Junee 13, 2022 - The 2022 SARS Festival in Sinj returns next month for an exciting 19th edition! 

Summer is getting closer and with it comes a new festival season! July 22 and 23 are reserved for the 19th edition of the S.A.R.S. festival in Sinj, which this year brings great musical names and top entertainment to the Sinj Hippodrome.

This year's edition will be enriched by the Gramophone Record Fair, which will be open to all visitors in the afternoon so that music connoisseurs can pick their favorite rarities and enhance their collection, reports Sinjska Rera.

Both festival evenings open with local musicians - Damir Gossain & Zemlja and Šetači, while the audience will also enjoy the performances of rising stars, like the young and extremely talented Ivan Španja aka Bora Balboa, and already well-known and favorite Šibenik group Bluvinil. Letu Štuke will also play first for the first time in Sinj!

A hot atmosphere is promised with the performance of M.O.R.T. who enchant every audience with their infectious energy. In Sinj they are at home, so an absolute party is guaranteed.

“The grand finale of the 19th S.A.R.S. will feature seasoned veterans - Kultur Shock, who won the heart of Sinj with their performance a few years ago, which many agree was the best in the history of the festival! All you have to do is come and see the magic of the sensational guys from Seattle," the organizers said. 

This year, the organizers have provided a camp for visitors, which is certainly a huge plus for visitors coming from outside of Sinj, eager for good fun and top gigs. Early festival tickets at affordable prices are available now through Adriaticket. 

The S.A.R.S. festival is part of SKUP's 'Culture in the Hinterland' program, which is funded by the 'Kultura nova' Foundation for the development of production and/or distribution of works of art, works, and projects.

For more, check out our lifestyle section.

PR TEXT - June 10, 2022 - After visiting the best of the Mediterranean, including the heavenly Biokovo Skywalk and the WTA tournament in Makarska, tasting wine on Brač and Hvar, and enjoying the view of Zlatni Rat, the Hvar Historical Theater, and the Pakleni Islands, the digital creators got to peek into Inland Dalmatia during the International Meeting of Travel Influencers.

Recall, this is a unique project of the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board and the editor of the Croatian Hotspots magazine, Maja Zlokić, which thus entered its spectacular finale.

Inland Dalmatia is great for active holidays and sightseeing, and was there a better city to start this adventure than the heroic Sinj? Nothing speaks of Sinj as eloquently as the Sinjska Alka Museum. The guests enjoyed a museum tour with many uniforms, equipment, weapons used by the Sinj Alkars, Alkar statutes, and digital displays. Of particular delight were the life-size display of the Alkar procession and the replay of the 1715 Battle of Sinj, where the influencer group could experience the glorious battle in a multimedia environment.

However, the real euphoria arose during the visit to the Sinj Hippodrome, when the cameras of the digital creators did not stop clicking during the encounter with beautiful horses, which many wanted to pet and feed. The beauties of Sinj have taken over Instagram stories and posts, and the group gained a great insight into the Sinj tradition, from ancient times related to horse breeding and training, as indicated by three centuries of the Alka and many domestic and international horse tournaments.

The real hit on Wednesday was the mystical blue-green eye - the source of the Cetina. It is a photogenic location that Instagram has adored for a long time because of its stunning turquoise colors, but also incredibly picturesque ambiance, which contributes to the proximity of nearby sacral buildings, which seem to obscure this unusual natural phenomenon - the Church of the Holy Salvation.

There was also content for culture lovers, and the favorite photo of the source is from a bird's eye view. Many of the influencers, such as Goran Jović - one of the ambassadors of this project, and his wife, photo & travel blogger Diana Loos, already have an affinity for beautiful photography and were delighted by this ambiance, just like the beauties of Imotski - the Blue and Red Lake. Stories have been told about them since ancient times, and one of the most impressive moments related to these top Imotski attractions is when the Blue Lake dries up and becomes a football field! Playing football at the bottom of the lake is a real treat, and photos of this event will travel worldwide!

Slightly sad about the last day of the meeting, but at the same time overjoyed about the great experience, quality content, and unparalleled inspiration, the influencers promised Central Dalmatia one thing - this parting is only for a short time.

All photos by Goran Jovic

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

May 28, 2022 - On May 27 at the Meštrović Gallery in Split, the Golden Pen awards ceremony was held.

Namely, since 2005, the Croatian National Tourist Board has awarded the "Golden Pen" to emphasize the value of a professional approach to writing and media promotion in Croatia, aware of the importance of the influence of foreign tourism journalists.

Prizes are awarded for the best texts, radio and TV reports, blog posts, and the best post on social networks.

As part of the three-day program for journalists, a special part was organized that took place in Bol and Sinj, hosted by local tourist boards. The program in Sinj began with a tour of the Sinjska Alka Museum, where journalists and directors of CNTB offices, accompanied by Alkars Frane Ivković (winner of the 300th Sinj Alka), Mihovil Župa (winner of the 306th Sinj Alka) and Alkar boys Mirko Malbaša and Petra Cvitković, were greeted by Monika Vrgoč, director of the Sinj Tourist Board, Boris Filipović Grčić, head of the Sinjska Alka Museum, Miro Bulj, Mayor of Sinj and Denis Bobeta, Deputy Mayor of Sinj.

They visited the museum exhibition accompanied by tourist guide Dino Ivančić, and Tomislav Barhanović, the museum's curator. This was followed by a tour of the Grad Fortress, where part of the program continued with the performance of the Klapa Cetinjanka from Hrvace, the Association for the Preservation of the Heritage of the Cetina region, and the Rera and Gusle Association from Otok. Refreshments were prepared by the famous bartender and cocktail master Jure Vojković. In addition to traditional tunes on the list of the intangible cultural heritage of the Republic of Croatia and UNESCO, they were introduced to the events in the famous battle of 1715, the close link between the knightly Alka game and the worship of the Miraculous Lady of Sinj and a panoramic view of the Sinj field and the mountain beauties that surround it, with numerous opportunities for outdoor activities.

This year, the Croatian National Tourist Board organized the 18th Golden Pen Awards Ceremony in cooperation with the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board and the Split Tourist Board. On that occasion, 17 awards to foreign journalists, bloggers, and influencers for the best media coverage of Croatia as a tourist destination last year were given at the Meštrović Gallery.

The Sinj Tourist Board is extremely pleased that among the awarded journalists are Lojze Wieser and Florian Gebauer from the Austrian television company ORF, who last year recorded the award-winning show "Tastes of Europe - Dalmatia" with articles from Sinj and the Sinj area. They were in Sinj yesterday with Branimir Tončinić, director of the Vienna office.

The Sinj Tourist Board would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their successful cooperation and assistance in the organization, especially: the Shrine of the Miraculous Lady of Sinj, the Alkar Knights Society, the Sinjska Alka Museum, the Museum of Cetina Krajina - Sinj, the Cetina Klapa, the Association of Old Crafts, OPG Moro, OPG Župić, OPG Mravak, Juri Vojković, Stipe Prološčić, Edo Crljen, and Tonća Klapež, management and staff of the restaurant Kod Frane - Ovrlja and Čistoća Cetinske krajine - Sinj!

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

May 24, 2022 - Sinj mountaineers and researchers joined the Svilaja Mountaineering Association one hundred years ago, in 1922.

From time immemorial, mountains have attracted nature lovers for the peace they provide. The Cetina region is a God-given area crowned with mountain beauties, the next more beautiful than the last. 

Sinj mountaineers and researchers joined the Svilaja Mountaineering Association a hundred years ago, in 1922. The association was officially registered two years later, on May 25, 1924, as the first branch of the Croatian Mountaineering Association in Dalmatia. In its century-old history, PD Svilaja is proud of the construction and management of several valuable mountaineering facilities (Svilaja lodge, "Paunovac" shelter, Vaganj shelter on Kamešnica, Lake Peruća lodge), and today manages the "Orlove stine" lodge on the Svilaja mountain slopes.

As pioneers of mountaineering in the Cetina region, in the mid-1970s, the association began arranging and marking hiking trails in the entire Cetina region. Since the 1990s, it has shared caring for them with newly established institutions. Today, PD Svilaja takes care of the trails on Svilaja and Visoka.

In the hundred years of its operation, PD Svilaja has introduced many enthusiasts to the magical world of mountaineering, tirelessly organizing numerous excursions, mountaineering schools, schools for mountaineering guides, and mountain conservationists, alpinists, training for the Mountain Rescue Service, and always welcome hikes and gatherings.

The association has received numerous recognitions and thanks, including the Golden Badge of the Croatian Mountaineering Association and the City of Sinj Award in 1999.

For the great jubilee, the association is working on publishing a monograph, a new website, marking the Cetina Transversal, and several other activities that will mark 100 years.

The Svilaja Mountaineering Association - Sinj invites all mountaineers and nature lovers to celebrate the centenary of the Association with an organized mountaineering trip in the Cetina region and Dalmatia on June 3 followed by a complete program.

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

May 10, 2022 - Last weekend, Sinj carnival customs were presented in Vukovar at the All Together for Croatia - Vukovar 2022 festival.

Last Friday and Saturday (May 6 and 7) at the unique Festival of Intangible Heritage, Tourist Events, Attractions and Destinations All Together for Croatia - Vukovar 2022, the intangible carnival customs of Podkamešnica villages were presented through performances by members of the association "Didi s Kamešnice" - Gljev.

The festival All Together for Croatia - Vukovar 2022 is held to mark the City Day of Vukovar (May 3) and lasted until May 8. In cooperation with the City of Vukovar and the Vukovar Tourist Board, the organizers prepared this commendable event.

The festival was officially opened by Filip Sušac, Deputy Mayor of Vukovar, and the opening was attended by Marina Sekulić, Director of the Vukovar Tourist Board, His Excellency Ilan Mor, Ambassador of Israel, partner countries of the festival, prof. dr. sc. Dragan Primorac, MD, ambassador of this year's festival, then ambassadors of last year's festivals: Zlatko Dalić, Croatia national football team coach and Dražen Klarić, editor-in-chief of Večernji list, Msgr. Đuro Hranić, Archbishop of Đakovo and Osijek, Fr. Ivica Jagodić, guardian and administrator of the shrine of St. Filip i Jakov, Monika Vrgoč, Sinj Tourist Board director, Renato Labazan, director of the Tourist Board of Korpivnica.

During the three days of the Festival, over 600 participants from all parts of Croatia participated in various programs at several locations: Dubrovnik, Sinj, Zadar, Omis, Varaždin, Koprivnica, Bjelovar, Rijeka, Sali, Korcula, Zagreb County, Slavonia and abroad, more precisely Bulgaria. Vukovar's streets and squares became a meeting place for different cultures, gastronomy and entertainment, presenting the best of Croatia's protected intangible heritage.

The city of Sinj, as always, gladly responded to the invitation. Thus, after their participation in 2018 and 2019 when Alkars and Alkar boys and City Music performed, this year is remembered through the performance of Ana Rucner and video screenings of the award-winning promotional film Alkar Pride.

This year Sinj continued presenting their rich intangible heritage with members of the association 'Didi s Kamešnice', in the lead role. In addition, they presented the carnival customs of Podkamešnica villages that are on the list of intangible cultural assets of the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia. With this performance, 'Didi s Kamešnice' also additionally marked their 20th anniversary of active work as an Association in Vukovar - the city of heroes, the city of symbols of unity and strength.

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

May 2, 2022 - The Our Lady of Sinj trail was cleaned on the Dugopolje – Dicmo - Sinj section over the weekend, organized by the Sinj Tourist Board. 

Organized by the Sinj Tourist Board in cooperation with NOPD Koćari, with the support of the City of Sinj, the Municipality Dicmo, the Dugopolje Tourist Board, County Roads Split, Čistoće cetinske krajine d.o.o., DVD Dicmo, Croatian Forests Branch Sinj, and members: HGSS station Split branch Sinj, BK Vlaji, Ultra Trail Dinarides, PD Svilaja, PDU Alfa & Omega - Sesvete, pilgrims on the Our Lady of Sinj trail and numerous volunteers successfully conducted an environmental action of cleaning illegal landfills, landscaping and marking the Our Lady of Sinj trail on the Dugopolje - Dicmo - Sinj section.

After last year's successful environmental cleaning and landscaping of 14 illegal landfills in the municipality of Hrvace, Zelovo, and part of the trail in Kukuzovac, this year, the Sinj Tourist Board launched ecological actions of cleaning and marking the existing trails on Sutina and cleaning and marking a part of the Our Lady of Sinj trail on the Dugopolje - Dicmo - Sinj section.

Recall, the Our Lady of Sinj trail project (completed in 2015) is a pilgrimage trail 148 km long that connects Marian shrines from the shrine in Solin to the shrine of Our Lady of Sinj and further to the shrine at Šćit (Prozor - Rama in BiH).

Unfortunately, parts of the trail have been devastated with the accompanying infrastructure. Therefore, in cooperation with Split-Dalmatia County, the Our Lady of Sinj Trail project was launched. Through the project, the Sinj Tourist Board received a new website https://stazagospisinjskoj.hr/ and a virtual walk http://heritagecroatia.com/web/staza-gospi-sinjskoj/ to increase its visibility and accessibility to numerous pilgrims and recreationists.

Unfortunately, despite the efforts of numerous institutions, activists, members of sports associations, and pilgrims, irresponsible individuals continued to dispose of various wastes along the entire Trail. Therefore, to mark Earth Day, the Sinj Tourist Board decided to arouse the conscience of irresponsible individuals with another cleanup and landscaping action and give the competent institutions an incentive for lasting solutions to prevent such adverse effects on the environment and adequately punish irresponsible individuals.

Many volunteers and nature lovers attended this year's action, including members of mountaineering associations: PD Svilaja, NOPD Koćari, PDU Alfa & Omega - Sesvete, members of the Cycling Club Vlaji - Sinj, Ultra Trail Dinarides, and pilgrims from Split, Solin, and Kaštela who regularly pilgrimage on the trail. In addition, members of HGSS stations Split branch office Sinj, DVD Dicmo, Croatian Forests branch office Sinj, then Čistoća Cetinske krajine and Županijska cesta Split took part in the action, without whose employees and mechanization this action would not be feasible.

This action and the previous ones contribute to the development of environmental awareness and appeal to responsibility for Sinj's natural and cultural heritage.

The organizers thank everyone who selflessly took their time and helped in this environmental action.

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

April 30, 2022 - Inland Dalmatia tourism is a hit, says Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board director Joško Stella. 

Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board director, Joško Stella, is running for a new term at the helm of the tourist board. After presenting the Tourism 3.0 project, Dalmatinski Portal spoke to Stella about the results of his work, expectations from this season, and trends in tourism. 

Which parts of Split-Dalmatia County have made the biggest step since you became the head of the Tourist Board?

"Split Riviera and Makarska Riviera make the largest traffic as clusters in Split-Dalmatia County, and we also know that the city of Split has made a big step forward in tourism in the last five years. As for Inland Dalmatia, I would especially like to point out the area of Imotski where a large number of villas with swimming pools were built."

Many villas with swimming pools have been built in Inland Dalmatia in recent years. But is the demand still growing?

"There is a great demand for Inland Dalmatia and villas with swimming pools located in the hinterland, coast, and islands."

Did the pandemic affect the number of apartments in Split?

"The number of apartments in Split has decreased."

The world is changing fast, and so is tourism. What is the current trend that the general public may not be aware of?

"The current trend in the world is a return to nature, outdoor activities, exercise, walking, cycling, and general recreational sports. However, I would add that the growing trend is healthy food and quality nutrition where our Mediterranean cuisine has a great chance to grow as a brand."

The tourist board has been pushing cycling tourism in the county. What are the results?

"We have been systematically developing cycling tourism in the county since 2013. The result is over 3000 km of trails, over 200 'bed and bike' apartments, 50 bike hotels, and ten bike camps. In addition, the result is an increasing number of smaller and larger bicycle races and a growing number of organized groups of cyclists coming to our county."

Will this season break the 2019 record?

"From the beginning of the year to April 27, we have 2.8 times more overnight stays than last year, and if we compare with the same period in 2019, we are at 88 percent of overnight stays from pre-pandemic, record, 2019. So we are certainly expecting a better year than 2021, and we are expecting figures close to 2019, Of course, unless there are some unforeseen circumstances."

The City of Vienna recently launched a €2 million financial incentive program for film and television productions called 'Vienna Film Incentive.' The program should contribute to the growth of the economy and tourism and increase the attractiveness of Vienna as a tourist destination, and is expected to last until the end of 2023. The filming of Game of Thrones has contributed to popularizing Dalmatia. What can be done institutionally to make this industry more regularly choose our area?

"Split-Dalmatia County and the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board are actively working to establish a film office that would promote film tourism and locations in the destination for future filming. Back in 2015, we released a map of locations for Game of Thrones in several languages ​​and presented it at the Barcelona fair, where we co-financed a copy of the original throne from the film. In the following years, we actively brought in journalists related to the filming of Mama Mia and Game of Thrones."

The season is already visible and is slightly longer, lasting more than two months. So what else can be done?

"7-8 years ago, it started at the end of April, and now at the end of March. The flights ended in early October and now end later that month. With the development of particular forms of tourism such as enogastronomy, cultural and active tourism, we are already extending the tourist season. It is a process that has been going on for years, but progress is already visible."

The arrival of guests is related to the number of flights and the price. What can be done to increase the number of flights and make them more affordable?

"In 2022, in cooperation with the CNTB and the Split Tourist Board, we co-financed eight airlines. We agree with Croatia Airlines for additional routes in the winter flight schedule and are negotiating additional routes and flights."

The tourist board does a lot of education throughout the county. What are the reactions?

"In 2022 alone, we already had 15 trainings for private renters and four trainings for agencies where I would like to point out that we brought Rob Holmes from the USA and Victoria Smith from the UK. There are currently five trainings for EU funds in tourism. Attendance at most trainings is excellent. I would also like to point out that we have co-financed nine trainings for our local tourist boards.

Since 2012, we have been the first in Croatia with organized free trainings for private renters, and we are known to have the most free trainings of all county tourist boards in Croatia. The result of all this is that over 8,000 people and over a thousand more from the entire sector went directly through our trainings for private renters, thus raising the level of knowledge and competitiveness of tourism in our county."

What else makes the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board stand out?

"We, as the County Tourist Board, are leaders in the field of education and cooperation with private landlords (education, conferences, web pages, co-financing the Apartment Plus magazine, and cooperating with Landlord Counseling). In addition, we have exceptional cooperation with agencies in our area (DMK competition, cooperation with UHPA / education). We also highlight projects: 1. Marketing through social networks (Facebook and YouTube), 2. Development of cycling tourism (trail design, promotional materials, fairs, and races), 3. Development of themed hiking trails (the only tourist base in Croatia if not in Europe that has Google StreetView for all themed trails, special website, and printed materials), 4. Sustainable development and strategic planning, The only tourist board with a Capacity Study, 5. The first tourist board in Croatia to implement the Economic effects of tourism, 6. Cooperation with local tourist boards (joint advertising, special calls for tenders, co-financing trainings, and arranging destinations)."

For more on travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

April 29, 2022 - The Our Lady of Sinj trail will be cleaned on Saturday, April 30, along the Dugopolje - Dicmo - Sinj section. 

Celebrating World Earth Day, April 22, the Sinj Tourist Board, with the support of the City of Sinj, Dicmo Municipality, Dugopolje Tourist Board, Cetina Krajina, Croatian Forests - Sinj Branch, ŽC, HGSS - Sinj Branch, and in cooperation with NOPD Koćari, organizes an eco-action to clean and arrange part of the Our Lady of Sinj trail on the section Dugopolje - Dicmo - Sinj.

Namely, after last year's action cleaning a part of the Trail (Sinj), unfortunately, illegal waste disposal continued along a large part of the Trail. Therefore, after successfully cleaning and arranging the existing trails on Sutina, the Sinj Tourist Board decided on an additional action to clean and arrange the Trail, which will take place on April 30 (Saturday).

"We invite volunteers to join us because without your help and participation such actions would not be possible. Together, we awaken awareness of the impact of man on the environment and awareness of the importance of preserving it as our common good. All interested citizens, nature lovers, can join this action of cleaning and landscaping," said the Sinj Tourist Board. 

In order to carry out this action well, please send your application to e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., stating the name of the action: Trail to Our Lady of Sinj - cleaning and landscaping action, as well as the name and surname of the participant.

Participants will gather and divide tasks at 9 am, at the location Kukuzovac (industrial zone). 

For more, check out our lifestyle section.

April 19, 2022- On April 18, Easter Monday, the Sinj Tourist Board, with the support of the City of Sinj and the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board, held an outdoor Easter Monday breakfast. 

"The event was organized to present traditional Easter dishes and customs. During the pre-season, our goal is to provide all guests with an insight into our rich tradition of preparing Easter meals and special customs, and thus bring them closer to the destination they are visiting," said the Sinj Tourist Board.

After the welcoming speeches of Miro Bulj, Mayor of Sinj, and Monika Vrgoč, Director of the Sinj Tourist Board, the holiday table was blessed by Fr. Perica Maslać, pastor of the Shrine of Our Miraculous Lady of Sinj.

All visitors could enjoy a richly prepared holiday table consisting of traditional dishes prepared for Easter breakfast, such as boiled eggs, ham, Dalmatian prosciutto, baked bread, sirnica, donuts, and other special desserts. The Sinj majorettes performed in the entertainment part of the program with new choreography, followed by performances by the City Mixed Choir and Sinj musicians Mirna Alfirević and Mislav Norac. Members of the Association for the Preservation of Cetina Region Heritage, KUD Cetina, and the associations Sinjski ferali and Stari zanati decorated the holiday table. The youngest visitors were able to enjoy the Easter magic this year as well, which was prepared this year by members of the Sinjski Ferali Association.

"We thank Ms. Branka Marinović and Mrs. Bader who helped us with the decorations, then the faithful sponsor of the largest poultry farm Mostina d.o.o. from Obrovac Sinj, and special thanks to the Shrine of the Miraculous Lady of Sinj, the Sinj Mixed Choir, employees of KUS, KUD Cetina, the Association for the Preservation of Heritage of the Cetina region and Sinj majorettes," added the Sinj Tourist Board. 

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

April 4, 2022 - The Sutina area cleanup was held by the Sinj Tourist Board on Sunday, April 3. 

To mark World Water Day, the Sinj Tourist Board, in cooperation with NOPD Koćari and with the support of the City of Sinj, the Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board, and the participation of many volunteers and members of mountaineering societies Svilaja and Vukovi - Sinj, Cetina adventure club, Croatian Mountain Service Rescue Sinj, JU More i Krš, cycling club Vlaji -Sinj, and DVD Sinj, held an ecological action on April 3 to clean, arrange, and mark the existing trails in the Sutina area.

The action was originally planned for April 2, but due to bad weather conditions, it was postponed and held on April 3.

The Sinj Tourist Board thanks all nature lovers who selflessly joined this event! 

Photos by Željko Zrnčić, Marko Glavinić, Nikica Ugrin and Monika Vrgoč.