Lauren Simmonds
2025 – The recently passed May Day Weekend saw over 12,000 people enjoy the glorious Makarska Riviera
one of the most stunning parts of the rugged Dalmatian coastline
As Poslovni Dnevnik writes
over 12,000 Croatian and foreign guests chose to spend time on the Makarska Riviera
The long weekend brought some great numbers and very encouraging signs for the summer season ahead
The majority of tourists stayed in around thirty well-booked open hotels over the May Day Weekend across the Makarska Riviera area from Brela to Gradac
Hoteliers in the area have learned that some of the other hotels will receive their first summer guests during the second half of May
They stated that the pre-season has started well
and that they’re also satisfied with the current state of reservations for the continuation of the tourist season across key tourist markets
The first pre-season guests have also arrived in holiday homes and apartments in private accommodation in the Makarska Riviera
and more are expected over the first few days of June
The highest number of tourists stayed in Makarska itself
The popular Meteor Hotel alone hosted more than 550
Around 2,400 guests stayed in Tučepi and around 1,900 were registered as being in Brela
and the rest stayed in Živogošće and Gradac
The inflow of people to the Makarska area during the very first few days of May is an excellent sign of what’s to come during the busiest two months of the year for Dalmatia – July and August
With sustainable tourism being the topic of the hour and avoiding overtourism continues to be Croatia’s main mission
areas across Dalmatia are having to markedly change their approaches
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Romanian teenager Anca Todoni and Katie Volynets of the United States were this week's singles champions at clay-court WTA 125 events
19-year-old Todoni defeated Hungary's Panna Udvardy 6-4
Todoni, who played her first Hologic WTA Tour event just this year on home soil in Cluj-Napoca, currently sits at her career-high ranking of No.179 and is projected to rise higher after claiming the crown in Bari.
Todoni dropped only one set all week, when she was pushed to a third set before toppling No.1 seed Nadia Podoroska in Saturday's semifinals.
The teen had a quicker day on Sunday, beating Udvardy in 66 minutes. From 4-4 in the first set, Todoni reeled off the last eight games in succession.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by @wta_opendellepuglie
The Bari doubles final was contested on Saturday, where No.1 seeds Anna Danilina and Irina Khromacheva beat Angelica Moratelli and Renata Zarazua 6-1, 6-3. Danilina and Khromacheva cruised to the title, losing an average of three games per match in their three victories.
Danilina and Khromacheva are a perfect 7-0 as a team. In their only other previous event as a duo, they won last month's WTA 125 title in Parma.
This is Danilina's second career WTA 125 doubles title. Danilina is a former World No.10 in doubles who owns five career Hologic WTA Tour doubles titles and won the mixed doubles title at the 2023 US Open.
Khromacheva has now won four WTA 125 doubles titles in her career. Over the last couple months, Khromacheva has won 17 of her last 19 doubles matches, with two Hologic WTA Tour titles at Rouen and Rabat coming in that span.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by WTA Makarska Open (@makarskaopen)
At the Makarska Open in Makarska, Croatia, No.8 seed Volynets fought past No.2 seed Mayar Sherif of Egypt 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a 2-hour and 10-minute final on Sunday.
During an event which saw Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenkovic attend mid-week, World No.108 Volynets grinded through the field to reach her first WTA 125 final and capture the title.
Both Volynets and Sherif had reached the second round of Roland Garros in the previous week, with Volynets advancing to that round as a qualifier. Volynets continued her strong form on Sunday, winning 73 percent of second-serve return points in her comeback win.
Sherif started her career a perfect 6-0 in WTA 125 finals, but has lost in her three WTA 125 finals this year.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by WTA Makarska Open (@makarskaopen)
The Makarska doubles title went to Sabrina Santamaria and Iryna Shymanovich, who edged Nao Hibino and Oksana Kalashnikova 6-4, 3-6, [10-6] in Saturday's doubles final.
The match-tiebreak was deadlocked at 6-6 before Santamaria and Shymanovich won the final four points to close out the victory after 84 minutes. This is Santamaria's third WTA 125 doubles title, and Shymanovich's second.
high altitude nature parks and imposing canyons – this slice of Central Dalmatia truly is a spectacle to behold
Central Dalmatia’s coastline is packed with drama – and few places more so than along the Makarska Riviera
While pine-shaded beach resorts hug the coast
the magnificent mountains of the Biokovo Nature Park rise above the shore
The contrast is extraordinary: a barren limestone range hovering over the deep blues and greens of the Adriatic Sea
Amid all this drama are some of Croatia’s best-loved beach resorts and historic towns
which go hand in hand with some of Central Dalmatia’s most exhilarating adventure playgrounds
as I’m in the mountains of Biokovo Nature Park following the narrow winding roads leading up from the town of Makarska
Cows amble along the roadside while horses snooze in the maquis-covered scrub and black Dalmatian pines
despite towering over this seemingly bare landscape
is actually accessible via Croatia’s highest paved road
It’s not only a paradise for hikers but also for cyclists and paragliders
The views of the coastline on hikes to Sveti Jure are astounding
but there’s an easier way to take in some of those vistas
On the way to Sveti Jure is Skywalk Biokovo
a D-shaped observation deck with a glass floor 1,228m above sea level and more than a kilometre up in the air
look down – and up – and across – and take in a sweeping panorama of the Dalmatian coast and the islands
I could see the hammerhead-shaped peninsula that dangles off Makarska’s harbour as well as the islands of Brač and Hvar
Looking down I see the scrubby limestone of the cliff and the abyss below
Makarska itself has something that will appeal to all holidaymakers
History lovers can admire the architecture whose legacy shows how the Ottoman
Venetian and Habsburg empires had a hand in shaping Makarska
I pass a 16th-century Franciscan monastery before wandering past the bustling café terraces that line the harbour
filled with locals getting their morning fix of coffee and a chat
Jutting into the harbour is that hammerhead cape I spotted from the Skywalk
its interior a hilly forested park with rugged pathways leading to the little Church of St Peter and rocky beaches
On the other side of the cape is one of Makarska’s biggest draws – an enormous stretch of pebbly beach and all the water sports
cafés and family-focused activities that come with it
Makarska’s beaches are just a fraction of what you can find in the Makarska Riviera
One of the most delightful spots to spend a day swimming and snorkelling is in the village of Brela
Follow the paths around Punta Rata to find pine-shaded pebbly beaches leading to the geographical quirk that is the Rock of Brela and symbol of the town – a huge chunk of rock dotted with stunted pines and a favourite spot for a seaside selfie
The coast road taking me back to Split leads me to one of Central Dalmatia’s most breathtaking towns
The canyons of the Cetina River slice through the beautiful town of Omiš
whose southern side squeezes in an enchanting Venetian old town before the long stretch of sandy beach takes over
The Cetina attracts rafters and kayakers to its clear waters and occasional series of hair-raising rapids
And there’s one activity no self-respecting adrenalin junkie would turn down: the chance to whiz across the Cetina’s canyons on a zipline
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Lonely Planet's Aoife Breslin shares highlights from a trip to Croatia's Dalmatian Coast
Lonely Planet's publicity and marketing coordinator
recently traveled through Croatia's Dalmatian Coast
she shares some tips and insights for anyone planning a similar trip
I also managed to get a genuine glimpse into Croatian culture and traditions through exploring
From quaint rural villages like Žrnovo to almost-secluded islands like Vrnik
I savored home-cooked meals in family-run tavernas
explored ancient ruins and natural landscapes
and learned about traditions from the locals
While traveling along the Dalmatian Coast, I was fortunate to stay in three stunning hotels, each offering unique experiences. My journey began in Split, where I checked into the Briig-Boutique Hotel
The rooms in this four-star hotel were really stylish and I loved the location
it was just steps away from Split’s Old Town
Next, I stayed at the Aminess Liburnia Hotel in the island of Korčula
Standing on the balcony I was met with the sounds of crashing waves and spectacular vistas of the surrounding mountains
Located a mere 10-minute walk along the beachfront to Korčula’s Old Town
the central location is a huge convenience while staying on the island
Saving the best for last, the Bluesun Berulia Hotel in Makarska Riviera is a really luxurious five-star hotel with an incredible spa and wellness center and a number of top-of-the-range dining areas
while other rooms in the hotel offered views of the sea
Situated along the pebbly seaside in Brela
the hotel is ideally positioned for exploring the Makarska Riviera
with a scenic boardwalk stretching all the way from Brela to Makarska town
There is no better feeling than stumbling across a hidden gem, and that is exactly how I felt while visiting Eko Škoj
an eco-farm producing olive oil in the village of Žrnovo on Korčula Island
the setting was perfect for this family-run business
Eko Škoj offers olive oil tasting sessions
and I enjoyed delicious organic cuisine beneath the shade of lush olive trees
The guided tour of the groves and pressing facilities provided insights into the olive oil production process
As I have a sweet tooth, I have to say torta makarana, a traditional Croatian dessert that hails from Makarska. The staff at Tavern Kalalarga in Makarska insisted I try it
torta makarana is a cake-like dessert that features almonds
The fresh scorpion fish at Konoba Ivandica Dvori deserves a mention too
complemented by amazing service and an unbeatable view of the sunset over the mountains
This gem of a restaurant is located in the old part of Brela in a building that dates back to 1880 and is protected as a historical monument
I'm torn between a guided tour of Diocletian's Palace in Split and the Skywalk in Biokovo National Park Makarska
I had done a self-guided tour of Diocletian’s Palace
who enriched my understanding of the site's rich history
Dino provided insights into Diocletian's life and how the palace has been used through the centuries
even being featured in the TV series Game of Thrones
partially integrated into Split’s Old Town
You can catch singers performing Croatian folk music in the Vestibule and explore indoor markets
cafes and boutiques nestled within its ancient walls
This is Croatia’s highest paved road and one of my most favorite views in the region
Kayaking with Korčula Outdoor was undoubtedly a highlight of my trip
an adventure that perfectly combined sightseeing and history
The pristine waters of the Adriatic and the surrounding mountains were an idyllic backdrop for our 30-minute kayak over to Vrnik island
home to some of Croatia's most beautiful pebbled beaches and secluded sea coves
we stopped to learn from a local archaeologist about a submerged Neolithic stone road discovered off Korčula in 2023
Upon arriving on the rocky shoreline of Vrnik, the island initially appeared almost deserted, with only a few families residing there. On a guided tour, we learned about the island’s history in quarrying before visiting Vrnik Arts Club for lunch
This is one of the few guest houses on the island
it struck me as the perfect getaway for a super secluded break
Aoife Breslin visited Croatia at the invitation of the Croatia Tourist Board. Lonely Planet does not accept freebies for positive coverage.
6-3 on Saturday evening and will play the winner of the match between Croat Petra Martic
reached the final of the Makarska Open by winning against Chinese Xiyu Wang
will play the winner of the match between Croat Petra Martic
the 22-year-old American defeated Belarusian Iryna Shymanovich (6-3
won against Croat qualifier Sara Svetac (6-2
7-6 (6)) and No 6 seed Brenda Fruhvirtova (5-0 ret.) in the previous rounds
Website#ccb83f14268e4a2f1166cbf2{display:none}
Makarska will once again become the centre of world tennis and top entertainment
Another edition of the popular WTA Makarska Open hosted by Valamar has been announced
The final preparations are currently underway for another edition of the wildly popular WTA Makarska Open hosted by Valamar
the world’s tennis elite and sports fans from all over the world will once again gather on the tennis courts of Makarska’s Tennis Centre
This will be the fourth edition of the WTA Makarska Open
the tenth organised by Feliks Lukas and his team
It’s worth briefly recalling that the history of the WTA tournament in Croatia began way back in 1991 in Bol on the island of Brač
the titles were won by famous tennis players: Italian Sandra Cecchini (1991)
Croatian representative Mirjana Lučić twice (1997 and 1998)
Serbian tennis player Aleksandra Krunić (2017)
Slovenian Tamara Zidanšek also twice (2018 and 2019) and currently one of the best tennis players in the world
By moving across to the mainland in Makarska
the tournament has gained additional importance
the titles have been won by German Jule Niemeier (2022)
Egyptian Mayar Sherif (2023) and American Katie Volynets (2024)
The final matches continue to delight the audience year after year and confirm the high level of competition that takes place at the WTA Makarska Open
a record number of Croatian representatives took part
As many as seven of them played at the foothills of the mighty Biokovo mountain
which is the largest number of Croatian tennis players at any major tennis tournament
“This WTA tournament has been a springboard for Croatian tennis players from the very beginning
supporting their sporting journey,” emphasised WTA Makarska Open director Feliks Lukas
visitors can also expect a rich accompanying programme full of educational workshops
fantastic concerts and the much loved Kids Day on Kačić Square in the heart of Makarska itself
“When we received our license a decade ago and thus continued the history of the WTA tournament here in Croatia
our goal was to continuously grow and connect sports
and the quality of our tournament is confirmed by the fact that some of the best tennis players in the world
Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia and Greece’s Maria Sakkari
organising the tournament in the pre-season is a great idea
because during the tournament there is an increase in tourist arrivals for Makarska
on the day of the final of the first tournament back in 2022
Makarska recorded an increase in tourist arrivals by almost 500% and overnight stays by more than 200% compared to the same day in 2021
a positive impact on the local community and the promotion of Makarska as an sports and tourist destination are extremely important to us,” explained Lukas
WTA Makarska Open hosted by Valamar has become synonymous with the combination of sports
It naturally provides a truly unforgettable experience to all participants and guests with the support of partners the City of Makarska and Valamar Riviera
“Valamar is the proud general partner of this event for the fourth year in a row
the host of this prestigious tournament that has further positioned Makarska as a desirable destination
We believe that this year’s tournament will provide an incredible sporting experience and further strengthen the offer
both for Makarska’s guests and for the local community,” stated Davor Brenko
Valamar’s Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing
Mayor of Makarska Zoran Paunović also emphasised that the WTA tournament is proof that Makarska knows what to do
“By bringing the WTA tournament to Makarska
we’ve shown that our city has the capacity to host some of the best world events
as we proudly welcome another edition of the WTA Makarska Open
it’s clear that it was the right move – for sport
This sporting event is a symbol of the direction Makarska is heading: ambitious
and partnership – and the best invitation possible to come and visit Makarska,” said Paunović
The WTA tournament is also continuously supported by Split-Dalmatia County
and County Prefect Blaženko Boban is a welcome guest at the Tennis Centre in Makarska
“Split-Dalmatia County proudly supports sports events such as the WTA tournament in Makarska
which significantly contributes to the promotion of sports and the tourist recognition of our entire region
events such as these further encourage sportsmanship and the adoption of a healthy lifestyle
We’re going to continue to invest in sports infrastructure and programmes to further encourage our residents to lead a healthy lifestyle and taking up sport
We’ll also continue to support projects that contribute to the international affirmation of Dalmatia,” concluded Blaženko Boban
It promises to be another action-packed season with 19 events taking place in eight countries and 176 different teams taking part
The two legs of the Men’s 7s Championship Series will remain in the same venues as last year
with Makarska and Hamburg hosting the competition in June
This season Makarska will also be the first leg of the Men’s and Women’s Trophy Series
with the second leg being awarded to Moldova
where the tournament will take place in Chisinau
Men’s and Women’s Conference 1 will consist of one leg and for the first time a Rugby Europe 7s event will take place in Ordino
with Men’s Conference 2 tournament to be held in Pristina on June 21 and 22
Rugby Europe will also highlight the younger generations with the Rugby Europe Girls and Boys U18 7s Championship which will be held in Bourgoin-Jallieu
The tournament will feature six girls and 12 boy’s teams
The U18 Trophy level will take place again in Budapest
with 8 girls' teams and 13 boys teams taking to the field
The Rugby Europe Men and Women Beach Championship will be returning to Chisinau
The exact number of participating teams is yet to be confirmed
but more information will be announced nearer the time
The youth XV competitions will again be held in Prague
Czechia where the previous two editions have taken place and will continue to do so following a signing of a 4-year hosting agreement signed last year
You will be able to watch every tournament live on rugbyeurope.tv
Men & Women 7s Championship Series – First leg
Men & Women 7s Championship Series – Second leg
Men & Women 7s Trophy Series – First leg
Men & Women 7s Trophy Series – Second leg
Rugby Europe Women 7s Conference 1
Rugby Europe Men 7s Conference 1
Girls & Boys U18 7s Championship
June the 10th, 2024 – Fantastic news for Katie Volynets as the talented tennis player wins the WTA Makarska Open 2024
American tennis player Katie Volynets’ victory marked the end of the popular WTA Makarska Open hosted by Valamar
She beat last year’s winner of the tournament
Feliks Lukas has been organising the tournament for eight years now
with this being the third to be held in Makarska
It is being hailed as the most impressive so far in the organisational sense
and some truly excellent female tennis players took part this year
Among them were as many as seven Croatian representatives
which is a record number of Croatian female tennis players
the talented Petra Martić went the farthest
she lost in the semifinals to Egypt’s Sherif
who was considered one of the favourites from the very beginning
The Egyptian player entered the final match very well and for a moment it seemed that Katie Volynets didn’t have much of a chance
The Egyptian won the first set with a score of 6:3
But the American returned to the game at the beginning of the second set and perfectly matched Sherif
who is currently the 53rd player in the world
Volynets won the second set with a score of 6:2 and continued excellently in the third set
Mayar didn’t manage to come back from that
seeing Katie win the third set with 6:1 and celebrating in Makarska
“Thank you to everyone who came and watched this match
I’m very grateful for the energy you brought
This was my first WTA final and playing against her was an exceptional experience
I’d like to thank the tournament director Feliks Lukas
the ball collectors and everyone in the organisation who are responsible for the realisation of the WTA Makarska Open
Thank you for organising the tournament in such a wonderful location by the sea
When I arrived in Makarska it was already dark and I didn’t see what kind of view I had from my room
but when I saw the sea in the morning I wanted to stay here as long as possible and I’m grateful that it happened
Thank you to my coach Alejandro Dulko and to my family who support me every day”
Volynets said when presented with her trophy by state secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Sport
“We haven’t stopped for ten weeks and I’m very happy to have finished my season here in Makarska
I was here last year as well and I have some great memories
so I plan to come back next year as well”
said Sherif after Makarska Mayor Zoran Paunović awarded her the trophy for second place
“I’d like to thank these superb tennis players
I think this final was much better than the one in Paris at Roland Garros
Thank you for allowing us to watch great tennis in Makarska
whoever plays the final in Makarska will play the final in Paris
Thank you for a great week and thank you to the audience who came to the final
You’re the best audience in the whole world
without them the tournament wouldn’t have been this successful
Thank you to the sponsors and partners who supported us when it was most important
We’ll be even better in the years to come,” said Lukas
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2024 – It was once frequently referred to as one of the most impressive and significant architectural feats of the former Yugoslavia
but it has been left to the cruel hands of time
Meet the weird and wonderful Makarska “flying saucer” that nobody is quite sure what to do with
As Morski writes
if you were to ask for the opinions of both art historians and architects
it’s likely they’d say that the Krvavica Children’s Resort near Makarska is one of the most significant works of socialist modern architecture
The former Yugoslavia was somewhat famous for its odd construction habits
usually labelled as “modernist”
and the Makarska “flying saucer” is one of many examples of this left to go to rack and ruin
This enormous round complex, dubbed the Makarska “flying saucer”, can be found located right next to the coastline. This giant structure has been looted, destroyed, graffitied, polluted, and is now considered very dangerous to visit, according to a report from Index
The Makarska “flying saucer” is now under the permanent protection of conservators and is registered in the Register of Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Croatia
Like many buildings of its type and time period
the powers that be seem unsure how to proceed with it
It’s an eyesore along the otherwise stunningly beautiful central Dalmatian coast and the famed Makarska Riviera
The Krvavica Resort was otherwise being used right up until the end of the 1980s
it was used to accommodate refugees and was under the administration of the Ministry of Defence
the Krvavica Resort was handed over to the management of the then Croatian Privatisation Fund,” confirmed the Ministry of Defence
there was no longer any supervision being carried out over this odd yet very valuable building
The beginning of a long story of ruination and devastation that then befell Krvavica was set in motion
The Makarska “flying saucer” is therefore today just another sad former Yugoslav building sitting along the Croatian coastline that nobody wants to even begin to tackle
2024 – The devastating Tučepi fire which caused havoc across the wider Makarska Riviera area has finally been dealt with
Wildfires are are common occurrence as the sun beats down mercilessly on the dry bush and trees that adorn Dalmatia’s rocky terrain
barbecues and plain old idiocy in the form of arson are also a huge threat at this time of the year
Something as simple as a carelessly discarded cigarette butt or shard of glass left in the direct sunlight for too long can lead to an out of control wildfire that engulfs homes
and endangers human and animal lives alike
The Tučepi fire which became dangerously out of control and even did damage to the Biokovo Nature Park has finally been put out
and the cause has been determined following the diligent work of firefighters
As Poslovni Dnevnik writes
it has now been confirmed that the Gornji Tučepi fire was caused by a beekeeper who failed to completely extinguish the embers from a hive
announced the Split-Dalmatia police department
Local police officers from Makarska completed the criminal investigation of the 65-year-old man on suspicion of committing a serious crime against general safety due to negligence (Article 222 paragraph 3 in conjunction with Article 215 paragraph 3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Croatia)
it was determined that the centre of the horrendous Tučepi fire was near the beehives
where the aforementioned 65-year-old threw away the embers from his smoker and poured water over it earlier that same day
A criminal complaint will now be submitted to the Municipal State Attorney’s Office in Split
Daniela Rogulj
July the 10th, 2024 – Our search for the country’s top sunbathing and swimming locations continues, taking us to central Dalmatia. Here are the 5 best beaches on the Makarska Riviera
Dozens of magical smaller and larger bays are located on the westernmost part of this area
making it difficult to pick the best beaches on the Makarska Riviera
The majority can be reached by boat or by car from Brela
with parking provided on a dirt road that passes through a part of the area
while the most distant bays of Vruja can be reached only on foot
while during the high tourist season both clothed and nudist swimmers gather there
This is a very popular area of Baška Voda which borders the beautiful pebbly beaches of Brela Berulia on the western side
and extends all the way to the centre of Baška Voda on the east
here you can find one of the first and the most popular beach bars of the Makarska Riviera
whose delicious summer music selection relaxes both the swimmers and tourists
both during the day and during the hot Adriatic nights
The Nugal nudist beach is one of the most scenic pearls of the Makarska Riviera and is a very popular destination for swimming with tourists of all nationalities
Although it is not officially declared as 100 percent nudist (institutions should finally do their job for that to happen)
it has always been dominated by nudists during all parts of the season
It is quite isolated and is completely in the wild area
so you can reach it only by boat or on foot from the direction of Makarska
certainly one of more picturesque on the whole Riviera
It is located completely outside of any built-up areas which it borders – Živogošće Blato and Živogošće Mala Duba – next to the pine forest
where during the times of the former Yugoslavia a nudist camp was located
nudists use it only before and after the high tourist season
while during the peak season it is full of clothed bathers
It isn’t only among the best beaches on the Makarska Riviera
It is situated just below the famous Adriatic Highway (Jadranska Magistrala) and is easily accessible to swimmers
Gradac is home to long sandy stretches which are more than worthy of being listed among the best beaches on the Makarska Riviera
The view from Vodice Beach towards the centre of the town is also truly idyllic
Colours which spill across the sky are simply stunning
it is they who have the most beautiful sunset
2024 – The Makarska tourism direction is finally altering for the better after two whole decades of beach chaos and over-construction along the coastline
As Morski writes, the deputy mayor of Makarska, Antonia Radić Brkan appeared on HTV’s Studio 4 show and revealed that the Makarska tourism direction is finally changing
Makarska has been revered as one of Croatia’s most beautiful tourist destinations
there were also numerous complaints precisely because of the overtourism that couldn’t possibly be avoided there
the local government began to introduce new rules and some proper order
and a new museum of the Biokovo Nature Park has been opened
The final thing to have been arranged was the proper disposal of waste
Makarska now has special cards for waste collection
which brings order to the issue of illegal rentals as well
All those who pay for their waste collection get special cards
When we compare how things were from January to August 2023 and 2024
plastic and glass has started,” she said
plastic and glass has increased by 50 percent
The number of local people who use these communal services has increased significantly,” she added
before turning to the problem of overbuilding
She pointed out that the way things were being built in Makarska for 30 long years cannot be changed in a few years
“We decided to deal with the problem that has been plaguing Makarska for years and which leads us to the fact that we cannot deliver a sufficiently high-quality service to tourists when the crowds keep on getting bigger
We’ve made changes to the spatial plan
We started doing this back in 2021 in order to create some intervention measures as soon as possible
They’ve already given us good results,” she noted
One of the basic ones is the ban on the construction of multi-apartment buildings
with the mountain above it and the riviera
cannot handle such large residential mastodons in a visual sense
so that was the first thing we ruled out,” she explained
we’ll start creating a proper destination management plan
It’s up to us to build the image of this destination
to return it to authenticity and to deliver the infrastructure that is in our domain so that tourists and local people can function normally during the season,” she said
She also talked about the revitalisation of the old city centre
in such a way that both merchants and guests are satisfied
“Our goal was to protect business owners and craftsmen who work legally and create additional value for our city
no one wants to give up three months of work with a very good income and no obligations throughout the year,” she stated
She also commented on the age-old issue of people coming and reserving a place on the beach with towels
“Everything that gets left on the beach is no longer the property of the person who left it
but is deemed as having been left as garbage
Our municipal wardens will simply pick it up and get rid of it,” she concluded
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Home > News General > Makarska: Fire destroys yacht worth millions
Acceptus is the name of a luxury motor yacht that was built in 2011 and refitted in 2023
a Ferretti flybridge from the Italian Custom Line shipyard
burnt out in Makarska on the night of 29 June this year
She was an eye-catcher in every harbour where she moored and in every bay where she anchored: the superyacht Acceptus (yachts between 24 metres / 80 feet and 60 metres / 200 feet in length are referred to as superyachts)
The yacht had an elegant interior design by Italian designer Zuccon and could be chartered by up to 12 guests
The elegant motor yacht offered unrivalled comfort and luxury
The flybridge was equipped with a large sun deck and a whirlpool
but the main feature of the Ferretti yacht was the elegant cabins with en-suite bathrooms
Dining was outside on the shaded main deck – with a view of the Adriatic coast
Anyone who wanted to could charter Acceptus in Croatia from Makarska
Many well-heeled guests took advantage of this and enjoyed a carefree time on the boat
But that’s all over now. As rtvslo.si reported
whose owner was a “well-known local entrepreneur”
The fire raged on board for four hours before it could be extinguished; no injuries were reported
The fire broke out at the stern of the yacht and then spread to the entire yacht
the article continued; firefighters arrived at the scene with a total of 15 vehicles within a very short time and spent around four hours trying to extinguish the fire on the yacht
but the huge plastic hull still sank and lay on its side
but rose about two metres out of the water
the Makarska shore was “shrouded in a thick curtain of black smoke”
No injuries have been reported and there has been no environmental disaster caused by leaking fuel or oil
Index.hr writes
that the yacht belonged to local entrepreneur Mišel Čolak
the owner of the company Feal from Široki Brijeg
which is active in residential construction
a total of three people were on board the Acceptus
According to Slobodna Dalmacija, the yacht had been lying in the harbour all winter. Only 12 hours before the fire
the yacht entered the harbour with six charter guests on board
It is not yet clear why the fire broke out on the Acceptus
Easter in Croatia is an important family celebration characterized by exciting customs and a festive atmosphere
Juni 2025) in der SeaHelp-Zentrale im kroatischen Punat sind auch alle SeaHelp-Mitglieder herzlich eingeladen
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France will be looking to retain their crown that they deservedly claimed last year
and with the small matter of the Olympic Games on the horizon
there is a real opportunity for players to push for places
whether it be in the Repechage or in Paris itself
Here are our twelve players to follow in Croatia
one of the biggest names in the Rugby Europe 7s series
She has made an ever-lasting impact on her national side
helping Belgium climb the ladder and become one of the fiercest teams in the European continent
as her relentless spirit and aggressive mindset have pushed them closer to glory
Spain has produced some of the finest 7s talent in the last ten years
and Amaia Erbina deserves to be considered as one of them
not only because of her devotion to her team but also for the tenacity and aggression she applies to every ball contest
and if Spain dares to dream of reaching the title
they will need Erbina ready for the challenge
Don’t be surprised to see Spain go far this year after finishing their World Series campaign on a high by retaining their spot on the circuit for next season
Natalia Pamieta has been a trailblazer since her first step onto the 7s pitch
honed kicking skills and wisdom has been the bedrock for their recent success
which inspires her teammates to fight until the final whistle
having helped the XV-a-side to add two Six Nations Grand Slams
and was chosen as one of the best in the 2024 edition of the European tournament
She will make her Rugby Europe Championship 7s debut in Makarska
so be sure to not miss a single play coming out of Ménager’s hands
Scoring tries and making incoming tacklers eat dust
are two areas that Rhona Llloyd has become an expert
and rugby fans are eagerly anticipating in the Rugby Europe 7s series
She finished as one of the top try scorers of the 2022 season
helping Great Britain conquer a couple of big victories over the last two seasons
She is back in the mix and will be looking to nail down her starting spot in the Great Britain team ahead of Paris 2024
Anežka Sládková has been a superb entertainer of the Women’s Rugby Europe Championship 7s series for the past three seasons
having finished in the best team of the season in 2023
the 29-year-old has played an important role in the 7s roster and will captain the Irish side in the first leg of the Championship 7s Series
McCabe has carved up a reputation as a hard worker and passionate teammate
ready to go the extra mile if it means helping her team get closer to their victory song
Portugal’s Inês Spínola is an entertainer ready to get fans off their seats as she punches holes in any opposition defence and will be a standout unit from start to finish
Türkiye might be one of the youngest rugby nations out there
but it doesn't mean they don't have more than a couple of spectacular players
The 23-year-old was a firecracker for the Turkish team in 2023
scoring more than a handful of tries to help her country finish second in the Trophy Series behind Ukraine and win a promotion to the Championship
Francesca Granzotto has steadily become one of Italy’s breakthrough stars since 2023
as her prowess to catch tacklers off-guard can be vital for her team to fight and dare dream to finish on the top half of the table
Granzotto has been honing her dark arts skills
which can pop a couple of thumping moments in any match
Ukraine’s captain and a proud servant of the game
Nataliia Mazur will win everyone’s hearts and minds
as she encapsulates the very best of what is to be a rugby player
as she is always looking for a way to turn the tide for her team
We couldn’t leave out the great Gesine Adler
as the German enforcer has been a rock-solid member of the Women’s Schwarze Adler 7s for the past five seasons
and clawing her way into the breakdown to score a turnover for her side
these are just some of the areas of the game that Adler excels
in and that Germany needs to finish close to the top
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Niav Konno, a social-media strategist and content creator for small businesses, who lives in Makarska and runs the popular TikTok account @mylifeincroatia
I grew up in the Bay Area in California and was raised by an American father and an Irish mother
and I've always had itchy feet to go see the world
I traveled quite a bit of Europe that summer
and ended up moving to Perth to be with him
I was working a 9-to-5 job in Australia during the pandemic
As soon as the borders opened in early 2022 in Western Australia
a region along the coastline between Split and Dubrovnik
The atmosphere and energy of Makarska is very healing
and it was the perfect place for me to go through these pivotal changes
Here are seven things that surprised me when I moved
Makarska is a seasonal town that really only operates during the summer tourism season
All the tourists start leaving around mid-September
This town has approximately 15,000 residents
it was quite small after living in big cities all over the world
When you live here and see the tourists leave
Everyone goes into hibernation during the off-season
there are only two or three — that's a huge jump
I've never lived in a place that was so seasonal
a lot of the workers here leave to get better job opportunities during the winter
So a lot of my friends don't live here year-round
even if they're born here and this is where they grew up
People tried to prepare me for my first winter
but the goodbyes were hard because they were all leaving and I was the one staying behind
That was bittersweet because I had formed really deep connections in a very short amount of time
But the people who do live here year-round
we get stronger during the winter because we know we need each other
we have people over for dinner at our homes
It's still a very mild winter here so the weather is beautiful
But I was counting down until the summer season started
Croatia is a big smoking country — everyone smokes
My dad got me pepper spray when I turned 14
When I got my first job and had to walk to my car at night
I'd share my location with my mom and let her know where I was
Kids walk home alone and are playing in the main square or the beach
you know your neighbors are watching out for them
and it took me a couple of months to realize
I can relax." This is the first place I can imagine raising a family
It's much more community-focused than individualistic
You see each other more frequently and it's real quality time
There's a community mentality of everyone looking out for one another and you don't feel as alone
my friends and neighbors would come over and bring me soup
"Do you need anything?" — they just did it
I would've spent two days feeling anxious before I texted a friend and asked for help
Everyone has deeper friendships and spends more quality time with friends here
there are many more places open because they're catering to the influx of tourists
though the locals don't eat out all that often
And it's pretty much all Croatian cuisine or Croatian-Italian fusion because we have a lot of influence being next to Italy
But you can't get Asian food — except for one Thai place that recently opened — or Indian food
I have to drive an hour away if I want any cuisine other than Croatian
I was also surprised by the dining differences
The average Croatian does not eat breakfast
And family lunch is a huge thing on Sundays
The town is empty on Sunday because everyone's having family lunch
They will fight when the waiter comes and try to pay first
Someone would have a heart attack if you asked them to Venmo you here
Here we delve into the twelve players to follow in the Croatian leg of the tournament
The 23-year-old rocked for Les Bleus 7s in 2023 and was another standout players of last year
as his incredible handling skills breathes life into any team he plays for
we can expect many great things from one of the most promising talents in the French 7s setup
and he will be up to the task of kneading a delicate weave of plays that some of the younger players in the French squad will learn a lot from
The Irish trickster is back and in full swing
and after becoming one of the most successful players in the 7s-a-side
he was also recognized as one of the best fullbacks of the last couple of years with the full XV
Keenan wants to get comfortable again in the 7s arena
and Makarska will be the perfect setting to show off his skills
and gracious step that we all know only too well
The top point scorer from the Spanish Division de Honor
Felipe Alegría is one of the many new talents in the Leones setup and he will be looking to this Men’s 7s Rugby Europe Championship as the perfect platform to show a bit of razzle-dazzle
Alegría Haines is a prolific and cunning kicker
and he will step into the playmaker role from the very first start
and you are in for a treat as the playful but devilish scrum half is a showstopper
he can elude and sprint away from any defensive unit
and his inclusion in the Belgium 7s squad is the only proof we need to believe the Belgium team will be fighting hard in this year’s competition
If you enjoy a wrecking ball with light feet
one of the most exhilarating and fun players in the Rugby Europe’s 7s circuit
helping Germany qualify for the World Rugby 7s Challenger Series
just look for the fastest black cap player out there
Georgia are steadily clawing their way into the 7s format of the game
combining the bone-crushing physical attributes of the XV side with the unpredictability and ingenious speed of the 7s
Giorgi Jobava is the living embodiment of that lethal combo
He was considered one of the Players of 2023 Rugby Europe Championship Sevens Series
drawing insane plays with the artistic rhythm of his feet and delivering some of the most decisive tries for the Lelos 7s
as it might be the last season you will be able to see him in the 7s arena
The Scottish speedster is back into the fray
and he will unlock team Great Britain's full potential in the first leg of the Men’s 7s Championship series
graced with a well-balanced physicality that
when combined with his never-give-up attitude
makes him a game-changer unit in any 7s pitch he steps on
It will be an important couple of series for Team GB as they continue their quest to reach the Olympic Games in Paris
after securing a spot in the repechage last year Krakow
Massimo Cioffi is one of the Azzurri stellar units
honed with the ability to crack open any defense
He has scored more than fifteen tries since his first outing in the Rugby Europe 7s competitions and will surely add some more when the curtain falls in 2024
You will find in João Vaz Antunes Portugal’s maestro
a player gifted with the power of hindsight that has devoted his international career to the 7-a-side
He is a linchpin of this Portugal side and is one of the most vital units that can help them continue their impressive rise in the 7s game
quick thinking and decision-making can be what draws the difference between winning or losing
and one of the most joyous players to watch from the Ukrainian setup… that is Vadym Sivak
He has represented his country in the XV and 7s
always on the hunt to bring more glory to his country and earn the respect of his rivals
and also extreamly proficient when the tables are turned and an on-coming attacker is looking to sneak past his grasp
Lithuania’s Kęstutis Karbauskas likes to remind everyone why he is one of the fastest players in the 7s Championship Series
and why gifting him an ounce of space means a conceded try
He is pure Olympian athleticism that can achieve the highest levels of 7s rugby elite
as he can run the full 100 meters in under 10 seconds
one of Croatia’s greatest enforcers who will hunt his target without wavering or giving up
Perica is an accomplished player and has provided a solid defense for his country in the Rugby Europe competitions
and we are ready to watch his debut on his own patch in Makarska
Every game will be streamed live on rugbyeurope.tv
Tickets are still available for the event from https://www.makarska7.com/
No.7 seed Jule Niemeier claimed her biggest trophy to date at the Makarska Open WTA 125 tournament
Niemeier was a two-time Hologic WTA Tour semifinalist last year in Strasbourg and Hamburg
and the German has methodically continued to hit milestones in 2022
she cracked the Top 100 for the first time after winning the Zagreb ITF W60 event
and then came through qualifying at Roland Garros to make her Grand Slam main draw debut
Niemeier fell to eventual quarterfinalist Sloane Stephens in three sets
and the 22-year-old brought her form to Makarska
She dropped just one set en route to the title
winning the longest match of the tournament 6-7(5)
Niemeier will return to the Top 100 next week
Cocciaretto had reached a career high of No.108 last June just before knee surgery sidelined her for six months
The Italian's comeback has gathered pace lately
and she took a nine-match winning streak into the final after taking the Grado ITF W60 title the previous week
Cocciaretto upset No.4 seed Magdalena Frech 6-1
6-4 in the quarterfinals and No.5 seed Anna Karolina Schmiedlova 7-6(7)
neither player was able to gain momentum for much of the first set
Niemeier pulled off the shot of the match -- a reflexed
volleyed lob over Cocciaretto's head -- and went on to break
Niemeier's wider repertoire had at that point only been intermittently well-executed
exquisite dropshots and knifing backhand slices all clicked thereafter as she reeled off nine of the last 10 games of the match
2022 Makarska Open finalist Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Niemeier on her tournament: "The key was that I was staying calm
I was looking forward to it and ready to win it
"I know [Cocciaretto] pretty well because we were playing juniors together
and I knew she was on a nine-match winning streak
she is making many balls and running for the balls
but she is still staying close to the baseline and not giving you much time
"[The match against Wang] was really important
because the last couple of months I lost three-set matches pretty often
My results were not how I wanted them to be so I'm happy I got that win
Niemeier on adjusting to the level of tour: "It's pretty tough when you're new on tour and playing events with a ranking of No.260
When you have the ranking to be in the main draw
you know you have the level to compete against the best players
"[The most important thing I've learned is] the mental aspect
to focus on what you have to do for your gameplan
2022 Makarska Open semifinalist Linda Noskova
Fresh off an eye-catching run at Roland Garros
The 17-year-old Czech had come through qualifying in Paris to make her tour-level debut and taken US Open champion Emma Raducanu to three sets in the first round
Noskova backed that up with a run to her first WTA 125 semifinal in Makarska before falling 6-2
Noskova took out 19-year-old wildcard Tara Wurth 6-4
The No.357-ranked Croat had pulled off one of the upsets of the tournament in the second round
The result put Wurth into the last eight of a WTA 125 event for the second time
having previously reached that stage in Belgrade last year
The top two seeds were also evicted before the quarterfinals
playing the third tournament of her comeback from health issues
Anastasia Gasanova stunned No.2 Lucia Bronzetti 1-6
7-5 in the first round for her seventh career Top 100 win
2022 Makarska Open quarterfinalist Tara Wurth
An all-unseeded doubles final saw Dalila Jakupovic and Tena Lukas edge out Danilovic and Aleksandra Krunic 5-7
The Slovenian-Croatian duo had previously teamed up twice
at the 2016 Altenkirchen ITF W25 and the 2019 Bol WTA 125
a two-time WTA doubles champion at Istanbul 2017 (with Nadiia Kichenok) and Bogota 2018 (with Irina Khromacheva)
collected her second WTA 125 trophy following Anning 2018 (with Khromacheva)
2022 Makarska Open doubles champions Dalila Jakupovic and Tena Lukas
Makarska's history starts all the way back to the pre-historic age and has become one of the most desired destines for leisure and relaxation in Europe
But what are the reasons for a rugby fan to come to Makarska
France was crowed champions of the Women’s Championship Series
with Anne-Cecile Ciofani finishing as the top try scorer (fifteen tries)
followed by Belgium’s Cécile Blondiau and Czech’s Anezka-Marta Sladkova
Ireland finished on top but there was a tie for the king of the try scorers as Georgia’s Giorgi Jobava and Germay’s Jakob Dipper finished with thirteen tries each
The first leg of the 7s Championship Series starts on the 7th of June
and Makaraska awaits all Rugby Europe fans to come and be part of another promising 7s season
MultimediaColumnExperienceHRENDEES18:45 / 01.08.2024.
and in the Skradin area were still active on Thursday afternoon but the blazes were not threatening any homes
Autorska prava - HRT © Hrvatska radiotelevizija.
hrt.hr nije odgovoran za sadržaje eksternih izvora
Sat beneath the impressive Biokovo mountain range looking out to views of the Adriatic is Dalmacija [PLACES] Hotel
The former Dalmacija Sunny Hotel underwent a major renovation and restoration project in 2022
transforming it into the second hotel to join Valamar's lifestyle brand [PLACES]
The trendy hotel has a somewhat Scandi-vibe
with plenty of greenery and wicker furnishings
you might notice the breakout area to your left
The space also has its own drinks truck serving an array of cocktails
Select rooms have balconies looking directly out to the sea (Image: Valamar / Dalmacija [PLACESHOTEL])
Sun loungers are shaded by stylish fringed parasols (Image: Valamar / Dalmacija [PLACESHOTEL])
Bathrooms are modern and clean with a large shower area (Image: Valamar / Dalmacija [PLACESHOTEL])
The master suite is the largest room at the hotel (Image: Valamar / Dalmacija [PLACESHOTEL])
Every single room benefits from a balcony (Image: Valamar / Dalmacija [PLACESHOTEL])
There are plenty of breakout spaces to enjoy dinner or simply hang out (Image: Valamar / Dalmacija [PLACESHOTEL])
The dining space is large with a variety of tables (Image: Valamar / Dalmacija [PLACESHOTEL])
The games room has ping pong tables (Image: Valamar / Dalmacija [PLACESHOTEL])
The hotel is a short walk from Makarska's beautiful port (Image: Valamar / Dalmacija [PLACESHOTEL])
The outdoor dining area is one of the most popular spots in the summer (Image: Valamar / Dalmacija [PLACESHOTEL])
The hotel has a boho scandi aesthetic (Image: Valamar / Dalmacija [PLACESHOTEL])
The pool deck looks out to stunning coastal views (Image: Valamar / Dalmacija [PLACESHOTEL])
The hotel was recently refurbished and looks fresh throughout (Image: Valamar / Dalmacija [PLACESHOTEL])
The dining room is open from breakfast through to dinner (Image: Valamar / Dalmacija [PLACESHOTEL])
colourful wallpaper (Image: Valamar / Dalmacija [PLACESHOTEL])
The crystal clear waters are simply begging you to take a dip (Image: Valamar / Dalmacija [PLACESHOTEL])
DJ sets take place by the pool throughout the summer (Image: Valamar / Dalmacija [PLACESHOTEL])
The beach is tucked away in a beautiful pine forest (Image: Valamar / Dalmacija [PLACESHOTEL])
The hotel offers a relaxing outdoor area adjoined to its wellness space (Image: Valamar / Dalmacija [PLACESHOTEL])
Other breakout zones include a communal working area and a quiet lounge close to the concierge desk
Unique vases and statues of Dalmatians line the surrounding shelves
The pièce de résistance Dalmacija [PLACES] Hotel
There's no better place that encapsulates the laid-back
chic theme of the hotel quite like its pool area
Sun-loungers and beanbags shaded by fringed parasols are scattered across the pool deck
There are two swimming pools to choose from
with one surrounded by stylish cabana beds
Though we visited at the start of the summer season
we never struggled to get a sun bed and even the usually high-demand cabanas were free
Once you find a spot to sun yourself for the day
During the summer there is a music schedule with DJs playing throughout the day
and dance music is a prominent feature so it's worth keeping this in mind when booking the hotel
Dalmacija [PLACES] hotel has its own pebble beach complete with cushioned sun loungers and a beach bar
is accessible via a connecting tunnel which leads you towards some of the clearest water we've ever seen
Check-in at the main desk is straightforward and staff are friendly
But rather than being handed your typical room key
Dalmacija [PLACES] hotel provides guests with a handy waterproof wristband which acts as your one-stop-port for everything
the wristband can also be used for dinner at the hotel restaurant
for poolside drinks or down at the beach bar
the brand's Flexi-halfboard concept which includes breakfast plus €25 per person per day
Head to the panoramic glass lift for incredible views across the seaside resort as you climb the building's 10 floors to reach your room
Like the other hotels in Valamar's portfolio
Dalmacija [PLACES] Hotel is commited to nature
with the hotel proudly advertising itself as a "green holiday" provider
You'll notice reminders throughout your time about saving water or the option to swap your towels every other day to help reduce unnecessary waste
Every room at Dalmacija [PLACES] Hotel boasts its own balcony with a view of the sea
The slightly more expensive rooms look out directly towards the Adriatic
while other rooms have a pool view set to the backdrop of the rolling tides
Standard [PLACESROOMS] come with either a double bed or a double bed and sofa with enough space to sleep three
The cherry on top is the [PLACESSUITE] sleeping up to three people with a vast four-poster bed at its heart
The hotel's pebble beach is tucked away in a sun-dappled pine grove
we checked into the slightly larger [PLACESROOM] with sofa
which stays on brand with the hotel's "cool and funky by the sea" theme
It's obvious the hotel has only recently been renovated
and a natural colour palette accented with hues of green
You may notice the black headboard is magnetic
with moveable letters spelling out the hotel name
There are also some rather interesting additions to the room
including an adults-only "pleasure box" left out on the bedside table
There's a decent-sized storage space to hang clothes and keep belongings
while pool towels are folded on one of the lower shelves in a wicket basket (which doubles up as a handy beach bag in case you forget yours)
Unlike sister hotel Valamar Argosy
the room does not come with dressing gowns or slippers
and there are also no tea- or coffee-making facilities in the room
which can be a letdown if you like to enjoy your morning coffee in bed on holiday
There’s a fridge for storing any water
the Dalmacija [PLACES] Hotel dining room has you covered
This self-service buffet has plenty to cater to all
Dishes are mostly inspired by the Mediterranean
It's nice to see some of the options changing daily
A dessert cart is on hand to deliver fruit
and cakes to those who like a little sugar hit after dinner—though there was no ice cream during our stay
which would have been the perfect addition
and everything over the daily €25 credit can be charged to your wristband to pay on check-out
Dinner is a fairly relaxed affair and the main buffer never seemed to be too busy
although the outdoor seating area is the most popular spot leading up to sunset
with some featuring ornate rattan peacock chairs adding to the boho aesthetic of the space
At the heart of the space is a hot drinks station featuring coffee machines and pots of freshly brewed coffee
Less than an hour's transfer from the bustling resort of Split and approximately two and a half hours from Dubrovnik
Makarska is a seaside resort with a quaint old town and pretty promenade
The destination has a relaxed nightlife offering and plenty of nature to immerse yourself in
including popular hiking and mountain biking trails
it still feels somewhat untouched and during our stay
we noticed far fewer British tourists than in the likes of Split and Dubrovnik
The seafront is lined with several beaches which can get busier the closer to the town you get (which is what makes Dalmacija [PLACES] Hotel beach so ideal)
It takes just 20 minutes to walk to the picturesque old town where you'll find postcard-worthy cobbled lanes winding towards Makarska’s main square
Just a stone's throw away is the port where local fishermen and boat tours meet
it's well worth booking a tour of the nearby Hvar
Double rooms for two people start from £135 per night
The [PLACES] hotels offer flexi-programmes available at Dalmacija and Hvar
This programme offers flexible rates between June 25 and October 1 for travellers
This includes a €25 daily credit for breakfast
Website: www.valamar.com
Dalmacija [PLACES] Hotel is a chic and trendy hotel perfect for those who want to infuse all the best bits of a glamorous party holiday with the tranquil surroundings of the Makarska Riviera.
The hotel's Instagram-worthy aesthetic is sure to draw younger crowds, but we saw a mix of ages during our stay. There are live DJ sets by the pool throughout the summer, so if this isn't your vibe, it's worth keeping in mind.
Though the hotel is popular, it never feels too busy, and you don't need to worry about the dreaded 6am wake-up to try and find a sun lounger.
Even in June, plenty of beds and cabanas were around the pool. The beach is a little more popular, as it is open to the public as well as hotel guests, meaning at peak times of the day, things can be busy. However, the beach offers a perfect relaxing spot or swimming spot.
The Flexi-halfboard concept is excellent for those who may want to enjoy dinner one evening and opt for lunch the next day. Or, if you prefer to dine out of the hotel all day, you can use your credit towards drinks by the pool.
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have been busy making a quick buck by posing as Makarska renters and cheating would-be tourists out of their hard-earned cash
As Poslovni Dnevnik writes
there’s now a new blacklist of ”Makarska renters” published
it contains the fake names of ”owners” of apartments to whom payments have been made
these payments have been made by victims of scams for stays in accommodation which doesn’t exist
but these duped tourists haven’t been communicating with or paying the actual owner
These poor individuals sometimes drive for hours from abroad to the Makarska Riviera
only to realise that they have been cheated
guests are being advised to first contact the local tourist board to check whether their accommodation unit really exists
According to what the Split-Dalmatia Police Department has said to Slobodna Dalmacija
the Makarska police have registered five such crimes this year alone
People should pay close and careful attention to which advertisements and websites they use to find their accommodation and to check whether there are user reviews for a particular apartment or house
was actually a victim of fraudsters posing as Makarska renters himself
a woman from Serbia was renting accommodation in Drvenik
fraudsters robbed nine guests who had paid for their stay during prime time
and the worst part is that they came with five children
so it was absolute chaos,” concluded Lozina
Now remember that sharks don’t really behave anything like that
sharks and people only ever really meet accidentally
or if the sharks know that humans taking tours to see them might offer them food
Makarska has been playing host to one such shark
Ever wondered if there are any potentially dangerous sharks in the Croatian Adriatic sea
None of them pose any particular danger to humans
but getting to see one of them and be in its presence
As Morski writes on the 9th of June
it isn’t particularly uncommon to see these types of sharks swimming in the Croatian Adriatic
is certainly one of the larger examples of his species
The video of this stunning animal was taken by Micheal Braun from Germany
who was sailing near Makarska with his family
and the video was published by the Cro2go page
which is what it looks like this particular shark is
it is extremely unlikely to pose any risk to humans
Mako sharks don’t typically ever attack people
Instead of fearing this beautiful creature
The experts who have looked at the video have confirmed that the shark filmed swimming along near Makarska is most likely a Mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus)
because of its prominent and pointed muzzle and large
is often referred to as a ”dugonosa” (long nosed) shark in Croatia
can attack people should circumstances allow
The largest measured and confirmed specimen was caught off the French coast
measuring an impressive 4.45 metres in length
Follow our dedicated lifestyle page for more
Total Croatia News
We are delighted to welcome journalists and Makarska experts Vice Rudan and Fjodor Tušup to the TCN team on May 30
And where better to start than the latest in our series
25 Things to Know about Croatia – the fabulous Makarska Riviera
which has much more to offer than its magnificent beaches
The central town square in Makarska is the location of the monument to Father Andrija Kačić Miošić
The modern visage of the square was completed in the beginning of the 18th century with the completion of St
Through history it bore different names: Piazza
the uniqueness of Kačić square is it’s architectural cascade
not a common practice for town squares making it quite fitting as a natural stage for cultural events and concerts
there is a Mediterranean-style town market
Molluscs in the Franciscan convent in Makarska and the Kotišina botanical garden
The Molluscs museum in Makarska was created by Father Jure Radić in 1963
It is located in the old section of the Franciscan convent under protection as a cultural monument
The museum has a permanent exhibition of sea snails and shellfish from the Adriatic
on show is a valuable plant herbarium of Biokovo mountain and is the most famous mollusks location in Croatia
The museum is a favorite location for visitors to the Makarska Riviera
while next to it in the Franciscan convent lies a unique mosaic created over years by the Franciscans
The Kotišina botanical garden was also established by Father Jure Radić
conservation and popularization of plant life of Biokovo mountain
On a relatively small area of around 16.5 acres there are over 300 wild plant species
with the most recent being the monument to the first Croatian president Franjo Tuđman from 2004
Peter from 2009 as well as the monument to a tourist on the town waterfront
Another monument to a tourist exists outside the Tourism Office by Ivica Šoda Cotić and both are very popular with visitors as memorabilia of Makarska
The astronomical observatory and monument to World War II victims in Makarska
As part of the monument to victims of World War II in Makarska stand the astronomical observatory
Surrounded by pine woods it thus creates the necessary darkness during night sky observations
while a private observation session is possible through a direct contact with the manager
An Astro park is currently under construction around the observatory
while the local folklore society Tempet maintains an ethno festival every July on the rock plateau in front of the very monument
Skinny football matches and the World slingshot championship in Makarska
A yearlong tradition in summertime in Makarska are the Corpulent vs
Skinny football matches on the main field of the City sports center
This interesting event attracts a large number of locals who join in the fun together with the players of this show
with the always interesting weigh-in of both the largest and thinnest competitors
Alongside this specific event it’s worth noting the World slingshot championship organized by Ico Stipičević
so every participant needs to really know the tool he uses to hit the target
Bekavci-Ivandić building complex and the educational trail Paths of ancient Berulia in Brela
it represents a fine example of civil engineering
Construction began in 1880 with the first school in Brela built here
All homes were built from stone and have a common yard with wells
The complex is protected as a cultural monument
The educational trail Paths of ancient Berulia from Subotišća do St
Nicholas’s church is 2.700 meters long
It is categorized as a light mountain path
The Brela Rock on Punta Rata beach and Podrače
The Punta Rata beach has been awarded multiple recognition as one of the finest beaches in Croatia
Others flying the Blue Flag are Berulia and Stomarica beaches
The west side of the Punta Rata beach holds the Brela Rock
Foreign visitors are usually not aware that the well known locations of Brela
Punta Rata or Dugi Rat with the famous Brela Rock are in immediate proximity to the picturesque Podrače bay
Podrače is a lovely bay bordered by a small forested peninsula and is quite often found on photos published in world media
archeological collection and fort in Baška Voda
The museum showcases shellfish from the Adriatic and other world seas
The archeological collection has items dating back up to 2.000 years B.C
The locality of the Gradina (fort) holds remains of the settlements from the 5th-6th centuries
while the name Aronia stems from the antique period
evidenced by the antique chart Tabula Peutingeriana
Above Baška Voda and below the small village of Topići lies the picturesque location known as the Ridge
known as the setting of several scenes of the wildly popular Game of Thrones series – season four
The wonderful natural setting is ideal for events of this type
while the flat grassy surface reminds of a natural football field
used to hold official matches here in the 1930s
The same field was used by residents of the Topići and Bast villages
to play a match during those same years with the final score being 106:94
Witnesses recount that the actual score was much higher than that officially recorded
The match was renewed in August 2007 with the score being 4:4
Topići and Promajna villages were settled in the 17th century
Today they are tourist oases with clean and preserved beaches
apart from Topići as it is located 3 km from Baška Voda
settled due to fresh water sources and with preserved Dalmatian architecture
It stands on the slopes of Biokovo mountain providing a view of the middle-Dalmatian islands
Every seaside town in the Riviera has its backside villages all along the Biokovo area
a very attractive area for the adaption of old Dalmatian stone houses into vacation homes with pools or the building of brand new luxury homes
also the first post-World War II hotel in Yugoslavia
In front is a pebble beach quite popular with the locals
The baroque Kaštelet summerhouse in Tučepi
Three baroque summerhouses from the 18th century have been preserved
The most impressive one is by abbot Grubišić – today’s Kaštelet hotel
Summerhouses used to be meeting places of world dignitaries and are located on the very beach alongside the Alga hotel in Tučepi
Tučepi villages and the “ka Kultura u tučepskim zaseocima” festival
Šimići and Podstup are typical mediterranean villages with traditional architecture
They are also the location of the summer festival “ka Kultura u tučepskim zaseocima” that enables visitors to enjoy a cultural program as well as local gastronomy
The klapa choirs summit in Kaštelet and the Toochepin rock festival in Tučepi
A summit of klapa choirs (a cappella singers) has been taking place over 20 years in Kaštelet with traditional Dalmatian songs being performed
while a more urban crowd visits the Toochepin rock festival established in 2012
It is held in the second half of August and lasts two days
The Seagull Wing is a monument to the Yugoslav Navy
ceremonially opened by Yugoslav president Josip Broz Tito in 1962
on the 10th anniversary of the Yugoslav Navy formation
Its monumental presence still dominates over Podgora
while the surrounding amphitheatre can hold a large number of people and was the spot for many events
Lately it saw summertime rock concerts organized by locals
Within the summerhouse is the chapel of Sacred heart of Jesus
classicist and rococo details it is one of the notable baroque buildings in the south of Croatia
The chapel stands along the Podgora promenade and is an unavoidable part of the cultural and historical legacy of the Makarska Riviera
The summer in Podgora would be unthinkable without a few night water polo matches in the old port
These competitions are an attraction but also a continuance of a long local water polo tradition
much like the one held in the neighboring town of Igrane as well as the eastern most spot of the Riviera
The legend of King Arthur of Igrane and the bell tower of Our Lady of the Rosary church
The King Arthur’s Knights society holds the King Arthur Night each year in August
a tourist event based on a legend that King Arthur was born in Igrane
Supporting this theory is the name of his mother – Igrayne
while the British historian John Matthews explored the legend during his stay in Igrane
while the neoromanic bell tower dates from 1923 and is the work of Eduardo Žagar
Based on the bell tower of the Split cathedral
Licinian’s epigram from the year 474 B.C
is made up of 16 hexameters in the Latin language
while the epigram is carved into a live rock in Pokrivenica village that still holds a source of water
Cross convent dominates the Živogošća Porat panorama
It is surrounded by tall cypress trees and abundant vegetation due to the proximity of water sources
while the Franciscan convent built in 1616 holds a rich library with valuable books and documents
April 15th in 1687 was the date when the Turkish army overtook the Drvenik fort held by local women
Today it is in a bad shape with only one wall and parts of the tower remaining
The fort is within walking distance of the town
and the ridge offers a nice view of the Biokovo trail and the middle-Dalmatian islands
Modern times saw a boost of family hotels in Drvenik Gornja Vala
Young and innovative tourism workers run the place today
creating new events such as the throwing of the mandolin into the sea or the first Drvenik rock concert
Above Drvenik Gornja Vala is a rare forest with pine nuts in the Biokovo area
Maria and the permanent gallery of Mladen Veža in Zaostrog
The convent holds valuable collections of cultural and historical heritage of the region
The convent is also the location of a permanent gallery of one of the most famous Croatian painters
born in Brist in 1916 and deceased in Zagreb in 2010
Andrija Kačić Miošić (1704-1760) was born in Brist
while the main town square in Makarska bears his name as well as his statue
a timeless motive on thousands of photos by visitors
He worked in the local convent in Zaostrog
taking a permanent seat in Croatian literature with a book of poems and verses “Pleasant Conversation of Slavic People” from 1756
The regional museum in Gradac and the arboretum in Andrijašević family residence
The private ethnographic museum Gradac is in the old section of town
in the home of the Andrijašević family who also possess an arboretum with around 200 different plants
Both are the result of great enthusiasm and love by the Andrijašević family for their region
Thousands of beaches of the Makarska Riviera
which boasts one of the longest beaches on the Makarska Riviera and beyond
beaches stretch along the entire coastline below Biokovo mountain all the way to Brela
The Makarska Riviera is a 60 kilometer long area with 16 coastal towns
intertwined with small and large coves and picturesque pebble beaches such as Velika Duba and Nugla
It is the main tourist attraction of the area along with the sun and sea
upon which the entire economy of the Makarska Riviera depends
Learn more about the beaches of the Makarska Riviera here
Want to learn more about Croatian destinations? Check out the 25 things to know series here
The Croatian cat problem is a pressing one
sometimes even adopting a stray kitten and taking them home with them
more and more awareness about the plight of these cats has come to light
and the level of empathy among locals has been on the increase
and Makarska stray cats now have their own carefully placed little houses to call their own
As Morski writes
last week saw the marking of World Animal Protection Day
and in close cooperation with the Sapa od srca Association and the local communal company
the City of Makarska set up five little houses to act as shelters and homes for Makarska stray cats
Petra and in Vladimir Nazor Street will now have a safe shelter from the rain and cold in the coming autumn days
as well as from the scorching heat during the summer months
Makarska has become one of the first cities in all of the Republic of Croatia to take charge and proper care for feral and stray cats in this way
and the project will be continued and expanded if it is deemed necessary
In addition to this praiseworthy and selfless move, in order to reduce the uncontrolled reproduction of Makarska stray cats and prevent the development of diseases in both humans and these animals
the City of Makarska will continue with their planned sterilisation of local cats through a catch
The Makarska city budget provides funds for the sterilisation of 100 Makarska stray cats
and this is only a small part of the amount of cash that is now being aimed at properly caring for the welfare of the city’s local animals
For more, make sure to check out our dedicated lifestyle section
Tportal.hr reports that in the resorts on the Makarska Riviera
more than 56,000 domestic and foreign guests spend their holidays
which is about 70 percent compared to the same time in 2019
in Baška Voda where a ‘bed more’ is still sought
while the Municipality of Gradac hosts more than 6000 guests
Almost all hotel houses on the Makarska Riviera operate without free rooms
so it is recommended to book accommodation in advance to continue your summer stay in hotels
There are few vacancies left in holiday homes as well as apartments with private homeowners on the entire coast
and more beds are in demand in most tourist offices
The last weekend of July was marked by significantly increased traffic on the roads of the Makarska Riviera and in ferry ports
the D8 is driven in longer intermittent columns with occasional shorter delays
and smaller crowds are created at the entrances to tourist places
Traffic was significantly increased on the state road 535 from Baško Polje to the Sveti Ilija tunnel in Basto
while at the entrance to the highway near Zagvozd
a convoy of vehicles was about two kilometers long
is full in both directions for today’s and tomorrow’s voyages
There are two ferries on the Drvenik-Sučuraj line
the wait for boarding in Drvenik is about two and a half hours
and it takes so long to return from Hvar to the mainland
and family accommodation is expected in the summer
where the end of July pleasantly surprised hoteliers and tourism workers
Are you planning to visit Makarska? Take a look at the Total Croatia 2021 guide, where you will find all the information about accommodation, restaurants, things to do, tours, how to get to the riviera, and much more HERE
For more on travel in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page
Sherif Lanre has broken his silence on Instagram just hours after Love Island announced he had been removed from the villa due to "poor judgement" and "breaking the villa rules."
Love Island contestant Sherif Lanre has posted on Instagram for the first time since being kicked out of the Spanish villa for breaking the show's rules
The 20-year-old rugby player was removed from the show
due to "poor judgement" and not "conducting himself in the right way."
While the exact reason behind Sherif's departure is yet to be confirmed
the former Love Island hopeful has already appeared to hint at his potential plans following his exit
"Looks like Makarska's back on the menu boys," reads a meme posted on his official Instagram story
alongside a report detailing his shock departure
Makarska is a popular holiday destination on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast
and is known for its beaches and bustling nightlife
Could Sherif be jetting off to another summer hotspot with his mates on a lads holiday
a Love Island spokesperson said: “After breaking the villa rules Sherif had conversations with the producers and it was mutually agreed that he would leave the Love Island villa.”
Sherif was quoted as saying: “In a case of poor judgement
I broke the villa rules and as a result agreed with the producers that it was best for me to leave the villa
"I regret that I didn’t conduct myself in the right way and
it’s something I know I will take on board and learn from."
"I really enjoyed my time in the villa and look forward to catching up with everyone on the outside.”
Sherif coupled up with 28-year-old pharmacist Anna Vakili
after initially choosing to partner with 21-year-old Amber Gill
See more Latest Music News
Tickets
transportation is free for all citizens who have a permanent or temporary residence in the area of the city of Makarska
which passengers will prove with an ID card or appropriate certificate. The carrier will issue them a monthly travel ticket on the spot on the bus
Departures from Veliko Brdo to Makarska are at 7.30 am
16.50 and 19.20. Departures from Makarska to Veliko Brdo are at 8.25
Boarding and disembarking of passengers on the route Veliko Brdo – Makarska – Veliko Brdo is performed at three bus stops in the area of Veliko Brdo
near the store “Tommy” in Ante Starčević Street
at the beginning and end of the city waterfront
the end of the roundabout next to the high schools and the end of the town market and the Music School
The City of Makarska has concluded a contract on co-financing the line at the initiative of the Family Bus Service carrier
according to the publicly available register
is the only one with registered lines and issued county licenses for county public regular passenger transport between Veliko Brdo and Makarska.This pilot project is a step closer to the organization of public transport and an opportunity for the City of Makarska to know first hand the real traffic demand and the justification for the introduction of public transport in Makarska
Are you planning to visit Makarska? Take a look at the Total Croatia 2021 guide, where you will find all the information about accommodation, restaurants, things to do, tours, how to get to the riviera, and much more HERE
For more on lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page
A villa or apartment on the Dalmatian coast is a dream for many
in the race to throw up new builds to satisfy demand
Some new buildings seem to seep heat in through the very walls
demanding the use of the air conditioner to keep you cool
the time-honoured dwellings of Dalmatia are often cool enough without the klima
Perhaps this was a point taken into consideration by architect Branka Juras
has walls broad enough to shelter from even the strongest sun
Her plans for Villa Kuk see the luxurious villa encased in the karst rock of the Dinaric Alps foothills
Sandwiched between two giant slices of rock
Villa Kuk’s inner luxury will be all but hidden from view
As detailed by journalist Anita Budimir in Jutarnji List’s feature on the Villa Kuk project
Branka Juras of the Faculty of Architecture and a former employee of regarded Croatian architectural studio Randić & Turato architects
is being undertaken by Juras and the team she has assembled within her own practice
Villa Kuk will be situated at 110 metres above sea level in the Velko Brdo area of Makarska, in the foothills of the Dinaric Alps immediately to the north of the city centre
Its west and east walls will be comprised of the huge
natural boulders between which the villa will sit
The villa will only be visible from the north and south
The south façade will use large glass walls
A minimalist but luxurious contemporary design is planned for the interior
The project is actually a radical overhaul of a building that previously stood in the plot – a restaurant
which was used as a terrace by the restaurant
An atrium has been added to the dwelling’s redesign
affording additional light and the basement space extended to accommodate extra living space
the height of the building does not extend beyond the height of the rocks between which it is sandwiched
ensuring Villa Kuk will have minimal impact on the area’s natural and existing aesthetics
All 3d visualisation images of the completed Villa Kuk project by Marijan Katić
After the fierce bura wind brought ice to Dalmatia’s Adriatic waterfront on January 8
There was no doubting the story of the day in terms of readership on TCN yesterday.
it wasn’t the wide-ranging interview with controversial Zivi Zid politician Ivan Pernar
4 Croatian beaches in The Sunday Times top 50 for Europe
or a jewel of a find in a 1969 travel documentary on Hvar
capturing a snapshot of this very unusual weather
as others flocked to see snow at the lighthouse
December 29, 2008JPEG
Later tectonic processes uplifted and exposed the carbonate rocks to erosion
leading to a distinctive geological surface known as karst topography
Karst topography occurs when naturally occurring acids in surface and ground water dissolve the carbonate rocks
underground networks of drainages and caves form
the overlaying rock and soil collapse to form a variety of landforms including sinkholes
much of the karst surface has a pitted appearance
easily visible in the early morning light in this astronaut photograph
The pitted appearance is produced by numerous circular or semi-circular collapse valleys known locally as vrtače
While this image captures Sveti Jure covered with snow
there are no glaciers or ice fields in the Biokovo Range
View this area in EO Explorer
The orange and black towers of rock rising above deep green forest are almost as strange as their name
April 30, 2023 – Feliks Lukas, the sports manager and leader of the WTA tournament in Makarska has received a prestigious personal award, reports Dalmatinski Portal
known to the public as a successful sports manager and director of the WTA tournament in Makarska
This order was founded in the 14th century by the Austrian Habsburg dynasty and Pope Paul II
with the aim of preserving the traditions of the countries of Central Europe
most of which were part of the Habsburg Monarchy
which is based on the idea of Central Europe as a Christian
is still today the direct heir of that line of Karl von Habsburg-Lothringen
The solemn ceremony of announcing the new knights of the Order of St
and after swearing to act in accordance with the principles
Feliks Lukas was personally knighted by Archduke Karl von Habsburg-Lothringen himself
Particularly attractive was the parade of knights through the streets of Vienna to the most beautiful baroque cathedral Karlskirche
there are about twenty members of the Order of St
while there are only about 700 of them in the world
Being a part of this order that works humanitarian and supports a number of activities in the field of economy and culture is a matter of prestige
but the future knight must be proposed by one of the respected members,’ says Lukas
and he was recommended by two well-known noble families
Count Markus Paar from Austria and Count Mario Festetics de Tolna originally from Hungary
After the initiation process and the final decision to enter their Order
the knight title was officially confirmed at a solemn ceremony
in addition to successfully leading the WTA tennis tournament for years
which was moved from Bol to Makarska last year
is also highly respected outside sports circles
he participated in the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington with US President Biden
Appointment as a knight of the Order of St
George is another valuable personal recognition for him on the eve of the WTA spectacle
which will be held in Makarska from June 5 to 11 and will gather around forty of the best female tennis players from Sweden
You can learn more about this year’s Makarska Open WTA tennis tournament on the tournament website