China is opening its doors wider than ever, offering visa-free access to Croatians as part of a rapidly expanding initiative to boost tourism and international ties. Beginning November 30, 2024, Croatian citizens can enter China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days, thanks to new measures announced by China’s Foreign Ministry.

Croatia is among eight European nations added to the visa-free list, which also includes Bulgaria, Romania, Malta, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Estonia, and Latvia. This move marks a significant milestone in fostering closer ties between China and Europe. Japan has also been included in the latest wave of visa waivers, further broadening China’s outreach.

The initiative, which extends through December 31, 2025, also enhances travel flexibility for citizens of all 38 countries in China’s visa-free program, increasing the allowed stay from 15 to 30 days.

China’s visa-free expansion comes as part of broader efforts to revitalize its tourism sector and trade amid economic headwinds. Similar arrangements have been offered to South Korea and other European countries in recent months, reflecting a strategic push to attract international visitors.

For Croatian travelers, the new policy presents an exciting opportunity to explore one of the world's most culturally rich and historically significant nations with greater ease. From the Great Wall to bustling metropolises like Shanghai and Beijing, China's vast landscapes and iconic landmarks are now just a passport stamp away.

Slovenia has announced it will extend border controls with Croatia and Hungary for another six months, citing heightened security concerns and the threat of terrorism. The government insists the measures, described as temporary, are necessary to ensure public safety.

Authorities have promised that the additional checks at border crossings will be carried out with minimal disruption to travelers and trade. Despite this assurance, the move is likely to raise eyebrows among neighboring countries and EU officials, given the Schengen area’s principle of free movement. Slovenia plans to notify the European Commission, the European Parliament, and other EU member states about the extension in accordance with Article 27 of the Schengen Borders Code.

Slovenia is not alone in tightening its borders. Austria and Italy have also prolonged controls on their borders with Slovenia, and the Netherlands is set to introduce checks with Belgium and Germany starting December 9. These measures reflect a growing trend within the EU, where several nations have reintroduced internal border controls in response to security threats.

For now, Slovenia insists the move is a necessary precaution, but critics may question whether this is another step towards unraveling the EU’s cherished open-border policy.

Croatia’s car market is shifting up a gear. New passenger car registrations in the country rose by 12.6% in the first 10 months of 2024, reaching 57,181 vehicles, according to provisional data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA).

Petrol-powered cars continue to dominate the roads, accounting for 27,255 of new registrations, but the popularity of hybrid electric vehicles is surging. With 14,998 hybrid electric cars registered—up 33.9% from last year—Croatian drivers are clearly embracing the shift to greener mobility. Diesel cars, while less popular, still saw 10,988 registrations.

Plug-in hybrid models experienced the steepest growth, with a 39.8% spike in registrations, while battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales rose by 17.7% to 1,608 units. Though electric vehicles are still a smaller slice of the market, their steady growth points to a future where Croatia might become a significant player in the EV landscape.

Croatia's car market growth stands out in a broader European context. While the EU’s total new car registrations rose only slightly by 0.7% this year, Croatia has consistently posted double-digit growth, including a 31% surge in 2023 when registrations hit 57,694 vehicles.

With these figures, Croatia is clearly accelerating toward a more dynamic and sustainable automotive future.

Move over, Vienna and Strasbourg—Zagreb is the reigning champion of European Christmas markets! For the third year running, this Croatian capital has been crowned the best destination for a festive holiday by European Best Destinations. Travelers from all corners of the globe have spoken, and it’s clear: Advent in Zagreb is a must-see.

This year, the city’s holiday magic spreads further than ever, with new locations and even more activities. Imagine twinkling lights casting a glow over every corner of town, ice skating at the beloved King Tomislav Square rink, indulging in gastronomic delights at food stalls, and enjoying live music, kid-friendly activities, and cultural performances. It’s an experience that embodies the festive spirit and draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

Whether you’re a foodie, a family, or just someone who loves soaking up the holiday vibes, Zagreb has something for everyone. And while you’re here, make sure to stay in one of these top picks:

The Esplanade Hotel: A luxurious choice with a rich history, perfect for those seeking glamour and impeccable service.

Hotel Dubrovnik: Situated in the heart of the city, it’s ideal for travelers who want to be in the middle of the action.

Sheraton Zagreb Hotel: Offering modern comfort and style, this hotel is a great base for exploring Zagreb’s holiday charm.

Zagreb’s Advent has truly become the benchmark for European Christmas markets, rivaling destinations like Edinburgh, Budapest, and Tallinn. So why not make this your most magical holiday season yet?

Luka Modrić’s contract with Real Madrid is set to expire at the end of this season, and Spanish tabloid Don Balon has reported that the Croatian captain has allegedly discussed his future with Real’s president.

As the end of his contract approaches, Spanish media is increasingly speculating about what lies ahead for Modrić next summer. The Croatian midfielder, who recently turned 39, has yet to make any public statements about his plans. However, Don Balon claims that Modrić has held talks with Florentino Pérez.

The report states: "The Croatian midfielder told Real’s president that this would be his final season at the club and that he plans to retire. Modrić knows how difficult this decision is, but he’s aware that, approaching 40, he wouldn’t get as many opportunities. With his departure, Real Madrid will lose one of its legends, but Pérez has already identified a replacement—Florian Wirtz, whom Real will try to sign from Bayer Leverkusen this summer to fend off interest from Manchester City."

Last week, Modrić was on duty with the Croatian national team, leading them to the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals. With World Cup qualifiers starting in the spring, the captain has not yet decided whether he will lead Croatia into another World Cup campaign.

The average monthly net salary paid per employee in legal entities in Croatia for September amounted to €1,322, which is €166 or 14.4% higher in nominal terms and 12.6% higher in real terms compared to the same month last year, according to data published by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics (CBS) on Thursday.

Compared to the salary for August this year, the average net salary for September was €2 or 0.2% lower in nominal terms and 0.6% lower in real terms.

The highest average monthly net salary was recorded in air transport, amounting to €2,139, while the lowest was in clothing manufacturing, at €850.

According to the CBS report, the median net salary for September was €1,129, meaning half of the employees earned less and half earned more than this amount.

The average monthly gross salary paid per employee in legal entities for September amounted to €1,829, which is 0.5% lower in nominal terms and 0.9% lower in real terms compared to August this year. On an annual basis, the average gross salary increased nominally by 14.6% and in real terms by 12.8%.

As with net salaries, the highest average monthly gross salary paid per employee in legal entities for September was in air transport, amounting to €3,118, while the lowest was in clothing manufacturing, at €1,100.

For the period from January to September, the average monthly net salary paid per employee in legal entities amounted to €1,305, which is 15.2% higher in nominal terms and 11.8% higher in real terms compared to the same period in 2023.

In September, there was an average of 165 paid working hours, which is 5.7% fewer than in August.

The highest number of paid hours was in water transport (174), while the lowest was in social work activities without accommodation and in building management and maintenance services, as well as landscaping and groundskeeping (151).

The average monthly net salary per hour for September was €7.75, which is 4.9% higher than in August and 14.8% higher than in September of last year.

The President of the Dubrovnik City Council, Marko Potrebica, and the Chair of the Committee for International Cooperation, Katarina Doršner, visited China at the invitation of Dubrovnik’s sister city, Sanya.

The visit included participation in the international conference “China International Friendship Cities Conference 2024” held in Kunming. This event brought together over 700 delegates from 125 cities across 41 countries, reaffirming its role as a pivotal platform for strengthening international friendships. Organized biennially under the patronage of the Chinese government, the conference aims to establish and deepen cooperation between Chinese and global cities.

In Sanya, the Dubrovnik delegation was welcomed by Mayor Chen Xi and his associates. During the official reception, the Chinese hosts expressed particular interest in Dubrovnik's expertise and experience in the restoration and preservation of historical and cultural heritage, as well as its model for sustainable tourism management.

Sanya, located in Hainan Province, is recognized as a prominent tourist destination, attracting an impressive 19 million visitors annually, primarily from the domestic Chinese market. This vast market presents exceptional opportunities for promoting Croatian local products, further strengthening economic ties between the cities. During a visit to Hainan Tropical Ocean University, discussions were held on the potential for future student exchanges, fostering academic collaboration between Dubrovnik and Sanya.

To recall, Sanya and Dubrovnik signed a cooperation protocol back in 2013. This year, an addendum to the memorandum of friendship was signed, ensuring the continuation of successful collaboration and the intensification of relations. The focus will be on institutional exchange, culture, arts, historical core preservation, and investment promotion, opening new opportunities for mutually beneficial projects.

The Dubrovnik Museums, in collaboration with the Croatian Conservation Institute, opened the exhibition “A Look Through the Portrait of Marija Ghetaldi-Gondola” on Friday, November 22, 2024, at the Rector’s Palace. The author of the exhibition is Senior Curator of the Dubrovnik Museums, Lucija Vuković, with expert collaborators Ljubo Gamulin, Barbara Knežević-Kuzman, and Nađa Lučić from the Croatian Conservation Institute.

The portrait of Marija Ghetaldi-Gondola by Carmelo Reggio, created around 1812, was displayed in the permanent exhibition in the Music Room of the Cultural-Historical Museum at the Rector’s Palace. A crack was noticed on the portrait, and in 2023, as one of the particularly valuable items in the Museum’s collection, it was sent for conservation and restoration to the Dubrovnik Conservation Department of the Croatian Conservation Institute. During the specialists’ examination, an extraordinary detail was discovered: a dark outline of an eye in the neck area of the portrayed woman. Using a series of non-invasive research methods, a rare finding was revealed—an earlier painting beneath the painted layer. Beneath the portrait of Marija Ghetaldi-Gondola lies another female portrait, accompanied by a partially legible inscription identifying the portrayed woman: Frana Gondola, née Bona. This marked the beginning of unraveling an unusual story about two women and one family.

Thanks to the results of conservation-restoration works, it became possible to contextualize this piece and link it to the collection of portraits by Austrian painter Franz Xaver Span in the Cultural-Historical Museum’s Painting Collection. Archival and historical research uncovered and brought to light lesser-known details from the history of Dubrovnik’s noble Ghetaldi and Gondola families. In addition to the artworks, the exhibition presents the process and outcomes of the conservation-restoration work. At the opening of the exhibition, which can be viewed at the Rector’s Palace until March 31, 2025, the speakers included the exhibition’s author Lucija Vuković, Ivana Svedružić Šeparović, Head of the Service for Departments Outside Zagreb at the Croatian Conservation Institute, and it was officially opened by the Director of the Dubrovnik Museums, Dr. Marija Šiša-Vivek.

The exhibition texts were authored by Ljubo Gamulin, Nađa Lučić, and Lucija Vuković. The visual arrangement was designed by Lucija Vuković and Ljubo Gamulin, who also worked on the graphic design. The conservation-restoration work was carried out by Barbara Knežević Kuzman (program leader), Matea Bačić, Antonio Blašković, Ljubo Gamulin, Pino Gamulin, Katija Kovačić Karamatić, Nađa Lučić, Domagoj Mudronja, Hrvoje Smoljan, Alen Škomrlj, and Goran Tomljenović. The technical setup of the exhibition was completed by Paško Burin, Željko Ćatić, Mišo Lečić, Mišo Kukuruzović, and Ivan Mladošić.

The exhibition was realized in collaboration with the Croatian Conservation Institute, with the support of the City of Dubrovnik and the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia.