1. July 2024.

Each year, Novi Vinodolski is visited by a large number of tourists from all over the world. Among them, a special place belongs to a married couple from Germany, whose love story with this town has lasted for an incredible 60 years.

Mr. Milan Šavorić first came to Novi Vinodolski back in 1964, when he spent a summer holiday with his parents and fell in love with the town as if it were his birthplace. He passed on that love to his wife, Lydia Auguste Šavorić, a German citizen, and since 1972 the two of them have been visiting this beautiful, picturesque town together.

Over the years, they stayed with various private hosts and at Novi Resort, but in 2010 they found their second home at the family accommodation “Villa Vera”, run by Mrs. Vera Sokolić and Mr. Tami Sokolić. They started coming with their children, creating beautiful family memories in this special place, and often brought their friends as well, sharing their stories about Novi.

Although they have vacationed in other Dalmatian towns, their hearts always brought them back to Novi Vinodolski, where they feel most at home and where they developed a special friendship with Mrs. Vera, Mr. Tami and other neighbors. The Šavorić family is not only deeply in love with Novi Vinodolski, but they are also great promoters of the destination. They recommend holidays in Croatia – and especially in Novi Vinodolski – to all their acquaintances, friends, and neighbors.

To mark this wonderful anniversary of their holidays in Novi Vinodolski, the Director of the Tourist Board of the City of Novi Vinodolski, Tena Peričić, visited the hosts and their loyal guests. She presented them with a painting from the Leut Gallery and Souvenir Shop, a gift bag with the premium sparkling wine Ružica Vinodola from the Pavlomir Winery, souvenirs and a certificate of appreciation as a memento of Novi Vinodolski, and spent a pleasant hour in their company.

She was greeted with smiles from ear to ear and heartfelt gratitude for the visit and the gifts, which they will gladly take home with them. It was touching to hear how satisfied the Šavorić family is with our town, the restaurants they visit, the events, but above all – their enthusiasm for the local people, our warmth and kindness. During the conversation, the Šavorić family shared that they have also made friends with other German tourists who have been visiting our town for many years.

Mr. Šavorić jokingly said he wants to come to Novi Vinodolski for at least another 20 years – and we sincerely hope he does. Their story is a testament to a deep love and bond with this town that has lasted for decades. With its beauty and hospitality, Novi Vinodolski will always be ready to welcome them with open arms, offering priceless moments and lifelong memories.

“It was incredibly beautiful to hear how someone from abroad, who has been coming to Novi for so many years, talks about how the town has changed, how comfortable he feels here, and how much he loves Novi and Croatia, what kind of people and potential we have – because it really is like that. I think sometimes we ourselves aren’t even aware of it and tend to be overly critical, but encounters like this, and people whose eyes tear up when they talk about how they feel here and how they hope to return again – they truly make you reflect. It was a great pleasure to talk with this lovely family and wish them to remain our guests for many more years, and to continue spreading kind words about Novi and our Croatia wherever they go,” said Tena Peričić, Director of the Tourist Board of the City of Novi Vinodolski.