June 23, 2019 - On Monday, June 24, at 10:30 am, a meeting between the City of Split and the Croatian Football Federation will be held at Poljud. The City of Split, as the majority owner, invited representatives of HNK Hajduk to attend the meeting, the Split club officially confirmed on Saturday. 

In their recent statement, Hajduk presented their position on relations between the Club and the Federation and consequently where the Euro 2020 qualifier between Croatia and Hungary would be held. 

“On this occasion, HNK Hajduk clearly emphasizes how they firmly stand behind their statement and that their attitude will not change without any concrete changes in the relationship.

The Club is ready to actively participate in the meeting on Monday at Poljud exclusively to talk about the first steps towards more transparent and fairer relations with all clubs, to overcome the problems that have accumulated over the years. Only when these changes occur, or when we are convinced that the HNS leaders have translated their words into concrete actions, HNK Hajduk is ready to take on an active role in the process of organizing one of the next national team games,” Hajduk concluded on their official website. 

Recall, HNS announced that the Croatia national team would play their next home qualifier for Euro 2020 against Hungary at Poljud, though they failed to inform Hajduk or the City of Split of the news. As you can imagine, this was considered poor play by the Federation who is allegedly ‘trying’ to mend the relationship with Hajduk and Split. You can read more about that here. 

Whether the game would be played in Split at all seriously came into question as a result of the saga, and Hajduk released a statement rejecting that they were the obstacle standing in the way of it happening at all. 

“We have repeatedly stated that we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Croatia national team at Poljud. However, how HNS communicates with the Club and its supporters, the City of Split and its inhabitants, has been the reason why for several years, and especially recently, we have reason to doubt whether the Federation’s decision is sincere and of good intentions. Moreover, the question is whether the Croatian Football Federation is aware of the real mood of the fans in Split and Dalmatia,” Hajduk said. 

About the fans in the region, the club went on to say that the game shouldn’t be forced under these circumstances or organized at all costs, and that the national team does not deserve to be exposed to such division, but an atmosphere of communion and the unity of fans.

“The Croatian national team has not played in Split for too long. From 1998 until now, there were 66 official matches in Croatia, of which only two were played in Split! Of these two, one was played without fans. Therefore, the next national team appearance at Poljud deserves an atmosphere of strong support, without the unresolved problems in Croatian football. The Croatian Football Federation must accept its part of the responsibility for it, and not incorrectly transfer all of the responsibility to HNK Hajduk and the City of Split with the view that ’it is all on them, whether they want the national team in Split or not’.

We can achieve this goal, but only in an atmosphere of mutual respect, reasoned dialogue, and clear and measurable goals for the prosperity of all Croatian football. Croatia is ours and we want it at Poljud."

You can read the statement in its entirety here. 

HNK ended by inviting HNS's executive director Marijan Kustić to a meeting where HNK Hajduk would present their attitudes and intentions.

“Open conversations and an atmosphere of real dialogue have no alternative. They are a prerequisite for solving the accumulated problems.”

A few days after Hajduk’s press release, the Split City Council announced the arrival of the Croatia national team at Poljud but also expects changes at the root of HNS. 

With 25 votes for (from 26 councilors), the council unanimously decided that Croatia would play against Hungary at Poljud. However, changes at the root of HNS's relationship with the City of Split and Hajduk was demanded, as is an apology from HNS and a quick agreement from the Federation that all sides would get together as soon as possible.

You can read the City of Split’s statement in full below:

The Split City Council wants the Croatia national football team in our town for the official qualification match against the national team of Hungary at Poljud stadium.

The Split City Council demands from the Croatian Football Federation a rooted change in the current relationship between the leadership of the Croatian Football Federation towards the City of Split and the Croatian football club Hajduk, which is best reflected by the fact that Croatia has only played two official matches in Split in the last 20 years, one of which was played without the public.

Due to the many years of an inappropriate and unacceptable relationship with our city and club, an apology by the Croatian Football Federation is needed as an act of goodwill and a step towards recovering Croatian football and strengthening its communion.

In the interest of Croatian football, we are looking for an agreement at a meeting between the Croatian Football Federation and HNK Hajduk, in the presence of representatives of the City of Split, related to achieving a solution for the numerous deviations and the accumulation of problems that have burdened Croatian football for a long time, as well as an agreement on organizing the desired football match in our city of Split, said the Split City Council.

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

June 21st officially marked the start of the summer season, which could certainly be felt in Split thanks to the crowds. 

Namely, an estimated 112,000 travelers from Croatia, around Europe and the world will visit Split this weekend thanks to airplanes, ships, ferries, and catamarans, reports Slobodna Dalmacija on June 22, 2019.

As reported by Mate Melvan from Split Airport, 110 planes with 27,000 passengers took off and landed on Saturday, and on Sunday, 88 aircraft and 20,000 passengers are expected. This means that a total of 47,000 passengers on 198 aircraft are expected at Split Airport during the weekend -and the new terminal hasn't even opened yet.

Passengers from almost every part of the world are traveling through Split Airport, and sometime next week, it will welcome its millionth passengers this year, thanks to the fact that a half a million passengers traveled through the airport in June. As far as percentages are concerned, Split Airport this year, especially in the season, recorded an increase of almost nine percent, Melvan confirmed.

Jelena Ivuljić from Jadrolinija said that from Friday to Sunday, around 65,000 passengers and about 12,000 vehicles would travel through the Split Ferry Port. The most significant interest among travelers is Brač and Hvar.

“We have 12 regular lines for Brač, though on Friday we added one extra line and on Saturday two extra lines. We are learning from our experience so far, and on Sunday, we will have two extra lines. Apart from Brač, there is also pressure going to the island of Hvar, the Split-Starigrad line, as well as the catamaran line towards the town of Hvar,” Ivuljić said.

The crowds should only grow larger as we move into July and August, though there is one reason we can let out a sigh of relief - the new traffic regulation at the Split Ferry Port seems to be more effective than last year, reports Dalmacija Danas.

Recall, on June 17, the new one-way traffic regulation was kicked into gear at the Split Ferry Port. Unlike last year, when we could see no significant difference before and after the traffic regulation was implemented, this year, it seems to be mostly running without major problems. The first summer weekend brought a significant increase in traffic through the city harbor, but the crowds were minimal on the roads, if not non-existent at times. As expected, the problem arises at the Bačvice bridge, where all the traffic flows, though no crowds have been recorded through Zvonimirova or the ferry port.

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

As the number of digital nomads rises globally, some are choosing to spend some of their time in Croatia. A new TCN series meeting international digital nomads calling Croatia their temporary home. Meet Nicole Pruess from New York.

As recently featured on TCN, the world is projected to have a billion digital nomads by 2035, people from all over the world doing all manner of jobs and business with one thing in common - a flexible, mobile workplace connected to the Internet. If even a fracture of that number becomes a reality, the economic opportunity for countries which can attract these wealth-generating individuals has the potential to dwarf Croatia's current tourism revenues. And there are few countries better placed than Croatia to take advantage. Safe, beautiful, great gourmet scene, top tourist destination, English widely spoken, well connected to other destinations, and a superb lifestyle. 

In order to look at the issue in more detail, we have decided to look at some of the digital nomads who have Croatia in their lifestyle plan, and to find out why Croatia, what Croatia offers, and what are the things that countries should be looking out for to take advantage of this economic opportunity. I am very grateful to Tanja Polegubic from Split's waterfront co-working space, Saltwater in Split (see location below) for her help in connecting me to various digital nomads using her space. 

Our second digital nomad in Croatia is Nicole Pruess, who enjoyed Dalmatian sunshine after arriving from New York. 

You are one of a growing number of digital nomads. Tell us briefly who you are and what you do.

I'm American by birth, European (British) by choice.  I have worked in digital advertising for 20+ years and currently work for a French ad-tech company.  I'm fortunate that, while I'm a full-time employee, I'm able to work remotely much of the time.

Working from your laptop rather than in an office seems like the dream lifestyle. What are the main pros and cons?

I have the best of both worlds as I often spend time in our offices around the world and get the interaction and camaraderie that comes with office work.  Mixing that with remote working is great, where I can set my own daily priorities and keep a schedule that suits my preferred lifestyle.  It can be hard to stay disciplined and not get distracted when remote working, but the payoff is worth it.

Laptop living gives you the freedom to travel and choose your place to live. Where are the global hot spots currently for digital nomads?

I'm too focused on Split to know! 

You chose Croatia and specifically Split - why?

I fell in love with Split on my first visit to Croatia four years ago.  I found myself wanting to go back again and again for the great cycling and "pomalo" vibe.  Once I had more flexibility to work remotely, spending more time in Split was a top priority.  By fate, I found Saltwater and was hooked!  Having co-working spaces like Saltwater, that build community and promote connection, make Split a great place to be a part-time or full-time digital nomad.  Split ex-pats also have an active digital presence that supports those who are looking to get deeper connected to the city and surrounds.  

What are the most important things a destination should offer to be most compatible for the digital nomad lifestyle, apart from that all-important good WiFi?

It very much depends on your specific job, but having a community of people open to supporting newcomers is very important.  Learning from the experience of those who have already found the best coffee, know where to find products you miss from home, can point you to the best secret beaches, etc. is invaluable.

What are the competitive advantages that Croatia has to attract more digital nomads?

Croatia is an especially great option for people in Europe with the easy access to most major cities, while also feeling worlds apart.  On a more global scale, there's an active and growing tech scene with lots of opportunity for digital nomads to connect and explore.  You feel like your next big idea could come unexpectedly from a having a chat over a beer, or a day at the beach!

To learn more about Croatia for the digital nomad, check out the Total Croatia Digital Nomad guide. 

Are you a digital nomad in Croatia who would like to be featured in this series? Please contact us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

June 22, 2019 -  Have you savored in the seafood side of Chops Grill yet?

It’s officially summer, and now that we are one day into the new season, we thought we’d welcome this new spell with something that Split does best - seafood. 

We know that summer is as good an excuse as any to increase your seafood intake, that is, especially if you’re frolicking around Dalmatia. But some places do seafood better than most, and we’d like to consider Chops Grill one of the best. 

Sure, they’re known for their steaks, and boy, do we love them, but for those of you looking for something a bit lighter, easier on the figure, or as the perfect complement to a summer day, we’re going to suggest you dig into the seafood side of the menu at Chops Grill.

Here’s why. 

Reason number 1: Chops Grill offers lobster, yes, lobster on their menu! Namely, you can get a whole live Mediterranean lobster cut in half and grilled; served with creamy rice, citrus dressing and a Caesar dressing infused with anchovies. 

Reason number 2: They stick to the classics, like langoustines (or as we like to call them, ‘scampi) prepared in Dalmatia’s savory red ‘’buzara’’ sauce with tomatoes, white wine, and garlic. And you get to enjoy this dish with spaghetti.

Reason number 3: Their selection of fish general, which you can try individually, or thanks to the ‘Chops Duet for 2’, which consists of a medley from their seafood menu. If you’re up for digging into grilled scampi, whole sea bass, tuna steak, salmon, swordfish and monkfish, served with Dalmatian potatoes and grilled vegetables, you’re in for a treat. 

It would only make sense to begin your seafood feast with an appetizer from the sea, like shrimp pâté, vegetable and shrimp soup, or Mediterranean risotto - and if you're feeling dangerous, have you seen their dessert menu?

It's safe to say that this steakhouse packs in the seafood, and you won't have trouble pleasing anyone in your dinner party by dining at Chops Grill. 

You can find the full menu at Chops Grill here, and follow them on Facebook here. 

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

June 21, 2019 - As the number of digital nomads rises globally, some are choosing to spend some of their time in Croatia. A new TCN series meeting international digital nomads calling Croatia their temporary home. We start with Chris Mendenhall from Colorado.

As recently featured on TCN, the world is projected to have a billion digital nomads by 2035, people from all over the world doing all manner of jobs and business with one thing in common - a flexible, mobile workplace connected to the Internet. If even a fracture of that number becomes a reality, the economic opportunity for countries which can attract these wealth-generating individuals has the potential to dwarf Croatia's current tourism revenues. And there are few countries better placed than Croatia to take advantage. Safe, beautiful, great gourmet scene, top tourist destination, English widely spoken, well connected to other destinations, and a superb lifestyle. 

In order to look at the issue in more detail, we have decided to look at some of the digital nomads who have Croatia in their lifestyle plan, and to find out why Croatia, what Croatia offers, and what are the things that countries should be looking out for to take advantage of this economic opportunity. I am very grateful to Tanja Polegubic from Split's waterfront co-working space, Saltwater in Split (see location below) for her help in connecting me to various digital nomads using her space. 

I am also very grateful to Chris Mendenhall from Colorada for being the first in the series. A really nice story of have laptop, will travel out of the box. 

You are one of a growing number of digital nomads. Tell us briefly who you are and what you do.

I have what I call a “freelance office services business” based in Colorado.  That means I do all kinds of administrative (secretarial, bookkeeping, etc.) work for small businesses that need help but don’t necessarily need to hire a full-time person.  The piecemeal work from all 10 of my clients fills my time nicely.  When I realized that I do most of my work on my own laptop and that I could do it from anywhere, I decided to spend a year doing it from Europe! 

I’m not the typical digital nomad who never plans to call one port home.  I am a 55-year-old woman with a home I plan to return to at the end of my year abroad.  Before this trip, I was a creature of habit and routine who enjoyed roots and familiarity.  This trip has taught me a great deal about flexibility, freedom, and the possibilities that await outside the confines of a “normal” life.

Working from your laptop rather than in an office seems like the dream lifestyle. What are the main pros and cons?

It has been fantastic!  When I worked from home, I mostly felt tied to my home office, but being in different locations has made me get out among people and work in coffee shops, coworking spaces, libraries, parks, etc.  Cons:  I don’t always have everything I need at my disposal (like notes I forgot to bring or a printer, although I rarely need a printer); some locations like coffee shops can be distracting and you feel like you need to keep buying coffee; working from coworking spaces can be expensive compared to your own house; not having the perfect desk set up, especially if ergonomics is important to you. 

Pros:  variety; flexibility; opportunities to meet many different people; inspiration; letting my environment keep my work fun and interesting.

Laptop living gives you the freedom to travel and choose your place to live. Where are the global hot spots currently for digital nomads?

I can’t speak to the global hot spots for other people, but I’ll say that every city I’ve visited has had its own charm and benefits, and it that is the very element that adds to the nomadic appeal.  The factors that determine the ease of working remotely include good public transportation, good wifi, and a centrally-located apartment.  If it is too hard or time-consuming to get to good places to work, you lose a lot of time just moving around. When that has happened for me, I ended up working alone in my apartment, which I could have done from home.

You chose Croatia and specifically Split - why?

I chose Croatia because I needed a non-Schengen country to pass the time before I could go back to the Schengen countries that I thought I came to Europe for.  A number of friends had recommended Croatia because of recent trips there.  Word is quickly getting out about what a fabulous tourist destination it is and folks are interested to see it before the crush of tourism in more well-known European countries seeps toward the Adriatic Sea.  Most people recommended Dubrovnik, but I chose Split because it was slightly more centrally located in case I wanted to visit farther north and because it was bigger than Dubrovnik, I thought it might offer more amenities than just what a pretty Old Town might. 

Split was a perfect choice because unlike many coastal Croatian towns that I visited over the winter, Split retains its lively community year around. Public transportation within the city and to other nearby destinations is great, and the cafes, shops, restaurants and bars remained open and offered plenty of shopping, entertainment, and culinary options. Of course, the natural beauty of the coast was delightful and especially appreciated in the winter. Through word of mouth, I knew of two coworking spaces before I even got there (Saltwater and Amosfera), and they not only provided places to work, but a thriving network of professionals and fun individuals. I attended several events and activities connected with those two spaces and met some wonderful people. 

Coworking individuals and digital nomads tend to be fairly young and while I really enjoyed that vibrancy, I also appreciated that Split has a number of older people who have moved there to retire.  That meant that between those with flexible work schedules and those done with working entirely, it was easy to find someone at any moment to call for a coffee or a walk or an excursion!  My life in Split was rich, well-connected, entertaining, and beautiful!

What are the most important things a destination should offer to be most compatible for the digital nomad lifestyle, apart from that all-important good WiFi?

Again, public transportation is really helpful.  If a city has a bikeshare program (like the amazing Mobike system in Florence, Italy), that makes getting around much easier.  Coworking spaces that host networking opportunities or provide an atmosphere of shared interests (rather than just office space) make a huge difference, especially if they offer short-term memberships.  Plenty of cafes are key and if they offer wifi and outlets, all the better.  Gyms or yoga studios are a plus.  Parks, green spaces, and the coastline provide sanity for me.

What are the competitive advantages that Croatia has to attract more digital nomads?

Croatia, and Split specifically, offers a beautiful, unique environment even during the winter months. People are friendly and prices are reasonable.  Most people working remotely are not raking in an exorbitant income, so working in expensive cities can be a burden. I loved the green market and the fish market in Split, and there are super cheap movies in the theater in the center of town.  Festivals and events keep things entertaining, but can make lodging and dining challenging. I loved that there were so many beautiful places to visit just an easy bus ride away from Split. Split also has an active expat Facebook community that made meeting friends easy, both expats and locals. Meetup.com also provides great opportunities for meeting other people.

I have been so inspired by the creative and collaborative communities found in coworking spaces throughout Europe that I’m considering running one of my own when I return to Colorado.

You can follow Chris' digital nomad journey through Europe on her blog, From One Little Idea.

To learn more about Croatia for the digital nomad, check out the Total Croatia Digital Nomad guide. 

Are you a digital nomad in Croatia who would like to be featured in this series? Please contact us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

British Airways will help kick off the start of summer on Friday, June 21, with the launch of its brand new service between London City Airport and Split. Recall, the new service to Split will operate three times a week from June 21 to September 30 and use the Embraer E190 jet which boasts 98 seats, reports Ex Yu Aviation on June 20, 2019.

This is also the first time British Airways has operated flights from London City Airport to Croatia. The new service will enhance the already established service from London Heathrow Airport, which has boosted operations this year to run seven flights per week instead of last year's five. The connection from Heathrow runs through October. 

The Mirror published on Thursday that you can find return fares on the British Airways website from London City at £201 if you opt for the hand baggage only ticket option.

“Croatia is a new destination for us and one which our customers have told us they want from London City. It is one of the fastest growing holiday destinations and we are delighted to offer new direct flights for the summer,” said Luke Hayhoe, British Airways’ Commercial General Manager at London City Airport. 

"The new seasonal service to Split in Croatia epitomises how our home carrier, British Airways, is broadening our offer of leisure routes from London City Airport. It’s the latest in a stellar selection of holiday getaway options that our passengers will love, as we prepare for our busiest summer yet. Using the city’s most central airport, sun-seeking Londoners can reach the idyllic Dalmatian coast conveniently and quickly, to discover its culture, food, stunning beaches, or as the gateway to Croatia’s islands,” London City Airport's Aviation Director, Peter Downes, added. 

Aviation 24.be and Breaking Travel News report that the new service corresponds with the start Yacht Week, which is held in Croatia for 13 weeks over the summer. 

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

June 19, 2019 - Croatian clubs Dinamo, Osijek, and Hajduk have learned of their opponents in the Champions League and Europa League for the 2019/20 season. 

Namely, Dinamo Zagreb will kick off their Champions League campaign this year in the 2nd qualifying round where they will meet the winner of FC Sheriff Tiraspol from Moldova and FC Saburtalo from Georgia. 

The first match will be played in Moldova or Georgia on July 23 and 24, while the return match will be held on July 30 or 31 at Maksimir in Zagreb.

With its coefficient of 29,500, Dinamo had the status of a top seed in the first qualifying round draw. 

ℹ️ The official result of the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round draw.

(matches 23/24 July & 30/31 July)#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/Ms1mGm0Jr2

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 19, 2019

Sheriff is expected to advance over Saburtalo, and Dinamo should make it to the 3rd qualifying round. Otherwise, Sheriff is an old acquaintance of Zagreb, and in the last decade, they have met three times in the qualifying rounds for the Champions League. In 2010, the Moldavian club went ahead thanks to a penalty shoot-out, while there was no dilemma in 2012 - Dinamo celebrated 5:0. In 2013, the draw coupled the two clubs again, and Dinamo went through with a 4:0 aggregate.

In the Europa League, Hajduk Split will meet Gzira United from Malta in the 1st qualifying round of the competition. If they advance, they will face the winner of FK Ventspils and Teuta. 

Osijek will enter the competition in the 2nd qualifying round and unfortunately pulled the most difficult rival. Namely, Osijek will play against the better of CSKA Sofia and Montenegrin club OFK Titograd. CSKA Sofia was a club both Osijek and Hajduk, who were in the same group for the draw, wanted to avoid.

The biggest stars of the Bulgarian club, which finished second in the championship with five points behind Ludogorets in first, are Portuguese midfielder Tiago Rodrigues and Ruben Pinto. According to Transfermarkt, CSKA is worth eight million euros more than Osijek, and Titograd is nine times more expensive.

If Hajduk advances past the Malta club, they will play against Ventspils from Latvia or Teuta from Albania. In the clash of the Latvian and Albanian teams, it is difficult to determine the favorite. Ventspils only secured fifth place in the championship this season. Teuta came in third last season and was led by former Hajduk player Tomislav Bušić.

The first matches of the 2nd qualifying round are played on July 25, with the return match one week later. Osijek and Hajduk will play away in the first round. 

Rijeka is included in the 3rd qualifying round of the Europa League and will be a top seed. 

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

This year, on the first day of summer, several locations throughout the city of Split will mark World Music Day thanks to HGU Split, reports Dalmacija Danas on June 19, 2019.

Namely, the streets of Split will come alive with the sounds of music for the ninth year in a row on Friday, June 21st. 

From the early morning, citizens can enjoy the top evergreen hits from around the world at the famous Split city beach Bačvice, while the HRM Orchestra will march along the Riva promenade to the Fruit Square (Voćni Trg), Pjaca and Peristyle until the changing of the guard with Emperor Diocletian at noon.

The evening is reserved for a musical mashup at Golden Gate (Zlatna Vrata), while the sounds of swing, jazz and country will be heard at Fruit Square and a spirited pop, rock, and funk party will take place on the Riva.

You can find the full program below.

Promenade 10.45-12.00h: Orchestra HRM Fruit Square, Pjaca, Peristyle

Bačvice Beach (by Žbirac) 08.30-10.30h: HDD trio, Magic wish, and international pop and evergreen hits done acoustically

Golden Gate (Zlatna Vrata) 19.00-22.30h: G & A guitar duo, rock band Cortez, Afterfire, Fortuna band, Poludi group, and a pop-rock collage of Split music enthusiasts

Riva 20.00-23.00h: Noa & Funkbalsters, Jukebox live band, and top musical treats where everyone will find something to enjoy at a party under the starry night sky

Fruit Square (Voćni Tri) 20.00-24.00h: Klapa Friži, Šetači, Combo project, Swingin’4, 058 - in the intimate setting of one of Split’s oldest squares, you'll get to enjoy the sounds  of swing, rock, and country

World Music Day is an event that “celebrates music in all its forms and the impact it’s had on the world and the human spirit”. Also known as Fête de la Musique, Music Day, or Make Music Day, World Music Day is celebrated each year on June 21 and encourages music to be played outside - on the streets, in parks, and public areas. 

The first World Music Day was celebrated in Paris in 1982, and is celebrated in 120 countries around the world today.

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

June 18, 2019 - There were a number of fascinating characters at Festa Days on the Kornati island of Zut this weekend - next up, the only winemaker in Split. Meet Divina Vina.

There are some events in Croatia that have so much positive energy and fabulously interesting people that they become an essential addition to the TCN calendar. 

Festa Days on Zut is one such occasion. 

The culinary masterpiece started last year as a way for Restaurant Festa to celebrate its incredible 25-year story and success. Opened in the middle of the Homeland War on an uninhabited island with no water, electricity or ferry, one could easily question the sanity of the brave and determined owners. 25 years later, last September, no less than five international Master Chefs, accompanied by five of Croatia's top chefs, put on quite a show at the inaugural Festa Days, which you can read about here. 

More on this year's event coming shortly, but I am still trying to process the number of incredible stories heard and characters met in the 24 hours I spent on Zut this year. We have already done the story of the Zut entrepreneur who decided to open a shop on the island, despite the fact that there are no permanent residents on the island. His business is booming and a wonderful story of how thinking outside the box in modern-day Croatia can bring great results. 

But did you know about the only winemaker in Split? An atomic winemaker called Ivan Dragicevic who produces 12,000 bottles a year of truly excellent wines in the basement of a 12-story Split apartment block. Yes, you read that right. 

(The vineyards of DIngac)

My first contact with the man behind Divina Vina was on about course number 5 of the excellent Festa 10-course special. Ivan was pouring a rather excellent Posip from Korcula into our glasses, from the village of Cara, home of Posip. I asked him how the Posips of Cara compared to nearby Smokvica, and we started to have a nice chat about the wines of the island of Marco Polo. I assumed that he was one of the Korculan winemakers I had not yet come across until I was having a drink with another fascinating character on Zut, who was a lot more informed than me.

"Have you met the only winemaker in Split yet?"  

And so we wandered over to check out the excellent food and wine tastings during the second afternoon of Festa Days, where last night's Korculan Posip winemaker turned into the only winemaker in Split. It is a lovely story. 

Although he was born in Split, Ivan's roots are from the village of Vrgorac in inland Dalmatia - not downtown Vrgorac but up in the hills. Vrgorac is famous for four things as far as I have been able to ascertain so far in my time in Croatia: it has the best strawberries in the country; it is the birthplace of celebrated poet Tin Ujevic, it has the only festival in the world that celebrates 'bikla' - an unusual beverage which combines red wine and goat milk - the Vrgorac biklijada remains on my bucket list; and it was the location for an incredible slacklining stunt as a promo ad for Volvo Trucks - see the video below.

But in the coming years, Vrgorac could become known for another thing - the origins of the only winemaker in Split. 

Meet Ivan with roots from Upper Vrgorac. Throughout his formative years, he helped out in the family vineyards, which started a passion for wine. Despite pursuing an education and career as a mechanical engineer, he tried where he could to learn more about the art of making wine through online videos and similar methods.

He was a very good student. 

And after some time, he decided to pursue his dreams. What if he could purchase high-quality grapes from excellent locations in his beloved Dalmatia and then turn them into quality wine in the basement of his apartment block? A crazy idea to many perhaps, but that is exactly what he has done. A fully working 200m2 winery in residential Split with 5 REALLY exciting wines. 

The concept is simple. Buy the very best grapes from the very best Dalmatian locations, then use your knowledge to turn them into excellent wines. 

I loved the wines I tasted, plus the simplicity of the approach. There are two wines from Korcula, a classic Posip and an orange variation; a powerful Dingac and fruity Plavac rose from Peljesac, and a meaty Babic from near Primosten. Total production is about 12,000 bottles. 

Ambitions for expansion are limited - perhaps to increase production to 25,000 bottles, with the addition of one more Dalmatian grape variety. Divina Vina does not offer tastings to the public, but they do exist by personal invitation. The only place I have come across where you can taste them so far is at Paradox Wine and Cheese Bar in Split. I heartily recommend you give the wines a try.

You can follow Divina Vina on Facebook.  

June 19, 2019 - Split is booming, and the commercial opportunities are plentiful. A well-positioned commercial property in the latest Trgostan Property of the Week.

There are few places which have undergone such a tourism transformation in recent years than the centre of Split. 

Once known as the Gateway to the Islands, Split has reinvented itself into one of the top destinations on the Adriatic. Local renters have been taking advantage of the boom, and there has been a significant rise in the number of apartments and houses given over to tourism rentals. 

The boom in tourism has also given birth to a number of commercial opportunities as well, and well-located commercial space comes at a premium, the subject of this week's Trgostan property of the week.  

EXCLUSIVELY OFFERED BY TRGOSTAN:

Attractive commercial of 41 sqm, on the ground floor of a historical building opposite to the Diocletian's palace and park, fully renovated (new plumbings and electricity, flooring, etc), ideal for different purposes or even as a touristic apartment.

Price 145,000 euro.

For more info, photos and to book a viewing, check out the original Trgostan listing here.