May 7, 2020 - Continuing our new vlog, TCN Talks, today we discover Sveta Nedjelja on the south side of Hvar - wine, wedding, rock climbing and sunset territory!

Where to go on a day off on Sunday on the island of Hvar? The village of 'Holy Sunday' of course...

Meet Sveta Nedjelja on the south side of Hvar in the latest installment of our new vlog, TCN Talks. 

It is a village which is famous for the rich Plavac Mali wines produced from the very steep vineyards sloping down into the Adriatic, with Zlatan Otok's Plavac Mali Grand Cru one of the most highly-prized reds in all Croatia. 

But there is a lot more to Sveta Nedjelja than just wine, as we discover sitting on the bench in idyllic Veli Kamik, the small islet which is fast becoming in an Instagram and wedding location hit (learn more about this delightful spot in our recent feature article on Veli Kamik). 

And of course, to reach Sveta Nedjelja, you have to negotiate the Pitve tunnel

Here is a guide to the iconic tunnel's history, driving etiquette - and wine cellar.

Being to enjoy the idea of Bench Tourism? Here is a detailed overview of not only probably the best view in all Dalmatia, but also one which is extremely content-rich and full of magic. 

And for those who like to wander, there are few better walks than that along the northern coast of Hvar, from Jelsa to Vrboska. Here is what awaits when you reach the place which is often called 'Little Venice.'

If you would like to follow TCN Talks and our random journey through life in Croatia, you can check out the channel here.

Looking to learn more about Hvar? All the best online tools are in our Virtual Croatia - Discover Hvar.

May 4, 2020 - Just because we can't physically travel right now, that does not mean we cannot enjoy destinations remotely. TCN Talks, our new vlog takes in the Adriatic on a walk from Jelsa to discover Vrboska on Hvar. 

When I first moved to Croatia back in 2002, I had a very strict routine. I would get up at 06:00 in my home in the old town of Jelsa and then walk all the way to Vrboska, about 40 minutes away. It was - still is - a delightful little walk along the Adriatic, with its pine forests and gorgeous hidden coves. And first thing in the morning, when there is nobody around, it is magical. And the prize at the end of the walk - to discover Vrboska!

I would have a morning coffee in a cafe in 'Little Venice' then walk back home to Jelsa, enjoying that peace, tranquility and view in reverse, and then be fully ready for work at 08:00, fully energised. 

I kinda miss those days... 

I found myself walking along the route again last week, then decided to film a little. People have been enjoying (or at least they claim to) the short videos of Hvar under lockdown that I have been posting on my Facebook page, and do I decided to capture some of the current magic. 

Then, when I reached Vrboska for the first time in a year, I fell in love again once more, and I decided to film parts of this lovely slice of heaven, as well as add some of the knowledge I have acquired about Vrboska over the years and then turn it into the latest installment in our new experimental vlog (I will find my 'voice' soon) - TCN Talks. 

I am VERY open to feedback and suggestions (and yes, I called the church a cathedral by mistake), so please leave any comments under the video. 

To discover Vrboska in more detail, here are 25 things to know about Little Venice.

April 12, 2020 - The corona era is inspiring all kinds of new projects, and we are delighted to announce the launch of our corona-free vlog, TCN Talks with CEO Paul Bradbury.

A couple of years ago I was talking to my daughters about social media and the future. They told me that although I was a famous blogger (at least in their world), blogging was for old people and the future was in video. 

"Perhaps I should start my own vlog," I suggested. 

They looked horrified. While I was a blogger, they could pretend they did not know me as nobody would recognise me, but imagine seeing their Dad on YouTube...

There were right, though - well-written longer texts are increasingly our of vogue, as attention spans digest shorter and simpler text and - preferably - video. 

Jebiga. 

The thing is, I like my words and the buffer zone it gives me between my audience. I can put the words out there, give a little of myself and my personality, and then draw the line. This works for me, but it results in some strange relationships online, which often develop in the flesh through meetings. People who follow TCN and my writings over the years feel they know me, and yet I am hearing about their lives for the first time. I have, for example, over 3,500 Facebook friends as Croatians seem to like following the random musings of a fat Irishman in the Balkans (which is great and very welcome - thanks for the interest), but I could probably recognise about 300 of those maximum if I went through the list. 

That relationship between content producer and content absorber will only get more distorted with the video medium, and yet it is the video era, and so... Despite my aversion to the camera (my friends will tell you how much I hate being on camera, public speaking, using the phone, and a special aversion to emojis), I acknowledge that it is time to adapt or die. I have been working with some chaps to bring TCN into the 21st century, and - not surprisingly - they want me on video in front of the camera. 

The corona lockdown made the decision easier. I have been experimenting lately with different types of communication to see if there is anything smart to learn. 

This video preview of the recent controversial Za Krizen precession, shot from our terrace in Jelsa, was incredibly easy to do and well-received.  

 And so I thought, why not? Why not give it a try and start a vlog, a relaxed format with loose initial goals and see where the comfort zone and the viewer interest was? Life at the moment is insane, and I have never worked harder in my life. And the subject of my work is mentally challenging and totally depressing 16 hours a day - corona. 

What about having a little video outlet to take about fun memories of the past, current topics of positivity and not virus and death. Something called TCN Talks, the name of our new vlog. 

Apart from the obvious assocation with this portal, the name takes its name from Tea Time Talks, a ritual I used to observe with a very pretty girl with eyes the colour of the Adriatic 18 years ago when I first came to Jelsa. I would meet Miranda for a cup of tea at 17:30 each day. 

18 years later, she is still very pretty, those Adriatic eyes still smiling, and she is the video editor and filmer of TCN Talks behind the camera. 

So what will we talk about on TCN Talks? I honestly don't know, but to start, I thought a few funny stories from my past which will feature in my next book, Around the World in 80 Disasters, might be a good place to start, and a good escape from the current madness. 

So let's begin!

And where better than over the skies of Somalia in the former private plane of John Travolta as it develops engine trouble. The year in 2002. 

Am VERY keen for feedback, suggestions, etc. I think this has the potential to be a lot of fun, and because there are no rules, TCN Talks can also be very flexible. Any feedback, please email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Subject TCN Talks. And I think this is the bit where I am supposed to exhort you to like and subscribe to my channel. If nothing else, it will give you regular updates on the worst beard currently attempting to grow on the Adriatic. 

Constructive criticism is fine, but make it funny, as one of the first viewers of my first video did. He set the criticism bar high.