August 10, 2019 - The famous Omiš pirate battle returns this year on August 18th! 

The reenactment of the historic 13th-century battle between the pirates of Omiš and the Venetians takes place every year on the same date, August 18, in the town of Omiš, reports Dalmacija Danas.

In case you didn't already know, owing to the rich cultural and historical heritage, the town of Omiš is known as the 'city of pirates'. Throughout the 12th and 13th century, Omiš pirates, lead by the famous dukes of the Kačić family, ruled the large part of the Adriatic, from Omiš to Dubrovnik. It was at a time when most of Dalmatia was under Venetian rule. Omiš became so powerful, that in 1221, Venetians launched a crusade against them.

The ruthless and infamous Corsairs of Almissa (Omiš pirates), led by their ruler Malduk, whose fast pirate ships were built to attack and protect the town, defeated the Venetian army, led by the fleet commander Acconcio. As a result, the Venetians had to pay a fee in gold coins to the Omiš pirates for sailing through the Brač channel and other areas of the Omiš sea (known as Mare nostrum).

For this spectacle, more than a hundred armed pirates and Venetians participate each year, as well as members of the historical units of “Kumpanjija” from Blato on Korčula, “Trombunjeri” from Dubrovnik, “Uskoks” from Klis, “Poljičana” of the Sv. Jure Association, and Priko and the Pirates from Župa Dubrovačka.

This year, Omiš will celebrate over three days, from August 16 to 18.

Event Program: 

8/16/2019, Toreta Plateau, 8 pm Evergreen Evening - Opening of the Old Crafts Fair - Concert by Marko Tolja and Big Band Makarska

8/17/2019, Toreta Plateau, 6:30 pm Children's Pirate Day - Children's Athletic Training Ground with the Sanus Vita Sports Society - Shooting from bow and arrows with the Klis Uskoks - Art Workshop with academic painter Vera Mekinić - Treasure Hunt - Fun with Sarenko - Socializing with Omiš pirates - Concert featuring Maya Šuput and band

8/18/2019, City Harbor, 7:30 pm - Toreta, Parade of Historic Military Units through the City - Pirate Battle - Concert by Milo Hrnič and band

“Don't miss out on this unique event that attracts more than 10,000 visitors every year,” the organizers said. 

The organizers of the event are the Tourist Board of the City of Omiš, while the co-organizer is KPU Omiš pirates and the sponsors are the City of Omiš, the Croatian National Tourist Board, Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board, and Split-Dalmatia County. 

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

Croatian police reported today that a Czech national fell yesterday evening from a house in Stanići near Omiš. The injuries from the fall were too severe, and he tragically passed away.

The accidental fall happened around 21:00 on Monday evening, and the 34-year-old fell from a height of around 5.5 metres. It is not clear what exactly the Czech national was doing on the house, as it is currently under construction, so police will try to find the answer to the puzzle of why a foreign national was standing on top of a building that is still under construction.

His body has been taken to be autopsied, while the police are looking for additional answers.

Follow TCN's News section for more news from Croatia.

July 22, 2019 - They are not tourists in the classic sense, but they do travel around and spend. A digital nomad reflects on 63 days in Croatia. 

After 63 days in Croatia it is finally time to move on. We stayed at three different locations, all of them great in their own way, so I wanted to share the details for those that are interested in learning more. This country is so special with the amazing water, weather, and people and the food is some of the best I’ve found! Our next 45 day journey starts today, but here’s an overview of our stay here:

Leg #1: Kastel Kambelovac, just 20 minutes north of Split

We stayed in a very small one-bedroom unit with a direct view of the channel and a balcony that we ate on as often as possible. When we arrived May 15 it was a bit sleepy with not much activity and the weather was rainier and colder than usually, but within a few weeks it went from that to very hot, in the 90’s F. The energy of the city also changed come June, especially by June 15 which seemed to be the switch to summer. Within a few days people were everywhere, beaches were crowded, areas of the sea were roped off to delineate safe areas and the area became more bustling.

Split town, pretty easy to walk around when we arrived, also got busier and you could see more cruise boats all the time. When we first got here we weren’t that impressed, aside from the view and closeness of the water, but as we are now leaving we have become “part of the city” somewhat. We have conversations with restaurant people, some locals and I can see that over time it could grow on us. Learning the language, well, that’s another thing, as it is highly unlikely that we would learn Croatian beyond a few words. Very difficult and different than anything we were used to.

Leg #2: Dubrovnik, actually a small village called Plat just 10 minutes south

We were only there for a week and when we walked into our unit we flipped as the balcony expanded to an amazing pano view of the channel and sea from a very high distance above. The unit itself was small, but very clean, and aside from not have a complete kitchen, worked beautifully. We found an amazing restaurant 100 yards down the street and ate there several times for amazingly good prices considering what they charge in Dubrovnik proper. We liked Dubrovnik Old Town, but as warned, it was crazy busy and hot in summer. We found some great places to enjoy the water and the beauty of Croatia is that you merely have to take a ride along the coast, and when you see a place that looks good, you stop. Parking is never a problem and you can do it any way you can!

Leg #3, Lokva Rogoznica, a small village just south of Omis

This was the city whose name I could not pronounce, but loved immensely. As we rode into Omis the first time we, like everyone who does so, were amazed at the rock walls alongside the city. We were at this location for 10 days and this was a trip. The first time arriving we kept climbing up and up and up alongside the cliff wall. We finally get to this small village via several switchbacks and it looks deserted and empty. It mostly was but still enough people to create good energy and our unit was outstanding. We stayed with another couple for a novel experience, and each of us had two complete units with kitchens, baths, etc… Again, fantastic balcony very high up looking at the island of Brac. Several times rain arrived, we could see it doing so! And we watched lighting and heard thunder as though we were IN the storm. Pretty awesome.

A car was required and we spent a lot of time at these beaches and in the town of Omis, plus did a great raft ride. We had a terrific guide and for about $35 spent 2.5 hours on the River Cetina. The only downside was my pixel phone was lost in the river (my bad) but otherwise, all good.

So, after 63 days the question is “Do we come back?” and the answer is a 1000% yes. Where, when are yet to be decided, but for anyone who lives or spends time in Croatia, you get it. For those that had no idea where it is, which included me just a year ago, get this destination on your vacation plan and bucket list. If you need help or suggestions on how to Travel Younger, just ask.

Norm Bour is a travel writer and blogger who teaches others how to “travel younger.” A Baby Boomer who permanently left the US in February 2019, Norm stays at different locations six weeks at a time, with no intention of stopping. He never traveled outside the US until 2016, but watched how the Millennials traveled affordably and with a great sense of adventure and fun. At age 64, he and his girlfriend decided to learn from those that were doing it right and is committed to inspiring Baby Boomers of any age to live their dream. Follow their journey at his Facebook blog under Travel Younger..

To learn more about the digital nomad opportunity in Croatia, check out the dedicated Total Croatia guide.

The Croatia national team gathered in Split on Wednesday before heading to Omiš where they will play a friendly match against NK Omiš for their 100th birthday. 

The Croatia national team conducted an open training session in Omiš as preparation before their next Euro 2020 qualifier against Wales, which will be played on June 8 in Osijek, reports Gol.hr on May 30, 2019. 

Ivica Čavka

Hundreds of fans welcomed the ’Vatreni’ at the open training held on Thursday afternoon, though it was cut short due to rain and wind. The atmosphere, however, was positive as mostly parents with children gathered at the City Stadium Anđelko Marušić - Ferata. The World Cup finalists were warmly welcomed and the atmosphere remained excellent throughout the training. The biggest applause was given to hometown hero Ivan Perišić, who made his first steps in football on the Omiš pitch. The Croatia footballers distributed balls, gave autographs, and took advantage of the opportunity to take photos with their faithful fans. 

Ivica Čavka

The Omiš stadium was enforced with strong security measures to ensure no incident would occur. Recall, the national team hasn’t played in Dalmatia since 2015.

On Friday, a friendly match will be held between Croatia and NK Omiš, who is celebrating its 100th birthday. All tickets are sold out and an extra full stadium is expected. Following the game, the team travels to Opatija, where they will continue to prepare for the match against Wales.

Zlatko Dalić is faced with the absence of a few critical standard players, namely Ivan Rakitić and Ante Rebić, who will not be available for the game against Wales. Filip Bradarić currently has a virus, but will return to the team soon. Following the Euro qualifier in Osijek, Croatia will head to Varaždin where they will play a friendly match against Tunisia.

You can see more photos of the training here. 

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

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 24th of May, 2019, a protected three-storey building in the Dalmatian town of Omiš, which operated for 97 years as a factory and was constructed back during Austro-Hungarian rule will be redesigned into no less than a hotel in the next two years.

''The Croatian brand of pasta "Cetina" will remain, we've preserved it, as well as all of the jobs from the pasta factory. Twenty-two workers were taken care of, we've all sorted everyting out,'' Ivica Babić, the owner of the bakery and the sales chain "Babić" stated clearly after being requested to shed light on the situation by Slobodna Dalmacija. As of June the 1st, the former pasta factory in Omiš will end its work, after 97 long years.

Namely, the building on the eastern outskirts of Omiš, located at the mouth of Cetina, next to the town's harbour, will be converted into a hotel and thus end the work of the old factor that was otherwise in operation for almost 100 years.

''Nobody's getting put out of work, there are no dismissals. We've made sure to give jobs to all of our workers according to their respective capabilities, someone will be a driver, another will be a salesman... We've had two requests for severance pay, which we have taken care of properly,'' Babić stated when discussing the fate of employees who worked in the factory, which was sold to Krunoslav Šarić two years ago, but the well-known and popular Dalmatian "manistra" continued to be producted, and it will continue to do so, until the very beginning of next month.

''With our strategic partnership we've ensured that the brand will remain, but now production will be relocated to Čakovec. It was necessary to optimise the production of pasta, and because the "Cetina" building in Omiš was dilapidated, it was necessary to invest large amounts of money in its reconstruction or move the factory from the city centre to a more suitable place for production,'' revealed the boss of the Babić chain, expressing his satisfaction with the fact that they have been able to successfully preserve the brand "Cetina", as well as provide new jobs for the factory's former workers.

Make sure to follow our dedicated business and lifestyle pages for much more.

As Goran Rihelj writes for HRTurizam on May 19, 2019, if we want to extend the tourist season, then we have to rely on diverse, authentic and quality content and offers, which do not depend solely on the sun, sea or swimming.

This is only logical, because if we leave the sun and the sea as the primary motive for arrivals, what else remains? 

Thus, we must ask the following questions: Why would someone come to Croatia when they cannot swim? What other content is there? What will work outside of the season? Why should tourists visit Croatia?

Most importantly, to inspire and motivate travelers, we have to think about new tourist products that can be offered to our guests; products that will be available throughout the year.

Running is just one of the active products Croatia can offer.

Namely, over 50 million people are regularly involved in running in the EU, and their annual consumption is estimated at 9.6 billion euros. Some see this as the potential for growth and development, while others may not, but one thing is for sure - running is just one of the rapidly growing trends, both in Europe and the world.

Thus, this specific segment was targeted by the team from SightRun, who points out that after cycling, running could become a new trademark of Croatia if it is done right. 

Promoting running in Croatia seems like a logical and natural conclusion because of its potential. Croatia boasts different types of terrain across a small area, a long coastline and islands, numerous racing events and outdoor festivals, superb and authentic gastronomy, top accommodation, good traffic connections, and a mostly pleasant climate all year long on the Adriatic.

Thus, the SightRun mobile application for running tourists enters a new tourist season with new destinations and exciting tours. The SightRun application combines running and sightseeing for tourists and is intended for those who do not give up their running habit when they are on the road or vacation, especially when they have less time for sightseeing tours. By using the SighRun app, runners can discover a city and visit its many attractions.

After Zagreb, Šibenik, Split, Pula, Opatija, Munich and Graz, the SightRun applications this season is enhanced by three new destinations - Rovinj, Omiš, and Hvar.

The SightRun App includes audio running tours that give navigational instructions and interesting location information while running. All the user has to do is pick their desired pace on the app, get to the starting point, puts on their headset, and hit play. The app uses GPS and follows the runner’s movements. The SightRun application is entirely free for the user and is available on Google Play and the App Store.

SightRun is an excellent tourist story, but it is just the beginning of branding destinations as ‘Runner Friendly’. 

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

May 2, 2019 - Putting Croatian adventure tourism on the map, with the biggest welcome in the world. Day 40 of this incredible 2011 adrenaline trip covering 2,500 km along the Croatian coast. 

The World's Biggest Welcome, an ambitious adventure tourism project in 2011 in Croatia enters Day 40 of this 2019 appreciation of one of the finest tourism promotion projects ever in Croatia.  

The plan? To showcase the diversity and fabulous offer of adventure tourism in Croatia by following a GPS route the length of the Croatian coast in the shape of the word 'Welcome' - thereby creating the biggest welcome in the world from a hospitable tourism country. 

Day 40 moved from Omiš to the Blaca Hermitage located on the southern side of Brač island.

34 kilometres for the day: 16 km kayak ride from Omiš to Supetar, followed by an 18 km bike ride from Supetar to Nerežišća and Blaca to continue forming the ‘L’ in ‘Welcome’.

Day 40 began by setting off from Omiš to the island of Brač. 

Lacko and his team made it to Supetar. 

Which was marked by one of Jadrolinija's most famous ferries between Supetar and Split. 

Lacko and the team inching their way to the harbor. 

A better look at the 'Welcome' team.

From Supetar, the group cycled towards Donji Humac.

But the traffic on Brač held them up. 

Mislav tested out some of his stunts on the famous Brač rocks.

The group made it to a secret location on the island. 

Blaca.

The group even had a free day on the island and decided to kayak from Sutivan to Šolta!

A key part of the project was promoting tourism, and the official website has details of the key places visited during the day. 

Omiš.

You can see the entire project on the Welcome website, as well as much more of Luka Tambaca's stunning photography on the Welcome Facebook page. 

After a free Day 41, tune in tomorrow for Day 42, as Lacko moves from Šestenovac to Imostki.

To follow the whole project from the start, follow the dedicated TCN page. 

May 1, 2019 - Putting Croatian adventure tourism on the map, with the biggest welcome in the world. Day 39 of this incredible 2011 adrenaline trip covering 2,500 km along the Croatian coast. 

The World's Biggest Welcome, an ambitious adventure tourism project in 2011 in Croatia enters Day 39 of this 2019 appreciation of one of the finest tourism promotion projects ever in Croatia.  

The plan? To showcase the diversity and fabulous offer of adventure tourism in Croatia by following a GPS route the length of the Croatian coast in the shape of the word 'Welcome' - thereby creating the biggest welcome in the world from a hospitable tourism country. 

Day 39 moved from Trilj to Omiš.

69 kilometres for the day: 45 km bike ride from Trilj to Zadvarje, 3 km of canyoning from Zadvarje to HE Cetina, 14 km of rafting from HE Cetina to Radmanove mlinice, and a 7 km kayak ride from Radmanove mlinice to Omiš to begin forming the ‘L’ in ‘Welcome’.

Day 39 started in Trilj - crossing over a hanging bridge on the Cetina river. 

Lacko and Mislav in Trilj.

Making way towards Blato on the Cetina river.

Cikotina Ladja - bridge.

From Trilj to Zadvarje for some canyoning. 

The team in the canyon and Mislav doing a backflip.

From canyoning to rafting on the Cetina. The group passing under the Pavic bridge.

And to Radmanove Mlinice.

They traded their rafts in for bikes.

And made way to Omiš.

Hiking towards Fortica above Omis.

Fortica above Omis, and a happy Welcome team.

A key part of the project was promoting tourism, and the official website has details of the key places visited during the day. 

Omiš.

You can see the entire project on the Welcome website, as well as much more of Luka Tambaca's stunning photography on the Welcome Facebook page. 

Tune in tomorrow for Day 40, as Lacko moves from Omiš to Blaca.

To follow the whole project from the start, follow the dedicated TCN page. 

April 25, 2019 - The Croatia national team will celebrate the 100th birthday of the Omiš Football Club with a friendly match on May 31 in Omiš, announced HNS. 

Namely, the football club of Omiš (NK Omiš) and the town of Omiš proposed to the Croatian Football Federation that they'd like to host the Croatia national team and 2018 World Cup finalists at the end of May in the program of marking the centenary of the club's foundation. The Croatia Football Federation’s leadership and the Croatia national team coach Zlatko Dalić accepted the proposal and agreed that the team would play a festive match against NK Omiš on May 31.

The World Cup finalists are looking forward to an imperative qualifier for Euro 2020 against Wales (June 8 in Osijek) and a friendly match against Tunisia (June 11 in Varaždin).

The national team will gather on May 29 in Split where they will be until the match against Omiš, after which they will prepare for Wales in Opatija before leaving for Osijek on June 7.

"We are looking forward to the meeting in Omiš, and we are delighted to be able to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the club that has given Croatia a few representatives, including the World Cup finalist Ivan Perišić. The match will fit into our preparation for Wales because we want to get together a little earlier so that the players do not have too much of a break after they finish their championships,” Zlatko Dalić said.

Recall, in Croatia's Euro 2020 qualifiers thus far, they have defeated Azerbaijan in Zagreb (2:1) and lost to Hungary in Budapest (1:2). After Croatia faces Wales in June, they will play Slovakia and Azerbaijan in September, Hungary and Wales in October, and Slovakia again in November for the remainder of their Euro 2020 qualifications. 

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

Remember the last time you tried something dangerous and difficult, fell down and got up to try it once more - 63 times? No, me neither. Slovenian free-climber Jernej Kruder does; he just did it in the past several years, attempting to climb the Vruja cove near Omiš in Dalmatia.

The plan started four years ago, when Kruder, a world-class climbing athlete and his friend from Croatia, Ivan Kuvačić, also a climber, first envisioned the climb up the 30-meter high route, which has never been attempted before. Kruder analyzed the cliff, decided how it would be best to climb it, bolted the line for the ascend and started his attempts. In the past three years, Kuvačić told Croatian media, he fell 63 times and had to start all over again, because in this sport, once you lose your hold, in order for the climb to be considered successful, you need to start all over again. And he did. Again and again. 

And then, on a cold day that was the New Year's Eve, last day of 2018, Kruder finally did it. He managed to complete the first successful ascent of this huge roof project! The first person to complete a climb almost always gets to give it a name, and Kruder decided to call it "Dugi rat", which is coincidentally also a name of a place in Croatia. The village also near Omiš has nothing to do with that name - in Slovenian it means "A long struggle", which is an appropriate name for something that took that long and included so many failed attempts. 

Now that the Vruja cove climb has officially been succeeded, Kruder has proposed it receives a 9a+ climbing rank, which is definitely the highest rank in Croatia (and there aren't that many climbs with that rank world-wide, either). Climbers love new ascends, and a one with such an amazing story and a view to die for will certainly attract many other climbers, wanting to repeat Kruder's first ascend.

And 2018 is a year the Slovenian climber will remember: in addition to his last-day-of-the-year Vruja cove success, he also won the overall Bouldering World Cup!