Ryanair carried over 1.3 million passengers through its Zagreb base last year, cementing its position as a key driver of the airport’s strong performance in 2024. According to Eurostat, the European Union’s statistical office, the low-cost airline maintained a robust network of thirty destinations over the peak summer season, with an average cabin load factor of 87%, reports EX-YU Aviation. 

London Stansted remained the busiest route, while Dublin recorded the highest annual occupancy rate at 95.4%, followed closely by Girona and Palma de Mallorca—both introduced in 2023.

In total, Ryanair launched five new routes from the Croatian capital last year, with Palma de Mallorca, Alicante, and Girona among the top performers. However, not all routes fared equally well. Pisa recorded just 20,021 passengers and a relatively weak load factor of 69.5%, below typical budget carrier expectations.

This Sunday, the airline is set to introduce a new Italian route to Palermo, further expanding its presence in the region. Ryanair also plans to ramp up frequencies on several routes in the coming months, particularly in April to accommodate increased demand over the Easter period. As a result, next month it will surpass all competitors to become the largest airline at Zagreb Airport by available seat capacity for the first time. 

Archaeological research at the Gomile site in Zakotorac on the Pelješac Peninsula continued in March this year, uncovering numerous metal, glass, amber, and ceramic finds dating from the 6th to the 3rd/2nd century BC. These discoveries, along with two complete Illyrian-type helmets from the 4th century found in 2020 and 2024, contribute to the understanding of Illyrian burial rituals in the second half of the last millennium BC and position Pelješac as one of the most significant archaeological zones on the eastern Adriatic coast.

The research is led by Dr. Hrvoje Potrebica, with Dr. Domagoj Perkić as deputy leader. The expert team includes archaeologists Dr. Marko Dizdar, Dr. Borut Križ, Dr. Aleksandar Kapuran, mag. archaeol. Marta Kalebota, Miroslav Vuković, Paula Knego, Krešimir Grbavac, Mirna Šandrić, archaeology student Mila Erceg, and conservators-restorers Dr. Miona Miliša and Sanja Pujo.

The Iron Age necropolis of Gomile is located at the southern foot of the prominent hillfort settlement of Kotorac, which sits on a steep limestone elevation above a small karst field, dominating the landscape.

"Conical mounds, believed to be older (Bronze Age) and previously unexplored, are scattered along the natural route leading to the Vidohovo spring and the western part of Pelješac. In contrast, a group of Iron Age mounds lies just below Kotorac, categorized into two types: those with a peripheral ring and a leveled stone embankment, and stepped mounds with two or three rings and a central tomb. Between the mounds, as well as along the rock formations, dry-stone-built tombs are also visible. All these Iron Age mounds contain multiple graves and tombs with the remains of several individuals," explained Dr. Domagoj Perkić, head of the Archaeological Museum of the Dubrovnik Museums.

One particularly intriguing aspect of this relatively small site in central Pelješac is the presence of grave goods from all corners of the ancient world.

"We have amber beads from the Baltic, glass beads from the Levant, bronze jewelry from the western and central Balkans, and the most luxurious ceramic vessels from Greek colonies in northern and southern Italy. This indicates highly developed mobility and trade networks, with the Illyrian community on Pelješac playing a crucial role in them. The reason for their importance—and, consequently, their wealth—likely lies in their strategic position along a major maritime route, controlling navigation through the Mljet, Pelješac, and Neretva channels, as well as trade routes from the Mediterranean to the interior," Perkić stated.

Further interdisciplinary research will provide new insights into Illyrian communities and their role in the Mediterranean cultural sphere during the last millennium BC. As in the past five years, the research is coordinated by the Center for Prehistoric Research, in collaboration with archaeologists from the Department of Archaeology at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Zagreb, the Institute of Archaeology, and the Archaeological Museum of Dubrovnik Museums. They are joined by colleagues from the Archaeological Museum in Split, the Dolenjski Museum in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, and the Academy of Arts in Split.

The Mayor of Poreč, Loris Peršurić, accompanied by Željko Kukurin, President of Valamar’s Management Board, visited the construction site of Hotel Pical and the Pical zone, marking progress on one of the most significant projects in Croatian tourism. Construction is proceeding according to plan, with the opening scheduled for early 2026.

Hotel Pical will offer top-tier year-round tourism, create new permanent jobs, and enhance the overall quality of life for Poreč residents. The €200 million investment in the Pical zone will develop public tourism infrastructure, including promenades, cycling paths, a beach, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and a range of other facilities available to both tourists and the local community. Additionally, in collaboration with sports clubs, Valamar will ensure access to a 25-metre indoor pool and a 50-metre outdoor pool for training local children and athletes, thus strengthening Poreč’s sports infrastructure.

Photo - Valamar 

“The Pical project brings a new dimension to tourism in our city—one that operates all year round and benefits not only visitors but also our citizens. I am particularly pleased that we have worked together to ensure that Pical, a place where we Poreč residents grew up and enjoyed the sea, remains accessible to everyone, with high-quality public amenities such as promenades, cycling paths, beaches, and, most importantly, swimming pools available to our sports clubs and residents. Poreč has long been setting tourism standards, and projects like this ensure we continue evolving into a year-round destination where tourism benefits everyone—from hospitality businesses and entrepreneurs to our athletes and families,” stated Loris Peršurić, Mayor of Poreč.

Hotel Pical 5* will deliver the highest level of quality, welcoming 2,000 guests throughout the year. The hotel will also feature the largest conference centre in Istria, with a capacity of 1,200 participants, further strengthening position of Poreč in the business tourism market. Expanding this segment will extend the tourist season to 365 days a year and increase tourism revenues outside the summer months.

Photo - Valamar

Other key features include the Maro World play area for unstructured play and the development of multiple children’s playgrounds, all of which will also be available to Poreč residents.

“The investment in Hotel Pical represents a transformation of Poreč tourism towards year-round operations and high-quality offerings. The direct economic impact of opening Hotel Pical includes an additional €3 million annually for the city’s budget, as well as nearly €15 million in new spending at restaurants, cafés, and other businesses outside the hotel, particularly in historic centre of Poreč. The beaches, promenades, and recreational facilities in the Pical zone have always been, and will remain, available to residents and visitors alike. Most excitingly, Poreč will now have pools for swimming and training, benefiting our local sports clubs,” said Željko Kukurin, President of Valamar’s Management Board.

Photo - Valamar

The project will have a strong positive impact on the local economy and entrepreneurs. The hotel’s construction is being led by Croatian companies, with numerous local businesses and tradespeople involved, including designers, construction firms, suppliers for interior fittings and equipment, subcontractors, and many others.

The contribution to the local economy will continue beyond the hotel’s opening, as Valamar ensures a high proportion of domestic products in its operations—78% of food and beverages come from Croatia.

Furthermore, Valamar consistently collaborates with Croatian producers, including more than 100 local suppliers from Istria. Upon completion, the Pical zone will gain immense value—not only as Croatia’s most attractive tourism area but also as a vibrant, year-round space with extensive amenities for both local residents and visitors.

Starting April 1, 2025, Dubrovnik Museums will operate on summer hours until October 31, 2025, adjusting opening times across their locations.

• Cultural-Historical Museum (Rector’s Palace): Open daily, 9 AM – 6 PM

• Maritime Museum (Fort St. John): Open 9 AM – 6 PM, closed on Wednesdays

• Ethnographic Museum (Rupe Granary): Open 9 AM – 6 PM, closed on Tuesdays

• Archaeological Museum Exhibitions (Fort Revelin): Open 9 AM – 4 PM, closed on Wednesdays

Visitors are encouraged to plan accordingly and enjoy Dubrovnik’s rich history throughout the extended summer schedule.

For the first time, Croatian audiences will experience the latest gossip firsthand, witness reputations hanging by a thread, and see sharp wit used as the deadliest weapon! The School for Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan will premiere on the historic stage of Dubrovnik’s Fort Lovrjenac as part of the 11th Midsummer Scene Festival, running from June 22 to July 6, with 13 performances of this exciting new production.

Scandal is on the program! Before Les Liaisons Dangereuses shocked the world with its dark games of seduction and betrayal, The School for Scandal had already captivated audiences with its sparkling satire on high society’s obsession with reputation and intrigue. But while Les Liaisons Dangereuses explores manipulation with tragic consequences, Sheridan’s comedy turns scandal into entertainment—exposing hypocrisy with wit, charm, and irresistible humor.

“Midsummer Scene Festival is proud to bring this timeless classic to Croatia for the first time! Since its premiere in 1777, The School for Scandal has remained one of the most celebrated comedies of manners—a testament to the fact that gossip and scheming have always been a dangerous game!” say festival producers Darija Mikulandra Žanetić and Jelena Maržić.

Directed by rising West End star Freddie Grey, the play features a cast of eight acclaimed British actors and musicians, delivering a lavish staging. The costumes and set are designed by Roberto Surace, a Drama Desk Award nominee on Broadway, while award-winning Croatian lighting designer Aleksandar Mondecar shapes the visual atmosphere.

Midsummer Scene is a project of the Dubrovnik Tourist Board and the City of Dubrovnik, produced by Brilliant Events Dubrovnik and Honey-Tongued Theatre Productions Ltd. London, in collaboration with Dubrovnik’s cultural institutions and with support from sponsors and local tourism partners.

Around 30 world leaders, including Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, will meet in Paris on today at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss potential security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a peace deal with Russia.

This marks the third summit of the so-called "coalition of the willing," a group of countries ready to provide security guarantees if a ceasefire is reached.

Macron stated that any European forces would secure key cities and bases, not engage in frontline combat, but could respond if attacked. The primary guarantee would be military aid and equipment for Ukraine, with troop deployment considered only after a peace deal, serving as a strategic deterrent.

Croatian Defense Minister Ivan Anušić said Croatia is in no rush to join the coalition and has no plans to send troops. President Zoran Milanović dismissed the idea as “fiction,” arguing that the necessary conditions will never be met and that such a mission will never happen.

To mark the 340th anniversary of the birth of composer George Handel and the 25th anniversary of the Croatian Baroque Ensemble, a magnificent performance of Handel's oratorio Messiah will take place on March 29, 2025, at the Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall. The concert will feature the Croatian Baroque Ensemble, the Ivan Goran Kovačić Academic Choir, and vocal soloists.

For this special occasion, British conductor and harpsichordist Laurence Cummings has arrived in Zagreb. Cummings, long praised by critics as “the most Handelian of all conductors”, is the director of two major Handel festivals—one in Göttingen and the other in London.

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A post shared by Academic Choir Ivan Goran Kovacic (@zbor.igk)

Performers:
Alongside the Croatian Baroque Ensemble and the Ivan Goran Kovačić Academic Choir, the concert will feature:

• LAURENCE CUMMINGS, conductor & harpsichord
• NIKOLINA HRKAĆ, soprano
• DINA JULARIĆ IVANČIĆ, alto
• MISLAV LUCIĆ, tenor
• MARIN ČARGO, bass

The Ivan Goran Kovačić Academic Choir was founded in 1948. Over its 75-year history, it has performed some of the greatest musical works, including those by Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach. The choir has also shared the stage with global stars such as Andrea Bocelli and José Carreras, as well as many renowned Croatian musicians. It has performed under the baton of leading conductors both in Croatia and abroad at prestigious international music festivals. The choir’s artistic director is maestro Ivan Šćepanović.

Ivan Goran Kovačić Choir - Photo - https://igk.hr/az/

The Croatian Baroque Ensemble is Croatia’s most significant ensemble specializing in the interpretation of Baroque and early music on period instruments and their replicas. Founded in 1999, it brings together young musicians who are passionate about historically informed performance in line with the spirit and aesthetics of the Baroque era. The ensemble’s director is the esteemed violinist Laura Vadjon.

Boundaries are irrelevant, rules don't exist, the only thing that matters is pure emotion translated into music. HAUSER is an artist who doesn’t follow trends but creates them. A world-renowned cello virtuoso, recognized for his passionate performances and unique charisma, he has launched his biggest and boldest project to date, "Music Unites the World." This project is not just a musical journey; it’s a global manifesto of unity, proof that music knows no barriers or divisions. For the first time in history, one artist will perform a signature song from every country in the world, confirming what music lovers have known all along: music is a universal language that everyone understands, regardless of origin, culture, or language.

"I want to prove, once and for all, that music connects and unites every nation, every culture, and every person on this planet. That’s why I decided to play one song from every country. The project will not stop until I have performed a song from every corner of the world," HAUSER added.

As part of this historic project, HAUSER performed "Cesarica", the timeless hit by Oliver Dragojević, to represent Croatia. "Oliver was and remains a special artist who inspired me from a young age. His songs are dear to my heart, and working with him will always be special to me," HAUSER said, explaining how he has always been inspired by Oliver Dragojević’s musical legacy. HAUSER did not hide his emotions as he brought the spirit of the Mediterranean, the sea, and the eternal love carried by this song to life through his cello. "Cesarica" performed on the cello takes on a completely new dimension—intimate, nostalgic, and incredibly powerful.

Fans have already had the chance to enjoy performances of songs from various parts of the world as HAUSER has posted all of his past performances, including this one dedicated to "Cesarica", on his Instagram profile. He will continue to share his musical mission with the world through his profile, bringing every tone and every emotion firsthand. Each country will have its moment under the spotlight through the music that defines it, and HAUSER’s interpretation will bring these songs new shine and depth. Every new post brings something special, and those who want to feel the power of his music in real-time know where to find it.

A Musical Invasion the World Has Never Seen Before

This is not a polished global music catalog, but a raw, authentic, and unpredictable adventure through the notes and rhythms of all continents. From ancient folk melodies to global pop anthems, everything passes through the prism of HAUSER’s cello and the explosive energy that has made him one of the most-watched musicians in the world. His question to the world is clear: which country will be the loudest, the wildest, the proudest?

Fans will be able to follow this epic journey live through HAUSER's social media, where he will regularly post new performances, behind-the-scenes moments, and stories from different corners of the world.

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A post shared by HAUSER (@hausercello)

In a time when the world has never been more divided, HAUSER brings a different message. Music has the power to unite all people, regardless of nationality, religion, or language. Through "Music Unites the World", he proves that music is more than art; it is emotion, communication, and a bridge that connects the hearts of people across the planet. Millions of fans worldwide are already eagerly following this musical mission. With over 4 billion views and more than a billion streams, HAUSER is an unstoppable force, and now the entire world’s stage awaits him.

HAUSER is not just a virtuoso; he is a movement. His performances break the boundaries of classical music, bringing raw emotion, unpredictability, and energy rarely seen by audiences. His talent, charisma, and passion for music make him one of the most influential musicians of today. Through "Music Unites the World", HAUSER brings not only music but also a message of unity, love, and connection. Every note, every tone, and every performance is part of a bigger story—one that shows how music unites the world.