October 11, 2022 - More global recognition for the island of Hvar, which again features in the top 10 islands in Europe at the prestigious Conde Nast Readers Choice Awards. 

One of the first things I learned when I bought a house on an island I had never heard of until 2 days previously was that it was named as one of the 10 most beautiful islands in the world.

And it truly is. 

That label has stayed with Hvar over the years, and it has its origins in the prestigious Conde Nast Readers Choice Awards, an annual poll of the elite travel magazine's readership. Hvar has been a regular feature in the Conde Nast top 10s each year, and 2022 is no exception. 

The awards, announced last week, placed Hvar once more in the top 10 islands in Europe, at number 9. The full list is below, and you can see all the Conde Nast Readers Choice Awards here. 

1. Ibiza, Spain 88.54
2. Crete, Greece 86.48
3. Sardinia, Italy 86.04
4. Jersey & Guernsey, United Kingdom 85.83
5. Mykonos, Greece 85.26
6. Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom 83.96
7. Sicily, Italy 83.48
8. Santorini, Greece 83.22
9. Hvar, Croatia 83.17
10. The Azores, Portugal 82.76

So much has changed in the 20 years since I first came to this beautiful island (read more about that experience in 20 Ways Croatia Changed Me in 20 Years: 16. Living 13 Years Full-Time on Hvar Island). And so much more is now internationally known about Hvar than 20 years ago. 

Did you know, for example, that Hvar has more UNESCO than any island in the world? Or that the oldest public theatre in Europe lies on its main square? Or that across the square is the birthplace of organised tourism in Europe with the founding of the Hvar Health Society in 1868? Or that on that very spot is one of Croatia's most luxurious hotels, Palace Elisabeth, hvar heritage hotel? 

And so much more. A timeless island with a rich heritage dating back thousands of years, and Croatia's premier island with very good reason. One thing is for sure - it will be in Europe's top 10 islands again next year, and the year after. 

To learn more about Hvar, check out the Total Croatia Hvar in a Page guide. 

October 4, 2022 - Whisper it quietly, but more and more people are relocating to Croatia from the diaspora. In a new TCN series, we meet them to find out how they are faring and what advice they have for others thinking of making the switch. Next up is Phil Vrankovich, who moved from California to Hvar. 

My name is Philip Vrankovich, and I am presently retired after 30 years in the IT side of the energy business. I was born in Oakland, California. My connection to Croatia is through my paternal grandparents, Antun Vranković and Bona Dobrosić, both from the village of Svirće on the island of Hvar. They immigrated to America at the turn of the 1900s.

1. You made the switch to Croatia. Tell us a little about the decision process and how long it took for you to get on the plane.

I had always talked about going to Croatia, starting in the 1980s, but didn’t actually make it there until 2000. In July, 2000, we made a family trip to Hvar to meet family members I had only heard about. We arrived at the Stari Grad port to our cousins waving Croatian and American flags in the parking lot. It still gives me chills recalling that experience. My wife, Vicki, and I returned in 2001 to purchase property in Vrboska, with the intent of retiring on the island. In 2006, we made that dream come true, when we purchased a house in the now UNESCO-protected town of Stari Grad. I also became a Croatian citizen in 2010. We’ve made Hvar our home for 6 months out of the year, spending the rest of the time in California and now Connecticut.

2. What did your family and community back home think of your decision at the time? 

Family and friends have been very supportive of our decision to make Hvar our second home, and of course, many have come to visit over the years.

3. Where did you get your information about the realities of Croatia prior to coming?

Since I had family who came from Dalmatia, I had resources in America who helped to tell us about what to expect; however, that was no replacement for actually being here - in reality, it was so much more beautiful than I had imagined!

My godmother and her two daughters helped us arrange to meet family members, as well as their families, on our first trip in July 2000.

4. What were you most nervous about making the switch? What was your biggest fear, and what was the reality of what you found?

Really, we had no reservations about making a switch to living on Hvar. We had family here, made some friends, both domestic and expatriate, and felt welcomed. Initially, I thought the language difference would be an issue, but we found many people spoke English and those that didn’t, we were able to use our limited Hrvatski, sign language and pantomime in order to communicate

5. Think back to the time before you arrived. What were your perceptions about Croatia, and how were they different from the reality you encountered?

My parents and sister visited Hvar in the mid-1970s, and of course, it was much more primitive then. I remember my father saying there was no air conditioning, few autos and that you couldn’t get ice at a bar. He questioned why we would want to live there… of course, when we arrived, it was decades later, and things had changed here. I recall asking, “why did my grandparents ever leave, this place is so beautiful!” However, life in the late 1800s was very different here. When they married, it was two brothers who married 2 sisters, and there were not enough resources for both pairs to stay there. So my grandparents made the move to America.

6. You are still here, so obviously, the pros outweigh the cons. Tell us about some of the things that you love about being in Croatia, as well as some of the things you don't like.

We love the island life, “polako,” the family and friends we have met here, and of course, the culture, food, history, and environment (sea, mountains, and the climate). It’s difficult to put into words the feeling of visiting the house my grandmother was born in or planting grape vines in a field where my great-grandfather once toiled… it’s very special!

For the cons, the bureaucracy of getting anything done here is frustrating, and trying to learn Hrvatski is difficult (grandmother and father always spoke to me in English… I guess they never conceived any of us ever going back), especially with so many people here speaking English, and missing immediate family and the variety of food available back in America.

7. What advice do you have for others thinking about making a move from the diaspora?

Follow your dreams! Visit, and live in one place for a period of time to experience the community. See if it really fits your lifestyle. Don’t be disappointed and frustrated when things don’t turn out exactly as you expected, instead embrace the differences and go with the flow.

8. How do you think Croatia can better assist those who are looking to return to the Homeland?

Make becoming a Croatian citizen a streamlined process, and afford all family members of returning Croatians the same level of respect under the law. For example, during Covid, my Croatian passport expired in 2020, and my wife’s residency card expired in 2021, yet they allowed me to renew my passport but told her she must start the entire process all over again! Why is it that my wife can’t become a citizen simply by the fact that she is married to a Croatian? Instead, she must go through the process of being a temporary resident for many years.

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Thanks, Phil!

You can follow more stories in the Croatian Returnee Reflections series in our dedicated TCN section.

Would you like your returnee story - positive or negative - to be featured in this series? Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Subject Returnee.

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What's it like living in Croatia, and where can you get the best survival tips? TCN CEO Paul Bradbury and TCN Editor Lauren Simmonds have teamed up to publish Croatia, a Survival Kit for Foreigners.

Follow Paul Bradbury on LinkedIn.

September 22, 2022 - If there were one event to visit in Dalmatia to understand its soul and experience everything it offers, we would choose Days in the Bay. Occurring every two years in Stari Grad on Hvar, this unique festival celebrates the sea and sailors, their boats, and all the tradition tied to life on the waves of turquoise. The celebrations include regattas, contests and competitions, concerts and games, traditional wear, food, and music. The weekend of Days in the Bay truly is full of life in every sense of the expression.

Organised by the Association for the Promotion of Croatian Maritime Heritage "Cronaves" from Split, the City of Stari Grad and the Tourist Board of Stari Grad, from September 22 to 25, 2022, the 4^th International Festival of Boats, Sea and Sailors, Days in the Bay will be held. The official press release was signed by Plamenko Bavčević, president of Cronaves and Antonio Škarpa, mayor of Stari Grad on the island Hvar, as reported by Slobodna Dalmacija.

Around 60 boats from Croatia are expected at the festival, organised by associations for the preservation of Croatian maritime heritage. Traditional boats will arrive from Rovinj, Pula, Mošćenička Draga, Opatija, Selce, Malinska, Krk, Mali Lošinj, Pašman, Drvenik, Prvić Šepurina, Betina, Murter, Jezera, Korčula, Vela Luka, Lovran, Opuzen, Komiža, Split, Vrboska and of the city of Hvar.

The Republic of Sloveniaespeciallyartner country and especially honoured guest of this year's Days in the Bay. Organised by the nautical journal and the E Morje portal, the Republic of Slovenia will be represented by the crews of five traditional ships with the support of the "Sergej Maser" Maritime Museum, the Faculty of Maritime Affairs and Transport, the Society of Old Boat Lovers from Piran, the Society of Old Boats from Izola and the Tourist Boards of Izola and Portorož.

Along with the daily promotional sailings of all participants, as announced by the organisers, there will also be a rowing regatta of the Komiža gundulas. At the same time, the youngest citizens of Stari Grad will try their hand at rowing.

One of the festival's attractions at sea will be the traditional rowing in which the female crew of the Neretva ship and the Slovenian cannon "Folega" will participate, equally alongside the male crew of the Croatian Navy boat.

In addition to a specially designed sailing program of a show and competition character, various exhibitions and lectures on the theme of Croatian maritime tradition will be held during this international festival, while cultural and entertainment programs strictly appropriate for this type of event will be held on the legendary Tvrdalj square.

The festival program will also hold a place for the delegations of Stari Grad's friend cities of Samobor and Rugvica. They will present their region's customs, local products and gastronomic delicacies to the festival visitors.

The festival program at sea ends on Saturday, September 24, 2022, with a big night parade, "Dance of Sails and Lights", with light effects and music, and on land with a concert by the ABBA real tribute band.

"We are pleased that Days in the Bay have been recognised not only by Stari Grad but also by the Split-Dalmatia County, the Croatian Tourist Association and the relevant ministries of the Republic of Croatia. We also highly appreciate the exceptional contribution and response to participation in the festival by all associations and shipowners from Istria to the south of Croatia because only together can we create a cultural event that will be recognised beyond Croatian borders," said Plamenko Bavčević, president of the Cronaves Association.

For the detailed program and to find accommodation on Hvar during the festival days, visit the Stari Grad Tourist Board's official website.

All photos courtesy of Dani u vali Facebook page.

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

September 21, 2022 - A nice promotion for Hvar as a sporting destination and elite conference centre, as UEFA chiefs and some rather famous faces from yesteryear meet on Croatia's premier island.

Did you know that the football tradition on the island of Hvar dates back more than a century, back to 1913 and the formation of the first club on the island. That is just 2 years later than the oldest club in Croatia, Hajduk Split, which was formed in Prague in 1911. 

Or that Hvar is thought to be the only island in Europe with a fully-functioning island league of 10 teams from 10 different towns and villages, who play each other home and away in the Forska Liga each season. No mean feat when you consider that the permanent population of the island is around 11,000 people. 

Another piece of island football history was written yesterday, as Hvar welcomed the UEFA Executive Committee for their latest meeting, headed by UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin. On the agenda were the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying draw procedure, as well as the appointment of hosts for the UEFA European Under-19 Futsal Championships. 

Much more interesting to the local schoolkids was a grassroots event staged at NK Hvar's football pitch in the Krizna Luka suburb of the town, where some rather familiar faces took part in the UEFA Pootball in Schools programme, with local kids pitted against former global superstars such as Zvonimir Boban, Dario Srna, Davor Šuker, Luis Figo, Robbie Keane and Dejan Savićević. Children from schools in Hvar, Jelsa, Stari Grad and Sucuraj took part, as well as kids from the Down Syndrome 21 Association in Split. 

The event was the latest example of Hvar's elite tourism offer, catering to such a high-profile meeting point, and the location gave a tantalising taster of this sunniest of islands, which has more UNESCO heritage than any island in the world. 

The meeting took place in the historic Arsenal building, which has guarded the entrance to Hvar's central square for centuries, and above which is the oldest public theatre in Europe. Across the square, and where many of the delegation were hosted in addition to Hotel Adriana, was the place where organised tourism began in 1868, with the founding of the Hvar Health Society, which welcomed convalescing aristocrats from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, thanks to the generosity of Empress Elisabeta. Today Elisabeta is remembered in the recently upgraded luxury hotel on the same spot which hosted the dignitaries. The Palace Elisabeth hvar heritage hotel was the first 5-star hotel on Hvar when it opened in 2019. It is part of the Suncani Hvar Hotel group, which offers the main conferencing and event management services on the island. 

Where to stay in Hvar Town? Check out the Total Croatia guide.

September 13, 2022 - A new animated history of Hvar brilliantly brings to life the rich history of Croatia's premier island. 

I missed this when it came out a month ago, but what a treat to start the day. 

The island of Hvar is on of Croatia's most elite destinations, with tourists coming for the beaches, the nighlife, the view, the lavender, the food, and the wine. 

Few leave the island knowing what a rich cultural destination it is, with millennia of fascinating history. An island which has more UNESCO heritage than any other in the world. 

But now, in just 6 minutes, you can learn so much in this brilliant animation fo the history of Hvar, which was posted on the official Hvar Town page on August 12. 

I don't know all the people involved, but when there is a cultural project about Hvar that has the involvement of legends such as Zorka Bibic and Sime Fio, you know it is worth watching. 

And it took me a while to realise who was the owner of the voice with the excellent narration - none other than TCN sport editor, Daniela Rogulj.

The prodcution team in full (and a chocolate biscuit each for all):

Video and Audio Editing: Matko Petric

Illustrations by: Dalibor Popovic

Script Supervisor: Zorka Bibic

Screenplay by: Filip Antonio Lizatovic

Production Supervisors: Filip Antonio Lizatovic and Sime Fio

Input of Historical Data by: Zorka Bibic

Supervised by: Sime Fio

Photography Archive: Rade Bencic

Narration: Daniela Rogulj

Special Thanks to: Katija Vucetic

Directed by Dalibor Popovic, Filip Antonio Lizatovic, and Matko Petric.

A really nice addition to the promotion of a beautiful island that was my home for 13 years. 

Looking to learn more about Hvar Town? Check out the Total Croatia Hvar in a Page guide. 

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

August 12, 2022 - How does one choose their favorite memories in Croatia? It's impossible, but there are certainly a few highlights. 

I've been reflecting a lot on my time spent in Croatia, from visiting every summer from California growing up to finally moving here in 2015. And the two worlds couldn't be more different. 

My homeland, where my parents were born, always carried a sense of wonder - a sense of escape. And moving here by accident in 2015 has allowed me to dive deep into the country of my roots - witnessing the ins and out of a country I now know better than America, where I was born and raised. 

While there are too many memorable moments to recap over the last few decades, some, in particular, hold a special place in my heart. 

Croatia in 1996

I recently wrote about my memories of Croatia in 1996, the first time I visited the country at just five years old. It was my first time outside of America, my first time meeting many of my foreign family members, and the first real family vacation I took with my parents and older brother. It was an exploration of a new place, one that had just seen war, and a journey through a culture I only knew then in my Croatian-Californian confines. It was an eye-opening adventure through familiar yet new flavors, navigating a language I had hardly spoken, and how those little things don't matter when surrounded by fresh faces with the same bloodline. Croatia in 1996 was likely not the best time to visit, as blown-out tanks decorated the highways and the image of war was still raw - but it certainly paved my love for the homeland I had known until then only through my grandmother's lullabies. 

Weddings in Metković

Croatian weddings are unique, but weddings in Metković are extra. I had my first Croatian wedding experience in 2004 when my uncle and his longtime partner tied the knot. Considering I was staying at their family home that summer, I was involved in every part of the Croatian wedding experience, including the traditionally male-only bachelor's party (er, fešta), complete with an endless flow of Karlovačko kegs. Croatian weddings are an all-day event, which starts early in the day at the groom's family home, then over to the bride's home, then to the church, then back to one of their homes, before a caravan of cars drives to the reception venue, where you'll continue eating, drinking, and dancing until 6 am (don't worry, you've already been going since noon). A marathon event I first learned about at 14 - Metković weddings are the best. 

First summer on Hvar in 2007

It was surprising I hadn't visited the island until 2007, considering that my grandmother is from Stari Grad and my extended Croatian-Californian family never missed a summer in Hvar town. In a way, I'm glad I didn't visit Hvar until my teenage years - and that first visit included my best friend from California. Taxi boat, beach, eat, party, sleep, repeat was the routine that started that summer on Hvar and lasted until the visits in my early 20s. From Kiva Bar and Nautika to former nightclub Veneranda and watching the sunrise from our apartment balcony. It was teenage bliss. Summer on Hvar looks a bit different now, but I wouldn't trade Hvar's nightlife in 2007 for anything. 

Sailing the Adriatic Coast 

The first time I properly sailed the Adriatic was in 2018, hosting a group of 35 Americans on a luxury yacht for a week from Trogir to Dubrovnik. I had sailed between islands before, but never in one shot or one-week-long journey - which is something I believe everyone in Croatia should experience. We sailed from Trogir to Pučišća on Brač, from Brač to Hvar, Hvar to Korčula, and finally to Mljet and Dubrovnik, exploring the magic of each island, cave, cove, and bay in between. Seeing the Adriatic Coast from this perspective cannot be compared to day trips or short visits - it's an all-encompassing experience of the Adriatic, its beauty, culture, cuisine, and customs, with no room to escape. Sailing allows you to embrace every aspect of the country - and when it's as amazing as Croatia, you'll want to dive straight in. 

World Cup 2018

I recently published about the realities of being a female football journalist in Croatia and mentioned that even with Croatia making it to the 2018 World Cup final in Russia, I couldn't imagine being anywhere but Split or Croatia during that tournament. One of those things you never think you'll get to experience in your lifetime, especially when it seemed like that 1998 bronze medal would be our most significant achievement. From Nigeria to start and France in the final, Croatia was electric that summer - a nation united. I get chills thinking back to those nail-biting finishes, watching them from the fan zone in Split's Dardin Park. There were endless screams, tears, hugs, disbelief, and WTF moments. And countless celebrations. Croatia, that summer of 2018, was magic. 

Anything at Poljud Stadium

Literally, anything. And I've got to see a lot of games since moving here in 2015. While any Croatian derby is a must, you won't be able to compare watching Hajduk play Dinamo in Split, and you can always expect a sold-out crowd. European games are the only games that come close, and watching Wayne Rooney's Everton at Poljud was extra special. I can't wait to see what it will be like against Villarreal. And then there was the Croatian Cup, which Hajduk won for the first time since 2013, resulting in beautiful chaos on the pitch and into a party that was carried onto the Riva. And let's not forget the Croatia national team's return to Poljud, hosting Portugal and France in the last few years and beating Russia for a spot in the 2022 World Cup. If you have a chance to go to Poljud, no matter the match, don't miss the chance. 

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

August 8, 2022 - The major Hvar fire continues to burn, with one man from nearby Jelsa tragically killed, reports Index.hr. 

The fire that broke out yesterday around 1 pm on the island of Hvar between the towns of Dol and Vrbanj has not yet been extinguished.

Ten hectares of dense pine forest have burned, and at one point houses were also threatened. One local man died while trying to save the machine from the fire. The man was from Jelsa, although his identity has not officially been made public yet. 

During the morning, new forces are expected to arrive from Split, with the help of which the fire should be brought under control today.

The commander of DVD Hvar Nikola Škare told Hina last night that the fire is not yet under control considering that it is still burning on the western side.

The fire broke out at 12:50 in the area of ​​Dol-Vrbanj on Hvar, where a dense pine forest caught fire. At one point, the fire came close to the houses, as a result of which one local tried to save the excavator, and died.

The firefighters, who at one point numbered 55 with 15 vehicles and all of them from the island, were also helped by the air force. At one point, three Canadairs and two air tractors were fighting the fire.

Fire near Dubrovnik under control, burning on Velebit
Shortly before midnight, a forest fire broke out below the town of Gornji Brgat near Dubrovnik. Members of the Public Fire Brigade Dubrovački vatrogasci and the Dubrovačka Parish DVD came to the intervention.

Despite the strong storm, the fire was brought under control after 1 hour and the peripheral parts are being repaired.

At the same time, two fires are burning on Velebit for the seventh day, on Panos hill near the settlement of Rizvanuša and near Lovinac on Mali Golić, and the danger of spreading is increasing due to occasional explosions of residual mines and a strengthening storm.

More information, photos and videos on this Hvar fire from yesterday's report.

August 7, 2022 - Two fires on Hvar have broken out - firefighters are on the scene, reports Dalmacija Danas. 

Update 08:00, August 8

Update 19:00

Fire under control, firefighters remain on duty
In the late afternoon at the fire site on Hvar, there was a Canadair planes who soaked the peripheral parts of the fire site so that there would be no major problems during the night. Two Canadairs were sent to the south, where a fire also broke out.

The guest of RTL Danas was Slavko Tucaković, fire chief, who spoke about the current situation with fires in Croatia, as well as the situation on Hvar. Tucaković expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased man.

"Unfortunately, this tragedy happened. The houses are no longer threatened. There are 55 firefighters, 15 vehicles and one Canadair on the ground. There is no further threat, the firefighters will stay all night, and help will come from Split in the morning."

Tucaković also confirmed that an investigation is underway to find out how the man died.

"We have sent the Canadairs to the area of ​​Prevlaka where there is a fire next to the border crossing. If necessary, they will be redirected to the area of ​​Slano", added Tucaković.

He also praised the local fire brigade that put out the fire in Kaštela last night.

"In a very short time, a large number of firefighters brought the fire under control. So far, we have had 6,609 fires, 100 fires have been sent to the fire brigade. With the great effort of the ground forces, but also with the help of the fire brigade, we are doing a good job. The burned areas are three times larger than last time It is a very intense and difficult season," said Tucaković.

"In the rest of the summer, there will be fires, the weather is not favorable, there is wind. It can also be a warning to all citizens not to light an open fire and if there is a fire, notify the firefighters very quickly. If there is a fire, I would ask all citizens not to go near it fire and a tragedy like this one can occur today. You should listen to the instructions of the emergency services on the ground. Especially do not fly drones, they can be fatal for our air force," said Tucaković.

(1530 update from Index.hr: -  A man died in the fire while trying to save property from the fire.

"An investigation will be conducted at the scene to determine all the facts and circumstances of the event," Jerko Kurevija from the Split-Dalmatia Police confirmed for Dalmacija Danas.)

According to unofficial information, a man who tried to save the excavator from the fire was killed, but then tragedy struck.

The portal repors that all the fire brigades are on the scene, and that three Canadair fire-fighting planes are en route to tackle the blazes from the air.

Shortly before 1:00 p.m., a fire broke near the village of Dol, and at 1:40 p.m. a fire report was received near Zastražišće. Dol is a central village, located between Jelsa and Stari Grad, while Zastrazisce is in eastern Hvar. (15:00 Update - Hvar photo journalist Jaksa Kuzmicic has sent a message saying there is no fire at Zastrazisce, only between the villages of Vrbanj and Dol).

Firefighters from DVD Jelsa, Stari Grad and Hvar Town have been dispatched to tackle both fires..

A dense pine forest is burning. There is no initial information about buildings under threat, but putting out the fires has been made more difficult by a strong tramontana wind.

The view from Dol, taken by Norman Woollons.

We will update this article as more information comes in. 

The fire near Dol.

- At the moment, three Canadairs have arrived. The fire is being extinguished by all forces from the island, so far no call has been made for reinforcements from the mainland. We are intensively monitoring the fire through the surveillance camera system, we have no information about the direct threats to the buildings - said the county fire chief Ivan Kovačević.

The village of Vrbanj next to Dol. 

 August 6, 2022 - It is not just locals and tourists heading into the inviting Adriatic on these hot summer days - some beaufitul shots of a deer going for a swim close to Hvar Town yesterday. 

Come on in, the water's lovely. 

An invitation which has been taken up enthusiastically by millions of tourists and locals on Croatia's Adriatic coast this summer.  

But not just people...

Some lovely shots taken by Nada Kordic Bezic and posted to her Facebook page yesterday, of a deer wandering down to the beach, testing the water, and then going for the plunge. 

The impromptu swim took place at Pokonji Dol beach, opposite the small lighthouse island a short distance south of Hvar Town, and the water looked inviting indeed.

Deer and mouflon can be found on the island, particularly in the hunting grounds north of Hvar Town, on the Pelegrin Peninsula, as can wild boar.

My own personal encounter with wild boar came on the drive back from the Sucuraj ferry late one night, when a few boar came from nowhere to cross the road. One ran straight into the front of my car, twisting the metal, although I think the boar came off worst. I wanted to stop, but there were several other angry boar behind.  

And just like this deer, wild boar can turn up in the most unlikely places, so keep your eyes peeled. 

While dolphin sightings are quite common, keep your eyes out for some more unusual creatures in the water, such as wild boar, occasionally - here they are swimming from Brac to the mainland a few years ago in the video below.

Summers on Hvar - why would you holiday anywhere else?

To learn more about Hvar Town, check out the Total Croatia Hvar in a Page guide, or click here for the latest news from Croatia's premier island. 

August the 4th, 2022 - The Guardian has once again showcased its love for Croatia with a new list of the best beaches of 2022, a list on which three gorgeous Croatian beaches have found themselves.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, The British publication The Guardian has compiled yet another list of 40 of the best beaches of 2022, which included three Croatian beaches. Croatian beaches are by no means strangers to such lists compiled by various publications and portals from around the world, and this time, travel writers have singled out locations in Losinj, Peljesac and the Pakleni islands near Hvar.

When it comes to Losinj they highlighted the stunning Krivica bay, for which The Guardian writes:

“Maybe the special thing about the pebbled Krivica beach lies in the fact that you have to walk along a stone path for 30 minutes - and back again. The reward for this is clear, deep, turquoise water in the bay surrounded by pine trees, and the only company here is sailboats in a narrow channel. Losinj, a long, unusual island in Kvarner bay, is one of the most heavily scented places in Croatia, with an incredible abundance of wild plants.''

For the beautiful beach on the Peljesac peninsula, it is stated that its name is very much justified because it really is beautiful - Divna beach.

“This beautiful beach is located on the northern coast of the Peljesac peninsula. A small pebble bay surrounded by hills overgrown with pine trees. There are several shady places, and the area between the beach and the islet is great for diving,'' The Guardian writes.

The top three Croatian beaches also included the bay of Mlini, which is part of the Pakleni islands which lie just away from the shores of the Central Dalmatian island of Hvar.

“Those who visit Hvar and want a change in the environment should take a water taxi to Mlini bay on the islet of Marinkovac. The pebble beach with the smell of pines provides a wonderful relaxed atmosphere, along with [the possibility of] rental deck chairs and a beach restaurant. As is the case with all Croatian pebble beaches, scuba shoes will make things more comfortable on your feet, and the incredibly clean blue-green water sees people diving for hours,'' The Guardian's travel writers said.

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