While many complexes scale back outside peak months, Akademis remains vibrant all year long. Its doors stay open, its lights warm, its hearth alive. Whether you arrive in the quiet hush of winter or the golden days of autumn, you'll find the staff attentive and the atmosphere genuine.

The complex also acts as a stage for Dubrovnik's emotional drumbeat: during the festive season, Advent on Vojnović brings musicians, markets, and lights to the plaza in front of Akademis.

Weekly cocktail nights offer local flavour with skilled bartenders and music that gathers both travellers and neighbours—reminding you that this is a place rooted in local life just as much as in hospitality.

Local Flavor, Hearty Meals

If you arrive at Akademis hungry—for warmth, flavour, or fat-rich portion—your table will be ready. The gastronomic offering balances refinement with heart. Traditional Croatian dishes sit alongside modern touches; fresh local produce, seasonal fare, and generous servings make each meal satisfying. Breakfast, for instance, isn't a rush.

Expect freshly baked pastries, strong coffee, and plates meant to set you up for leisurely exploration. By evening, the menu shifts but keeps tone: soups, braised meats, fish, grilled local vegetables, and wines from the Dalmatian hinterland. There is something deeply satisfying about tucking into a hearty meal, especially on a cooler night, surrounded by friends or stars or both.

A Hub of Events & Cultural Warmth

More than just lodging, Akademis is a meeting place. Its Congress Hall "SALOCHA" hosts events--from corporate gatherings and weddings to themed evenings. Local community events take place in its spaces: think cocktail evenings, festive programmes, and gatherings celebrating Dubrovnik's cultural heartbeat. Because it's open all year, these events aren't seasonal concessions—they are part of the regular rhythm.

Great Value, Deep Experience

For many travellers, value isn't just about price; it's about what you receive in return. Akademis scores highly here. Modern rooms, comfortable beds, service that feels artisanal yet professional, and location that places you within walking distance of buses, the Old City, harbour, and airport—all without paying summer premium rates. Travel in the off-season means quieter streets, easier reservations, and more personal attention.

Why Choose Akademis Academia

Now If you're considering Dubrovnik in the coming months, especially autumn, winter, or early spring, Akademis Academia offers something rare: constant life. A place where you can savour hearty food, join in festive culture, explore the Old City without the crush, and feel rooted in place rather than passing through. 

Public transport company Libertas has announced that the Dubrovnik–Kotor bus line will cease operations as of Wednesday, October 1, 2025.

The cross-border service connected southern Croatia with Montenegro, offering passengers a direct route between the two Adriatic cities.

Retail chains in Croatia recorded revenues of €8.41 billion in 2024, an increase of 8.8% compared to the previous year, according to research by the Croatian Competition Agency (AZTN). This marks a rise of €679 million compared to 2023, when revenues stood at €7.73 billion, reports N1. 

The study covered 41 of the largest retailers in the country. While there were three fewer companies than the year before—due to acquisitions by Studenac and NTL—the total number of outlets grew by 126, reaching 5,266 across Croatia.

Konzum Plus remained the country’s leading retailer, followed by Lidl, Plodine, Spar, Kaufland, Studenac, Tommy, KTC, NTL, and Trgovina Krk. Konzum also recorded the highest nominal revenue growth, alongside Studenac, both surpassing €100 million. Lidl, Plodine, Spar, and Kaufland each grew between €50–100 million, while NTL, Tommy, Eurospin, and KTC reported growth of €20–50 million.

Among regional players, Boso, Ribola, Djelo Vodice, Trgovina Krk, Bakmaz, NewMIP, and Slavonija Bošković also reported steady revenue increases. Supermarkets generated the largest share of turnover, €4.4 billion or 52.3% of the total, followed by hypermarkets with €1.66 billion (19.7%).

The report also revealed that average profit margins were highest in the bakery and confectionery sector, followed by fresh fruit and vegetables. Compared to 2023, margins rose slightly in six product categories—including meat, dairy, soft drinks, and staple foods—while poultry, eggs, fruit, and vegetables saw a minor decline.

The Dubrovnik Brass Band gave a special concert in Pomena on the island of Mljet on 26 September 2025, performing on the terrace of Hotel Odisej. The performance marked the 65th anniversary of the founding of Mljet National Park, one of Croatia’s most treasured natural areas.

The concert was made possible thanks to the support of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, Mljet National Park, Plitvice Lakes National Park and Adriatic Croatia International. Additional assistance was provided by Luka Dubrovnik, Hotel Odisej (ALH) and the company Kapetan Luka Krilo.

The European Commission has paid Croatia the sixth installment under the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism, amounting to €835.6 million.

“Reforms and investments linked to this payment will drive positive changes for Croatian citizens and businesses, particularly in healthcare, the fight against corruption, geothermal energy research and hydrogen development, water resource management, natural disaster resilience, island electricity grids, and energy security,” the Commission said in a statement.

This payment covers 26 key milestones and targets, which the Commission confirmed had been met.

With this tranche, Croatia has now received a total of €5.3 billion, representing around 53% of the total allocated funds, including the initial pre-financing received after the adoption of its plan. Croatia’s Recovery and Resilience Plan is financed through a combination of grants and loans totaling €10 billion.

Croatia submitted its request for the sixth payment on December 20 last year, but later asked for an eight-week delay as the necessary legal framework to redefine and improve the governance of state-owned companies had not yet been adopted.

This Friday, October 3, at 5 p.m., Ston will welcome visitors to the Blue Crab Festival, a new cultural and gastronomic event celebrating one of the Adriatic’s newest marine arrivals. The festival takes place at Veliki Kaštio, with a backup location at the Rector’s Palace in case of rain. Admission is free.

The blue crab (Callinectes sapidus), an invasive yet increasingly prominent species in local waters, has become the inspiration for a unique culinary and cultural experience. The event aims to highlight the crab’s potential as a valuable ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine, while raising awareness of its ecological impact.

The festival will bring together renowned chefs, local fishermen, and lovers of Mediterranean gastronomy to showcase innovative dishes and approaches. Organizers hope the event will encourage local restaurants to incorporate blue crab dishes into their menus, transforming a challenge for biodiversity into an opportunity for gastronomy.

The program is organized by the Public Institution for the Management of Protected Natural Areas of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, in cooperation with the Regional Development Agency DUNEA, and with the support of the Municipality of Ston and the Ston Tourist Board.

Under the theme “From Sea to Table”, the festival combines nature, culture, and culinary creativity. It is designed to both celebrate Pelješac traditions and promote sustainable use of local resources.

Organizers invite everyone to join in this one-of-a-kind community celebration and discover how the blue crab, though a newcomer to the Adriatic, has become a true inspiration for chefs and a new highlight of Ston’s dining scene.

With just one week to go, Dubrovnik is gearing up for the start of this year’s Good Food Festival—a two-week celebration of gastronomy that will run from October 6 to 19. The festival promises a packed program across the city, featuring workshops, tastings, themed evenings, exclusive dinners with top chefs, sweet treats, festival breakfasts, and special menus in more than 60 restaurants in Dubrovnik and the surrounding area.

Highlights of the program include a series of signature dinners where acclaimed chefs reinterpret local traditions and seasonal ingredients. The opening thematic dinner at Hotel Kazbek will spotlight Imotski’s culinary heritage with guest chef Mario Bukarica, accompanied by a performance from Tedi Spalato. Other star-studded evenings include Ivan Pažanin’s Mediterranean menu at Marco Polo, David Skoko’s sustainable seafood at Akademis Čingrija, Marijo Curic’s local ingredient showcase at Restaurant & Bar Rudjer, Mario Mandarić’s dinner at Ljetnikovac Natali, and Marko Đurašević at Bistro Revelin.

The festival also offers themed experiences such as a Herzegovinian night at Veranda, a fusion menu at Urban & Veggie, a traditional peka dinner with live music at Local, a Chef’s Table at The Pucić Palace, and a fine-dining event titled Whisper of Flavours at Restaurant Dubrovnik.

Wine lovers can look forward to tastings at Restaurant Magdalena (The Pucić Palace) and a series of collaborative wine evenings pairing top Croatian wineries with Dubrovnik’s restaurants, including Zuzori & Edivo, Orsan & Crvik, Port 22 & Saints Hills, and Marco Polo & Boškinac.

Education is also a key theme, with hands-on cooking classes, painting workshops with wine, ceramic art sessions, and the popular DUB pub gastro quiz. A highlight is the Zero Waste – Sustainable Kitchen workshop by chef Ante Dropuljić on October 16, showing how smart planning and full use of ingredients can reduce food waste. The final weekend will see DURA (Dubrovnik Development Agency) hosting workshops for both adults and children.

Adding to the flavor, FOODravanje will take over Lazareti from October 9 to 12, bringing concerts by Jurica Pađen & Aerodrom, Kuzma & Shaka Zulu, Alen Islamović, and Psihomodo Pop.

From October 11 to 18, the “Samo Hrvatsko” fair will be held in Gruž, showcasing local products. The festival concludes on October 19 with the traditional Dubrovnik Table on Stradun, where all proceeds will go to the association Poseban prijatelj Dubrovnik.

Throughout the festival, more than 60 restaurants in Dubrovnik, Cavtat, Župa dubrovačka, Konavle, and Dubrovačko primorje will offer special menus, daily breakfasts, and sweet treats.

The full festival program is available at this link, while the official brochure can be collected at tourist information centers or downloaded here.

@experiencedubrovnik From October 6 to 19, Dubrovnik turns into a foodie paradise ???? The program of the 12th Good Food Festival was presented yesterday – and trust us, this year will be the best so far! #experiencedubrovnik #croatiafulloflife #dubrovnik #dubrovnikriviera #dubrovnikneretvacounty ♬ Hope. City pop.(1145157) - table_1

Slots get boring fast. Same reels, same spin, nothing new. I wanted more, so I tried other games and found options that are way more fun. Read on to uncover my top alternatives.

One of the decent places to try these slot substitutes is Retro Bet. What I liked there is the mix of old-school vibes with modern options. You’ll see neon retro style, but the games are fresh – progressive jackpots, speed blackjack, and power-up roulette. The welcome package adds extra value to your first sessions, and the bonus lineup keeps regular play fun.

6 Decent Slot Replacements I Recommend

I got bored with slot machines because I wanted more control. Something that let me make a call in the middle of play. Or at least something that felt social instead of just staring at a screen.  Here are the alternatives I keep going back to.

1. Crash Games

Crash games are dead simple. A line goes up, the multiplier climbs, and you pick when to cash out. Wait too long and it “crashes”, you lose.

The fun is the tension. Every second you think, “Do I click now or risk it for one more step?” That choice is addictive.

I remember trying Aviator for the first time. I cashed out at 3x, the graph hit 50x right after, and I wanted to kick myself. But that’s the rush. It suits players who like risk/reward choices instead of pure luck.

Tip: Don’t always chase big numbers. Try mixing early small cash-outs with one high-risk bet.

2. Live Dealer Games

Live dealers changed how I see online casinos. You join a table with a real person running it, streamed to your screen. 

Blackjack is where I started. I thought it would feel fake, but it didn’t. The dealer looked at the camera, I placed chips, and the chat was alive. It felt closer to a real casino than anything else online.

What makes it fun is the social vibe. Slots can’t give you that. Roulette with a live dealer is even better—you watch the wheel spin, you feel part of it.

Tip: Join tables with fewer players if you want faster rounds.

3. Dice Games

Dice games are older than any slot. And online, they’re fast and clean. You bet if the roll will be over or under a number. 

You see the odds clearly. No flashy screens, no hidden rules. I used dice games when I had ten minutes free and didn’t want to dive into a long slot session.

Once I ran a quick set: five bets at even odds. Won three, lost two, walked away in under five minutes. It scratched the itch without dragging me in.

Tip: Use dice games for short bursts, not long sessions. They’re best for quick action. Some players still stick to slots, but if you’re curious about jackpots, you should learn Slot 99 and how they differ from flat gaming options.

4. Lottery and Keno

I never cared about lotteries offline. Online, though, it’s different. You pick numbers, wait for a draw, and results come quickly.

Keno is even faster. You pick numbers, the system draws, and you see the results instantly. It feels like a mix of bingo and lottery but at turbo speed.

I won’t lie – it’s not my daily pick. But when I wanted something light while doing other stuff, I’d fire up Keno with tiny stakes. You can hit big with small bets.

Tip: Treat it as side play, not your main game.

5. Card Games Beyond Poker

Poker gets all the love, but other card games are worth your time. I got hooked on Andar Bahar and Dragon Tiger. 

In Andar Bahar, you bet which side a matching card will land on. In Dragon Tiger, it’s even simpler – one card to Dragon, one to Tiger, and the higher card wins.

What I liked is the speed. No long poker rounds, no need to know deep strategy. I tried Andar Bahar one night instead of slots and stayed for hours because the flow was that smooth.

Tip: These games are perfect if you like cards but hate complex rules.

6. Game Shows

Game shows blew up recently. They mix wheels, bonus rounds, and live hosts.

I didn’t expect much. Then I joined Crazy Time once “just to see.” Two hours later, I was still there, laughing at the chat and hoping the wheel hit a bonus.

The draw is the energy. The host hypes you up, players react in real time, and you feel pulled into the show. 

Tip: Best when you’re in a social mood and don’t want to focus too hard.

Final Thoughts: Break the Slot Habit

Slots are everywhere, but they’re not the only choice. Crash games bring risk. Live dealer tables add people. Dice and lottery give quick hits. Card games and game shows mix things up.

Pick one that fits your mood and try it next time. You might not go back to spinning reels so fast.