ZAGREB, 3 July 2022 - The findings of a survey conducted by the IMPROVE pollster for the Mastercard company among 1,010 respondents in Croatia show that 74% of them are planning summer holidays.

This is an increase of 20 percentage points compared to the pandemic year 2020.

Broken down by type of accommodation, a majority of the respondents prefer private accommodation, that is 52% of those polled in the Masterindex survey.

Thirty-five percent (35%) are planning to stay at at their own summer retreats or at their relatives' properties.

Hotel accommodation comes third (18%), and mainly respondents with monthly wages above 9,000 kuna choose this option.

A mere 7% of Croats opt for camping during summer holidays.

As many as 56% of the respondents say they have booked accommodation online, via specialised web sites and websites of travel agencies.

Cosmin Vladimirescu, Country Manager Romania and Croatia at Mastercard, is quoted as saying that before a final decision on booking, an average tourist visits 38 websites of relevant agencies or specialised sites.

For more, check out our lifestyle section.

May the 14th, 2022 - Dalmatian firefighters have got their hands on some very welcome brand new equipment as the height of the summer season rapidly approaches and temperatures soar, which often results in wildfires being sparked.

As Morski writes, Split-Dalmatia County handed over new communication and surveillance equipment to Dalmatian firefighters recently, and the equipment was procured within an Italian-Croatian cross border project, having been financed from the European Regional Development Fund. The total value of the project stands at a massive 316 thousand euros.

The value of the equipment delivered to Dalmatian firefighters costs 307 thousand kuna, and among the most interesting pieces of the new package delivered was an innovative software platform that integrates institutional and local sources and also takes into account data about fire threats published on social media.

''The platform retrieves data that has been published publicly on social media and filters it using artificial intelligence and sends it directly to the emergency services so that they can better assess the threat and respond in an appropriate manner,'' explained Ognjen Cavar, the project manager.

In addition to constantly equipping Dalmatian firefighters, which is something Split-Dalmatia County uses European Union funds for more than others do, new fire houses are being built on the islands and in the hinterland, as reported by HRT.

''As the crown of all this, we're working on a new training centre in Vucevica which will be of exceptional value as it won't only benefit Dalmatian firefighters but also those from a much wider area and even in the rest of Southeastern Europe,'' emphasised Blazenko Boban, Split-Dalmatia County Prefect.

When it comes to the summer tourist season, when most fires are started and which can result in tremendous damage, the firefighters are as ready to deal with issues as they possibly can be.

''So far, we've had over two thousand interventions, some of them being fires, some being technical interventions. We work all year round and of course we are ready for what may happen this summer,'' stated Ivan Kovacevic.

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

ZAGREB, 11 July, 2021 - The 72nd of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival began on Saturday evening at the traditional ceremony which included the hoisting of the festival's Libertas.

The ceremony was addressed by Mayor Mato Franković who, among other things, spoke about the importance of freedom.

In attendance at the ceremony were Croatian Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Josep Borrell, as well as some of the guests who had participated in the Dubrovnik Forum earlier in the day.

This year's festival will run through 25 August, and its programme includes over 60 plays, concerts, dance and folklore performances that will take place at a dozen venues,

The budget of the 72nd Dubrovnik Summer Festival is nearly HRK 8 million, which is HRK 1.5 million more than in 2020. The festival's own funds, including revenues from sponsors, donors and tickets, account for 30% of the budget.

The Dubrovnik Summer Festival was founded in 1950. Unique ambiance of indoor and open air venues of the historical City of Dubrovnik makes a perfect stage for many theatre, music, opera and dance performances during the festival.

For more on lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

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28 June, 2021 – After a brief period of somewhat pleasant temperatures, today marks the beginning of yet another new Croatian heatwave.

The weather was rather cool throughout spring, however, it seems summer is back, and with a vengeance. After one stifling heatwave ran its course last week, leaving many feeling the effects of exposure to sun, a new Croatian heatwave is now upon us.

Croatian meteorologists are now warning of a new Croatian heatwave beginning today. According to HRT,  it will supposedly reach its highest temperature during the middle of this week. Heat waves aren't particularly unusual in Croatia, but this year they seem to be starting earlier than normal. In addition, the fact they were preceded by cooler than usual May weather makes their impact seem even more dramatic.

Yellow Warning

A weather alarm is in place across Croatia for this week with what is known as Yellow Warning in effect for some regions. More precisely, for Kvarner area, Central Croatia and the Dubrovnik area. Temperatures will rise in the upper thirties with daily highs in certain areas potentially reaching 38°C. Recommendations are to keep out of the sun and consume plenty of water. Of course, sunscreen is always a good idea should you really need to be out in it.

Interestingly, there is also a warning from HAK as well. They are instructing drivers to start longer drives early in the morning or through the night. It would be smart to avoid driving during the hottest parts of the day as a new Croatian heatwave bites. It is also important to remember to stay very well hydrated and use air-conditioning when in the car. Unfortunately, this year we saw a tragic event involving a child being left in a car as the sun beat down on the vehicle, ending with deadly consequences. As such warnings against leaving children or animals in cars for even a few minutes are also useful to remind ourselves of regularly.

Regardless of whether you're going to the beach to enjoy your holiday or you're working outdoors, make sure to keep track of the weather warnings this week as a new Croatian heatwave holds us in its grip. Be especially cautious when organising trips within Croatia, and of course – make sure to stay hydrated at all times.

For more on travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

June 6, 2021 - Croatia is known as the "land of a thousand islands" and yet, only a handful are popular and visited by tourists. There are so many more islands to discover in Croatia, and one of them is the quaint but highly underrated Iž Island with only 500 inhabitants.

I found out about the island of Iž because my very first friend in Croatia who is now one of my best friends was born and raised there. I met her for the first time when we both attended a violin masterclass workshop in Kaštela and she asked me and my Croatian husband if we could drop her off at where she was temporarily staying in Split. On the car ride home, my husband asked her where her hometown is and she answered, "Iž". Judging by my husband's reaction, she easily sensed that he has never heard of this place before and so she explained further, "it is a small island near Zadar and it is not very known because there are only around 500 people who live there and there is fewer every year." From then on, I have always been fond of visiting the small islands in Croatia and learning about the islanders' unique way of life. Coming from the city of Manila (Philippines),  which has a highly dense population of 24 million people, it was unimaginable for me to live on a small island where only a few hundred people reside; but after spending two blissful summers on Iž, it turned out that life on a quaint and unspoiled island is astonishingly delightful!

 #1 - Enjoy summer without the hustle and bustle of tourists

Located within both the Zadar and Kornati archipelago, Iž is nestled between the islands of Ugljan and Dugi Otok and can be reached daily by catamaran and ferry from Zadar.  Iž is surrounded by many islets and private beaches so it is an ideal destination for relaxing and tranquil getaways. The island is divided into two villages - Mali Iž and Veli Iž. In Veli Iž, you can find two shops, a couple of bars and taverns that open in summer, a small marina, and the church of St. Peter and Paul from the 14th century. Even in summer, the island doesn't get too crowded because most of the tourists go to nearby islands like Ugljan and Preko because they are closer to Zadar and are more accessible. Because of this, you can easily find a private corner by the sea on Iž and enjoy a quiet time for yourself. The island is also great for hiking because of the asphalt paths and roads that connect the whole island. To enjoy the views of this island, you can hike to the top of Korinjak which is the highest peak on Iž with a height of 168 meters. From that viewpoint, you can see the nearby islands such as Dugi Otok and Rava.

#2 - Vegetarian and vegan-friendly

In Veli Iž, you can find the Korinjak Hotel and Camp which is the only purely vegetarian hotel in the Dalmatian region. It offers Meditteranean-inspired vegetarian cuisine to its guest including raw food dishes, fruit and vegetable smoothies, gluten-free, lactose-free, and vegan meals. It is a popular destination for long-time vegetarians and to those who are looking to change their diet and detox their bodies through various holistic retreats and workshops that are conducted in this hotel every summer including meditation, relaxation therapies for mind-body energy, yoga classes, pyramid meditation and sound, and organ therapies. The hotel also offers excursions and boat trips to hidden bays and secluded nearby islets where visitors can enjoy their own private beach and islet for the day.

Moon gong retreat in Hotel Korinjak | Photo by: Kyla Ibero

#3 - Explore the island's rich and long history

The island of Iž has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Here, you can find traces of an Illyrian hillfort and Roma settlement. Previously named "Ez" by Emperor Constantine VII, the island was under the rule of the Zadar medieval commune but after a long feud, it was given to the Benedictine monastery of St. Mary and eventually ended up being owned by the Zadar aristocracy. Due to its long history, you can find architecture from as early as the 11th century such as the Church of St. Mary, located at the top of Mali Iž. Beside it stands a parish church which was constructed at the beginning of the 20th century.  Records of the earliest Croatian settlers from the year 1266 can be found on this island, too. Iž also holds a thousand-year Glagolithic history. The parishes in both Veli and Mali Iž used to celebrate the earliest Roman Rites in the Old Church Slavonic Language, not in Latin, and based it on the liturgical books from the old Croatian Glagolitic scripts. The most recent discovery of a Glagolitic inscription was from this island at the family house of Švorinić and it was a Glagolitic inscription in stone that dates back from 1685. There are as well a lot of Glagolitic manuscripts, liturgical books, and stone epigraphs currently preserved in Iž.

#4 - Enjoy traditional pottery-making and local homemade products

The island of Iž has a long-standing culture of traditional pottery making. A special clay pot called "Iśki Lopiž" is only found on this island. This pot was traditionally used for storing olive oil and traditional kitchen condiments. It is also traditionally used for making stews on Iž because it adds a special and delicate flavour to the dish. In Veli Iž, you can find an ethnographic collection of traditional ceramics, tools, and pottery. The island is also famous for producing excellent quality olive oil, homemade vinegar, and natural soaps!

#6 - Join in the fun summer and winter events

During summer, a traditional game on Iž called "pošimpijada" is played by the locals. It is a fun competition between participants who live in the southern part of the island (team Jugo) and participants who live in the northwestern part of the island (team Zmorac). They compete in various games such as sack race, rope pulling, chess, and water basketball. Every July 29, Veli Iž celebrates Iška fešta where locals dress in traditional costumes, prepare local dishes, and perform old island dances and songs. During the festival, they also elect the King of Iž, Rava, and Lavdara. After the election, the fiesta would commence and popular singers like Oliver Dragojević, Giuliano, and Dino Dvornik would come and perform. Also during summer, a lot of concerts and theatre plays are conducted on the island. Since the winter of 2017, the island of Iž has been importing trucks of snow every winter from Lika and creates a small ski resort that has a length of 60-metres. This brings great joy to the locals during winter and few tourists who come to the island to ski.

Outdoor summer concert in Iž with The Hague Chamber Orchestra | Photo by: Kyla Ibero

#7 - Authentic gastronomy

A lot of konobas and restaurants open on Iž for the summer. Since the island relies on both agriculture and fishing, the food is always offered fresh and of top quality. The cost of dining here is also relatively cheaper than other islands, for example, a plate of freshly-caught grilled seafood costs around 70HRK. The konobas and restaurants on this island all have their own special house wine. The traditional Dalmatian-cuisine which is called "brudet" is prepared on Iž with an added twist since they use their special traditional clay pot which is the "Iški Lopiž" and this heightens and elevates this dish to another level. CLICK HERE for the recipe of the traditional stew cooked in Iž using the special Iški Lopiž.

Life of a Local on Iž

My friend and a local of Iž, Tena Milinčić, shares with us the way of life in this small and secluded island because to spend a summer on Iž and to permanently live there are two completely different experiences. 

Since there are only a few hundred people living on Iž, there are a few things that you cannot find on this island. First, there is no pharmacy - and the locals are kind of used to it. If they need to buy some medicine, they would have to take a ferry to Zadar or they would ask someone whom they know who is in Zadar to send it to them to Iž. There is a small ambulanta (clinic) on the island but it is not very well equipped. You cannot buy any medicine there and the doctor works only twice a week in Veli Iž and twice a week in Mali Iž. 

There are also only 2 small shops on the island so the locals are accustomed to taking the ferry to Zadar to shop for their household needs and to get other services that are unavailable on the island such as printing services and hospital/clinical services.

The schools and students are slowly disappearing, too. Nowadays, on the island, there is only an elementary school up until the 8th grade. There are only around 8 students in the entire school. Not even a vrtić (kindergarten) is open because there are not enough kids on the island to attend it. This is really sad and unfortunate because there used to be a lot of educational establishments on the island especially during the war when a lot of people migrated to the island to avoid the conflict. For high school and university, locals leave the island and usually go to Zadar and other main cities in Croatia to continue their studies.

Life on this island can be sometimes idle, but in this place, you can find freedom and tranquility. The bond within the community is strong and the locals are friendly and helpful, too!

For more on lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

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May 27, 2021 - Although Zagreb often gets overlooked in favour of some of the more famous Croatian summer destinations, the capital of Croatia deserves to be more than a brief stopover on your way to the coast. Here are the Zagreb summer festivals you don't want to miss in 2021.

  Murtić100, May 25 - July 18

Marking the centenary of the birth of Edo Murtić, one of the most influential modernist painters in southeast Europe, the exhibition Murtić100, which will feature more than 200 Murtić's paintings, takes place at Home of Croatian Artists (colloquially known as Meštrović Pavillion). Meštrović Pavillion is open for visitors every day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Meštrović Pavillion (right) /Pixabay

European Short Story Festival, June 6 - June 11

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the European Short Story Festival (Croatian: Festival europske kratke priče - FEKP). To celebrate the occasion, this years' festival will also have two additional locations - Hvar Town on Hvar and the town of Vis on Vis. Holding the important title of one of the first short story festivals in Europe, European Short Story Festival thus far hosted more than 70 writers from 15 European countries and served as an inspiration for International Short Story Festival in Wroclaw, Poland. This year, the Festival will connect with authors from the other side of the pond - the internationally recognized Siri Hustvedt and Paul Auster. For more details, follow the Festival's official Facebook Page.

Pixabay

 ZagrebDox, June 13 - June 20

This year's 17th edition of the International Documentary Film Festival ZagrebDox takes place at Zagreb Student Centre and Tuškanac Open Air Cinema. The programme is divided into 8 sections - State of Affairs, Controversial Dox, Masters of Dox, Teen Dox, Thriller Dox, and Love, along with two retrospective programmes - one dedicated to Croatian female documentary directors, the other to the Swiss theatre and film director Milo Rau. With 80 short and feature-length titles to choose from, ZagrebDox promises to give an overview of the finest works the documentary film world has to offer. 

Pixabay

Grič Evenings, July 1 - July 15

Lovers of classical music are in for a treat! For a whole fortnight, starting July 1,  just as the dusk begins to settle, Atrium of Klovićevi Dvori in Zagreb's Upper Town will be filled with the sounds of music commemorating the 40th Grič Evenings. We are looking forward to the programme announcement.

 Pixabay

 Croatian National Theatre Summer Evenings, May 29 - July 3

The Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb hosts an 'open-air' programme on the Republic of Croatia Square (Croatian: Trg Republike Hrvatske), right next to the Croatian National Theatre building. 

The programme will open on May 29 with a concert to mark Statehood Day and Zagreb City Day, respectively. Visitors will get a chance to watch excerpts from some of the most famous operas such as Barber of Seville and The Marriage of Figaro, as well as the ballets The Swan's Lake and Giselle, the choreography of the latter having been developed by the champion of the Paris Opera Ballet, José Carlos Martínez.

Croatian National Theatre/Pixabay 

And there you have it - there are at least 5 reasons to extend your stay in Zagreb and discover its vibrant spirit!

For more on travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

ZAGREB, 16 May, 2021 - The 72nd edition of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival will be held from 10 July to 25 August, with over 60 plays, concerts, dance and folklore performances taking place at about 10 venues, the organisers announced earlier this week.

The budget of the 72nd Dubrovnik Summer Festival is nearly HRK 8 million, which is HRK 1.5 million more than in 2020. The festival's own funds, including revenues from sponsors, donors and tickets, account for 30% of the budget.

It is expected that online ticket sales will start after new epidemiological guidelines for events are released.

For more information about events in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

April 29, 2021 - For decades, numerous Poreč summer camps have been organized for the youngest citizens.

This is exactly the form of an organized, high-quality, and fun summer holiday and is one of the favorite choices of children, but also parents. Children and young people in camps fill their time with socializing, creative and sports activities, teamwork, education, and friendship.

Thus, the Summer Camp of the City of Poreč at the City Baths and the Entertainment Summer Base of DND, as two camps with the most participants and focused on sports, but also creative and educational activities, plan to be held in four terms: from 28.06. to 10.07., 12.07. to 24.07., 26.07. to 07.08., and 09.08. to 21.08. The city and DND are also planning cooperation for this year, about which the public will be informed in time.

Summer activities are also planned by dance associations. USB Poreč will hold a dance camp in four shifts from 21.06. to 26.06. for children from 4 to 6 years, from 28.06. to 10.07. for children from 10 to 14 years, from 12.07. to 24.07. for children from 7 to 9 years and from 26.07. to 31.07. again for children 4 to 6 years old. They are planning a summer camp for teenagers, held for the first time last year. This year it will be held from 02.08. to 14.08. MOT08 plans to hold its summer camp in two terms from 28.06. to 10.07. and 12.07. to 24.07., and both dance groups highlight the dance performances and performances they will present to the wider Poreč audience.

Poreč sports clubs also plan to host an active summer. Volleyball Club Poreč organizes summer camp in the open from 01.07. to 10.07., Poreč Handball Club from 07.07. to 30.07., in the hall Žatika, as well as the Rhythmic Sports Gymnastics Club Poreč, which will be held from 05.07. to 31.08. Athletic club Maximvs plans outdoor activities in three terms, from 05.07. to 10.7., 12.07. to 17.07. and 19.07. to 25.07. Football club Jadran Poreč is planning its summer camp in Zelena laguna from 21.06. to 03.07.

The city, associations and sports clubs will inform all interested parties about the terms of enrollment in a timely manner, as well as possible changes in the schedule and additional activities.

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

May 2, 2020 — Dubrovnik will try to salvage what promises to be a brutal summer tourist season by seeking special status to bypass some travel restrictions while the city’s Tourist Board launches a promotional campaign luring guests back to the Pearl of the Adriatic.

Mayor Mato Franković predicted 2020 may be Dubrovnik’s most uncertain summer season since the 1990s war. He predicted a complete economic collapse if flights remain grounded throughout the summer, with 80 percent of the economy evaporating by spring 2021.

The mayor and city’s Economic Council asked the Croatian government to grant Dubrovnik special status to bypass epidemiological travel restrictions so at least affluent guests can visit. They sent a letter to Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Tourism Minister Gari Cappelli requesting a green light for charter flights, especially from the U.K., as well as private jets and mega yachts. 

Only tourists with a negative test result administered in the last 48 hours would enter, according to the proposal.

Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Franković said a summer without inbound flights will devastate the local economy.

The 2020 summer season remains uncertain for Croatia. Even the most optimistic forecasts predict plummeting revenues, with some estimates dipping as low as 80 percent of 2019’s bonanza. Still, the tourism-dependent nation began seeking ways to reopen borders without setting off another wave of infections.

Croatia’s measures start at home. The government expects free movement within the country will resume soon so Croats can head to the coast to visit family or second homes.

Cappelli has also pushed for opening borders with neighboring countries — if the virus allows. Plenković’s government hopes Croatia can maintain its draw as an automotive destination for nearby states such as Czechia, Hungary, and Austria, reducing its reliance on arrivals from further across the European continent, Asia and Doha.

The benefits of such a scheme will bypass Dubrovnik. Many of the city’s guests come via direct flights and cruise ships — not by car. The pandemic halted all non-essential travel.

Dubrovnik Airport’s General Manager Frano Luetić expects a 70 percent drop in traffic this summer.

“We are witnessing something unlike we’ve ever seen in peacetime. We have been left without any traffic,” Luetić said.

Croatia Airlines will resume domestic flights to Dubrovnik on May 11, but that won’t bring the city’s target guests.

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The Tourist Board’s ad campaign, “Dubrovnik is not going anywhere, it is waiting for you,” began May 1, hitting social media feeds in Scandinavia, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Slovenia. The promos will also appear in the Croatian market, as well as other markets as airlines resume flights to the Dalmatian coastline. 

These plans align with recommendations from experts like Zoran Pejović, who suggests emitting a confident message while reminding disappointed travelers their destination will outlast the virus.

The city has enjoyed some perverse positive press as the spiritual and literal birthplace of quarantine. But its isolation and stay at home orders have worn on locals longing to navigate the Stradun and meet for a coffee.

Dubrovnik has 112 confirmed COVID-19 infections since the pandemic started, with no new cases in the last 24 hours.
The coastal city’s tourism council reduced the Tourist Board’s pay by 15 percent. It then tasked Director Ana Hrnić with re-jiggering the staff and organizational makeup.

Are you ready for the 69th Dubrovnik Summer Festival?