November 6, 2018 - Sometimes I really love the TCN inbox. An enquiry from the UK about a letter written on a piece of toilet paper in the El Shatt refugee camp by a Dalmatian called George Makiedo. Do you know who he was? 

One of the more unusual discoveries I made when I first started writing about Hvar way back in 2011 was that several people on the island were born in the Sinai Desert in Egypt. Yes, really. There was even a chap in (from memory) Velo Grablje whose first name was Sinai after the place of his birth. I have written a little about the El Shatt refugee camp over the years - you can learn more about it here - which became temporary home to thousands of Dalmatian refugees, including many from Hvar, from 1944 to 1946. As not many people have written about El Shatt, I get the occasional cool email, such as this one below. I know at least one person on Hvar with the surname Makiedo - can we help Les find the man who wrote to his British soldier grandfather? Any leads, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Good afternoon.  My name is Les Wood, I live in the UK and I am the grandson of Cpl James Wood who served with the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders during WW2. 

I am contacting you as I have been researching my grandfathers time during WW2 and I have in my position, a letter written to him from someone he was friendly with at El Shatt camp.  The letter is quite humorous and looks like it is written on a long length of toilet paper or something similar.  It is dated 13 IV 45 and signed by someone who's name looks like George Makiedo.  

As you have written of El Shatt, I thought this might be of interest to you and or your readers and I also wondered if one of your readers might know who this person was.  The  author of the letter is probably no longer with us, but maybe his family would be interested to hear of the letter, or maybe there is a historian in Croatia who would be interested.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards

Les

Hi Les, 

Please send!

Makiedo is a surname on the island of Hvar, so am sure we will find a connection. We did manage to connected descendants of a Brit soldier and Dalmatian a few years ago.

Looking forward to it.

cheers Paul

Hi Paul

The note is over a mtr long.  I don’t think it is toilet paper, but something similar in size but thicker.

My Grandfather was James Wood 1st Battalion Queens Own Cameron Highlanders.

I do not have his service records at the min, but my father thinks that he might have been in the kitchens at El Shatt, hence the pictures of the food at the bottom of the letter.

3 pictures of him.  The third one shows him with two Yugoslavian soldiers.

I look forward to hearing from you and if you write an article for the press, please send a copy with any response that you might receive.

Regards

Les

Some rare footage of the El Shatt refugee story below.

November 6, 2018 - Tucked away in the stone back streets of Jelsa on the island of Hvar, winemaker Teo Huljic is building up a fascinating portfolio of wines. 

One of the things I always try and do when returning to Hvar these days is to pop in and see Teo Huljic, a small winemaker hidden away with his small restaurant and winery in the pretty old town of Jelsa. Jelsa is the town of wine, of course, and with famous names such as Andro Tomic and Ivo Dubokovic, Teo Huljic rarely appears in the spotlight, which is a pity, as his story is very interesting, and the wines he is experimenting with and producing more interesting still. 

I first met Teo Huljic several years ago when I went to eat at his restaurant which is open for the summer. There is nowhere quite like it on Hvar, with its uneven stone tables, which are afforded shade by two abundant lemon trees, whose juicy fruits have been known to fall from the tree onto the table during a meal. An accomplished chef as well as winemaker, Teo Huljic offers an exceptional slow food and wine tasting experience you can book through Hvar Tours. 

And although he only makes about 7,000 litres of wine a year, his range of wines is quite breathtaking, some 15 in all at current count. Like a true artisan, his passion is making wine, rather than making money, and his dedication to the indigenous varieties on the island, coupled with his curiosity about how international varieties might blend mean that he has the most diverse range of grape varieties in his portfolio. He is, I think, the only winemaker who produces a single variety Mekuja, an almost-extinct Hvar white variety, and my last visit was an introduction to a variety I had not heard before (and nor had Google) - Palarusa. 

Last week's visit was a chance to do some very early tasting of the 2018 tasting, including the quite delightful experience of witnessing Teo Huljic trying his new Posip for the first time. I don't think I have ever been with a winemaker for a moment like that before. He was pleased with the results, and then went on to show me what else he had been up to. 

He had told me previously that he planned to introduce a little Chardonnay to Hvar, as he thought it would blend nicely with two local white varieties, Prc and Posip (and the early signs are that he is right), and I thoroughly enjoyed his Cabernet Sauvign0on and Merlot cuvee, but he saved the new wine of which he was especially proud for last - a Mali Plavac rose, which had more strawberries and roses in a very long-lingering finish than s long summer romance. 

If you are a wine lover coming to Hvar, visit this man. To learn more about Teo Huljic and his wines, click here. 

November 6, 2018 - Where to find a Dalmatian at this time of year? In the field of course, for the olive harvest is in full swing. 

The olives are calling... 

The longer I live here, the more I notice that some Dalmatian ways of life have become my own these days. And although I am very happy with my continental living near Varazdin these days, the end of October traditionally brings with it one of the most important family bonding experiences for most Dalmatian families - the olive harvest. Dalmatians are rightly proud of the quality of their olive oil, and multiple generations of the same families head to the family field to start to pick the fruit of the trees that will give them their edible liquid gold for the next year. 

We too would help with each harvest, but this has become less practical with the move up north, but a window presented itself last week with the public holiday for All Souls Day, with Friday also a day off school. A 1,000 km round trip including 4 hours sitting on ferries to pick olives over a long weekend? I was becoming Dalmatian indeed, and my father-in-law, grateful for the help of 8 extra hands, was happy to make sure I looked the part. 

And although the extra hands did great work, the real star of this year's harvest was this little tool that he brought to the party. After decades of painstaking hand-picking, this battery-powered gem shook the olives from the trees onto the tarp below, with us holding the tarp above our heads to catch any flying ones, before hand-picking any the machine had missed. It felt a little like throwing a grenade to kill the enemy, then going to finish off any survivors with bayonets. 

Although the machine pick reduced our picking time from 10 days to 2.5 for the 80 trees, meaning we could accomplish all during the weekend, there was a tinge of sadness in this technological progress. The tradition of hand-picking olives is on the decline, but more than that, I realised just how many trees that were being harvested just a few years ago were probably not being picked this year. With the crushing emigration from Croatia and increasingly busy lives of the younger generation, not all young families are now able to help the grandparents in the field.

The daily marenda - or late morning snack -  with home-produced goodness, laced with olive oil of course. Enough to keep the workers sated until the bigger gourmet event later in the day. I love the simplicity of eating in the field. Wine in plastic bottles, pickled goodness packed in jars and labelled. No airs or graces, just good company and great food and wine. 

As nice as it is to be out in nature catching up with family, by day three, olive picking can begin to get a little dull. Until one experiences the euphoria of the happiest moment of the year - picking the last olive! Pure bliss.

This is quickly followed by the second most memorable moment of the olive harvest - the only thing to decide? Meat or fish. 

Our bodies weary, despite the help of the magic machine, we headed home feeling worthy, and with several litres of extra virgin olive to get us through the winter, and there was a VERY nice surprise upon our return - olive oil from Istria. 

And not just any olive oil from Istria, but olive oil from Chiavalon, whose oil has been featured in the top 15 olive oils in the world. Amazing oil, amazing story - learn more about Chiavalon and their new web shop here. 

October 31, 2018 - The recent Days of Croatian Tourism event on Hvar was attended by almost 2,000 Croatian tourism professionals. TCN has had lots of feedback to our articles on the winners. The Croatian National Tourist Board has kindly explained the methodology behind the nominations. 

Last week TCN attended Days of Croatian Tourism on Hvar, the most important awards ceremony in the Croatian tourism calendar, and an event we have been examining in greater detail in the last few days. As very little is usually written in English about the Days of Croatian Tourism event, there has been considerable interest in these articles, one of which in particular attracted lots of comment and questions to the TCN inbox - Bosnian restaurant Taj Mahal in Dubrovnik being named the second best restaurant in Croatia for 2018.

A lot of people were not only surprised at some of the finalists and winners, but also wanted to know what criteria were involved and how the process worked. I could not recall any explanation on the night, but the PR department of the Croatian National Tourist Board (who, for the record, are by far the most response PR unit of any state institution I have dealt with) were sure to know, and so I asked for an explanation on behalf of our readers. 

It turns out that the selection process is very thorough indeed. The tourist board's response to my question about the selection for Days of Croatian Tourism in full:

"Within the category of „Destination of the Year”, six of the best destinations are awarded in the following sub-categories: Best City Break Destination; Best Croatian Continental Destination; Best Summer Vacation Destination; Best Authentic Seaside Destination - “malo misto”; Best Rural Destination; Best Health Tourism Destination.

"The entire selection process for destination of the year is comprised of 3 assessment rounds, while only destinations nominated by representatives from the ten Croatian tourism clusters are considered, each submits for their respective cluster. In the first round the grading is performed by an assessment team comprised of representatives from the head office of the Croatian National Tourist Board and the Ministry of Tourism, where they review all of the submitted candidacies, where for each of the respective sub-categories five destinations are put forward for further selection rounds in each sub-category.

"Once each of the 5 destinations for each sub-category has been selected via assessment criteria, representatives from each of the destinations are invited to present their destination in person before a broader assessment committee comprised of representatives from the Croatian National Tourist Board, the Ministry of Tourism, the Croatian Chamber of Economy, the Faculty of Economics – University of Zagreb, Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management – Opatija and Juraj Dobrila University of Pula. In this second assessment round three destinations are selected for each sub-category.

"Finally, for the purpose of the third and final assessment round, six assessment committees are formed, one for each sub-category, where these committees then visit each of the 3 destinations selected in round 2 for the given category. Each committee is comprised of one member from the CNTB, the Ministry, as well as a Faculty and media representative.

"In each of the three rounds the criteria used in the selection process include the following: activities in the destination, public and private infrastructure, destination accessibility, image, human resources, destination prices. Considering each of the criteria the assessment committee gives each destination an overall grade based on the points accumulated in each category, which are crucial in the selection of the awarded destination for each sub-category."

To follow the Croatian National Tourist Board, follow their official site here.

For more on Days of Croatian Tourism, here is the TCN coverage so far. 

October 30, 2018 - Split to Hvar is one of the most popular island trips from the mainland on the Dalmatian coast, and no wonder! Hvar is beautiful, but how does one get from Split to Hvar? What follows is perhaps the most in-depth article ever written on the subject. 

Taking the Main Car Ferry from Split to Hvar - Stari Grad

The main ferry from Split to Hvar goes to the town of Stari Grad, about 25km from Hvar Town. The journey takes 2 hours and it's a real joy on the top deck on a fine day as you pass between the islands of Brac and Solta. The current winter schedule (valid until the end of May) has the following departures in both directions:

STARI GRAD – SPLIT  39,00 KN PASSENGERS

05:30 (NO BUS)

11:30 (BUS AT 09:45)

17:30 (BUS AT 16:30)

SPLIT – STARI GRAD  39,00 KN PASSENGERS

08:30 (BUS AT 10:20)

14:30  (NO BUS)

20:30 (BUS AT 22:15)

The Split Hvar Ferry Option to Save Money - Sucuraj

Although the ferry from Stari Grad to Split seems as if it's the most obvious connection, there is another possibility which is a little cheaper, it takes more time, but it does give you a bit more flexibility. The eastern port of Sucuraj is about a 1-hour drive from Stari Grad (and 90 mins from Hvar Town), and its little ferry has capacity for just 32 cars, but the 30-minute crossing to Drvenik has a lot more daily crossings. The savings in the car ferry price outweigh the extra fuel costs, and if you have time, eastern Hvar is really pretty, and there is plenty to enjoy along the coast from Drvenik to Split (or you can join the motorway for most of the mainland leg). I personally would only recommend this option outside of the peak season, as the queues for the small ferry make getting on the first ferry unlikely. 

If you are coming from Dubrovnik to Hvar, Sucuraj is the best option by far (it is still another 90 minutes to Split from Drvenik). Here are the winter times (valid until the end of May 2019 - with thanks to Pelegrini Tours in Hvar Town - of whom more below)

SUĆURAJ –DRVENIK 13,00 KN PASSENGERS

***06:30 SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS  AT 07:30

09:30

12:30

15:00

18:00

21:30

DRVENIK – SUĆURAJ  13,00 KN PASSENGERS 

***08:00 /SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS AT 08:15

11:00

13:30

17:15

19:00

22:10

Car Ferries from Split to Hvar: Schedules in Winter v Summer

The main Jadrolinija ferry schedule comes in two ways - winter and summer. The winter schedule is from early October to the end of May, when the summer schedule takes over. In peak season, there is an additional late night ferry, which leaves Split at 01:30. You can check the latest Jadrolinija ferry schedule here. 

Is there a Car Ferry Split to Hvar Town?

No. There is only a catamaran service from Split to Hvar Town, so either leave the car in Split or come via the car ferry to Stari Grad, which is about a 20-minute drive from Hvar Town. 

How do I Get to Hvar from Split - Stari Grad Ferry?

If you are driving, it could not be easier (or more beautiful). Simply come off the ferry and turn right and the road will take you directly to Hvar Town.

Buses meet every ferry (with the MAJOR exception of the peak season crossing at 01:30 in the morning) and can be found immediately to the right of the ferry. One goes straight to Hvar Town, the other to Stari Grad, Jelsa and Vrboska. 

Taxis are also available, but they are very expensive (expect to pay in the region of 300 to 350 kuna to Hvar Town), but perhaps the best option is Hvar Taxi, which you can book and pay for online, Uber-style, as well as having the comfort of knowing the price, which is not the case with all taxis on Hvar... 

The same Hvar Taxi company also has a very nice car rental option for people coming on a day trip from Split to Hvar, and you can collect the rental car directly off the ferry, returning the same way as you head home from Stari Grad to Split on the ferry. 

Where to Go for Your Split Hvar Ferry Purchase

Being able to buy tickets online is only a very recent thing, which has been a great improvement for the tourism experience on Hvar. Both Jadrolinija and Krilo sell tickets online now, and you simply print out the ticket and show it as you enter the ferry. 

PLEASE NOTE for car ferry passengers - buying a ticket does not guarantee you a spot on the ferry. You have to be in the queue in plenty of time. 

If you want to buy the tickets physically, you can do so in the main Jadrolinija building in Split harbour as well as in the small kiosk directly in front of the ferry to Stari Grad. 

The ports of Stari Grad, Sucuraj and Drvenik all have sales outlets in the harbour, but be aware the Sucuraj and Drvenik ones only open for sales 30 minutes before sailing. If you are driving over, you will need to bring your car registration documents as well.  

For the best ticket service on the Hvar riva, visit Pelegrini Tours.

Krilo selling point in Split, St. Peter's pier/ Gat Sv Petra +38521645476.

What is the Split to Hvar Ferry Cost?

Split to Stari Grad Foot Passenger - 39 kuna

Split to Stari Grad Car - 250 kuna

Drvenik to Sucuraj Foot Passenger - 13 kuna

Drvenik to Sucuraj Car - 155 kuna

For catamaran prices, see below.  

Where Can I Find the Split to Hvar Ferry Timetable?

The Jadolonija timetable in English.

The Krilo catamaran timetable in English. 

What are the Split to Hvar Catamaran Options?

The options from Split to Hvar Town in winter (we will add the 2019 schedule when it is made available) - with thanks again to Pelegrini Tours:

JADROLINIJA CATAMARAN:
 
HVAR – SPLIT  06:35 (40,00 KN)  **** SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS AT 09:15
SPLIT HVAR 14:00 (40,00 KN)
HVAR –VELA LUKA 15:10  ( 35,00 KN)
 
***TUESDAYS ONLY HVAR –SPLIT AT 08:00- CATAMARAN FROM VIS, BACK AT 15:00
 
JELSA (06:00) – BOL ( 06:25)  - SPLIT (07:30)
MONDAY TO FRIDAY AT 06:00
SATURDAY AT 12:00 (BOL 12:25)- SPLIT (13:30)
SUNDAY AND HOLIDAY 13:00 (BOL 13:25) – SPLIT 14:30
 
SPLIT (16:00) – BOL (17:10) – JELSA (17:30)
MONDAY TO THURSDAY AT 16:00  
FRIDAY AT 16:30 (BOL 17:40, JELSA 18:00)
SATURDAY AT 23:00 (BOL 00:10, JELSA 00:30)
SUNDAY AND HOLIDAY AT 16:00
 
KRILO / KAPETAN LUKA
 
HVAR – SPLIT 07:35 /SUNDAYS AT 14:35 (40,00 KN)
SPLIT – HVAR 16:30   (40,00 KN)
HVAR – KORČULA 17:35 EVERY DAY  (40,00 KN)

A Little Trick if the Split to Hvar Catamaran is Full

Split to Hvar Town is an incredibly popular route, and tickets sell out quickly in peak season. One thing I have learned over the years is that ferry companies often keep an allocation of tickets for onward destinations (Korcula for example), so if you find Hvar sold out, check the availability of the next destination. You may pay a little extra, but that is probably preferable to having to wait for the next boat.  

Can I Smoke on the Catamaran or Ferry from Split to Hvar?

You are not allowed to smoke on the catamarans. For those in need of a little tobacco hit on the catamaran from Split to Jelsa, there is a 15-minute window as the boat stops in Bol to pick up passengers. 

You can smoke outside on the ferries to from Split to Stari Grad and Drvenik to Sucuraj.  

Can I Take a Pet (or a Christmas Tree...) on the Ferry or Catamaran from Split to Hvar?

You can take pets on the ferries without a problem, and if you train them properly, they can even travel solo - read the incredible story of Cookie, who travelled from Split to Stari Grad in search of his British owner back in 2012. 

Regarding pets on catamarans, there is a new rule on small dogs in the transporter, which are now allowed. The price is 20 kuna. Bigger dogs are not allowed in the salon, but they can go outside.

And if you are looking to take a Christmas tree to Hvar by catamaran on Christmas Eve, think again, as I learned a few years ago...

Can I Take a Bike on the Catamaran from Hvar to Split?

You take bicycles on the ferry from Split to Hvar, but there is a different policy for catamarans. Krilo will accept cyclists, but Jadrolinija will not.  

Is There Free WiFi on the Ferry from Split to Hvar?

There is free WiFi on the ferry from Split to Stari Grad only. It has varying coverage throughout the journey and does not always work. One thing I learned when I used the service while living on Hvar was to log on as soon as you board, as it was more likely to work.  

Do the Catamarans and Ferries from Split to Hvar Still Go in Bad Weather?

In the 13 years I lived on Hvar, the Stari Grad ferry only failed to go twice when the storms were really rough, the ferry from Sucuraj a few times more. The catamarans, however... 

Bad weather means that the catamaran reliability, especially in winter, is not 100%. One of the failings in the system in my opinion is that the information on whether or not a catamaran will go is not available until 5am by telephone, even though the decision will have been taken earlier in the morning. It would be a HUGE benefit to island life if the catamaran companies posted the decision at 2am on social media or elsewhere - it would give passengers enough time to make travel arrangements for the 05:30 ferry from Stari Grad.  

Is there a Phone Number I Can Call to Get the Latest Information about Boats from Split to Hvar?

Yes. Jadrolinija has an English-speaking information line open from 5am - +385-21-338333. You can find out if boats will go in bad weather, timetables and prices.  

Meet Pelegrini Tours, Your Best Resource for Information and Tickets from Hvar to Split

I am convinced that Hvar tourism would cease to function without Marijana from Pelegrini Tours in Hvar Town. Official ticket agents for Krilo, Pelegrini Tours also offers morning updates on the status of catamaran travel. Follow their essential Facebook page here.  

Split Airport to Hvar - What are the Options?

You can take a speedboat from close to the airport and really arrive in style. For more information, contact us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For the majority of the rest of us, it is a ferry or catamaran from downtown Split. Find out how to do that with TCN's guide from the airport to Split.  

How Much Time Do I Have for a Split to Hvar Day Trip?

Split to Hvar as a day trip is increasingly popular, and with more catamarans than ever, your options are plentiful.  The best option for a day trip to Hvar (in my opinion) is one few know about. Take the first ferry to Stari Grad (which leaves at 6am in summer, 08:30 in winter, and take advantage of daily car hire options from the ferry. You can drive around the island and take in a lot more until the last ferry than most tourists see in a week.  

What about Organised Boat Trips from Split to Hvar?

Split to Hvar is one of the most popular day trips in Central Dalmatia. Simply ask any agency what they have on offer in Split.  

What about Taking a Speedboat from Split to Hvar?

-taxi boat service downtown Split to Hvar cca 350€ (this depends on the type of the speedboat)

- taxi boat from Hvar to Split Airport – Hvar cca 400 € (this depends on the type of speedboat)

For more information and to book, contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

An Uber Experience Like No Other: From Split to Hvar with UberBOAT

Most tourists visiting Croatia will have some experience with the global ride-sharing app, Uber, but Croatia offers an Uber experience like no other - UberBOAT! UberBOAT works exactly like an Uber, but on the sea. Introduced to the Dalmatian coast last summer, Split to Hvar was one of the most popular routes. UberBOAT functions as a point to point transfer service primarily, but it can also be used for a little island hopping day trip. Learn more about UberBOAT.

Is there an Organised Transfer from Split Airport to Hvar?

For more information on how to get from Split Airport to the Split ferry terminal, here is the latest TCN guide to tell you how to get to the airport once you land in Split. 

Pelegrini Tours offers a service of catamaran-taxi to Split Airport for cca 250 kn, (catamaran ticket is not included).

If you are staying with leading hotel group Suncani Hvar, here is more information on all transfer options.

What about Seaplanes from Split to Hvar?

On August 24, 2014, modern aviation history was made in Jelsa on Hvar, as the first scheduled seaplane flight for 70 years touched down on the Adriatic before taxiing into Jelsa's picturesque harbour. The 15-minute flight to Resnik by Split Airport was followed by another to downtown Split, and Hvar was connected like never before. Sadly, the seaplane operator, European Coastal Airlines, was grounded the following summer, and it has now been two years since there has been a seaplane flight. Will we have seaplanes from Split to Hvar in the future? At the time of writing, there is no concrete news, although there are various companies exploring the possibilities. Should there be any developments, we will update them on our dedicated seaplanes tag. 

Can I Fly from Split to Hvar by Helicopter or Private Plane? Oh Yes... 

(Hvar briefly had a Swiss helicopter based in Stari Grad back in 2013 - here is TCN organising the helicopter for the camera crew for the first Ultra Europe Beach Party, but it flew back to Switzerland after a month due to lack of business)

Currently, there is talk of a helicopter service once again. We will update this article if there is concrete news.  

Stari Grad airfield is located within the historic UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Stari Grad Plain (learn more about it in the video below):

Although Hvar will not be welcoming any Boeing Dreamliners any time soon, private planes with a maximum of six passengers are very welcome.

Where is the Best Place to Wait for the Ferry from Split to Hvar?

FINALLY, after many years, there is a great place right opposite the ferry from Split to Stari Grad. It is called the One Eyed Pig Pub and opened in June, 2018. It also serves food and has a bakery attached. And most importantly for this blogger, the beer selection is decent and reasonably priced. You can learn more about the One Eyed Pig on Facebook.

For more information about the island of Hvar, follow our Total Hvar portal here. Enjoy your trip to Hvar!

If there are any errors or omissions in this article, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

In Stari Grad on the island of Hvar, it will no longer be possible to construct new hostels or turn existing buildings into hostels. The decision was made by a revision of the local spatial plan, making the town one of the first in Croatia to more seriously focus on the issue of tourism management and the development of local accommodation capacities, reports Jutarnji List on October 31, 2018.

Therefore, there will be no new hostels in Stari Grad. Such facilities usually attract guests who stay for a shorter period and spend considerably less money. They will still have available the two existing hostels, with a capacity of around 200 beds. Mayor Antonio Škarpa said that should be more than enough to accommodate hostel guests.

“We were not really sure whether the idea will be accepted, but we have realised that we do not want to have ‘issues’ like our colleagues in Hvar or Novalja have. We want to avoid the development of mass party tourism. Stari Grad is a town with 2,400 years of history and culture, the town centre is under the UNESCO protection, and we have decided to intervene in time in order to turn towards high-quality tourism and cultural tourism,” said Mayor Škarpa.

The decision to ban the construction or renovation of existing properties as hostels was made by the town authorities in Articles 89 and 90 of the amendments to the spatial plan, which state that “within the settlement, hotels, tourist resorts, camps and other tourist facilities can be constructed, with the exception of hostels.”

The decision was made unanimously by the town council following the Urban Planning Committee proposal, and Mayor Škarpa, who became mayor as an independent candidate in June last year, said that the decision was made in view of announced investments in the town.

“French investors will open two five-star hotels in the next two years, and the preparatory works have already begun. We expect the takeover of the Helios Faros hotels by Valamar and the PBZ Croatia Osiguranje Fund to be completed soon. These investments will move us towards the direction of more luxurious tourism, so we have decided to participate more actively in defining what type of guests we want. The existing 200 beds in hostels is quite enough for our destination,” said Škarpa, adding that hostel guests have not yet conquered Stari Grad but they still wanted to act preventively because potential damage to the destination would subsequently be very difficult to mitigate.

The town authorities’ efforts to influence the development of accommodation capacities are currently limited to the hostel sector, but they say they will soon begin to introduce measures to raise the quality of private accommodation facilities. As early as this winter, they will launch courses to increase the quality of accommodation and infrastructure.

“Of course, we also count on measures which the state provides for the categorization of private accommodation, and we as a local community are willing to subsidise the renovation of facades and similar projects. The plan is to help people prepare documentation for registration for the recategorisation projects,” said Škarpa, adding that much is expected from the new director of the local tourist board. The competition for the position will be announced on November 12.

Interested in more stories about Hvar? Click here.

More recognition for Suncani Hvar Hotels at Days of Tourism 2018, as Hotel Adriana wins the Best Wellness Hotel in Croatia award on October 25, 2018. 

It has been quite a year for the island of Hvar. Just six years after celebrating the 400th anniversary of the oldest public theatre in Europe, built way back in 1612, Hvar is this year celebrating another European first in 2018 - 150 years of organised tourism in Europe, following the founding of the Hvar Health Society, on May 15, 1868. 

So it was somewhat fitting that Hotel Adriana, just a few metres down the road from the original accommodation for Europe's first organised health tourism, was the 2018 winner of the category of Best Wellness Hotel in Croatia at last week's Days of Croatian Tourism awards. Hvar has so much to offer with its tourism - beaches, nightlife, culture, heritage, food and wine - but last week Hvar tourism turned full circle after 150 years with its focus on health tourism. 

“We are honored to receive 1st prize for the best wellness hotel in this particular category. This award additionally confirms our continuous efforts to conform to world trends in the spa industry”, emphasized Dubravka Novak, general manager of Adriana, hvar spa hotel. “We are honored to receive 1st prize for the best wellness hotel in this particular category. This award additionally confirms our continuous efforts to conform to world trends in the spa industry”, emphasized Dubravka Novak, general manager of Adriana, hvar spa hotel. 

After undergoing complete refurbishment of all public spaces in the previous year, Suncani Hvar Sensori Spa now has 8 luxurious treatment rooms, VIP couple’s room with private Finnish or infrared sauna, 4 types of saunas (two Finnish saunas, one of which is with a panoramic view of the city, steam, salt sauna, infra-red), Relax room, Spa lounge, Vitality bar, a brand new fitness studio with possibility of private lessons from experienced instructors, weight training and yoga classes. Moreover, it received a new indoor pool with possibility of aerobic classes.

And while Adriana has been winning numerous national and international wellness awards in recent years, it is not the only wellness option in the Suncani Hvar offer.

Bonj les Bains, the 1930's colonnade in front of another Suncani Hvar hotel, Amfora, is another historic setting in this town which oozes heritage at every turn. And what a setting! The Suncani Hvar wellness experience at Bons les Bains comes with an unbeatable waterfront view, complete with private cabins and massage services. Relaxation with a view!

The wellness facilities on offer at Suncani Hvar are part of an increasingly enticing selection of facilities and activities on Croatia's premier island, which are helping Hvar position itself as a more diverse destination than the stereotype of summer sun and beaches. Hvar's Mediterranean diet was inscribed as UNESCO intangible heritage back in 2013, the fifth UNESCO attraction on Hvar, making Hvar the island with the most UNESCO heritage in the world. Hvar's wines are now exported all over the world, and a series of new adrenaline and sporting events is positioning Hvar as an increasingly important adventure tourism destination.  

And when you have the best wellness hotel in Croatia, you know where to come to relax! 

For more information about Hotel Adriana and its wellness offer, click here. 

For the latest news from Suncani Hvar, check the dedicated TCN section.

After the recent cabinet meeting in Hvar, director of the Split-Dalmatia County Port Authority, Domagoj Maroević, spoke about his enthusiasm for soon to be launched projects, reports Dalmacija Danas on October 29, 2018.

We certainly have a lot of reasons to be pleased after the government met in Hvar. We have received 22 million kuna from European funds for the construction of a new ferry port in Sućuraj on Hvar. This is one of the most important projects because the Drvenik-Sućuraj line is one of the busiest in Split-Dalmatia County and has seen the fastest growth in the number of passengers and vehicles. So far, it is possible to load just 30 vehicles in Sućuraj and the construction of a new port will allow more than 60 vehicles to be loaded onto the ferry, and this will make our lives much easier.

When will the works begin?

We have received the construction permit and we will publish the tender next week. I hope that the works will begin in 2019. They should take about a year and a half, and we hope that the new ferry port will be operational for the 2020 season.

Eastern part of Hvar is expected to see major benefits from this in terms of traffic connections with the mainland?

Absolutely. The Sućuraj-Jelsa road, which has already been built in the 14-kilometre Jelsa to Poljica section, is necessary for the entire island and I think that this part of the island will be further developed after the construction of this road. The construction of the port is a prerequisite for the road to see a larger number of vehicles. Last year, more than 450,000 passengers passed through the Sućuraj port. These are large figures and therefore this road is a necessity.

What other investments will Dalmatia see over the next year or two?

We hope that in the next 6 months we will receive financing from EU funds for the construction of a port in Omiš. We already have a construction permit for the project and expect to sign a grant agreement by the end of the year. The investment would reach almost 90 million kuna. Also, project documentation for the construction of a new catamaran port in Stomorska is being prepared. This investment is worth about 15 million kuna. During 2019, we expect to finish the project documentation for the reconstruction and extension of the port in Stari Grad on Hvar, with the investment worth about 75 million kuna. With these two ports, we would solve the current problems for docking on the island of Hvar for the foreseeable future.

If you are interested in more news about Hvar, check out our section devoted to the island.

What are the Croatia travel experiences Americans are looking for in Croatia? A new survey reveals all.

One of the highlights of this week's Days of Croatian Tourism on Hvar, which finished on October 25, 2018, was a presentation from Al Merschen of Myriad Marketing, on the results of a detailed survey of wealthy American tourists and their potential interest in visiting Croatia. Among the various results of the survey which were covered in Merschen's presentation (an overview of which you can read here), he revealed the top 11 things Americans want to experience when visiting Croatia. In descending order... 

11. Croatia Travel Experience - Olive Oil Factories

They say a fish in Dalmatia swims three times in its life - firstly in the sea, then in olive oil during preparation, and finally in excellent Dalmatian wine. It is one way to enjoy three of the main attractions of life in Dalmatia. Croatian olive oil is EXCELLENT, among the best in the world, and it is little surprise that it is on the list of American desired experiences in Croatia. The next step to aid that process would be to build an online resource to facilitate tourism interest in olive oil.  

10. Croatia Travel Experience - Zagreb Christmas

A lesson for all in tourism worldwide - how to create a new product in a successful tourism country, far away from its main attractions - the coast and in summer - and within just a few years become the 10th most sought-after experience. Advent in Zagreb has been voted the best Christmas marketplace for three years in a row. A wonderful time to visit Croatia. Here is the TCN guide to Advent in Zagreb 2017.  

9. Croatia Travel Experience - Korcula Island

The birthplace of Marco Polo and also the 2018 Best Destination in Croatia, according to the annual Vecernji List Tourist Patrol. Thinking of visiting? Here are 25 things to know about Korcula. 

8. Croatia Travel Experience - Hvar Island

And if you are looking to combine as many of these Croatia travel experiences as possible, you are in luck - the island of Hvar is just a short catamaran journey from Korcula. Hvar, which is celebrating 150 years of organised tourism in Europe this year, is also home to the most island sun in Europe, the oldest public theatre in Europe, and the most UNESCO heritage of any island in the world. Here are 25 things to know about Hvar.  

7. Croatia Travel Experience - Game of Thrones Sites

Croatia is popular for so many reasons these days, but there has been a real surge of interest in recent years from the hit HBO series Games of Thrones, which was filmed in various locations in Croatia. Learn more about the top 5 Game of Thrones tours in Croatia. 

6. Croatia Travel Experience - Art Museums

Did you know that Zagreb has more museums per square kilometre than any city in the world? Allegedly, and many of which are art museums. Good news for our American guests, as Art Museums features high on the list of desired things to do. 

5. Croatia Travel Experience - Wineries and Vineyards

What to say? Croatian wine is fantastic! With more than 130 indigenous varieties, including the original Zinfandel, Croatian wine is so good TCN built an entire website to celebrate it. Learn all about Croatian wine on the TCN Total Croatia Wine website. 

4. Croatia Travel Experience - The Blue Cave

The Blue Cave on Bisevo - one of the great natural tourist attractions in Croatia. Located close to the island of Vis, the Blue Cave tour has become insanely popular in recent years. Here are some things you need to know if you are planning a visit to the Blue Cave. 

3. Croatia Travel Experience - National Parks

More than 10% of Croatia is covered by national parks and nature parks. Visit them, they are amazing. UNESCO World Heritage Site Plitvice Lakes, above, is magnificent in different ways all four seasons of the year. 

2. Croatia Travel Experience - The Old Walls of Dubrovnik

With more than a million people a year now walking the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the old walls of Dubrovnik, the walls were popular enough. Then came Game of Thrones and Kings Landing - no wonder the walls of Dubrovnik are almost at the top of the list. There is plenty more to do in Dubrovnik once you have finished a stroll around the walls - 25 things to know about Dubrovnik. 

(Photo credit Igor Tomjenlovic)

1. Croatia Travel Experience - The Dalmatian Coast

 And, with such a high quality of places to visit and things to experience, what could possibly be the most desirable experience for American tourists in Croatia? Why, heaven of course - the Dalmatian coast. 

To learn more about Al Menschen's presentation on American tourism interest in Croatia, click here. 

More confirmation in the growing interest in the island of Hvar as a popular destination in Croatia on October 25, 2018. 

It has been another good year for tourism on the island of Hvar. The birthplace of organised tourism in Europe is slowly cementing its reputation as a destination of high-quality tourism, playing to its strengths of history, tradition, nature, adventure tourism, and food and wine, and this week's Days of Croatian Tourism showcased the magic of Hvar at the end of October. Read more about that experience here. 

A new detailed survey on American tourism interest in Croatia was presented this week at Days of Croatian Tourism on Hvar by Al Merschen of Myriad Marketing, a fascinating overview of the potential of the American tourism market for Croatia. The top then areas of interest included destinations and activities, with the Dalmatian coast at number one, followed by Dubrovnik City Walls, National Parks, the Blue Cave, wineries and vineyards, art museums, Game of Thrones sites, Hvar Island, Korcula Island, Zagreb Christmas, and olive oil factories. 

The survey was conducted among Americans with a household income in excess of $100,000 a year and those who had been on a foreign holiday further than Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean in the last 12 months. The results provided some very positive feedback about the level of interest in Croatia among Americans looking to travel abroad. 

And in even better news for Hvar, the areas of interest for active travellers are almost a perfect fit for the island's tourism offer - walking tours, shopping, food tours, wine tastings, kayaking, sailing, wellness and cycling. 

You can read a more comprehensive overview of the presentation of American tourism interest at the Arsenal in Hvar Town in a TCN article on trends in American interest in Croatia.