June 22, 2020 - The 30th round of the Croatian First League was played from June 20 to 21, 2020. This round saw losses for Rijeka and Hajduk, while Dinamo mathematically secured their 31st title.

Inter Zapresic v. Osijek (0:1)

Inter and Osijek opened the 30th round on Saturday, June 20, 2020, in Zagreb. 

While the first half went without goals, Maric scored for Osijek in the 67th minute for 0:1 and the final score of the game. 

Inter is currently in the last place with 17 points, while Osijek is in 3rd with 52. 

Varazdin v. Istra 1961 (3:0)

Varazdin and Istra met at NK Varteks Stadium on Saturday, June 20, 2020. 

Another game that saw no goals in the first half, Obregon opened the scoring for Varazdin with a goal in the 54th minute, while Drozdek (85') and Petkovic (95') made it 3:0. 

Varazdin is currently in 8th place with 24 points, while Istra is in 9th with 22. 

Gorica v. Dinamo (0:0)

Gorica and Dinamo met in Velika Gorica on Saturday, June 20, 2020. 

A rather uneventful game that went without goals, Gorica and Dinamo ended 0:0.

Gorica is currently in 6th place with 40 points, while Dinamo is in first with 72 and has mathematically clinched the Croatia First League title. 

Slaven Belupo v. Rijeka (1:0)

Belupo and Rijeka met in Koprivnica on Sunday, June 21, 2020. 

Mateus' goal in the 30th minute was enough for Belupo, who held their own for the victory against Rijeka. 

Belupo is currently in 7th place with 31 points, While Rijeka is in 4th with 52. 

Lokomotiva v. Hajduk (3:2)

Lokomotiva and Hajduk closed out the 30th round in Zagreb on Sunday, June 21, 2020. 

A Caktas goal in the 3rd minute of the match gave Hajduk an early lead. A Caktas penalty in the 36th minute made it 0:2. However, Kolinger scored for Lokomotiva right before the half, which ultimately changed the game for Hajduk. 

The game was 1:2 for Hajduk until the 66th minute, when Tuci equalized for 2:2. In the 7th minute of added time (97'), Kolinger gave Lokomotiva the lead, and ultimately the 3:2 win. 

Lokomotiva has now jumped to 2nd place with 53 points, while Hajduk has dropped to 5th place with 51. 

You can see the full HNL table here.

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

June 22, 2020 - The latest news from around Croatia’s airports for flights to Croatia with updates from Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik and Zadar.

Croatian Aviation reports that Turkish Airlines will fly again on the Istanbul-Zagreb route from July 1. 

During the summer, Turkish Airlines operated to Zagreb twice a day, thus offering a large number of connections to other destinations in the world to all passengers from Croatia, of course, in the opposite direction, allowing many tourists to come to Zagreb (especially those from Asia).

Due to the outbreak of the pandemic, Turkish had suspended traffic on all routes, and in the last month, has gradually reintroduced domestic lines within Turkey, and now certain international destinations.

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

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Although before the pandemic, when the airline operated to Zagreb twice a day, the company will now re-launch the line in a reduced form. Namely, the Istanbul - Zagreb - Istanbul line will be run 5 times a week from July 1, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.

On Wednesdays and Sundays, the line will be maintained in the morning, with the A320 aircraft, while on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, the aircraft will operate on this line in the evening with the B737-800 aircraft.

The A320 aircraft in the fleet of this carrier has the capacity for 153 passengers, while aircraft type B737-800 has a capacity of 162 passengers.

Turkish Airlines operates throughout the year on the Istanbul - Dubrovnik route, but currently, this route is not yet announced and there is no specific date for the start of operations of this well-known airline to Dubrovnik Airport.

Tickets are on sale and can be purchased on the airline's website.

Furthermore, Avio Radar reports that over the weekend, LuxAir renewed all three of its routes to Croatia. The first flight landed in Dubrovnik on Saturday, June 20. The first flight carried 54 passengers, while 5 flew back to Luxembourg. This line will be in service on Saturdays, and from July 8 on Wednesdays. 

The second arrival landed in Zadar. This route is planned once a week, on Saturdays, until October 10. On Sunday, June 21, the line to Split was resumed. It will remain in traffic once a week, on Sundays, until October 18. 

With the resumed traffic this weekend, LuxAir is the first airline to already fly on all routes and in the full number of weekly flights according to plan before COVID-19. Bombardier Q400 aircraft have been announced for all flights to Croatia.

June 21, 2020 — Croatia Airlines will increase the frequency of some international routes out of Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik, as well as add a domestic flight to Brač, according to Croatian Aviation.

In the first week of July, the company will increase the number of frequencies on numerous international routes from Zagreb, and introduce one domestic one, towards the airport on Brač, among other additions.

The Croatian national carrier has slowly returned routes suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting travel restrictions.

Here are the changes taking effect July 6, split according to airport:

Zagreb

Flights to Frankfurt will operate as many as 32 times a week:

• Mondays and Sundays four times a day
  
  
• Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays three times a day
  
  
• Saturdays twice a day

Lines to Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Munich and Sarajevo will operate daily, while flights to Zurich, Dubrovnik and Split will operate twice a day.

Flights to Brussels will operate 8 times a week:

• twice a day on Wednesdays and Fridays
  
  
• on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays once a day
  
  

Lines to Paris, London, Dublin and Vienna will operate three times a week, while planes to Rome will take off four times a week.

Flights to Zadar and Pula will occur seven times a week (twice a day on Sundays, no flights on Saturdays).

A direct line to Brač will be introduced. The DashQ400 aircraft will connect these two airports every Tuesday and Saturday.

Split

Direct flights to Copenhagen, London, Vienna and Paris will start once a week, on Saturdays.

The Frankfurt - Split line will operate five times a week, while routes to Munich and Zurich will operate three times a week.

A domestic line between Split and Osijek is being introduced, once a week, on Fridays.

Dubrovnik

The company will also introduce international lines from Dubrovnik.

Direct flights to Dusseldorf and Zurich are introduced, once a week, on Saturdays, while the Dubrovnik-Frankfurt route will be open four times a week (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays).

A domestic line between Dubrovnik and Osijek is being introduced, once a week, every Thursday.

Tickets on all these lines are on sale on the Croatia Airlines website.

ZAGREB, June 20, 2020 - Social Democratic Party (SDP) and RESTART coalition leader Davor Bernardic spoke at an election rally in Split on Saturday, noting that the coastal city was unsafe to live in many regards.

That, he said, refers primarily to violence, lack of jobs, as well as the fate of people who had lived or were living off tourism.

He noted that Croatia as a whole was an unsafe country, with many pensioners having low pensions.

"Many people in Croatia lack safety because they are losing their jobs due to the government's belated decisions... permanent seasonal workers lack safety as well and the unemployed will not have any chance to find work this year."

Also unsafe are members of ethnic, religious and sexual minorities because they are exposed to growing violence, intolerance and hate, he said.

He also noted that 150,000 young people had emigrated from the country due to lack of prospects and that there was also a lack of legal security.

Bernardic said one of his coalition's main goals was the reform of the judiciary to make Croatia a safe country for all its citizens as well as for entrepreneurs.

He said that if it came to power, the RESTART coalition would abolish investment taxes as well as income tax on wages that amount to less than HRK 5,000.

The SDP leader also announced a 10% VAT rate in tourism and catering as well as the adoption of measures to retain jobs, including shorter working hours.

He announced the abolishment of the lump sum tax for small renters and pledged a further reduction of the tax burden on the tourism sector.

Asked how election rallies would look like considering a recent increase in the number of new coronavirus cases, Bernardic said that they had warned about potential risks but that "the government and (PM) Plenkovic made the decision, so responsibility rests with them."

The SDP believes that Croatia has to prepare much better for a second wave of COVID-19.

Commenting on a campaign during which many women have posted their photos on social networks showing them with their middle finger held up at Miroslav Skoro's statements about abortion and rape, Bernardic said that his coalition's view was that women should have the right to choose.

"Such statements push us back to the 19th century and it is good that we have ratified the Istanbul Convention and I believe Skoro and Bridge will support its implementation in the next parliament," said Bernardic.

He said that the RESTART coalition was willing to form a coalition with anyone who passes the election threshold and shares the worldview of RESTART member-parties.

June 20, 2020 - Split restaurants Kadena, Zoi, Zrno Soli, Dvor, Konoba Trs in Trogir and Konoba Jeny in Tucepi have received a Michelin recommendation, while Konoba Trs and Solta Island's Konoba Škoj received the Michelin label Bib Gourmand. 

Slobodna Dalmacija reports that a total of 70 restaurants from all over Croatia are included in the Michelin guide for 2020, which has enriched the Croatian gastro scene with seven new local restaurants bearing the Michelin recommendation.

"Congratulations to all the restaurants from Split-Dalmatia County that deserved the prestigious Michelin awards. We are proud that top Croatian restaurants are our long-term partners and that with their skills and dedication to the top experience of their visitors, they have earned a place in the Michelin guide.

The quality of Croatian restaurants is confirmed year by year by Michelin awards, and we at METRO are extremely glad that the cooperation with the Michelin guide allows us to be a part of the success of top Croatian restaurants in this way as well.

In the current circumstances, when caterers face business challenges, Michelin awards can contribute to positioning Croatian restaurants on the gastronomic map of excellence and that is why I am glad that METRO can further support the promotion of Croatian gastronomy in this way," said Ivana Verunica, director of METRO center in Split.

METRO is a longtime partner of the Michelin guide, which is an international reference for fine-dining and recommends more than 30,000 restaurants in 30 countries.

Split's Konoba Fetivi is also included in the Michelin Guide for 2020, and was first included in the list back in 2018. 

You can see the list of all Croatian restaurants included in the Michelin guide for 2020 HERE.

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

June 20, 2020 - One of the most attractive hotels on the Adriatic will open at the end of June, enclosed within a protected cultural property, which once housed the Cooperative Association and later the University of Split. Meet Fermai, a new place for modern travelers

"Exceptional architecture, top design with carefully selected details, modern, warm, Mediterranean flair - this is how the new luxury hotel Fermai in the center of Split could be described, just a few steps from Diocletian's Palace.

The century-old building, one of the few Art Nouveau in the city, is a masterpiece by architect Petar Senjanovic, and the sophisticated, unpretentious, relaxing interior is signed by the famous Studio Franic Sekoranja. A touch of Art Nouveau elegance, classic and vintage furniture combined with modern details, stretch throughout the hotel, 33 rooms, and two suites.

Fermai is a great choice for modern travelers, lovers of superior design, ambient architecture, Mediterranean atmosphere, and true hedonists who want to experience the local atmosphere in the heart of the city. There is no doubt that the new, urban hotel will attract many citizens of Split who will enjoy their first morning coffee there," reads the announcement for the new hotel. 

The investor, the well-known Split company Quatro Company, invested HRK 42 million in the project, and all works were carried out in cooperation with the Conservation Department in Split.

Slobodna Dalmacija reports that the building that once housed the Rectorate of the University of Split was sold to Quatro, owned by the entrepreneurial family Pulic for 2.7 million euro, at the beginning of 2018. The Rectorate moved to the former "Brodomerkur" administrative building on Poljicka (it should soon move to the University Library on Campus), and the sale price of the property in the Split center was set by Roko Mijanovic, a court construction expert.

Mijanovic prepared a study on the market value of this 1218.1 sqm of real estate and concluded that each square meter is worth EUR 2,175.58. In the meantime, the Art Nouveau building was thoroughly renovated and transformed from an academic building (and formerly a Cooperative Association, as mentioned above) into a new heritage hotel.

You can learn more about Fermai here.

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

June 19, 2020 - The latest news from around Croatia’s airports for flights to Croatia with updates from Split, Dubrovnik and Zadar. 

Avio Radar reports that Polish national airline LOT Polish Airlines, a member of the Star Alliance global aircraft, will resume scheduled international air traffic from July 1. Among the first destinations are three stops in Croatia - Dubrovnik, Split and Zadar. 

Zagreb and Rijeka are not on offer in the first 14 days of traffic. Pula was not planned this year or before the pandemic. The flight schedule is only valid from July 1 to 15. 

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

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The Warsaw-Dubrovnik line will be in traffic twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, instead of the planned 6 times a week (every day except Tuesday). The Warsaw-Split line will be in traffic once a week, on Wednesdays, instead of two flights per week. Flights on Sunday have been canceled. The Warsaw-Zadar route will be offered once a week, on Saturdays, just as it was announced before the pandemic. The Boeing 737-800 aircraft have been announced on all routes to Croatia. 

The biggest news is that the new Budapest-Dubrovnik line, announced for the first time this year, will start operations. Flights will run once a week, on Saturdays, instead of Sunday, which as originally announced. The smaller Embraer ERJ-195 aircraft will fly on this route. 

Avio Radar also reports that Czech airline Smartwings has stopped the sale of all flights on the Prague-Dubrovnik route until the end of the year. The line was planned to operate daily. It was previously delayed until July 1, but is now no longer on offer at all. 

The Prague-Split line already started operating on June 10, and has been planned daily since June 24. If there are no changes, it will be the first regular line that will fly from Europe daily to one of the Croatian destinations on the Adriatic. 

The Ostrava-Split line was supposed to begin operations on June 13, though it has been delayed until further notice. Lines from Poland to Split have been postponed until July 2. 

Lines from Poland to Dubrovnik have also been postponed, but to July 9, while the Gdansk-Dubrovnik route is scheduled to run a week later. 

The Boeing 737-800 aircraft was announced on all routes, but on Wednesday, June 17, a smaller Airbus A319 flew from Prague to Split as a replacement for the partner company CSA Czech Airlines, a member of the SkyTeam global airline association. 

June 18, 2020 - The 29th round of the Croatian First League was played mid-week, from June 16 to 17, 2020. This round saw a shocking Hajduk loss to Varazdin, the second-to-last placed team in the standings. 

Istra 1960 v. Inter Zapresic (2:0)

Istra and Inter opened the 29th round in Pula on Tuesday, June 16, 2020. 

Istra's Bosancic scored the first goal of the game 6 minutes in for 1:0. A Grzan penalty in the 34th minute gave Istra the 2:0 lead, and the final score of the game. 

Istra is currently in 8th place with 22 points, while Inter is in the last place with 17. 

Hajduk v. Varazdin (2:3)

Hajduk and Varazdin met on Tuesday, June 16, 2020, at Poljud Stadium in Split. 

Hajduk was down 0:3 at the half thanks to goals by Drozdek (19', 40') and Mamic (24'). Hajduk's Vuskovic came back for 1:3 in the 49th minute, and Caktas made it 2:3 in the 74th, which was the final score of the game.

Hajduk has now dropped to 3rd place with 51 points, and Varazdin is in 9th place with 21. 

Rijeka v. Lokomotiva (2:2)

Rijeka and Lokomotiva met at Rujevica Stadium on June 16, 2020. 

Lokomotiva took the lead thanks to a Kastrati goal in the 36th minute for 0:1. Yakete equalized in the 66th minute for 1:1, and Andrijasevic gave Rijeka the lead for 2:1. Karacic scored a penalty for Lokomotiva in the 84th for 2:2 and the final score of the game. 

Rijeka is currently in 2nd place with 52 points, while Lokomotiva is in 4th place with 50. 

Dinamo Zagreb v. Slaven Belupo (3:2) 

Dinamo and Belupo met on Wednesday, June 17, 2020, at Maksimir Stadium. 

Dinamo was up by two goals in the 37th minute thanks to Kadzior and Ivanusec, though an own goal by Theophile-Catherine made it 2:1 at the half. Mateus scored the equalizer for  Belupo in the 49th minute, and a late goal by Petkovic in the 90th minute gave Dinamo the 3:2 victory. 

Dinamo is currently in first place with 71 points, while Belupo is in 7th with 28. 

Osijek v. Gorica (2:1)

Osijek and Gorica closed out the 29th round on Wednesday, June 17, 2020. 

Maric put Osijek in the lead in the 35th minute for 1:0 at the half. Zaper increased Osijek's lead to 2:0 in the 57th minute, though a late goal by Lovric in the second minute of injury time made it 2:1.

Osijek is currently in 5th place with 49 points, while Gorica is in 6th with 39. 

You can see the full HNL table here.

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

As Morski writes on the 16th of June, 2020, recently in the Dalmatian city of Split, Tourism Minister Gari Cappelli signed a grant agreement with the Split School of Tourism and Hospitality Management in the total amount of 74.3 million kuna. The project is 85 percent funded by the European Social Fund and 15 percent by the Croatian state budget. The allocated funds cover 100 percent of the eligible costs under the project.

''Tourism development is based on innovation, quality and hospitality. The key element is primarily people, those who create ideas. Education based on continuous improvement, the development of skills and knowledge with top experts and practical experience, is a long-term solution that ensures the future of the country's tourism. Croatian tourism is focused on being the best and this is exactly our desire through this project, to create conditions in which we'll continue to develop human resources and encourage people to be the best in the business in which they're engaged. Along with Split as one of the most promising tourist destinations in the Mediterranean, a total of six regional centres of competence in tourism and hospitality are being set up throughout Croatia, thus creating the backbone of the future strength of Croatian tourism,'' said Minister Cappelli when signing the contract.

It's worth reminding ourselves that more than 500 million kuna has been provided for the concept of regional competence centres from the European Social Fund and the European Regional Development Fund. In the tourism and hospitality sector, six regional competence centres have been appointed. They are the Zabok High School, the Split Tourism and Hospitality School, the Osijek Hospitality and Tourism School, the Opatija Hospitality School, the Pula School of Tourism, Hospitality and Trade and the Dubrovnik Tourism and Hospitality School.

The Regional Centre of Competence in Hospitality and Tourism in Split will implement a project entitled "the Establishment of a Regional Centre of Competence in the Tourism and Hospitality Sector in Split".

The main activities of the project will be focused on the implementation of education, training and education in hospitality and tourism based on work and according to the needs of employers operating within the sector. Thus, the project activities will be carried out with reputable hotel employers, the county's chamber of commerce and others. Through this project, cooperation was ensured with educational institutions, namely with three secondary vocational schools in tourism and hospitality in the county and with the University of Split.

The Regional Competence Centre in Split will develop a standard of occupation, qualifications and a vocational curriculum. In addition, relevant standards and educational programmes in adult education for qualifications will be developed: food and beverage manager, gastronomy specialist for Dalmatian delicacies, event manager, small hotel manager and hotel reception manager. Given the scope of the aforementioned qualifications, the regional centre of competence in hospitality and tourism in Split will profile itself as a centre of excellence that will generate the best and highest quality human potential primarily in the hotel segment, but also through adult education programmes focused on in gastronomy in Dalmatia. In response to the changing needs of the labour market, informal training has been additionally planned.

The development and implementation of regular secondary education programmes, adult education programmes and lifelong learning programmes, the procurement of equipment and innovative programmes for the use of new technologies in this Split facility will ensure the proper working conditions for these programmes, thus becoming a centre of excellence in vocational education and training and lifelong learning in tourism and hospitality.

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June 17, 2020 - The Croatian Institute of Public Health recently published recommendations for swimming in the sea and inland surface waters this summer. Split beaches are getting prepared.

Thus, when swimming, it is recommended to keep a distance of 1.5 meters, and on the beaches, it is necessary to place information on hygienic procedures, proper behavior and protection measures.

For sea bathing areas, the maximum number of persons allowed to stay at the same time is determined according to the principle of 15 persons per 100 m2 of net area.

In accordance with the recommendations, Dalmacija Danas reports that a board has been set up in Žnjan, Split, showing instructions for a safe stay on public beaches.

Goran Les

The Croatian Institute of Public Health recently published recommendations for swimming in the sea and inland surface waters. These recommendations relate to the implementation of measures applicable to bathing in the sea and inland surface waters during the coronavirus epidemic to protect staff and visitors.

In a visible place at the entrance, as well as in the area where visitors stay, it is necessary to place information on hygienic procedures and with guidelines on proper behavior and protection measures to be followed or valid in that area.

If the appropriate infrastructure is available, it is possible to sound voice messages from time to time to remind visitors of the need to maintain physical space and other general measures.

For sea and freshwater bathing areas, the maximum number of persons allowed to stay at the same time is determined according to the principle of 15 persons per 100 m2 of net area.

All visitors and employees are advised to adhere to the rules of physical distance of 1.5 meters.

Recommendations for compliance with all preventive measures apply to all areas of sea and freshwater bathing areas (water surfaces, beaches and areas where locker rooms, toilets are located).

Dispensers with a disinfectant must be installed at reasonable intervals and in visible places (e.g. based on alcohol in a concentration of not less than 70 percent or another agent with declared virucidal action according to the manufacturer's instructions and suitable for use on the skin).

The concessionaire should separate the deckchairs in such a way as to ensure physical distance (provide a person who can supervise the prescribed measures) and disinfect the deckchairs several times a day, always after a certain guest no longer uses the deckchair and before another guest uses it. If the bathing areas provide for other seats, they should also be arranged at a distance of 1.5 m.

It is recommended to place waste bins with appropriate lids in all open swimming areas, as well as at reasonable intervals in open spaces.

When staying in the water, maintain a physical distance of 1.5 m.

It is necessary to intensify the cleaning and disinfection of sanitary facilities every two hours (and more often if necessary), as well as to increase the number of employees for daily cleaning in each sanitary facility. At the same time, the use of sanitary facilities should be limited in accordance with the size and prescribed sanitary conditions.

Food and beverage service areas and shopping facilities at sea and freshwater beaches

Instructions for catering facilities are available on the CNIPH website.

Regular monitoring of water for recreation: Monitoring is carried out by employees of the competent Institute of Public Health, i.e., authorized laboratories in accordance with the Plan and program for monitoring sea beaches and land bathing areas.

Laboratory staff conducting water sampling and analysis should adhere to the usual protection and safety measures when performing sampling and analysis, respecting the rules of the profession, general protection measures and general recommendations on maintaining physical distance and personal hygiene.

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