October 3, 2020 - The latest news for flights to Croatia as Emirates cancels Zagreb for 2021.

Croatian Aviation reports that Emirates, a world-famous airline based in Dubai, has canceled the Dubai-Zagreb route for all of 2021!

The company planned to operate on the Dubai-Zagreb route in this year's summer flight schedule. Still, due to the global coronavirus pandemic, the start of operations on this route was first postponed, and then it was completely canceled for this year.

Emirates then left daily flights on this route on sale for the 2021 summer flight schedule, but that too has now changed. Namely, the company canceled all flights to Zagreb for the next year, closed its office at Zagreb Airport, and fired its employees. The large B777-300ER aircraft in Zagreb every day will not return to the Croatian capital any time soon, which is certainly a financial blow to the airport, given the revenue it generated from the daily landings of this company's aircraft.

The arrival of this airline in Zagreb was truly a success for the management of Zagreb Airport, but its complete withdrawal can certainly be considered a failure. Emirates connected Zagreb with the rest of the world on a daily basis, offering excellent service to passengers on its flights on which it operated modernly equipped aircraft. The departure of this airline is a step backward for Zagreb Airport. The management had to do everything in their power to keep this company on schedule for 2021 but unfortunately failed to do so.

In addition to the Dubai-Zagreb line for 2021, Emirates also canceled the following lines:

Dubai - Edinburgh,

Dubai - Porto,

Dubai - St. Petersburg.

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

Read the Croatian Travel Update in your language - now available in 24 languages.

Join the Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community.

ZAGREB, Oct 1, 2020  - Officials of Zagreb's city administration on Thursday presented the 2020-2024 Strategy for Improving the Quality of Life for Older Persons.

The 30-measure strategy, which was presented on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons, observed on 1 October,  will be implemented in six fields: social protection, healthcare, lifelong learning, various aspects of free time, human rights, and civil society, said Romana Galic, the head of the city department for social protection and persons with disabilities.

Galic said that the implementation of the strategy would create preconditions for adding Zagreb to the World Health Organisation's Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities. 

Every tenth resident in Zagreb aged above 85, 1 in 5 residents older than 65

Zagreb boasts that the life expectancy of its residents has risen, which is evident in the data that one in ten citizens is in the age cohort above 85.

In 2019, as many as 220 people living in this city were older than 100.

Also, a share of the elderly in the total population of the city has risen. For instance in 2014, 14% of the city's residents were in the age cohort above 65, and this share rose to 17% in 2011, while in 2018,  1 in every 5 residents were older than 65.

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

Read the Croatian Travel Update in your language - now available in 24 languages.

Join the Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community.

September 29, 2020 – One surprised shopper couldn't help but laugh and photograph as telltale signs of Christmas in Croatia appeared this week over her local supermarket

As long had been suspected by city residents, it has been officially announced that Zagreb's world-famous Advent celebrations will this year go ahead. Replanned under epidemiological guidelines, kućice (small vending houses), stages and spectacular lights will once again bring the sights, scents, sounds, tastes and cheer of the festive season to the capital this December.

Advent in Zagreb © Julien Duval

In the era of Coronavirus, you might be able to ask people to be a bit quieter on their nights out, but there is absolutely no chance you can hold back Christmas in Croatia.

With Zagreb Advent now lasting for over one month - from the last day of November to the end of January's first week - the festive season is already stretched quite far, perhaps reflecting just how much residents enjoy Christmas in Croatia. But, this year, the marking of Yuletide has started earlier than ever before.

The setting of the late summer sun seems to have been the signal for one supermarket to begin bringing in the Christmas cheer. One surprised shopper couldn't help but laugh and photograph yesterday when she saw that Christmas decorations had already appeared over her local supermarket in Dubrava, east Zagreb. It is only the first week of autumn.

If you are invited into someone's home over Christmas in Croatia, you simply must go - the atmosphere and food are usually fantastic © Pictureday

Christmas in Croatia is an excellent time to visit. Zagreb's Advent has consistently been voted the best of its kind across Europe. The season of goodwill in the country is one where gifts are exchanged, homes visited, feasts shared and superb culture enjoyed. As a Catholic nation with a strong sense of family, it is also a time where religion is observed and when you get to see all of your relatives. Many visitors to Christmas in Croatia are lucky enough to be invited into the home while they are here, and such an opportunity should not be turned down. Being among family members and friends, eating traditional and homecooked Croatian food is an unforgettable Christmas experience. But, there are some rules.

Religious tradition is an integral part of Christmas in Croatia. In almost every home, no meat, only fish, is eaten on Christmas Eve © Vargazs

In the UK, it's very common to greet friends across many days of December with “Merry Christmas”. You don't do that in Croatia. If you do, you'll be met with a look that lies anywhere between confusion and concern for your mental health. The greeting of “Merry Christmas” is strictly reserved for Christmas Day itself.

The root of this adherence to tradition is doubtless the acknowledgment that Christmas in Croatia is, above all, a religious festival. Croatians are often more attuned than most to commercialism creeping into what remains a deeply-observed marking of Jesus's birth. Yet, somehow, this most sacred of Catholic holidays manages to comfortably sit, side by side with seasonal celebrations that extend further each year. Although, the first week of autumn as the start of Christmas in Croatia must be the earliest one yet.

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

Read the Croatian Travel Update in your language - now available in 24 languages

Join the Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community.

September 29, 2020 - Index.hr has learned from the City of Zagreb on Tuesday that Advent in Zagreb will be held this winter! A look at what the City said about this year's plans.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, numerous events around the world have been postponed, and it remains to be seen what the situation will be around the world, Europe and Croatia during the winter.

However, one event is crucially important for the tourism of Croatia and the City of Zagreb - and that is Advent in Zagreb. Recall, Advent in Zagreb has previously been held from the end of November or the beginning of December until the beginning of January.

Given the current circumstances with the coronavirus pandemic, many have wondered whether the award-winning event will take place this year at all, and if so, whether there will be any special measures taken. Therefore, Index.hr sent an inquiry to the City of Zagreb and the Zagreb Tourist Board, which otherwise organized this event, to find out if plans are in preparation. 

It has been confirmed to Index.hr that Advent in Zagreb will go on.

"We would like to inform you that the Advent event in Zagreb is planned to be held this year as well," they replied.

Index.hr also asked about special measures, to which they replied that they could not give any information on the matter at the moment.

"We are not able to inform you about the specific details at the moment, but the epidemiological situation and the recommendations of the competent institutions will certainly be taken into account," they concluded.

More on this soon! 

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

Read the Croatian Travel Update in your language - now available in 24 languages

Join the Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community.

September 28, 2020 - The 29th Zagreb Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, October 11, has been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, the organizers announced on Monday.

"After several months of efforts by us to provide all the necessary conditions for the 29th Zagreb Marathon, we would like to inform you that, unfortunately, we have to cancel the races. The Zagreb marathon was supposed to be held on Sunday, October 11, 2020, with a start and finish on Ban Josip Jelacic Square. Still, unfortunately, like all major marathons in the world, this year, it suffered the same fate," said the organizers on their official website.

"Precisely because many marathons have been canceled in Europe and the world, many runners wanted to take part in the Zagreb Marathon, which this year also received a Bronze label from World Athletics. As the epidemiological situation in all countries has significantly deteriorated and there are many registered participants from Croatia and the world, we cannot consciously run the risk of endangering the health of our runners and the potential spread of the infection to other fellow citizens. The Zagreb Marathon is a major international sports event, which primarily aims to promote a healthy life, and we certainly want it to stay that way," the statement continued.

However, to mark October 11 and the day of the marathon in the spirit of running, the organizers announced they would hold virtual races, and preparations are now underway. All information will be published on the Zagreb Marathon website.

"Unfortunately, this year is uncertain and difficult for the organization of all events. As much as we hoped that the races would be possible with all organizational changes and adherence to epidemiological measures in the start zone, unfortunately, there are too many participants for the current epidemiological situation," the organizers concluded and expressed hope "that this year is really an exception and that we will all welcome 29th Zagreb Marathon, October 10, 2021, with joy and satisfaction."

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

Read the Croatian Travel Update in your language - now available in 24 languages.

Join the Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community.

September the 28th, 2020 - When it comes to hearing about isolated little houses deep in the forest in the middle of nowhere, it can either be a childhood fairytale or a the basis of a good horror story, but what if it isn't? Zagreb secrets are abundant, and one of them is a little hunting lodge in the woods, close to the Slovenian border, where you can sleep, cook and even drink rakija for zero kuna.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, Mr. Petar Miljenovic, simpy known as Pero to his friends, is one of the few, if not the only Croatian hospitality worker who rents out his accommodation completely free of charge. His hunting lodge is located "in the middle of nowhere" on the Croatian-Slovenian border and is one of the very, very well kept Zagreb secrets indeed.

In the vicinity of Pogana jama at 980 metres above sea level, the secret of excursionists, hunters, mountaineers and even lovers who come to the idyllic Zumberak area has been kept, according to a report from punkufer.

"Above the village of Gric, which is located at 780 metres above sea level and is the most populated place in Zumberak, we go another 5 kilometres uphill. The key is always ''next to the mat'' - the cottage is open to all casual travellers and photographers who easily get lost in the expanses of Zumberak. Next to the house is a picturesque spring, and the water, after about 300 metres, flows into a large cave called Pogana jama. In addition to the stove and, of course, ready chopped ​​wood, the house has several pots, a map of the Zumberak Nature Park - Samoborsko gorje, and most importantly, a bottle of Zumberak brandy.

"The doors of the house are open to everyone, and hunters and hikers know that they can rest and sleep there if they need to. Ten people can sleep there, but you have to know that it is a Robinson Crusoe holiday. There is no bathroom, only a toilet. There's also a roaster and brandy available, which I bring every few days. Sometimes I get 50 kuna, and sometimes 2 euros instead of a thanks. In the future, I'll rent out the house, but for now, nothing needs to be paid,'' says Petar of perhaps one of the best kept Zagreb secrets of all.

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

Read the Croatian Travel Update in your language - now available in 24 languages

Join the Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community.

September 2, 2020 – Declarations of love, funny trading offers for chickens, appeals for dates and creative swearing have lightened the mood after earth tremors, as the Croatian sense of humour spills over into the unlikely forum of an earthquake-reporting app

The earthquake of 22 March 2020 was an unforgettable experience for anyone in Zagreb. The strongest to have hit the Croatian capital in 140 years, it has naturally been followed by a series of aftershocks. Eight particularly forceful tremors have been accompanied by more than 1000 smaller aftershocks. The vibrations have become as much a part of 2020's everyday life in Zagreb as putting on a mask.

While some still become mortified by these tremors, many Zagreb residents have now become accustomed to this low rumbling of the ground. They can now laugh and joke about it.

The Croatian sense of humour is a diverse beast – it can be dark, brutal, scathing, self-deprecating, gentle, simple, outrageous, creatively profane or simply just bizarre. In this diversity and relentless ability to laugh at all situations, the Croatian sense of humour and that of some immediate neighbours, is much closer to that which the British have rather than other Europeans. It is British comedy shows that regularly delight Croatian TV audiences, not those from Germany, France or Italy.

© Alexas_Fotos

Jokes and swearing about the earth tremors are a classically Croatian response. Alongside the Croatian sense of humour and general tomfoolery, they have recently spilled over into an unexpected forum. The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre is a pretty serious institution. It was established in 1975 and has 84 professional institutes as members in as many as 55 different countries. Their app is a world leader for the public reporting of earth tremors. Although, in the hands of funny Croatians, it has of late become a bulletin board for declarations of love, statements of the surreal, an app for trading and dating.

"Matija, I love you" read one of the first comments in response to the latest aftershock, which occurred on Friday 25 September. "Nikolina from Jazbina, I love you," declared another.

"I'm opening the bottle, is there any frightened girl nearby so that we can be scared together?" appealed one lonely chancer from the Kvatrić neighbourhood. Rather bafflingly, another simply wrote “Milk shake. Strawberry.”

This weekend's corruption of the EMSC app is not without precedent. “Does anybody here have any yeast? Dubrava and surroundings” begged one local, several weeks ago. Another trader at least made reference to the earth tremors when he advertised “I sell chickens. They are small and stressed out - and will remain small! I buy chickens, too. But only those who are resistant to earthquakes.”

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

Read the Croatian Travel Update in your language - now available in 24 languages

Join the Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community.

September 25, 2020 - The latest news for flights to Croatia as Air Serbia maintains one route to Croatia in October. 

Croatian Aviation reports that Serbian national airline Air Serbia has announced its flight schedule for October this year. Two lines will stop operating - to Dubrovnik and Split.

This summer, Air Serbia operated to Split, Dubrovnik, and Zagreb. Due to the impact of the pandemic, lines from Belgrade to Pula, Rijeka, and Zadar were canceled. Under normal circumstances, Air Serbia operated to Adriatic airports until the end of the summer flight schedule, but this year, that will not happen. Air Serbia will stop operating to Dubrovnik by the end of September, and the line to Split will be canceled at the beginning of October.

Air Serbia will land in Dubrovnik today for the last time this season. On the last flight, a B737-300 aircraft (capacity of 144 seats) was announced. Thus, Air Serbia will conclude operations on the Belgrade - Dubrovnik route for this summer season.

On the Belgrade - Split line, the last flight was announced for Sunday, October 4, and one flight is available before that date, on Friday, October 2. In last year's summer flight schedule, this line operated throughout October. Still, due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic or reduced demand, the company decided to cancel it earlier than planned.

The only Air Serbia route that remains in traffic in the winter flight schedule to Croatia is the line between Belgrade and Zagreb. Although there were 10 flights a week on this route, Air Serbia plans 3 flights per week in October this year, every Monday, Friday, and Sunday in the evening. ATR72 aircraft with a capacity of 70 seats have been announced on this route.

Air Serbia has very often canceled certain departures on flights to Croatia in this year's summer flight schedule, so it remains to be seen whether the three flights per week to Zagreb will take place according to current announcements.

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

Read the Croatian Travel Update in your language - now available in 24 languages

Join the Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community.

September 23, 2020 – Following incredible success with Game Of Thrones, Mamma Mia and others, Croatia filming locations prove to be the best again as HBO's Succession wins 7 Emmys

Historic Dubrovnik was always pretty enough to attract people from far and wide. Dubrovnik has a lot of sights to visit. In addition, it offers many activities such as hiking, cycling, sailing, boat ride, Seabob experience etc. But, following its appearance in TV show Game Of Thrones, interest in visiting the walled city went through the roof. Tourists were not the only ones who wanted to come.

HBO drama Succession is just the latest hit to take advantage of the spectacular scenery while filming in Croatia. The show has just bagged no less than seven prestigious Emmy awards for the season partially filmed in Croatia. In the drama series category, it picked up Emmys for Best Leading Male Role, Best Guest Role, Best Casting, Best Directing, Best Screenplay and Best Picture Editing.

Cast members filmed aboard a yacht with beautiful Croatia and its Adriatic waters as the backdrop © HBO

The shooting took place over 12 days in July 2019, primarily on a yacht on which the show's central characters, the Roy family, were taking a holiday. The Croatia filming locations used were the waters around Cavtat, Korcula, Mljet and Sipan. The series ventured into more urban areas of Croatia and, for those scenes, filming locations in Zagreb and Rijeka were sourced. The German-built Solandge was the yacht used in the filming and costs as much as $1.1million (£850,000) to rent for one week.

The Roy family aboard the yacht Solandge in Croatian waters © HBO

Now in its third season, Succession centres on the dysfunctional Roy family, owners of a global media and hospitality empire. It stars British actor Brian Cox as the ailing family patriarch with Kieran Culkin heading up the otherwise all-American cast. A total of 613 people worked on the shooting of Succession in Croatia, of which 595 were Croatian (161 film workers, three trainees and 431 extras).

Solandge is currently one of the most luxurious yachts in the world © Moran Yachts

In recent years, major movies such as Star Wars, Robin Hood and one installment in the long-running James Bond series have joined the likes of Game Of Thrones and Mamma Mia in enjoying Croatia filming locations. However, filming in Croatia goes back much further than that. During the 1970s and early 1980s, no less than three Oscar-winning movies used Croatia filming locations - Fiddler on the Roof (1971), The Tin Drum (1979) and Sophie’s Choice (1982).

You can read more about filming in Croatia and Croatian filming locations by reading our dedicated section here

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

Read the Croatian Travel Update in your language - now available in 24 languages

Join the Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community.

September 23, 2020 - The latest news for flights to Croatia as Windrose reconnects Zagreb and Kyiv from October, and KLM continues to fly to Split and Zagreb next month. 

HRTurizam reports that Zagreb and Kyiv will soon be reconnected by a direct airline, according to Rajko Ruzicka, director of the Croatian National Tourist Board in Russia.

This is the announcement of a new Windrose airline flight, which should connect Kyiv and Zagreb twice a week from October 4, 2020, to March 24, 2021.

"Despite the global coronavirus pandemic and the overall reduction in tourist traffic in 2020, investments in the promotion of Croatia as a top tourist destination on the Ukrainian market have paid off. Charter flights from Kyiv to Pula, Split, and Dubrovnik, which operated this summer, have significantly increased the number of arrivals of Ukrainian tourists in Croatia," said Ruzicka, adding that a number of Ukrainian tourists arrived in Croatia this year by road.

Croatia realized about 230,000 overnight stays in August this year from Ukrainian tourists, which is about 80 percent of last year's result in August, and the favorite Croatian destinations of Ukrainians are Makarska Riviera, Porec, Rovinj, and Dubrovnik, where they usually stay in hotel accommodation.

Furthermore, Croatian Aviation reports that Dutch airline KLM has announced its flight schedule for October this year. Until the end of the summer flight schedule, the company will operate to two destinations in Croatia: Split and Zagreb.

The Dutch national company will continue to operate on its regular routes from Amsterdam to Zagreb and Split in October.

KLM's Amsterdam-Zagreb route was re-established on July 4 with three flights a week, every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and daily flights on this route are available from the beginning of August. The company operated on this line regularly, without canceling certain departures.

However, certain flights in October have already been canceled. From October 5 to 11, the company canceled flights on Tuesday and Thursday (October 6 and 8). From October 12 to the end of the month, the company offers daily flights between the two cities, but it remains to be seen whether it will cancel certain flights after mid-October, and the likelihood of this is high.

KLM's second route to Croatia, Amsterdam-Split, operated 12 to 14 times a week in August with larger capacity aircraft (B737-700, B737-800). In September, traffic was reduced to three flights per week (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays), and KLM plans to keep the same number of weekly flights on this route in October as it did in September. The last flight on the route Amsterdam-Split has been announced for Saturday, October 24.

E190 aircraft with a capacity of 100 passengers have been announced on both KLM routes. It is expected that KLM will operate to Zagreb in the winter months with significantly fewer weekly flights compared to last year's winter flight schedule.

Given the close partnership between KLM and Air France, there is a possibility that one of the carriers will completely stop traffic to Zagreb this winter and redirect its passengers to a partner airline; such a decision will primarily depend on the booking status and travel restrictions between individual countries. 

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

Read the Croatian Travel Update in your language - now available in 24 languages

Join the Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community.