December 4, 2020 - The latest news for flights to Croatia as Eurowings cancels Cologne-Split, and Vueling terminates its recently announced winter service between Barcelona and Dubrovnik.

Croatian Aviation reports that two well-known low-cost carriers, Germany's Eurowings and Spain's Vueling, withdrew two lines to Croatian destinations, although they were announced for December and January, respectively.

In November, Eurowings announced its flight schedule for December this year, in which it will offer slightly more flights to Croatian destinations, Zagreb and Split, just in time for the holidays.

Although Eurowings has announced traffic on the direct Split-Cologne line, this will not happen. Namely, the airline's original plan was to operate on this line from December 22 to January 10 twice a week, on Tuesdays and Sundays, but low demand caused by new measures at border crossings forced the company to cancel planned operations on this line.

There will still be lines from Dusseldorf and Stuttgart to Split, as well as Eurowings lines to Zagreb.

Furthermore, Spanish low-cost airline Vueling announced at the end of October that it would launch the Barcelona-Dubrovnik route in January 2021.

Regular flights on this route were on sale twice a week, every Thursday and Sunday. Vueling was also forced to cancel these flights and is currently planning to return to Dubrovnik with the start of the summer flight schedule, in April next year.

The airline tried to motivate a certain number of passengers to visit Dubrovnik in January at very reasonable prices, but this was clearly not enough. When we take into account all the restrictions that exist today when traveling (especially international ones), the cancellation of these flights is quite an expected move by the airline.

Dubrovnik was left without its only announced scheduled flight this winter, and there will be no international flights to and from Dubrovnik until the spring of next year, while Split remains connected by Croatia Airlines to Frankfurt, Rome and Munich, Edelweiss to Zurich, KLM to Amsterdam and Eurowings for Dusseldorf and Stuttgart.

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December 3, 2020 - Split streets are mostly underwater as torrential rain flooded the city on Thursday morning - and it doesn't look like there is an end in sight. 

Dalmacija Danas reports that about 120 liters of rain per square meter fell in Split in the last 24 hours, according to the Crometeo measuring station. From 10 am to 11 am, around 30 liters of rain fell, and the western part of the city was especially hit by severe torrents.

The last time so much rain fell in Split was in July 1975, making today's meteorological phenomenon in Split extremely rare. The official 24-hour precipitation record in Split is 228.5 mm, which happened in September 1948. There is a possibility that today this record will be broken.

The worst of it is around Poljud, where the water level on the road is somewhere around half a meter. There is traffic congestion on the streets as cars are occasionally stuck in torrents, and as rain continues to fall intensely, it doesn't look like things are slowing down.

The County Fire Operations Center said they are receiving calls from the citizens "every second" and that their hands are full with jobs from flooded basements to rising seawater.

Major problems were also recorded on Domovinskog rata Street.

Not even the Diocletian's basement could be spared!

By 11 am, the most rain in the last 24 hours fell in Glavina Donja near Imotski, according to the Pljusak.com network of stations. Koljani recorded 120 liters,  Potravlje 105, Živogošća 100, Vinalić 91, and Split (Spinut) 91 liters per square meter.

The City of Split announced this morning that due to torrential rain, all city services are on the ground.

"All services are on the ground and are helping to repair the damage caused by the enormous amount of rain in Split and the surrounding area since this morning. We ask citizens for caution and patience, especially in traffic.

Take care of yourself and others!"  

You can see more of Veljko Martinović's photos of Split on Dalmatinski Portal

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

December 1, 2020 – Former captain of the Croatia national football team Darijo Srna and the company Enna Fruit organized the delivery of mandarins to six Croatian hospitals.

As 24sata reports, former Croatia football player Darijo Srna (38) donated 15 tons of mandarins to hospitals in Zagreb, Split, and Osijek. In cooperation with the company ENNA Fruit, which organized the delivery of fruit, Srna delighted patients and staff, which was confirmed from the hospital in Split.

In addition to Srna's donation, the company ENNA Fruit also donated two integral disinfection systems that will be used in the hospital in the Zagreb Arena.

"In challenging times, when we are all facing the COVID crisis, it is important, within our capabilities, to be supportive of those who need it most," said Darijo Srna on the occasion of this humanitarian donation, which, as he says, went to the right hands – in KBC Sestre milosrdnice, KBC Dubrava, KBC Rebro, Clinic for Children's Diseases in Zagreb and KBC Split and KBC Osijek.

"Integral disinfection system is an advanced device for measuring body temperature, disinfection of hands, and footwear with the help of a disinfection mat. This device will provide healthcare workers, doctors, and nurses with a safer stay in the hospital and facilitate the daily fight against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the causative agent of COVID-19 disease," they said from the ENNA Fruit company as reported by Rogotin.hr.

Darijo Srna has long been known for humanitarian actions, such as the one in 2014 when he bought 20 tons of mandarins, paid for transportation, and donated them to children in Donetsk who were affected by the horrors of war.

"I'm not doing this to have someone say to me: 'Well done, Dario.' This is from the heart and soul of all citizens of Donetsk," said Darijo Srna then.

 To read more news from Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

November 30, 2020 - Drive-in COVID-19 testing begins at Split Ferry Port this morning. A closer look into opening day.

Drive-in COVID-10 testing has begun at the Split Ferry Port on the external berth for cruisers.

Dalmatinski Portal reported that on opening morning, there were no significant crowds (yet). Cars enter from the east where they form a row and wait in line. A pedestrian passage is provided for walk-ins on the north side. Ferry port workers are on hand to assist with instructions.

Citizens started arriving at 7 am, and even before the testing began, over 20 cars were waiting in line. By the way, there are two queues for testing, one where you come by car, the other where citizens can come on foot.

The new testing center is open from 7 am to 1 pm, the Split-Dalmatia County Civil Protection Headquarters announced on Sunday. 

Drive-in COVID-19 testing is available to patients who have ordered tests exclusively online with a referral.

Testing from Križine Hospital has been transferred to the Split Ferry Port, so there will be no testing at Križine as of Monday, T.portal added.

Slobodna Dalamacija reports that many Split residents continued coming to Križine for testing, even though they were informed not to.

"Everyone who has been referred through their family doctors must go to the City Port for testing. But many did not listen and came to NZJZ where a huge crowd was created," said Željka Karin, director of NZJZ.

Sources: Dalmatinski Portal, Dalmacija Danas, T.portal 

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

November 29, 2020 - The first Advent Sunday candle of Split Gastroadvent 2020 was lit by print media journalists at Makarun restaurant. Given the current corona world, a Vitamin-D-inspired Mediterranean menu was the star of the show. 

Split Gastroadvent is a unique event that fuses nutrition, gastronomy, and tourism. With several years of dedicated work on gathering knowledge and skills, it reaches everyone and all parts of the world, through the image, pen, and voice of dedicated journalists, who bring light to Split in this unusual year as well.

As 2020 marks the jubilee 10th anniversary of recognizing the Mediterranean diet, this year's theme pays great attention to the sea. The Mediterranean Sea boasts an area of about 2.5 million km² and connects all countries of the original Mediterranean diet.

Following this theme, this year's Gastroadvent wreath is also dedicated to the sea and its preservation. The seafoam wreath symbolically and literally simulates the sea world and is created from discarded trash and plastic. The Mediterranean diet theme inspired prominent sculptor Nives Čičin Šain to send a message in an artistic way: “Let's preserve our sea and the life in it that feeds many with its beauty."

The sumptuous gastronomic table adorned dishes prepared and served according to epidemiological measures by the Makarun team. Talented Chef Ivan Planinić chose smoked mackerel with Vis capers and golden apple, amberjack filet prepared in three ways and three colors, and macaroni according to a Žrnovo recipe with spinach and a shrimp and scampi sauce.

Special dishes made of fish and fish products were prepared by renowned Chef Michel Tokić from Podravka, whose knowledge and skills of cooking with EVA products are recommended especially for those who have neglected the consumption of fish and want to compensate for Vitamin D.

Responsible and healthy catering was presented by Michel Tokić, including Mediterranean sandwiches, Mediterranean tuna tortilla cups with melon, tuna and avocado cups, Eva salad of mackerel and fresh vegetables, and mini tuna burgers. 

The Croatian Chamber of Commerce has been advocating for years to encourage the representation of fish on menus. For ten years now, the Croatian Chamber of Commerce has implemented the project "Croatian Fish - Eat its Worth." The project aims to increase consumption of local fish products and build and raise the culture of fish consumption in Croatia, all by raising consumer awareness of the importance and investment in sustainable fisheries, the high nutritional and health value of food originating from locally regulated catches or farming, and the importance of the product they consume from a food safety system of well-known, high standards. This project is of special importance, which was emphasized by President Jozo Tomaš, and confirmed by the cooperation with Gastroadvent in Split.

The fruits of the Adriatic Sea were presented by Gastro Ribarnica Brač, a company that makes seafood more accessible through regular campaigns, and with its professionalism guarantees safety and originality. In ten of its own fish markets in the region, in addition to fresh fish, they offer a rich selection of frozen, dried, marinated, and salty delicatessen products. 

The event also highlighted ecology and competitiveness in gastronomy and tourism as the core of future projects of the Split School of Tourism and Hospitality. Under the leadership of director Ivo Bilić, the Split School of Tourism and Hospitality Management was appointed a Regional Center of Competitiveness in the summer of 2018.

An important role of the RCC is the connection to the local community, and is manifested through two goals:

1) Projects with kindergartens and primary schools in creating habits among young people and encouraging reflection on tourism, and on the other hand as promoting our professions,

2) Participation in local (regional) events, creating habits among the population about the benefits and importance of caring for the guest-tourist. 

This year's Gastroadvent also features Mediterranean Food - MD.net, a project funded by the European program Interreg Mediterranean, worth 3.7 million EUR, and implemented by the Public Institution RERA S.D. for the coordination and development of Split-Dalmatia County. The project involves 14 project partners from 9 countries in the Mediterranean, which is aimed at popularizing the Mediterranean diet. The main goal of the project is to strengthen research in this area in accordance with the UNESCO Convention on Mediterranean Nutrition, to raise the quality of food and life in 9 project partner countries, as well as promote the Mediterranean diet, which is recognized as the gold standard of proper nutrition, as well as its far-reaching beneficial effects on health.

These innovative food products designed by students were presented at Gastroadvent 2020, which you can see below:

The student's mentor and workshop organizer, Michael Freer, said a few words:

"The project is working with five schools to create an innovative product. We are the end of it now, the products are ready, and each school had to use a famous Mediterranean-based ingredient from the island or their location. The idea is that with the 5,000 EUR they received through MD.net, they're able to invest in something that they can then sell. The idea is that the profit goes back into reinvesting in the student cooperative, and also hopefully to fund their dance at the end of the year, if they can have one."

Given the current circumstances, all food items were packed for guests to take home!

Split Gastroadvent is held every Advent Sunday at a new location! 

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

November 27, 2020 - The famous Beard Auction returns to Paradox Wine and Cheese Bar today to raise money for the Split County League Against Cancer.

Because the epidemiological measures have tightened, the Beard Auction will be held on Friday, November 27, instead of Sunday, from 12:30 at Paradox Wine & Cheese Bar, Bana J. Jelačića 3, Split.

This is an unusual humanitarian action that is part of the globally popular Movember and aims to raise awareness about various forms of malignant diseases in men and the importance of regular checkups. The funds raised are intended for the Split County League Against Cancer.

The action is designed in such a way that men are urged to stop shaving in November and determine the "price" of their beard at which they are ready to shave. If the required amount is collected, the person shaves.

For the fourth year in a row, the action is organized by the Split County League Against Cancer with partners: Ka'brada, Paradox, and Rotary Club Split Plus.

This year, Josip Božić stands out among the candidates, who will donate the longest beard ever shaved at the Beard Auction. Singer Marko Pecotić Peco responded to the action again, after 18 years the city councilor Branimir Urlić will shave his beard on Friday, and after a long time, we will have the opportunity to see the entrepreneur Ognjen Bagatin without a mustache. According to the information we have so far, it is likely that Goran Milaković collected a record donation so far for one beard.

Cafe Krom also joined the auction and nominated the beard of Ivan Ćurić - Giovanni, and among this year's candidates are also Leon Listeš, Frane Karlo Pavlović, Luka Baričić, Zvonimir Čondić, Tomislav Tabak, Matej Emanuel Krakan, and Emil Music.

To date, HRK 30,082.80 has been donated to the County League Against Cancer for valuable beards and mustaches, and we will find out the final amount by the end of the day Friday.  

Will you be there?

More info can be found on the Facebook event.

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

November 26, 2020 - The Split Tourist Board is reallocating funds from the Advent ice skating rink to donate five new devices for high oxygen therapy to the Split hospital. 

Dalmatinski Portal reports that human lives and love for others are the foundation of this year's Split Advent, as is evidenced by the decision to purchase five new devices for high oxygen therapy AIRVO 2 for the Split Clinical Hospital Center (Split KBC). 

At the session of the Split Tourist Board, headed by President Andro Krstulović Opara, a decision was made to reallocate money intended for the Advent ice skating rink in Đardin - Josip Juraj Strossmayer Park to help the hospital treat the most severe forms of the SARS-CoV-19 virus. The use of the AIRVO 2 device avoids invasive mechanical ventilation and enables more successful treatment and respiratory failure due to infection, with easier involvement of medical staff.

"In agreement with the director of the Split Clinical Hospital Center, Julija Meštrović, we decided to buy this valuable device, and given the growing numbers and occupancy of hospitals throughout Croatia, we believe that this is more than necessary. We believe that our citizens will also support this initiative, as well as that they will recognize the importance of responsible behavior throughout the Advent period. We certainly continue to monitor the epidemiological situation in the same way and make daily decisions about the program with regard to new data," said the director of the Split Tourist Board, Alijana Vukšić.

Each new device can mean a saved life, and this donation confirms the point of this year's Advent with the slogan 'Love unites us' which emphasizes love as an emotion that encourages us to look after each other to celebrate many more Christmas holidays together.

For the latest travel info, bookmark our main travel info article, which is updated daily. 

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November 26, 2020 - Continuing our look at the digital nomad lifestyle in Croatia, it may be late November for some, but Croatia's endless summer sport continues for some.

The Adriatic Sea is a focal point for seasonal visitors to the Dalmatian coast for good reason; it’s positively refreshing on hot summer days. But some people swim long after the crowds have gone, when the only onlookers are wearing coats.

(When summer tourists crowd Split’s beaches, everyone carves out their own spot on the sand and in the water.)

Ever since I heard that Split’s summer weather can occasionally extend into fall, I got it in my head that I wanted to swim as late into the season as possible. Swimming is one of my favorite sports for the feeling of being in the water as much as the exercise. Everything about it signals freedom and expansion, increasing my movement, thoughts, and bodily sensations. I love the open water and Croatia’s total seaside environment—sun, salt, azure sea, temperature, and rugged beauty—is perfect.

(Pine trees, white beaches, and teal waters are hallmarks of the Mediterranean coastline that draw visitors from around the world.)

Before tourists

Back in the spring, during early morning Žnjan beach walks, I’d end up sitting on a rock with my bare feet dangling in the water. Sure, it was cool outside, but I was bundled up in layers and my feel were thankful to be out of socks and shoes. As I looked over my surroundings, I craved summertime just to be fully immersed in the gorgeous water. When it finally arrived, I plotted my swims—whenever and wherever.

(Ramps and other accommodations are found all along the seaside; they allow people with disabilities to get into the water.)

Island life

A rocky enclave on Lokrum, the Blue Lagoon near Trogir, the famous Zlatni Rat on Brač, and diving off a sailboat were perfect staging grounds for my addiction. I was mindful to soak up every minute in these brilliant surroundings. Sometimes I’d pop my head above the surface and laugh at my good fortune and my happiness; it was pure joy.

(Shower facilities on every beach look like aliens from another planet.)

Opportunities everywhere

It seems any spot to enter the water is fair game. Croatians will climb through large rocks and pull their cars to the side of the road just to take a dip. I learned to toss my bathing suit and travel towel in a bag when meeting friends because an opportunity could pop up any time. After visiting a bee farm on Šolta, I swam before coming home because why not try another island, right? When biking around Marjan Park, I pumped my brakes at the sight of Kašjuni beach and promptly turned back to join the bathers. Dalmatians inherently love the sea and for them, this behavior is second nature.

(View from just above the surface, where colors and textures from above and below the water meet.)

Ideal weather

September, October, now November… and I’m still checking the sea and air temperature daily. My bathing suit hangs on a doorknob as a visual reminder; each day I hope it’s the right one. So far quite a few have worked out, even though we’ve passed the Daylight Savings mark on the calendar. Back home my swim gear would’ve been packed away months ago. The Atlantic Ocean is not this agreeable.

Getting cooler

Let’s be real though, things are cooling down. On both ends of these late fall days I wear proper fall clothes. Yet, today the water and air temperature were nearly equal at 18.8ºC (65ºF) and I swam effortlessly. A small admission: I get cold very easily. The idea of swimming in November is way past my comfort zone and I honestly don’t know how I’m doing it.

(The morning sky can create the best view for an early swim.)

Still swimming

Perhaps living in a new place brings new inspiration. Or maybe the cold is all in my head. I don’t need to figure it out, I’m still swimming and loving it. 

Learn more at TCN’s Digital Nomads channel.

Story and photographs ©2020, Cyndie Burkhardt. www.photo-diaries.com/

For more of Cyndie's experiences, check out her Croatia Through the Eyes of a Digital Nomad column. 

November 26, 2020 - The City has announced that the famous area in front of HNK Split, also known as Gajo Bulat Square, will be transformed. 

Preparations for the tender announcement to choose the contractor for the transformation of Gajo Bulat Square have begun! 

At the initiative of Mayor Andro Krstulović Opara, an amendment to the project documentation based on the first-prize winning competition work from 2016, authored by academic sculptors Đani Martinić and Frane Šitum and architect Damir Vujčić, was recently completed.

The project solution was adapted to the needs of the Croatian National Theater, more precisely to the needs of new theater space, because the way we live our lives has changed drastically due to the COVID -19 epidemic. Thus, it was concluded that the entire area of Gajo Bulat Square can be used as the Split Theater's outdoor space. The project solution also has the approval of the Split Conservation Department.

The costs necessary to revamp the Square will be known after the public procurement procedure and will include the renovation of the staircase in front of the Croatian National Theater, the erection of a monument to Dr. Gajo Filomen Bulat, a Croatian revivalist and the mayor of Split, fountains showing the former sources of drinking water in the Dobri area, and the construction of a park with trees and lush shrubs.

It is important to note that the public area around the Gajo Bulat monument will be paved with stone slabs placed in semi-dry mortar on a reinforced concrete slab according to a static calculation.

"Gajo Bulat was the leader of the People's Party of the Croatian municipality in Split and I believe that the time has finally come for him to get a lasting, tangible memory in his city. Together with the experts, the conservators, and listening to the citizens who have long called for the renovation of this most frequent entrance to the heart of the city, we have taken into account the possibilities, as well as the experiences of the epidemic in which we find ourselves. I believe that we will soon enrich this space with the figure of Gajo Bulat himself and greenery and water elements, but also arrange it for outdoor social events, as a new stage of our Theater," said Mayor Andro Krstulović Opara.

A public tender for the works will be announced by the end of the week.

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

November 25, 2020 - The latest news for flights to Croatia as Aegean returns to three Croatian airports next spring. 

Croatian Aviation reports that Greek national airline Aegean Airlines has announced its return to Croatian airports next year.

Aegean Airlines did not operate to Croatian airports this year. In the original plan, before the outbreak of the global pandemic, they planned to operate to Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik, but all flights were canceled in April for this year. 

The airline then completely withdrew from selling all routes to Croatia for the summer flight schedule in 2021, so at one point, the Aegean Airlines return to Croatian airports was questionable. The worst-case scenario, however, will not materialize - the Greek airline has returned three routes for sale; from Athens to Dubrovnik, Split, and Zagreb.

In the peak of the 2021 summer season, Aegean Airlines announces 22 weeks of flights to and from Croatia!

On all routes to Croatia, Aegean Airlines is announcing aircraft from the A320 family, which will lead to an increase in capacity, given that in the summer flight schedule in 2019, a certain number of flights were operated by DashQ400 aircraft.

Athens - Zagreb

Aegean Airlines introduced the Athens-Zagreb-Athens route in May 2018, operating on it with the mentioned DashQ400 aircraft 3 times a week. Although the line was supposed to operate only in the summer flight schedule, the company left it in traffic in the winter as well, with two flights a week, except in January and February when it was briefly interrupted due to low demand. In the summer of 2019, this line operated four times a week, which was the plan for the summer of this year, but with larger aircraft from the A320 family.

Aegean Airlines has released tickets on this route for the summer of next year. It will be in operation from the very beginning of the summer flight schedule, on March 31, and the flights are on sale until the end of October, more precisely, on October 30, 2021.

On the route between Zagreb and Athens, two flights a week will be available, every Wednesday and Saturday, on A319 aircraft, which have a significantly higher capacity compared to the DashQ400 (144 versus 78 seats).

Thus, in the summer of 2021, Aegean Airlines will offer as many as 17,856 seats between Athens and Zagreb!

Although the capacity is significantly higher due to the change in aircraft type compared to 2019, while the number of weekly flights has been reduced, the total number of seats offered between the two capitals will be only slightly reduced. The planes will operate on this line in the morning. Arrival in Zagreb is planned at 09 hours and 5 minutes, and departure to Athens at 9 hours and 50 minutes.

Athens - Split

Aegean launched the line to Split in the summer of 2016 and has been systematically increasing its capacity ever since, mostly increasing the number of weekly flights. For example, in the summer of 2018, this line had four flights a week, while in the summer of 2019, a fifth flight was added. DashQ400 aircraft operated on the route.

In the summer of 2021, Aegean Airlines announces four flights a week on the Athens-Split-Athens route. The line will operate from May 18 to October 7, 2021, with A319 aircraft that have the already mentioned capacity of 144 passengers in the fleet of this carrier. 

Split and Athens will be connected by direct flights on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays; on Mondays and Fridays in the afternoon, and Tuesdays and Thursdays in the morning.

Given that there is a change in the type of aircraft on this route, and consequently a significantly higher capacity on each flight to and from Split Airport, Aegean Airlines will have almost 24 thousand seats on sale in the summer of 2021!

Athens - Dubrovnik

Aegean introduced the line to Dubrovnik in the summer of 2015, continuously increasing the number of weekly flights from season to season, just as is the case with the line to Split. In the peak summer season in 2019, the line operated 5 times a week, with A320 and DashQ400 aircraft.

The Greek airline plans to restart this route as early as March 29, 2021, starting with two flights a week, Mondays and Saturdays. From May 20, the third flight is added weekly, every Thursday, and from June 4, flights on Fridays and Sundays.

Aegean will thus increase its capacity to Dubrovnik, considering that A319 and A320 aircraft were announced on the flights, while in the summer of 2019, smaller capacity aircraft - DashQ400 - also operated on the route.

The line to Dubrovnik will be reduced in the postseason. Namely, from September 30 to October 30, it should operate three times a week, on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Aegean will monitor the status of bookings on all routes and, if necessary, react by increasing weekly flights in the next summer season, with Zagreb having the best chances for another flight per week.

In addition to a direct line to Athens, Aegean has a wide network of destinations throughout Greece in its fleet. Given that an increasing number of Croatian citizens spend their summer holidays in Greece, destinations such as Heraklion, Chania, Santorini, Karpathos, Rhodes, Kos, and others should be easily accessible again next summer!

For the latest travel info, bookmark our main travel info article, which is updated daily. 

Read the Croatian Travel Update in your language - now available in 24 languages.

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