April 15, 2019 - The 29th round of the Croatian First League was held from April 12 to 14, 2019. The fight for the ‘Top 4’ on the table is getting even more exciting, as Hajduk jumped over Lokomotiva to fourth place thanks to a massive win on Sunday. 

Check out our round 29 recap below. 

Osijek v. Rudeš (2:0)

Osijek and Rudeš opened the 29th round at City Garden Stadium on Friday, April 12, 2019, in front of 791 fans. 

Osijek scored their first goal of the game early thanks to Kleinheisler in the 11th minute. Marić was able to up Osijek’s lead in the 42nd minute for 2:0, which was the final result of the game. Marić did have the chance to make it 3:0, though he missed a penalty in the 82nd. 

Osijek is currently in 3rd place with 50 points, while Rudeš remains in last with 10. 

Istra 1961 v. Dinamo (0:4)

Istria and Dinamo met in Pula on Saturday, April 13, 2019.

Ademi scored Dinamo’s first goal in the 20th minute, which was followed by Oršić’s goal for 0:2 in the 44th minute. Olmo increased Dinamo’s lead in the 65th for 0:3, which was followed by another goal by the Spaniard in the 73rd for 0:4. 

Istra is in 9th place with 18 points, while Dinamo remains in first place with 76 points. 

Rijeka v. Inter Zaprešić (7:0)

Rijeka and Inter met at Rujevica on Saturday, April 13, 2019. 

Halilović opened Rijeka’s scoring fest with a goal in the 27th minute. Puljić increased Rijeka’s lead in the 41st for 2:0, and scored a penalty 3 minutes later for 3:0. 

Acosty scored Rijeka’s fourth goal at the start of the second half, followed by a Pavičić goal in the 58th for 5:0. Puljić scored his hat trick in the 88th for 6:0, and secured Rijeka’s blowout win with his fourth goal of the game in the 91st. 

Rijeka is currently in 2nd place with 56 points, while Inter is in 7th with 27.

Gorica v. Slaven Belupo (4:3)

Gorica and Belupo met in Velika Gorica on Sunday, April 14, 2019. 

Belupo was the first to score with a goal by Krstanović in the 9th minute, though Gorica equalized in the 27th minute thanks to Ndiaye. Gorica took the lead in the 34th minute after Lovrić scored, and increased their lead to 3:1 thanks to Dvorneković. 

Mateus brought Belupo new life after scoring in the 62nd minute for 2:3, and Krstanović equalized in the 86th for 3:3. However, Zwolinski scored a late-game winner for Gorica in the 90th minute (4:3). 

Gorica is currently in 5th place with 45 points, while Belupo is in 8th with 26. 

Lokomotiva v. Hajduk (0:1)

Lokomotiva and Hajduk met on Sunday, April 14, 2019, in Zagreb to close out the 29th round. 

The game was the battle for 4th place, and Hajduk prevailed. Though the first half went without goals, Hajduk’s Jairo scored in the 80th minute for 0:1 and the win. 

Lokomotiva has dropped to 6th place with 44 points, while Hajduk has jumped to 4th with 47 points. 

You can see the full HNL table here. 

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

April 13, 2019 - 'Summer is coming' has never been a more appropriate choice of words. Continuing our series Things to Do in Croatia, we turn to a massively popular niche: Game of Thrones

Knowing a good part of the show was filmed at several locations on the Croatian coast, thousands of visitors have been flocking to Dalmatia in recent years, eager to explore King's Landing or the City of Meereen in real life. While you won't have any trouble finding an agency offering GoT-themed tours these days, we bring you a selection of four leading teams whose experienced guides will take you on an unforgettable journey through Westeros, along with one suggestion on how to make the trip on your own.

One last warning before we start: keep in mind that all featured tours involve a good deal of walking and stair climbing in the summer heat, so don't forget to bring along a bottle of water and wear sunscreen. Better safe than sorry!

1. Game of Thrones Dubrovnik Tour

Have a couple of stats to see why this particular crew has the honour of topping our GoT list: they rank no.1 among all Croatian GoT tours on TripAdvisor, and have seen more than 10.000 satisfied guests in the five years they've been doing the tour. The expert guides have all participated in the filming in some way, either as extras or as production staff, so they have many an inside story to share. They seem like a spirited bunch with a good sense of humour - see for yourself.

Here's the itinerary, starting from the meeting point in front of Pile Gate in Dubrovnik:

Red Keep
Climb the stairs of Fort Lovrjenac for magnificent views of the Old City and experience multiple scenes filmed there – Joffrey’s Nameday Tournament, Tyrion slapping Joffrey, Sansa saved by the Hound, 'Power is Power' dialogue, the Purple Wedding.

Docks of King’s Landing
Just seconds away from Pile Gate, in a hidden corner of the City, find the beach where Myrcella embarked on a journey to Dorne and where Sir Robert Baratheon's bastard kid was killed, and visit the spot where Sansa wondered whether to elope with Littlefinger.

Gates of King’s Landing
Enter the City through the same gates Jaime did when he came back home, and stroll down the street where the rebellion against Joffrey took place.

Littlefinger’s Brothel
Passing through the narrow streets of the Old City, arrive to the Brothel and see what Oberyn, Tyrion and High Septon were doing there. Enjoy the views of the House of Undying as we keep ourselves at the safe distance…

Sept Baelor
There is only one word that can be said here, and the word is: “SHAME”!

Spice King of Qarth Palace
Time to leave Westeros and cross the Narrow Sea: just a few steps to enter Rector’s Palace and we are in Qarth alongside Daenerys pleading for a fleet of ships.

Walk of Shame
Follow the footsteps of Cersei as the Walk continues and see her enter another Red Keep in the City, far away from the first one…

Views of Qarth
Arrive to the terrace in front of the powerful Revelin Fortress and enjoy the views of Lokrum Island, Duel Arena, and learn more about Qarth, Oberyn, the Mountain, and the Dothraki desert…

Those who are eager to spend some more time in the GoT realm have a cool option at their disposal: The Ultimate Tour for the Ultimate Fans, a combination of the walking tour described above and a visit to several filming locations outside the city of Dubrovnik. This one is a bit more challenging - prepare for a 3km walk and some 300 steps along the way.

After you're done with Dubrovnik, you'll be picked up by a minivan and head on to...

King’s Road and King’s Landing panorama
Photo stop at the slopes of Srđ mountain where Tyrion was waiting for Oberyn and where Jaime says goodbye to Brienne.

Gardens of King’s Landing
Visit Trsteno Arboretum where Oberyn was writing letters to his daughters, walk the same path as Cersei and Oberyn did, sit at the fountain where Sir Loras and Sansa discussed their upcoming marriage and where Brienne told Margaery about the Shadow killing Renly. Take a necklace from Sir Dantos in the hidden corner of the gardens and enjoy beautiful views from the pavilion where Olenna had her meetings.

More details on both tours are available here, along with location photos. 

2. Dubrovnik: DU the Tour!

Dubrovnik Private Tours, also known under the encouraging motto DU the tour!, has three charming ladies at the helm: Ivana, Marina, and Ana. All three have years of experience with guided tours, both group and private, and their Game of Thrones Walking Tour will enable you to see the most distinguished GoT locations in Dubrovnik in under two hours.

This is your perfect opportunity to visit locations in Dubrovnik that you’d certainly miss out on if you were strolling around by yourself. You will unveil a different face of Dubrovnik by visiting the most memorable scenes from HBO's greatest TV show ever! Let us take you down the Walk of Shame, see where Joffrey died and find out what was going on behind the scenes.

Explore what Game of Thrones looks like in real life and also learn about similarities between Dubrovnik’s real history and the TV series. All of our tours are accompanied by an expert tour guide who has a booklet with screenshots from the series, with the purpose of reminding you exactly what happened and where.

You'll discover why HBO chose Dubrovnik for the capital of Seven Kingdoms and learn about the filming process - find out how crowds were handled, how the company selected the extras, and other juicy stories from the set. Locations you'll visit include the Red Keep (Lovrjenac Fort), the City of Qarth (Lokrum) and the sites which hosted the Purple Wedding (Gradac Park), the Riot in the Streets (Pile Gate), and the Walk of Shame (the Jesuit staircase in the Old Town).

The tour takes place three times a day, at 12:30, 16:00 and 18:00. There's no need to book your spot in advance - you just have to show up at the meeting point 5 minutes before departure. Learn more about the tour and the prices here.

3. Game of Thrones Split Tour

We're heading a bit north to Split, another major GoT hotspot on the Adriatic coast. The ancient basement of Diocletian's Palace hosted Daenerys's throne room and the dungeon where she kept her dragons locked up for a while. The streets of Split have also hosted the Slave Rebellion, along with a couple of other memorable scenes you've seen in the series. You'll also visit Klis Fortress, a majestic historical site which played the City of Meereen, and end the tour with a visit to the water mill which hosted Missandei's bathing scene.

At the Game of Thrones Tour in Split, you are guaranteed a truly authentic experience. They have a great staff of tour guides, all completely obsessed with both the television series and the books - you may even get stumped by a few of their questions during the tour, when they test your knowledge on all things GoT.

This is the tour for casual watchers, hardcore GoT nerds and everyone in between. Since you’ll visit several notable Croatian landmarks, your knowledgeable guides will also give you background on the local history of Split, providing you with two tours rolled into one.

As their reputation precedes them, they're sure to have a full plate in the coming months, so you're advised to book your desired date at least two weeks in advance. Click here to see more details about the tour, and check out why their satisfied guests made them the highest ranked GoT tour in Split on TripAdvisor.

4. Game of Thrones 5 Days Experience

If you know in advance a simple half-day walking tour won't satisfy your GoT cravings, you can go all out with a 5-day round trip of all major GoT filming locations on the Croatian coast, prepared by Vetus Itinera Travel Agency. The tour doubles as a remarkable opportunity to see plenty of renowned tourist destinations on the Adriatic in less than a week - here's a rundown of the itinerary:

Day One: Welcome to King’s Landing

Welcome to the legendary City of Dubrovnik. A republic of its own and a beacon of diplomacy for most of its history, Dubrovnik’s independent spirit nowadays remains as strong as ever. You already know this city, for this is King’s Landing, host to the revelries of Robert Baratheon, the excess lifestyle of Prince Joffrey, and the cunning wit of Tyrion Lannister. Walk onto the Red Keep, here known as Lovrjenac Fortress. Follow the trails of Arya Stark and see where Daenerys, the Queen of Dragons, gave freedom to her fire-breathing flying creatures.

Day Two: The Path to Meereen

Following Daenerys on her path to Meereen, where she seeks revenge upon the vicious slave-owners for crucifying hundreds of slave-children, you will walk through Arboretum Trsteno - the palace gardens of King’s Landing, where gossip and intrigue foreshadowed battles. This luscious combination of greenery and superb architecture of yesteryear tells tales of royalty in the oldest arboretum in this part of Europe.

On to the Walls of Ston, a 3.5 miles-long defensive construction dating back to the 14th century that was also part of King’s Landing. Ston is a Dalmatian town you will fall in love with, and as playwright George Bernard Show once said, ‘there is no love sincerer than the love of food’ - an appropriate quote, as Ston is known as the home of one of the rarest, most delicious oyster species.

Day Three: Daenerys Finds Comfort on the Islands and the Sea

On her conquest of Slaver’s Bay, as shocked and angered as Daenerys was upon witnessing the evil doing of the Meereen slave owners, she couldn’t help but pause and take comfort in the magnificent seaside view that was laid in front of her. Meet the sunniest place in Europe, the lovely island of Hvar, a favorite destination to those who know how to travel well, and a perfect backdrop to the Game of Thrones. A peaceful retreat, or perhaps Slaver’s Bay? The island’s capital is an ancient town of the same name, rich with history and a thriving art scene.

Hell’s Islands, or ‘Paklenjaci’ is a group of small picturesque islands just outside of Hvar, and a destination easily reachable by speed boat. Many have found peace and seclusion on Hell’s Islands, as they are home to charming taverns and small family hotels. Time moves slowly here.

Moving on with your nautical journey, you will arrive on the island of Vis – raw, isolated from the mainland, charismatic and beautiful. Your tour of Vis wouldn’t be complete without visiting a tiny nearby island called Biševo. With an official population of fifteen souls, the limestone Island of Biševo is home to the Blue Cave, one of the most magical places in the Mediterranean. Located in the Balun Bay, the Blue Cave was initially described and painted by Baron Eugen von Ransonet, and used to be accessible only by diving until the 18th century. Illuminated by both the sun and the moon, the inside of the cave glows with an incredible aquamarine light.

Day Four: The New Throne

Another treat! We welcome you to the New Throne, so to speak - the City of Šibenik, whose fortified walls and ancient architecture were seen in the fifth season of the Game of Thrones. Šibenik is known as The King’s City, for it was the court of Croatian King Krešimir IV in the 11th century; a perpetual stronghold for many following rulers, Šibenik is protected by four fortresses on each of its side: the Fortress of St. Nicholas, St. Michael, St. John and the Šubićevac Fortress (Barone).

Move away from the city and return to nature, as we welcome you to Krka National Park, the backdrop to numerous scenes in the show’s fourth season. It is a breathtaking place, and its cascading waterfalls will leave you mesmerized and refreshed, as you swoon into the greens of its flora and the blues of its crystal clear water.

Now, you’re ready to visit agro tourism Kalpić, in the village Konjevrate, another natural backdrop to the fourth season of the show. These stone houses speak tales of Dalmatian ancestors, while the food and beverages you’ll enjoy make for true hedonistic perfection.

Day Five: Setting the Slaves Free - Meereen Belongs to the Queen of Dragons

Follow the path of Daenerys as she seeks to conquer Slaver’s Bay and free the slaves of Meereen. The 1700-year-old Mediterranean metropolis of Split transforms into Meereen, as you start the final chapter of your tour at Diocletian’s Palace, its ancient basements and narrow streets, where freed slaves sought revenge upon their masters. Travel to the suburbs, to the town of Žrnovnica, whose green mill was used for Missandei’s bathing scene, and then continue to the town’s quarry, where the Unsullied battled for Daenerys. Finally, walk the path to the top of Klis Fortress, as it transforms into the Meereen throne, where Daenerys set the slaves free and crucified their wicked owners. At the end of the tour, you will enjoy an authentic Game of Thrones dinner.

Learn more about the 5-day trip and other boutique tours offered by Vetus Itinera here.

5. Walk your own GoT path!

And finally, for the GoT-loving adventurers who aren't that fond of guided tours and prefer to explore new destinations on their own. Last year, Wanderu came out with a guide on how to create your own itinerary and see all major GoT filming locations in Croatia for less than $100 in total!

The Ultimate Game of Thrones Tour of Croatia by Bus will take you from Zagreb to Šibenik and Krka National Park, then on to Trogir, Split, Makarska, Trsteno, and Dubrovnik, before you head back to the Croatian capital. While some of the prices seem too good to be true - you're not likely to get from Trogir to Split for $1 on average, for example - the suggested itinerary will definitely come in handy when you start preparing for your Croatian GoT adventure. One small caveat to keep in mind: the listed sums relate to bus tickets only, so don't forget to add other expenses such as tickets to NP Krka and Lovrjenac Fortress in Dubrovnik.

Click here to explore the route suggested by Wanderu.

How easy is it to be a young photographer in Croatia? TCN met with Viktor Đerek, a 19-year-old photographer from Split to find out more.

April 12, 2019 - If we had a lipa for every time a tourist asked us where Diocletian’s Palace is while standing in the middle of it, we’d probably be one of Emporer Diocletian’s dinner guests back in the 4th century. To feed the curious minds of tourists while offering them local insight, tips to use around the town, and some good, old-fashioned info that might just come in handy on your travels in the Dalmatian capital, a different kind of Split map was created - meet MyMap. 

“MyMap is a map made by a small group of volunteers. While cultural heritage is not neglected, MyMap places greater emphasis on showing Split from the point of view of locals. On it, you can find places to go out, and curiosities about the town, its people and local customs. The map also shows information about which places serve gluten-free food, which is vege-friendly, which pet-friendly, and which ones are accessible for people with disabilities. 

And it does all that while keeping the charm and sense of humor that Split is known for. To make it short – it’s a different kind of map.”

Set to launch this month, TCN sat down with MyMap project leader Andela Prnjak to find out more. 

Tell us a bit about MyMap?

MyMap is a map created by the locals of Split for tourists. In it, we reveal places that locals love and ignore the "tourist trap" kind of places. This map is ideal for tourists who would like to experience the real Split.

Who are the creative forces behind MyMap? 

Initially, 13 volunteers worked on the map, of which six were more active, with me as the project leader. Goran and Ivana from Info Zona always came up with useful tips. We were delighted to work with the graphic design duo Komenda and Kazinoti. We were extremely fortunate with the entire team that worked on the map, and I even have to thank our printer Cvirn who made sure our maps are made of the best quality and are printed on time. 

How did you come together and come up with the idea for MyMap?

Goran Biličić, the president of the association Info Zona, came up with the idea of a creating a different kind of map of Split. He suggested that I take the role of the project leader and I accepted. With a public call, we gathered 13 volunteers who helped us develop the map. We started working in mid-January, and the first promotion of the map will be on Saturday, April 14.

Ivana Perković

How did you choose the items that should be included on MyMap?

The cafes, clubs, and restaurants were chosen by the Split citizens who answered a questionnaire on Info Zona. 

The rest of what's on the map was very well thought out; we wanted to make a contemporary map, not something boring and dull. When we started creating the map, I encouraged the volunteers to think outside the box.

Marking the areas in Split for people with disabilities was crucial. To be honest, it was pretty unbelievable that we were the first Split map to include those tags. Although I did not know much about it at first, a group of volunteers and I brought light to this problem. And we have to thank Ives Cikatić, who is a guide for people with disabilities.

We are also aware that many tourists have special diets, so we have helped them by identifying restaurants where they can eat gluten-free or vegetarian food.

We also thought it was vital to include emergency numbers, such as the police, night ambulances, tow away services, and others.

What sets MyMap apart from the other maps and guides in Split? 

MyMap is more than a map; it's more like a traveler’s best friend. It is made as a memoir of all the beautiful moments you experienced in Split that you can take home and show your friends. It is interactive; tourists can write their names on it, mark the tours they want to visit and in which order.

We have identified areas for people with disabilities, added gluten-free and vegetarian options, objects that sometimes have live music, and pet-friendly places all to help tourists decide what they want to visit.

It also contains some important “Dont's". For example; do not walk through the Marjan tunnel or do not walk in a swimsuit down the Riva.

We humorously approached the Split mentality. For example, the part about Split’s sports history we named “All we do is win."

What is your goal with MyMap? Will it evolve each year with new content as Split develops? 

Next year you can expect a new map of Split. We have learned a lot about this project so we will try to make MyMap even better and more creative, and as the slogan says - "Not just another map of Split." Who knows, maybe next year we will be creating MyMap Šibenik or Zagreb.

And to conclude, what are some of the most important things you think tourists coming to Split should know from a local’s perspective?

There are a lot of things, and it is difficult to determine the most important ones. It took us four months to make a guide of the essential elements in Split. Maybe check out our map to find out. 

You can follow the latest about MyMap on their official Facebook page. 

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

April 11, 2019 - The Split gastronomic scene is on a steady rise, and from season to season, there are more and more top restaurants, bars and bistros - which is not surprising, as Split has seen an increasing number of tourists every year. Given that the Dalmatian capital is finally blossoming into a food city, it was time for a genuine, gourmet street food fair featuring some of the best Split-based restaurants.

This upcoming spring holiday, which has always marked the beginning of the tourist season on our Adriatic Coast, Split’s beloved Đardin park will be home to the first-ever Split Spring festival by Staropramen, which the organizers hope will become a traditional event that will mark the beginning of the tourist season in "the most beautiful city on the coast". The festival will be held from April 23 to 28, 2019. 

The Split caterers offering their specialties at the new festival will head to the streets for the first time, and all locals and tourists in Split for the Easter holiday can enjoy the tastes of Bokamorra, Artičok, Šug, Toto's, Bepa, Pikulece, Maka-Maka, Fabrique Pub & Grill and Biberon.

In addition to the gourmet part of the fair, featuring some of the best in the Split food scene, there will also be a ‘Picnic Zone’ set up by Staropramen in the heart of Đardin, where you will be able to sit down, chill out, and relax with a cool Staropramen and live entertainment.

Furthermore, the vibrant accompanying program and activities at the Split Spring festival will feature an exciting exhibition, film projections inside Đardin, and a packed musical schedule each evening, which will bring visitors the sounds and rhythms of jazz, blues, and soul.

Save the date; you won’t want to miss this new spring treat in Split. 

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

The Institute for Sports Research (CIES) published an interesting analysis of attendance at football stadiums around the world, which includes an impressive figure by Hajduk Split. 

On the West Coast in Split, the 21st International Croatia Boat Show will be held from April 11 to 15, with 250 exhibitors from 150 vessels, reports Slobodna Dalmacija on April 8, 2019. 

“We expect a 20 percent increase in exhibitors compared to last year when, after eight years of crisis, we started to grow again. We will again be one of the largest nautical fairs in the world,” said Vicenco Blagaić, the organizer of the fair, and announced that Brodotrogir just completed a 2700 square-meter barge where the entertainment facilities will take place on the West Coast, along with two Brodospasova tugboats. 

“It will be a real showroom, and not dull with just exhibitors and booths,” Blagaić said, adding that visitors can expect a few evening events that wouldn’t be revealed until the opening. What we do know is that the Split Olympic Club will host the 90th birthday celebration of rowing Olympian Duje Bonačić on the West Coast, where the Split Olympian names are printed.

“It will be a surprise for Duje Bonačić, whose brain still works at the age of 90 as it did when he won an Olympic medal. All Split Olympians will be at the opening of the fair, on our West Coast which no one else has in the world,” said Josip Reić, Secretary of the club.

Deputy prefect Ante Šošić emphasized that nautical guests convincingly spend more than others and thanked the organizer for the many benefits the fair brings, namely the extension of the preseason, branding Split and Split-Dalmatia County as a nautical center, contracting jobs and presenting domestic brands. 

Ela Žižić, the city's head of the Department of Economy, Crafts, and Tourism, emphasized the immense importance of the Croatia Boat Show for Split, which will again become the center of the nautical world, and welcomed the guests and exhibitors. Nataša Bušić from the Croatian Chamber of Commerce emphasized that the fair helps small shipbuilders because shipbuilding and tourism go hand in hand.

“In our premises in Matejuška, we will host all relevant institutions, ministries, charter companies, and shipping companies,” said Alijana Vukšić and Joško Stella of the Split and Split-Dalmatia County tourist boards, highlighting the importance of tourism at the fair.

The start of the 21st Croatia Boat Show has been postponed for 24 hours. While the main reason was revealed as poor weather, the original opening was certainly not helped by the fact that two more manifestations are set to open in Split on April 10, the ASDA Military Equipment Fair at the Spaladium Arena and the Auto-moto Salon at City Center One.

Thus, the international nautical fair will open its doors on Thursday, April 11 at noon, in the presence of well-respected officials of all levels of the state and local government. The delay has also postponed the planned 90th birthday celebration of Olympian Duje Bonačić to Thursday. The good news is that the fair will be open to visitors until Monday, April 15. 

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

The Society of Marjan revealed on Tuesday morning that the City of Split canceled the tender for an adrenaline park on Marjan, precisely in the Bene area, reports Dalmacija Danas on April 9, 2019. 

Soon after their announcement, the City of Split announced:

"After yesterday's talks with the stakeholders of the Marjan Park Forest and representatives of the civil society under the leadership of the 'Our Marjan' initiative, in order to further harmonize all misunderstandings, the City of Split decided to temporarily annul the procurement procedure of the Adrenaline park for climbers planned in the area of Bene. The acquisition of the adrenaline park will take place after the reconciliation of the foreseen micro-location, which will also least intervene with the natural habitat of the Marjan Forest Park.

Please note that the City of Split remains committed to the fact that Marjan is a living room and the main recreational zone of all our citizens, as well as numerous climbers and children who are engaged in sports climbing, who are eagerly awaiting the first of such content in our city. According to the procurement plan of the project, the works of the construction of the adrenaline park will be carried out as soon as possible, following the pace of the rehabilitation of the Marjan forest from the bark beetle. 

The preservation and revitalization of our Marjan needs to remain our only goal, and we can only come to it through the joint and unified action of all stakeholders,” the City of Split said on Tuesday morning.

Recall, as part of the project "Marjan 2020 - a hill of the past, an oasis of the future", last week, the City of Split initiated the public procurement procedure for the construction of setting up a demountable adrenaline park.

The location of the future adrenaline park would be located east of the bay of Bene, where it is easier set up more compatible content, such as paintball, picnic areas, and a bocce ball court. Marjan Forest Park does not currently feature an adrenaline park, although the program is fully compatible with the recreational character of the space, the City of Split said.

The goal was to make quality moves with minimal interventions in the natural heritage - putting the entire previously devastated infrastructure into the function of new growth, development, employment, as well as improving the overall sustainability and the biodiversity of the Marjan Forest Park.

The installation of the demountable adrenaline park was said to be in line with the project activities of the School of Multilingual Development and Sporting Facilities of Marjan.

The project would directly affect the increase in the number of visitors and tourists through targeted content, activities, products and infrastructure, and bring Marjan glory and recognizability in Croatia and the world as one of the main symbols of the City of Split, the City added. The estimated value of the works for the new adrenaline park is 554.800,00 kuna (without VAT).

You can see all the planned projects for Marjan here. 

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

April 9, 2019 - The 27th and 28th rounds of the Croatian First League was held from April 2 to 8, 2019, for one very busy week of Croatian football.

April 8, 2019 - Hvar Town is ready for another busy tourist season, and this year it will be served like never before with connections from Hvar to Split. 

Great news for Hvar Town for the upcoming season, as there will be no less than SIXTEEN daily catamarans to the birthplace of organised tourism in Europe for the peak season to and from Split. 

Having lived on Hvar for many years, the issue of connectivity to the mainland has always been an emotive issue, and it seems finally that the issue has been solved - and in some style. 

Both the national ferry company, Jadrolinija, and Krilo have increased their presence in one of Croatia's top destinations, which is great news for tourists, who now have a much wider choice of when to travel. As the route has always been very popular, tickets would often sell out leading to disappointment, but this now should be a thing of the past. 

Crucially, there will also be later connections to and from the island, meaning those arriving by plane to Split airport will have an opportunity to go to Hvar Town directly, rather than waiting for the last car ferry to Stari Grad and onward transfer.

These timetables, taken from the Suncani Hvar Hotels website (which also has a comprehensive timetable from April onwards), give an overview of the flexibility now on offer for tourists coming to Hvar. These should be used as a guide only at this stage, as timetables are subject to change. 

Taking a catamaran to Hvar Town from Split is just one arrival point. Jelsa is also served by daily catamaran from Split, via Bol on Brac, while the main ferry terminal in Stari Grad caters to the most car traffic. Visitors from Dubrovnik and the south also have the option of the small car ferry from Drvenik to Sucuraj on the east of the island, from where an 80-minute drive across the island will bring you to its main town. 

For a complete overview of all the options on getting from Split to Hvar and back, check out the complete Total Croatia guide. 

Apart from much easier access for guests staying on the island, the increase of transport options makes Hvar an ever-more attractive day trip option from Split. Water taxis to the fabled Pakleni Islands are certain to be popular, an escape to one of the truly great natural paradises of Europe. 

The old town of Hvar itself is a major attraction, of course, and visitors this year will be able to visit three newly renovated treasures, all within metres of the catamaran arrival point. 

The oldest public theatre in Europe opened in 1612 on the main square in Hvar Town. After years of renovation, it will finally reopen on May 1 this year. The theatre is situated on the first floor of the historic Arsenal building, which guards entrance to Hvar's famous square, the largest in all Dalmatia at 4,500m2. And just across the square is another heritage gem worth a visit - Palace Elisabeth, hvar heritage hotel, the first luxury 5-star hotel on the island, fully renovated on the spot where organised tourism in Europe began in 1868. 

To follow the latest from the island of Hvar, follow the dedicated TCN page.