Mark Thomas - The editor and big chief of The Dubrovnik Times. Born in the UK he has been living and working in Dubrovnik since 1998, yes he is one of the rare “old hands.” A unique insight into both British and Croatian life and culture, Mark is often known as just “Englez” or Englishman. He is a traveller, a current affairs freak and a huge AFC Wimbledon fan.
Email: mark.thomas@dubrovnik-times.com
The company Bugatti Rimac, a manufacturer of supercars, is expanding its operations in Europe by opening a new research, development, and innovation center in Italy.
Nearly a year after opening a design and engineering center in Berlin, the company will expand to another center of automotive expertise and technical excellence by establishing a new Bugatti Rimac research and development office in Bologna.
The new center will bring Bugatti Rimac closer to its prominent partners and suppliers, enabling it to provide rapid and responsive support where needed. It will also support the company's headquarters in Zagreb, and up to 50 future employees will work there in tandem with the Croatian team.
Since its inception in 2021, Bugatti Rimac has been clear about its intention to introduce innovative solutions to the market that will elevate automotive performance and innovation to new levels. The Italian team will be responsible for the development of new technologies and cutting-edge engineering to fulfill this mission.
As part of the new facility, a Heritage center will be opened to showcase some of the brand's most renowned models from the past. Additionally, the facility will host reverse engineering of automotive components as part of Bugatti's La Maison Pur Sang program, which offers restoration and reconfiguration services for historical Bugatti car models in the Atelier factory in Molsheim, France.
The Italian branch of Bugatti Rimac is located at Via Del Monte 1 in Bologna. "Since our founding in November 2021, Bugatti Rimac has sought to create a new definition of hypercars through the fusion of design, performance, and technical craftsmanship, as evident from our ongoing development. After the successful launch of our office in Berlin last year, I am extremely proud to announce our presence in yet another area that has made a significant contribution to the automotive world: Northern Italy, where there is an abundance of engineering expertise and talent," said Emilio Scervo, Chief Technology Officer of Bugatti Rimac.
Turkey deservedly won 1-0 at the Opus Arena in the EURO 2024 qualification last night and after the shocking defeat, the captain of the Croatian team, Luka Modrić, had his say.
“We didn't expect this defeat; it definitely shook us, but they deserved to win, they played much better. We were pretty bad; we haven't played a worse game in a long time, especially in the first half. But we have everything in our hands; we need to step up for the next game and play much better,' said the Croatian captain after the match.
'They didn't surprise us; we knew they were a quality team; they showed that in Turkey. But we weren't at our best; that's the main reason, especially in the first half. In the second half, we improved and had some chances, but it was all quite disorganized. But there's no need to panic; we lost, sometimes that happens; we need to acknowledge that the opponent was better. We need to play much better in Wales and aim for victory there,” concluded Luka Modrić.
According to data from the eVisitor tourist registration and departure system, there are currently around 11,000 tourists in Dubrovnik, which is six percent more than this time last year.
The most numerous guests come from the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, France, Croatia, Canada, Ireland, Finland, Norway, and Australia.
Since the beginning of the year, there have been nearly 1,115,000 arrivals and three million, 568,500 overnight stays, which is nine percent more than in the same period last year.
We asked, You Answered
“Lovely pizza place in the little lanes. Reading lots of reviews I chose this restaurant and was so pleased I did! Amazing pizzas and lasagnes. Attentive staff and perfect evening in a gorgeous setting! Would definitely recommend a visit here!,” is just one of the comments from guests at the always popular Mea Culpa Pizzeria & Trattoria in the heart of the Old City of Dubrovnik.
Dubrovnik's IN eatery
Dubrovnik is renowned for its picturesque beauty, rich history, and delicious cuisine. Among the myriad dining options in this enchanting city, Mea Culpa Pizzeria & Trattoria stands out as a true culinary gem. With its delectable dishes, charming atmosphere, and a touch of Italian influence, Mea Culpa Pizzeria & Trattoria has become a must-visit for locals and tourists alike.
The restaurant's name, "Mea Culpa," is a Latin phrase meaning "my fault" or "my mistake," often used to express remorse. However, diners at Mea Culpa find themselves happily confessing their love for the food, service, and atmosphere. The ambiance is intimate and cosy, with exposed stone walls and flickering candlelight, creating an atmosphere that's both nostalgic and romantic.
Service is a key ingredient
But don’t take our word for it! We asked and you answered. By combing the online reviews as well as actually asking guests at the restaurant we got some valuable feedback from the people who really matter – you!
“We had a very delicious meal & great local wine and our waiter gave us excellent service. I would recommend this restaurant if you are staying in Dubrovnik,” commented a couple from the UK.
What truly sets Mea Culpa Pizzeria & Trattoria apart is the attention to detail in each dish. The use of locally-sourced ingredients, combined with Italian culinary techniques, results in a unique fusion of flavours that pleases the palate. Each plate is a masterpiece, and the chef's commitment to perfection is evident in every bite.
And then it is important to mention that out of the nearly 300 restaurants in Dubrovnik Mea Culpa Pizzeria & Trattoria is rated in the top 50 according to TripAdvisor. And here is one comment from that platform “Excellent friendly attentive service and food advice, great wine recommendation. Great pizza and enormous (waiter recommended we had one as they are 35cm’s in diameter!) lovely atmosphere and good price would definitely recommend. And the level of service (along with the great food) is a common thread in the comments.
“Very friendly restaurant staff. Delicious food & wine. Excellent service especially from our charming & funny waiter Hasan, he's so lovely. His recommendations were perfect. We had a thoroughly enjoyable time!” said a couple from the US.
Great food served with pride!
And finally one of our favourite comments “We ate here after a very warm trip along the walls of the old town and it was the perfect place to unwind and relax after the scorching heat. The service was quick and the staff were helpful, the food was excellent. We got 3 pizzas and one salad and all of the food was delicious. Would highly recommend.” A huge slice of positivity from a satisfied guest.
Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, sharing a romantic dinner, or simply looking for a memorable culinary experience, Mea Culpa Pizzeria & Trattoria is the ideal destination. In Dubrovnik, where history and cuisine come together, Mea Culpa Pizzeria & Trattoria shines as a beacon of culinary excellence.
Contact Info
Address – Za Rokom 3 - Old Town - Dubrovnik
Telephone - +385 0/20 323 430
Email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Croatia Airlines, in partnership with Portuguese tour operator Lusanova Tours, is set to offer a special charter flight connecting Dubrovnik and Lisbon at the end of December.
This unique flight is tailored to accommodate Portuguese travellers looking to ring in the New Year along the stunning Adriatic coast, reports EX-YU Aviation.
The flight is scheduled for December 29, 2023, and the return journey is planned for January 2, 2024. This collaboration between Croatia Airlines and Lusanova Tours aims to provide Portuguese tourists with a convenient and memorable way to celebrate the holiday season in Dubrovnik.
Croatia will provide an additional five million euros for demining in Ukraine, announced Prime Minister Andrej Plenković during the opening of the International Donors' Conference on demining the war-affected country, for which Ukraine's Prime Minister Denis Šmihal said that potentially 30 percent of the land is mined.
"The government will make a decision to provide an additional five million euros, which is Croatia's contribution as the host of the International Conference on Ukraine's demining," said Plenković.
The Prime Minister noted that Croatia has experience in demining because, like Ukraine, it was a victim of aggression. The demining process in Croatia has been ongoing for decades, so Ukraine should prepare for the long duration of this process.
"Croatia will finally complete the demining process in the spring of 2026, 31 years later," he emphasized.
In addition to financial support, Croatia will assist Ukraine with its experience in demining and the prosecution of war crimes, the Prime Minister added.
On Tuesday, the Croatian Minister of Internal Affairs, Davor Božinović, and the Ukrainian Minister of Economy, Julija Sviridenko, signed an Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Mine Action to alleviate the socioeconomic, security, environmental, and other consequences resulting from the danger of explosive remnants of war.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Šmihal began his address via video link by saying that Croatia, as a country that has recovered from war, is an inspiration for Ukraine, giving it "strength and confidence for the future."
The Ukrainian Prime Minister stated that potentially 30 percent of Ukrainian territory, or 174,000 square metres, is mined, which is three times more than the Croatian territory. Six million people are at risk of mines, with 250 already killed and 500 injured, Šmihal said.
He warned that experts predict that up to 10,000 people could be killed, and the World Bank estimates that demining will cost more than 37 billion dollars.
Currently, Ukraine has about three thousand pyro technicians and 29 demining vehicles, he emphasized.
"It is clear that this is not enough. If it remains as it is, it will take us decades to demine the country," Šmihal said, adding that states and international organizations have donated around 300 million dollars.
The Tourist Board of Konavle won two awards last week for its promotional film "Come Home," produced by Balduči Film from Zagreb.
Specifically, in Zagreb, under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Croatia, the 12th International ZAGREB TOURFILM FESTIVAL took place with the aim of rewarding films and audio-visual production that promote tourism in the following aspects: tourist destinations (cities, regions, countries), adventure tourism, extreme sports, sports tourism (skiing, mountaineering, cycling, etc.), nautical tourism, hotels and resorts, people, culture, tradition, religious tourism, rural, and congress tourism. This year, the festival received 200 submissions from 33 countries. The entries consisted of professionally produced films, commercials, and high-quality TV reports centred around one of the specified themes.
In the strong competition, the Tourist Board of the Municipality of Konavle secured the first place in the category for the best film promoting a tourist destination. The award ceremony was held at the Esplanade Hotel.
One day earlier, as part of the Tourist and Ethno Film Festival Krk (TEFF), the Tourist Board of the Municipality of Konavle was presented with the Audience Grand Prix award in a field of 100 films.
The Croatian Tourist Board (HTZ) has once again launched a promotional campaign on Expedia, one of the most significant travel platforms in the American market. The goal is to strengthen Croatia's position, present the overall Croatian tourism offering, and encourage a higher number of American travelers to visit Croatian destinations. The results of this campaign, conducted from mid-April to the end of August this year, are best exemplified by the data on generated bookings, which include accommodation and airline reservations, surpassing seven million U.S. dollars.
"The collaboration with Expedia is one of the key activities in promoting Croatian tourism in the American market, not only due to the high-quality and effective representation of our country but also for directly encouraging travel enthusiasts to visit Croatian destinations. We are extremely pleased with the achieved results, which demonstrate a continuously growing interest in Croatia from tourists in distant countries, particularly in the American market, where we record the highest number of arrivals and overnights from non-European markets," stated Kristjan Staničić, Director of the Croatian Tourist Board. He also noted that the campaign this year involved the participation of various tourist boards.
In addition to the Croatian Tourist Board's role as the main partner in collaboration with Expedia, the campaign also involved the tourist boards of Split-Dalmatia County and Zadar County, as well as the tourist board of the city of Zadar. As part of the project, a content platform called "Always in Season" was created, serving as a valuable source of information for potential tourists. It showcased Croatia's diverse tourism offerings throughout the year, with additional promotion through online advertising and social media.
During the campaign, it was noted that 18 percent of the total overnight stays in Croatia were booked through Expedia. Furthermore, Croatia's position in online searches improved significantly, moving up from 54th place before the campaign to 42nd place during the campaign.
According to eVisitor data, Croatia welcomed nearly 630,000 arrivals and over 1.8 million overnight stays from the American market during the first nine months of this year. This represents a 33 percent increase in arrivals and a 23 percent increase in overnight stays compared to the previous year. The American guests mostly stayed in Split-Dalmatia and Dubrovnik-Neretva County and visited destinations including Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb, Hvar, Rovinj, and Zadar.