"The European Union will be smaller in numbers, but remains strong and unified as ever," commented the Croatian government after the UK’s departure from the European Union yesterday. The statement continued to say that the government regrets United Kingdom's departure from the European Union, but the Union remains strong even without it.

"We are heartened by the reinforced unity that the 27 of us have demonstrated in the past three years," the statement said.

Whilst Brexit will not doubt bring change to the European Union, not least with its future relationship with the UK, the Croatian government is convinced that this breakup doesn’t need to have long-term effects. “Croatia remains determined to invest all its efforts to keep the United Kingdom as one of our closest partners," the Croatian government added.

And the first step is the future deal between the UK and the EU which will cover everything from trade to human rights. The transition period runs until the end of this year meaning that the clock is ticking on arranging all new laws and regulations.

"Croatia appreciates the hitherto tireless work of EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier and his team. They have our full support and confidence in the forthcoming negotiations about the future relationship with the United Kingdom as well," the statement from the Croatian government concluded.

The Dubrovnik Tourist Board will once again organize the traditional humanitarian raffle or tombola this year on the occasion of the festivities of the patron saint of Dubrovnik, St. Blaise. The raffle will, as ever, be held on the Stradun on the 3rd of February 3rd, starting at 4:00 pm.

Raffle cards can be bought, one hour before the start, in front of Luza at the end of the Stradun at a price of 10 Kuna. And all the proceeds from the sale of the raffles cards are earmarked for the Association of Children with Diabetes and their parents "Sweet Life".

This raffle is weaved into the history of Dubrovnik and its connection with St. Blaise, the game dates back to 1842.

Come on Stradun, do a good deed and have fun!

From today the 1st of February, the retail store DM permanently remove disposable plastic bags from their offer to encourage customers to live more sustainably and to contribute to environmental protection. DM offers customers different types of durable shopping bags as a replacement for plastic bags.

"At DM, we always act on the principles of social responsibility and strive to respond to the real needs of the communities in which we live and work. As a leader in the field of sustainable practices and the largest drugstore chain in Croatia, DM has a responsibility and a strong desire to contribute to a more sustainable future. Therefore, we have made the decision to completely remove the disposable plastic shopping bags from our range. DM shops in Croatia are visited daily by more than 86,000 people and we are firmly convinced that we can be a driver of positive change in society and encourage a large number of people to reflect on their environmental impact, change their habits and stop using plastic bags," commented Gordana Picek, a member of the Board of Directors of DM.

Instead of plastic bags, DM offers alternative solutions, such as paper bags made of at least 85 percent brown recycled paper and durable PET bags made from recycled PET bottles. Both options are certified by the "Blue Angel". DM also offers reusable polyester shopping bags, as well as DM's durable bags made of "fair trade" certified bio cotton, which customers at DM can replace for free with new ones in the event of wear and tear.

The complete elimination of disposable plastic bags from the supply is another step by which DM continues to invest in the development of its range and business processes in accordance with the principles of sustainable development.

Croatian tennis star, Marin Cilic, and his Dubrovnik born wife, Kristina, have welcomed a new member of the family as today Kristina gave birth to a baby boy. According to information the birth went smoothly without any complications and both mother and baby are well.

Marin announced the new arrival in October last year, taking pictures with a baby stroller with the message: “New transportation. I am delighted to share the happy news that the Cilic team will expand. A new member will join us in 2020. "

Marin and Kristina met in Dubrovnik, at the match of our Davis Cup team, where Kristina worked as a hostess. They were married in Cavtat, and the celebration continued at the Revelin Fortress in Dubrovnik.

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A post shared by Marin Čilić (@marincilic) on Oct 7, 2019 at 5:11am PDT

Brexit will not bring changes to the prices of roaming in the United Kingdom (UK) and international calls, at least for the meantime. Meaning that they remain the same as before and Croatian users of electronic communications services, as well as others from the EU, should not have any fear of unforeseen costs, at least until the end of this year.

“The existing rules and prices for roaming in the UK will remain in force until at least December 31, 2020, when the currently agreed transition period ends and until all rules should be agreed on in future EU-UK relations,” commented the Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries.

Basically meaning that roaming with your smart phone in the UK will remain at the same price, the same as it is in every other EU country, at least until the end of 2020.

The Regulatory Authority added that “Croatian users of mobile networks and services do not have to worry about the costs, because even when calling the UK from Croatia, or Croatia from the UK, everything remains the same until the end of this year, which is equally true for British citizens when they are in Croatia and EU.”

What happens in the future with UK roaming charges really depends on what kind of trade deal, and of course telecommunication deal, the UK makes with the EU during the transition period. If no deal is reached before the end of the transition period, then individual mobile phone operators would be free to create their own roaming charges. However, the majority of the UK operators have publically stated that Brexit will not affect their roaming charges. Speaking to the BBC Vodafone stated that “it currently had no plans to change its roaming charges because of Brexit.”

And just in case the British government have brought in a number of legislations to ensure UK mobile phone users. Including limiting the charge on mobile data abroad to 45 a month before being notified to opt in for further use.

Luka Sulic, one half of the popular 2Cellos duo, is certainly enjoying life as a solo artist. From a number one solo album on the Billboard Classical charts to an appearance on Chinese TV for New Year with 800 million viewers. Now he has released a new video that goes back to his roots of classical music with Vivaldi’s masterpiece the “Four Seasons.”

Sulic is in the middle of a world tour, with his next date being the 5th of February in Zagreb, followed by dates in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The orchestra he has chosen for his tour and will accompany him at the concert in Zagreb is the Slovenian All Star String Orchestra.

Check out this magical performance by Luka Sulic

"Looking at overall bilateral economic relations between the two countries, which are relatively modest, and the fact that Croatia has been in the European Union since 2013, according to our estimates the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union should not have considerable consequences and a direct effect on the Croatian economy and the operation of Croatian businesses," commented the Croatian Chamber of Commerce.

Brexit is due to finally happen this Friday and the rest of Europe is working out future relationships with the UK. A large number of British tourists visit the Croatian coastline every year and there were concerns that the number would drop due to the uncertainties surrounding Brexit. Rumours of possible visas, extra driving documents and health cover have swirled in the media, although according to current advice many of the key factors won’t change at least until the end of this year.

The concern that trade between Croatia and the UK could be affected also seem to be unfounded, at least for now, as the Croatian Chamber of Commerce have stated that Brexit will not “dent Croatia’s economy.”

Trade between the two countries is relatively small anyway with only between 1 and 2 percent of the total export and import of Croatia connected to the UK. Tourism does make up a slightly larger figure with an estimated 4.5 percent of all foreign spending coming from UK tourists.

There are however some Croatian businesses that could have more serious concerns, the pharmaceutical industry is a major exporter to the UK, with around 15 percent of all Croatian exports coming from this industry.

The UK is Croatia’s 15th largest export market, and in 2018 Croatia exported foods to the value of just over 218 million Euros. Whilst on the flip side the Croatia is the UK’s 20th most important market, and exported around 295 million Euros of products in 2018.

According to information form the state statistics bureau, some 820,000 Britons holidayed in Croatia in 2018, an increase of 9.4 percent over 2017.

Doing Veganuary this year? If you are, you could be in with the chance of winning a luxury dolphin watching trip to Croatia, courtesy of Unforgettable Croatia.

The luxury Croatia specialists are offering one lucky winner and a friend the chance to win an incredible nature lovers’ trip to beautiful Losinj in Croatia, including a fascinating dolphin spotting experience.

In order to be in with a chance of winning, entrants simply have to head over to the Unforgettable Croatia website and share their favourite vegan recipe.

The fabulous prize on offer is a 3-night trip for 2 to the island of Losinj in Croatia, including a magnificent dolphin watching experience and indulgent spa treatment.

On the prize trip, the winner will experience an unforgettable dolphin spotting tour with the Blue World Institute, which will see them take to the Adriatic Sea by boat to spot one of the area’s most unique creatures.

The winner and their plus one will spend their day in search of the Losinj dolphin community, learning about their habitat, conservation efforts and in time insights on individual dolphins from expert skippers who know them by name.

Accommodation is provided throughout the trip at the luxurious 5* Hotel Bellevue, voted as one of the best destination spas by Condé Nast in 2018.

The island of Losinj in Croatia is known as the “island of wellness and vitality” where people come from far and wide to indulge in its therapeutic atmosphere. This secluded island is dotted with beaches to explore and quiet restaurants to try the local cuisine, mainly dominated by fresh locally caught seafood.

The full prize includes:

• 3 night trip to Losinj, Croatia for 2 people

• Exquisite 5* hotel accommodation at Hotel Bellevue

• Return flights for 2 from the UK

• Dolphin watching experience with Blue World Institute

• Spa Treatment for 2

• Private transfers

Unforgettable Croatia are luxury Croatia specialists, offering high-end cruises and land tours of Croatia which provide unique travel experiences and access to some of the country’s most remote and undiscovered destinations, as well as taking in some of the most popular resorts.

You can enter for your chance to win a dolphin watching experience with Unforgettable Croatia, and read further terms & conditions and prize details here > https://unforgettablecroatia.co.uk/win-dolphin-watching-trip

The competition is open until 31st January 2020, so enter today!