May 30, 2023 - June is days away, and the main part of the tourist season in Croatia has almost started. The Croatian Tourist Board expects excellent results. The announcements from the most important markets are very good, which was certainly helped by the declaration of the end of the pandemic.

This year, tourism in Europe will reach or exceed the record results from 2019, especially in the Mediterranean, while Croatia has already exceeded these results by June, pointed out the director of the Croatian Tourist Board (HTZ) and vice-president of ETC Kristjan Staničić, as writes Poslovni.

According to the first data from the eVisitor system, from the beginning of this year until May 27, Croatia was visited by 3.5 million tourists, with 10.7 million overnight stays, which is 27 percent more than in the same period last year and 3 percent more than in 2019.

Almost half of all arrivals, or 1.4 million and 4.8 million overnight stays, were achieved until May 27, which is also an increase of 3 percent compared to the same period in 2019, while this is a 24 percent increase compared to last May, said Staničić for Hina after he was re-elected as the vice president of ETC (European Travel Commission, an association of national tourism organizations based in Brussels).

He does believe that the time has come to make a move away from the tourist figures themselves and emphasizes the development of new experiences and motivation for arrivals in the pre- and post-season.

"The focus of everyone in the tourism sector must be on the sustainability of tourism and the positioning of Croatia as a year-round destination, which is what most of the activities are aimed at. There is an opportunity in distant markets, and it is also in the trend that more and more tourists see the ideal time for vacation before and after summer, without the high temperatures, crowds, and with lower prices," says Staničić.

"Croatia was highlighted at ETC meetings even during the pandemic as the most successful tourist destination, so expectations for this tourist season are high, but other ETC member countries also expect a good tourist year", says Staničić, adding that according to ETC research the intention of Europeans to travel is strong and that more than half of them have already booked their next trip, while 59 percent of them are planning two or more trips by the end of September.

When asked how the rise in prices in tourism affects demand, Staničić states that according to ETC research, more Europeans are worried about prices this year than last year, 24 percent versus 18 percent. The same is true of the attitude of concern about the general economic situation and personal finances, but they want to travel and think that they will spend more on travel in the next six months than before, but also try to save when planning, for example, travel more outside the main summer months when prices are more favourable.

The trend is that more arrivals of tourists from the USA are expected in Europe this year, where the number of airline seats for this season has increased by 15 percent compared to 2022, i.e. by 3 percent compared to 2019. Investments in tourism marketing and promotion in almost all countries have also increased.

"Most Croatian competitors are investing more in promotion this year than in previous years, they are very active in the market, some have withdrawn funds from EU funds, and some national tourism organizations have joined forces with the private sector, so everyone expects better results," says Staničić.

HTZ's budget this year of about 34.8 million euros is about 4 percent higher than last year, which, he emphasizes, are amounts that certain competitors exceed many times over, so he considers Croatia's success even greater.

Currently, HTZ implements the so-called main invitation campaign in 14 markets, whose messages have been seen by more than 150 million users through social networks and display advertising so far, so Staničić expects great effects through the achieved results of tourist traffic because, for example, HTZ's TV campaign in Austria, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia and Great Britain encouraged their media to do additional filming in Croatia.

'Testing' of the new umbrella communication concept in the markets until the end of June

By the way, HTZ is in the process of selecting a new umbrella communication concept for Croatian tourism with a new visual identity and slogan, which should replace the current "Croatia, Full of Life". According to Staničić, the solutions of the selected bidders who entered the second phase of the tender have been received, and now the phase of testing the received proposals on foreign markets is coming up, which should be completed by the end of June.

"In the end, the final decision on the selection must be adopted by the Tourist Council of HTZ, and as this is a very important process for us that will determine the communication and promotion of Croatian tourism in the future, we want to be as thorough as possible and choose those solutions that will be best accepted, that is, which will best communicate the brand of Croatian tourism", concludes Staničić.

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

May 2, 2023 - These days, Opatija is full of cheerful and smiling people eager to have a good time and receive quality service, and this is expected for the whole season, Milan Sesar, owner of the Mali Raj Hotel at the junction of Ičići and Opatija, said in Dnevnik N1. However, he warned that the Croatian tourism sector will face one major obstacle.

"I'm afraid we will have a big problem. Our fridges are full of goods - from fish, meat and other foods, but I am afraid that there is no one to serve and prepare them, that is, a certain number of people will not receive adequate service. This is the biggest problem in our profession - workers are leaving us, and new ones are not coming. People who come to work with us are total beginners who have never worked in this profession. Then by the time they are trained, they leave again", said Sesar, emphasizing that the whole society must be concerned about the workforce, especially in tourism, as reported by Poslovni.

"Working in tourism is not easy. You need to speak foreign languages, be able to approach guests, be a good salesperson, and that cannot be someone who arrived yesterday from the street. I'm afraid that this will be our biggest problem this summer - that we won't have anyone to serve, sell, take the euros that the guests are ready to spend", believes Milan.

As the solution to this problem, he sees two different ways: "One would be to pay these people well, and the other for the entire community to find a formula on how to invest and convince young people to stay here and not move away so that they can have a quality existence and be happy with their work."

When asked how much the waiters earn in his hotel, he replied that these are internal matters and added:

"My waiter would earn the same as in Italy, if not more. My staff have been working for 25, 30 years each, which is a sign that they are adequately compensated because otherwise, they would not have stayed so long."

He also said that he personally has no problem with the workforce because their workers have the same salary throughout the year. "When a man knows that he will get an equally good salary and that it is safe, then he will not even think of moving on," he said.

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

December 16, 2022 - Croatian tourism never sleeps. Though it's only December, and the new tourist season is expected to start in the late spring or early summer months, the preparations are already underway. Among the first such news came from the director of commercial affairs of Croatia Airlines, Slaven Žabo, who announced that during the next tourist season, they would connect Croatia with a total of 22 international destinations.

As 24Sata writes, Croatia Airlines announced on Tuesday that it has introduced a new seasonal route, Brac - Munich, in cooperation with the Brac Airport and other stakeholders in the Croatian tourism sector, and the airplane on that route will operate once a week.

Flights on the Brac - Munich route are planned for the period from the end of May to the first half of October 2023, on Saturdays, and the aircraft to operate on that route will be the Dash 8-Q400 Croatia Airlines, with a capacity of 76 seats.

Croatia Airlines says that this route has significant potential, given that this year most foreign tourists arrived on Brac from Germany, which was a rise of 5 percent compared to the pre-pandemic 2019.

The director of commercial affairs of Croatia Airlines, Slaven Žabo, said that during the next tourist season, they would connect Croatia with 22 international destinations, make more than 17 thousand flights and offer more than 1.8 million seats, while the planes will fly on a total of 47 international routes.

"In this context, I would like to remind that we are again planning charter flights from Graz and Linz to Brac, as well as regular domestic flights Zagreb - Brac twice a week, which together with the new line Brac - Munich undoubtedly,, represents a strong contribution of Croatia Airlines to the business of the Brac airport, and at the same time, helps strengthen tourism in the Split-Dalmatia County," Žabo pointed out.

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

August 12, 2022 - Picture this. It's August, you've arrived in Croatia, planning to take a casual trip to Slavonia, you'll rent a car and chill it out, no problem... The only thing is, rent a what? Cars are fully booked out in Slavonia.

The news that it is currently impossible to rent a car in Osijek sounded a bit unreal, comments Glas Slavonije. Searching the internet for car rental places, judging by the number of ads, made it all seem a little suspicious. Additionally, there are numerous intermediary sites where you can find rental cars for any date up to mid-September without a problem. GS decided to do some research and called a rent-a-car in Osijek.

“Unfortunately, we do not have any available cars for rent in Osijek. In the last two years, we have never had such a demand for our services. Summer always stands out, many tourists come, rent cars, and take it to the coast, but this year we have been booked non-stop since the beginning of June. In the meantime, gaps are created when the cars are returned which must be taken back to Osijek and are rented out again very quickly. The prices are around HRK 300 per day, and of course, the longer the vehicle is rented, the lower the price. The same happens every summer because of the season, but you could always find a vehicle to rent here, until this year”, Petar Kontić from Currs d.o.o. told GS.

Despite the ever-improving tourism results, Osijek is still somewhere on the sidelines when it comes to air traffic. Tourists come to Osijek either in organized tourist arrangements or by car, so the demand for the rent-a-car service has decreased. However, an additional problem for the car rental market is the overall market situation, as car production has stopped.

“The situation is such that there are simply no cars on the market. Due to the lack of chips, production stopped, and considering that we renewed the vehicle fleet every year, we were not able to buy new vehicles, but we stayed with the number of cars we had the previous year. Summer is the peak season for everyone who rents a car, there is more travel, and foreigners come to us to rent a car immediately after arriving at the airport. Most of the vehicles are in the places where the number of arrivals is the highest, i.e. Pula, Split and of course, Zagreb. People couldn't wait for all bans to be lifted due to the pandemic, so this year the demand for our service reached its peak. Our prices start from HRK 200 a day”, points out Manuel Šimić from Carwiz.

And Davor Šimara from Nippon confirms that this summer season is truly special, that there is great interest in car rental services, so it is almost impossible to find a free car that could be rented for a long time, but only for a day or two, between two pre-booked appointments.

In the end, of all the companies contacted in ​​Osijek-Baranja county, available vehicles were only found in Sixt, the largest rent-a-car company in Croatia. They had three free vehicles around ​​Osijek. They also noticed a significant increase in the use of their services this year.

At Aurelia Vinkovci rent-a-car, it was confirmed that this season was their best so far, and they have been in this business for five years. As Luka Janković, director and owner said, they have 30 vehicles at their disposal and those who need a car rental service should contact them and agree on the type of car they need, as well as the exact date or period for which they want to rent a car.

“There is always something available, but we need to know the date and what type of vehicle they want since our vehicles range from high class to luxury class. The demand has been high this summer, because, after the pandemic, people started coming not only from European countries, but also from Australia and America, so in the period from June 15 to September 15, we had many booked vehicles”, said Janković.

As for the prices, he emphasized that they have new vehicles, up to three years old, and the prices, depending on the type, range from the most affordable Volkswagen for HRK 250 to a Jeep that goes for HRK 700 per day.

“We offer a wide range of vehicles, with the highest demand in the summer season and the winter, around Christmas, when a lot of people come to Croatia for the holidays. For those flying into Osijek and Tuzla, we deliver vehicles to the airport, as well as to home addresses. Those who come from distant countries know that it is more convenient for them to take a completely safe and insured car while they are in Croatia than to drive their car more than a thousand kilometers and pay for fuel for such a long trip” emphasized Janković.

GS also asked about the issue in rent-a-car companies in other parts of Slavonia and Baranja. In the Vukovar company VU RENT d.o.o., they experienced the same problem, where they told GS that every summer is the same story, the arrival of tourists always means more rented vehicles, but this season they have had the highest interest since they have been in business, and everything started from Easter. On the other hand, the company Rent E Car from Đakovo does not have such a problem, because they prepared in time for the summer tourist season, and they also offer electric vehicles.

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

August 9, 2022 – Croatian tourism is booming although the prices have gone up in every aspect. More on that here. How do Croatian citizens stand, though, and what is it like for them?

As SiB reports, of the 11 and a half million tourists who visited Croatia this year, 1.6 million arrivals were domestic guests, which is 8 percent more than in the record year of 2019.

Nevertheless, the data of the exclusive research on holidays of Croatian citizens conducted for RTL by the agency Promocija plus (on a sample of 1300 respondents) show a slightly different picture of Croatia.

While the whole world is flocking to Croatia, Croats are not able to go and enjoy a holiday in their own country.

Namely, almost 60 percent (59.5 percent) of Croatian citizens have not been, nor do they plan to go on holiday outside their place of residence.

37 and a half percent (37.4 percent) have been or are planning to go, while almost 3 percent (2.7 percent) are not yet sure.

When we look at the region from which citizens travel the least, Dalmatia leads, understandably (67.3 percent), as it is a tourist destination itself.

However, almost the same percentage of Slavonian people will not go on holiday anywhere – as many as 67 percent answered that they had not been, nor do they plan to go. Northern Croatia is at around 62 percent (62.3 percent), while the least number of those who do not go anywhere are in Zagreb and its surroundings (41.6 percent).

Citizens certainly did use their annual holidays, so the survey looked at where they spent them: the results coincide with those who did not travel, so 62 percent (62.1 percent) of those surveyed spent their holidays at home. About 15 percent (14.8 percent) went to the seaside and stayed in a hotel, apartment, or camp; 8.5 percent stayed in their own property at the seaside, 6 percent stayed with friends and relatives (6.1 percent), while 4 percent (4.2 percent) travelled outside Croatia.

Now for the most important thing for many: how much did people spend on vacation? Most (13.1 percent) spent two to three thousand kuna on summer treats. About 10 percent (10.5 percent) spent up to four thousand.

Up to ten percent of those surveyed (10.3 percent) spent up to five thousand kuna.

When it comes to larger figures, five percent of domestic tourists spent up to ten thousand.

The fact that many did not care about it or did not want to even remember how much they spent shows that they properly enjoyed their summer holidays. Maybe that's the best way to be stress-free at least a little until the bills come due in the autumn.

NOTE: The survey was conducted for RTL by the agency Promocija plus from August 1 to 4 on a sample of 1,300 respondents. The standard error of the sample is +/-2.77 percent at the 95 percent confidence level.

For more, make sure to check out our Lifestyle section.

August 9, 2022 - This year will mark the tenth edition of Web Summer Camp, a high-profile event that gathers developers and web experts for a few days of learning, sharing experiences, as well as fun under the sun, and networking.

As Poslovni reports, Netgen, a local IT company, which has been organizing Web Summer Camp since 2012, which in recent years has been profiled as an event that gathers around two hundred developers and web experts on the Croatian coast, announced the tenth-anniversary edition of the conference, this year with a slightly different concept.

“In addition to the full-day workshops planned for the first day, which our participants already know and expect, the second day is reserved for interesting lectures and accompanying discussions”, explains Ivo Lukač, Netgen's co-founder and director, adding that this year it is possible to choose to buy a ticket either for the entire Web Summer Camp or just for one day – the conference part that takes place on Friday, September 2.

On the first day, the workshops will be held in six tracks: UX, Javascript, PHP, Symfony, DevOps, and Tech forum, and the participants include Valeria Adani, Flaminia del Conte, Gerard Sans, Princiya Sequeira, Derrick Rethans, Marco Pivetta, Andreas Hucks, Neal Brooks, Matt Thorpe, Luka Kladarić, Vanja Bertalan, Cristoffer Crusell, Ondřej Polesný, and Janus Boye.

The conference part of the second day will be divided into 2 tracks - Web and Developer. Harry Roberts, Ramona Schwering, Stephen K. Meya, Rowan Merewood, and Nehha Sharma have been announced for the Developer track, while the Web track will host Andy Clarke, Simon Jones, Sam Dutton, Ante Stjepanović, Magdalena Sekulić Ljubić, and Mili Ponce.

After all-day workshops and lectures held by leading experts from companies such as Google, Infobip, Hrvatski Telekom, and Oracle, coming from various parts of the world, the participants of previous conferences most often emphasize the acquisition of new knowledge and direct networking and exchange of experience with colleagues as the main benefits. For this very reason, the conference will exclusively be held live, without live stream options.

This year's platinum sponsor of the conference is Lendable, an online platform for personal finance from Great Britain, founded in 2014, which is aimed at introducing and enabling fast, simple, and practical personal finance in the digital age.

Last year's edition was rated 8.7/10 by all attendees, and 84 percent of attendees stated that the conference provided them with the knowledge that they can apply in their daily work, with 86 percent stating that they intended to return to the next edition.

Web Summer Camp is also different in that an additional Companions track is organized for accompanying participants, during which a tourist tour of the destination or some similar entertainment program is usually prepared for the participants' partners or spouses, who are not interested in attending the workshops. The last day is usually reserved for an excursion for all participants, which this year, depending on favourable weather conditions, will be held in the vicinity of Šibenik.

Paul Boag, one of the world's leading authorities in the field of user experience, conversion optimization, and digital marketing, commented on last year's edition of the conference:

“If you are thinking of coming to any conference, you can hardly find a better one than this one. Great weather, great location, you can bring the family, relax while learning new things, and enjoy it like you're on holiday. There is something unique about this conference!”

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

August 4, 2022 - Vukovar's only public pool, the perfect place to spend a summer afternoon, it seems, might not remain one for long. Costs are rising, and the institutions can't keep up. It is not set in stone, but the pools might close sooner than anyone hoped.

As Glas Slavonije writes, it sounds strange because August has just started, so many Vukovar residents and visitors to the city spend part of their free time at the pool looking for escape from the summer heat and a place to have fun and socialize with family and friends, but the news has been verified and it's not just behind-the-scenes stories. Apparently, the city on the Danube has been talking about the closing of the swimming pool for the last ten days. The closing dates have even been mentioned, so you could hear that the indoor swimming pools will only be open until August 15, and the outdoor swimming pools for two weeks longer. Glas Slavonije inquired about the truth of those stories at the Public Institution Sports Facilities Vukovar, whose director Ivan Szabo said that all options remain open.

“We still don't know anything precise. Public tender for electricity and gas is in process, which should end on August 12, and further work will depend on the prices we receive. In general, the situation regarding the payment of energy products is terrible and we will have to react. We will not allow our overhead costs to accumulate for months and thereby increase our debt, and we are aware that we do not have the necessary funds secured in the budget - Szabo confirmed for GS, adding that as responsible people, they must make rational decisions no matter how unpopular or disapproved by the general public.

According to him, at the beginning of the year they started to implement certain savings, but if costs need to be reduced by 10-15 percent while at the same time the amounts they are billed could be many times higher, the savings  are not enough.

“Indeed, all options remain open. When we see the results of the tender for electricity and gas, we will take certain steps in agreement with the City. Other institutions and establishments in our city are also faced with the problem of enormous price increases, and it is up to each of them to make the decision they think is the best. I repeat, we will be guided by what is rational, because I believe that accumulating debt that we cannot pay off is not an acceptable option”, he explained.

Closing the swimming pool or reducing its operation, as well as all other facilities offered to visitors, will certainly be difficult for everyone who has been trying for years to position this institution not only on the map of Vukovar, but also on the map of Croatia. It is known that numerous official competitions were held at the swimming pool, water polo and swimming clubs used it for preparations, many non-governmental organizations (especially those that work with children) are regular visitors to the swimming pool, and the number of users is growing year by year. In addition, in case of closure or reduction of the scope of work, it is questionable how the salaries of the employees will be provided.

There is no doubt that the potential decision to close or drastically reduce their volume, which at this moment seems completely realistic, presents a series of questions to the authorities that must be addressed in due time. Those who have been closely following the events in Vukovar in recent months will not be surprised by the (temporary) closing of the swimming pool. GS reminds that Mayor Ivan Penava recently told his fellow citizens that they have decided to return to the model of trying to defend the positions of the City, in terms of protecting the living and social standards of citizens, which - as he emphasized - will be extremely difficult.

It was announced that after the reduction of public lighting, more radical savings measures can be expected, without excluding the possibility of reducing and suspending the work of certain institutions and establishments.

For more, check out our lifestyle section.

August 4, 2022 - Warm August nights in Croatia are a blessing in areas where the air is clean, the surroundings are calm, and there is no light pollution. The country kids know it, rare are the activities that could match lying down with snacks and drinks to watch the Perseid meteor showers. The Croatian Astronomical Society calls for lights off to make a beatiful summer night even better.

As Glas Slavonije writes, like every summer around the memorial day of St. Lovre (August 10), the maximum activity of the Perseid meteor shower occurs. This year, according to forecasts, the maximum will occur on the night between August 11 and 12. Astronomical societies, united in the Croatian Astronomical Union, are organising various astronomical activities, because apart from the most beautiful meteor shower of the year, telescopes will be able to view Saturn and Jupiter, as well as the Moon. The Orion Astronomical Society and the Croatian Astronomical Union are inviting cities and municipalities to turn off public lighting between August 11 and 12 from midnight to morning, so that the residents can enjoy this celestial spectacle as much as possible.

“We invite all citizens to a joint observation from the location of Bajera from 10 pm, in addition to which an observation of the night sky with a telescope will be organized. As the 12^th ARLA Festival, whose theme is space, will also take place at that time, we ask the City of Đakovo to turn off public lighting on August 12 from 10 pm, in order to continue the observation from the lawn below Strossmayer Park. An average activity of about 140 meteors per hour is forecast, and the conditions for observation will be reduced by the fact that the Moon is almost full”, points out the president of the Orion Đakovo Astronomical Society, Danko Kočiš.

Kočis also provided instructions for observation. “Do not look directly at the radiant (starting point of the meteor shower), you will notice the least meteors there, no special equipment (telescopes, binoculars, etc.) is needed to observe meteors, because meteors are observed with the naked eye lying on the ground, and it is necessary to spend at least 30 minutes in the dark to allow your eyes to adapt to the night conditions. You need to move away from the area where there is lighting and light pollution into as good a darkness as possible. Also, you need a mat, a deck chair, or a sleeping bag on which you can lie down during observation”, instructs the president of the Astronomical Society Orion Đakovo, Danko Kočiš.

For more, check out our lifestyle section.

August 2, 2022 – Don’t fancy the crowds of Split or Dubrovnik? Finding accommodation on the islands has become a bit complicated? Don’t worry, we’ll sort you out with an underdog, Biograd na Moru.

The national media are beaming with pride reporting record overnight stays, music festivals are back in full force, and the motorways are finally paying off again. Croatian tourism is where we all hoped it would be. In fact, we’re running out of space with the most popular destinations including the famous cities, Istrian villages, and the islands of Dalmatia. It’s time to start looking for alternatives. We tried telling you to go see Lika and Gorski Kotar, Slavonija and Baranja, but we do understand the desire to stay close to the sea. This is why today we will share a little gem that has got it all. Welcome to Biograd na Moru, famous among Croatians and Czechs, but still waiting to be fully discovered.

The little town of some 6000 residents is located only 30 km south of Zadar and about 50 km north of Šibenik, or 130 km from Split. It is nestled between two bays and overlooks the most indented part of the Adriatic coast. Surrounded by national parks and nature parks, it boasts plenty of tourist and recreational facilities but keeps a calm, homely atmosphere even in the height of summer. Get to know this charming little place through our top list of activities in Biograd na Moru. Here are some of our favourites that we suggest you try this summer:

Beach Hop

Whether you are the type to go for an early morning run and swim, like to chill all day or go late night dipping, you will find a spot that suits your needs. With the most famous ones being Bošana, Dražica, and Soline, Biograd offers a variety of terrain and conditions on its beaches. They range from pebbles and rocks, an open swimming pool for training, to a sandy beach perfect for the little ones. There is plenty of space both in the sun and in the shade. For perfect comfort, we suggest renting a lounge and/or an umbrella. As for sustenance and entertainment, you can find pretty much anything there. The little stands include everything from bakeries, fast food and ice cream to fresh fruit and salads. As for the little ones, there are water slides, aqua parks, playgrounds and attractions such as VR.

Early morning at the beaches of Biograd. Photos by Author

Chase Sunsets

Thanks to the neighbouring islands being so dense and so close to Biograd, a sunset will look different depending on where you stand. If you plan it just right, you could have it so that you can still see the sun nesting between the islands from one point when it’s not visible from another point just a few hundred metres down. Whether you want to see it reflecting in the sea, disappearing behind Pašman, or glistening through the trees, one thing is always true – every sunset is more beautiful than the previous.

Photos by Author

Count the Islands

The big ones, the one with the lighthouse, the heart-shaped island… Ugljan, Pašman, Dugi Otok, Sv. Katarina, and Galešnjak can all be seen from Biograd or places nearby. Hop on a ferry and visit some of them, or try counting and naming them while having your afternoon swim, we promise it’s fun both ways!

Galešnjak Island, photo by PIXSELL (Filip Brala)

Eat and Drink

With pubs and restaurants densely populating the entire stretch of the beach, as well as the city centre, we challenge you to stay hungry or thirsty in Biograd! Start with brunch at the beach, have your afternoon iced coffee in the shade of one of the beach bars, go about your evening enjoying some fresh local seafood followed by Italian-inspired gelato, and of course, round it all up with a cocktail or two right by the sea. If you prefer cooking at home, get up early to catch the local fishermen coming back from their nightly catch and buy some of the best fish directly from them, or visit the local market for more fresh produce. As for edible souvenirs, you can never go wrong with some dried figs and olive oil which are produced in something like every other house. If you notice fruit or olives in backyards, try knocking on their doors and finding out if you can buy some to take home. Chances are, it won’t take more than a few knocks to declare mission success.

Photos by Author

Get Some Movement In

After you’ve eaten and fed your entire family, never go swimming! Embrace the healthy Dalmatian ways and chill in the shade for a bit until it all settles down. Only after a little nap under the pines will you be ready to move. The 4 km stretch by the sea should be enough for recreational joggers, and if you get up early you will be rewarded by the sun rising above the pines in the most charming of ways. If you prefer running long distances or cycling, we suggest heading out of Biograd, and following the Adriatic Highway towards Zadar for some truly breathtaking views. With most of it being covered with cycling paths, it is suitable for all kinds of activity. It will take you through a few charming little villages, but its true beauty lies in the fact that for the most part, it passes right by the sea and provides perfect little private swimming spots.

Photo by Adventure Park Biograd

Go on an Adventure

If swimming, running or cycling doesn’t cut it for you, and you need a little bit of adrenaline to spice up your day, try one of the activities at the beach, in the forests, or nearby. Our favourite beach activities include parasailing and jet skiing, followed by renting a SUP and exploring the bays. If you’re looking to entertain the whole family, you can also rent a paddle boat and try sliding down into the open sea. Needless to say, always make sure the weather conditions are right and listen to the advice of experts to stay safe! For those who aren’t afraid of heights, check out Adventure Park Biograd and test your climbing, hanging and ziplining skills, or head out for a day of rides in Fun Park Mirnovec.

Photo by PIXSELL (Dino Stanin)

Discover Vransko Jezero

Tired of the beach, had too much ice cream, or maybe the sea is too salty? Head out to Lake Vrana, a nature park just a short drive from Biograd, which is also the largest lake in Croatia. With an area of 30.2 km², it makes up its own ecosystem, with interesting flora and fauna. It is filled with brackish water and is home to many species of fish and birds. The area of the park also encompasses a few localities dating as far back as the 9^th century. Even if you’re only out for a day of birdwatching and walking, there is plenty to see. If you’re looking for a more active visit, try renting a bicycle or a kayak, or hike to one of the viewpoints to see the Kornati National Park from above.

Photos by PIXSELL (Hrvoje Jelavic and Dusko Jaramaz)

For more, check out our lifestyle section.

July 29, 2022 – think of Croatia in the summer. Fun in the sun, refreshment in the shade, perfect swimming temperatures, and a sandy beach. All that followed by a night out at a film festival, craft beers and some quality rock music in the forest. Dalmatia or Istria? Surprise surprise, and once again, welcome to Vukovar! We got your weekend sorted.

This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the Bara Film Association as the organisers of Klein Short Film Festival are bringing something unique and exciting to the venues, pubs, and parks of Vukovar. The event of the weekend from the 29^th until the 31^st of July combines short films and good music for the perfect summer atmosphere.

The program for the competition section of Klein Film Festival (photo credit: Klein)

Kicking off on Friday at 20.30 at the City Museum, this international film and music festival presents a variety of short feature, animated, and documentary films. The films were split into two main categories – competition and accompanying programs, with 16 and 35 films, respectively. The category of competition films will feature pieces produced in the last two years, while the accompanying program will consist of representative pieces produced before 2020. The venues include the City Museum and the Serbian Cultural Centre in Vukovar, as well as the Đorđe Očić House in the village of Dalj. The organisers underline that the main focus of the festival is the idea, along with its consistent realisation in the film. The name of the festival is an homage to Hugo Klein, a theatre professor, theorist, and psychiatrist who was born in Vukovar.

As for the music portion of the festival, there will be something for everyone. The pub Kibic Fenster is opening its back terrace for mini-concerts, while the park forest Adica will host some big names. On Friday, Sinj’s own Mort will be there to remind us that punk is not dead, on Saturday it’s Repetitor, and to round it up, Atheist Rap from Novi Sad will play on Sunday. All concerts start at 22.30.

The main sponsors of Klein Film Festival include the City of Vukovar, SDF (Serbian Democratic Forum), and HAVC (Croatian Audiovisual Centre), and the association also expects international support. Bara Film is a young cultural association of audio-visual artists who hope that this ambitious project will help further support and enrich their work.

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