Croatian pianist Goran Filipec will be performing a repertoire from Liszt at London’s Bechstein Hall on Thursday 27th February 2025. He will in fact be performing two concerts on that day, at 6.30pm and 8pm.
Filipec has been described as a pianist of “technical brilliance which allows him to express himself in an electrifying manner, demonstrating an imaginative exuberance, sensibility and luminosity which we are not used to hearing at the present time” (Ritmo).
Goran Filipec
A musician who always captures the hearts of international audiences and critics, he is renowned for his exceptional interpretations of the works of Franz Liszt and his classical and romantic repertoire of high virtuosity. In addition, Filipec defends creativity and subjectivity in performance observing it as a co-creation of the musical work, which he often blends with his own arrangements and adaptations.
London’s newest cultural centre, Bechstein Hall on Wigmore Street in Marylebone, will be hosting a concert by Croatian Pianist Martina Filjak alongside Moldovian Violinist Alexandra Connunova on 25th January 2025. They will be performing timeless classics from Clara Schumann, Brahms and Robert Schumann.
Martina Filjak is one of the most exciting artists to emerge in recent years, garnering international praise for her poetic passion and technical mastery at the keyboard as well as for her charismatic personality and magnetic stage presence. She came to international attention by winning the Gold Medal, the 1st Prize and the Beethoven Prize at the Cleveland International Piano Competition in 2009. This brought her numerous engagements in the United States and internationally.
Martina FiljakAlexandra Connunova
Prior to that, she won 1st Prize at the Maria Canals Piano Competition in Barcelona and the Viotti Piano Competitionin Vercelli, and was a laureate at the Busoni Piano Competition.
Head to Bechstein Hall on 25th January for what will be an unforgettable performance.
Tickets
Tickets cost £40 – £60 and can be purchased online at bechsteinhall.com/events/alexandra-conunova. You can also call the box office on 020 3006 0930.
Alexandra Conunova with Martina Filjak 7.15pm – 9pm, Saturday 25th January 2025 Bechstein Hall 18-22 Wigmore Street London W1U 2RH www.bechsteinhall.com
https://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/martina-filjak-landscape.jpg376470annazhttps://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/visit-croatia-logo5.jpgannaz2025-01-14 12:33:372025-09-24 18:27:03Croatian Pianist Martina Filjak at Bechstein Hall, 25 January 2025
Winner of the prestigious Caméra d’Or Prize at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, Croatian film Murina will be on national UK release from 8th April. From Croatian director Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović, the film tells the story of teenager Julija and the strained relationships with her mother and father, and the arrival of an old family friend to their Croatian island home.
About Murina
The film follows restless teenage Julija and the tensions that arise between her and her oppressive oppressive father Ante when an old family friend arrives to visit them. When Ante attempts to broker a life-changing deal, their tranquil yet isolated existence leaves Julija wanting more from this influential visitor, who provides a taste of liberation over a weekend laid bare to desire and violence.
Murina stars Gracija Filipović as Julija, Leon Lučev as Ante, Danica Čurčić as Nela and Cliff Curtis as Javier.
Director Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović says about the film:
In Murina I wanted to explore the tensions of a family invaded by a foreigner, an outsider who propels a girl’s inner power to confront the limitations of the mentality she’s known her whole life.
Antoneta goes on to say:
Julija lives in a physical paradise on a Croatian island, but in a society obsessed with getting rich quick by selling away its own essence, where a daughter’s strength is mistaken for her father’s weakness, and land’s value is mistaken for profit.
Julija has an intuition for these dynamics, and for me that is a divine spark I see in young girls. She is like the murina, the moray eel, an animal that will bite its own flesh to break free from a fisherman. Her power is her faith in herself, in nature, and in the unknown. Her power is that she refuses to be silenced.
Murina was executive produced by Martin Scorsese, and Murina’s producers’ other credits include Call Me By Your Name and Frances Ha, with the cinematographer also behind The Lost Daughter and Happy as Lazzaro.
As well as the Caméra d’Or Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, Murina was also part of the official selection at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival, the 2021 São Paulo International Film Festival and the 2021 CPH: PIX.
The film has been given five stars by Culturefly who say it is “sultry and absorbing”; Flickering Myth say it is “heart-stopping” and give it 4 stars, as does Total Film.
Watch the official trailer for Murina below:
About the director
Writer-director Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović is Dubrovnik born and currently based in New York. Antoneta graduated with an MA from the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb and an MFA in Screenwriting and Directing from Columbia University in New York. She is an alumna of the Berlinale Talent Lab, Sarajevo Talent Lab, La Femis Producing Atelier, and the Marcie Bloom Fellowship and is a member of the Academy.
Murina is Antoneta’s first feature film, although her 2017 short film Into The Blue was nominated for a Student Academy Award, and won awards at the Berlin International Film Festival, Sarajevo Film Festival, Oberhausen Film Festival, and the Festival de Premier Plans, Angers, among many others. Antoneta’s other credits include If We Must Die (short), Christmas Tree (short), Eye for an Eye (short) and Nonina (short).
Murina was developed with support from the Résidence du Festival Cannes, Cinéfondation, First Films First by the Ghoethe-Institute, and Jerusalem Film Lab is produced by Martin Scorsese Sikelia, RT features and Antitalent.
More info
Be sure to check local listings to see where Murina is playing near you from 8th April, or online at www.modernfilms.com/murina. (Screening details to be updated soon.)
https://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Murina-Asset-4.2.png10801080annazhttps://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/visit-croatia-logo5.jpgannaz2022-03-24 13:29:332022-03-24 13:32:36Award-winning Croatian film Murina on national UK release from 8th April
Good news for all UK travellers to Croatia! As of 1st October 2021 (yesterday), all double vaccinated travellers from the UK no longer need a negative test to enter Croatia – a rule that has been in place since 26th July.
That means that you can now just use your vaccination certificate to enter the country, and you definitely don’t need to also obtain a negative PCR or rapid antigen test.
This comes just in time for the new rules changes for returning to England too – from Monday 4th October, a negative test is also no longer need to return home.
UK travellers to Croatia – using a vaccination certificate to enter the country
You can enter Croatia using your vaccination certificate providing 14 days have passed since the second dose of your vaccine, and that second dose has been administered in the previous 365 days. (This number of days has also been changed on 1st October – see below.)
You can obtain a certificate for travel via the NHS Covid Pass website or app. Although you can demonstrate your certificate on your phone, we would always recommend printing it off to be on the safe side.
What if you don’t have a vaccination certificate?
If you aren’t (double) vaccinated, don’t forget that you can still enter Croatia if you have:
a previous covid positive test from the past 365 days, with 11 days having passed since the test was undertaken, or a certificate of recovery from covid signed by physican
a certificate showing that you have recovered from covid and have received one dose of a vaccine in the eight months since having covid (provided that the vaccine was administered less than 12 months ago)
And if you don’t have any of these then…
you do need a negative covid test to enter Croatia – a PCR test taken in the previous 72 hours or a rapid antigen test taken in the previous 48 hours
If you don’t have any of the above, you will need to quarantine on arrival in Croatia until you can obtain a negative test result.
Other requirements for entering Croatia
Don’t forget that UK travellers still need to show proof of paid accommodation to enter Croatia. However, you don’t need this for the entire duration of your stay – you can show proof of paid accommodation just for the first couple of days.
It is also recommended that you fill out the Enter Croatia form before travel to help speed up your entry into the country.
As well as UK travellers to Croatia, travellers from Russia and Cyprus also no longer need a negative test to enter the country – they can also use a vaccination certificate.
Additionally, vaccination certificates (for all travellers, regardless of nationality) are now valid for 365 days since the second dose having been administered (or a single dose in the case of single-dose vaccines). This has been upped from 270 days.
Likewise, you can use a positive test result from the previous 365 days (previously also 270 days) to enter Croatia.
Travellers from Brazil no longer need to quarantine for 14 days on arrival to Croatia but do need to show a negative PCR (taken in the previous 72 hours) or a negative rapid antigen test (in the previous 48 hours).
Don’t forget to check out our new Visiting Croatia in October post to find out more on flights to the country this month and what to see and do when there.
https://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/uk-travellers-to-croatia-negative-test-n-longer-required.jpg533800annazhttps://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/visit-croatia-logo5.jpgannaz2021-10-02 18:14:492023-03-22 10:45:10Double vaccinated UK travellers to Croatia no longer need a negative test
Announced last night and in effect from 4am on Monday 19th July, Croatia is on England’s travel green list! In actual fact, the country is being moved from the amber list to the ‘green watchlist’ which, rather confusingly (in our opinion) means it is ‘at risk of being moved from the green to amber list’.
What does this mean? Well, as of Monday, any travellers returning back to England from Croatia will not need to quarantine for 10 days. However, you will still need to obtain a covid test prior to returning to England AND also take a covid test on day two after your return.
Updated The latest UK travel update on 26th August saw Croatia remain on the green list, which is great news! Do note, however, that neighbouring Montenegro is on the red list from 4am, Monday 30th August – if you travel to Montenegro and then return to the UK you will need to enter paid hotel quarantine for 10 days.
You keep mentioning England! What about travellers from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
At the present time, this refers to travellers from England only. However, according to BBC News, “the Scottish and Welsh governments said they will do the same, and Northern Ireland is expected to follow suit.”
Updated This ruling is now also in effect for travellers from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
This all sounds great! What about regulations for entering Croatia?
British travellers are permitted to visit Croatia and have been allowed to do so since 1st April 2021. However, in order to enter Croatia, you must have one of the following:
a negative PCR test undertaken in the previous 72 hours or a rapid antigen test undertaken in the previous 48 hours (at the point of entry); if you are using a rapid antigen test, it must be one recognised by the EU, and the test name and manufacturer must be visible, and the test must be conducted by a healthcare facility/laboratory and signed or confirmed by a doctor
a vaccination certificate not older than 210 days showing you have received the second dose of a vaccine used in the EU more than 14 days before entry into Croatia (or a vaccination certificate showing you have received a single dose – in the case of single-dose vaccines – more than 14 days before entry into Croatia)
a certificate showing you have recovered from covid AND you have had one dose of a covid vaccine in the six months since recovering; your vaccine dose must have been administered in the previous 210 days before arrival in Croatia
a certificate showing you have previously been infected with covid and had a positive PCR or rapid antigen test result in the previous 180 days only (and valid from the 11th day after your positive test result)
children under the age of 12 do not need to provide one of the above, providing they are travelling with a parent/guardian
If you don’t have one of the above, you must obtain a PCR or rapid antigen test immediately after arriving in Croatia (at your own expense) and to isolate until you obtain a negative test result – if do not do this, you must isolate for a full 10 days
You can see full details of the regulations regarding enter Croatia on the Ministry of the Interior website.
As a non-EU citizen/resident, you will also need to show proof of a paid accommodation booking for Croatia.
It is also highly recommended that you fill out the form on the Enter Croatia website to help speed up your entry into the country.
Do also take a look at our Croatia Travel Restrictions 2021 for details of what the current local regulations are once you arrive in Croatia.
I guess it’s time to book my flights, then!
Our Visiting Croatia in Summer 2021 section will help! It details the latest travel advice and news – alongside the above travel regulations.
Updated Almost all flights due to operate this year from the UK & Ireland to Croatia are currently doing so – see our Flights to Croatia from the UK & Ireland page for full details.
Take a look at our Accommodation in Croatia section for hotels, apartments, villas, campsites and more all over the country!
How do I get tested in Croatia before returning back to England?
Please take a look at a list of test centres around the country on our Visiting Croatia in Summer 2021. Alternatively, once you’re in Croatia ask at the local tourist office and they will be able to help you.
It’s great that Croatia is on England’s travel green list, but what happens if it moves back to the amber list?
As of 19th July, all double-vaccinated travellers and under-18s from England will also not need to quarantine on returning home from an amber list destination. Again, travellers will need to obtain a covid test prior to their return AND another test on day two after returning.
So even if Croatia moves back onto the travel amber list, certain travellers will still not need to quarantine.
More information
For further information, please see the following:
https://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/croatia-on-green-list.jpg533800annazhttps://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/visit-croatia-logo5.jpgannaz2021-07-15 11:58:502025-01-31 18:26:48Croatia is on England’s travel green list!
We were recently contacted by a very friendly chap called Ed who, we are very happy to hear, runs a half-Croatian bar called Amedea in Whitstable, Kent – only about an hour from London. Intrigued, we had to learn more about the bar (named after his grandmother!), how Ed came to set it up, and about his family and travel experiences in Croatia.
1) What is your background, and whereabouts in Croatia are your family from?
Hello! My name’s Ed, I’m half Croatian and Amedea is a bar named after my grandma/Nona. Amedea and my mum’s side of the family (the Croatian side) mainly live around Kanfanar which is close to Rovinj in Istria.
Ed at Amedea
Ed, his Nona Amedea, and his partner Abbie
2) How have you come to run a Croatian bar, and such a bar in Whitstable? Do you have any previous experience in hospitality?
I do not know is the short answer! Amedea has been a dream that I’ve been far too optimistically chipping away at for about 6 years that has somehow happened. Whether it was forcing myself to put in a very amateur planning application, Googling ‘how to do a flood risk assessment’ while having a barbecue, or editing my proposed floorplans on Microsoft Paint before work, this whole journey has very much been ‘I really, really don’t know how to do this, but I’m going to have to, and just hope that no one complains… Or even better, it might work!’ I’ve grown up in Whitstable and it’s a lovely place. The residents are all interesting people who always seem up for giving a unique new business a try.
I had no real bar experience before this and it’s also my first business (so yes my mama was worried!), I just know the Croatian way to host people from my experiences with family over there, and eating/drinking out. I’ve lost count of the amount of times Amedea herself, my aunties or my cousins have shouted ‘EDVUD! JESTI!!!’ at me – even if I’ve just eaten an enormous 3-course meal! I must admit, I used to find this quite scary when I was younger.
To say Croatian people always put their guests first doesn’t do them justice, their hospitality is incredible. Hopefully, when customers visit Amedea Bar, we can help share that experience, and transport them to Istria too! My mamina Suzi and my sister Saskia work here too, which is important with any independent Croatian business – family. My dad… Well, let’s just say he’s one of our best customers. I really want to say thank you to the other staff that work here too. Although not Croatian (British, French and German actually) they carry the place flawlessly and always make me look good. Front of house smiles go a long way!
The exterior of Amedea
The Croatian flag flies proudly at Amedea
3) Have you spent time in Croatia? What’s your favourite spot in the country? (If you can narrow it down to just one!)
I’d always visit Amedea and other family in Istria at least once a year…until Coronavirus. In 2016 I spent a month travelling down the coast visiting different places, which I would love to do again! My favourite (other than Istria of course) would have to be Makarska. Seeing those cliffs really took my head a while to compute, I’ve never seen anything like those before… And then directly below them, a cute little church on a town square. That place is so unreal and beautiful, and I haven’t even mentioned the sea yet!
4) What kind of Croatian products/specialities does Amedea offer?
Well, I think most importantly, we of course sell Smoki peanut puffs! Other than that, we’ve got Graševina, Plavac, Postup, Babić and always Malvazija on the wine list. We’ve got loads of spirits including Medica and Šlivovica, but beers have been a bit harder. So far I’ve managed to get Ožujsko and San Servolo in cans and bottles, but I’m still battling to get a Croatian beer on draught… It’s harder than it sounds! And last but not least, we sell Paški sir (sheep’s cheese) and pršut (cured meat) on our food boards – which go down really well with visitors whether they’re familiar with them or not.
A great selection of Croatian spirits!
5) (I know you’ve unfortunately been subjected to lockdowns in the past year…) but do you have many Croats in England as guests? How do non-Croats enjoy the Croatian products?
Surprisingly, yes. My mum has lived in the UK for 30 years and has never seen so many Croats here until I opened the bar, they’ve really come out of the woodwork! I’m pleased to say that when Croats do visit Amedea, they tell me their experience was genuine, which really means a lot.
It seems our non-Croat customers have been really enjoying the experience too, and some of our reviews have brought a tear to my eye! The people that come to Amedea pretty much all seem to be genuine, interesting, and most of all, nice, which is something money just could not buy. It really helps that Croatia has become such a well known holiday spot over the last few years too because it means more customers can relate. Only this month, I sold a Whitstable resident some Croatian goodies so she could recreate her holiday in Hvar for her husband on Valentine’s day!
The wine list at Amedea, next to the Kanfanar coat of arms
More drinks at Amedea – and a painting by Nona Amedea
6) How have you/your bar found lockdown?
Well, it’s obviously been very tough, but a combination of a good landlord and the government grants has meant we’ve kept our heads above water. It also helps that Amedea is still a fairly new business, as it means I’m very used to living on a shoestring budget anyway!
The good news is, summer’s now in sight along with the end of lockdown. Being at Amedea this summer is going to be great and I’m really excited, especially now that the hard part’s out the way and we can fly the Croatian flag proudly again. Although something I’m certainly not looking forward to… Croatia vs. England in the Euros. ‘It must be win/win for you Ed!’ – No, it’s actually a horrible game to watch and for some reason, they always seem to play each other! My family and I just don’t like either side to lose TOO much.
But for the record…
I always support Croatia!
Thank you so much to Ed for answering our questions. We certainly can’t wait to visit Amedea!
Be sure to check out Amedea online for now at www.facebook.com/AmedeaBar and in-person once lockdown restrictions in England are over! We are sure Ed will give all of his guests a wonderful welcome!
https://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ed-thomas-croatian-bar-amedea-scaled.jpeg25601920annazhttps://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/visit-croatia-logo5.jpgannaz2021-02-26 14:32:142021-02-27 10:24:38The half-Croatian bar an hour from London
As we’re sure you’ve heard, yesterday Croatia was taken off the UK’s travel corridor’s list. (Others may refer to it as Croatia being taken off the ‘green list’ or being placed on the ‘red list’). This means that anyone that returns to Croatia after 4am on Saturday 22nd August will need to quarantine for 14 days.
Why has this happened? Unfortunately, there has been a sharp increase in the numbers of new coronavirus cases in Croatia over the last week or so. After the initial wave in March/April, cases tumbled to hardly anything – sometimes 1 or 2 per day, sometimes even zero. From the end of June onwards, cases starting increasing again (as with many other European countries) although they generally stayed around the 50-100 per day mark. Then, suddenly, from 13th August and over the last week, there are been upwards of 150-200 cases per day. Yesterday, 20th August, saw a new record of 255 new cases announced.
As ever, you can see daily updates on coronavirus case numbers in Croatia on the Koronavirus.hr website (in English). This will also show you where in the country (by county) the active cases currently are.
We talk about case numbers because it is this that the UK government track when taking countries off their travel corridors list. Or rather, the 14-day cumulative number of cases per 100,000. It is thought that any country with a figure of over 20 for this cumulative number gets taken off the list. As of yesterday, Croatia had a figure of 41.7. And so, Croatia was taken off the UK’s travel corridor’s list.
By comparison, yesterday France was on 46.3, the Netherlands was on 46.8 and Spain on 138.7. (These three countries have all recently been taken off the travel corridors list too.) The UK is on 20.9. You can see these figures on the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) website.
Can I still travel to Croatia?
Yes, of course you can. The main issue is that after Saturday, you will need to quarantine for 14 days when you return back home to the UK. For some of you – who are perhaps working from home anyway – this may not be much of an imposition.
Do check how the UK’s announcement affects your travel insurance, however, should you need to use it. But do also remember that until the end of 2020, UK citizens can still use their EHIC cards for emergency treatment in Croatia (a EU country). See more on this on our Safety and Healthcare in Croatia page.
Help! How do I get home from Croatia now?!
If you’re in Croatia at the moment and need to get home…pronto…you do have a few options although unfortunately all are likely to be expensive, and many will already have been booked up.
Nevertheless, the following airlines all have scheduled direct flights from Croatia to the UK on Fridays:
British Airways – flights from Zagreb, Pula and Dubrovnik to London Heathrow; Split to London City
Croatia Airlines – flights from Zagreb to London Heathrow and Split to London Gatwick
Easyjet – flights from Split to London Gatwick and London Luton; Dubrovnik to London Stansted, Bristol
You may also find some of these airlines are able to offer you flights back to the UK via a stopover. It is also worth looking on a website such as Skyscanner for other connections you may not be aware of!
If you are in Istria, you may consider travelling by bus over to Trieste or Venice and then getting a flight from these cities back to the UK. Those in Zagreb/the north of the country could travel by train or bus to Slovenia or Austria to fly home from there.
If you are in Croatia and wish to return today, we do wish you luck in getting home.
Will Croatia be put back on the travel corridors list at some point?
Well, at the same as Croatia being taken off the list yesterday, Portugal was placed on it. So this does show that countries can be put on the list if their situation improves. We hope this to be the case with Croatia, but whether this will happen in time for the rest of this season (which includes September and October)…it’s difficult to say.
Certainly, case numbers will have to reduce considerably and for a sustained period for this to happen, and we’re not sure there’s enough time for this to happen. We do of course for it to happen.
https://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/croatia-cavtat-dimitry-anikin.jpg7501000annazhttps://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/visit-croatia-logo5.jpgannaz2020-08-21 11:04:082025-04-03 11:39:58Croatia taken off the UK’s travel corridors list
Note 2: Now that the end of the transition period has arrived and Britain is firmly out of the EU as of 1st January 2021, we have written an additional blogpost: Visit Croatia Post Brexit in 2021.
Note: Although we’re posting this on the 1st April, Brexit is not an April Fool’s. Sadly.
Ahh, Brexit. The 29th March 2019 has been and gone and the UK is still apparently in the EU. But somehow Brexit is still inching closer and closer (what date is it now…12th April? Goodie) and no one’s any the wiser with regards to what will happen with the UK. But there is some important information for travellers considering visiting Croatia after Brexit which we’ll lay out here. Whether any of this will actually come into effect and when (April? May? Never?!) we shall just have to see.
The information on this page is largely related to travellers visiting Croatia after Brexit. If you’re a British national residing in Croatia (or thinking about doing so), we’d suggest looking at the information provided on the GOV.UK website: Living in Croatia. If you live in Croatia and have any concerns, you may like to contact the British Embassy in Zagreb.
All of this information on this page relates to visiting Croatia as we’re an Croatian travel information website, of course. But Croatia is part of the EU, so (most of) this advice relates to visiting any other EU country as well.
Much of the information also depends on whether the UK leaves the EU with or without a deal. Really, it’s a waiting game as to what will happen.
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
Should the UK leave the EU on 12th April without a deal, EHIC cards will no longer be valid. If there is a deal, these cards are likely to still be valid over the next few years of transition. Beyond that, it is unclear whether UK citizens can use EHIC cards in Europe.
If you already have an EHIC card and are visiting Croatia this year, we would advise you to still take it along.
But most importantly, we would absolutely advise all travellers to arrange separate travel insurance for visiting Croatia in case any health issues arise.
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal on 12th April, UK driving license holders will need to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) in order to drive in the EU (including Croatia).
An IDP is not a driving license, but a permit that can be used in addition to a British driving license. It is used in countries where using just a UK driving license is not sufficient. (Currently around 140 countries – not including the EU – require one for British drivers.)
An IDP can be easily obtained from the Post Office and costs just £5.50. If you’re planning on driving in Croatia this summer, we would recommend you obtain an IDP now (given the low cost), just to be on the safe side in case of a no deal Brexit.
Advice here actually differs for the EU and for Croatia – most of the EU is part of the Schengen Zone whereas Croatia (and Bulgaria, Romania and Cyprus) are not (yet).
If travelling to the Schengen Zone after a possible no deal Brexit, you need to have at least 6 months left on your passport after arriving in that Schengen Zone country. That means if you currently have less than six months left on your passport, you need to renew your passport pretty much immediately.
However, for non-Schengen Zone EU countries – such as Croatia – this rule does not appear to apply. (Or rather, such countries can apply their own rules.) If you’re visiting Croatia after Brexit, it does not seem to be the case that you have to have six months left on your passport. The Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website does not state anything regarding this – only saying:
** Since Brexit talks are still ongoing, the public will be informed about possible changes to the entry terms and travel regime in regard to British citizens via media and the MFEA website in timely fashion.
Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website
Which is about as vague as Brexit itself. Essentially, keep your eyes peeled.
In future, although UK passport holders won’t require a visa to visit Croatia/the EU, they will need to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver. ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is essentially the European version of an ESTA, the visa waiver programme for the United States.
When it comes into effect (in ‘early 2021’), it can be applied for online and will cost €7. It will be valid for three years.
These days, what’s a holiday without posting daily updates on Insta, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Linkedin, Myspace and MSN Messenger? #summerhols And we all know how picturesque and photo-perfect Croatia is, right? It’s just made for sharing.
Aside from a smartphone, what’s the next most important thing you need to achieve peak social media sharing? Data roaming…and lots of it.
Brits been lucky enough to get ‘free’ data roaming (plus calls and texts, of course) in the EU for a couple of years now. However, this will very likely change post Brexit – with or without a deal.
The current suggestion is that should the UK leave the EU with a deal, British holidaymakers could still enjoy free data roaming until the end of 2020 (or until the end of the transition period, if different).
However, if the UK leaves without a deal then it is down to individual mobile operators as to whether or not they start reintroducing charges for using a phone in the EU – and they could do so almost immediately.
You may like to contact your mobile phone network to see what they say with regards to this, particularly if you’re planning on visiting Croatia or the EU soon.
Even if there is a no deal, it is very unlikely that flights to or from Croatia would suddenly get cancelled the day after the UK leaves the EU. So if you have already bought flights to Croatia, or are thinking about it, we would say don’t worry in this regard – and look forward to your holiday!
If you have booked your flights and holiday to Croatia this summer, we’re (almost) sure that everything will be fine and that you’ll have an amazing time.
But, overall, we’re recommend paying close attention to the news to a) see the actual Brexit outcome and b) in case there are any announcements effecting travellers to the EU!
https://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/visiting-croatia-after-brexit.jpg522800annazhttps://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/visit-croatia-logo5.jpgannaz2019-04-01 12:44:012023-01-12 14:23:35Visiting Croatia After Brexit
We here at Visit Croatia will have a very tough evening of it tomorrow. (Not as hard as the two teams on the pitch…but close.) As evidenced by our website, we’re obviously based in the UK and are English. And as also evidenced by our website…we’re also Croatian!
When the 2018 World Cup kicked off on 14th June, never in our wildest dreams would we think that one of our teams would make it to the semi-finals. To have both our teams make it is unbelievable. Two have both our teams make it and play each other is…oh, what?
As a friend pointed out – “you’ll be the crazy person cheering everyone” during the match, which is very true! If Kane heads a chance just wide, we will be exclaiming “Argh!! NOOOO!!” or “HA HA!! YES!!”? If Pickford saves a long range shot from Modric, we will shout “What a shot!!” or “What a save!!”?
Maybe we’ll just keep our mouth shut, sipping a cup of tea and/or sljivovica to calm our nerves.
Probably both.
Wonder what a sljivovica & tea cocktail tastes like…
England and Croatia at World Cups
In the last World Cup in Brazil four years ago, neither team even made it out of the group stage. Croatia had a disappointing go of it, finishing third in their group (behind Brazil and Mexico), but at least winning one match (a 4-0 victory against Cameroon). England had an even worse time of it, ending up bottom of their group and getting only one point – thanks to a dismal 0-0 draw with Costa Rica.
It can’t have escaped the notice of anyone in England that the last time they reached the World Cup semi-final was in 1990 – when 16 players of the current England squad weren’t even born. By contrast, 10 of the Croatian squad hadn’t been born yet either…but neither had the entire country! (Croatia only gained independence in 1991.)
Croatia were last (and only) in a World Cup semi-final in 1998, when the ‘dream team’ made up of star players such as Davor Suker, Zvonimir Boban, Slaven Bilic, Igor Stimac, Robert Prosinecki and more ended up finishing an absolutely remarkable third. (Not forgetting a stunning 3-0 victory against Germany in the quarter finals along the way.) Davor Suker was even the Golden Boot winner of that World Cup.
Funnily enough, if England had topped their group instead of losing to Romania in their last game – pushing them into second place – they actually would have played Croatia instead of Argentina.
And not lost on penalties.
And probably not had Beckham sent off either.
Oh well.
Croatia v England through the years
The two countries have obviously played each other a number of times over the years, but no match has ever been as important as tomorrow’s game.
The next closest was a game in the group stages of Euro 2004, when England won 4-2 and a teenage Wayne Rooney scored twice.
There’s been plenty of other memorable moments, of course. Who can forget the ‘wally with a brolly’ Steve McLaren, sheltering under a huge umbrella at the side of a very soggy Wembley pitch in 2007 when Croatia unexpectedly beat England 3-2 – completely ruining their chances of qualifying for the Euros?
Or Paul Robinson (not Jim’s son and Scott’s brother – the goalie version instead) scoring a bizarre own goal as Borat looked on, leering. (Watch the video, you’ll see what I mean.)
The very first time the two sides ever met was at a friendly in the ‘old’ Wembley on 24th April 1996. And Visit Croatia was there! I can’t proclaim it was a brilliant match (it was a largely boring 0-0 draw), but it was incredibly exciting to see Croatia play England for the first time, especially in that magical arena. Check out the programme and the squads from that day:
Tickets only £23!
And Jackie Charlton as ‘special guest’!
Croatia v England, 11th July 2018
To look at it on the positive side – at least we’ll have one team in the World. Cup. Final. (Wow!! We can’t believe it!)
All we can say is – may the best team win.
(Just not on penalties.
Please.
We’ve already suffered through the drama of three penalty shootouts and we can’t take another one.)
https://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/croatia-v-england.jpg537895annazhttps://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/visit-croatia-logo5.jpgannaz2018-07-10 17:41:432019-02-15 13:19:32Croatia v England – Two nations hope (as does Visit Croatia…we’re just not sure what for)
We’re sure you’ve enjoyed a glass or two of outstanding Croatian wine while on holiday in the country. Thanks to new company Wines by Aizia, it’s now possible to enjoy Croatian wine in the UK too!
Croatia – A long history of wine
Although there are many fine wines that are produced in almost every region of the country, what many perhaps don’t know is that Croatia has a long history with wine. The plains of Stari Grad on the island of Hvar, for example, are a listed UNESCO World Heritage Centre and the oldest continuously cultivated vinicultural site in the world dating back to the 4th century BC.
And how’s this for a fascinating bit of Croatian wine trivia? For the coronation of Her Majesty The Queen in 1953, Buckingham Palace ordered 11,000 bottles of Traminac wine from Ilok Old Cellars. This 1947 vintage white wine, specially chosen for its intense perfume, full body and intense flavours of rose, orange blossom and tropical fruits can still be purchased today.
Croatian wine in the UK with Wines by Aizia
Wines by Aizia are proud to bring some of Croatia’s outstanding, award winning wines to the UK market. The company works closely with selected wineries and small local producers to offer a premium selection of the best Croatian wines at competitive prices. Their small producers produce award winning wines in limited quantities. The specials that they have are exciting and fresh, sometimes unusual and only available to Wines by Aizia’s members while stocks last.
Later this year Wines by Aizia will also be offering wine tasting tours to Croatia, visiting a selection of carefully chosen vineyards. Guests will be shown around the vineyard’s cellar and the estate by the winemaker and English speaking guides and enjoy a tasking session of the best local food and wine.
Mikki Hall, the MD of Wines by Aizia, said:
“I am excited to be bringing Croatia’s excellent wines to the UK giving consumers the opportunity to discover the great variety and quality available. Our autumn collection showcases producers from Eastern Croatia, Feravino, Vina Papak and Wineries Erdut.”
The Vina Papak Traminac Radosh (left) and the Vina Papak Graševina Radosh (right)
Vina Papak is a family owned winery run by husband and wife team, Mladen and Snjezana Papak. Malden was director of the famous Old Ilok Cellars and in 2014 took a brave step to pursue his passion and started their own vineyard and wine production, creating the most eco-friendly vineyard in Ilok and perhaps all of Croatia.
Wines by Aizia are very pleased to announce that in a recent wine tasting by esteemed wine critic Jancis Robinson OBE, their Feravino Dika Grasevina scored 16 out of possible 20 points.
Mikki’s passion for Croatian wine is as a result of hailing from Croatia herself. Although she moved to the UK when she was 19, she and her husband David (co-owner of Wines by Aizia) have explored the vineyards and wine cellars of Croatia for years. Their aim is to improve the availability of ease of purchase of fine Croatian wine in the UK.
More information
For more details on Wines by Aizia and full information on how to purchase some of their very fine wines, please see aiziawines.com.
https://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/wines-by-aizia.png112202annazhttps://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/visit-croatia-logo5.jpgannaz2017-10-04 21:25:412018-10-15 14:35:54Discover Croatian wine in the UK with Wines by Aizia
