February 26, 2021 – As every previous year, the Istrian town of Porec prepares for the tourist season, organizing free online education for renters, who were very interested in the offer this year.

This week, the tourist boards of Poreč, Tar-Vabriga, Funtana, Kaštelir-Labinci, and Vižinada, organized two free online lectures for renters entitled "Preparing apartments and holiday homes for the 2021 season" and "Doing business in new conditions – new normal." The educations were intended for all those who will be doing business in the 2021 season, whether they are beginners or experienced renters.

'Renters want to follow new trends in tourism'

As the organizers say, renters were very interested and filled all of 100 available places for the first lecture in just a few hours. For the second, the participants registered very quickly as well, thus filling another 100 positions.

"We can definitely say that renters want to follow new trends and current events in tourism. They want to educate themselves and offer the guest 'something more,' which ultimately makes a difference. The educations aim to connect and provide information on current trends in the field of tourism," says the Poreč Tourist Board.

Pexels

Such educational lectures have been organized in Poreč for many years. Namely, the Poreč Tourist Board regularly organizes free educational lectures for renters from its area before the start of preparations for the upcoming tourist season. Considering that they signed an association agreement with the tourist boards of Funtana, Tar-Vabriga, Kaštelir-Labinci, and Vižinada recently, this year, they organized educations for renters together for the first time.

Arranging tourist facilities and adapting to new business conditions

Respecting the current epidemiological measures, the lectures were held through the online platform Zoom, and the lecturers were Meri Čizmić Kraljević and Anamarija Cicarelli from the counseling center for renters Interligo d.o.o.

The training focused on the types of guests, arranging facilities, additional facilities for guests, how to present facilities and destinations, communication with guests, advertising, social networks and websites, and how to present and reach guests without a portal.

Given the current situation, the lecturers guided the participants through the implementation of COVID-19-related measures. They also explained how to treat guests in case of suspicion of infection.

Poreč / Romulić and Stojčić

Of course, they also talked about current topics, such as legal regulations for renters and their obligations. Besides, they talked about aligning the facility with market requirements while maintaining the comfort for guests, what they need to have in the facility, the e-Visitor system, and cancellations.

The renters' significant response to these educations is another proof that the tourist boards of Poreč are moving in the right direction to achieve good tourist results this year.

"We do our best to support our renters, and we are sure that our efforts will be rewarded with satisfied guests," concludes Poreč Tourist Board.

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February 21, 2021 – Continuing the TCN series answering the questions posed by Google's People Also Ask function. Is Porec in Croatia worth visiting? The shortest answer would be – of course – and here are all the reasons why.

What is Porec like in Croatia?

Located on the west coast of the Istrian peninsula in Croatia, Poreč can most simply be described as a seaside town with many tourist attractions but also with a rich and indispensable cultural history. It is perhaps best known as the home of the Euphrasian Basilica (so-called Euphrasiana) from the 6th century, one of the seven UNESCO's world heritage sites in Croatia.

However, in the last few years, Poreč has been filling newspaper columns as one of the best cities to live in Croatia, which has been contributed to by its economic, cultural, and social development. A famous tourist town that lives throughout the year? It seems like it could be. Since I have been spending almost every summer in Poreč since I was born, I would unquestionably like to get to know it better from the perspective of living in it. Maybe one day, but for now, I will focus on what I know Poreč is worth visiting for.

Historic center: Is Porec in Croatia worth visiting for culture and heritage?

Apart from the aforementioned Euphrasian Basilica, a must-see cultural site to visit, the whole old Poreč city core is a cultural monument. The peninsula on which the old town of Poreč is located hides historic traces dating back thousands of years. The main street that passes through it – Decumanus – is full of tourists in summer due to its numerous shops and restaurants. At the intersection with Cardo Street, the so-called Dekumanova Street reveals several Gothic and Baroque palaces.

The Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč is one of the most beautiful preserved monuments of early Byzantine art in the Mediterranean.

Built in the 6th century during Bishop Euphrasius, after whom it is named, the Euphrasian Basilica is famous for glittering mosaics dating from the 3rd century. The picture shows the Euphrasian Basilica's apse decorated with Byzantine mosaics.

At the entrance to Dekumanova Street from Sloboda Square, attention is drawn to the Pentagonal Tower, at the top of which is a restaurant. At the top of the nearby Round Tower overlooking the waterfront, tourists love to enjoy a cafe.

Dekumanova Street / Decumanus Street in Poreč

Evidence of life from ancient times is hidden near the oldest square of Marafor. Also, Poreč is the proud home of the largest Roman shrine in Istria, the Large Temple, and to the north of it are the remains of the Temple of Neptune.

For me, one of the usual evening activities in Poreč is a walk through the old town in the mentioned Decumanus Street, as well as along Poreč's lungomare or Ante Šonja Coast, with a romantic view of the north side of Poreč – Peškera Bay (where the city beach is located), Pical, and Materada. I call it the quiet side because there are no stands on it, for which the other part of the city is famous, just the open sea in front of you, with some lighthouse flashes.

The old town of Poreč and Poreč lungomare / Romulić and Stojčić

I usually continue my walk along the coast to the newly renovated city waterfront, i.e., Marshal Tito's Coast, thus embracing the entire old core of Poreč. I admire numerous yachts, tourist boats, and fishing boats moored in the Poreč port along the waterfront side.

Last year, the Poreč waterfront, an integral part of the Poreč old town, got a new attire – new facilities with signposts to the old town's sights. / Poreč Tourist Board

Is Porec in Croatia worth visiting for beaches and sports activities?

I stayed in Poreč during all stages of my life – from a playful child, through a demanding teenager, to a serious student – and at no time was I bored in Poreč, nor my parents who have been spending their summers in this beautiful Istrian city for almost 30 years. As we are a family that likes a combination of active and lazy holidays, we love Poreč because we get both there – beautiful and clean beaches, as well as many cultural, gourmet, adventure, fun, and sports facilities.

As my all-time favorite activity is rollerblading (and as I'm not a fan of swimming), I enjoy long rides from the center of Poreč along beaches trails. There is a crystal clear sea on one side of the trail, while on the other side, there are various sports and catering facilities. The first beach to reach is Beach Brulo. Located in the mild Mediterranean and sheltered bay, surrounded by pine trees, it is ideal for a real summer vacation.

Brulo Beach / Croatian Tourist Board

The trail along the coast goes all the way to Poreč Blue Lagoon, Green Lagoon, and White Bay, beautiful bays and hotel resorts. I recommend the popular tourist train that goes from the south side of Poreč Riviera! Also, If you like cycling and similar recreation, you will love cycling in Poreč.

As there are pebble, sandy, rocky, and concrete beaches, you will indeed find a beach tailored to your needs in Poreč. In 37 kilometers of the Poreč shore, there are as many as 22 beaches with a Blue Flag, an international symbol of clean sea and landscaped coastline. That is as many as 20 percent of all Blue Flags which flutter along the Croatian coast!

What I always liked about beaches in Poreč are numerous fun activities, such as water sports – pedal boats, canoes, paragliding, banana boats, parasailing, aquapark, and sports facilities such as tennis courts, volleyball courts, and mini-golf.

It is important to emphasize that the City of Poreč works tirelessly to provide access to all cultural facilities to people with disabilities. For example, last year, they carried out an adaptation project in the Euphrasian Basilica, and many beaches have been adapted for people with disabilities.

Our all-time favorite daily activity is visiting the Saint Nicholas island across Poreč, also known as Valamar Isabella Island Resort. In the summer months, the island is connected to the Poreč waterfront by a full-day ferry line. The boat from Poreč to the island goes every thirty minutes in both ways. The boat ride takes only five minutes, and the ticket price is 40 kunas (5,30 euros).

The island of Saint Nicholas in Poreč and Isabella Castle, Valamar Isabella Island Resort / Poreč Tourist Board

I recommend visiting this lovely island across Poreč at least once during your stay to enjoy beautiful, clean, and tidy beaches. It has always been a kind of undiscovered place for my family and me, even before it was renovated by Valamar, the biggest tourism company in Croatia. A nice walk around the island to experience nature's calmness and see the old but now renovated Isabella castle is a must!

On the island and in the whole city, a lot of effort has been put into facilities and activities for children. Along the beaches, you can find numerous children's playgrounds and toboggans. Poreč invests a lot in education, which I witnessed last year when I found out they even have summer tourism workshops for children. Also, children's camps are organized on the beaches, where you can often see many animators with groups of children. There is also a diving school on Brulo Beach.

Poreč Tourist Board

Is Porec in Croatia worth visiting for daily boat excursions?

Daily boat excursions from Poreč to surrounding bays and cities are among the most popular activities among tourists. While walking along the waterfront during the evening, when many tourist boats are waiting for their next venture, you can book one-day boat trips to Rovinj, Vrsar, and Lim Fjord, fish picnic trips, and submarine ride. You can also find boats and taxi boats to the nearby Poreč bays, such as Green Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and White Bay.

One of my earliest travel memories was a one-day trip to Venice from Poreč when I was eight, which I totally recommend. Even though I have seasickness, my first trip to Italy was by boat from Poreč, and I absolutely loved it. Hopping to another country and another city in the middle of your holidays was so exciting back then, and I hope that soon the circumstances will allow the like journeys again.

Tourist boats in the Poreč waterfront / Poreč Tourist Board

Is Porec in Croatia worth visiting for nightlife?

Here comes the fun part. During the summer evenings, at the beginning of the city waterfront, you will not be able to miss the sounds of the world's greatest hits and dance rhythms from the famous Poreč club Saint & Sinner.

There is no shortage of night bars and clubs in the city, and the Poreč casino is also popular. Various performers (most often musicians) perform at the summer terraces of hotels and restaurants almost every day. One of the most famous such summer bars is the Lapidarium.

Saint & Sinner / Poreč Tourist Board

At the very top of the Poreč peninsula, at the foot of the Riviera Hotel, music from the attractive Palazzo Club attracts attention. Besides, there are numerous lounge and beach bars by the sea.

I also remember seeing organized transport vehicles around Poreč offering transport services for party people to the nearby famous nightclub Byblos. I'm sure I'm not the only one who is nostalgic about crazy summer parties! Last summer, it was relatively quiet in Poreč, but let's hope for the better in the upcoming summer season.

As for parties, Poreč is also known for hosting Poreč Open Air Festival, an all-summer-long festival that consists of street performances, music nights, cinema, theatre, and special events. The MTV Summerblast in Poreč was also held, but due to the current situation with the coronavirus, the holding of all festivals is uncertain for now.

Is Porec in Croatia worth visiting for gastronomy, adventure, and education?

Although the temperatures in Poreč are high and the sea is warm, I will not lie - almost every year, I experience one rainy day during holidays. However, such days allow me to explore Poreč and its surroundings.

In addition to the many hotels and apartments, many famous restaurants and cafes in Poreč offer only the best Istrian delicacies. Getting to know the local specialties is an indispensable part of getting to know the destination. In Poreč and Istria, those are, among others, truffles, olive oil, Istrian prosciutto, Istrian boškarin beef, asparagus, and seafood, offered in best of Poreč offer. Along the Dekumanova Street in the old city core, you can find many patisseries with ice cream.

Istrian food - scallops, mussels, oysters / Poreč Tourist Board

I don't have to emphasize the importance and popularity of Istrian wines and wine roads. One must taste them when in Poreč, but what surprised me last year was the favorite activity of Istria people – truffle hunting. It was the best activity for me in the whole visit to Poreč and Istria the previous year, and it is worth experiencing!

As part of a truffle hunting tour, we ate an Istrian specialty - scrumbled eggs with black truffles / Donatella Pauković

And since Istria has been named the best olive oil region in the world for the sixth consecutive year, my next visit will for sure include olive oil roads in the Poreč hinterland.

Near Poreč, there are many entertainment and educational facilities, such as Motodrom Poreč with karting. In addition to karting, many other activities are offered: bigfoot riding, cross-kart driving, segway, quads motor wheels, paintball, and Adventure Park SkyFox. It is possible to ride horses in the nearby horseriding centers in Poreč.

Motodrom Poreč / Donatella Pauković

A few years ago, we spent a day visiting the Baredine Cave, at the bottom of which we saw one of the few specimens of a human fish. I recommend the Baredine Cave if you get bored of the heat because by descending to a depth of 60 meters, the air temperature also drops to 14 degrees Celsius, which is a shock compared to the outside 30 degrees during the summer days.

Human fish in the Baredine Cave near Poreč, Istria / Donatella Pauković

If you want to get the best from water experience, near the tourist resort Zelena Laguna in Poreč, you can enjoy the largest Croatian water amusement park – Aquacolors Poreč. Also, the attractive Aquapark Istralandia, recently named fourth best water park in the world, is only a 20-minute drive from Poreč.

If you want to learn something about astronomy, the Višnjan Observatory, one of the 12 most productive observatories in the world of all time, is 16 kilometers away from Poreč. During 2018 and 2019, the Observatory discovered and documented over 1,400 asteroids, and recently, as part of a crowdfunding campaign, they secured funding for further investment in scientific and educational facilities.

Conclusion: Is Porec in Croatia worth visiting?

Suppose you want to have active holidays, then yes. In that case, Poreč is worth visiting because it offers a combination of lovely beaches, city sights, beautiful sunsets, rich culture, numerous sports and adventure activities, great food, and even a great nightlife. Poreč simply has it all.

I have visited Poreč countless times in winter when it turns into a quiet town without tourists, and I would always rejoice to see some pizzerias, restaurants, and cafes open even during the winter. Poreč is also a host to many sports teams during winter, who do the preparations for sports competitions in six Poreč sports halls. Did you know that Poreč will soon even have a football camp? It is the result of a long-term investment in sports in Poreč.

Poreč Tourist Board

It is fascinating to me how every Croatian city and place hides many interesting facts, and sometimes it is challenging to discover them all in one visit. Therefore, I know there is a lot more to do and see in Poreč, and I can't wait to revisit it.

Although I have traveled a large part of the Croatian coast in my 24 years and the mainland, I think there is always something new to explore in Croatia, and I'm looking forward to finding out more about my beautiful country in the future.

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February 17, 2021 – In Google's "People also ask" feature, the hard questions are the ones that start with "how." It is not always easy to find answers how to do something or how to get somewhere. However, in this article, we will try to explain how to get to Istria, the biggest and famous Croatian peninsula.

Located in the most western part of Croatia, Istria is a peninsula known for its rich cultural heritage, as well as it's delicious gastro offer that includes world's best wine, olive oil, and truffles. Last year, Istria was named world's best olive oil region for the sixth consecutive year, which is one more reason why Istria is an unavoidable place to visit when in Croatia.

Sources: Istria.hr, Pexels, Romulić and Stojčić

We will let you explore the charms of Istria for yourself, but first, we will try to help you how to get to Istria.

How to get to Istria Croatia by car?

Istria is one of the best, if not the best traffic-connected Croatian coastal region. Thanks to its geographical position, it achieves a record number of tourist arrivals and overnight stays every year, and the cities of Poreč and Rovinj are at the very top of Croatian tourist destinations.

The largest number of tourists come to Istria by land, by personal vehicles, from the close countries of Germany, Austria, and Italy. If you're coming to Istria from those countries, or from that direction, you must pass through Slovenia.

There are four main border crossings with Croatia and Slovenia in Istria. The first ones are Plovanija and Dragonja/Kaštel, from the direction of Koper, marked in red on the photo below.

Screenshot Google Maps

The road to Plovanija goes along the Slovenian shore, and the border crossing Dragonja/Kaštel is on the road E751. After the Croatian border, that road connects with the most famous and most important road in Istria – the so-called Istrian Y, a Y-shaped highway, which connects all parts of Istria.

On the left: Center of Istrian Y in Kanfanar (Romulić and Stojčić) / On the right: the map of Istrian Y (Wikipedia)

That part of the Istrian Y, marked in red on the photo below, goes along the western shore, and it is a highway A9 from the Slovenian border to Pula. It connects Istrian cities of Umag, Novigrad, Poreč, Rovinj, and Pula. However, the highway itself is a little away from these cities, so you will have to turn to state roads to reach them.

A9 highway, a part of Istrian Y, marked in red / Wikipedia

The second two important - and also the busiest - border crossings in Istria are Pasjak and Rupa, marked in blue on the first photo. Although they are located in the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, they are a gate to Istria County.

As shown on the photo below, the highway E61 goes to Croatia via the Pasjak crossing border from the direction of Trieste in Italy. If coming from the direction of Ljubljana, you must cross the Rupa crossing border. Highway E61 (in Croatian: highway A7) from both Pasjak and Rupa end in Matulji (marked in red) near Rijeka, where it connects with the second part of Istrian Y – highway A8 that goes to Kanfanar, the center point of Istrian Y.

Screenshot Google Maps

A8 highway, a another part of Istrian Y, marked in blue / Wikipedia

Remember, once you reach Istrian Y, you can reach any part of Istria. Istrian Y is actually a system of two highways, A8 and A9 – learn more about the Istrian Y.

Other Slovenian-Croatian border crossings are Bregana near Zagreb and Macelj near Krapina, from where you can go to Istria via highways E59 and E65.

How to get to Istria by plane?

The only airport in Istria is the one in Pula, while the other close airports are in Friuli Venezia Giulia Airport in Trieste, Marco Polo Airport in Venice, and Treviso Airport in Italy, Jože Pučnik Airport in Ljubljana in Slovenia (also known as Brnik Airport or Fraport Slovenia), Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport and Rijeka Airport in Croatia.

Pula Airport welcomes both charter and scheduled flights. Before many flights were canceled due the pandemic, Pula Airport had a solid tourist traffic. One of the most popular airline in Pula was Ryanair, offering cheap flights to some of the biggest European cities. However, the traffic in Pula Airport dropped by 89.6 percent in 2020, compared to the record 2019.

Pula Airport by Romulić and Stojčić

Airlines operating to Pula Airport in 2021 are Air Serbia, British Airways, Croatia Airlines, EasyJet, Eurowings, Finnair, Jet2.com, Lufthansa, Norwegian, Ryanair, S7 Airlines, TUI, Volotea, and Wizzair.

In 2021, it will be possible to come to Pula, Istria by flights from Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Scotland, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the UK.

Screenshot Pula Airport

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How to get to Istria by bus?

If you come from neighboring countries, the bus may be a good option to get to Istria. Since northern and western Croatia is well-connected with northern Italy, you can get to Istria by bus from Trieste to Buje, Poreč, Rovinj, Pula, along with other places on the way. The bus from Trieste to the western part of Istria, as well as to Rijeka, operates throughout the year.

There are also bus lines from Venice to Pula by the Pula-based bus company FILS, operating the whole year. Another Pula-based bus company Brioni Pula provides bus services from Padova (with stops in Venice and Trieste) to Vodnjan, Rovinj, Buje, and Pula. All the bus lines from Italy to Croatia can be found here (in Croatian).

Bus routes from Venice, Italy to Pula, Croatia / Buscroatia.com

Istrian bus companies Brioni Pula i FILS also provide bus lines from many Croatian cities, mostly from the capital of Zagreb. If you're coming from continental Croatia, Istria is the closest seaside region to visit. There are many bus lines, especially during summer. You can find them also on the Flixbus and Arriva bus companies' webpages.

How to get to Istria by ferry?

Since Croatia has a sea border with Italy, one way to get to Istria from Italy is ferry. There are two ferry providers from Italy to Istria – Adriatic Lines and Venezia Lines.

Adriatic Lines operates from Venice to Istrian cities of Pula, Rovinj, Poreč, and Umag. Catamaran lines from port San Basilio in Venice to Istrian cities last about two and half hours. One-way ticket price is 65 euros (or 500 kunas) for adults and 32.50 euros (250 kunas) for children. The schedule for 2021 is still unavailable.

Adriatic Lines' catamarans are quite famous, as they are recognizable in Istrian ports. "Prince of Venice," mostly seen in Poreč port, has an attractive and distinctive design, while "Adriatic Jet" is known for its speed and interesting appearance.

Prince of Venice in Poreč port / Adriatic Lines

During summer, namely from April to October, Venezia Lines have catamaran lines from Venice to Piran, Poreč, Pula, Rovinj, and Umag. Ticket prices range from 59 to 69 euros per person (450 to 520 kunas per person). It takes about three hours and 15-30 minutes to get in one direction, depending on the route. However, the schedule for 2021 has not yet been published.

Ferries from Istria to Italy also allow the transport of pets and bikes.

To find more ferries from Italy to Croatia, check the Istrian Sun webpage.

How to get to Istria by train?

If you decide to come to Istria by train, you can arrive very quickly using the lines from Ljubljana or Zagreb.

The line from Ljubljana can take you to Buzet or Pula every day and it takes four hours. There are no more trains going from Italy to Croatia.

If traveling from the Croatian capital, there are no direct train lines to Istria. However, you can take the train to Rijeka, but then travel by bus from Rijeka to Lupoglav, from where you can continue your train journey through Istria, to Pazin and Pula. The whole journey take four hours. You can book the train tickets on the Croatian Railways webpage.

Six railway stations in Istria are in Pula, Kanfanar (mentioned above as the center of Istrian Y), Vodnjan, Pazin, Buzet, and Lupoglav. Pula and Pazin are the main railway stations in Istria, from where you can quicky come to western Istrian cities of Poreč, Rovinj, and Novigrad.

Fun fact about travelling by train in Istria?

Did you know that Istria is home to the only island on the Adriatic coast connected by train? Its name is Uljanik and is one of the six islands in the Pula bay.

Pula and Uljanik island seen from above / Wikipedia

The name Uljanik, after which the nearby Pula shipyard was also named, comes from olive trees or, in Croatian, "ulike" that grew on it. Of all the olive trees, only one remained in the center of the island, surrounded by the Uljanik shipyard facilities, whose central plants are located on the island.

Interestingly, the industrial track for the shipyard Uljanik that goes from Pula railway station continues over the bridge, all over to the island of Uljanik. The bridge thus connects the island of Uljanik with the coast, making Uljanik the only Croatian island connected to the mainland by rail.

Uljanik shipyard's main plants on the island of Uljanik / Copyright Romulić and Stojčić

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January the 18th, 2021 - The Croatian demographic picture has sadly been deteriorating for many years, with Eastern Croatian areas such as Slavonia seeing people leave en masse in search of better futures in European countries like the UK, Ireland and Germany. Since Croatia joined the EU back in July 2013, this trend has unfortunately only increased as borders were suddenly opened and the need for work permits generally ceased. The Istrian city of Porec, however, recorded an increase even during the tremendously difficult year of 2020. Porec newborns increased by eight percent.

As Morski writes, in what was a deeply challenging pandemic-dominated 2020, this beautiful Istrian city distributed 155 grants for Porec newborns, as much as eight percent more than in the previous year, for which 232,500 kuna was paid from the city budget, equalling 1,500 kuna per Porec newborn.

Although the official data on the exact number of Porec newborns from back in 2019 isn't yet known, the data on paid benefits shows that 12 more children were born last year in that city than were born in the year before, which is a very good indicator. It's worth mentioning that not only is the growing number of Porec newborns encouraging, but the influx of people moving from elsewhere to Porec is also excellent.

The above means that the need for the placement of children in the city's kindergartens is growing day by day, so the opening of new such institutions and the employment of new people is very well accepted.

The construction of the third kindergarten and nursery in the past three years alone in Porec is now underway, and after the opening of new primary schools in Zbandaj and Finida, the former school building in Veli Maj was converted into a new nursery, while European Union (EU) funds were used for the building of the former community centre and nursery in Dracevac.

Regional kindergartens in Varvari and Baderna were constructed back in earlier years, and this future practice in Zbandaj once again continues the good practice of opening preschools in smaller places near the homes of young families, which is very well accepted by both users and those from the education and child care profession. The kindergarten in Zbandaj will be the regional department of the "Radost/Joy" kindergarten from Porec, and it will be able to accept a total of 64 children from early to preschool age.

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January 13, 2021 – Given the developed sports and accommodation infrastructure, as well as the organization and sports tradition, does Istria have the potential to become the leading sports tourism destination in the southern part of Europe?

With cities that regularly count the highest numbers of tourist overnight stays each year, Istria has been a top tourist destination for a long time. After a recent endeavor to brand Istria as an attractive region for top IT professionals, Istria is also promoted as a favorable sports tourism destination.

Favorable climate, vicinity to Europe

According to Glas Istre, due to its favorable position, mild climate, and developed sports infrastructure and tradition, Istrian cities on the west coast are often hosting many international clubs and national teams that come to the preparations and camps.

For example, the Croatia national handball team recently made preparations for the 2021 World Handball Championship in the Istrian city of Poreč. Their coach Lino Červar said two years ago that the national team in Poreč feels at home.

Football fields in Medulin / Gat travel agency

Comparative advantages of Istria, such as the proximity of major European cities and favorable climate in the winter months, give it a unique opportunity to compete with other warmer destinations, such as the famous Antalya in Turkey, one of the most attractive sports tourism destinations. However, it is necessary to use those advantages, adequately adjust the infrastructure, and increase and improve the offer.

The corona crisis has certainly benefited Istria, which has logically imposed itself as the best option for sports clubs' semi-seasonal winter preparations. However, once the corona crisis becomes a thing of the past and the borders open, the question is whether Istria can compete with the best.

Well-known Istrian sports destinations - Medulin, Pula, Porec, Rovinj, and Umag

Football fields near the Belvedere Hotel in Medulin traditionally attract football clubs. All six football fields are 100 to a maximum of 500 meters apart. About 200 clubs from all over Europe pass through Medulin annually, and this year it was chosen by the football clubs Lokomotiva, Šibenik, Međimurje, Slaven Belupo, Gorica, and domestic Istria 1961.

Apart from Medulin, sports tourism also thrives in the four largest Istrian cities – Pula, Poreč, Rovinj, and Umag, which also generate the largest tourist traffic. The famous Poreč sports hall Žatika, one of six halls in the city, was built for the 2009 World Handball Championship in Croatia, and as a result of many years of investment in sports, a football camp will soon be built in Poreč.

Currently, football clubs Rijeka, Slovačko from the Czech Republic, Budafoki MTE from Hungary, and Sturm Graz from Austria are preparing in Umag. The City of Umag says that they have been continuously working on raising the quality of football fields for years, especially in the Stella Maris sports center.

Tennis center Stella Maris in Umag / Copyright Romulić and Stojčić

Umag is already recognized as a base for the winter preparations of many European first leaguers. The current situation with the coronavirus has only further increased the number of inquiries from foreign football clubs. By the end of February, numerous first-league and second-league clubs are expected to spend their winter preparations in Umag, culminating in a series of traditional Umag Trophy youth football tournaments, for which Juventus and Bayern Münich have already confirmed the arrival.

"We have recognized all the comparative advantages of Istria. Ten years ago, we decided to develop this type of tourism, together with the Umag Tourist Board and the hotel company Plava Laguna. We notice that the potential is much greater than what we can currently satisfy with the existing infrastructure, so the sports center and additional fields are also planned," they say from the City of Umag.

Marko Kuže: Rovinj is Dinamo's winter base

Dinamo and Osijek football clubs are currently preparing in Rovinj. It seems that the corona crisis, in this case, was not crucial given that the clubs of the first Croatian football league, as well as the Croatian national football team, chose Rovinj in previous years.

Rovinj / Copyright Romulić and Stojčić

When asked whether Rovinj can compete specifically with Turkey, the City reminds that Dinamo players declared themselves on this issue last year. They said that, given the quality of the terrain and accommodation, Rovinj is no weaker than Turkey, where they had the opportunity to make preparations before. Last year, the conditions offered by Rovinj were praised by the then Dinamo coach Nenad Bjelica, who returned here this year to prepare with the Football club Osijek.

Marko Kuže, technical director of Dinamo, says that in Rovinj, the conditions for preparations are excellent, from accommodation to the training ground.

"On behalf of the club, staff, and players, I must express my satisfaction with the hospitality. We are always pleasantly welcomed here, and this is very important in choosing a location for such a serious work process as preparations. Considering that Rovinj is already Dinamo's winter base, we have a good experience this year. There was no need to look for a location for preparations outside of Croatia because we have everything here. We see that other teams have preparations in Istria, which is also very good for domestic tourism," says Kuže.

December 11, 2020 - Great news for Croatia, as Porec has been confirmed to host the 2021 European Karate Championships, which will bring karate fighters from 52 countries to the Istrian town. 

HRT reports that Croatia will host the 56th European Karate Championships from May 19 to 23, 2021, in Porec.

This has been confirmed by EKF, the European Karate Federation, which opted for Croatia in the competition of sixteen other candidates. According to the earlier schedule, the European Championships were supposed to be held in Gothenburg. However, after Sweden's withdrawal, the Croatian offer was chosen, so the best European karate fighters will fight for medals in Croatia for the first time since Zagreb in 2009.

Representatives of 52 countries are expected to participate in the European Championships in Porec, and this will also be the last qualifying competition for a spot at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

"We are thrilled and proud to have received the trust to host the 56th European Senior Championships, a tournament that should be held next year, from May 19-23. It will definitely be one of the biggest and most important sporting events in Croatia in 2021. The elite of senior karate will come to Porec. There will be competitors who will qualify for the Olympics, and some of them will be winners of Olympic medals. Moving on, it’s not time to celebrate. We have a few months left to prepare everything for Croatia, Porec, and the "Žatika" sports hall to host 52 countries participating in the European Karate Championship,"  said the president of the Croatian Karate Federation, Davor Cipek.

During the five-day championship, the European Championships in para karate will be traditionally held, and the EKF Election Congress, where ten new members of the Executive Board of the European Karate Federation will be elected for the next period.

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As Morski writes on the 9th of November, 2020, this year, much like last year, the Istrian town of Porec will join the praiseworthy action of the collective planting of trees under the initiative entitled "Plant a tree, don't be a stump".

Namely, the Association "Plant a tree, don't be a stump" is continuing last year's successful tree planting campaign across the Republic of Croatia, in which more than 20,000 diverse participants across Croatia planted 60,000 trees in just three days. This year's action, originally planned for the first week of December, was postponed to March due to the epidemiological situation. However, all those who are ready can start planting trees earlier, the Association noted, meaning the action will take place in the aforementioned Istrian town in the week spanning November the 23rd to the 29th, and the plan is to plant and divide a total of 500 seedlings.

''After last year's action earned a lot of public interest, I'm glad that this year we can continue with the positive practice,'' said the Mayor of Porec, Loris Persuric, noting that in that Istrian town every year there are regular activities encouraged to maintain and enrich the the local ecosystem in spring and autumn, and this action will be an opportunity to further improve urban oases and raise awareness of the need to preserve and protect nature.

''It's important for us to take care of our green areas and this is something that Porec has become known for, especially because some trees were damaged during bad weather or had to be removed due to dilapidation or for practical reasons. However, for each felled tree, several new ones are planted, and through the spatial and general urban plan, the balance of green and construction areas is taken into account. In public areas alone, not including private plots, there is more than 50 percent greenery in urban areas, while in the wider area it exceeds 80 percent,'' he stated.

The collective planting of trees in this Istrian town is divided into two parts: the first part takes place from the 23rd to the 29th of November, when the planting of trees begins with local committees. Namely, certain areas were visited and the type of trees and mirolocations for planting were suggested, such as in places where trees were recently damaged by storms, and in children's playgrounds. Of the trees, primarily native cultures will be represented, but there will also be some less represented species planted there.

The second part of the action will take place on Friday, November the 27th starting at 09:00. Over 300 seedlings of indigenous trees will be distributed free of charge to all interested fellow citizens, which they will plant in their areas.

''Last year we were planting trees everywhere: from kindergartens and schools, to playgrounds, promenades and beaches, species such as laurel, palm, pine, holm oak, chestnut, fig, almond and other species were planted. Forests damaged during the summer storms were enriched, and tree-lined avenues were planted in several places. Representatives of local committees, locals and a large number of children took part in the actions. That is why this year we'd like invite all interested parties - whether they be companies, associations, clubs or individuals - to join us and plant a tree to help create an even more beautiful and greener Porec, the shade of which will be enjoyed by generations to come,'' concluded the mayor of this Istrian town.

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As Morski writes on the 28th of October, 2020, the Mayor of Porec, Loris Persuric, held a meeting via video link with the Mayor of the French city of Noisiel, Mathieu Viskovic, on the topic of cooperation and the conclusion of an Agreement on Cooperation and the Establishment of Friendly Relations between the two cities of Porec and Noisiel.

Noisiel is a city that belongs to the metropolitan area of ​​Paris, in the department of Seine-et-Marne in the French region of Île-de-France and has a population of just over 15 thousand. It is part of the eastern Paris suburb and the Marne Valley, where Disneyland is located, as well as the Menier Chocolat chocolate factory (now the headquarters of Nestlé France SAS) in Noisiel itself. In addition to industrial development, Noisiel is at the same time a city that is inevitably connected to the development of the French capital Paris and its metropolitan area, and is excellently connected with it in terms of urban planning and traffic.

Back in 2000, the Ministry of Culture and Communications named Noisiel a city of art and history with a special focus on industrial heritage - more specifically the heritage of the industrial chocolate manufacturer Menier - whose 19th-century UNESCO-protected facilities are a modern heritage created by the Marne Valley and green a heritage made up of parks and planned horticulture throughout the city.

The mayor of Noisiel, Mathieu Viskovic, whose family has roots in Croatia and Istria, expressed satisfaction that there is an intention to create a special friendship between Porec and Noisiel.

As soon as the epidemiological situation allows for it, a delegation of the city of Noisiel will visit Porec, and then formalise the agreement that has already been initiated with the representatives of Porec.

Mayor Loris Persuric said that there is interest in making friends on both sides because, apart from being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Noisiel is also a city inhabited by representatives of the Croatian diaspora who want to strengthen ties between the two countries.

It's worth noting that since back 1978 and the beginning of the friendship with the Italian city of Massa Lombarda, Porec has made various forms of friendships with as many as 11 cities. There is a special friendship between Zabok, Porec and Crikvenica, and together they organise cultural events. There is every reason to believe that this new friendship between Porec and Noisiel will be of satisfaction to many in both European cities.

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September 22, 2020 – Following the example of a similar project that Vienna is implementing with its citizens, a new EU project – Living Streets – will come to life in Poreč this September. It is a project of revitalizing the streets of European cities, turning them into "living rooms". Poreč, along with the Croatian city of Križevci, was granted 20,000 euro for its implementation.

The City of Poreč applied for this project in cooperation with the city company Parentium d.o.o. and the Zone Association (Udruga Zona) for improving the quality of life, as part of the EU project EUKI (European Climate Initiative) Living Streets.

The competition was conducted in Croatia by the Terra Hub association, and Poreč won with a maximum of 73 points for its city "living room" project.

"The project aims, in cooperation with citizens, with systematically and long-term micro-transformations of city streets and spaces that are often congested with traffic and cars, especially during the summer months, to point out the importance of public space in urban areas," says Gordana Lalić, the director of the city company Parentioum d.o.o.

'Living rooms' of cities

One of the project infrastructure solutions will be the installation of the so-called parquets ("parklets"), pavement extensions that provide the tenants of nearby buildings with more space and possibilities for rest and socializing.

"We are witnessing that city street and squares are much more than transit areas. They are primarily spaces that can and must enrich the community – socially, and economically. To achieve this, it is necessary to 'activate' the streets, facilitate access for pedestrians and cyclists, and implement programs that encourage the participatory action of our citizens," explains Ajna Temimović from the City of Poreč.

A detail of trifora windows on the Ghotic Palace in Poreč / The City of Poreč

"By creating space for people, inviting them to socialize, that is, presenting a public space accessible to everyone, urban city spaces are enriched, and their original purpose, which is to serve the citizens, is returned to them," adds Temimović.

The parquet concept will be built on the model of the Austrian capital Vienna, where, according to the same principle, about thirty locations have already been turned into pleasant meeting places and good neighborly relations.

This year, thanks to many projects, Vienna took the title of the best city in the world in terms of quality of life for the ninth time in a row. Their project CityMaking! Wien, among other projects, encourages citizens to arrange their small oases to relax and socialize in front of the buildings in which they live.

Freedom Square (Trg slobode), the main square in Poreč / The City of Poreč

The importance of climate change mitigation

Poreč therefore successfully follows the Viennese example of revitalizing urban spaces, while the Croatian capital attempts by citizens to bring a breath of life to the streets during these difficult times are banned and even punished for absurd laws, as we witnessed when two Zagreb citizens planted a small garden in front your building during the lockdown.

"Cities have a key role to play in climate change mitigation and adaptation processes, and all new projects involving urban development must be guided by this," Lalić points out, adding that the planned duration of the Living Streets project is 12 months and it will be implemented from September 2020 to September 2021.

In the Poreč area, the transport sector is responsible for more than half of the total CO2 emissions, or 58.87 percent.

Poreč from above / The City of Poreč

"Sustainable mobility thus becomes one of the key topics of sustainable policies, i.e., one of the preconditions for further sustainable development of the city, and ensuring the highest possible level of quality of life for the citizens of Poreč," says Temimović.

In addition to parquets, a series of workshops, actions, and public events are planned, all to „encourage the reduction of the use of personal vehicles, which will consequently reduce negative impacts on human health, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the quality of life in the town,“ says Lalić.

A great interest of other Croatian cities for the project

However, Poreč is not the only city that can boast the Living Street project. Namely, as many as 21 Croatian cities have applied for projects to transform their streets into a pleasant and safe space for socializing and connecting citizens.

Poreč and Križevci are the winners of the competition with the highest number of points, and the cities that took third to sixth place – Labin, Pazin, Sisak, and Velika Gorica – were placed in the status of "potential cities" for which the Terra Hub Association, in agreement and cooperation with cities, will try to provide additional funding for implementation.

Other green projects in Poreč

As Temimović explains, Poreč has been working intensively on the implementation of "green" projects for a long time.

So far, the city has participated in the national action "Plant a tree – do not be a stump" ("Zasadi drvo – ne budi panj") in which citizens planted more than 500 tree seedlings. They also have as many as seven charging stations for electric cars, and their utility and traffic police use electric vehicles.

According to Temimović, they obtained co-financing for them from the Environmental Protection Fund, and through another EU project, they are in the process of procuring an electric-powered minibus to develop a pilot project for public transport.

The purpose is, of course, that over time, Poreč streets become greener and, above all, more accessible for citizens to socialize.

The old town Poreč / The City of Poreč

July 28, 2020 – If it's a “new normal“ to wear a face mask almost everywhere you go, let it be fun, catchy, and personalized. Kumrije Musljiu, known as Kumi, recently started to make face masks by order in her atelier in the heart of old-town Porec.

Kumi used to sew dolls, toys, and souvenirs, but she had to adjust to the new situation with the coronavirus and start sewing masks too. Her business, named „By Kumi“, located right by the Euphrasian Basilica in the center of old-town Porec, is a place where you can come and order your mask.

“We decided to start making masks to get something positive out of this situation. That is, when we need to follow the rules, these masks should be personalized and represent each person in some way,” says Kumrije, known as Kumi.

Source: Private archive

More and more orders each day

All the masks are handmade and unique. It's not a surprise that these two-layered masks of different materials, washable in a machine, became so popular.

Their masks are recognizable by the variety of colors and motifs. As Kumi explains, customers mostly want their logo on a mask, something they like, or something that defines them in some way.

Therefore, you can pick whatever color you desire and put motifs or even a coat of arms on a mask, if you want.

Source: Private archive

Kumi works with one employee and her daughter, who help her make all the masks ordered.

“We are a very good team and each of us has a job that we do professionally,” says Kumi.

Source: Private archive

First, they gave masks to their neighbors, close friends, city associations (Association of the Disabled and Nursing Home), and the mayor of Porec.

After that, interest began to grow, and with it, their business. They have more and more orders each day because customers are very satisfied and they continue to recommend them.

Loris Peršurić, the mayor of Poreč / Source: Private archive

Recognizable quality

Even though this year’s season is different, and the attendance is not the same as usual, those who come to “By Kumi” atelier are always delighted with their products.

Apart from masks, Kumi says they “have a lot of products filled with lavender, so tourists fall in love with that scent”.

Source: Private archive

They also have baby products that are filled with anti-allergic cotton wool and are washable, which are great for children and parents. They have something for every age, which makes customers even more satisfied.

Due to the custom-made service and the quality, the price of one mask is 50 kuna, but Kumi says they are here for anyone who needs a mask and can’t afford it.

Source: Private archive