November 27, 2020 – A towering Zagreb Christmas tree has been placed on Trg bana Josipa Jelačića in the heart of the Croatian capital. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

A towering Zagreb Christmas tree has been placed on Trg bana Josipa Jelačića. It arrives in time for the start of the Advent season, which begins officially this weekend.

Standing between 15 metres and 20 metres in height, the Zagreb Christmas tree is so impressive it might just rival the famous statue of Josip Jelačić himself as the most eyecatching monument on the square. By the time its lights are added, we certainly wouldn't put money on Josip for the title.

A giant Christmas tree is a traditional December sight on this main square at the heart of the Croatian capital. Although it's not the only one. There are usually around 40 Christmas trees placed in public parks and squares around the city, Zagreb doesn't do Christmas half-heartedly.

Advent celebrations in the city usually commence with the lighting of a candle by the Manduševac water feature on Trg bana Josipa Jelačića. The appearance of this first flame is the marker for the city's Christmas lights to be turned on, including those of the Zagreb Christmas tree.

We can't be sure if the Zagreb Christmas tree that now stands on Trg bana Josipa Jelačića is exactly the same one, but it does look remarkably like a giant pine tree moved from private property on Gradišćanska ulica a couple of days ago. If it is that pine, then one local resident reckons the Zagreb Christmas tree is over 35 years old. It towered above the dwelling in whose grounds it lay. Local residents were sad to see it go. But, during a year in which Zagreb has experienced its strongest earthquake in 100 years, plus hundreds of aftershocks, it's perhaps understandable why the landowners were willing to let this giant go. Two younger pine trees remain on the plot.




This article's final two photos were taken by © Zoran Stajčić

November 27, 2020 - The latest news for flights to Croatia as British Airways returns to Zagreb for the holidays, and Croatia Airlines boosts traffic on the same route.

Croatian Aviation reports that British Airways will briefly re-establish the London Heathrow-Zagreb route at Christmas and New Year. Croatia Airlines is also increasing the number of flights on this route.

This year, British Airways very often changed its schedule on the London-Zagreb route. Recall, the route was suspended in September until the end of October, then it operated for a very short time, only two weeks, and stopped traffic to Zagreb again.

By mid-November, the company had offered a significant number of direct flights between Zagreb and London from mid-December. However, the closer we get to the announced flights, the more significantly the airline reduced the number of departures on this line, just in time for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

British Airways has confirmed that this line will operate from December 20 to January 5 and will perform only 5 return flights on this route, far less than originally planned. The London Heathrow - Zagreb - London Heathrow line will operate on December 20, 22, and 29. Only two flights are available in January - on Sunday, January 3, and Tuesday, January 5.

Departures in both directions on all announced British Airways flights are very well filled.

The question remains as to why British Airways did not sell more departures on this route in time for the holidays when all flights were well booked almost a month in advance. The airline has time to open additional sales on certain departures, but so far it has done just the opposite, and instead reduced the number of flights to Zagreb for the upcoming holidays.

Croatia Airlines, which operates once a week (Monday) between Zagreb and London, is offering a second flight a week on this route from mid-December. This is a good move by the national airline, which is obviously following what the competition is doing on this route and opening sales on time.

From December 14 to January 10, there are 4302 seats for sale between London and Zagreb.

In addition to flights on Mondays, Croatia Airlines has direct flights on sale on December 19, 23, and 30. In January, flights are available on Saturdays, on January 2 and 9.

Croatian Aviation adds that anyone who wants to spend the holidays in Croatia will have a rather difficult time organizing this trip, given that flights between London and Zagreb will be quite rare for this time of year. Apart from British Airways and Croatia Airlines, there is no doubt that a large number of passengers will travel with other airlines, with stops, for example, in Amsterdam and Warsaw.

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November 26, 2020 - Advent in Zagreb 2020 is scheduled to kick off on Saturday. A comprehensive look at a largely online event with a festive Croatian background. 

As the craziest year in the history of tourism enters its final weeks, there is one major event in the Croatian calendar to go - Advent. 

Advent tourism in Croatia is a relatively new thing. Until relatively recently, apart from a few stalls in some cities, it was not really celebrated as a tourism spectacle. That all changed several years ago, when Zagreb decided to expand its Advent offer from a small event on the main square to a more comprehensive offer all over the city. 

The results were spectacular. Rather than hibernating for the winter months, Zagreb locals delighted in the lively spirit of Advent in Zagreb, welcoming hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over Europe and beyond. So successful was the initiative that Zagreb was voted best Christmas market in Europe three years in a row. The Advent promotion has helped the Croatian capital emerge from the shadows of more famous capital city neighbours such as Vienna, Prague and Budapest, to become a desirable destination in its own right. Lonely Planet even named Zagreb the best destination in Europe in 2017. 

So what of Advent in Zagreb 2020? Would it go ahead?

With such an unpredictable situation regarding the pandemic, any decision to proceed would have to include flexibility, and it is clear that Advent in Zagreb 2020 would look a LOT different to previous years.

And so it will. Advent in Zagreb 2020 will go ahead from Saturday until New Year's Day, but if you are expecting to huddle around mulled wine watching the ice skating or sampling local sausages from the wooden stalls usually dotted around the centre, you will be disappointed. 

Instead, the authorities have decided on a strategy which brings out the beauty of festive Zagreb, while using technology to promote the art and cultural treasures of the festive season, while providing enticing content to allow visitors to enjoy the city. With a close eye on the epidemiological situation, this year's event has several novelties and is expected to attract a considerable participation all over the globe through its online streaming. By preserving the magic of the city at this special time of year, the memories of Advent in Zagreb will be fresh, with the sincere hope that it will be close to business as usual for Advent in Zagreb 2021. 

The airlines seem to expect Advent visitors. As TCN has reported in recent days, several airlines have announced a resumption or increase in flights to Zagreb during the festive period, with Turkish Airlines alone selling 5,700 seats. Qatar and Austrian have also announced plans, making the Croatian capital quite accessible for those who want to visit. 

So how will Advent in Zagreb 2020 look like, and what is there to look forward to?

"Every year we try to enrich our Advent with novelties and we have decided that this year, which is extraordinary by all parameters, will not be an exception," explained Zagreb Tourist Board Director, Martina Bienenfeld. "So we prepared the Light of Advent project where we, with 10 institutions in the Upper Town, will decorate their windows in the holiday spirit, and we invite tenants and everyone else to become part of this initiative. Namely, with this project we want to begin a warm story, bring positive emotions, create a sense of community and, ultimately, encourage our fellow citizens to get involved and thus give their contribution to Advent.

"Another novelty is the Zagreb Nativity Scene, more precisely the online exhibition of photographs of Christmas nativity scenes taken from 2007 to 2020, and there is also an interactive augmented reality exhibition Virtual Christmas Windows. This exhibition will bring a touch of Christmas atmosphere using animated motifs of this year's Advent in Zagreb, and will be set in 20 locations in the city in parks, squares, and large open spaces."

Music will be a core theme of Advent in Zagreb 2020, with no less than 9 separate music programmes and 95 concerts in all. These will take place in concert halls and outdoors, with the appropriate measures adhered to, as well as streamed online. The 9 programmes offer a diverse cultural choice - Evenings with Brahms; The Festival of Advent and Christmas Songs; Advent Classic Fest; Advent concerts of Zagreb Soloists; Advent concerts of the Zagreb Chamber Orchestra; Zagreb Harp Festival; Advent under the Lantern; Concert from the Christmas Balconies; and Advent Postcards from Zagreb. You can check out the full musical programme here. 

There will also be plenty of cultural attractions, with something for all the family. These include the Ilica Project: Q'ART Community Festival, bringing the best from local craftsmen, exhibitors, music and other programmes.  The 10th exhibition of the Association of Friends of Croatian Nativity Scene at the Ethnographic Museum presents 42 nativity scenes from Zagreb and all over Croatia. 

Zagreb is a city of museums, and Advent at the Museum will see some special prices and offers from some of its best-known museums. Santa Claus will be putting in appearances at the Museum of Broken Relationships, the Museum of Illusions and the Zagreb Chocolate Museum. Perhaps the most intriguing museum travel experience is to be had at the recently-opened Museum of Hangovers, where one can take an alcoholic tour of Advent drinks around the world, while those yearning for memories of a pre-pandemic world should check out the Zagreb 80s Museum, which will be offering both a holiday atmosphere akin to that bygone era, including mulled wine prepared to a recipe of the time.  If you manage to visit all five museums (all of which are at a discounted price), you will go into a prize draw. 

The Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall will be holding a number of concerts, while the Theatre Mala Scena will be providing entertainment from the stage, pending the epidemiological situation. 

There is also lots to enjoy for the little ones, One of the most intriguing is called Fairytale to Go: Little Red Riding Hood, Wolf and Grandma, which will take place weekly in the forest close to Ribnjak Park. The classic fairytale is told through headphones as participants walk through the woods, hearing the perspectives of each character in the story.  But this is a very active enactment of the famous fairytale, and it comes with karate practice with the wolf, flower painting with Little Red Riding Hood, and helping Grandma tell the story of the long-nosed princess and the dragon. And when the kids are finished with that, head to the Mini Train Museum and the Backo Mini Express, the fifth-largest model railway in Europe. More details on all these programmes here.  

Advent in the Croatian capital has had a very active element to it for a number of years now - the Zagreb Advent Run. This year's race will necessarily be different due to the situation, but that does not mean any less fun. Indeed, this year's race will be run over three days, with participants able to choose the route they want, finishing at the Westin Hotel, dressed as usual in the seasonal costumes of Santa,  fairies, elves and other Xmas superstars. Run as much as you feel - more details here. 

Due to the current situation, the usual crowds will be absent, which will make Advent in Zagreb 2020 all the more special. The city will be festively decorated, adding a little more romance to a quiet stroll through its parks and squares. A great new addition to this year's event is the introduction of AR, with some 20 squares and parks brought to life with engaging content using augmented reality via a specialist app. Learn more about the Virtual Christmas Windows app from Equinox XR.

A responsible approach to the current situation means that the traditional little wooden stalls serving mulled wine and culinary specialities will not be on show this year, and the gastronomic choices in general are very dependent on the latest COVID-19 situation. Currently, it has been announced that bars and restaurants will be closed until December 21 - TCN will bring you the latest changes.   

Zagreb's hotels are open and waiting for your visit. Several have prepared seasonally-themed offers, details of which you can find here.

Advent in Zagreb 2020 will be unlike any other before or after. Not everything will go according to plan for sure, but one thing is certain - the city will once again look magical with its unique atmosphere. Come and enjoy it, either online on in person, before normal Advent service is restored next year. 

For the full Advent in Zagreb 2020 programme and further information, visit the official website.

For the latest news on the coronavirus situation, follow the dedicated section. 

November 26, 2020 - The latest news for flights to Croatia as Austrian Airlines returns to Zagreb for the holiday season.

Croatian Aviation reports that Austrian Airlines will briefly resume operations on the Vienna-Zagreb route. During the Christmas and New Year holidays, the Austrian company will operate 14 flights between the capitals of Austria and Croatia.

Austrian Airlines has been a long-time user of Zagreb Airport and one of the biggest unpleasant surprises in this crisis year was the news that the Vienna-Zagreb route was interrupted.

Although the reason for the temporary departure from Zagreb is clear (drop in demand), the question remains how Austrian regularly operates to smaller destinations in the region, such as Pristina, Skopje and Sarajevo, and is also present in Belgrade.

The line will be in operation from December 18 to January 3, during which time Austrian Airlines will make 14 rotations between Vienna and Zagreb.

Direct flights will be available on the following days: Friday, December 18, Saturday, December 19, Sunday, December 20, Monday, December 28, Wednesday, December 30, Saturday, January 2, and Sunday, January 3. 

DashQ400 aircraft with a capacity of 76 seats in the Austrian Airlines fleet has been announced for all flights. A larger E195 aircraft with a capacity of 120 seats was announced for the flight on Sunday, December 20.

Austrian Airlines will offer 1,152 seats between Vienna and Zagreb in three weeks of operation.

After January 3, this line will be interrupted again, according to the airline's current plan, until March 1 next year, when Austrian should resume daily traffic between Zagreb and Vienna. Whether this will really happen will depend on the demand itself and the epidemiological situation.

Unlike other airlines (KLM, Eurowings and Edelweiss), Austrian will not introduce direct scheduled flights to coastal airports this winter.

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November 25, 2020 - The latest news for flights to Croatia as Qatar Airways increases traffic to Zagreb in December.

Croatian AviationCroatian Aviation reports that Qatar Airways, the national carrier of Qatar, will increase the number of weekly flights on the Doha - Zagreb route in December.

Qatar Airways currently operates on the Doha - Zagreb - Doha route only once a week, every Friday, on A320 aircraft. These are drastically fewer weekly flights as a direct result of weak demand caused by the global pandemic.

Last summer, Qatar Airways operated on this route as many as 14 times a week, and this summer the route to Dubrovnik was supposed to begin.

Qatar Airways stopped traffic to Zagreb during the pandemic, and the airline brought back the route on July 1 with three flights per week. Due to low demand, flights were suspended even during the summer season for two weeks, in August and September. Qatar has since stayed on one flight a week to Zagreb.

An extra flight on Wednesdays in December

The airline will briefly increase the number of weekly flights on this route. In addition to the flight on Friday, a flight is reintroduced on Wednesdays in December. Both flights will be operated weekly by A320 aircraft with a capacity of 132 seats in the carrier's fleet; 12 in business and 120 in economy class. The extra flight will operate according to the same schedule, with an afternoon departure from Zagreb Airport.

Doha 07:45 - 11:45 Zagreb 15:35 - 23:00 Doha

The temporary increase of Qatar Airways during the Christmas and New Year holidays is certainly a logical move by the company, considering that Croatian citizens will want to travel to Croatia at this time, and it is generally known that a large number of Slovenian citizens use this line.

From 1,188 to 2,376 available seats on this line in December

The question remains what Qatar Airways will do with the Zagreb route in January and February, or the traditionally bad months when demand is relatively low even under normal circumstances. The airline planned to connect the Zagreb line with Vienna, but that did not happen.

One thing is for sure - if Croatia's biggest markets, primarily from Asia, are reactivated in the summer flight schedule next year, Qatar Airways will certainly react by increasing the weekly frequencies on this route. A minimum of four flights a week should not be in question, especially when we take into account that Emirates will not fly to Zagreb next summer, and probably not Korean Air either.

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November 25, 2020 - The presidents of Hajduk and HNS met on Tuesday in Zagreb to discuss several topics and open issues that directly and indirectly concern the Split club and Croatian Football Federation.

The President of the Management Board of HNK Hajduk, Lukša Jakobušić, met with the President of HNS Davor Šuker at the headquarters of the Federation in Zagreb. The meeting lasted an hour and 20 minutes, and the two discussed a number of topics and open issues that directly and indirectly concern Hajduk and HNS.

"This meeting is a logical sequence of what I announced in my inaugural speech. I want to talk about everything and for a start, I choose the most difficult topics which, understandably, are of most interest to Hajduk, but also to the wider football public. I think that the context and issues of the relationship between Hajduk and the Croatian Football Federation are well known to everyone. The president of HNS is the one who represents the Federation and who has the power to resolve the open issues and problems we discussed today. I met him and repeated things that bother not only Hajduk, but the entire football public because I have the impression that some attempts at positive changes on our part were rejected only because of the way they were presented," said Jakobušić after the meeting.

One of the topics discussed was hosting Croatia national team matches at Poljud.

"If Poljud will be the primary home of the Croatia national football team in the next few years, given the condition of Maksimir, then it is logical for HNS to invest in infrastructure. I am thinking especially for the new pitch."

Representatives of HNK Hajduk currently do not participate in the work of the HNS body.

"Regarding the presence of Hajduk representatives in the bodies of the Federation, we first want to focus on the football federation of Split-Dalmatia County where Hajduk must be the bearer and leader of positive vibes, choose the right people, renew and strengthen relations with clubs in Dalmatia, and only then participate in HNS. And we want to be ready and equipped for the HNS elections that are scheduled for next year. My personal focus is Hajduk, but Dalmatia must have representatives in HNS who are familiar with Hajduk."

What Hajduk will continue to strongly insist on is the transparency of work within HNS and the moral credibility of all persons who represent HNS or are in any way involved in its work.

"I emphasized once again how important transparency is for the HNS institution itself. The key is what I emphasized at the inaugural press conference, and that is that people who are legally, and in the case of HNS, illegally convicted, have no place within the Federation. This is primarily important for HNS, and indirectly for all clubs, to change the climate of the general impression and restore confidence in the umbrella football institution.

We will not and do not want to run away from all these challenges, we want to confront all stakeholders with them and now, using chess vocabulary, it's the Federation's move. Maintaining the status quo suits only those who benefit from it," concluded Jakobušić.

"We spoke openly about everything, I hope that we will roll up our sleeves as soon as possible and do a lot to benefit Croatian football. We care that Hajduk is strong, competitive and that, in football jargon, it has power. The Croatian Football Federation will not interfere in the work of the Football Federation of Split-Dalmatia County, which must be independent. I would like Hajduk to be the main conductor there and an important factor, everything that its leaders must show by acting through that institution in order to enter the HNS Assembly, is important and they have my support in this matter. It is very important to us that Hajduk continues to create quality young players and that Croatia continues to draw football talents from all over Dalmatia. The national team is coming to Split again in March, and we have to do everything to provide Modrić, Perišić and the company with excellent conditions for the game. We have already made a decision on the reconstruction of the field in Varaždin, Velika Gorica and Šibenik, and my proposal at the next session of the Executive Board will be to fix the Poljud stadium pitch," concluded Davor Šuker.

Source: HNK Hajduk website, HNS wesbite

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

November 25, 2020 - The latest news for flights to Croatia as Aegean returns to three Croatian airports next spring. 

Croatian Aviation reports that Greek national airline Aegean Airlines has announced its return to Croatian airports next year.

Aegean Airlines did not operate to Croatian airports this year. In the original plan, before the outbreak of the global pandemic, they planned to operate to Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik, but all flights were canceled in April for this year. 

The airline then completely withdrew from selling all routes to Croatia for the summer flight schedule in 2021, so at one point, the Aegean Airlines return to Croatian airports was questionable. The worst-case scenario, however, will not materialize - the Greek airline has returned three routes for sale; from Athens to Dubrovnik, Split, and Zagreb.

In the peak of the 2021 summer season, Aegean Airlines announces 22 weeks of flights to and from Croatia!

On all routes to Croatia, Aegean Airlines is announcing aircraft from the A320 family, which will lead to an increase in capacity, given that in the summer flight schedule in 2019, a certain number of flights were operated by DashQ400 aircraft.

Athens - Zagreb

Aegean Airlines introduced the Athens-Zagreb-Athens route in May 2018, operating on it with the mentioned DashQ400 aircraft 3 times a week. Although the line was supposed to operate only in the summer flight schedule, the company left it in traffic in the winter as well, with two flights a week, except in January and February when it was briefly interrupted due to low demand. In the summer of 2019, this line operated four times a week, which was the plan for the summer of this year, but with larger aircraft from the A320 family.

Aegean Airlines has released tickets on this route for the summer of next year. It will be in operation from the very beginning of the summer flight schedule, on March 31, and the flights are on sale until the end of October, more precisely, on October 30, 2021.

On the route between Zagreb and Athens, two flights a week will be available, every Wednesday and Saturday, on A319 aircraft, which have a significantly higher capacity compared to the DashQ400 (144 versus 78 seats).

Thus, in the summer of 2021, Aegean Airlines will offer as many as 17,856 seats between Athens and Zagreb!

Although the capacity is significantly higher due to the change in aircraft type compared to 2019, while the number of weekly flights has been reduced, the total number of seats offered between the two capitals will be only slightly reduced. The planes will operate on this line in the morning. Arrival in Zagreb is planned at 09 hours and 5 minutes, and departure to Athens at 9 hours and 50 minutes.

Athens - Split

Aegean launched the line to Split in the summer of 2016 and has been systematically increasing its capacity ever since, mostly increasing the number of weekly flights. For example, in the summer of 2018, this line had four flights a week, while in the summer of 2019, a fifth flight was added. DashQ400 aircraft operated on the route.

In the summer of 2021, Aegean Airlines announces four flights a week on the Athens-Split-Athens route. The line will operate from May 18 to October 7, 2021, with A319 aircraft that have the already mentioned capacity of 144 passengers in the fleet of this carrier. 

Split and Athens will be connected by direct flights on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays; on Mondays and Fridays in the afternoon, and Tuesdays and Thursdays in the morning.

Given that there is a change in the type of aircraft on this route, and consequently a significantly higher capacity on each flight to and from Split Airport, Aegean Airlines will have almost 24 thousand seats on sale in the summer of 2021!

Athens - Dubrovnik

Aegean introduced the line to Dubrovnik in the summer of 2015, continuously increasing the number of weekly flights from season to season, just as is the case with the line to Split. In the peak summer season in 2019, the line operated 5 times a week, with A320 and DashQ400 aircraft.

The Greek airline plans to restart this route as early as March 29, 2021, starting with two flights a week, Mondays and Saturdays. From May 20, the third flight is added weekly, every Thursday, and from June 4, flights on Fridays and Sundays.

Aegean will thus increase its capacity to Dubrovnik, considering that A319 and A320 aircraft were announced on the flights, while in the summer of 2019, smaller capacity aircraft - DashQ400 - also operated on the route.

The line to Dubrovnik will be reduced in the postseason. Namely, from September 30 to October 30, it should operate three times a week, on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Aegean will monitor the status of bookings on all routes and, if necessary, react by increasing weekly flights in the next summer season, with Zagreb having the best chances for another flight per week.

In addition to a direct line to Athens, Aegean has a wide network of destinations throughout Greece in its fleet. Given that an increasing number of Croatian citizens spend their summer holidays in Greece, destinations such as Heraklion, Chania, Santorini, Karpathos, Rhodes, Kos, and others should be easily accessible again next summer!

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November 25, 2020 - Following the recommendations and decisions of the authorities, Zagreb Advent 2020, under the slogan "Advent in Zagreb, feel the light" will be held in a slightly different capacity, from November 28, when the first Advent candle will be lit, until January 1, 2021. 

HRTurizam reports that special emphasis this year has been placed on cultural events, and during Advent, there will be nine different music festivals with a total of 95 concerts.

There are three novelties this year: Zagreb nativity scene, Light of Advent, and an interactive augmented reality exhibition Virtual Christmas Windows.

"Every year we try to enrich our Advent with novelties and we have decided that this year, which is extraordinary by all parameters, will not be an exception. So we prepared the Light of Advent project where we, with 10 institutions in the Upper Town, will decorate their windows in the holiday spirit, and we invite tenants and everyone else to become part of this initiative. Namely, with this project we want to begin a warm story, bring positive emotions, create a sense of community and, ultimately, encourage our fellow citizens to get involved and thus give their contribution to Advent.

Another novelty is the Zagreb Nativity Scene, more precisely the online exhibition of photographs of Christmas nativity scenes taken from 2007 to 2020, and there is also an interactive augmented reality exhibition Virtual Christmas Windows. This exhibition will bring a touch of Christmas atmosphere using animated motifs of this year's Advent in Zagreb, and will be set in 20 locations in the city in parks, squares, and large open spaces," said Martina Bienenfeld, Zagreb Tourist Board Director. 

Virtual Christmas windows

The traditional story of Advent will be connected with modern technologies, and Advent visitors will be directed to about 20 locations in the wider area of the city (squares and parks). Following the recommendations of the CNIPH, visitors will be able to see the animated content by using the Equinox XR application through their mobile phones.

Light of Advent

Light of Advent is a project by which the Zagreb Tourist Board wants to encourage certain cultural institutions in the Upper Town to decorate their windows in the holiday spirit.

"Because of the pandemic, as well as the earthquake, 2020 was and still is challenging, and with this project, we want to begin a warm story, encourage positive emotions, create a sense of community and, ultimately, encourage local people to get involved and contribute to Advent," said the Zagreb Tourist Board and added that they invited cultural institutions to join and decorate windows with Christmas decorations and positive messages from November 28 to December 31, 2020, as an incentive to others.

The Zagreb Tourist Board and its partners will arrange three locations in the Lower Town (King Tomislav Square, Zrinjevac Park, Trg Republike Hrvatske), four in the Upper Town (Gradec plateau, Bele IV Park and Strossmayer promenade east and west), and they will decorate, with the Zrinjevac branch, an Advent wreath around Manduševac and Christmas pines on St. Mark's Square and Ban Jelačić Square.

"We invite everyone to responsibly enjoy Advent this year, following all measures and recommendations of the authorities, and for those who cannot be with us, we have provided online broadcasts on our social networks," concluded the Tourist Board.

As previously announced, this year, due to the epidemiological situation, there will be no Ice Park on Tomislavac.

News, service information, as well as details of individual programs, are available on the Advent website in Zagreb: www.adventzagreb.hr, and there is also an Advent offer of Zagreb hotels that offer special holiday benefits to all guests and visitors.

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November 23, 2020 - The latest news for flights to Croatia as Turkish Airlines is selling over 5,700 seats on the Istanbul-Zagreb route this December.

Croatian Aviation reports that in December, Turkish Airlines will operate four times a week on the Istanbul-Zagreb route.

The Turkish national airline has stabilized the number of operations to the Croatian capital, with four flights a week available since mid-September this year. 

In the last month of this year, Turkish Airlines will keep the same number of weekly flights as before, operating between Zagreb and Istanbul on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

The B737-800 and A321 aircraft, which have a capacity of 151 and 188 seats, respectively, will operate on the route between Zagreb and Istanbul. Given the announced 17 flights between the two mentioned cities, Turkish will offer as many as 5,726 seats in both directions in December, which, given the current situation, is more than satisfactory.

Turkish Airlines currently offers daily flights to Zagreb from January 2021, but it is actually an old schedule that the airline has not yet revised. It is expected that the number of flights in the coming winter months will be reduced between three to four flights a week.

The Turkish airline operates regularly to Zagreb and there have been no ad-hoc flight cancellations on this route, given that there are no restrictions on travel to Turkey, and a number of people travel to Istanbul for a short vacation. 

Turkish Airlines continues to monitor the situation with the coronavirus pandemic. It is expected that in the spring of next year, the growth of demand will result in more weekly flights on this international route, with the possible return of this airline to Dubrovnik Airport.

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

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November 22, 2020 - Looking to escape Zagreb for a day? Meet the lakes of Sveta Nedelja, a natural fishing and cycling paradise.

One of the biggest tourism surprises for me this year has been Sveta Nedelja, Croatia's youngest town close to Samobor, and home to the world-famous Rimac Automobili headquarters. 

In my mind, I had always associated the town with progressive local government and a healthy environment for business (Sveta Nedelja has been voted the best medium-sized town for the economy for each of the last three years). About its tourism offer, I knew nothing. 

That all changed a few weeks ago when the then deputy mayor Davor Nadi invited me over for a family weekend to have a look around both at the business environment and the town's tourism. offer. 

And that is how - as previously written - I found myself on a bicycle for only the third time in 25 years. 

Sveta Nedelja has a very well-developed cycling offer, and MTB specialists can explore the hills and forests around the town on MTB trails like the one in the video above. 

But the magic of Sveta Nedelja's tourism offer revolves around its fabulous nature, in particular its numerous lakes. 

As I detailed last time, the information and maps to help cyclists are well-presented, and there are many wonderful lakeside routes where you can explore. 

And for an extra thrill, check out Pumptrack Sveta Nedleja, which is attracting cyclists and skateboarders alike from Zagreb and beyond. 

Take a tour through the eyes of a cyclist negotiating Pumptrack Sveta Nedelja in the video above. 

While cycling is popular, the lakes of Sveta Nedelja are a magnet for another, much more tranquil, sport - fishing. 

Here is a little more detail on the main lakes. 

Lake Oresje 

This lake and the surrounding 39 hectares is managed by the Sloga Oresje sport fishing society, and it poses plenty of freshwater fish challenges for the keen fisherman. the most common varieties to be found are carp, grass carp, pike, pike-perch and catfish. All fish over 5kg must be returned to the lake.

The largest specimens ever caught here were: catfish 104 kg, carp 22 kg, pike 15 kg, pike-perch 11 kg, grass carp 18 kg.

Annual and daily permits are available from the fishing lodge at the lake. Annual permits cost 200 kuna, with daily permits at 60 kuna. Foreign citizens may also purchase permits upon showing proof of a passed fishing exam. More details on the SRD Oresje website.  

And if you can persuade them to open the kitchen, I can highly recommend the local carp - delicious!

Rakitje Lakes 

If you are looking to land a really big catch, however, perhaps you should try your luck at the Rakitje Lakes. For it was here on Finzula Lake back in 2012 that the largest carp ever caught in Croatia was reeled in, weighing an impressive 31.50 kg. The proud fisherman was a member of the local Rak fishing association. Other notable record catches include grass carp 29.5 kg, pike 12.6 kg, pike-perch 9.0 kg, and catfish 74.0 kg. Several international carp competitions are held on the Rakitje lakes each year. 

Annual permits cost 400 kuna and daily permits are 60 kuna. 

Tthe release of carp, pike and pike-perch over 5 kg and grass carp over 7 kg is mandatory. The exception is Lake Jus which has a 'catch and release' policy for all fish, regardless of size.

Looking for a place to stay nearby? Camp Zagreb is right there on the water.  

Lake Strmec

The Strmec fishing zone is situated in the water protection area of the Strmec water supply district, and includes 22 larger and smaller lakes, the Zgorela Precka backwater, the Rakovica stream covering a length of 4.9 km, and the right bank of the Sava River, which extends from the Medsava raft to the Podsused bridge, for a length of 4.6 km. The water levels in the lakes are dependent on the water levels in the river. The Stuka Strmec sports and recreational fishing society manages the Strmec lakes. The lakes are dominated by the freshwater fish species: carp, grass carp and catfish, while the Sava River is dominated by nase, barbel and catfish.

Day and annual permits are avaialble. You can learn more trom the Stuka Strmec website. 

Kerestinec Lake

Kerestinec Lake is situated in the vicinity of the Erdody castle, and is a great spot for recreational and sports fishing. The Som Kerestinec sports fishing society manages Kerestinec Lake. The lake is inhabited by many species of freshwater cyprinids, primarily carp, grass carp, pike, pike-perch and catfish. The fishing guard service supervises the lake.

Annual and day permits are sold in the fishing hut. Several competitions are held on the lake throughout the year. Information about fishing permits can be obtained at tel: +385 (98) 773 709.

The castle is also definitely worth a visit after the fishing is over. It has quite a history, but we will deal with that next time. Until now, enjoy the tour below. 

Of course, fishing and cycling are not for everyone, and there is certainly nothing wrong with some good old fashioned chilling by the water, yet one more relaxing experience that Sveta Nedelja offers in abundance. 

For more information about the lakes of Sveta Nedelja and other attractions and activities, check out the local tourist board website. 

For the latest TCN coverage of Sveta Nedelja, follow the dedicated TCN section. 

(The author was a guest of the Sveta Nedelja local authorities)