The Norwegian low fares airline Norwegian Air Shuttle(NAS), has annouced it will fly direct to Pula from Oslo, from the 14th April 2007.

Croatia has seen a significant increase in tourists from Scandinavia to the coast over the last year.

The airline will fly on Saturdays from 14th April  until the 27th October.

Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader recently visited Montenegro to attend the official opening of the new embassy in Podgorica.

Mr. Sanader also held talks with Montenegrin officials, which he described as "substantial and fruitful".

"Croatia and Montenegro have had good relations in the past, except in the 1990s when some Montenegrins accepted the policy of Slobodan Milosevic, while a majority were against it. That time is behind us," Sanader said at the end of his visit in the coastal town of Kotor, where he met Mayor Maja Catovic. 

A new Irish consulate has opened in Split, joining the Irish consulate already based in Zagreb.

Contact details for the new Honorary Consul in Split can be found on this link.

Kotor's famous annual winter carnival, takes place this year from the 9th to 25th February.

The highlight of the festival, is the masked ball, which has traditionally taken place in the Hotel Fjord in Kotor. However, this year, due to the closure of the Hotel Fjord, which is under new ownership, the ball will take place on the 25th February in the 5 star Hotel Splendid, Becici.

Le Méridien Lav has opened its doors in the stunning Mediterranean port of Split. The resort, previously known as Hotel Lav and regaled as the 'best address in Split,' has undergone a $150 million renovation and is the first Le Méridien hotel in Croatia, as well as the latest addition to Le Méridien's growing portfolio since Starwood acquired the brand in November 2005.

Peter Munk, the new owner of the arsenal in Tivat, paid a visit to Montenegro last week.

During his stay, Munk visited the site of the future marina he is constructing in Tivat.

Mr Munk also met with the Mayor of Kotor, authorities,  and donated a ship - the "Catagalop" - to the people of Kotor. The ship is an ecological cleaning ship, and will be used to ensure quality of the water in the Bay.

Croatia and Montenegro both feature in this annual report from A Place in the Sun on the best places to invest in property in 2007.

Croatia was placed at number 11 in the report, because of the current strong annual capital appreciation, which looks set to continue over the next few years. The good value still available in Croatia compared to similar countries, was another point in its favour.