Think you can predict the ending of GoT? Let the Unforgettable Croatia agency know!

If one thing has put Croatia on the map more than anything else for film and TV buffs, its the hit Game of Thrones series which has taken the world by storm, leading to countless visits to the many Croatian filming sites, particularly those in Dalmatia's southernmost city of Dubrovnik, which plays Kings Landing in the series, as well as Split.

While the Game of Thrones hysteria has been met with both positive and negative conclusions from residents of popular cities like Dubrovnik and Split, there is no doubt that economically speaking, Croatia has benefited beyond belief.

As Lider writes on the 19th of April, 2019, the British-American agency Unforgettable Croatia has announced a competition in which the task is to guess the ending of the wildly popular Game of Thrones (GoT) series and the reward for the one who manages to decifer the unfolding of the series' events will be rewarded with a trip to no less than GoT heaven - Croatia. So far, more than 5,000 people have sent Unforgettable Croatia their thoughts about who will take the throne at the end of the hit series.

The winner will be awarded a tourist-style tour of the various locations where the popular series was filmed across Croatia, more specifically Dalmatia, including Split, Klis, Hvar, Vis and Dubrovnik. Game of Thrones took off like few could have ever imagined, and the promotion that brought to Croatia was and remains unquantifiable. The first episode of the final season alone, which broadcast on Sunday attracted a record 11.8 million viewers.

Graham Carter, the owner of the British-American Unforgettable Croatia agency which launched the this GoT inspired competition, had his business in mind, which would further flourish by increasing the overall interest in travelling to Croatia. Every year, this agency brings about 5,000 passengers travel to Croatia, and they're hoping to increase that figure to 6,500 next year, as Carter revealed for Večernji list. Carter is currently residing in Split, where he is trying to establish a Croatian office for his the Unforgettable Croatia agency.

The winner of Unforgettable Croatia's competition will be offered half-board accommodation for a seven-day trip for two to Croatia, a tour of the Game of Thrones sites accompanied by a professional guide, and a visit to Hvar and Vis by sea. But there is, of course, a catch - the winner will not win the airplane tickets for travel, and they'll need to foot the bill for that themselves. 

GoT fan? Have your say! Click here.

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“It is official! The Vis Archipelago Geopark is now a member of UNESCO's Global Geopark Network! We congratulate and thank everyone who has contributed in any way to this project. We are sure this is just the beginning of a fantastic and beautiful story for the island of Vis and its archipelago,” wrote the Komiža Town Tourist Board on its Facebook page, reports Jutarnji List on April 18, 2019.

The Global Geopark Network is a UNESCO network of geoparks comprised of areas whose geological and geomorphological heritage makes them locations of international significance. Until now, the Papuk Nature Park was the only location in Croatia with such status.

Following a suggestion by the National Commission for UNESCO Global Geoparks, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Energy filed an application for the establishment of the Vis Archipelago Geopark in 2017. The initiative for the establishment of the geopark was first given by the Croatian Geological Institute, together with the towns of Vis and Komiža. The report was prepared by a working group headed by Jakša Božanić, with Tvrtko Korbar, Joško Božanić, Josip Belmarić and Dalka Zanka as members.

The area of Vis archipelago is a significant zone of the Adriatic Sea were some 220 million years ago major changes occurred through the propagation of diapirs, masses of searing deep ancient salts, which elevated sediment plates formed by the petrification of sand and organism shells. The summits of this magmatic penetration are nowadays the islands of Jabuka, Brusnik, Biševo and Palagruža, as the geologically oldest island of the Adriatic which, just like the island of Brusnik, continues to rise under the influence of tectonic activity.

The Vis archipelago includes seven areas protected by the Nature Protection Act in several different categories: in addition to the islets of Brusnik and Jabuka, they include Blue Cave, Medvidina Cave, Ravnik island and its cave, and Stiniva Cove.

The establishment of the Vis Archipelago Geopark will contribute to raising awareness about the importance of protecting geological and geomorphological heritage, as well as recognising geo-tourism as part of a unique tourist offer.

More info about the Vis Archipelago can be found at its official page.

Translated from Jutarnji List.

More Vis island news can be found in the Lifestyle section.

The stunning Croatian island of Vis takes to the screens as a film which showcases its sheer beauty rightfully wins big in Florence.

As Morski writes on the 1st of April, 2019, the film by Italian director Nicola Bongiorna "The Lions of Vis" won over both the public and panel in Florence, Italy, with a warm story about the Croatian island of Vis, its inhabitants, history, maritime heritage, fishermen, divers, and, above all, its story of love and respect for the sea.

"The Lions of Vis" (I Leoni di Lissa) won the main prize at the Florence Archeofilm Festival. Nicola Bongiorna's film describes the step by step process of a huge search under the sea for the wreck of a sunken Italian vessel - the Re d 'Italia ship from 1866, which sank with its 400 crew members.

The words of an Italian journalist, "The film isn't a historical story of the battle, but a story told through the astonishing beauty of the archipelago that speaks to the soul of the viewer, a film about the transparency of the sea that connects, and doesn't separate the people".

Some sequences of films from as far back as the 1930s and a film from the 1960s from the island of Vis were introduced, which the director used to reconstruct life on the island. Bongiorna also co-operated with prof. Josip Bozanić, who specialises in linguistics, and the film goes on to reveal many similar and even identical linguistic expressions used by people on both sides of the Adriatic coast.

Recalling the success of the film, the Italian media write that "the beauty of Dalmatia is borderless, and the islands are magical".

Nicola dedicated the film to no less than his own father, Mike, a renowned Italian TV quiz host, who taught him what it meant to fall in love with the sea.

Make sure to follow our dedicated lifestyle page for much more.

Click here for the original articles by Pokret otoka (Island movement) and Slobodna Dalmacija

From the 7^th – 10^th March 2019, the PMS Žena (Povijesno Mediteranksi Skup Žena – Historical Mediterranean Gathering of Women) women's sailing regatta took place on the island of Vis. This unique women's regatta is one of a kind; supporting and promoting women in this typically male-dominated sport.

I reached out to one of the organisers, Suzi Kraljević, to ask a few more questions about the PMS Žena Women's Sailing Regatta.

When did the PMS Žena Women's Sailing Regatta Begin?

This unique women’s sailing regatta started in 2015, despite extreme weather conditions, with only 3 crews – all from Croatia. The second year saw it turn into an international women’s sailing regatta, with the addition of Austrian and Slovakian crews.

The racing area is the port of Vis – triangle course in Vis bay; the entire race can be observed from the coast, which gives it another unique element.

What was the motivation behind creating the PMS Women’s Sailing Regatta?

The motivation behind the regatta was quite simply to create the only, exclusively women’s sailing race. It was in an effort to promote the sport but especially women in sailing, and International Women’s Day gave great timing and motivation to make it happen. This women’s sailing regatta is also unique because it is a sporting event on the island which is totally out of season.

How has it developed over the past 5 years?

In the first year, we had only 3 crews, all from Croatia.

2016: 6 crews; 1 crew from Austria, 2 crews from Slovakia, 3 crews from Croatia

2017: we had 11 crews in total; 2 crews from Austria, 2 crews from Slovakia, 2 crews from Montenegro, 1 crew from Hungary, 1 crew from Italy, 1 crew from the Czech Republic, 2 crews from Croatia.

2018: 7 crews; 1 crew from Austria, 1 crew from Slovakia, 1 crew from Montenegro, 1 crew from Hungary, 3 crews from Croatia

2019: This year we had 9 crews; 1 crew from Austria, 1 crew from Montenegro, 2 crews from Hungary, 1 crew from Italy, 2 crews from Croatia and two mixed International crews: WOB1 - Italy, Switzerland, Czech Republic, New Zealand, Croatia, Serbia and WOB2: Ukraine, Italy, Germany, Slovenia, Slovakia and Croatia

Tell us a little about the history of sailing in Croatia, and women in sailing?

The first sailing club in Croatia was founded in 1876. The oldest regatta in Croatia is the Mrdujska Regatta, which was established in 1927. The organiser of this women’s sailing regatta (PMS Žena) is YC HOST from island Vis. The club's first regatta was the Adriatic Race (13th incarnation this year) which is one of the most challenging regattas, it is around 250 miles from Vis – Dubrovnik – Palagruža – Vis.

So, while sailing in Croatia and regattas have been here for the better part of a century; the PMS Žena women's sailing regatta promotes women in sailing because there still aren't enough women in sailing (Croatia and worldwide), but things are slowly changing. In the past, women were not welcome on a boat, but today it is normal for women to cross the ocean and circumnavigate the globe. Women are present in sailing, but we still need to do more to promote this sport and encourage more women.

Participating in the PMS Žena women's sailing regatta, are women of all ages but we are especially pleased to see new, young crews appearing every year.

What was the highlight of the PMS Žena Women's Sailing Regatta 2019?

The highlight this year was the atmosphere of the competition, but also the mutual support between the crews and the feeling of common enjoyment in this unique women's sailing event. Maybe it was like this because for the first time we had international crews.

Have you received support for the PMS Žena Women's Sailing Regatta?

Without the generosity of all of the past sponsors and support from the local community, it would be nearly impossible to secure the means and support of this important sports competition. A huge thanks goes out to all of the former patrons who have enabled development of this event, whether they helped in the form of food and drinks, providing accommodation, or being involved with the logistics and organisation of the event itself.

Our main sponsor is INTIMINA, but there are a lot of other sponsors like private firms, and of course, the support of the local community and people from the clubs who work voluntarily for 4 days.

What are your hopes for the PMS Žena Women's Sailing Regatta in 2020?

We received a lot of praise for the event this year; the organisation, atmosphere, food, hospitality. So, we hope to better the women’s regatta next year. Thanks to all who were involved and see you at the PMS Žena Women's Sailing Regatta in 2020

A few words from the only Kiwi in this International Women's Sailing Regatta

Sammie Williams, grew up sailing in NZ, she was introduced to the sport by friends and has had the bug ever since. Sammie is an accomplished sailmaker and now lives in Montenegro skippering a Hanse, she tells us her impressions as a participant of the PMS Žena women’s sailing regatta.

"I haven’t done many regattas before, more day sailing events, tall ship racing, two-handed, off-shore, inshore… My first regatta was the Hanse Cup Regatta in Croatia last year. I was the only kiwi in this international mix of women; this was the first female regatta I have ever attended, and it was amazing! I couldn’t believe how many female sailors there were, and, all in one place! The organisation was incredible and the food and housing provided were superb. I was in WOB1 (Welcome on Board International) which was Claudia’s idea to put a boat together of all different nationalities; she managed to bring together 12 women from 11 different countries! No one had met prior to the regatta, so we weren’t sure how we would go but my team placed 3^rd overall, and the other team WOB2 placed 5^th – so, we didn’t do too bad at all!

I’ve never heard of a women’s sailing regatta before and honestly, never really thought there were enough women to pull it off, but the weekend has definitely proved me wrong! As well as the atmosphere and the racing, the entire organisation was phenomenal and very affordable – around 35 euro per person, which included all accommodation, lunch and dinners. The whole island pulled together and helped to create this event which was really fantastic to see. I will definitely be back.”

Photo credit: Mate Acalinović, Sammie Williams rocking it on the bow!

2019 Results for the PMS Žena Women's Sailing Regatta

All photos courtesy of Ante Acalinović, Alenka Alujević, Adriatic Race Official, and Welcome on Board International Sailing Team.

If you would like to see more about Sailing in Croatia, you can visit our Facebook page, or find more news on Total Croatia Sailing. For more on Sports or News in Croatia, visit Total Croatia News.

ZAGREB, February 25, 2019 - Croatia's long-distance swimmer Dina Levačić has recently announced her plans for this summer which include her second attempt to swim the length of 54 kilometres from the Adriatic island of Vis to her city of Split and the 30-kilometre Tsugaru Strait between the Japanese islands of Honshu and Hokkaido.

The 23-year-old Levačić, who is the first Croatian female swimmer to conquer the English Channel, is going to swim in July from the island of Vis to Split. Last July, she almost accomplished this feat but had to give up three kilometres before the finish line.

In August she is going to accomplish the Tsugaru swim, one of the Oceans Seven challenges.

In 2017, she managed to conquer within 90 days the three historically important swims known as the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming.

In September that year, Levačić completed the swim across the English Channel in 11 hours and 42 minutes, and thus completed the Triple Crown. This best Croatian female marathon swimmer was before that the first Croatian to ever complete a 48.5 km circumnavigation of Manhattan Island. She swam the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim on 25 June 2017, and the Catalina Channel, 32.5 km between Catalina Island and the California mainland, on 3 August that year.

Furthermore, in 2018 she also accomplished the Molokai Channel swim, also one of the Oceans Seven targets.

The Oceans Seven is a marathon swimming challenge consisting of seven open water channel swims. It was proposed in 2008 as the swimming equivalent of the Seven Summits mountaineering challenge. It includes the North Channel, the Cook Strait, the Molokai Channel, the English Channel, the Catalina Channel, the Tsugaru Strait and the Strait of Gibraltar.

More sports news can be found in our dedicated section.

Vis island, where the summer blockbuster hit ‘Mama Mia! Here We Go Again’ was filmed, has been nominated for this year's European Film Location Award for the best film location in Europe.

When you live on one of the most amazing island on the Adriatic, where do you to for an excursion? 

October 13, 2018 - Continuing our look at the Mediterranean as it once was through various videos online, a trip to the island of Vis during World War II, and the vital role the island played in the war. 

ZAGREB, October 11, 2018 - The Croatian government on Thursday decided to advertise a tender for the sale of the so-called Czech Villa on the island of Vis and the starting price is set at 32.1 million kuna, while State Assets Minister Goran Marić said he hoped that potential buyers would show their interest in purchasing the property.

October 2, 2018 - It is the Croatian island made famous by the filming of Mamma Mia 2 this year - your chance to own a sea view on the gorgeous island of Vis.