The situation related to the COVID19 pandemic has been developing positively in Croatia since the start of the year. During Christmas Holidays Croatia has experienced movement restriction by region. Christmas school holidays lasted 3 weeks. Gatherings were limited. Cafes and restaurants were closed. Shows and cultural events were prohibited. The movement restriction by region ended on January 4th. At the start of the school year, on January 11th, only small classes up to level 4 were open, the other classes were held remotely online. Since then the situation has been improving with small localized waves. In February schools up to the baccalaureate opened. However, health institutions follow regional realities and close schools in the most affected areas. Cinemas and museums are open. Sports halls and the terraces of restaurants and cafes opened on March 1st. The size restriction for cruise ships in ports has been lifted. The return to “normal” with the opening of cafes and restaurants is scheduled for the month of March, so for Easter Croatia will be ready to receive its visitors without any other limitation than the obligation of a PCR test at the entry into the country, wearing a mask and distancing rules in closed spaces and transport. Discussions are underway to organize tests at the airports themselves. Thanks to its rapid interventions and adapted measures, Croatia has proven to be one of the safest destinations in Europe since the onset of the disease.
My wife, her cousin and I took advantage of the open terraces to take a nice hike around the Okić fortress in the West of Zagreb. Mountains peaks are still covered with snow. After a sunny hike with beautiful views of Zagreb and the start of the Pannonian plain, we drove a scenic road to the village of Plešivica, famous for its viticulture. A winegrower’s restaurant welcomed us on its terrace overlooking the wine-growing hills and plains, a splendid landscape. The village is known for its sparkling wines and its fruity red wine called Portugizac. So, a glass of sparkling wine opened the lunch, then a boletus mushroom soup, followed by a deer stew accompanied by Portugizac. To end the day, we went to the baroque main square of Samobor to taste a Kremšnita, a mille-feuille cake filled with whipped cream, a recipe classified as a protected Croatian heritage. A delight that will rejoices the whole family! The place was very lively. After all the restrictions related to COVID19 it is very pleasant to finally be able to return to a restaurant and see the cafes terraces full in a public square, to see cultural and social life start again …
