February 25, 2021 - Bookings for Dubrovnik explode after Boris Johnson's plan to end restrictions by June 21. 

Jutarnji List reports that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's announcement that England is finally moving towards easing measures had a tremendous effect on tourism. According to British and world media, the world's largest travel company TUI recorded an increase in bookings from the British market by as much as 600 percent compared to previous days. Good numbers are coming from other companies.

EasyJet, for example, says that demands from the British market have tripled, and Thomas Cook is recording a 75 percent increase in traffic from the British market.

British interest in travel has also found Croatia, especially Dubrovnik, which is very much looking forward to welcoming Brits on holiday this year.

As Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Franković confirmed for Jutarnji List, booking from the British market increased immediately after Johnson's announcement that England plans to implement the measures in four phases, with the ultimate goal of abolishing all measures by June 21.

"Of course, immediately after that announcement, we felt the effect. Dubrovnik hoteliers have confirmed an increase in bookings from the British market in the amount of 30 to 40 percent compared to previous days, which makes us especially happy. These bookings mostly refer to the summer season, but hoteliers are hoping for a good September and October, especially with regard to vaccinations," Franković said.

According to foreign media reports, most Britons eagerly awaiting travel this year will, logically, opt for their traditional markets - Greece, Spain, Turkey, but Portugal and Italy will also benefit, according to Skyscanner, which on the day of Johnson's announcement saw growth in bookings of more than 100 percent compared to the day before.

Good announcements from the British market come just ten days after TUI UK announced that it would re-launch 15 lines to Croatia from May to three airports, Pula, Dubrovnik, and Split. There will be five direct daily lines from five UK cities to Pula from May to October, eight daily lines from eight UK cities to Dubrovnik, and two daily lines to Split. 

The return of TUI UK is good news for domestic tourism after traffic between these two markets was suspended last year, so in the 2021 season, if the epidemiological situation does not worsen, higher numbers of British tourists are expected than last year.

In the 2020 season, namely, only 127,129 Britons were recorded in Croatia, of which they achieved 685,000 overnight stays, only 14.8 percent of the year before.

In 2019, 898,000 Britons stayed in Croatia, recording 4.6 million overnight stays.

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

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February 22, 2021 - The latest news for flights to Croatia: SkyUp flights from Kyiv to Pula, Split, Dubrovnik starting in June! 

Croatian Aviation reports that the Ukrainian low-cost airline, which also operates charter transport, offers as many as three scheduled flights to Croatia in the 2021 summer flight schedule.

In 2019, this carrier operated only between Kyiv and Pula, while in 2020 there were no regular operations to Croatia due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the upcoming summer flight schedule, SkyUp will introduce two new routes to Croatia and resume traffic to Pula Airport.

The Kyiv - Split - Kyiv line will operate from June 19 to September 18, twice a week, every Wednesday and Saturday. On the route to Split and Pula, aircraft type B737-700, with a slightly smaller capacity (144 seats) was announced. On 27 return flights, SkyUp will offer more than 7,000 seats between Split and Kyiv.

The Kyiv - Pula - Kyiv line will operate from June 20 to September 19, twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays. The airline will perform the same number of rotations on this line as to Split and offer a total of the same amount of seats from or to Pula Airport.

The Kyiv - Dubrovnik - Kyiv line will operate from June 25 to September 17, once a week, every Friday. B737-800 aircraft will operate on 13 return flights. In total, almost 5,000 seats are available on this line.

SkyUp is the second airline to announce a flight schedule to Croatia from Kyiv for the upcoming summer season, as Windrose has also confirmed its flight schedule to Croatia this summer. 

Namely, Windrose will connect Kyiv directly to Pula, Split, Dubrovnik, and Zagreb.

Kyiv to Pula
The Kyiv - Pula - Kyiv line will operate from June 5 to September 25 this year. Three flights a week will be available on this route every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from mid-June. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, A321 aircraft will operate between Kyiv and Pula, while on Thursdays, the two mentioned cities will be connected by smaller capacity aircraft - E145.

Kyiv - Split
On the same date, the line to Split will start operating, and as the line to Pula, it will operate three times a week, on the same days (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays). A321 aircraft have been announced on Thursdays and Saturdays, while E145s will operate on Mondays.

Dubrovnik only once a week
In the summer of 2020, Windrose launched the Kyiv-Dubrovnik line, which will continue to operate this summer. The first flight is announced on June 18, once a week, every Friday. E145 aircraft will operate on the route.

No increase in Zagreb
The Kyiv - Zagreb line was introduced in the winter flight schedule 2020/2021. The company currently operates on this route twice a week, and although it had announced an increase in the number of weekly flights, it never came to fruition. The company has temporarily given up on that plan and will continue to operate between Zagreb and Kyiv twice a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays, this summer as well. On the route to Zagreb, Windrose will use E145 and ATR75 aircraft.

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

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February 22, 2021 - Without the crowds, there has never been a better time to visit Dubrovnik. Some tips to find the perfect 2021 Dubrovnik vacation. 

So, you are coming to Dubrovnik this summer? Good idea! While it is safe to assume there will be some disease prevention measures in place on the flights and in some businesses catering to international guests, travelling this year might warrant certain unexpected benefits.

For many in the travel industry, we have entered another year of sheer uncertainty. Governments around the world are mostly avoiding the topic or ending lockdowns and returning their communities to a normal way of life. At the same time, new strands of COVID-19 and scarce vaccines are making things even more complicated. It's not all bad, though. As a traveller, there is a certain anything-can-happen feeling in the air that will gain momentum as the days get longer and warmer. What ever happens next, there is a good chance we will be seeing international travel making a comeback during the summer of 2021. This and recent news of international flights being announced to Dubrovnik and other parts of Croatia do wonders for the rising positivity among local tourism businesses.

Allow me to jump on-board the cautious optimism train and give you some of my tips for getting the best out of your 2021 Dubrovnik vacation.

This will be another good year for discount-hunters.

If you like getting more out of your money, this is a good year to hunt for some discounts. Asking for a possibility of a reduced price is not a bad idea during such a sensitive year for tourism. Please be mindful, though. Nobody likes a professional complainer, so please make sure to ask for a discount before actually purchasing a product or service, not after you've consumed it. And remember: Croatians love cash. Payments in cash are way more likely to get you a discounted price.

Area perfect for social distancing

Dubrovnik area, much like most of Croatia, is perfect for holidaymakers wishing to spend some time away from the crowds. I know there were plenty of stories about Dubrovnik as an overcrowded destination, but those were describing only the situation in the most popular historical areas and beaches. There is plenty more to the Dubrovnik area. The islands, Konavle Villages, Peljesac Peninsula or Neretva River Delta; all these places are perfect for social distancing even on the busiest of years. With a bit of effort you will always find a beautiful spot just for you and your friends or loved ones.

Main attractions haven't been this accessible in a long time

Speaking of the busiest and most popular Dubrovnik spots, you better enjoy them before they once again become too crowded. Dubrovnik is a city with centuries’ long tradition of people visiting it. The plague epidemics of the 14^th and 16^th century weren’t enough to keep people away from it. Neither was the devastating war of 1990s. It is safe to assume COVID-19 is no match for this city’s everlasting charm. In other words, it is only a question of time before Dubrovnik streets are once again full of people from all corners of the world, having the time of their life. If you are like me and find no joy waiting in lines to enter a museum, you need to book your ticket to Dubrovnik as soon as possible. This year will mark the return of international travel, but it probably won’t be in its full force. Use this to your advantage and enjoy the most popular corners of the historical centre with no crowds or waiting times.

Mingling with locals is once again an option

Because of the sheer number of visitors, rising prices and lack of spare time, Dubrovnik locals have become a rare sight on the city’s beaches and popular tourist spots. This certainly wasn’t the case in 2020 and it might not be the case in 2021. Being so focused on tourism, many Dubrovnik locals found themselves without much to do during the summer of 2020. On the upside, they had the beaches and city squares for themselves for the first time in 20 or so years. This was a welcomed change for many. When it comes to leisure time and family fun, most of us enjoyed one of the best summers of our adult lives last year. It is going to be hard to go back to the old ways of working every day during the summer while leaving the good life to the tourists. In 2021 you can be certain you will still find local people around town and most of our guests will appreciate the chance to mingle with the local population.

Explore on your own or find a private guide

To make sure you get the best of your Dubrovnik stay, get informed and explore the area on your own terms. This year, local tourism information offices will have more time to point you in the right direction and rent-a-car and boat charter companies will be eager to get your business. Even better, hire a private guide or a private driver. There are plenty good quality local services catering to individual guests through bespoke services and tours. This is the year when these businesses will be able to offer that little bit of extra attention to their guests we all appreciate when travelling.

When all is said and done, 2021 will have all you need for a vacation of a lifetime in Dubrovnik. Use this to your advantage and throw away the gloom and doom of 2020.

For the latest from Dubrovnik, follow our dedicated section.

February 19, 2021 - The latest news for flights to Croatia as Austrian Airlines resumes traffic to Croatia from the end of March.

Croatian Aviation reports that from the beginning of its summer flight schedule, Austrian national carrier Austrian Airlines will again operate to three Croatian airports from its base in Vienna; to Dubrovnik, Split, and Zagreb!

A spokeswoman for the airline confirmed the flight schedule for March and April. While the number of weekly flights for the rest of the summer months has not yet been defined, the airline will define the flight schedule for the rest of the summer season in the next two weeks.

With the first day of the summer flight schedule (March 28), Austrian will renew three routes to Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik airports.

You can find the confirmed flight schedule below:

Four flights a week to Dubrovnik and Split
The Vienna - Dubrovnik - Vienna line will also start operating from March 28, and in March, it will also operate on Tuesday, March 30.

In the first week of April, two flights have been announced (Thursday and Friday, April 1 and 2); three flights are available in the second week (additionally on Sundays). From the third week of April, the airline will have four flights a week to Dubrovnik, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

By the end of April, Austrian will operate 17 return flights between Dubrovnik and Vienna, using various aircraft types from its fleet (DashQ400, Embraer 195, Airbus 319, and Airbus 320), with A319 aircraft operating on most flights. 4,664 seats are on offer between Dubrovnik and Vienna until the end of April.

The same number of flights, 17 of them, was announced on the Vienna - Split - Vienna route. The company will gradually increase the number of weekly operations, just as in Dubrovnik, offering four flights a week every week from mid-April, also on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Concerning the line to Dubrovnik, larger aircraft (mainly A320) will operate to Split, so the number of offered seats between Split and Vienna is significantly higher than the other two lines to Croatia. A total of 5,400 seats between the two cities are currently available on the market.

It is currently possible to buy tickets for a direct flight to Zadar Airport from May 1. Still, Austrian Airlines has not yet defined its flight schedule from May to September, so it is advised you wait another 10 days when the flight schedule for the peak of the summer season should be confirmed.

The return of Austrian Airlines is important news for the three mentioned Croatian airports. Although this is a smaller number of flights than in 2019, Austrian will offer an enviable number of flights to Croatia in the pre-season given the current situation. Namely, in the stated period of only one month, a total of more than 15 thousand seats are available on the flights of this well-known airline.

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

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February 16, 2021 - Continuing the new TCN series answering the questions posed by Google's 'People Also Ask' feature, why is Croatia split in two parts between Split and Dubrovnik? 

Why is Croatia split in two?

Wait? What?!? What do you mean you have to leave the EU, enter another country and reenter the EU if you want to go between the two Croatian hotspots of Split and Dubrovnik? How can that make any sense?

And yet - for now - it is true. For many years, my shallow understanding of the reason why was that Croatia had ceded territory to Bosnia and Hercegovina in the border realignment following the breakup of former Yugoslavia and the subsequent regional war which ended in 1995. I had always thought that Neum was included in the newly independent BiH to give the country access to the sea. But it turns out that the roots of the answer to the question why is Croatia split in two lies - as many things in this region do - in history.  

The Bosnian riviera - a look back in history

Dubrovnik may be one of the world's most famous cities today, either in its own right or through its Game of Thrones alter ego, Kings Landing, but it was once better known as Ragusa, the name of the Dubrovnik Republic. Though tiny, the Dubrovnik Republic punched above its weight on the world stage, becoming a major trading and diplomatic centre. And a very progressive one. Slavery was abolished in Ragusa in 1416.  

Dubrovnik's misfortune/opportunity was being stuck between two great powers - Venice and the Ottoman Empire. During the Great Turkish War in the late 17th century, Dubrovnik sided with the Turks, who ended up on the losing side. At the 1699 Treaty of Karlowitz in 1699, the victorious Hapsburg Empire and Venice were given large tracts of Ottoman lands. In order to buffer itself from Venetian attack, Dubrovnik gave away a small strip of land at its northern tip. This resulted in that land (including the modern-day town of Neum) becoming part of the province of Bosnia and Hercegovina in the Ottoman provinces.

That decision centuries ago would come into play once more in 1995, as post-Yugoslav borders were finalised. 

This video gives a lot more detail on the historical aspects, as well as some useful maps over the centuries.

The Neum Corridor had been born. 

And it has been terrorising and panicking tourists ever since. 

Driving from Split to Dubrovnik through Bosnia and Hercegovina

SO many people have contacted me in a total panic over the years when they realise that they have to leave Croatia to get from Split to Dubrovnik and vice versa. If I had a euro for every email... 

In practice there is no problem at all, provided your documents are in order and you have a valid passport (Croatians can travel with the ID card). The border crossing used to be very lax, with border police often waving vehicles though without checking documents, but July 1, 2013 changed all that. On that day, Croatia joined the EU, and the Neum corridor became home to not one but two external EU borders. 

Driving through Neum takes about 11 minutes. You are advised to stick to the speed limits, as the Bosnian police occasionally see an opportunity to add to the State finances from their temporary visitors.  

Rental cars and the Neum corridor

Do you need insurance to cross this slither of non-EU territory. Technically yes, and you must have a green card when travelling around BiH (you can buy at the border), but in practice nobody checks. Rental cars will be covered with a green card, but make sure you double check.  

Transiting Bosnia from Split to Dubrovnik in COVID-19 times

Travel advice changes daily at the moment due to the pandemic. At time of writing (Feb 16, 2021), travellers can transit Bosnia, including the Neum corridor, without the need for a PCR test. Please be advised that you have a maximum of 12 hours to enter and exit. And they DO time you. And they WILL fine you if you overstay. This shouldn't be a problem transiting Neum - the journey takes about 11 minutes.   

For the latest advice, check out the TCN Daily Travel Update. If you have a question, the Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community can help you solve it (you will need to download the Viber app).

What are the border waiting times and procedures crossing Neum from Split to Dubrovnik?

The border has been upgraded significantly due to Croatia's EU status. Passports are usually (but not always) scanned. Out of season, a wait of more than 5 minutes is rare. During the season (at least a normal season), waits can be significant - up to two hours. Not every day, but it does happen.  

What is there to see and do in Neum?

Neum represents the Bosnian Riviera, the only coast the country possesses. As such, it is not surprising that there are many apartments crammed into the small area of coast. If you are looking for a beach resort, either side in Croatia will give you a much more pleasant experience, although the prices in Neum are cheaper. 

A lot of people take a break in Neum (particularly coaches), and there are several restaurants which cater to them (Orka is my one of choice - on the far side of the town from Split, on the way to Dubrovnik. You will see the mussel farms in the bay, a popular local dish. 

A lot of people also stop to shop. Food, drink and those beloved cigarettes are all cheaper than in Croatia, as is fuel, so a good idea to tank up. 

If you have a little time, take a left on the main road at the traffic lights as you enter from Split. The historic town of Stolac is one of the most beautiful in the region and will give you a taste of the real Bosnia. It will leave you wanting more.  

What currency is accepted when you transit the Neum corridor in Bosnia?

Pretty much anything! The town has thrived on its transit traffic for years, and every waiter seems to have various currency exchange rates programmed in his brain. I have used Bosnian Marks, Euro, kuna, US Dollars and British pounds over the years. The exchange rate of the mark is tied to the euro - one euro buys you about 1.95 KM (convertible marks, as they are known from their prior relationship with the Deutschemark).  

Crossing the border from Croatia to Bosnia to Croatia - what about EU and Schengen?

Tourists are often very confused about Croatia's status regarding the EU, Schengen and border crossings. Croatia IS in the EU, but it is NOT YET in Schengen. It is scheduled to enter 'soon' (my favourite unit of time in this beautiful region - you can check the latest in this TCN section).

So if you are passing through Bosnia from Croatia to reenter the country, you have no Schengen issues. You will be leaving and reentering the EU, but in practice, you will be treated as a transit passenger.  

Is it possible to go from Split to Dubrovnik without leaving Croatia?

(Credit Dubrovnik Online Travel Guide)

Yes. And soon it will be even easier. 

Currently, you can go from Split to Ploce. There is a short regular ferry to Trpanj on the Peljesac peninsula (home of the best Plavac Mali vineyards). At Trpnaj, turn right for the island of Korcula, or turn left and drive through the peninsula to the mainland on the other side of Neum, stopping as you must at Mali Ston, for some of the best oysters in the world. 

But this trip is about to get a lot quicker.

The Peljesac Bridge - what is it and why will it change everything? 

Some 30 years after it got independence, some people wonder why is Croatia split in two. it will not be for much longer. One of the key infrastructure projects for the last 30 years has been the construction of the so-called Peljesac Bridge, a 2.4 kilometre bridge which will connect the Croatian mainland on the Split side to the Peljesac peninsula, connecting both parts of Croatia for the first time. 

The project has been dogged with problems over the years, and it has been something of a political football over the years. BiH objected because it would restrict access to Neum for certain types of shipping, it was claimed. In reality, the bridge will unite the two parts of Croatia and probably change the economy of Neum considerably, as there will be no need to cross the two borders. 

Interestingly, several locals in Croatia have told me that they will continue to use the Neum route, as it will be quicker with less traffic, and those cigarettes ARE cheaper.  I think I will too - I am quite fond of Orka restaurant, for nostalgic reasons. 

When will the Peljesac Bridge be Finished?

How long is a piece of string? The project started back in (I think) 2007, but Chinese contractors were awarded the job a few years ago, and progress has been swift. The latest information is that the middle of 2022 will be the time when Croatia is finally united into one entity.  You can follow the latest in this TCN section.

How is construction progress on the Peljesac Bridge?

Judge for yourself - the situation on February 15, 2021, with accompanying explanatory article.  

Are there many other countries which are split in two?

Oh yes. 

And quite a few, including some famous ones as Alaskans will tell you. Some strange ones such as the Kaliningrad enclave of Russia on the Polish Baltic. And Nackchivan, sandwiched between Iran and Armenia, is not ideally located for access from the rest of Azerbaijan. You can see more non-contiguous countries here.   

Does Bosnia have the shortest coastline in the world?

Almost, apparently. Its 20 precious kilometres is beaten only by the 4.2 km of Monaco for shortness. 

Does Croatia have any other strange border issues?

Oh, boy, does it ever. Enough for another complete article - one like this perhaps... Overview of Croatia’s Border Disputes with BiH, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia, Liberland. The article was written in 2017, and there may have been some slight developments, particularly with the arbitration in Piran with Slovenia. 

Looking for more answers in our People Also Ask Google series? You can find them all here.

February 16, 2021 - The latest news for flights to Croatia as TUI returns to Croatia this summer with 15 lines from Great Britain. 

Croatian Aviation reports that TUI, a well-known British company specializing in tourist trips from Great Britain to several well-known leisure destinations, including Croatia, has announced its return to Croatia in the upcoming summer flight schedule.

The British subsidiary of this well-known group did not offer holiday packages in Croatia in the 2020 summer flight schedule. As a result, all flights to Croatian airports were canceled, which certainly had a significant impact on the number of passengers, primarily in Dubrovnik and Pula, where TUI has an enviable number of flights per week. It should be emphasized that TUI operated with B787-8 and -9 to Dubrovnik and Pula, aircraft of a substantial capacity, which are primarily intended for long-haul operations.

In the upcoming summer flight schedule, the airline will renew numerous routes to Croatia (as many as 15 to three airports on the coast).

5 lines to Pula Airport
From May, Pula Airport will have as many as five direct routes from Great Britain, and all routes have been announced until the beginning of October:

Birmingham - Pula - Birmingham will operate from May 12 to October 9 twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays,

Bristol - Pula - Bristol will operate from May 8 to October 9, twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays,

Doncaster Sheffield - Pula - Doncaster Sheffield will operate from May 8 to October 9, once a week, on Saturdays,

Manchester - Pula - Manchester will operate from May 8 to October 9, twice a week, Tuesdays and Saturdays,

London - Pula - London will operate from May 8 to October 9, twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

8 lines to Dubrovnik Airport
TUI will return to Dubrovnik with as many as 8 international lines, which is not surprising given that there is traditionally a great interest of British tourists for holidays in Dubrovnik and the surrounding area.

Birmingham - Dubrovnik - Birmingham will operate from May 6 to October 31, twice a week, Thursdays and Sundays,

Bristol - Dubrovnik - Bristol will operate from June 9 to October 31, twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays,

Cardiff - Dubrovnik - Cardiff will operate from May 13 to October 28, once a week, on Thursdays,

Doncaster Sheffield - Dubrovnik - Doncaster Sheffield will operate from May 13 to October 28, once a week, on Thursdays,

East Midlands - Dubrovnik - East Midlands will operate from May 13 to October 28, once a week, on Thursdays,

Glasgow - Dubrovnik - Glasgow will operate from May 6 to October 28, once a week, on Thursdays,

Manchester - Dubrovnik - Manchester will operate from May 9 to October 31, twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays,

London - Dubrovnik - London will operate from May 9 to October 31, twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays.

Two lines to Split Airport
Split Airport will have two TUI lines from Great Britain, which will start operating in early May.

London - Split - London will operate from May 10 to October 15, twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays,

Manchester - Split - Manchester will operate from May 10 to October 15, twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays.

British TUI has 15 lines on sale from Great Britain to Dubrovnik, Split, and Pula. There are currently almost 550 return flights on sale for this summer season.

The company could potentially delay the start of traffic to Croatia, which will primarily depend on the epidemiological situation and possible restrictions. Still, its return is certainly good news for all those involved in tourism, especially those oriented to guests from the UK.

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

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February 16, 2021 – The future of Croatian travel is almost here! In this brand new video Peljesac Bridge's gigantic horizontal sections are installed, joining the land to colossal sea pillars and bringing to life a project so mammoth it was previously difficult to visualise

The Peljesac Bridge project is so huge, it hasn't been easy to imagine just how it will look. Even after seeing all the plans, maps, computer-generated graphics and the imported parts arriving the bridge will be so vast, so important, so revolutionary for Croatia, visualisation of how life will look on the other side has been hard. Until now.

In this brand new video Peljesac Bridge's gigantic horizontal sections are installed, joining the land to colossal pillars standing steadfast within the brilliant blue of the Adriatic sea. We can finally see in the video Peljesac Bridge coming to life, taking shape and how connectivity to southern Dalmatia and its islands will be changed forever.

Explaining Peljesac Bridge's significance and life-changing promise to those not from Croatia can be difficult. Sure, rising 55 metres above the sea and stretching over 2400 metres in length, this is a big bridge. After reeling off the figures, anyone would be sure to agree. But, there are many, much bigger bridges out there.

Vividly illustrating its importance, in this video Peljesac Bridge is seen joining two parts of the Croatian mainland over a vast stretch of sea. On a bright and sunny day there is no interruption of the light glaring down on the project. Within a beautiful backdrop of pristine blue waters and clear, cloudless skies – a sight that will be familiar to all who have visited Croatia – in the video Peljesac Bridge can be seen traversing a topography littered with islands and peninsulas. And, in the background, lies another country altogether – Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The never-ending tailbacks, time-consuming, business-retarding and visitor-annoying border controls required for travel across the thin section of Bosnia and Herzegovina are absent from these February scenes. But, not only are they absent from this video Peljesac Bridge will eliminate them forever. Following the bridge's completion, south Dalmatia, Dubrovnik and its islands, will be just as accessible by road as Split or Makarska. Brought to life by this video Peljesac Bridge progress is more than just taking shape – the future is almost upon us.

February 8, 2021 - Mayor Mato Franković has announced a plan to save the tourist season in Dubrovnik this summer.

Jutarnji List reports that given the efforts made by the United Kingdom and the United States to vaccinate their populations, it should come as no surprise that European tourism-dependent countries were among the first to dive into precisely those markets, believing they could logically be among the first to send travelers.

This also includes Greece, a destination that is already dependent on the British market, which in recent days has begun to announce that it is ready to lift the quarantine for all tourists who can prove that they are immune to coronavirus when entering the country. According to current Greek announcements, they are ready to lift the quarantine for British tourists in early May, and the Greek government is convinced that the vaccination of the British market will save them in the 2021 season.

However, other Mediterranean destinations will likely try to grab their share of British and American travelers, including Dubrovnik, which is desperate to save the summer of 2021 after an unsuccessful 2020.

Moreover, Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Franković says that the Israeli market is also important for Dubrovnik, as they also have a high vaccination rate and were among the last to cancel flights to Dubrovnik.

More hope is placed in the British and Americans, and Dubrovnik has already received confirmation that EasyJet, British Airways, and Jet2Com will fly to the city this season. The Philadelphia - Dubrovnik line, which unfortunately only operated season, will certainly not be renewed yet this year.

"We have agreed on everything with the British market, although at the moment, it is a matter of waiting until the trips are formally and legally renewed, and we also have an agreement with the British TUI, which will bring passengers to Dubrovnik with their own planes. We are planning strong marketing in the UK market, but we are waiting for the right moment because it is too early to do so while we are in lockdown. For now, we are counting on the end of June, or the beginning of July and market research shows great interest from passengers," said Franković, adding that the first deals with the American market have already been contracted.

Namely, the Swiss cruiser company Viking Cruises will organize air bridges to Dubrovnik to bring American tourists to the city. They will board cruisers and sail to Split, Šibenik, Zadar, and back to Dubrovnik.

According to Franković, the company has developed strict health protocols that it has already presented to the National Headquarters and the Croatian Institute of Public Health, which include PCR testing of passengers before boarding the plane, new testing before boarding a cruise ship in Dubrovnik, and then daily testing during the trip.

Passengers would stay in Dubrovnik for a part of the trip. Still, these will be so-called 'bubble groups' that will not be able to freely see the city or mix with Dubrovnik residents and local tourists but will have separate visits to museums and other cultural and other institutions.

"We had already planned to start with these groups from February, but due to the situation with the virus, we have postponed everything until March, so we will see what the situation will be like then," Franković explained. He noted that the arrival of Viking Cruises would be a big step forward, given that a ban on cruising has been in force in Croatia for six months now.

Apart from Dubrovnik, American and British tourists are also important for Split. Still, in principle, Croatia will try to use the status of a car destination this year as well, which means relying on Germans, Slovenes, Austrians, Italians, Poles, Czechs, and others.

The Ministry of Tourism is closely monitoring the epidemiological situation in Croatia's strongest markets, and it seems good so far. However, Jutarnji has learned that the organization of the summer season will require waiting for the EU to take a border crossing stance.

"We reckon that this will be standardized at the Union level so that we do not have the situation this season as the Dutch did last year when they decided to put Croatia on the orange list in mid-July. We now see that the Danes are announcing Covid passports, but we are moving in the direction of regulating this at the whole community level so that there is no rebound. Of course, that means that the Greeks will have to abide by these rules," says Jutarnji's source.

In the meantime, the Croatian Headquarters is announcing easing measures at the local level, which would enable the relaxation to be gradual and thus minimally endanger the tourist season.

The cautious opening could be launched before the beginning of summer, and only in counties with a good epidemiological situation. Still, a significant influx of tourists and a full opening is not counted before the beginning of June.

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

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February 7, 2021 - Dubrovnik, Trogir, Stari Grad on Hvar, and Sali on Dugi Otok will be the first in Croatia to reduce plastic waste and use alternative solutions by participating in projects implemented by the Split Association "Sunce" for Nature, Environment, and Sustainable Development, setting the pace for a plastic-free Croatia. 

Glas Istre reports that "Plastic Smart Cities Croatia" and "For Plastic Free Croatian Islands" aim to reduce plastic waste and use alternative solutions. They analyze the use of disposable plastics and waste plastic management in the local communities involved, develop and implement a "Plastic-Free Plan" with a participatory approach and workshops, as well as organize "plastic-free" public events, i.e., events and public forums aimed at raising awareness in the local population about the consequences of plastic pollution.

One of the important activities is implementing a national campaign to raise awareness of the impact of plastic pollution on the marine environment and available sustainable solutions in the island communities on Hvar and Dugi Otok. The Split Association for Nature, Environment and Sustainable Development "Sunce"is currently working on organizing workshops for networking partners and environmental organizations engaged in this topic.

It is in this project that the pioneer association "Sunce" began implementing the projects "Plastic Smart Cities Croatia" and "For Plastic Free Croatian Islands" to reduce the plastic footprint in various segments of social life in local communities by reducing the use of disposable plastic and encouraging the use of alternative solutions for plastic waste. One of their project goals is to raise the awareness of citizens and the public about plastic waste.

After the completion of the project, a final conference will be held aimed at disseminating the project results and encouraging the further reduction of plastic waste for representatives of local island authorities, national and international NGOs, local government units, representatives of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, tourism, relevant ministries, and other stakeholders, with the message "Reduce the use of disposable plastics and look for more sustainable solutions!", which the Sunce Split Association has been advocating for many years.

They remind that a new Law on Waste should be adopted in Croatia this year, which, among other things, contains some provisions of the EU Directive on reducing the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. At the end of last year, independently and in cooperation with other environmental protection associations in Croatia, they sent their comments on the Waste Act's draft proposal.

They add that the European organization "Seas at Risk," which brings together several associations dealing with protecting the marine environment, assessed last summer that the EU directive is an ambitious plan to dispose of ten non-reusable plastic items, and which can most often be found on beaches across Europe, but that its implementation into national legislation in most European countries has been halted.

The COVID-19 crisis has led to a dramatic increase in the use and the rejection of disposable plastic objects in nature.

"The Mediterranean Sea is one of the world's most polluted seas, and half of this enormous amount of waste comes from the mainland. With 400 kilotons of waste generated annually, Croatia ranks third in the region. Hence, it is imperative to take urgent measures and raise awareness to numerous visitors about the need for urgent action, i.e., reducing disposable plastic use.

Namely, tourism has been identified as one of the key actors, so part of the awareness campaign within the "Plastic Smart Cities" project is aimed at foreign and domestic tourists, the Sunce Split Association points out.

The EU directive on plastic waste was adopted in 2019 after a trialogue, i.e., negotiations between the European Parliament, the Commission, and the EU Council. This year, all EU countries must finally implement it. The Law on Waste in Croatia should be adopted by July 3 at the latest. Croatia should also throw out disposable plastic products, namely plastic q-tips, cutlery, plates, straws, drink sticks, and balloon holders.

After adopting the directive in the European Parliament, the then Croatian MEP Davor Škrlec from the Green Group said that the directive should be used to encourage change for us as a society to produce less garbage and become sustainable.

"If we do not change our attitude towards production, consumption, and waste, the human species will become consumable like a disposable coffee cup. This directive will help us abandon disposable plastics on the road to less consumption, better designed reusable products, more innovation, and a cleaner environment," Škrlec said then.

The directive also includes provisions for the disposal of cigarette butts, which are a significant polluter, the objectives of collecting beverage bottles, and the requirement to redesign beverage stoppers to connect them to bottles. The directive also includes national targets for reducing the consumption of plastic cups and food containers, and ultimately a total ban on oxo-degradable plastics often referred to as biodegradable but in reality fragmented into microplastics.

Disposable plastic products and fishing gear together account for 70 percent of Europe's marine litter, so it is expected that Europe's seas will be significantly cleaner by implementing the directive.

According to the Commission, the directive will bring many benefits for the environment and the economy. Environmental damage would be avoided, costing €22 billion by 2030, and saving consumers up to €6.5 billion, with an adjustment cost estimated at €3.2 billion for manufacturers.

At the end of last year, the Commission adopted new rules on the import and ban on exports of plastic waste to third countries that do not have the capacity to manage it in a sustainable way, which is one of the main points of the European Green Plan and EU Circular Action Plan.

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February 5, 2021 - Croatia is a country full of dialects. How do the people of Hvar and Dubrovnik understand each other, for example? The latest Hvar dialect lesson from Professor Frank John Dubokovich. 

My Croatian is by no means fluent but I get by pretty well and am happy to do television interviews in Croatian, for example (much to the amusement of locals), but when I moved from Hvar to Varazdin four years ago, I thought I had entered a different country.  The Varazdin dialect was REALLY hard to follow after being brought up on Dalmatian. 

Things are a little better these days, but I still struggle a lot, and I do look in wonder at my kids who switch effortlessly between the two during the school holidays back in Jelsa. 

The dialects of Croatia have fascinated me, even since we started a fun Hvar dialect video series with the self-styled linguistic colossus, Professor Frank John Dubokovich back in 2011. His iconic Dalmatian Grunt, above, took the Internet by storm, quickly racking up 50,000 views before the channel was removed by YouTube for reasons unknown. 

We are now reintroducing some of the original videos which I came across offline last year. As the series developed, we invited people visiting from other parts of the country to take part, so that we could compare the dialects of Hvar and that region with the classic Croatian dialect. 

In the latest episode, we were delighted to welcome a Dubrovnik resident to the Total Office in Jelsa, and we put The Professor, our Dubrovnik guest and classic Croatian speaker through their paces with a range of phrases to highlight some of the differences. 

It is hard for me as a foreigner to recognise that they are all speaking the same language. How about you?

For more linguistic genius from Professor Frank John Dubokovich, Guardian of the Hvar Dialects, subscribe to the YouTube channel.