Thursday, 26 May 2022

Hailstorm in Northern Croatia Destroys Almost Half of Country's Flower Production

ZAGREB, 25 May 2022 - A hailstorm hit the north of Croatia on Wednesday afternoon, causing extensive damage on facilities and agricultural land and destroying almost half of the country's flower production.

The hailstorm hit the area along the border with Slovenia in Krapina-Zagorje County, a number of communities and towns in Varaždin County and a part of Međimurje County.

Veliki Bukovec in Varaždin County and Hum na Sutli in Krapina-Zagorje County have suffered the most extensive damage.

Varaždin County head Anđelko Stričak visited the area of Veliki Bukovec, where 40% of Croatia's flower production is located and where not a single greenhouse has remained undamaged.

Stričak said that local residents could not remember a hailstorm as strong as the one that happened on Wednesday and that almost half of the country's flower production had been destroyed.

No casualties were reported.

Krapina-Zagorje County head Željko Kolar told Hina that the hailstorm caused damage to roofs, roof windows and a large number of vehicles while agricultural crops along the Sutla River, on the border with Slovenia, were completely destroyed.

Parts of Međimurje County were hit by the storm as well, and county head Matija Posavec said that in some areas the hail was the size of walnuts.

All three county heads said that damage would be established and that further decisions on declaring a state of natural disaster were being prepared.

Agriculture Minister Marija Vučković is expected to hold a news conference on the situation on Thursday.

 

Tuesday, 3 May 2022

Međimurje's Biggest-Ever Sporting Event: Tehnix FIM Speedway Grand Prix of Croatia A Success!

May 3, 2022 - At the biggest sporting event in Međimurje's history, 6,500 fans from all over the world cheered for their favorite motorcycle riders at the sold-out Millennium Stadium in Donji Kraljevec for the Tehnix FIM Speedway Grand Prix of Croatia.

After 23 runs, the best was Bartosz Zmarzlik from Poland, two-time world champion and runner-up for 2021!

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After the final qualification race for the World Championship was held at the Millennium Stadium for two years, Međimurje hosted 16 of the best riders in the world last weekend. The wild card went to the best Slovenian driver Matej Žagar, the winner of these qualifications. The two reserves were domestic riders from Slovenia and Hungary, Nick Škorja and Dennis Fazekas.

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Twelve days of construction, 14 production trucks, four television houses, and the work of almost 200 members of the production and organizational team culminated in a painting of Međimurje to the world. Over 40 countries broadcasted the first World Speedway Championship race, TEHNIX FIM SPEEDWAY GRAND PRIX OF CROATIA.

Doyle, Holder, Dudek, and Lambert faced off in the first run, and the first victory of the evening went to Lambert, whose pre-season training in Croatia paid off. Nick Škorja got on the track in the third run to the delight of almost a thousand Slovenian fans when the Danish driver Anders Thomsen started too early and tore the starting line.

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“This was one of the best Grand Prix races ever. The riders took advantage of every inch of the track, and we witnessed the spectacular rides of the best in the world! The organization of such an event is very complex and exhaustive, especially because this was the first race for the promoter after they took over the license from FIM. Nevertheless, we gave our best, and I think it was visible to every viewer live and on television. We are honored and proud to have organized the biggest event in the history of Međimurje and Croatian motorcycling," said race director Darija Pavlic.

Matej Žagar was extremely combative as a wild card and ended the evening with third place in the second semifinal run. Great rides launched him into an elite group of just 11 riders in the history of the Grand Prix competition, with over 1000 points won.

"Thank you to the organizer for the invitation. It is a great honor to ride on a track that I know well and where the atmosphere is always special. I feel at home and thank the whole Pavlic family and the club for their hospitality. Great track and organization, which is why I hope that the Grand Prix tradition will continue here," said Matej Žagar after the race.

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To the delight of hundreds of Polish fans and the crowded Millennium Stadium, the winner of the race was Polish rider and multiple world champion Bartosz Zmarzlik!

"It feels great, even though I'm tired. We had the Polish league on Friday, covered over 1,000 kilometers, and arrived just in time for training," said Zmarzlik. "At the beginning, I felt a bit insecure on this track, but after four runs, everything was sorted. I am happy to have won tonight. The trail in Donji Kraljevec is short, I didn't feel safe in the corners at first, but after we warmed up, everything was great."

Maciej Janowski finished second, ninth in the qualifications and was the second-best before the semifinals:

“I felt great from the beginning of training. We hit some issues with the engine, maybe it was not seen in the qualifications, but when we got to the race, everything went well."

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European champion Mikkel Michelsen opened his season on this track at a training camp with the Danish national team:

"I am happy the season started with entering the finals. Of course, you always want to win when you get that chance, but the season is long, we are collecting points, and I am satisfied with the race!"

The award for the first place was presented to Bartosz Zmarzlik by the State Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Sandra Herman, the award for the second place to Maciej Janowski was presented by the Deputy Director of FIM, World Motorcycle Federation Damiano Zamana, and the award for the third place was presented by Tehnix Eko industry Željko Horvat.

Francois Ribeiro, director of Discovery Sports Events, owner of the rights to organize Speedway Grand Prix races for the next ten years, also watched the race from the stands:

"I’m sure thousands of fans enjoyed the great speedway. Our goal was to offer additional experience through LED screens, fan zones, and new statistics. We are all looking forward to the next race in Warsaw on May 14."

Photos by Marko Kis

To read more about sports in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page

Friday, 29 April 2022

Speedway Fans from All Over World Coming to Millennium Stadium on April 30!

April 29, 2022 - Powerful motorcycles will thunder at the Tehnix FIM Speedway Grand Prix of Croatia at the Millennium Stadium in Međimurje in just a few days.

Acceleration greater than that of a Formula 1 car, without brakes, powered by methanol, with over 80 horsepower, and 500cc are ridden in the speedway for a spectacle just as impressive as their fearless riders.

"We are happy that the Grand Prix has returned to Croatia and that the new season of speedway racing is starting from our region, where this is a sport with a long history," said race director Darija Pavlic. "The 16 best riders in the world will arrive at the Millennium Stadium on Friday, April 29. We are logistically and mentally ready for the biggest sports spectacle that Međimurje has ever had the opportunity to host."

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Apart from many world televisions, the race will be broadcast live by Sports Television (SPTV), and on the second day, you can watch it on HRT at 5:30 pm, with commentators Stjepan Balog and Darija Pavlic. The global promoter and media giant Discovery Sports Events took good care to transfer the image of Međimurje and Croatia to about forty countries around the world, from the USA to Australia. Over 80 journalists and photographers have been accredited, which will significantly increase the visibility of continental Croatia as a sports and tourist destination.

François Ribeiro, Head of Discovery Sports Events, commented: “It is a pleasure to start a new era of Speedway GP in Croatia, and we are glad to be able to show FIM Croatian Speedway GP live to television audiences in cooperation with SPTV, as well as show the most interesting moments to HRT viewers. I know that the race in Donji Kraljevec has always been fierce, and it is challenging to predict the winner for this year's introductory round. However, an epic evening and an attractive race on SPTV await the spectators, and we are looking forward to many Croatian sports fans having the opportunity to see how exciting the race is when the Speedway GP 2022 season starts on April 30 at the Millennium Speedway Stadium."

Millennium Stadium and loyal fans are used to world-class races, as this track has twice in a row decided on who will qualify for the Grand Prix 2019 and 2020 through the SGP Challenge. Matej Žagar won this race, this year's wild card that brings an army of Slovenian fans, which will surely warm up the atmosphere in the stands.

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The track is ready for real races that will surely get the audience on their feet, said Jurica Pavlic, who has been preparing it for over a month since the last pre-season training ended. The popular Jura, a synonym for speedway in this part of Croatia, is in charge of the technical aspect of racing, and he is also the author of the trophy for the best three riders.

"I made three cups together with my friend Nikola Lepoglavac from the company "Klima LS" and Andrej Kežman from the company "Marti," also from Prelog. All three cups are unique products, and in the beginning, we had a problem because the first version weighed 25 kilograms, but we managed to make them lighter. I will be honored that the best three from the Croatian GP will take our Cup, which will always remind them of Croatia."

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The Millennium Stadium opens its doors on Saturday from noon, and at 13:00, the official training and qualifications for the main race begin. Then, from 16:30, fans can get autographs of the riders while the start of the race is at 19:00.

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Tickets will also be available at the entrance to the stadium; children under 12 have free admission, while some grandstands are entirely sold out.

To read more about sports in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page

Thursday, 21 April 2022

Farm Minister Promises Aid to Beekeepers After Mass Death of Bees

ZAGREB, 21 April 2022 - The government will provide financial assistance to beekeepers in Međimurje after the mass death of bees, Agriculture Minister Marija Vučković said on Thursday after a government session.

She recalled that the government had helped local beekeepers after the scourge of bees in 2020 when about 40 honey farmers were given 1,300 bee colonies and the aid was worth HRK 1 million.

Vučković said that now the authorities were waiting for the findings of a veterinary inspection to establish whether the mass death was caused by a contagious disease or if the bees were killed by the effects of the use of protective chemical agents. Recently, an estimated 17.5 million bees in about 350 beehives in Međimurje have been found poisoned.

Local apiarists say that the wrong application of protective agents in fruit growing as well as in rapeseed cultivation has led to the mass poisoning of bees.

For more, check out our politics section.

Wednesday, 20 April 2022

Tehnix FIM Speedway Grand Prix in Donji Kraljevec: A Not-to-Miss Motorcycle Event in Croatia

April 20, 2022 - Sixteen of the world's best speedway drivers are coming to Croatia in just over one week to open the new championship season: Tehnix FIM Speedway Grand Prix of Croatia!

"We expect a full stadium with more than 6,500 fans and millions of spectators watching TV screens around the world. In addition, the image from Međimurje is broadcast on the Discovery Sports Events signal to as many as 40 countries, and it is up to us to make the best possible presentation of Međimurje and Croatia," said the race director and FIM representative, Darija Pavlic.

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"10 years have passed since the last Grand Prix race, and we are looking forward to hosting the beginning of a new speedway era!"

Patryk Dudek is one of the drivers who is expected to fight for the finals:

“I drove the European Championship in Croatia and the qualifications for the World Championship! The track suits me; it's not long, the bends are narrow, and there will be good rides!"

Along with Dudek, the Brits rely on Robert Lambert, who, along with Woffinden, is a candidate for world champion:

"I am looking forward to returning to Croatia; I can't wait for the full stands at the beautiful Millennium Stadium. I’ve done qualifiers here a few times, I often train at the Millennium Stadium, and I feel comfortable on that track. I am glad that Croatia is the host of the opening of the Speedway Grand Prix season."

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Seventy tons of equipment arrived from Poland, installed by a hundred workers. In addition, TV production is being prepared, recorded by 24 HD cameras, transmitting the image to 40 countries worldwide.

Discovery Sports Events is responsible for everything.

"With so much equipment, 120 professionals will arrive in Međimurje to ensure that the new speedway era begins in the best possible way. Tehnix FIM Speedway Grand Prix of Croatia will greatly promote Croatian hospitality, the Međimurje landscape, and sports that we all love," said Darija Pavlic.

Slovenian ace Matej Žagar will wear starting number 16. 

"We at AZMS are happy that Matej Žagar was given the opportunity to show what he knows in the race for the World Championship. Although he did not secure his place among the top 15 last season, he still got a chance to show that he is still at the top of the world. I believe that he will use his experience on this track, in a place where he often celebrated and achieved top results," said Luka Mežan from the Auto Moto Association of Slovenia.

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"AMZS and Slovenia will have another competitor along with Matej. Nick Škorja is a reserve who lacks experience in this competition rank. Still, we are sure he will use his opportunity," said Luka and continued: "The race in Croatia is an opportunity for all Slovenian fans to come and support Matej and Nick. The Millennium Stadium is a place where there is always a good speedway, and it will be the same on April 30."

The main grandstand is sold out, but there are still tickets available at Milenium Stadium in Donji Kraljevec on April 30th!

To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

Friday, 15 April 2022

5 Things To Do in Međimurje this Summer

April 15, 2022 - Looking for the best things to do in Međimurje this summer? 

Međimurje, a region between Hungary and Slovenia, just a short ride to Austria, is a crown of Croatia. It's a region of healthiness, events, and attractions; it's a doorway to central Europe in one direction and just a short stop to the Adriatic in another.

The summer in Međimurje starts in April, and it begins with a blast. One of the year's biggest events is held on the 30th of April, and it's the Tehnix FIM SPEEDWAY GRAND PRIX OF CROATIA. A long name suggests the power, the sound, and the ferocity of the speedway bikes that will race at the track in Međimurje. Sixteen of the World's best riders will compete to win in the first race of the season, a race that marks the new dawn of speedway.

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Dino Lesar

A new promoter, a return to Croatia at the start of the season, and a grand finale in Australia all but guarantee the proper marking of the 100 years of speedway! Tickets are available at entrio.hr - hurry, or you'll miss the race!

In May, we return to Čakovec to promote health and fitness; Red Bull Wings for Life World Run will have one of it's virtual running starts in Čakovec on the 8th of May! Register and run for a good cause here: https://www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com/en/locations/cakovec/

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CK10

With many concerts and events coming back in May, the crew behind Forestland Festival will do a venue swap and hold an event called „Forest Castle“ in the ancient fort of the Zrinski family, now known as the Treasury of Međimurje. A stellar lineup will see the return of Felver to Čakovec with his dark disco sound and a techno DJ Tijana T. An artist that performed from Berlin's Bergheim, at the Boiler Room, from Ibiza to Shangai. As a regional artist, she's known to be a part of Felver and Dixon's Stereotip, and it's clear that her set will make the ancient castle walls echo with melody and purity of sound.

Running returns to Međimurje in June as a traditional 10k run marks the first day of Summer. On the 21st of June, a thousand runners will race around the castle Zrinski, around the centuries-old park, and through the dusky streets of Čakovec on what's become a traditional run. Do something different this Summer; enter it by running! www.ck10.run

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Julien Duval

July is, by tradition, a festival month in Međimurje. 2022 marks the 10th anniversary of the electronic music festival FORESTLAND. Organised by a group of friends, Forestland Festival quickly grew from a niche boutique music gathering to a full-blown music festival with 48 hours of music, dancing, and good summer emotions. In a decade, the Forestland became a place to be in the summer, where you forget everything and enjoy the excellent music, stroll with friends through forests or thick sunflower fields. Yet, when the night drops, the energetic music starts, and you lose yourself.

This summer, the festival will hold four stages and 200 hours of music and host almost 70 artists during a single weekend in July. No one will sleep, that we can promise. www.forestland.hr

For more, check out our lifestyle section.

Tuesday, 29 March 2022

Third EU-Funded Play Centre and Toy Library Set Up in Međimurje

ZAGREB, 29 March 2022 - A Play Centre and Toy Library was opened on Tuesday in the Držimurec- Strelec settlement in the municipality of Mala Subotica in Međimurje County, and the project was funded by the European Union.

This is a community where two out of five children do not attend kindergarten programmes and the facility was made possible as part of the UNICEF's programme "Phase III of the Preparatory Action for the EU Child Guarantee."

The EU-funded Child Guarantee is aimed at breaking the cycle of disadvantage.

According to the information available on UNICEF's website, the "Child Guarantee" is an initiative of the European Commission that aims to ensure that the most vulnerable children in the European Union have access to healthcare, education, childcare, decent housing and adequate nutrition, ultimately aiming to ensure the progressive realisation of child’s rights in Europe.

The 24-month pilot programme called "Testing the Child Guarantee in the EU Member States," is supposed to contribute to developing the Child Guarantee framework at the EU level as well as showcase innovative approaches and develop national action plans to reduce child poverty and address systemic disadvantages for children in seven member-states: Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania and Spain.

Attending the ceremony, Vesna Šerepec of the Croatian Education Ministry said expressed hope that on her next visit to the centre, she would meet smiling and happy children using these facilities.

The head of UNICEF's office for Croatia, Regina Castillo, said that the centre was not a substitute for a kindergarten but an excellent supplement.

This is the fourth centre of its kind in Croatia, and the third in Međimurje County.

Friday, 18 March 2022

Grand Prix Season in Croatia: British Speedway Rider Robert Lambert Preps in Međimurje

March 18, 2022 - British speedway rider and 2020 European champion Robert Lambert was in Međimurje trying out the track ahead of the Grand Prix season in Croatia.

British speedway riders bravely step into the new Grand Prix season after winning the world title in Speedway of Nations. Robert Lambert is one of the three riders who have a guaranteed place at the season's opening in Croatia at the Millennium Stadium in Donji Kraljevec.

After many years of British speedway, three riders represent the Union Jack: 2020 European champion Robert Lambert, three-time world champion Tai Woffinden and Daniel Bewley, who will win GP points as the first official reserve of the championship. Bewley and Holder were invited to the Grand Prix after a ban on Russian riders.

Robert Lambert spent the weekend in Međimurje where he started preparing for the Extraliga and Eliteserien seasons in Poland and Sweden, but also took the opportunity to try out the track before the first Grand Prix race:

"For a long time there were not so many Britons, the fans are happy, it will be exciting to see the three of us on the world stage. Dan Bewely got a chance to show what he knows," Robert Lambert began. "The season is long; I started training in Croatia. Our goal in the Grand Prix is to fight to enter the semifinals, and then the finals, collect points, and be consistent."

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Robert Lambert rides for Torun in Poland, while in the Swedish elite league, he defends the colors of Smederna, where he drives alongside Bewley and Slovenian driver Matic Ivačič.

"The trail in Croatia is unique, both bends look similar, but each has its technical differences. It is short, technically demanding; it reminds me of my home trail in the UK. I like that there are different tracks in the Grand Prix; it requires more experience with riders, more skills, and is more interesting.

Robert Lambert comes to Croatia for training and races:

"During the summer, we have the speedway season; my girlfriend and family spend their summers here, but I am here mostly in the pre-season training, so I try to use that time to see something in Croatia. I hope to stay here for a few more days after the Grand Prix."

The Grand Prix season starts on April 30 with the FIM Croatian Speedway Grand Prix at the Millennium Stadium in Donji Kraljevec, and Međimurje is now one of the most popular sports destinations for speedway fans. In March, we saw the national teams of Denmark, several extra-league clubs, and almost a third of the Grand Prix riders who decided to try the track and spend a few days at a pre-season camp in Croatia.

Tickets from 150 kuna can be found at www.entrio.hr / www.speedway.hr

To read more about sports in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page

Monday, 7 March 2022

Legendary World Champion Hans Nielsen: ''Looking Forward to Croatian Grand Prix!''

March 7, 2022 - After two years, difficult and uncertain for sports, Donji Kraljevec and Speedway Stadium Milenium once again hosted the Danish speedway team led by the legendary world champion Hans Nielsen!

The "Professor" is a four-time world individual champion, but also the winner of 18 other world championship titles, the most trophy-winning and, according to many, the best speedway driver of all time. "The weather is better than in Denmark at this time of year and now we are here for the second time with the Danish national team and it is really wonderful in Međimurje, we always feel at home here. The track is top-notch, the conditions are top-notch, and we had fans in the stands these days," Hans Nielsen began. "We have three Grand Prix drivers in the team, we wanted them to feel the track, on April 30 and the first race of the FIM Speedway Grand Prix World Championship is being ridden on this track in Donji Kraljevec and we are looking forward to it."

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Four-time world individual champion, and winner of 18 other world championship titles, Hans Nielsen.

After a long time, Denmark has three drivers in the championship, Mikkel Michelsen, Leon Madsen, and Anders Thomsen. "Again, we have three drivers among the 16 best in the world and I expect a lot from them. Leon Madsen is an experienced driver, in 2019 he was close to the title, Mikkel Michelsen is a two-time European champion, an extremely fast driver, and Anders Thomsen made his debut in the SGP last season and is ready for great things."

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Anders Thomsen (middle), and Mikkel Michelsen (right).

Mikkel Michelsen will stay in Međimurje for a few more days after representing the Kingdom of Denmark at the Millennium Stadium. The Polish Extraliga in Lublin will follow on Monday: "I drove many times on this track, the first race takes place right here and I haven't been lucky in Croatia, but hopefully that will change.”, said Mikkel and added: "Last season I achieved my best result in the Polish Extraliga, we were silver as a team and it was a great feeling. I hope we can achieve something similar this year, or even better yet. I'm looking forward to the season, it's time''.

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Mikkel Michelsen.

Speedway is celebrating 100 years of sport this year, and as it is devised in Australia, a return to this continent awaits us: ''Australia is supposed to be the last race of this season. It is difficult to look so far ahead, but with the new season we are all looking forward to new experiences and a new vision of the sport.'', said Mikkel. "The finals in Australia await us after the club and league finals, but now my focus is on the first race. We will return really soon here, to Croatia, and then we go a step further."

Along with three Grand Prix drivers, Denmark brought to Međimurje six of the best national drivers who drive on leagues from England, Denmark, and Sweden, and with them a young driver in training, European U19 champion, and sports hope of Latvia Francis Gusts.

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The opening of the season in Croatia will be on April 30 with the first race of the FIM SPEEDWAY GRAND PRIX, which returns the World Championship to Međimurje after 10 years, a place that lives for speedway. The 16 fastest drivers in the world will compete at one of the world's best speedway stadiums and start the story of speedway together with Discovery Sports Events, the new promoter.

More information and tickets for the first race can be found in Entrio.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.

Wednesday, 26 January 2022

New Cycling Information Center in Međimurje Includes a Unique Lookout Tower

January 26, 2022 - As part of the construction of the new Cycling Information Center on the hill of Mađerka, a lookout tower will accompany it to offer visitors a vantage point that will allow them to enjoy a privileged view of the natural beauties of Međimurje, and the bordering countries.

The works on the construction of the new Cycling Information Center with a lookout tower on the hill of Mađerka will be completed soon, reports HrTurizam.hr. The idea of ​​the lookout tower came from the choice of a location that can present the natural beauties of upper Međimurje and its geographical position.

Mađerka is a hill above Štrigova, towards the border with Slovenia, at 341 meters above sea level, and only three meters lower than the highest point of Međimurje. The advantage of Mađerka is that you can see as many as four countries - Slovenia, Hungary, Austria, and Slovakia, and in good weather, you can see Sljeme.

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Photo: Međimurje County

"With the desire to raise the entire tourist offer to an even higher level, to offer tourists top tourist content, the municipality of Štrigova in cooperation with Međimurje County has designed a project to build a lookout tower with the aim of being a visitor center, cycling resort and presentation/tasting center for the Međimurje Wine Road", said Međimurje County Prefect Matija Posavec.

After its completion, which will give Međimurje another tourist destination, the final works in the new Cycling Information Center and its equipment will follow. At the location, visitors will have access to information about the tourist offer of the whole of Međimurje, and cyclists will have at their disposal a rest area equipped with a service station, adapted to e-bikes.

The new Cycling Information Center with a lookout tower is one of the components of the CycleSeeing Attractour - CSA project, co-financed from the cross-border program, implemented by the Municipality of Štrigova in partnership with the Tourist Board of Štrigova and the City of Nagykanisza.

"As there were no open tenders from national funds at that time, we applied for the cross-border program Interreg Croatia Hungary, and the project was assessed as very high quality and received the approval for co-financing of 85% of the total project value of 7,395,000 kuna," Posavec added.

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Photo: Međimurje Bike

In order to attract as many tourists as possible, not only for short-term visits but also for longer stays, three tourist packages have been designed - a bicycle package, a health and wellness package, and an eco-tourist package. These packages will contribute to making the project area a more attractive tourist destination, not just a transit one. Tourists will get acquainted with the newly built attractions, but also with the existing cultural and natural heritage of the destination.

"The project is in the development phase and we expect it can be completed by May this year. Terme Sveti Martin is close to Štrigova and all this is important for further development of the overall tourist offer of Međimurje, since I believe that it will awake the great interest of domestic and foreign guests, and will further present the beauties of Međimurje and develop continental tourism.", explains Posavec.

The new Cycling Information Center with a lookout tower is located on Pušipel's bicycle route. It is a circular trail that connects Štrigovo with Čakovec and passes through the wine-growing area of ​​the county, so it is ideal for e-bikes.

Međimurje abounds in attractive and well-kept bicycle paths and is located at the crossroads of international bicycle routes. Recreational and fun cycling is ideal for family vacations, but also for socializing. Međimurje offers something for everyone, easier and more demanding sections, road and off-road routes, and there are also customized terrains for XTC and cross driving.

"We were the first in Croatia to introduce Cyclist Welcome Quality, a brand accepted by neighboring Varaždin and Zagreb counties, and applied in Hungary. Accommodation facilities are fundamental to the quality of the overall cycling offer of a destination and therefore their services are classified into five quality classes up to five gears", emphasizes the director of the Tourist Board of Međimurje County, Rudi Grula and adds that in Međimurje, in addition to groomed trails, there are a number of equally arranged rest areas, charging stations for e-bikes and other facilities that attract cyclists from all over Europe.

The emphasis, as he says, is on foreign guests, but also those from nearby destinations from which they can come to Međimurje by bicycle, and the e-bicycles, which are becoming more and more popular in Europe. For example, guests from Graz, which is 70 to 90 kilometers away, can cross the section by e-bike in one day, and then cycle around Međimurje, neighboring counties, or cross to Slovenia and Hungary. Namely, the desire is to make Međimurje a kind of base in which cyclists would spend several days and explore the whole area.

''Our plan is to connect the Goričan Border Crossing with a bicycle path along the Trnava River, with Čakovec, and then Varaždin. The bicycle path would avoid road crossings and move along the river bank.", Grula announced.

Cyclists aim not only to ride but also to rest, and such visitors are the target group of the tourist offer of Međimurje County. Ecological sustainability, reduction of carbon footprint, the offer of local producers... this is something that cyclists take special care of when choosing their holiday destination, and Međimurje is a region that can provide them with that.

If you want to learn more about everything Međimurje County has to offer on your next trip, be sure to check out Total Croatia's guide, Međimurje in a Page.

For more, check out our travel section.

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