March 7, 2022 - Eighty Ukrainian refugees on Šolta Island will receive temporary accommodation in Maslinica and Gornje Selo.

Šolta locals can be proud, as they quickly organized and in just 24 hours provided temporary accommodation on the island for 80 Ukrainian refugees, reports Slobodna Dalmacija.

"It is mostly about children, women, and the elderly, and the youngest refugee who arrived is a baby of only three months. It all started with the Ukrainian Vadym Beskid, a lover of Šolta, especially Maslinica, where he spends his summers, and the Zagreb resident Vera Vidoni who collected aid in her apartment. When the state of war in Ukraine broke out, Vadym's family asked for help, but as more and more people fled, the number spread, and no one could be turned away, so instead of 40, 80 Ukrainians found safety from the war on Šolta. They passed several hundred kilometers and six countries from Ukraine to Šolta," said Ivana Mihanović, one of the organizers.

The people of Šolta reacted quickly, so all the necessities have been provided for now, but support will be needed in the coming months. The war tragedies they experienced on the way to Croatia are terrible.

"One mother came in a small car with six children; she was very shaken because the convoy with which she was leaving the country was shelled and in their immediate vicinity. All the mothers who came to us are very young, and the oldest child is 12 years old. The medical service is coming to us on Monday because of the coronavirus, but I must emphasize that everyone is very grateful and disciplined. Everyone helped us, from individuals, companies, to the Polish community in Zagreb," Ivana adds.

Jadrolinija also provided free transportation for all refugees to Šolta.

"They are located in four houses in Maslinica and Gornje Selo. Today the local fishers will prepare lunch for them; I hope the children will be satisfied. Three parishes are involved in the action: the Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes from Zagreb, St. Roch from Split, and the Parish of St. Stephen the First Martyr from Grohote. Numerous companies also contributed: Konzum, Ribola, Promet Makarska, Imex Banka, Ljekarne Split-Dalmatia, Lola Ribar, restaurant Mlin, Pablo pharmacies, and JGL with the coordination of the Red Cross and director Tomislav Goja.

All who donate to the Red Cross "for refugees on Šolta" can be sure they will receive the aid. 

If you want to help, donations are accepted at:

Župa sv. Stjepana Prvomučenika

Igrališće 22
21430 Grohote, otok Šolta
IBAN:
HR1524070001100619207

Payment description required:  Za pomoć izbjeglicama iz Ukrajine.

For more, check out our lifestyle section.

February 6, 2022 - The new Maslinica tourist resort on Šolta will have about 300 beds in five-star villas and bungalows, and a marina with a breakwater above Šipkova Bay.

A new tourist resort has begun to emerge near Maslinica on Šolta, thanks to which the island, where the majority of accommodation is in private houses, should become an even more desirable destination. And more importantly, new jobs will be created, reports HRT.

A Maslinica bypass and the access road to the first tourist settlement on Šolta are being built above Šipkova Bay. Road works will be completed in March, followed by the procedure for the construction of facilities, i.e., obtaining building permits and preparing documentation.

The mayor of Šolta, Nikola Cecić Karuzić, said that Šolta lacks accommodation capacities and that the new tourist resort is a big investment. He added that one entrepreneur from Germany had arranged the marina and wanted to continue investing.

Given the constant growth in the number of tourists, which was not interrupted even during the pandemic, a new resort is needed in Šolta. 

The director of the Šolta Tourist Board, Zorana Kaštelanac, emphasized that reservations for apartments were mainly filled and that they were extremely pleased.

"That gives us good optimism for the new season," she added.

In addition to improving road infrastructure and constructing new tourist facilities, with the constant increase in the number of beds in private accommodation, Šolta also considers the accompanying service and trade facilities. Cecić Karuzić pointed out that this project will create new jobs.

The project in Šipkova Bay is worth a little over forty million euros. The resort will have about three hundred beds in five-star villas and bungalows and a marina with a breakwater. It should also be open all year round, employing around 180 people. 

For more on travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

August 9, 2021 -  Under the Moonlight at Martinis Marchi - the Šolta Island event of the year, and TCN was there. 

There are few events in Dalmatia I get as excited about as the Martinis Marchi annual summer bash on Šolta, and perhaps watching Hajduk and Dinamo play the 'Eternal Derby' at Poljud is the only other event even to come close. 

But there is a reason that tickets for the soiree of the summer sell out nearly 4 months in advance - even in these still somewhat uncertain corona times. There is a reason Sunseeker yacht owners sail from all parts of Europe to experience this magic Martinis evening. There is a reason no rooms are available at this esteemed heritage hotel over this August weekend, one that is undoubtedly saved in your memory bank as a highlight of the year.

Marko Toric of Sunseeker

And this year, Martinis Marchi exceeded all expectations once again. 

After last year's Simply White theme put all of our COVID-19 worries at ease, even if just for one dazzling night, this year's Under the Moonlight affair made up for any lost time, transporting attendees back into more glamourous times as eyes twinkled at the decor fashioned of glimmering lights. 

The day began with tradition, as visitors could enjoy adrenaline water gadgets from MYYACHTTOYS, like LAMPUGA surfboards, BELASSI jet skis, and IAQUA Seadarts.

Guests could even enjoy electric bicycle tours to explore the secrets of Šolta or partake in a 2-hour art & wine date with academic painter Nina Šestanović and Šolta native Vice Buktenica, who guided guests through the basics of painting over a glass of wine in the shaded Mediterranean garden.

As the evening approached, a DJ heightened the island mood, and pink Beefeater Gin huts decorated the Martinis marina to showcase cocktails enhanced by rosemary and elderflower, topped with perfectly pink flower petals to complete the swanky ambiance. 

As the sizzling summer sun stepped back to let the moonlight shine, tables topped with bottles of Skaramuča lined the marina. For those of you that don't know, Skaramuča is one of the largest private Croatian winemakers and the owner of the largest vineyard in the Dingač area. 

Branimir Andelic of Skaramuča

Split-based dance group Crowd Control used twists, turns, and thrilling jumps to entice the already giddy crowd while a smartly dressed brass band traversed the marina, singing a cappella tunes that had everyone's toes tapping. 

One of the many highlights of the event, as always, is the fashion show, which this year featured celebrity designer Matija Vuica, whose beautiful garments have been worn by Hollywood stars! 

Stunning silhouettes paraded down the illuminated waterfront promenade, applauded by many as the most beautiful runway in the world, wearing eye-catching headpieces styled by Viktor Drago.

Forty dresses were presented, each handmade unique, of the finest silk and details of lace, crystal, glitter, and reflective mirrors, represented forty years of Matija's artistic work, which skillfully connects the world of fairy tales, fashion, and magical stories inspired by Croatia's authentic cultural and ethno heritage and Slavic mythology.

The installations on the model heads, which defied gravity, were made from local island vegetation and each was made to complement the dress.

"Vines, the roots of dried trees shaped into structures, pirate ships and wooden ships, and silk sails bravely sailed this unusual seaside runway accompanied by modern exclusive yachts in the audience. The indispensable agave, a synonym for storing drops of water, which means life on the island, also served as a detail in the part of the collection which serves the ancient Atlantis them," said Viktor Drago.

Unfortunately, not even photos can do these masterpieces justice. 

Once the fashion show came to a close, the party moved into the Martinis Marchi garden, but not before a chilled glass of Mumm champagne was poured to prepare the palate for the feast ahead. 

The already picturesque Mediterranean garden sparkled, with radiant lights overhead to imitate the essence of moonlight. Guests enjoyed the finest Croatian fare, coupled with crisp Skaramuča wines. 

The evening entertainment did not disappoint, either, as Croatia's own Frank Sinatra Marko Tolja took the garden stage, singing the classics of yesteryear and Dalmatian hits to delight a crowd scattered on picnic-style blankets and cush pillows. 

Under the starry island sky, guests danced, sang, and imbibed until the early morning hours, in an ambient only Martinis Marchi could provide. It was yet another one for the record books, an event that epitomizes all elements that make up Dalmatia's charm. An event you'd be silly to miss next year if you're given a chance. 

Stay in touch with Martinis Marchi by following their Facebook page, and don't miss out on another Šolta Island experience like this one!

For more, follow our lifestyle section.

May 24, 2021 - A TCN intern takes a trip on Solta Island without preparation, encounters unusual experiences with the locals, and learns lessons that will be helpful for anybody visiting the closest island to Split.

1. Clothes do not make the man. A port does not make the island. Don't be too quick to judge.

Rogac port where the ferry from Split comes does not impress a traveller. Like most people, I had visited the more popular island of Brac before I went to Solta. Rogac loses out to shiny Supetar, the biggest city on Brac. The port of Rogac is tiny, there is nothing to do there, no people. However, exactly here in Rogac, the first strange story happened to me in the first hour after my arrival. I found one good angle between the yachts at the marina and sat down to take an on-arrival picture. Then someone called out to me...

"Do you know what this is in front of you?" a senior man asked me.

"No, I don't," I said. "I know what is a boat, a yacht, a ship, and this vessel is somewhere between a boat and a yacht, closer to a boat, of course, but what exactly it is, I've no idea," I thought.

"Are you a journalist?"

"No, I'm just a tourist. I came here for the weekend. I'm from Russia but currently work in Split."

"What do you think about your president?"

The question put me in an awkward position. This grandpa in a baseball cap with a canister in his hand, similar to a grandpa from 'Gravity Falls', looked nice. The matter was tricky. What's his opinion? What if our minds are the opposite? I did not want to argue with him. Senior people rarely change their minds, thus even my MD in political science wouldn't help me.

"It's hard to answer in one sentence about his 18 years of the presidency," I started to draw back the fire. Milan, that's his name, interrupted me. He told me that our president is a strong person he'd like to have as a major somewhere in Dalmatia. He said that he'd like to get vaccinated with the 'Sputnik V' vaccine. I guess that these statements should be regarded as a gesture of goodwill to me in any case.

Actually, Milan knows about Russian-Croatian relations much more than the average person. He knows admiral Mate Zmayevic (born in the city of Perast, Dalmatia) who fought for Peter I in the Northern War, Alex Dundic (born in the village of Grabovac, Dalmatia) who fought for the Red Army in the Russian Civil War. He listens to Russian opera stars Elina Garancha, Anna Netrebko, Dmitry Khvorostovsky, and others. It's surprisingly pleasant for a broad-minded person far from tourist and nomad routes. 

2. Take the initiative to talk to locals on the island.

Solta has wonderful nature and climate. Traditions of producing olive oil, wine, and honey here originate from ancient times. But since Solta Island is not very popular among tourists, you'll need to make more effort to get it. Even as you go to the island already prepared by informational sources, you have to be ready to ask, perhaps, to clarify something about wine tasting, olive oil tasting, or a honey farm. You go here ahead of the masses, take the initiative to start a conversation, and keep it!

I regret that I did not answer 'yes' to Milan's question of whether I was a journalist. Then I'd have more chances to guide our conversation to the topics I am interested in. Otherwise, it happened so that we were talking about themes that interest mostly a social group 70+-year-olds:

• life after death (Milan suffered two strokes and saw something on the other side);
• The Dulce Laboratory in New Mexico where human-alien hybrids were created;
• Orion correlation theory that says about the connection between the pyramids of Giza and the Orion belt;
• indigo children;
• masons, etc.

Certainly, I'd better answer that I'm a travel journalist and interested in things like what to eat, what to do, etc. So that, if somebody asks you on Solta, you can use the following answers I prepared in advance. "I'm a tourist from <...> and a wine lover."I'm a traveller and a gourmand hunting the local specialties." 

3. Don't be afraid to go around the island alone.

Saying goodbye, Milan wondered why I was here alone. "You don't have to go alone. Find yourself a husband. Not me, I'm too old for you, I'm over 72..."

I guess it was his joke about the age gap problem to marry me, because earlier he'd mentioned his wife was waiting for him at home, their three children, other common stuff.

Then he relented: "Well, all right, you can go alone. Don't be afraid. There are no poisonous snakes on the three Dalmatian islands - Solta, Lastovo, and Vis islands. But there are black widow spiders and ticks..."

As planned, I went through Grohote and Gornje Selo to Stomorska that I considered the most beautiful and lively town on the island. Besides, I was caught up in wanting to check a remark of my Croatian colleague that Stomorska on Solta looks similar to Povlja on Brac. He said it to me once I just got back from Brac. He really encouraged me, thus I'm not going to share if it looks similar or not. Go and check it by yourself!

I went through almost all the island - from Rogac to Stomorska - by foot. It was a safe and quiet way, not a lot of cars passed me. For sure, it'd be more convenient to go by bicycle, but if you have the time it's possible on foot. On my way back I accepted a proposal of one passing car to take me to the port. I guess you can also have this possibility in mind. As far as there are no regular buses, it's a kind of local solidary to take somebody by car.

One difficulty I faced in Stomorska was the fact that all the cafes and restaurants were closed. I came before the beginning of the tourist season and caught the middle of constructing and cleaning works around terraces, but it was closed. We might endlessly watch water, fire, and other people working, but not on an empty stomach.

4. If something goes wrong, you can always sleep on the beach.

I didn't plan on going to Solta a second time. I have already visited the largest and most beautiful town of Stomorska. I met a wonderful grandpa Milan who told me that Split needs a mayor like the Russian president and that our bodies are just food for aliens secretly dealing with the government. What else is needed?

Then my Split friend Andrea tried to convince me that the most beautiful place on the island is Maslinica, not Stomorska. Andrea knows it for sure, because her aunt lives in Maslinica, and she's there every summer.

However, I still couldn't decide whether to go - to Brac or Solta - for Saturday sunbathing. At the last moment, I blurted out "Solta" at the checkout. "On the first ferry, please!" I totally forgot that the first ferry is at 6:40 am. "Nevermind, I'll go to sleep earlier today!" Then I recognised this ticket purchase was a fundamentally wrong decision. That Friday we celebrated Sveti Duje, the day of the saint patron of Split. There was no chance for me to escape the celebration and go to sleep earlier.

A suddenly emerged thought saved me from the desire to throw the ferry ticket into the sea from the pier where we celebrated Split City Day in the middle of an incredible post-covid standard crowd until 2:00 am. I thought that I could sleep on the beach of Maslinica on Solta. After 3.5 hours of sleep at home, I packed up and ran to the ferry.

5. Sometimes it is helpful to talk to a homeless man.

Solta is the closest island to Split. By ferry, one way takes only one hour. Once I'd settled on the ferry, I fell asleep. Thank you to the kind Croatian woman next to me who woke me up! At the port of Rogac I checked Google maps - 2 hours walk to Maslinica. 20 minutes later I reached one of the three 'towns' of Solta where you can find a supermarket. 

Entering the supermarket I noticed a very colorful homeless man on the bench in front of it. He looked like Ali Baba. Red down jacket, harem pants, white apron, blue hoodie tied around the neck instead of a scarf. Fingerless gloves. A black beret holding a tuft of long gray hair and a gray beard. I had to restrain myself from taking a picture of him. I was not going to sponsor his vodka.

I had to restrain myself, but failed at the checkout. Too good a type! He was standing on the other side of the glass door while he noticed me taking a picture of him. He was waiting for me at the exit. "Take an initiative talking with locals. Don't be afraid!" I calmed myself. "Please, sir, may I take a picture of you?"

On the fifth attempt, the homeless man guessed that I was from Russia. Novorossiysk (Russian port) - Izmail (today's Ukraine) - Gori (Georgia). That's in general how his path in USSR looked like. His work had something to do with the sea as I understood. "I had a great company in the Crimea," he said. "I still remember those five Russian women surrounding me: Lyuba, Zoya, Nina..." It seems to be true, in those days the names were popular in the Soviet Union. The man was in Poland as well, in the Czech Republic. He worked in France for six months, then in the United States...

He remembered a few sentences in Russian. Here on the island, there were some Russian girls in Necujem. He taught them three main phrases in Croatian:

1. Mi se svije Hrvatska. (I like Croatia).
2. Ja ću se udati za Dalmatinca. (I will marry a Dalmatian man).
3. Ja sam dobra pička. (I'm a good p***y).

 Well, I can trace some logical connection here...

6. Have a list of souvenirs from Solta.

Homeless Ali Baba asked me how long would I stay in Croatia. He began to think about what souvenirs should I send to my family in Russia. Solta olive oil, Solta honey, Solta wine, Rogac bean for baking, lavender...

"I will collect it for the next time you come to Solta. I have oil, wine, a farm, 7 chickens, 2 houses... You can sleep in one of them, and I'll stay in the other. Is it okay? Take some lavender I picked this morning. Here you are. Do you know that there are two types of lavender? Do you want a chocolate bar?"

I jumped aside as Ali Baba touched me with lavender. Flowers do not excuse the whole stench. And the worst thing was his long nails. I was at a loss. Some parts of his story seemed plausible. However, I could not find any logical connection between his own farm and the homeless look. Two houses? I'm not going to believe in it.

The situation that we were standing in the center of the town nearby the only supermarket seemed even stranger. People passed us by us every five minutes. They greeted Ali, in response he defiantly showed me to everyone. "Look, such a beautiful Russian is talking to me!" Passersby looked at me with a grain of compassion, but they passed by further. Then one of the passers-by had heard that I was on my way to Maslinica and offered to give me a ride. He was going in the same direction. Thank you, Igore! I quickly got in the car.

Recap

1. Clothes do not make the man. 

In the end, I got to Maslinica in 15 minutes by car, not in 2 hours by foot. On the way, Igor explained to me that Marin Kumin (that's the true name of 'Ali Baba') was not homeless. He does have things he mentioned. He's not a foolish man. Unfortunately, he went crazy in the sea about two years ago. Since then he has not been washing, shaving, cutting his hair. It looks scary from the outside. But he's not what he seems to be. 

2. Take the initiative to talk to locals on the island.

I would probably consider the breakfast that Igor fed me after we came to Maslinica - coffee and toast with Solta honey - as a part of traditional Dalmatian hospitality. But the best lunch I've had in Dalmatia would never happen if I had left his place in a rush, without any conversation. I asked about a fishery on the island - I had lunch with Igor and his friends-fishermen. We ate the tuna they caught the day before. I had only known about tuna from canned food and Hemingway's story 'The Old Man and the Sea'. My concepts were turned upside down. Eventually, I found an island where there's more fish than meat.

3. Don't be afraid to go around the island alone.

Igor showed me the Maslinica neighborhood, Martinis-Marchi castle, and a way to a beach. Then I went alone to an empty rocky beach. I swam also alone, although there were some yachts around. No fear. I was a little worried that nobody will notice if I drown. But as I got out the beach marine officers asked me about the temperature of the water and how I felt.

4. If something goes wrong, you can always sleep on the beach.

It was my first swimming this year. The water at the beginning of May was still cold. I swam for five minutes. Never mind, then I slept on the beach. And then I swam two more times.

5. Sometimes it is helpful to talk to a homeless man.

I mean a keen conversation, lavender and the fresh tuna I had!

6. Have a list of souvenirs from Solta.

Try to do it in advance, because when you come outside the tourist season, it's complicated to get the souvenirs immediately. I didn't succeed to take a bottle of Solta olive oil on the same day, so I had to go back again.

For more on travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

August 2, 2020 - The corona couldn't get in the way of the Martinis Marchi annual summer bash, which was held under the 'Simply White' theme on Saturday night in Maslinica on the island of Solta. 

Another year, another blowout by Martinis Marchi, whose annual summer party continues to cement itself as the hit of the season. 

After attending my first summer soiree in the magical Maslinica back in 2017, I quickly learned it was an event that no other could rival - though Martinis manages to outdo themselves year after year. And while the disco dancing do of 2019 had me singing Abba songs for the weeks that followed, last night's Simply White theme hit the heart a bit harder than the rest. 

How the Martinis team, led by Creative Director Marija Gamulin, was able to pull off such a spectacle in the corona era, is not only commendable, but is truly remarkable.

With a limited capacity of 100 guests, the 9th Martinis Marchi summer party was exclusive, intimate, and exceptional. Dancing around the standard party go-to's to ensure all measures were strictly adhered to penetrated this profound experience for all guests, one that is unparalleled when compared to the rest.  

With the guest's safety and privacy at the core of each intricate detail, every element was executed to perfection to make for my favorite evening yet.  I was happy to have my father by my side as my date.

It all began in the late afternoon with Beefeater Gin on the Martinis marina, where white-clad waitresses walked from one end of the marina to the other, serving guests and yacht owners a selection of Tom Collins, Negroni and Blue Lagoon cocktails. This made for the perfect pre-party, as we strolled around the town to escape the sizzling sun. 

Just before sunset, we made our way back over to the marina for the official opening, where Martinis director Ivan Kuret greeted guests and shared why it was so crucial for them to hold the event this year. 

Guests gathered at small cocktail tables, each adorned with a chilled bottle of Dom Kalebic posip and hors d'oeuvres.

The opening speech was followed by a live saxophone performance, which set the mood for the night.

The evening continued with a striking acrobatic ballet performance by local dancers, which captivated the crowd for almost ten minutes. 

But then, the crown of the opening of the opening party - the Arileo Studio fashion show. 

Arileo is composed of Marija and Jurica Piric, a fashion duo and married couple. Creating together since 2003, the pair has worked in the famous fashion houses Armani and Nitya, while Marija also worked for Emporio Armani. The stunning summer collection seized the eyes of everyone in the audience... my father included. 

From the marina to the Martinis restaurant terrace, we were greeted with a cold glass of Mumm champagne. 

We were then escorted into the garden, which was decorated in white, with all tables socially distanced according to corona measures. 

Unlike in previous years, when the upper garden terrace was adorned with an all-you-can-eat buffet table, this year, each table was served individually by a careful waiter. We began with skuta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, whipped butter, focaccia, seafood pate, and salad. This was followed by soup made of crab and ravioli filled with duck and truffles. 

And this absolutely divine tuna. 

Dinner did not go without entertainment, as the acrobatic dancers returned for a performance under the stars.  

As guests made their way through more food, wine, and conversation, the night came to an end with a grand performance of Croatian tenors. The voices enhanced the already magical atmosphere and brought goosebumps to warm summer skin. As if we were in heaven. 

A speedboat back to Split on the calm sea, glistening under a glowing full moon, was the pinnacle of the perfect evening. 

A lit up Split Riva welcomed us home. 

A big round of applause to Ivan Kuret, Marija Gamulin, and the entire Martinis Marchi team for succeeding in creating a truly unequaled spectacle in these trying times. To say you've outdone yourselves would be an understatement. 

Just imagine what next year will bring!

For anyone interested in learning more about Martinis Marchi, or is interested in joining the party next year, you can visit the official website here.

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

July. 29, 2020 - Martinis Marchi Heritage Hotel on the island of Solta will not let the corona stop their annual summer celebration. Instead, the biggest party of the year will adhere to the 'new normal'. 

While it's challenging to maintain events in the corona era, some persevere - and Martinis Marchi Heritage Hotel, in the town of Maslinica on the island of Solta, is one of the survivors. 

Rather than concede defeat and say goodbye to their traditional summer ball, they instead decided to take a dance with the new corona measures to ensure this favorite summer event would be held, albeit under slightly different terms. 

Martinis Marchi, the historic castle turned extravagant accommodation, pulls out all the stops for their biggest night of the year - their annual summer soiree. Flaunting a different theme each year, this summer, guests will enjoy a celebratory weekend under the theme 'Simply White'.

"The event, we hope, will delight you as every year while we will closely follow and apply all instructions from the Croatian Institute of Public Health to keep our guests and staff secured.

Today, maybe more than ever, we are aware that those “little” things in life matter the most, and what can be more rewarding than having the opportunity to spend a weekend in a private event, feeling safe while enjoying in culinary delicacy, fashion, art, good music and entertainment in the very special venue on Adriatic?" writes Martinis Marchi in their event announcement. 

It all begins on Friday, July 31, at the open seaside Restaurant, with an evening of Champagne & Sea Delicacies. The exclusive champagne evening continues with a five-course dining extravaganza, followed by the carefully selected wines from Galic winery.

But that's just the warm-up. 

Although already sold out due to strictly limited capacity, the 'Simply White' party of the year begins on Saturday, August 1. From the afternoon, guests can delight in cocktails and a DJ in the marina while enjoying surprises on the red carpet.
 
A special Sundown Fashion show by famous Croatian designer ARILEO follows, which officially opens the Martinis Marchi Summer Party 2020.

Guests will then move to the Martinis Marchi restaurant terrace for Mumm Champagne and a delightful dinner in the Mediterranean garden, accompanied by exclusively selected Dom Kalebic wines from the island.

The dinner atmosphere will be enhanced by a DJ accompanied by live sax performance, though the highlight of the evening is an intimate live concert performance of the most famous Croatian tenors.

Martinis Marchi has teamed up with Sunseeker International, Jamnica, Galic Wines, Dom Kalebic winery, and more to ensure guests are greeted with extravagance throughout this celebratory weekend. 

For those lucky enough to attend, it'll be the party of 2020.

You can read more about Martinis Marchi here.

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

July 9, 2020 - The British Telegraph promoted the Croatian island of Solta and described it as the perfect place to relax after quarantine. Recall, Croatia and the United Kingdom have formed an air bridge, and quarantine will not apply for tourists returning home from Croatia.

Index.hr writes that Telegraph journalist Mary Novakovich,  originally from Croatia, spent some time on the island of Solta and detailed her experience in an article titled, 'The forgotten Croatian island that offers a perfect post-lockdown escape'.

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"It’s an unknown quantity for most British visitors, but is seen by locals as a suburb of Split. If only all suburbs had pebbly coves, olive groves, vineyards, blue-green Adriatic waters and the languid atmosphere that makes the Dalmatian coast so appealing," the article reads.

"People sit in cafes along the waterfront. As I walk, I can smell the restaurant and hear street musicians playing folk music," the journalist wrote.

Novakovich also revealed that she tasted local fish and olive oil and praised the flavors. Although she thought that Solta was a bit deserted, when she came to Stomorska, she realized that it was actually a busy island with many people.

"Still, it is not a crowd that can be compared to the one on Hvar or Brac," she added.

She also said that people kept asking if she belonged to a family from Solta because of her Croatian surname.

“I had to keep repeating that I was originally from Lika,” she explained.

She also admitted that she would exchange the mountains she was used to every day for the sea in Dalmatia.

"The beaches are beautiful. I don't like sand, so I was happy that almost all the beaches on Solta were pebbly or rocky," she added.'

You can read Mary Novakovich's full account on her Solta experience on The Telegraph HERE.

Šolta olive oil has received an impressive new recognition from our friends in the Big Apple. Namely, at the New York International Olive Oil Competition, the Association of Olive Oil "Zlatna Šoltanka" won the "The Best in Class" award as the best oil in the class of environmentally friendly monosortic oil of medium intensity in the world, reports Dalmacija Danas on May 15, 2019. 

Better yet, the "Best in Class" title was received by only 18 olive oils, out of which there were 913 from 26 countries.

“Thus, Šolta olive oil is only and the first from Croatia and Dalmatia, for which we are endlessly proud,” said the president of the Association “Zlatna Šoltanka”, Zlatko Burić.

“It is a great success for Dalmatia, for Šolta, and the “Zlatna Šoltanka" Association - we do not even have to speak - on behalf of our islanders, this is excellent news for all olive growers, farmers and lovers of olive oil,” said Šolta mayor Nikola Cecić-Karuzić.

Recall, this Šolta olive oil also received the protection of origin at the European Union level back in 2016. 

Croatia participated at the contest in New York with 61 olive oils, of which 51 received the gold or silver prize. Croatia has thus once again ranked at the top with the world’s olive oil giants - Spain and Italy.

The NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition is the largest and most prestigious olive oil quality contest. Its annual list of award winners is the authoritative guide to the world’s best olive oils and the dedicated producers who craft them, reads the NYIOOC website. 

The awards ceremony was held on May 10, 2019, where the best olive oils of 2019 were unveiled at a press conference streamed live from New York. The results of the competition were followed by producers, importers, distributors chefs, food service professionals and journalists around the world, the website continued. 

Zlatna Šoltanka’s distributor Sascha Menesi was the one to break the news to the Šolta association that they not only won the gold medal at the biggest olive oil competition in the world but have been recognized as the best olive oil in the category of medium-intensity ecological monosortic oil. 

“This is for all the hard-working people in Solta!” said Mirjana Kanzler, who represented the "Best in Class" Award winner.

Thus, all islanders and future olive growers can use this premium award as an incentive to engage in the protection of originality and ecological production.

Zlatna Šoltanka is an association made up of 20 olive oil producers from the island of Šolta. They pride themselves on paying particular attention to "superior quality products, environmental protection and development of the local population".

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If everything goes to plan, the Livka Bay on the island of Šolta will soon welcome the construction of a high-end tourist resort, which includes a five-star hotel. The entire project should be completed by 2023, with infrastructural works beginning this fall, says Milenko Bijedić, head of the company Azurna Uvala which represents the investor in this project, the British investment firm Dolphin Capital Investors, reports Slobodna Dalmacija on April 10, 2019. 

The total value of the entire project is estimated at over one billion kuna, of which approximately 509 million kuna is set aside for the first phase of the project, which is expected to be announced as a strategic investment project, based on Monday’s signed agreement on the preparation and implementation of the project between Azurna Uvala and the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship, and Crafts.

"We announced our project as a strategic one already two years ago, and together with the Operations Group for the implementation of strategic projects, we completed the procedure to enter into the list of the strategic investment projects of the Republic of Croatia. With the new agreement, all the necessary preconditions for initiating the decision-making process of the Government of the Republic of Croatia on the designation of this project or its first phase with the strategic project of the Republic of Croatia were created. Now we are in the process of signing contracts with water and other public companies on the island of Šolta and part of Brač because much of the infrastructure is from that island,” says Bijedić.

Recall that the company Azurna Uvala was set up in Stomorska on the island of Šolta in 2005 when the project was first prepared. The company hopes that everything will go a bit quicker today and that the primary project documentation for infrastructure works are done by the summer, and that the construction permits are obtained so that they can be operationally ready to begin in the fall of this year.

"Infrastructure is the biggest challenge because, in the area where the settlement is planned, in the Livka Bay, there is currently nothing, therefore it is necessary to realize access and internal roads, provide the supply of water and electricity, and a wastewater system with all the necessary purifiers, so that we can even begin building the hotel, bungalows and more. We have not had any problems with permits so far, we have respected all the laws and regulations, however, since some have changed from 2005 until now, we have had to adapt the documentation and/or prepare a new one, such as a study on environmental protection. This has slowed down the realization of the project, and it is not very clear why they couldn’t be little more flexible with everything,” explains Bijedić.

The first phase of the project includes a hotel with a total of 109 rooms, a spa and a wellness center, a clubhouse with a restaurant, a cafe bar, a beach club, as well as 29 villas and 23 bungalows to be branded by an elite hotel operator. The realization of this first phase also plans to open up to 250 jobs.

"We already have letters of intent for the four world-renowned hotel chain operators, but it is too early to reveal their names. It is important that the project now complies with the urban planning arrangements and that we agree with HEP on everything because we will need new substations and more for the settlement and the whole project,” says Bijedić.

Bijedić also points out that the real owner and investor in the project is the British firm Dolphin Capital Investors, who is ready for this investment as soon as all papers are resolved. So far, around 183 million kuna of private equity has been invested in the development of the project.

"We consciously and with great will entered the project in 2005, and although we did not think that the realization would take so long, we still firmly believe that the project will end and that the local community and the entire island of Šolta will be the most profitable. It is important for us to support local residents as well as local authorities, with whom we work well with and we will continue to do so,” concludes Bijedić.

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Šolta is stepping up its culture game thanks to a helping hand from the Island Movement.