December the 16th, 2020 - The Korcula Tourist Boards have decided to come together with the aim of promoting this beautiful Dalmatian island known for its ties to Marco Polo as a ''unique destination''.

As Morski wrires, the Korcula Tourist Boards have submitted a request to the Ministry of Tourism and Sport for the creation of an amicable association. This was preceded by several coordinated meetings of the directors of the island's numerous tourist boards to reach an agreement on not only this matter but on the list of all of the projects and the decisions made by all Tourist Councils of the Korcula Tourist Boards.

The Tourist Board of Korcula Town and the tourist boards of the municipalities of Vela Luka, Blato, Smokvica and Lumbarda have recognised the importance of cooperation in order to brand the island of Korcula as a unique destination. Every year, projects such as the image brochure of the island of Korcula, a joint mobile application (app), a joint promotional video of the island of Korcula and various up and coming events traditional to the island have been agreed upon.

In order to increase the competition of the island of Korcula as a unique destination, it is necessary to strengthen and develop what tourists can come and do, see, eat and experience on the island according to the principle of destination management.

The legislative framework that regulates the operations of tourist boards encourages the association of tourist boards in a way that enables them to use funds from the Fund for Associated Tourist Boards. The mutual association of the Korcula Tourist Boards is a continuation of their previous successful cooperation, and their goal is to accelerate the implementation of projects that haven't been able to be realised in the past due to insufficient financial resources.

The consent to the request for an amicable association of the Korcula Tourist Boards is being considered by the Commission on the Association of Tourist Boards and a final decision on the matter expected by the end of 2020.

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November 29, 2020 - 2020 has been a rough year for almost everyone, but some have had it even worse. Matko Maroević, a well-known face in Korčula, is certainly one of them.

Matko is a father of three, a husband, a friend to all in Korčula, the kind spirit of the town, welcome everywhere, always has a smile and is ready to talk, sing and have a glass of wine. Seven months ago, just as things started to get ugly everywhere, Matko had a massive stroke. He fought for his life for months, and now he's fighting again, to get out of the wheelchair he's been in since the stroke. Daria Maroević, Matko's sister, recently shared on her social media that the family needs help to get the funds needed for Matko to go to Glavić clinic in Dubrovnik, where he could continue his recovery process. They also need to raise funds to pay for an apartment where Matko and his wife would be for the three months, which is how long the therapy would take.

Many people have already responded to her request, and the members of the Korčulanske Pjatance association also decided to help. We've written about Korčulanske Pjatance on Total Croatia News before, as well as about Matko and his tapas restaurant in the Korčula Old Town. The association decided to start a crowdfunding initiative "Matko, Korčula Loves You" (Matko, Korčula te voli), which includes many restaurateurs, artists and winemakers. 

Ivana Pačić Unković from the association explains to Dora Lozica for Dubrovački list that everyone from the association knows Matko and they needed to get involved in the fundraising. The first idea was to organize a fundraising dinner, but the current epidemiological situation prevented that. That's how they came up with the online auction of the artwork by the artists of Korčula, and after the auction, an online sale of gift-baskets with wines, olive oil and sweet and savoury delicacies made by the members of the association will take place (250 kunas per package). 

The online auction will take place on the Korčulanske Pjatance Facebook page, starting on December 1st and finishing on December 7th, at 8 pm. All the proceeds from the auction will go towards Matko's recovery fund, and you will be able to buy art by many artists from Korčula. So far, Stipe Nobilo, Nina Šestanović, Hrvoje Kapelina, Kristina Kolarić Biliš, Abel Brčić, Nina Kalogjera, Miljenko Marukić, Marko Sitar, Vinko Lipanović, Marijeta Markovina, Aldo Mikelić, Nikolina Dužević, Damir Pačić, Antonijo Blašković, and Uroš Čalić, and more are expected to participate. 

Tonka Lujanac, a well-known local artist has created and donated the visual identity for the association's fundraising activities. You can follow the details on their Facebook page, and if you want to participate, you can send your donations to Matko's sister, Daria Maroević. Her bank account number is IBAN HR4124070003207204308 (OTP Bank). A family in need thanks you for your support! 

ZAGREB, November 21, 2020 - Dubrovnik-Neretva County has submitted 272 projects totalling HRK 6 billion for the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility, ruling HDZ MP Branko Bacic said in Korcula on the southern island of the same name on Saturday.

He said the projects were aimed at improving living conditions in southern Croatia and recalled that HRK 760 million was secured earlier for eight ports in the county.

Accompanied by local officials, Bacic toured the port infrastructure in Korcula where HRK 39.5 million worth of construction and reconstruction works are under way.

County head Nikola Dobroslavic said Croatia's southern-most county was the most successful in the country in terms of EU fund absorption.

His deputy Josko Cebalo said they were preparing documentation for two projects worth HRK 60 million for fishing ports in Dubrovnik and Vela Luka.

Korcula Mayor Andrija Fabris said port infrastructure was key for islanders as it provided better connectivity with the mainland.

(€1 = HRK 7.5)

September 23, 2020 – Following incredible success with Game Of Thrones, Mamma Mia and others, Croatia filming locations prove to be the best again as HBO's Succession wins 7 Emmys

Historic Dubrovnik was always pretty enough to attract people from far and wide. Dubrovnik has a lot of sights to visit. In addition, it offers many activities such as hiking, cycling, sailing, boat ride, Seabob experience etc. But, following its appearance in TV show Game Of Thrones, interest in visiting the walled city went through the roof. Tourists were not the only ones who wanted to come.

HBO drama Succession is just the latest hit to take advantage of the spectacular scenery while filming in Croatia. The show has just bagged no less than seven prestigious Emmy awards for the season partially filmed in Croatia. In the drama series category, it picked up Emmys for Best Leading Male Role, Best Guest Role, Best Casting, Best Directing, Best Screenplay and Best Picture Editing.

Cast members filmed aboard a yacht with beautiful Croatia and its Adriatic waters as the backdrop © HBO

The shooting took place over 12 days in July 2019, primarily on a yacht on which the show's central characters, the Roy family, were taking a holiday. The Croatia filming locations used were the waters around Cavtat, Korcula, Mljet and Sipan. The series ventured into more urban areas of Croatia and, for those scenes, filming locations in Zagreb and Rijeka were sourced. The German-built Solandge was the yacht used in the filming and costs as much as $1.1million (£850,000) to rent for one week.

The Roy family aboard the yacht Solandge in Croatian waters © HBO

Now in its third season, Succession centres on the dysfunctional Roy family, owners of a global media and hospitality empire. It stars British actor Brian Cox as the ailing family patriarch with Kieran Culkin heading up the otherwise all-American cast. A total of 613 people worked on the shooting of Succession in Croatia, of which 595 were Croatian (161 film workers, three trainees and 431 extras).

Solandge is currently one of the most luxurious yachts in the world © Moran Yachts

In recent years, major movies such as Star Wars, Robin Hood and one installment in the long-running James Bond series have joined the likes of Game Of Thrones and Mamma Mia in enjoying Croatia filming locations. However, filming in Croatia goes back much further than that. During the 1970s and early 1980s, no less than three Oscar-winning movies used Croatia filming locations - Fiddler on the Roof (1971), The Tin Drum (1979) and Sophie’s Choice (1982).

You can read more about filming in Croatia and Croatian filming locations by reading our dedicated section here

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Total Croatia News broke the story last Friday. And now it's finally been confirmed - it's true, Beyonce and Jay Z in Croatia

News travels fast in Croatia. Nowhere does it travel quicker than on the ever-reliable News pages of Total Croatia News. Unless, of course, you count Croatian gossip.

TCN journalist extraordinaire Iva Tatić was relaxing on the island of Korčula, playing with her dog, when last week she heard an eyebrow-raising piece of gossip through the open window. “Beyonce and Jay Z in Croatia!”


Iva Tatić's dog, one of the first to hear about Beyonce and Jay Z in Croatia

Ever the professional, Iva leaned out of the balcony to ask a neighbour to confirm the rumour. “That's what they're saying” replied the neighbour, above a small street filled with laughter. The cause of the chuckles? Not only are Beyonce and Jay Z in Croatia, but they've also asked for the entire islet of Vrnik to be evacuated so they can enjoy a private visit. “Hmm, difficult request,” thought Iva. Vrnik is an inhabited island. People live there throughout the year. There are probably around 100 people there right now.

Much to the disappointment of her dog, Iva's journalistic instincts took over. She sat down at the computer and set about trying to corroborate the rumour so that she could break the news. At her time of writing, she was unable to do so. There was simply nothing in any other media confirming Beyonce and Jay Z in Croatia.


How Iva Tatić broke the story about Beyonce and Jay Z in Croatia last Friday. Her's was the first story to announce the pop star's arrival. It has since been confirmed that the celebrity couple are indeed aboard the pictured yacht, Lana. Iva Tatić took this photo of the yacht from the shores of the island of Korčula, where she likes to spend much of her summer

But, sometimes a journalist's instinct is all they need. Iva confirmed that the yacht Lana had been seen in the surroundings of the Korčula archipelago. She went to the shoreline and it was there! From a distance, she managed to grab a photo. At 107 meters in length and capable of accommodating 12 guests and 31 crew, this is no ordinary yacht. Some special visitors were definitely holidaying here.

Knowing that Beyonce and Jay Z had been here nine years ago, on Hvar, and two years prior to that had been in Dubrovnik, Iva went with gut instincts and published the story, being careful to mention it was uncorroborated. Her article was the first to break the news of a visit that is now 100% confirmed. It's true, Beyonce and Jay Z in Croatia.


Beyonce and Jay Z in Croatia, pictured on Instagram

The yacht Lana was spotted further up the coast on Saturday, around the Kornati archipelago. Then, in the afternoon of the same day, tourists visiting the island of Žut were finally able to corroborate Iva's story. They managed to grab pictures of Beyonce and Jay Z in Croatia. They were dining in an otherwise deserted restaurant, Fešta on the island. The visit coincides with Beyonce's 39th birthday.


Iva's story was confirmed by Croatian portal Zadarski.hr one day after Iva published when they were able to show photos of the couple dining on the island of Žut

This being visit number three for Beyonce and Jay Z in Croatia, we wouldn't count out a return visit next year for her 40th. The couple clearly love coming to Croatia. If they do come, be sure to look out for Total Croatia News again breaking the story. Since the writing of her article, Iva Tatić and her dog have been taking their cuddling sessions much closer to Iva's open window.


Iva Tatić's dog "Beyonce and Jay Z in Croatia? I don't care! Where did my cuddles go?"

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September 2, 2020 - Sometimes you overhear the best scoop in the streets. For instance, is Beyonce in Korcula?

The news is almost completely uncorroborated, but it comes from a source we have reason to trust, and it's not the first time Korcula has seen major celebrities in 2020 (need we remind you of Magic Johnson or Owen Wilson?) The story goes that Beyonce and her entourage are on a yacht in the Korcula archipelago and that they've requested the entire islet of Vrnik to be emptied for their visit. 

While many celebrities have chosen to come to Croatia for their holidays this year, which is quite different from any other year, we've seen no other reports of Beyonce returning to Croatia this year. The story of one of her previous visits is well-documented, with her daughter Blue Ivy supposedly getting her name after a bit of Croatian coastline. The grapevine has, at this moment, not produced any news regarding Jay-Z's location. 

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September 2, 2020 - After spending time in Dubrovnik, Owen Wilson plays football with local kids on the island of Korcula. 

Hollywood star Owen Wilson has been exploring the Croatian coast, and getting to know the locals, too.

After Dubrovnik.net reported that he was seen joining the Belvedere Dubrovnik team for a pick-up game of football tennis, Korcula Online reported that the Zoolander star strolled through the streets of Korcula, where he was filmed with the locals playing a game of kick-ups.

The Hollywood actor is no stranger to Croatia, as he spent time in Split last summer filming Bliss with Salma Hayek. Wilson was open-hearted to locals then, too, and was photographed with the staff of Zrno Soli and fans in the city-center supermarket. You can read more about Wilson's stint in Split here.

Owen Wilson is an American actor, producer, and screenwriter from Dallas, Texas, famous for his collaboration with filmmaker Wes Anderson, which saw him nominated for the Academy Award for his role in The Royal Tenenbaums. Wilson's biggest films include Marley and Me, Zoolander, Wedding Crashers, and Starsky & Hutch. He has acted alongside Jackie Chan, Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson, and Ben Stiller, to name a few.

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August 9, 2020 - Meet Marc Hough, a former international DJ who became a wine importer after visiting Dubrovnik and trying Croatia wine. In 2020, he returns for his 20th summer.

Situated in the north of England, about halfway up the island called Great Britain, the city of Manchester is famous for its football and music. Mancunians are proud of this. Two members of TCN are from the city, and when someone local asks “Odakle si?”, usually we say “Ja sam iz Manchestera” (I am from Manchester). We don't say "I'm from England" or "Great Britain". Everyone knows where Manchester is.


Marc Hough, a former international DJ. His passion for the Plavac he discovered in Dubrovnik turned him into a wine merchant.

20 years ago, Marc Hough was a high profile member of Manchester's famous music scene. He counts members of bands like The Stone Roses and The Happy Mondays as close personal friends. As longstanding DJ to New Order (the band that was once Joy Division), he toured the world playing the music of Manchester to many. But, no more.

“I reached the age of 40 in 2010 and thought, what am I doing with my life?” Hough told TCN over the phone, as he was preparing for a trip Dubrovnik. “DJing and the music business is a young man's game.”

And so, inspired by an enthusiasm for Croatia wine, he turned his back on a high profile DJ career and became a wine bar owner and wine merchant.


One of Marc's 'Cork Of The North' wine bars / stores near Manchester © Cork Of The North

“When I started, I was literally just selling wine out of the back of my car. I only had five customers and three of those were my dad, my brother and me!” remembers Marc, who has built his independent business considerably since then. He is now a wholesaler, recommending and selling wines to top bars and restaurants in the north of England. He has also opened two of his own wine bars 'Cork Of The North' (which are also wine shops), in Sale and Heaton Moor, near Manchester.

“Croatia plays such a big part in the story,” stresses Marc. “I've been visiting Dubrovnik for over 20 years. I had a friend from there who I met in Manchester. She came to live here for a while to escape the war. After it finished, she went home, invited me to Dubrovnik and I just fell in love with the place.”

“There was a wine bar in the Old Town called D'Vino, run by a half Croatian half Australian guy called Saša. After I saw what he was doing there with Croatia wine, I thought that's exactly the kind of place I'd like to have in Manchester.”

Already passionate about wine thanks to his grandad, that first trip to Dubrovnik made Marc curious to return. On his next visit to Croatia, he travelled further than just the Pearl of the Adriatic and went to the source of some Croatia wine itself.


Part of the Pelješac peninsula, which features heavily in Marc's 20-year affair with Croatia wine © Anto

“I came back on a sailing holiday with Bernard Sumner (guitarist of Joy Divison and singer of New Order),” Marc recalls. “He loves sailing and he has his own boat. We went all round Pelješac, Korčula, Brač. I fell in love with Dingač. Since then, I've travelled all of Dalmatia and through Istria learning about the wines. I've been to Bosnia to try their varieties like Vranac. But, for me, the most recent, amazing discovery has been Slavonia. They make some incredible white wines there; Graševina, Cabernet Franc, Traminac.”


New Order, the band that was once Joy Division. Marc Hough toured the world as their DJ © RL GNZLZ

“For me, it's always half holiday, half work,” Marc tells us, as he packs for his 20th annual trip to Dubrovnik, which begins on Sunday 11 August. “Amazing views, amazing people, amazing food and amazing wine. But, the wine always inspires thoughts of work. I can't help myself. I love visiting the vineyards, meeting the winemakers. It's not the same as when you do it in other countries. In Croatia, you'll often be invited into the kitchen or onto the terrace of the winemaker's home. You'll leave with arms full of different bottles - some gifted - and you can even be sold fine wine unceremoniously in a plastic bottle. I love that informal, homemade feel of the experience. It's charming and honest. When I go on buying trips in France, Spain and Italy, it's rarely like that.”

Dubrovnik's tourist season has this year stalled in response to COVID-19. Its visitors' reliance on charter air and cruise ships has proved inflexible. Yet, a little further up the coast, in Makarska and Omiš, the city centres are now full of families who drive to these places every year. Dubrovnik's offer is more once-in-a-lifetime, less loyalty. Unless, of course, it's the wines and not the walls that call you to Dubrovnik.

“It's inevitable that I'll find something new that I want to bring back with me,” Marc says of his impending trip. “Every visit is a voyage of discovery. This time, although I'll again be based around Dubrovnik, I'm determined to go to Slavonia to look at some Graševina and Cabernet Franc, which thrives in the terroir there.”


Marc Hough with just one of his famous friends from the Manchester music scene. Bez, of the band Happy Mondays, is now a customer at Cork Of The North © Cork Of The North

“I wanted to start importing Croatia wines years ago but, for someone at my level, it was so difficult before Croatia became a full member of the EU. Tariffs were payable on the borders and if you wanted to move wines from south Dalmatia - Dubrovnik and the islands - you'd have to go through the border with Bosnia. I lost several whole shipments to the Bosnian police, who said my paperwork was incorrect (it wasn't). It's much better these days. But, there's still very little Croatian wine in the UK, even though the interest in Croatia wine is massive. There's a big demand from people who are really passionate about wine, but also people who come back from holiday, have enjoyed Croatian wine, go searching for it, and just can't find it.”

Cork Of The North varies its selection of fine wines throughout the year. At the moment, Marc stocks Kozlović Teran and Kozlović Malvasia from Istria and Septem Pontes Plavac Mali from Pelješac.

“For an independent like me, I buy an export pallet for each wine I want to bring back. That's 600 bottles of each wine.,” he says, “and as my own personal passion right now is for Graševina, I expect at least one of those to be filled with Slavonian wine on this trip.”


Marc Hough on one of his Croatia wine buying excursions

As Morski writes on the 2nd of August, 2020, Korcula hadn't even bothered to hope for their overnight stay count for the coronavirus dominated 2020 tourist season to reach 70 percent of the amount of overnight stays recorded this time last year, but it has. In Korcula town, the very structure of the guests arriving has altered.

Most Croatian guests, who are being heavily relied on this year as tourism continues to be affected (albeit somewhat less heavily) by the global pandemic, tend to arrive on Korcula and into Korcula town in their cars. This is closely followed by boaters and the enfeebled nautical tourism sector. Although the results are getting better, the people who live and work on the island are hoping for a return of regular air travel, as Vijesti.hr/Andrea Zarak reports.

There are no crowds to be seen on the gorgeous Dalmatian island of Korcula this summer. Hotels that opened on Korcula back in late June are still only 40 percent full.

''This year, Croatian guests predominate. These are guests who come in their personal vehicles. We also have Germans, Austrians, Slovenes, and French tourists,'' said Maja Lena Lopatny, public relations manager of hotels on Korcula.

Due to the smaller number of airlines operating, travel agencies are recording a drastic drop in traffic.

''Transfers have all been cancelled, air arrivals are minimal and that's one of the main reasons why there are no excursions taking place that we normally do,'' said Vlado Iliskovic, the owner of a travel agency on Korcula.

The most sought after type of accommodation on the island is currently private accommodation, and in the very heart of Korcula town centre, you can spend the night for up to fifty euros, a dramatic drop when compared to this time last year, long before the coronavirus pandemic swept the globe and dragged the tourism industry to its knees.

''We have our lowered prices, the prices have been lowered by some 25 to 30 percent,'' said Katija Depolo, the owner of an apartment. The very structure of the guests arriving on the island has changed. They typically stay for a week or more, and accommodation outside of Korcula town is increasingly desirable.

''These are mostly guests looking for more distant places which are close to the sea, they're mostly families,'' said Hana Turudic, the director of the Tourist Board of Korcula town.

''Korcula is very beautiful and charming. Especially the old town. Last night we walked and had dinner at the tavern. It's really, really nice,'' said Manuel from Spain.

Croatian singers who can't work because of the coronavirus also recognise Korcula's sheer beauty and claim that that's why they're spending their time on the Dalmatian coast.

''I gladly come back here because this place provides me with maximum protection. This place is magical,'' said popular Croatian musician Nina Badric.

Well known for its glorious beaches, interesting history, beautiful architecture, proximity to places of interest on the Dalmatian mainland and its fascinating gastronomic scene, Korcula usually has no issue when it comes to attracting guests from all over the world and has since long managed to rest on its laurels - until now.

Nautical tourism, along with guests who have arrived either from the rest of Croatia or other countries in Europe by car are by far the most represented on Korcula at this moment in time. There are currently about three thousand and three hundred tourists staying there.

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July 7, 2020 - The agreement was signed by the Mayor of the Town of Korcula, Andrija Fabris, and the Rector of the University of Dubrovnik, Niksa Burum.

HRTurizam writes that with this agreement on business cooperation, the Town of Korcula becomes an extended location for undergraduate university studies in Nautical Studies, Naval Architecture (Shipbuilding) and Business Economics, Department of Tourism, University of Dubrovnik. It is also the first island university and student town in Croatia.

Korcula thus becomes an extended arm and a branch office of the University of Dubrovnik, which is in line with the development strategy of the town and fits perfectly into the County Development Strategy 2016-2020 to achieve a higher level of education on the islands, educating the islanders, but also all other interested population in complementary studies with the locality. Nautical Studies, Naval Architecture, and Business Economics in the field of Tourism are complementary to the development strategy, and the Town of Korcula is making a significant step towards higher education by introducing complete university education.

The Town of Korcula will remain written in history as the first island where the accredited program of the established Croatian University, the University of Dubrovnik, will be studied.

Administrative, professional and financial assistance from the University of Dubrovnik will facilitate the Town of Korcula's protocol and organizational procedures for starting studies. It was also mentioned that the primary space in the city pool would be replaced with areas from the conceptual design in the "Old School in Dominče" after obtaining the necessary documentation and performing adaptation works.

With the realization of this cooperation with the University of Dubrovnik, the Town of Korcula becomes the first island student city in the Republic of Croatia. By investing in education, sustainable development, complementary studies with the development strategy of the county, and by educating able-bodied staff, Korcula is well on its way to a prosperous future.

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