July 4, 2022 - The latest flight news to Croatia as Iberia Croatia flights are boosted from Madrid to Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik, running daily by the end of the month! 

Spanish airline and OneWorld alliance member Iberia has increased the number of flights to Croatian airports this month, reports Croatian Aviation. 

Compared to June, Iberia offers a greater number of weekly operations to three Croatian airports from its main hub in Madrid this month. Namely, Iberia will increase the number of operations to Split and Dubrovnik at the end of July, and for now, daily flights to these two cities have been announced in August.

Between Madrid and Zagreb, Iberia plans to operate a total of 14 return flights in July, and flights are available three times a week, on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. From July 30, flights are available daily until the end of August.

Between Split and Madrid, Iberia currently operates on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and from the end of July, an increase in weekly operations has been announced on this line as well, from the existing 3 to a total of 7 flights per week (daily)! 

Unlike Split and Zagreb, Iberia already operates daily to Dubrovnik Airport, and 7 flights per week are planned until the end of July. Since the beginning of August, the Spanish airline has offered two daily flights on this route (14 per week), but there is still a possibility of reducing the announced number of flights on this route for August. 

In total, 58 return flights are available on Iberia's routes between Madrid, Dubrovnik, Split, and Zagreb in July, mostly with A320 aircraft, which in the fleet of this carrier have a capacity of between 136 and 171 seats. In July alone, more than 18,000 seats are available on the mentioned lines! 

Before the global pandemic, Iberia operated in the winter months to Dubrovnik and Zagreb, but after the end of the lockdown in Europe, the lines operated as seasonal. 

For more on flights to Croatia and other travel announcements, make sure to check out our dedicated travel section.

July 3, 2022 - The NomadList 2022 State of Digital Nomads report is out - and there is lots of good news for Croatia.

It is hard to imagine that a little over 2 years ago, the term 'digital nomad' was almost unheard of in Croatia. An open letter to the Prime Minister from a Dutch entrepreneur in Split asking for a digital nomad visa changed all that, setting in motion a chain of events where the term 'digitalni nomadi' is now a widely recognised term in the Croatian language by the majority of the population. 

And the nomads are coming... and liking what they see. Award-winning events such as the Dubrovnik Digital Nomads-in-Residence programme and Zagreb Digital Nomad Week have helped to put Croatia on the remote work map, and Croatia is now featuring regularly in the top places to enjoy the remote work revolution. 

Getting accurate data about how many digital nomads there are, where they travel to, and what their preferences are, has been a challenge, however, as such data is not captured by traditional data collection methods. One of the most respected sources of data, collected in real time from actual registered nomads, comes from one of the leading websites catering to the digital nomad community - NomadList. 

Last year, NomadList released a major survey about the digital nomad lifestyle, extrapolating data from their members, and there was plenty of good news for Croatia. As TCN reported at the time, Croatia was placed second as the most liked country for nomads behind Japan, while Zagreb made it to the top 5 most-liked cities in the world (and the first in Europe).  You can read more analysis of last year's survey here.

The NomadList 2022 survey has just been released, and there is LOTS of good news for Croatia, as well as evidence that the remote work revolution is spreading around the country. In addition to Croatia being named as the most-liked country in Europe again (and globally number 2 behind Japan), no less than five Croatian destinations make it into one of the top 10 lists in the survey - Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar, and Hvar. 

An explanation about the data for the NomadList 2022 survey from the website itself:

In this report, we try to figure out who these people are, what work do they do, and how they spend their life based on data from tens of thousands of Nomad List members. In this report, we try to figure out who these people are, what work do they do, and how they spend their life based on data from tens of thousands of Nomad List members. This page is built LIVE with data pulled straight from the database every day, so it's always up-to-date. Conclusions you can derive from this are always limited and merely indicative but possibly interesting. Nomad List is a paid membership community, which means there's a selection bias as people who do not or cannot pay are not in the dataset. On the other hand, free digital nomad communities, like on Facebook, require no commitment to join, therefore it's not clear if these people are merely aspirational or active nomads or not. On Nomad List we can confirm they are active based on their travel logs.

You can see the full report here. 

I won't pretend I fully understand the criteria behind what defines attractive men and women, but I include it as it shows that other destinations such as Hvar are now being discovered. There is a real buzz about Croatia at the moment, and several destinations are now joining the remote work revolution, and I would fully expect several more Croatian destinations to be part of the 2023 survey. 

One interesting list was that of Croatia's inclusion at number 5 in the destinations where female nomads go more than male nomads, a nod I think to the fact that Croatia is a very safe country in general, with many female travellers commenting on how safe it feels to travel around. 

Perhaps the most satisfying find of all, however, is the rise of Zagreb, Europe's fastest-growing remote work hub in the last 5 years, and the fourth fastest in the world. With much of that growth coming last year and coinciding with the inaugural Zagreb Digital Nomad Week, it is hoped that this year's ZDNW in October will continue that trend. 

For more news and features on digital nomads in Croatia, follow the dedicated TCN section.  

July 2, 2022 - It's no surprise that Split has been busy, but just how packed the bustling Dalmatian city is can be seen in the Split tourist traffic this weekend. And Ultra Europe isn't even here! 

Split Airport expects 49,000 passengers on 205 planes this weekend, while more than 62,000 passengers and 13,000 vehicles will pass through the ferry port, reports Jutarnji List.

Mate Melvan, the head of the reception and dispatch service at the Split Airport, said that 205 planes and 49,000 passengers are expected at Resnik this weekend.

He reminded us that the Ultra Europe music festival starts next week and that they expect travelers from more than 140 countries worldwide. Intensive preparations have already begun, and they believe the traffic will be even greater, as the influx of passengers has been noticeable for days.

"We can say that the traffic is reminiscent of 2019, which was a record year in terms of the number of tourists, that is, we are certainly at the level of that year, and according to the announcements, even higher. It is important to see how the problems at airports around the world and flight cancellations will develop. Certainly, from today until the end of July, we expect between 20 and 30 thousand passengers per day," announced Melvan.

He added that they expect between 25 and 40 private planes to land at Split Airport this year because of Ultra, which will bring many DJs.

More than 62,000 passengers and 13,000 vehicles will also pass through the Split city port this weekend. Jadrolinija coordinator Jelena Ivulić says that on Friday, in addition to many regular lines, they also had an extra line to Supetar. While they are running all regular lines today, given the great interest of passengers, an extra line to Brač could sail by the end of the day.

"The situation in the port is such that all our ferries are full on all routes. Therefore, I can freely say that the crowding in the port is constant, and it continued today," Ivulić pointed out.

You can see photos of the crowds in Split on Jutarnji List. 

July 1, 2022 - The latest flight news to Croatia as Air France Croatia flights are significantly boosted this month to Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik airports. 

French national airline Air France will significantly increase the number of weekly operations to Croatian airports in July from its main hub in Paris, Charles de Gaulle Airport, reports Croatian Aviation. 

In the first 10 days of July, Air France significantly increases the number of weekly flights to three Croatian airports. A second daily flight to Zagreb is being introduced, traffic to Split is being restored, and the number of weekly operations to Dubrovnik is increasing.

Second daily flight to Zagreb
Throughout the year, Air France operates daily between Paris and Zagreb in the afternoon hours. Until now, HOP operated on the route with E90 aircraft, and from July 9, Air France aircraft will also operate on this route, namely A318, A 319, and A320.

Additionally, from the same date, a second daily flight to Zagreb will be introduced, which will operate every day, except Saturdays, in the morning hours. Only Air France aircraft, A319, and A320, were announced on this line in July.

From the mentioned date, Zagreb will have three daily flights from and to Paris, and one daily flight on this route is operated by Croatia Airlines, on which Air France has code-share cooperation with the Croatian national airline.

Return to Split Airport
Air France is returning to Split Airport at the beginning of July. Six flights a week have been announced, every day except Saturdays. HOP with E90 aircraft will operate on the route for Air France. 

Croatia Airlines also operates on this route with A319 aircraft, as well as low-cost airlines such as easyJet.

More operations to Dubrovnik
The French airline has operated to Dubrovnik Airport for some time. The first flight of this season took place on May 1, but from July 10 the number of flights will increase from two to a total of seven flights per week. In addition to A319 and A320 aircraft, A321 aircraft, which in the Air France fleet have a capacity of 212 seats, will also frequently fly to Dubrovnik.

Additionally, Air France will introduce a second daily flight between Dubrovnik and Paris, on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, so it will operate between the two cities 11 times a week. In addition to Air France, Croatia Airlines and British easyJet operate on this route.

In total, from the beginning of July, Air France will operate between Paris and the three mentioned Croatian airports more than 30 times a week, which exceeds the figures from the record summer season of 2019, especially in terms of the capacity offered.

For more on flights to Croatia and other travel announcements, make sure to check out our dedicated travel section.

June 28, 2022 - The 2022 Ultra Europe fashion collection is here for both men and women - and it is entirely produced in Croatia!

The season of summer music events is here, and with the biggest music event in the region around the corner, ULTRA Europe is here to help you find the best fashion fits. In addition to a stellar lineup and fantastic production, one of the most important and recognizable aspects of ULTRA is the full range of creative and innovative fashion from visitors from more than 140 countries, making the Youth Park stadium a diverse mix of cultures and personal styles. The ULTRA Europe Festival has become recognized as an unusual music and fashion playground, which promotes inclusiveness, creativity, and authenticity. Thus, this year, an entire fashion collection for women and men has been revealed! 

The main actors of the latest collection are reflective holographic bomber jackets, neon leather designs, neon tones on T-shirts, caps, backpacks, and sunglasses that perfectly reflect the vibe of the ULTRA Europe festival. Combined with various details, they create an authentic neo-cyberpunk look. To take your outfit to an even higher level, there are also bracelets, flags, bandanas, and bucket hats, which are an absolute hit all over the world this season.

This year's collection also presents a new line dedicated to one of the world's most famous music programs, which has its special stage in the Youth Park. Namely, the RESISTANCE program focuses on underground electronic musicians and offers the integration of an independent fashion scene with dark techno vibes. Black hoodies, T-shirts, and fashion accessories such as caps with military details are just some of the pieces in this year's festival collection.

The entire textile range is produced in Croatia, from certified materials and can be purchased on the West Coast in Split from July 5 to 12, at the camp in Omis from July 7 to 12, and at several locations within the Park Youth. Payment is possible with all cards, and through the cashless system, and for all purchases over 300 kuna, a drawstring backpack is added to the purchase until stocks last. In addition, for all purchases over HRK 350 with a Mastercard card, a 10% discount is granted.

The collection was shot at the Secret club in Zagreb. In front of the lens of photographer Mario Poje were two famous Croatian models, Lana Klarić and Sandro Stanojević. Karla Glasnović (Profokus) was the makeup artist, while Fran Brunović (Profokus) was in charge of the hair.

The Croatian National Tourist Board and Samsung Electronics Adriatic are proud partners of the ULTRA Europe festival. ULTRA Europe is held at the Youth Park from July 8 to 10 and then embarks on Brač, Hvar, and Vis islands. Several international stars are arriving in Split, including Above & Beyond, Adam Beyer, Afrojack, Alesso, Amelie Lens, Armin van Buuren, DJ Snake, Hardwell, Joseph Capriati, Marco Carola, Martin Garrix, Marshmello, Nicky Romero, Nina Kraviz, Oliver Heldens, Richie Hawtin, Steve Aoki, Tiësto, Timmy Trumpet, and Vini Vici, and will be joined by ACRAZE, Airod, ANNA, Frank Walker, Ilario Alicante, Krewella, Sam Feldt and SOFI TUKKER [DJ set].

All information about the festival can be found on the official website www.ultraeurope.com. 

All photos by Mario Poje

For more, check out our lifestyle section.

June 28, 2022 - The latest flight news as Croatia flight cancelations in July from Eurowings, Austrian, Lufthansa, and easyJet have been announced. 

Eurowings, Lufthansa, and Austrian Airlines have canceled a total of 55 return flights to Croatian airports announced in July this year, all to ensure regular operations due to a lack of staff within the airlines and at the airports to which they operate, reports Croatian Aviation. 

The three mentioned Lufthansa Group carriers canceled 55 return flights to Zagreb, Rijeka, Pula, Zadar, Split, and Dubrovnik.

Lufthansa has reduced the number of flights on only one route to Croatia, between Zagreb and Munich, so in July, it will operate 6 instead of 7 times a week on this route, for a total of 28 return flights.

Low-cost airline Eurowings reduces traffic on 10 international routes to six Croatian airports:

Cologne - Rijeka, instead of 13, announced 9 flights (canceled 4),

Cologne - Zadar, instead of 13, announced 9 flights (canceled 4),

Cologne - Zagreb, instead of 26, 14 flights announced (12 canceled),

Cologne - Dubrovnik, suspended line, last flight performed on June 12,

Dusseldorf - Rijeka, instead of 14, 11 flights announced (3 canceled),

Dusseldorf - Zagreb, instead of 13, 9 flights announced (4 canceled),

Stuttgart - Pula, instead of 7, 6 flights announced (1 canceled),

Stuttgart - Rijeka, instead of 9, 6 flights announced (3 canceled),

Stuttgart - Split, instead of 41, 38 flights announced (3 canceled),

Stuttgart - Zagreb, instead of 23, announced 14 flights (canceled 9),

In July, Austrian Airlines continues to operate daily to Adriatic airports, Zadar, Split, and Dubrovnik, but significantly reduces the number of flights to Zagreb airport. 

Instead of 53 scheduled return flights in July, Austrian has canceled 9 and now plans 44 flights on this route for July.

The Lufthansa Group is no exception among carriers. Companies and airports were not ready for high demand this summer, resulting in a shortage of workforce in all segments of air transport, from a lack of flight and cabin staff to the crew at airports (check-in, loading, and unloading of luggage, general reception and departure of passengers and aircraft). There are also standard problems with the workforce in air traffic control, which is why aircraft in the summer months rarely take off (and land) according to the planned flight schedule.

Given that the number of monthly flights by the Lufthansa Group to Croatian airports is relatively large, 55 canceled flights to Croatia in July is not a huge number, especially if this will relieve the pressure on the previously mentioned stakeholders and enable some normalization of air traffic in the peak season. 

Furthermore, Croatian Aviation reports that British low-cost airline easyJet canceled 15 return flights previously announced to three Croatian airports - Pula, Rijeka, and Split. The airline also cites major operational problems at airports in London (Gatwick) and Paris (Charles de Gaulle).

On the route from London (Gatwick) to Pula, easyJet offered 27 return flights in July until Sunday, but three flights were canceled, and 24 are now available for booking.

There were supposed to be 13 return flights between Paris and Pula in July, but easyJet canceled four return flights, and only nine are now available.

easyJet has the largest number of summer flights to Split Airport, to which only six flights are currently canceled. Namely, between Gatwick and Split, 95 return flights are planned in July (previously 99), while between Paris and Split, 38 return flights are now available (previously 40).

easyJet continuously cancels flights on the new route between Rijeka and London, originally announced twice a week. The airline also cut the weekly operations in July and canceled announced flights on Tuesdays, leaving only flights on Saturdays on sale. For now, only flights on July 5 and 12 have been canceled, but the carrier has not yet revised the flight schedule for the second half of July, so further reductions may happen. 

For more on flights to Croatia and other travel announcements, make sure to check out our dedicated travel section.

June 27, 2022 - This summer, guests at Marvie Hotel & Health can win an incredible prize by filming and promoting the natural, cultural, and historical beauties of Dalmatia. 

This year, Marvie Hotel & Health in Split has decided to relaunch “Reel Story of Croatia” - its contest of the decade, and just like last summer, its guests have the chance to win an incredible ten years of hotel stays for two people! 

This intriguing prize includes 3 free nights at Marvie Hotel with breakfast for two, each year from 2023 to 2032! From June 1st to September 30th, all guests who spend at least one night at this hotel with the most beautiful panoramic rooftop pool in Split can participate in this exciting contest and win a decade of hotel stays in a Superior Room overlooking the islands. 

Hotel guests become ambassadors of Dalmatia's beauties 

Hotel Marvie has created this contest exclusively for its guests with the aim of promoting the beauties of the Croatian coast and its inland region. The task is simple: aim to capture the most beautiful moments of your vacation in Croatia via Instagram, i.e. via Reel videos - and just like last summer, the best clip, selected by the Hotel Management team, will win a decade of stays in a sea-view Superior room overlooking the islands. Last year's extremely successful contest involved many hotel guests and over 50 Reel videos generated more than 150,000 views from Instagram users all around the world. 

Last year’s winner was London-based Patrick Whelan 

Last year, the Marvie Hotel Management team had the difficult task of selecting a winner among many great videos, and in the end, Patrick Whelan from Britain collected his decade of hotel stays with his creative Reel. 

The lucky Englishman received the official confirmation at his home address in London. The winning video in which he shared his hotel and destination experience in Split in just 30 seconds can be viewed below. 

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Although this was not the original plan, Marvie also decided to give out a second prize to guest Aine Webster for her Reel. Aine was awarded 3 free nights in 2022! 

What can we expect this year? 

"This year we expect even more views and Reels of our beautiful Dalmatia," says Marvie Hotel & Health GM Diana Rubić. 

Diana reveals that the guests' response last year exceeded their expectations and that they also fell in love with Dalmatia again while viewing the scenes of natural and cultural beauties recorded for the Reels.

“We are aware that most of our guests come to Marvie because of the beauty that our nature, history, and culture offer them. With this contest, our goal is to say thank you to every guest who has chosen our hotel and the city of Split as their summer home and give them the opportunity to stay with us for the next 10 years," added GM Rubić.

So, how to win 10 years of stays at Marvie? 

You already have and use everything you need to participate in this contest. The #reelstoryofcroatia contest takes place entirely on Instagram! Just grab your smartphone and be creative. To participate, record a Reels or Instagram video post which describes your holiday experience in Dalmatia in an inspiring, honest, and authentic way, then publish it via your public profile with the hashtags #reelstoryofcroatia and #marviehotel. In addition, make sure you follow Marvie Hotel & Health’s Instagram profile. 

Which moments you will choose to capture is entirely up to you - for inspiration, feel free to check out Marvie’s compilation of last year’s entries here. 

The contest lasts from June 1st to September 30th, 2022, and only hotel guests who spend a minimum of one night in the specified period can participate. The winner will be selected by the expert jury of Marvie Hotel, on October 10th, 2022. You can find more about the contest on Marvie Hotel & Health’s website.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated travel section.

ZAGREB, 26 June 2022 - A total of 27,468 voters, or 21.74 per cent, turned out by 4.30 pm on Sunday for an early local election in the southern coastal city of Split, which is 12 per cent less than at the same time at last year's ordinary local elections.

The citizens of Split are choosing a mayor among nine candidates, and 31 city councillors from 11 lists of candidates. Voters can cast their ballots at 163 polling stations, which opened at 7 am and close at 7 pm.

The State Electoral Commission (DIP) is due to announce initial results on its website at 9 pm.

The nine mayoral candidates are: Ivica Puljak of the Centre party; Zoran Đogaš, who is supported by the HDZ and HSS parties; former mayor Željko Kerum, backed by his HGS party; Josip Markotić of the Bridge party; the SDP's candidate  Davor Matijević; independent Ante Franić; Kristina Vidan of the Smart (Pametno) party; Tamara Visković of the We Can and New Left parties, and Aris Zlodre of the Homeland Movement.

The snap election in Croatia's second largest city was called after Mayor Ivica Puljak and his two deputies, who were elected in 2022, resigned on 8 April following a scandal involving Deputy Mayor Bojan Ivošević, who threatened a local reporter and was subsequently indicted for intimidation. After their resignation, members of the 31-seat City Council also stepped down.

(Hina) vm

June 25, 2022 - A look at the booming Split international food scene and what has opened this year. 

International flavors have increasingly shown their face in Split over the last few years, but it's hard to say if they've been as prevalent as in 2022. After the tastes of Mexico, China, and Japan became more common to find, this year, Split is alive with new international flair to the delight of tourists, expats, and locals alike. 

Here's a look at what's new in 2022. 

Siam Thai Food

Split finally has a Thai food restaurant! After Siam Thai opened in Kaštela over a year ago, the citizens of Split eagerly awaited its more central location - and this summer, we finally have it. Siam Thai opened in Pohodnik, or the tunnel underneath Split's Green Market (Pazar), offering takeout, delivery, and a handful of tables for those who want to dine in. With authentic pad Thai, curries, and spring rolls, Siam offers the best selection of Thai food favorites with hefty portions at reasonable prices. 

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Rooh Indian 

And we finally have Indian food, too! One international cuisine expats especially have been waiting for is finally here. Rooh opened in the heart of Split a few months ago with everything one would expect from a traditional Indian restaurant. With a selection of naan bread, tandoori dishes, the popular honey chili cauliflower, samosas, and biriyani - Rooh has it all. And they know a thing or two about heat! Rooh has both indoor and outdoor seating and is located just off of Marmontova. 

Zuva

African is a rather unexpected cuisine you'd find in Split, that is, until now. But in an effort to make sure it appeals to more familiar tastes, Zuva mixes the flavors of the Mediterranean with Africa, offering sourdough toasties and shakshuka among their breakfast items to oysters, Cape Malay curry, crispy African 'sadza', chicken, steak, and pasta mains, and sticky malva pudding for dessert. Zuva has a large outdoor terrace just opposite the Cornaro hotel. 

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Sanctuary Cantina

Everyone's favorite craft cocktail bar is transforming into a Mexican cantina this summer! Known for whipping up espresso martinis and old-fashioned's, Sanctuary Cantina is a new Mexican restaurant in town, with an extensive selection of tequilas, margaritas, mezcal, and authentic Mexican dishes, like beef barbacoa, ancho chicken, and pork carnitas as the stars of their burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and more! 

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Casa de Fuego 

And if you're looking for something a bit more low-key? Casa de Fuego is a new Mexican fast food restaurant in town, where ground beef burritos, hard shell tacos, and churros are king. Casa de Fuego has limited seating inside and is great if you're on the go. 

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Pinsa Romana

Considering Romans did rule Split once upon a time, it's no surprise that a Roman-inspired sandwich shop has opened in Split. Pinsa Romana brings Roman street food sandwiches and 100% Italian specialties to the center of town, right across from the famous fish market. Enjoy mortadella sandwiches with pistachio pesto, stracciatella, and the only original parmigiana in town!

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Morfar 

Did someone say empanadas? An Argentinian deli has opened in Split in the tunnel next to HNK, offering handmade empanadas, yerba mate, dulce de leche, Argentinian wine, and more. 

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For more, check out our lifestyle section.

June 24, 2022 - 7-year-itch or continued bliss? A reflection on 7 years in Split by TCN's Daniela Rogulj. 

June 24th marks my Croatia anniversary. It is officially the longest place I have lived outside the small town of Fallbrook, California - the so-called 'avocado capital of the world' and an agricultural oasis an hour north of San Diego, where I was born and raised. San Francisco took the cake before Split, where I spent six years attending university and launching myself as a fresh-faced 21-year-old into the fast-paced startup world. I had no idea then that I would end up in Croatia, let alone Europe, at 24. California was my home. The state that made me. But Croatia has transformed me into who I am today. 

I know I've said this many times, and anyone who knows me or has followed my journey here knows that I moved to Split accidentally. After spending six months in London, I was desperate to finalize my Croatian citizenship to either stay in London or move anywhere else in Europe (like Berlin). During that time, my parents moved to Split to retire, and one month later, I visited them to sort out citizenship paperwork and enjoy the same Croatian summer I had since I was a little girl. 

I arrived on June 24, 2015. It was the summer that changed my perception of Split. It was no longer the port city I had remembered. It had transformed from the transport hub we would visit as a family on the way to Hvar or a short stint for a Hajduk match. Split had come to life in a different light in 2015. There was a new renaissance. Bustling restaurants and bars. Expats. And locals that I still call friends. 

After the season's changed and my citizenship was approved, I was convinced to stay in Split a little longer. It wasn't easy to find work here at first, and it took almost a year after I arrived to find the gig that changed my course in Croatia. My professional work experience was in marketing and communications, first as a sales & marketing intern at a San Francisco startup before taking on a role as the community manager of a new photo/video app rivaling Instagram, then ultimately co-founding an app in e-commerce. What in the world could I do with that in Split? Was tech even a thing here? Did a startup environment even exist? 

I graduated from university with a degree in political science, which I completed to become a political journalist. Otherwise, I've always been right-brained, favoring creativity, imagination, and arts. I knew I was a good writer. I knew what I was capable of in terms of marketing. But I also knew my work in hospitality was limited to managing a cupcake shop while studying at university. I didn't want to work a seasonal hospitality job because it was the norm. I was motivated and hungry to start something but knew I needed to start somewhere first. 

My first 'job' in Split was working alongside a booking agent known for his roster of big bands like TBF and up-and-coming artists like Sara Renar. With my dad's background in the music industry as a travel agent for entertainment, this felt like a good fit. It was a good insight into how things worked in Croatia and how coffee meetings were king, but it was only the beginning. 

A few months later, my mom sent me a Facebook post about how Total Split of the Total Croatia News brand was looking for a new writer. Well, this seemed perfect, but I hadn't written blogs in a few years, nor did I know Split inside out yet. I applied, anyhow. I didn't hear anything for a few weeks and assumed that was the end. In the meantime, I had to take a last-minute trip back to the States, which would keep me in California for three weeks. I received an email from TCN the second I landed at LAX. The TCN team was still eager to continue with my application process, and I met with Paul Bradbury the day after I arrived back in Split. I started working with TCN the day after that and celebrated my 6th anniversary with the company last month, which is also officially the longest time I've spent employed at a single place. 

My role with TCN has evolved over the years, from writing for Total Split and Total Inland Dalmatia to covering travel news and lifestyle events. Though it really took form when I took over as Sports Editor in 2017, especially after a former colleague told me I would never see a press pass for Croatia national team games. As an avid football player for most of my life, a coach's daughter, and a FIFA referee's granddaughter, I wasn't going to let anyone get in the way of my love for Croatian football. Since then, I've been an accredited journalist at nearly all Croatia national team matches, Hajduk matches, and traveled around Europe for Europa League, UEFA Nations League, and EURO 2020. I recorded 20+ international radio interviews during the 2018 World Cup and even became the Croatian correspondent for the largest sports radio station in the world. Today I am not only the Sports Editor of Total Croatia News but the COO. Did this all stem from a local telling me, "I will never get X in Croatia"? It was certainly part of it. Do I think I would have achieved the same success in the US? I'm not sure. But this also shows that if you put your mind to something, you can achieve it, and it feels even better when you do it in Croatia. 

Always running into people that needed my native English flair for various tourism projects, I also launched a copywriting business in 2017, which has grown to more clients than I can handle by myself. It is a niche, but it is needed, and the increasing demand for storytelling in Croatian tourism has undoubtedly helped. I'm busier than ever, and my work doesn't stop when the seasons change. I am eternally grateful to everyone that has given me an opportunity here, told me I couldn't, or motivated me to do more. I work from home, have flexible hours (which, let's be honest, is 7 am to 11 pm every day), and can afford an apartment I love, on my own, without any help from the money I made in America (that was all spent in 2015). I am proud of what I have achieved here but am even more appreciative of what Croatia has taught me about myself. 

So, after 7 years in Croatia, what have I learned? 

Paul Bradbury is famous for saying, "don't expect to change Dalmatia but expect it to change you." And it has. 

To start - has it aged me? Tremendously, because I've never worked harder in my life. But I am thankful that my continued work ethic helped launch a career here that I love, that is my own, and that gave me a world of opportunities I never imagined, making the increasingly appearing frown lines a bit easier to look at every morning. 

I've learned to stop drawing comparisons between Croatia and the US because you can't. Croatia has what the US doesn't - both good and bad. While I likely work just as much as I would have in the States, er, maybe more, I'm happier. I am not following the rat race of the working world in America. I wake up to the Adriatic Sea every morning. And I feel at peace. The anxieties that come with living in America alone aren't worth the higher salaries. And I make sure to tell every Uber driver that questions why I would swap California for Split about how good we have it here and how the grass isn't always greener on the other side (political circus and bureaucracy aside). 

I remember being so worried about making new friends in Split when I arrived, but the truth is, it was easier than I thought - and much more genuine than some of the relationships I had in California. I quickly found my pack here, and while it has evolved over the years, the foundation has remained the same. It's not hard to surround yourself with equally driven people. Most of my friends are business owners, many foreigners, and incredible locals doing amazing things. I've learned that the community in Split is beyond special, but you must be careful who you choose to be a part of yours. With that said, I still maintain the importance of staying in your bubble and only letting those you trust in. You never know when someone's pride may get in the way. And you know how proud some Croatians can be. 

I've only recently learned that setting boundaries are essential. Once you put yourself out there as a yes woman, people expect that of you, and you hold those standards for yourself. Maybe part of me needed to do that for the last seven years to finally be in the place of comfort I am now and gain that respect, but people can also easily take advantage of your eagerness, and while they're getting what they want - you're the one suffering. Transparency and communication are key in all work here because miscommunication or misunderstandings often happen. It's important to work with people you wholly trust and build those relationships as they will ultimately bring more. 

And back to "don't expect to change Dalmatia but expect it to change you." Dalmatia - is a beast. The best of the best and the worst of the worst at times. Overall, you learn to adapt, become softer and tougher simultaneously, and learn how to navigate what works and what doesn't. You can push for something for years without seeing the light of day, or something can fall into your lap. You never really know what will take off and won't, which can be disheartening. But that doesn't mean you should give up if you believe in something. 

Also, it's okay to celebrate your success. I know that's sometimes 'taboo' in Croatia, but we should all pat ourselves on the back for what we have achieved here, as even the smallest victories can make the biggest impact. 

In the last year alone, my experiences in Split have shaken my core. I've had my heart broken, my world rattled, and I thought about leaving Croatia for good. But I always came back to the same thing - could I really leave this place? The place that has given me everything? I couldn't. And I wouldn't change the passion and pride of Split people (or the frustrations) for anything in the world. 

Seven years in Split and at least another seven more - here's to the place that changed me for the better. 

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