lifestyle opportunity - a lifestyle which comes with a daily dose of Vitamin Sea. Continuing our look at Croatia through the eyes  of a digital nomad with Cyndie Burkhardt. 

What do two Scots, two Koreans, and two Americans have in common? Love for turquoise water, spectacular coastlines, and great food—while sailing in Croatia.

When a friend mentioned sailing as his single agenda item in Croatia, it struck me as the perfect opportunity to indulge both his request and my desire for an elegant sea excursion. Walking past mega yachts docked just past Split’s Riva, I’d had numerous fantasizes about how cool it would be to board one, sail grandly through the Adriatic, and sip champagne for days, all the while following Beyoncé’s footsteps through the Adriatic and channeling my inner fabulousness. Oh yes, a trip would be booked.

A friendly greeting awaits Nera’s guests.

Our day sail began on a ferry, in Split. The plan was to meet John and Lyn McMorland, the Scottish couple who own Sunburst Sailing, on Brač and set off from there on their 42-foot yacht, Nera. Adventure began before we ever met them. As the ferry pulled up to Brać I noticed people standing on deck. I had wanted to ride outside and I went to investigate. One of the crew said, “If you’re getting off, go now.” What? Where were we? There was no announcement. I looked up and saw a sign—Milna. Yikes, this was my stop! I told the crewman I was getting off but had to go inside and get my friend. “Hurry!” he barked. I ran inside and the boat started pulling away. We raced to the ramp, watched the gap growing between us and land, and we jumped. The crew yelled and we giggled. We were stunned at the close call but glad to have averted a second casualty this morning. The first—the friend who originally suggested sailing overslept and completely missed the ferry. We were supposed to be a threesome and now we were just two.

Setting sail to cruise across the Adriatic.

The Nera was docked a short distance away and Lyn greeted us as we walked over. We hopped onboard, met our companions—a newlywed Korean couple, and the yacht left. After setting sail, Lyn offered us Prosecco then went below deck to prepare fresh canapes for a mid-morning snack. Not a single cloud dotted the sky and a light wind seemed ideal for sailing. This is what I’m talkin’ about! That silly smile of sheer bliss started creeping onto my face and I wasn’t even into my swimsuit yet.

Lyn discusses a day in the life of sailing. 

We stopped at several coves during the day and swam in crystal-clear water that was every shade of turquoise, sky blue, and green. Reflections from the sky and warm streaks of sunlight added gorgeous nuances of color and depth. I brought my goggles but jumped at the chance to trade up for John’s snorkel gear. Below water, a teeming bed of sea life and a rocky terrain was captivating. Above, different sounds of water and waves blended in with sightings of butterflies, bees, and seagulls.

Refreshing sips of Prosecco fill the morning ride. 

Shifting from underwater explorer to sun worshiper, I settled onto a raft and felt the sun warm my body. Before long, a miniature unicorn-shaped floaty came toward me, it was holding a cup of cold Prosecco. Yesss! John grabbed my camera and captured the scene while we all laughed out loud. Back onboard, an amazing smell wafted up through the galley. John, who is a trained chef, was preparing vegetable risotto topped with Dalmatian ham for lunch. The table was silent as we all enjoyed the meal. Dessert was tiramisu followed by a finisher of rogač. Everything was fresh and delicious.

Snorkeling in a small cove. 

Throughout the day we sailed past different places of interest. Mrduja is an islet that sits between Brač and Šolta. It holds a charming history concerning an annual tug of war over ownership rights to this tiny, uninhabited land. Fishing boats from both sides line up with ropes tied between them and to Mrduja itself. The spectacle is seeing who pulls the hardest. The Three Sisters Tower at Bobovišća sits on the family residence of Croatian poet Vladimir Nazor, who built it in 1937 to memorialize his three sisters.

A classic Dalmatian coastline—limestone and pine trees.

Talking with John and Lyn, it’s clear they’re in love with Croatia and this sailing life. They go the extra mile to treat guests like VIPs—thinking of every detail (hot shower and fluffy towels), making the experience memorable (fully catered, Croatian food and wine), and creating an easy atmosphere (relax under the shaded canopy or on the open sunny bow). Beyond being excellent hosts, they’re a good team. They’re also people you want to share stories and a meal with. I could get used to this.

The author is served.

Lying on deck beneath full sails that blew us back to Split, I closed my eyes, filled my lungs with fresh salty air, and rocked comfortably in the undulating rhythm of the sea.

The captain in the galley preparing lunch.

A rough wave pushed us to one side and my leg shifted in the opposite direction to brace me. With that movement, my phone slid out from between my legs and tumbled toward the sea. The only thing that saved it from the depths of the Adriatic was a small lip on the edge of the boat. From his captain’s position, John immediately saw what happened and yelled, “Quick, grab it!” I was already on my feet and my heart skipped a beat as I leaned down hoping to make the catch before the next wave. I can’t even think about the alternative…

Vegetable risotto topped with Dalmatian ham. 

Back in Split, John and Lyn dropped us at the yacht dock and we waved goodbye as the Nera headed back home to Brač. The yacht may be (slightly) smaller than Beyoncé’s but she’s mighty. I felt spoiled rotten and I loved every minute.

Mrduja inspires a famous annual tug of war between Brač and Šolta.

Learn more about Sunburst Sailing and schedule a tour.

Three pillars make up the Three Sisters Tower on Bobovišća.

Story and photographs ©2020, Cyndie Burkhardt. www.photo-diaries.com.

Captain John commands the wheel.

You can follow the latest from Cyndie's column, Croatia Through the Eyes of a Digital Nomad here.

For the latest news about digital nomads in Croatia, including that sought-after nomad visa, check out the dedicated TCN digital nomad news section. 

Crystal clear turquoise water twinkles.

For the latest travel info, bookmark our main travel info article, which is updated daily. 

Read the Croatian Travel Update in your language - now available in 24 languages.

Join the Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community.

October 6, 2020 - With the prospect of winter lockdowns a distinct reality, meet the remote Hvar residential complex near Stari Grad which provides a comfortable alternative for remote workers. 

There is a hidden part of the island of Hvar which is very central, spectacularly beautiful, and rarely visited. Just 2 minutes by car from the town of Stari Grad, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest towns in Croatia. 

A hidden part of Hvar which is both remote and accessible, full of protected natural beauty, just two small villages, and endless isolated bays and coves, where one might encounter some familiar faces - actor Goran Visnjic owned a property in one of the bays until recently. 

(Photo Romulic and Romulic)

The Kabal Peninsula immediately north of Stari Grad is a dream for photographers from the air. It stretches 12 kilometres north to the northernmost tip of the island, where one can find some unusual manmade traces in this otherwise unspoiled paradise. At the top of the peninsula, there are some tunnels built in the Tito era to guard the Stari Grad channel. You can see them from the ferry if you look closely on the left as you enter the deep channel. But for an even better view, visit the tunnels at sunset - the views are truly spectacular. 

But the main attraction of the Kabal peninula, whose idyllic 8.7 km2 is populated by just 72 people, is its arresting natural beauty. Who can resist a morning dip in waters such as this?

A few weeks ago, I wrote an article called As Tourists Leave Croatia, the Case for an Extended Autumn Stay on Hvar. It was written towards the end of August, with UK (and other) quarantines in force, and with talk of winter lockdowns getting louder. While Hvar in winter might not have the buzz of peak season, I argued, its abundant nature, sunshine, proximity to the sea, and healthy lifestyle made it a much more attractive option for those who were free to work or live remotely. I will be eternally grateful for the opportunity to lockdown on Hvar rather than in a city earlier this year. That sun, nature and those crashing waves helped with the sanity levels considerably. 

Initial reaction to the article was mixed, including a healthy dose of skepticism. There is nothing to do on Hvar in winter, argued several. With reasonable Internet and access to global digital services, I would argue that there is a much better lifestyle on Hvar in winter than cooped up in the UK for months watching the rain and looking at the same old five faces day in, day out for months. 

And then, as the threat of a restrictive winter became more real, opinion changed, and people started enquiring about availability. And here we are, in this crazy of craziest years, as we find our apartment empty in June but booked for a month in October. Two digital nomads, happy to work remotely in the sun on our terrace in Jelsa, while enjoying the magic of Hvar as a cycling destination. 

But something else happened in addition to enquiries from digital nomads. Local businesses and accommodation providers started getting in touch, offering their services and wanting to get involved in the new opportunity. Croatia's natural beauty, it seems, is attracting interest from remote workers looking for somewhere healthy to ride out the pandemic. A colleague told me that he is working with a resort on the coast to bring in over 60 people from an international company to work in glorious Adriatic socially distanced remoteness in a resort normally closed during the winter. 

Which brings us back to our idyllic little peninsula, whose many secrets include what is actually the biggest successfully completed residential project on Hvar in the last 30 years. Eleven luxury villas, each with their own pool and sea view, in a well-maintained cul-de-sac more reminiscent of the hit show Desperate Housewives than rural Dalmatia, are the latest offering for those looking for a winter escape from the pandemic. And with views like this and such a relaxed setting, it would be easy to forget the troubles of the world. 

The villas are located in splendid isolation a short walk to the beach a short walk from the beautifully preserved ethno-eco village of Mala Rudina, with a permanent population of just 2. Traditional Dalmatia at its finest. Mala Rudina is a 5-minute drive to Stari Grad (or a 40-minute walk), the best town on the island for year-round living with its shops, 12-month restaurants, and ferry terminal to Split. The picturesque pedestrian old town dates back 2,400 years and is the perfect spot for a waterfront coffee to accompany a trip to the shops. 

The villas themselves are still relatively unknown on the island, which is perhaps somewhat surprising as they comprise the biggest residential development on the island in recent memory.  

You don't get sunsets like these in Manchester... 

Construction started in 2004, but the complex was only completed last year, when new Czech owners finished off the villas to a very high standard, and they opened for business towards the end of last summer.  

The villas come in two sizes - 280m2 sleeping up to 12 people, and 190m2 sleeping up to 10. Plenty of room to social distance, and that is only on the inside. Each villa comes with its own outdoor pool and landscaped gardens.  

In order to adapt to the changing global situation, the villas are now available for longer term rent in the autumn, winter and spring seasons, with special packages available outside the peak season months.  

Lockdown in Manchester, or breakfast on the terrace? 

Having lived on Hvar for 13 years year-round, I am perhaps better qualified to comment on the winter experience there than many. Summer visitors used to full beaches, a wide selection of restaurants and a vibrant nightlife, complain that everything is closed in winter, and there is nothing to do. 

While that is true up to a point, winter on Hvar offers a wealth of other great experiences, while it is also largely true in places that this is not much to do in places like Manchester in lockdown as well. The main difference being the sun, the abundant nature, and the freedom to roam.   

The Internet is a wonderful thing, and it has made us all a lot more equal. Living on Hvar all those years, including during lockdown, showed me that while there were certain aspects of life I missed moving from a big city, access to good Intenet and fresh local ingredients for food meant that the quality of life was actually not as different as one might think. Factor in a lockdown, and a Dalmatian island wins every time.  And if you do get cabin fever, there are several ferries a day to Split, a city which continues to impress in recent years. 

Did I mention the sunsets?

2020 has taught us to adapt to situations of unimaginable change. Organised tourism in Europe began on Hvar back in 1868 with the foundation of the Hvar Health Society. The focus then was on the temperate climate of the winter months for convalescing aristocrats from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. 

Could another health issue - the coronavirus pandemic - help develop winter tourism once more on Hvar, this time powered by climate, lifestyle, healthy living and luxury accommodation?

To learn more about the luxury villas of Mala Rudina on the edge of Stari Grad, visit the official Luxury Villas Stari Grad website.  

For more news from the island of Hvar, follow the dedicated TCN section. 

For the latest travel info, bookmark our main travel info article, which is updated daily. 

Read the Croatian Travel Update in your language - now available in 24 languages

Join the Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community.

October 5, 2020 - A new approach for the Pearl of the Adriatic - Dubrovnik for Digital Nomads, and more details on the events for European Freelancer Week later this month. Tickets are now available. 

There is a gentle breeze of change blowing across Croatia, a breeze which is slowly getting stronger and taking route all over the country. 

COVID-19 may have caused carnage in terms of the economy, infections and deaths, but it has also provided us all with an opportunity to take stock of all around us, and to embrace the digital revolution. 

Nowhere has this been more true than in bureaucratic Croatia, where some quite astonishing things are happening in the hastened journey to Croatia 2.0. 

Just 44 days after Split-based Dutch entrepreneur Jan de Jong wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic requesting a digital nomad visa for Croatia, the Prime Minister met de Jong, then tweeted his assent, starting the process for Croatia to become only the second country in Europe (after Estonia) and the fifth in the world to introduce the visa, which should be available in early 2021.

With Croatia offering the best lifestyle in Europe, and many remote workers/digital nomads seeking lifestyle for their temporary home base, the potential for Croatia to position itself at the forefront of this digital revolution with such progressive bureaucracy is enticing indeed. And the good news is that the opportunity has been grasped not only by other officials.

Top of the list on those who have followed the Prime Minister in exploring this new digital nomad path has been the City of Dubrovnik and the Dubrovnik Tourist Board. From the moment of meeting Mayor Mato Frankovic and Tourist Board Director Ana Hrnic this summer, Team Dubrovnik has been actively supporting initiatives to promote the city to digital nomads. Having dealt with numerous administrations over the last 10 years of the Total Project, I must say that the energy and openness of Hrnic and Deputy Mayor Jelka Tepsic, has been very refreshing. 

As previously reported on TCN, together with its Croatia-based remote work and lifestyle specialists, Saltwater, the City of Dubrovnik and Dubrovnik Tourist Board, we will be hosting a series of events for European Freelancer Week from October 16 - 25, followed by a dedicated month-long initiative next Spring to develop digital nomad strategies for the city. More on 2021 shortly on TCN, but for now let's focus on Dubrovnik for Digital Nomads during European Freelancer Week and the conference which will be broadcast live and online.

The entire event will be held at the historic Lazareti just outside the historic stone walls of the city. The Dubrovnik Republic was the first place in the world to introduce quarantine back in 1377 in Cavtat, and the Lazareti were introduced a few centuries later to enable the famous trading power to keep on doing business, protected from disease. As a symbol of remote working during the current pandemic, I can think of no symbolically more appropriate location. 

Day One kicks off online and live at 16:00 with a sign of Dubrovnik's commitment to this new direction - an opening address from Mayor Frankovic himself. Dubrovnik Tourist Board director Hrnic will also be speaking. 

Mayor Frankovic will be followed by two exceptional keynote speakers. First up, the man responsible for persuading the Prime Minister to introduce the visa, Jan de Jong, who is travelling down from Split to take part in the conference and has promised an announcement during his speech regarding an update to the visa issue. 

The other confirmed key speaker on the first day is NY Times bestselling author and marine biologist Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, who will be holding an interactive session about how digital nomad life is a Creative Disequilibrium - looking closely at Productivity and Wellbeing based on his career as a scientist and creative. You can learn more and support the work of Dr Wallace J. Nichols over on Patreon. 

More confirmed speakers will be added shortly, including a global travel and lifestyle authority, who will be announced after the early bird ticket sales window has closed. 

You can learn more about the confirmed speakers so far here. 

• Tickets are available here, including details of early bird tickets. There are also a limited number of tickets available free for residents of Dubrovnik if you would like to learn more about the digital nomad lifestyle and opportunity. Regarding ticket purchase, please note that once you buy a ticket, you will be emailed your receipt and then a link and instructions on how to attend within.
• Event program and speaker information is on saltwaternomads.com/events
• Speaker Bios: https://saltwaternomads.com/speakers/

You can learn more about the confirmed speakers so far here. 

• Tickets are available here, including details of early bird tickets. There are also a limited number of tickets available free for residents of Dubrovnik if you would like to learn more about the digital nomad lifestyle and opportunity. Regarding ticket purchase, please note that once you buy a ticket, you will be emailed your receipt and then a link and instructions on how to attend within.
• Event program and speaker information is on saltwaternomads.com/events
• Speaker Bios: https://saltwaternomads.com/speakers/

More speakers are being added, and the event page will be updated accordingly, and a final agenda published shortly on TCN.  

See you in Dubrovnik!

The digital nomad revolution is coming to Croatia. To keep up with the latest news, including that all-important visa, follow the new TCN dedicated Digital Nomad section.   

September 28, 2020 - Croatia, the lifestyle destination welcomes lifestyle workers, as Dubrovnik digital nomads embraced with a new tourism initiative.

These are heady days for Croatia 2.0, with a gentle breeze of change blowing across Croatia. While the coronavirus caused severe damage to the global economy and tourism industry, it also forced countries to look at the current status quo and to find ways of adapting to the new reality. The traditions of bloated bureaucracy and mass tourism are clearly not sustainable, and the crisis has advanced the cause of digitalisation considerably, as well as focusing the debate on more sustainable tourism and embracing new tourism trends. 

Perhaps the most exciting development in this regard has been the readiness of Croatia to ride the wave of the digital nomad revolution, as Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic confirmed that Croatia would be only the second country in Europe (and the fifth in the world) to introduce the new digital nomad visa. This visa enables bona fide remote workers from any country to live and work in the country, provided they can prove some basic requirements, such as health insurance, no criminal record, and a certain level of income. With more than one billion remote workers projected by 2035, many of whose are looking for lifestyle as a key living factor. The potential of Croatia - arguably the lifestyle capital of Europe - to accommodate this new dynamic, wealth-creating and mindset-changing sector, is exciting indeed. The introduction of the new visa, which has already been introduced to the Croatian Parliament and is expected to become law in 2021, will enable Croatia to attract a new type of tourist. A tourist who will stay not for a week on the beach in peak season, but in various locations across the country for a month, three, even a year, while enjoying the true gems that Croatia has to offer - safety, authentic experiences, and lifestyle. 

One city which has been quick to grasp the potential of the new opportunity has been Dubrovnik, which is looking at ways to diversify its dependence on cruise and mass tourism. Total Croatia News, in partnership with the City of Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik Tourist Board, and Croatian-based remote work and lifestyle specialists, Saltwater, is delighted to announce the first concrete steps to position Dubrovnik as an attractive lifestyle and digital nomad destination. 

Symbolically located in the infamous former quarantine quarter, the Lazareti, on the edge of the city walls (the Dubrovnik Republic was the birthplace of quarantine back in 1377), Dubrovnik will host a series of events, both in real life (IRL) and virtual, during European Freelancer Week (October 16 - 25). The event, which will also be streamed live, will also be shown in several other cities simultaneously through the Saltwater network, further broadening the coverage of this new initiative. The October event will be a precursor to a much bigger initiative in Spring 2021, when an international digital nomad competition will bring 10 lucky winners to the Pearl of the Adriatic for a month as guests of the city. During this time, they will work with the city authorities and tourist board to develop strategies for the development of Dubrovnik as a lifestyle and digital nomad destination. 

On a personal note, and after many years of dealing with local authorities in Croatia, I have been very impressed not only in the way that the Dubrovnik authorities have embraced the opportunity, but also how proactive they have been in pushing it forward. I first presented the concept to Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Frankovic back in July, who immediately gave the green light and set things in motion. Several subsequent meetings with Deputy Mayor Jelka Tepsic and Dubrovnik Tourist Board Director Ana Hrnic, have led to today's announcement. Saltwater founder Tanja Polegubic was in Dubrovnik last week to finalise details for the October event, as well as looking forward to the larger initiative next Spring. 

(TCN presenting the digital nomad concept to Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Frankovic on July 21, 2020)

The speed of acceptance of this digital nomad initiative is one which will no doubt be acknowledged by one of the keynote speakers at next month's events - Dutch entrepreneur Jan de Jong. An avid Total Croatia News reader, de Jong came across the digital nomad opportunity back in May via TCN while researching for a presentation at a tourism conference. A few months later, an open letter to the prime minister on his LinkedIn profile asking for the introduction of a digital nomad visa for Croatia set off a chain of events which resulted in PM Plenkovic announcing a digital nomad visa for Croatia on Twitter just 44 days later. 

The breeze of change of Croatia 2.0 is gathering strength. 

(Keynote speaker Dr. Wallace J. Nichols)

The full programme and registration process will be published shortly on TCN, but I am also excited to mention the top keynote speaker for Dubrovnik's European Freelancer Event in October. Dr. Wallace J. Nichols is a marine biologist and author of the NY Times Bestseller, Blue Mind. Known simply as 'J', Dr. Nichols will speak about productivity and wellbeing, especially for digital nomads. You can learn more about J by supporting him on Patreon. Check out his Blue Mind Movie Sizzle Reel video.

We will publish more details about this new Dubrovnik initiative shortly. Who is this for? If you are: 

• A digital nomad planning to be in Croatia from October 16 to 25, Dubrovnik will be an interesting destination.
• A tourism business wanting to adjust your business to become digital nomad friendly.
• A city council in Croatia anticipating the arrival of digital nomads entering with the incoming digital nomad visa.This is the premier event to follow online and in person if you are in Dubrovnik, 16-25 October.

Given the increased interest in the digital nomad revolution, TCN recently started a dedicated section - catch the latest news from the remote working world in Croatia here. 

September 10, 2020 - First the announcement, then the hard work - an update on progress of Croatia's digital nomad visa initiative.

An inspiring day in Zagreb today, as TCN took part in the 2nd Poduzetnicki Mindset (Entrepreneurial Mindset) conference, which took virtually and was broadcast from Kaptol Cinema in Zagreb.

I was joined by Dutch entrepreneur Jan de Jong, as we interviewed each other on our foreign entrepreneurial journeys during our combined 30+ years of living in Croatia. It was a chance to interview Jan on the progress of the Croatian digital nomad visa initiative, which seems to be moving forward smoothly, if his latest LinkedIn updates are anything to go by. 

Today I took part in a hands-on operational meeting - led by State Secretary at the Ministry of Interior - Terezija Gras & head of border control - Zoran Ničeno.

The meeting also included representatives from the Ministries of Interior, Finance, Labor & Croatian health insurance institute.

Step by step, brick by brick - Croatia is paving the road to start welcoming digital nomads.

Yes, I agree - this task is only done when it is done, but to all the sceptics out there I just want to say that personally I only see great progress. 

Above all, I see a strong will and desire from all ministries involved to make this happen. 

Next up is an in-depth session with Ministry of Finance, after which we will re-group again with all other ministries. During that meeting we will then solely talk about solutions.

The question will not be "can Croatia do this?" but "how can Croatia do this?" 

Are you believing in Croatia's digital nomad visa as much as I do? 

To all digital nomads out there - feel free to start day-dreaming about your Mediterranean home office. 

Follow me on #LinkedIn. New updates following soon!

#livingthecroatiandream #croatia #digitalnomads #entrepreneurship #wfh

What if we can turn Croatia into a year-round tourism destination - where digital nomads can spark long-term sustainable tourism in Croatia...

Minister Nikolina Brnjac is having a lot on her plate these days. As the responsible minister of 20% of Croatia's GDP - which has been hit hard as a result of Covid-19 - she is a big supporter of the digital nomad visa! 

While we are working on the complete legal framework to start welcoming digital nomads with some other ministries - the Ministry of Tourism will start dedicating resources on how to promote Croatia's digital nomad visa abroad.

At the same time, we shall have a close look at what exactly we as a country need to provide to give digital nomads that stay in Croatia an unforgettable Mediterranean experience.

Thank you so much Minister Nikolina Brnjac for receiving me and for sharing with me your enthusiasm about our initiative to start welcoming digital nomads to Croatia.

Croatia - full of life...and hopefully soon - full of digital nomads 

Follow me on #LinkedIn

#LivingTheCroatianDream #Entrepreneurship #Croatia #WFH #DigitalNomads

During our chat at the Entrepreneurial Mindset conference today, I asked Jan if he could give us a fuller update on progress with the visa. Meetings with high-level officials from no less than 5 ministries, in addition to the Prime Minister endorsement, is certainly encouraging. Rather than stealing Jan's thunder, you can hear his progress update in the conference video below. Our 25-minute session starts at 4:04:00. 

September 1, 2020 - There are several Croatian bubbles of positivity which are starting to connect, and the entrepreneurial eco-system is getting stronger. 

Last year I wrote an article called The 3 Stages of Learning for Foreigners in Croatia: Love, Hate & Nirvana. It took me about 15 years to get to the final stage, but it was well worth the journey. 

To save the rest of you lots of time, the essential things you need to figure out is to accept the things you cannot change, have the courage to change the things you can, and have the wisdom to know the difference. Then make your peace with the Mighty State of Uhljebistan in the same way that a Norwegian alcoholic pays his alcohol tax to be able to drink and enjoy the wonderful life in Norway. Simply pay the uhljeb tax here, the price of living in Croatia, arguably the lifestyle capital of Europe. 

And surround yourself with positive people. In a society which is default negative, it is easy to assume that there are no positive stories in Croatia, as they are rarely told. But the number of positive people doing incredible things here is astounding. 

Reaction to the article - and similar ones I wrote - was significant, but not a reaction which I had anticipated. It emerged that there were many positive people here in Croatia who were living in their own bubbles all over Croatia. They loved Croatia and the lifestyle but despised the system, so they kept a low profile, quietly went around their business, and enjoyed their own little Croatian bubble, which consisted of their friends, family, nature and their home. 

As I wrote more articles of the same ilk, more of these bubbles started to connect to TCN, and I was amazed at the success stories that exist here right under our noses that few know about and even less celebrate. Simply by telling and celebrating these stories will have an impact on the default negative mindset. What is particularly exciting is that these bubbles are starting to connect now, to become aware of each other. Initiatives such as Glas Poduzetnika (The Voice of Entrepreneurs) is one such example, but there are many others. And the more they connect, the more positive stories come to light, the more the feeling that perhaps things could change in Croatia.

The whole issue of digital nomad tourism and the new digital nomad visa is a case in point. It was an industry that was new to me 18 months ago, and when TCN first started writing about it last year, the response domestically was lukewarm. 

That lukewarm reaction has heated up considerably in the last couple of weeks. Back in January, I had a meeting with a Croatian partner about a digital nomad project, to be met by a blank face. That same partner called last week to urgently schedule a meeting to put into action the science fiction I had proposed just 8 months ago. These days, the inbox is filling with enquiries on how to join the digital nomad opportunity. SO MANY people with really interesting perspectives and their own Croatian bubbles of positivity have also got in touch, and it really feels that this is building up a head of steam for real change. 

The big breakthrough, of course, was the spectacular progress of the planned introduction of the digital nomad visa, thanks to Dutch entrepreneur Jan de Jong, who seems to have a knack of making Croatian bureaucracy look easy. Just 45 days after an open letter to Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, and following meetings with the PM and Interior Ministry, a digital nomad visa was brought to Parliament with the full support of the cabinet as an amendment to the Foreigners Act. 

Jan's success is stunning in the Croatian context, but the fun is just starting for him, I suspect. We caught up for a beer after his meeting with PM Plenkovic last week, and he told me of all the people contacting him wanting to contribute, to share ideas, to get some free promotion. Among them, more Croatian bubbles of positivity which now see an opportunity for change and want to connect. 

Jan's latest LinkedIn post shows another high-profile ally on board with the digital nomad initiative, Kostas Nebis, President and CEO of Hrvatski Telekom, as Jan explains:

A few hours after my meeting with our Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, I had the pleasure of meeting Kostas Nebis - President & CEO of Hrvatski Telekom together with his team.

By Croatia becoming among the first countries in the world to welcome digital nomads, amazing new business opportunities will open up for Croatia's entrepreneurs.

Thank you Kostas Nebis for your kind invitation and constructive meeting where you have shown that Hrvatski Telekom is ready to do its part and contribute to our joint mission of turning Croatia into the European hot spot for hosting digital nomads.

Svijet boljih mogućnosti 

#LivingTheCroatianDream #entrepreneurship #Croatia #digitalnomads 

There is a growing swell of support from the entrepreneurs of Croatia - both local and foreign - for positive change. The eco-system out of the spotlight is getting stronger by the day, and slowly - at least I think so - a few more people are starting to believe that change is coming at last to Croatia. Of course there is a long way to go to overturn that default negative mindset, but these are truly exciting times. 

Have you connected your bubble of positivity yet? 

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August 27, 2020 - What happens in Croatia when you replace the default negative mindset with its many positive stories? Something like this. 

About 18 months ago, I wrote an article called The 3 Stages of Learning for a Foreigner in Croatia: Love, Hate and Nirvana. 

Nirvana took me 15 years to achieve, but I finally got there, made my peace with the Mighty State of Uhljebistan, committed to paying my 'uhljeb tax' for the right to enjoy the best lifestyle in Europe, and I have to admit - it was worth the wait. 

On the journey, I realised some things which were actually pretty obvious, but which are key to a happy life here. Among those was the golden rule of surrounding yourself with positive people. In a society which is default negative, the positive voices in Croatia are drowned out. Many do not voice the positivity publicly, as the negative comment will inevitably follow. 

During my journey with TCN, I have come across so many incredible people doing truly amazing things. And - as I have written before - I have discovered so many positive people who exist in their own little bubbles. They love the Croatian lifestyle, but they choose to minimise their contact with the Croatian state. Friends, family, job, nature, lifestyle. A great bubble. 

The thing is, though, that these bubbles are now beginning to realise that there are many like-minded bubbles out there too. And those bubbles are starting to connect. A VERY healthy eco-system of positivity and Croatia 2.0 mentality is slowly building, and it is truly a joy to watch. 

There are only really two problems in Croatia - the system and the mindset. We can't change the system but we can change the mindset, one positive story at a time. 

There is a third problem in Croatia, which I call the Death of Hope, and which perhaps a million people in Croatia can relate to. They all desperately want change, but they no longer believe that change is possible. Any new initiative is dismissed because, well... this is Croatia. 

But what if some of those initiatives started to actually work? What if all the positive stories were told, embraced and celebrated? What if one million people resigned to the Death of Hope slowly began to believe. And then demanded change with one voice. 

It is already starting...   

Yesterday's announcement by Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic that his administration will introduce a digital nomad visa just 44 days after receiving an open letter from Dutch entrepreneur Jan de Jong is truly a stunning development for those familiar with Croatian bureaucracy. 

It is also a sign to those one million people, whose Croatian perspective is clouded by the Death of Hope, that perhaps change is possible after all. And if we can lift those one million people to believe, a tsunami of positivity will tip the scales in the direction of positive change. 

This is a blog I have been planning to write for a while, but time has been against me. And then, my LinkedIn feed brought me to this post from Zvonimir Matutinović, Senior Stakeholder Manager for Digital Marketing Automation at Teva Pharmaceuticals:

"Rome wasn't built in a day". We could probably use this analogy for Croatian digital industry and its eco-system as well.

A few years ago I used to think we were failing miserably. However, now, when I look at some initiatives and numbers, I think we are doing pretty well. Yesterday our Prime Minister announced that Croatia will start welcoming IT professionals from all over the world by launching a Digital Nomad Visa (good job Jan de Jong).

In 2018 people asked me how it was possible for such a small country to reach the World Cup finals? My answer was, because of the persistence and a few people who had faith. Today in 2020 if someone asks me how we managed to create such a good pool of digital talents, my answer is the same: some people were persistent and they believed it could be done.

Let's push further!

****

Multiply that by a million people.

Celebrate the positives, tell the positive stories, connect those bubbles, surround yourself with positive people, and keep pushing for change. The moment is now for Croatia.