Production in Croatia was managed by Ankica Jurić Tilić with the Kinorama company, and Christmas in the Sun (original title: Piratskattens hemlighet) is part of Advent Calendar (Julkalendern), a traditional Christmas TV show for families and young people. Julkalendern has for decades been an inevitable part of Swedish Christmas tradition – the series runs on SVT (Swedish national television) since 1960, between 1 and 24 December in prime time and attracts millions of people. Christmas in the Sun was made with the Croatian Audiovisual Centre’s incentive measures, which have lately helped attract a growing number of foreign productions to Croatia.

Here is a full version of the Expressen text, and its original version is available on this link.

Published on 22 June 2015 – There is always something new in store for you around the corner. A striking slope, a breath-taking view, a picturesque town or a magnificent beach. We took our broader family along and rented a house and a car on the lovely Croatian island of Brač. The SVT serial Christmas in the Sun was shot on this island as part of the Advent Calendar TV show. The green olive groves breathe life into the massive mountains cross-stitched with narrow paths. We point through the window of our van: “Look at the calcite cave!” “Look at this port in the bay below!” “Oh, up there on the hill there is a little vineyard!” To the nine of us, first-time visitors to Brač, the car ride from the ferry to the house we rented is truly impressive.

Christmas in the Sun Shot on Brač

From the very beginning we were interested in this particular island because it was the shooting location of Advent Calendar, and this Christmas it broadcasted the series Christmas in the Sun. Four children in our group eagerly wanted to visit the ‘Orchid Coast’, as the Zlatni rat beach is called in the show. The rest of us were attracted by unusual landscapes we noticed throughout the 24 episodes of the show. Brač is the largest Dalmatian island, but still small enough to be explored in a week-long holiday. We rented a large house in the small town of Milna, on the western coast of the island. In the port we admire beautiful sailboats, we eat ice-cream and sometimes we order a beer or a glass of house wine. A short ride reveals beautiful bays with white stones, squeezed between the rocks and ideal for swimming.

Zlatni rat is one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe

The Zlatni rat beach was chosen as one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe and it is must-see. Its name means a golden horn and describes it perfectly. The white peak protrudes in the turquoise waters, and just like the children on TV we too can explore the beach and caves along the coast. The town of Bol is located near Zlatni rat and provides a glimpse of the port life, walks along the cobbled streets and fantastic Italian gelato we relish sitting on a white stone wall with the sea in the background. Naturally, on the island of Brač there are plenty of hotels for those who like this kind of accommodation, but we preferred renting a house. All the towns and villages we visit are so charming and attractive that it seems that any location could provide you equal pleasure, and it is generally quite favourable to stay in such places. Our house is our starting point for the week, and the car rental a chance to look around different parts of the island, all of them worthwhile.

Brač is a perfect destination

On our return home in late afternoon, lavender and roses in the garden smell so beautifully, and we find pleasure in everything, from a poolside refreshment to the view of the hills behind the town of Milna. It is also nice to visit grocery stores and buy fresh vegetables and meat to grill in the evening in the summer kitchen. The local bakery opens very early in the morning, so every morning we can buy fresh bread. Pine trees, olive groves, vines and lavender. Calcite, terracotta roofs, white church towers and stone walls. Grilled lamb, fresh fish, freshly picked salad and spices from the house garden. Of course, we didn’t find the treasure of Aquila they had been looking for in the show, but I wonder if perhaps we have found something much better, a perfect destination we will definitely come back to.

Photographs from the set are available on this link.
(All photos by: Sara Granvik)

Title photo: Alexandra Breschi, Lea Stojanov and Buster Isitt