As part of the second edition of the "Meet Your Country" project, the Croatian Tourist Guides Association and partners will organize free guided tours in many cities across Croatia. The free guided tours will take place on the International Day of Recognition in Croatia, Sunday, January 13, 2019, at noon, reports HRTurizam on January 9, 2019. 

The guided tours are intended firstly for locals to get to know their city better and become ambassadors of Croatian tourism, but, of course, to all other visitors and tourists too.

“We wanted to highlight the importance of protected land sites in the country and the Ordinance on the List of Protected Locations (which is still under construction), which are the only places in Croatia which will be presented exclusively by tourist guides who have been educated in the Republic of Croatia,” said Kristina Niuć Prka, the president of the Croatian Tourist Guides Association, adding that the initiative this year includes 58 cities.

The list of cities and municipalities where free guided tours will be organized are Trogir, Split, Solin, Klis, Sinj, Trilj, Dubrovnik, Korčula, Šibenik, Drniš, Zadar, Rab, Opatija, Vepribac, Lovran, RIjeka, Krk, Vrbnik, Trsat, Labin, Rovinj, Pula, Vodnjan, Pazin, Buje, Poreč, Karlovac, Zagreb , Varaždin, Slavonski brod, Lipik, Osijek, Vukovar, Vinkovci, Otočac, Plitvice, Đakovo, Buzet, Roč, Hum, Motovun, Viškovo, Imotski, Cres, Novalja, Krapisnke Toplice, Jastrebarsko, Pag, Bakar, Daruvar, Hrvatska Kostajnica, Nin, Kastav, and Sisak.

In Croatia, there are a total of 555 local self-government units, namely 428 municipalities and 127 cities, making it interesting that not all cities and tourist boards are participating in this action. 

“Meet Your Country” is an excellent tourist story and a significant segment in the mosaic of Croatia’s tourism story which the country cannot continue to neglect. It is the people that make up the best cities, thus the locals are tourism and the best ambassadors of Croatian tourism. The local population gives a rhythm and pulse to the destination, and visitors want to be introduced to the city by locals through their culture, lifestyle, customs, and stories because it is precisely the essence of tourism.

In conclusion, getting acquainted with your city and transforming citizens into ambassadors of Croatian tourism is crucial for the development of tourism. Get out there and learn more about your city this Sunday! You can find out more about where you're meeting in your city here. 

To learn more about tourism in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

We've written in our articles regarding connections between Korčula and the mainland about the Split - Hvar (- Prigradica) - Korčula catamaran line , which is a line that operates throughout the year, connecting the two islands with Split.

In 2018, it was scheduled to leave Split at 4:30 pm every day, arrive in Hvar at 5:30 and finally make it to Korčula around 7 pm. 

In 2019, the schedule will be different: on January 1st 2019 it will start leaving Split at 4 pm every day, arriving in Hvar around 5 pm, and finally make it to Korčula also half an hour sooner every day, at 6:30 pm. 

The change to the schedule will affect only the out-of-season time of the year, as during high season (June, July, August and September) it leaves Split at 5 pm, which is now a full hour later, arriving in Korčula at 7:45 (it takes longer during the tourist season, because it makes the stop at Prigradica in that period as well). 

We asked Kapetan Krilo what caused the change, and they directed us to ask at the Agency for coastal line traffic, where mr. Milan Mravulj explained that the line has changed its schedule several times in the past, and that the change was probably instigated by the local authorities in Korčula or Hvar. Anyway, just keep that change in mind when you're travelling to one of the two islands out of season, because if you miss that Split - Hvar - Korčula catamaran (now leaving) at 4 pm, there aren't that many chances to get to the islands after that...

As we've reported previously, this summer a cave was accidentally discovered in the village of Žrnovo, hamlet Postrana. Since then, preliminary investigations have been conducted in the Korčula cave, and 24 sata brings the story, written by Bogdan Blotnej. 

Branko Jalžić, speleology instructor and biospeleologist tells the journalist that he was looking for any kind of bugs on the sides of the cave, when he first noticed an odd shape on a rock in the cave, 35 meters deep. His experience made him believe it was a fossil, which was later confirmed by scientists in the Croatian Natural Sciences Museum in Zagreb. He entered the cave with a group of speleologists, Damir Basar, Milan Vojnović and Gordan Polić, and they managed to descend to the bottom of the Korčula cave - at 50 meters below the surface.

As for the fossil, they were not sure who it belonged to at first, but have since been told that it probably comes from one of the fish from the Osteichthyes (bony fish) group, that has lived around 100 million years ago, during the cretaceous period, when some of the biggest dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Researchers explain that the water has probably washed the rock where the remains of the fish were found, and the hard teeth remained. In addition to this one, they found two other fossils and probably a new type of Coleoptera beetle. It was, unfortunately, not alive when it was found and was even half-consumed by a fungus, so they will have to try and find it during another expedition. 

All of this was shared with the public during the 3rd natural history week in Korčula, and 18 researchers participated in the exploration of the 25 caves and pits on Korčula. 

After the cave was accidentaly found by Tonči Borovac of Korčula, while digging to plant a tree, research has been taking place, and ideas have appeared how to use the cave as a tourist attraction, but without putting anyone in any risk of falling in. 

In addition to the Korčula cave, there are numerous interesting formations on Korčula, including pits with salt and fresh water in them, some lakes underground and all of them need to be explored, cleaned and protected, and fossils that were found in them are planned to be presented to the public in the Korčula Town Museum.  

Delayed one day, because of the strong wind and a lot of rain that made it impossible for the opening of the ice rink in Korčula to take place on Saturday, as it was originally planned, the ice skating rink right by the sea was open to the public on Sunday. 

The opening itself was a very festive event, with wonderful sunny weather (after the horrible rainy and gloomy Saturday), many people of Korčula showed up to be among the first ones to test the ice this year. Advent festivities have now fully started in Korčula as well, with the skating for the children, and stands by the rink offering the usual pre-Christmas cheer and food and drinks, such as mulled wine. 

And, there is also a special Advent surprise for the children of Korčula, located in the park in front of the Culture home and library in Korčula: 

December 7, 2018 - Oliver Dragojević was born today in 1947 in Split, though he was originally from Vela Luka, where he also spent his childhood. Oliver was particularly connected with Split where he attended music school, and also made the first steps in his musical career, reports Dalmacija Danas. 

His first encounter with music was at the age of five when his father Marko gifted him an accordion. Oliver would entertain passersby on his street, and boat passengers on the regular Split-Vela Luka route. His first feature appearance was at the Split Children's Festival in 1961 with the popular song 'Baloni'.

Oliver’s festival debut was at the Split Festival in 1967. He attended at the invitation of Zdenko Runjić and played the song 'Picaferaj'. Though the song did not make it to the final festival night, it became one of his eternal hits.

Throughout his lifetime, Oliver’s voice and modesty delighted his fans at concerts all over the world, and it was not unlike him to perform at humanitarian concerts to help those most in need. It was at HNK Split where he took part in the concert "Believe in Love" organized by the County Cancer League for 50 years of dedicated work. The concert was held in October 2017.

However, no one knew that it would be the last public performance of the legendary Oliver Dragojević, whose words after the concert certainly confirm why he was an audience favorite and someone whose songs will remain forever written in the souls of not just Split people, but his admirers around the world. 

“Here’s something that works for the people, and that is helping anyone in need. That's a message - believe in love. Being a man is hard, and finding himself is even harder,” Oliver said at the end of the concert.

Oliver had planned to celebrate his 70th birthday with a great concert in Split, where he hoped to mark 50 years of his career, though his illness, unfortunately, prevented him from performing and the concerts were finally canceled.

A few months later, in March this year, Oliver addressed his fans at the Porin, where he was honored with the lifetime achievement award, reports Index.hr.

“I would like to mention a man who marked half my life, and that is Zdenko Runjić. There are a lot of good people around me, and this time the disease has stopped me from being with you. As a child, I wanted to play and sing, and that dream was somehow interrupted. Hello to all the good people around me and those who have supported me in this crisis. I hope there is still time for me to sing and play, and if things get better, it will be good,” Oliver said via a video message. 

"What should I say to you - enjoy, people, because life will be a fantasy," Oliver said from his home for the last time, receiving huge applause.

Oliver was born December 7, 1947, and died on July 29, 2018. Oliver is buried in his beloved Vela Luka.

To read more about Oliver, follow TCN's dedicated page here. 

December 3, 2018 - I wonder what Marco Polo would have made of this - ice skating on a Dalmatian island: Meet Advent in Korcula.

Having lived on the sunniest island in Europe just a little to the north of Korcula for 13 years, most of it with two young daughters, I can really appreciate how exciting this will be for the local kids. While children on the mainland play with snow and go ice skating in the winter months, such things are what Dalmatian island children can only dream of. 

Until now...

Advent in Korcula has been announced with a very nice programme, which will run from December 8 until January 12, organised by the town of Korcula. 

And what could be a more fun way to spend December for kids (and adults) than ice skating at Advent in Korcula, with a fantastic view of the Adriatic to go with it. 

In the bi-lingual words of the Korcula Tourist Board:

"Advent u Korčuli

Ne propustite zimski doživljaj-u gradu Korčuli klizalište s najljepšim pogledom na more! Otvoreno od 8.12.2018. do 12.1.2019. 

Organizator: Grad Korčula

Popratna događanja i doček Nove godine provedite na Plokati uz koncert Marka Škugora!

Advent in Korcula

The ice rink will be open from 8.12.2018.-12.1.2019. in Korčula town.

Enjoy many other events (Traditional meal tasting & concerts) on Plokata square in Korčula!

On December 31-concert of Marko Škugor on New Years Eve in Korčula main square Plokata!"

If it is a little hard to write, here is the link to the original Facebook post from the Korcula Facebook page.

Marco Polo, of course, was born on the island of Korcula. He saw many exotic things in his rich and exotic travelling life, but I wonder what he would have made of ice skating in his home town?

To keep up with the latest from the island, follow the TCN Total Korcula portal.

December 2, 2018 - Sweet Korčula, an island with a seemingly endless supply of fabulous traditional home-made cakes and desserts. We are very grateful to Franica Tasovac for allowing us to serialise her excellent books called Sweet Korcula, Sweeties of Korcula Grannies (in English). It is a collection of no less than 30 ancient recipes for Korcula cakes and desserts, lovingly put together into a book. A delightful souvenir or gift for gourmet friends. Franica has kindly allowed us to serialise the recipes on TCN, and we will be bringing you a recipe a week from the kitchens of Korcula's grandmothers throughout the year. You can read Claudia Tarle's lovely introduction here. 

PINJOKINI


100 g butter
1 vanilla sugar
150 g sugar
3 eggs
pinch of salt
zest of one lemon
500 g flour
1 flat teaspoon of baking powder
150 g of almonds (chopped)


Mix the butter with salt and both kinds of sugar. Add eggs one by one in the frothy mixture and continue to whisk. Add the lemon peel. Mix flour and baking powder and sprinkle it on the mixture slowly kneading with hands until you have a smooth dough. Finally add the chopped almonds. Allow dough to rest for half an hour.


Heat the oven to 175°C.


Divide the rested dough into 4 pieces. Roll each portion into a long rolling-pin and place on the sheet metal lined with the waxed paper. Bake for fifteen minutes. Cut the roasted rolling-pins into the oblique piece and put them back in the oven about ten minutes to dry and become crispy.

You can buy this booklet at:
Town library “ Ivan Vidali “
Flower shop “ Fiorino “
“ Manina “
“ Komo “
Tourist agency “ Kaleta “ 
Souvenir shop “ Suzy “
Bookshop “ Kutak knjiga “

 To connect with Sweet Korcula, why not follow them on Facebook?

 Looking for more delicious Korcula recipes in this series? Check them out on our dedicated TCN page. 

The festive season is upon us on Korcula, as Advent in Vela Luka opens on the east of the island. Keep us with all the events in this time of festive cheer.

One of the nice things about life in Croatia recent years has been the additional effort put in by local authorities in livening up the winter months. The success of Advent in Zagreb has trickled down to the rest of the country, and whereas more remote destinations may have all but shut down during the winter months, more and more towns are entering in the Christmas spirit by having their own Advent programme. 

Included in that list is Vela Luka, which opened its own Advent programme today. To keep up with the latest from Korcula's western-most town over the holiday season, follow the event on Facebook. 

For the latest from TCN on Vela Luka, click here. 

A project by students of the Korčula high school "Petar Šegedin", titled Love, Read, Cook (in Croatian: Voli, Čitaj, Kuhaj) continues this Wednesday, with its second installment. 

Taking place in the Ivan Vidali public library in Korčula, the idea of the project is to bring reading and food together. The project is created and executed by the group of students from the second and third grade of the local high school, and is lead by Josipa Favro Kurtović from the school. It brings something new to the social life in Korčula, so if you're around and you love reading or cooking (and who doesn't at least one of those two activities?!?!) you should give it a visit and see what it's all about. 

The event takes place at the Library this Wednesday, at 6 pm. 

Internet remembers just about everything, so today I stumbled upon a story from December 28th, 1999, in which Jure Radić, then-Deputy Prime Minister (since deceased) officially starts the works on the construction of the Korčula Airport, near Smokvica*. If you're wondering whatever happened to the construction of the airport, the short answer is - nothing. Zoning for it was allegedly done, some basic works were done and stopped and nothing was really achieved. 

Next mention of Korčula airport online comes in 2008, when Jutarnji list reports that plans that existed for Spanish investors to build an airport on Korčula were cancelled, because local and national governing bodies decided that the conditions set forth by the foreign investors were not acceptable, as they included significant local investments into infrastructure, which would serve to support their investments into the airport, hotels, marina and golf courses. The location of the planned airport remained the same, near Smokvica, and then, in 2008 it was announced that a Croatian-owned company would be created with the goal of constructing and operating the airport. 

What happened to those plans we don't know. In 2013, talks were held again, strengthening plans to build the airport, during which it was mentioned that some of the permits needed for this project have expired, due to years of inactivity. Of course, in the meantime, there was air travel happening on Korčula, with seaplanes operating from Lumbarda and Vela Luka during one tourist season. 

Korčula Online reports today that once again, the initiative to build the airport near Smokvica has been revived. A meeting was held in Smokvica, attended by representatives from all 5 local administrations on the island, to discuss development of the future Korčula airport. One interesting piece of information from the Korčula Online report is that a group of Chinese investors was present at the meeting. Unfortunately, the article does not identify them in any way, just says that they are ready to invest over 80 million euro in the project of Korčula airport! As soon as we know more about the misterious Chinese investors, we will report further. In the meeting, Smokvica commisioner Kuzma Tomašić expressed his hope that this time the project will be successful, and that first planes will be landing near Smokvica in 5 or 6 years. We certainly hope he's right! 

* - one relevant background piece of information you might find relevant to the story if you're a cynic like myself is that the parliamentary elections were held on January 3rd, 2000, in which Radić's HDZ lost, after a full decade of being in power