Sunday, 09 November 2025
Mark Thomas

Mark Thomas

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 globally hit Despacito has just got a new sensual Croatian version. The popular cellist Ana Rucner released her own cover version of the hot today entitled “Two Bodies one Soul.”

Despacito has broken all the records for views on social media with over 6 billion people so far tuning in. With its 3.3 million certified sales plus track-equivalent streams, "Despacito" is one of the best-selling Latin singles in the United States.

And after the 2Cellos released their version now it is the turn of Ana Rucner to cover the hit. Not only does she play the cello but also sings, a hot new version of Despacito.

According to the latest information, the Chinese Southeast European Business Association (CSEBA) in cooperation with Chinese partners is preparing a project for filming a Chinese feature film on locations in Croatia.

The renowned Chinese director Jiang Zhōngyuán will direct the film titled ‘‘Summer in Croatia’’, whilst the main roles will be played by popular Chinese actors Ma Su, Jiǎng Xīn and Kòu Zhènhǎi. The film is a love story, which, apart from Croatia, will also be filmed in China. The filming is expected to start in the middle of next year.

''This is a great opportunity for Croatia, especially for Croatian tourism. I expect a significant growth in the number of Chinese tourists in Croatia after the realization of this project'', commented the president of CSEBA Mario Rendulic.

The main goal of the project is to present Croatia as a top tourist destination. It is also envisaged that the scenario highlights all the aspects that are perceived as comparative advantages of Croatia such as the beauty of the Croatian coast, local tradition and gastronomy.

The potential success of the film is more than guaranteed due to the Wanda Studious Group, which is to be engaged in the distribution of the film across China. The film is expected to be screened at 36 Chinese cinemas, whilst the expected audience is estimated at 13 million viewers.

china cinema

Chinese cinemas a hit 

 

Last year Chinese cinemas generated total revenue of 45.5 billion Yuan (around 6 billion Euros). The total number of cinema visitors was 1.37 million that made China the Number One in this category leaving behind North America.

Considering the fact that this project is an important opportunity for the promotion of Croatia and its tourist industry, the Ministry of Tourism headed by the Minister Garri Cappelli supported this project.

VLM Airlines, an airline owned by SHS Aviation, has announced the establishment of two regular, seasonal lines from the airport in Maribor to two destinations on the Adriatic coast - Split and Dubrovnik. But you’ll have to be quick as the airline is only operating these flights through August.

VLM Airlines will maintain these lines during August, every Tuesday. Tickets for these flights are already on sale starting at only 39 Euros on the Maribor - Split line and 49 Euros on the Maribor - Dubrovnik line. For more details check out the airline’s website www.flyvlm.com

These new flights between Maribor and Split, Maribor and Dubrovnik will start on the 8th of August and only run until the 29th of August.

Less is more. With the warm summer evenings in Dubrovnik it can be difficult to know what to wear. However this young lady seems to have solved the problem by wearing virtually nothing.

Spotted by our photo-reporter on the Pile Gate just outside of the historic Old City of Dubrovnik this young tourist had obviously just come from the beach (at least we hope so). It was a real minimalistic look and quite probably not in line with the dress code brought in by the City Council last year.

thong dubrovnik 2

The renowned British newspaper The Telegraph has published an article titled ''Europe's 17 Best Secret Islands'' and selected the 17 most beautiful and less known islands in Europe. The Croatian islands of Vis and Solta have also found their place of The Telegraph's list.

Check out what the popular newspaper wrote about Solta and Vis:

''Partly because of its ruggedness and partly because of its proximity to Split, which means tourists often overlook it in favour of better-known islands slightly further away, Solta (12 miles by two), in the central Dalmatian archipelago, remains blissfully unspoilt and is still home to a thriving fishing community plus working vineyards and olive groves''.

''An island fit for a Bond villain'', reckons Telegraph Travel's Adrian Bridge. ''I may have been driving a 50cc scooter rather than a gadget-enhanced Aston Martin but it was the theme tune to the 007 films that raced to mind as I rounded the corner of the spectacularly scenic road that winds its way through the northern extremity of the Croatian island of Vis. It was impossible not to feel that somewhere deep within that crevice the villainous Stavro Blofeld still had a lair and that at any moment I would hear the immortal words: ''I've been expecting you, Mr Bond''.

Here is The Telegraph's list of the 17 European best secret islands:

1. Isola de Maddalena, Italy
2. Pantelleria, Italy
3. Kastellorizo, Greece
4. Salina, Italy
5. Ile de Bendor, France
6. Meganisi, Greece
7. Cies Islands, Spain
8. Vis, Croatia
9. Ios, Greece
10. Cavallo, France
11. Kea, Greece
12. Koufonissia, Greece
13. Marstrand, Sweden
14. Ile de Porquerolles, France
15. Sylt, Germany
16. Monemvasia, Greece
17. Solta, Croatia

One of the most popular DJs in the world David Guetta enjoys the Adriatic sailing along the Croatian coast.

Three weeks ago, Guetta thrilled the audience with his performance on the Ultra Europe Festival held in Split; however, he still has not left the beautiful shores of Croatia.

On social media, Guetta has posted a photo of his luxury yacht with which he is sailing the Adriatic Sea.

This is not the first time that the world popular DJ spends his holiday in Croatia enjoying its natural beauties. Last year he visited the small island of Bisevo near Vis and was completely enchanted with it.

guetta yacht cruise

The world famous actress Julia Roberts is currently staying in the capital of Serbia with her family, and according to Serbian media she will soon hit the shores of the Croatian coast as well.

A few days ago, Roberts arrived in Belgrade with her children to accompany her husband Daniel Moder, a film producer, who has been engaged on filming a new film ''Ibiza'' as a photography director.

Therefore, the filming is to start in Belgrade in a few days, whilst the whole film crew is to move to Split afterwards. ''Ibiza'' is a romantic comedy directed by Alex Richanbach, which will be filmed for Netflix. The Serbian capital is to ''play'' Barcelona, whilst the Dalmatian city of Split is play Ibiza in the new film.

In addition, Daniel Moder recently paid a visit to Zrce on the Croatian island of Pag. He was photographed in a local club Aquarius, with a camera in his hands. The manager of the club explained that Moder arrived on Pag to check out the club and its atmosphere for the scenes of ''Ibiza''.

The European Parliament has carried out seawater pollution testing on popular beaches across Europe.

A few days ago the EU Parliament posted a video on its Twitter profile advising people where to swim this summer. One of the hot spots for tourists is a beautiful beach Podrace on the Makarska Riviera in Croatia.

In order to ensure EU citizens a healthy and safe environment, the European Parliament conducts seawater testing on many beaches throughout Europe. Around 21,000 European bathing sites are tested regularly for pollution.

According to the EU Parliament, more and more sites pass tough EU bathing water rules every year. Almost 96 percent of them are fine for swimming, whilst 85 percent of them are rated excellent. The Croatian beach has found its place in the top three swimming locations and has taken the victory in the category of sea beaches.

The Voice of Dubrovnik

THE VOICE OF DUBROVNIK


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