The air on the territory of the island of Lošinj abounds with sea salt aerosols. This air contains iodine, potassium chloride, calcium and other particles that are dispersed in the essential oils of medicinal plants. This unique, health-giving blend has a beneficial effect on the bronchial tree and cleanses the lungs. High-altitude air currents and favourable winds purify the air of Lošinj, thus keeping it pollution-free and giving it its first-class quality.

The golden era of the Children’s Hospital for Allergy-Related Diseases is inextricably linked with Branko Vukelić, who served as its head for 25 years straight – from 1967 to 1992. Dr Branko Vukelić graduated from the Faculty of Medicine in Zagreb in 1953. He passed his speciality exam in 1964, and was awarded the title of Doctor of Medical Science by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Rijeka in 1978 after defending the dissertation ˝The Importance of Thalassotherapy in Obstructive Bronchopulmonary Diseases in Children˝. He also served as chief physician, and was elected as assistant professor at the Faculty of Medicine in Rijeka in 1980. He has published more than one hundred academic and professional papers both in Croatia and abroad and is the author of several books on bronchial asthma. He has received many national and international awards for his contributions to healthcare and the medical sciences.

I have been coming to the island of Lošinj – or, to be more precise, to Mali Lošinj – for many years now…actually, decades! Ever since I was a boy, I’ve been hearing stories about the special features and high quality of the microclimate of Lošinj. Later in my life, I experienced for myself just how beneficial the microclimate of Lošinj is, and how precious its unique blend of unpolluted air enriched with aerosols and the fragrance of Mediterranean plants really is. With time, I have to say I’ve nearly become addicted to the air on Lošinj – during the winter months in Zagreb, I simply can’t stop yearning for it. As air pollution in densely populated areas is getting worse, the uniqueness of the air of Lošinj is bound to become even more valuable, and all who are familiar with the microclimate of Lošinj and its air will become even more aware of its importance.

Professor Igor Francetić, PhD is a full professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Zagreb. He is a specialist in clinical pharmacology and internal medicine and is Croatia’s leading expert in clinical pharmacology. This is an area of exceptional importance because it helps us recognise the best cure. For years, Francetić has been evaluating the efficacy of different medicines and helping his colleagues choose the best treatment and combination of medicines. As a specialist in internal medicine, he also complemented his knowledge of medicines with many years of clinical experience, which is of priceless value for the evaluation of the quality of healthcare.

The air on Lošinj is one of the most important factors in my success in spearfishing. I always do my intensive training sessions before important competitions on my home island of Lošinj, as I can feel the quality of the air of this region. This becomes particularly pronounced during hyperventilation, before deep diving and up to 50 metres.
Daniel Gospić is a multiple national champion in spearfishing. Born and raised in Mali Lošinj, he started out on his journey in competitive spearfishing in 1998 at the age of sixteen. In 2003, he won the title of the youngest (age 21) national champion in Croatian history. In 2007, he won the title of Euro-African champion in Spain, and became world champion of spearfishing in 2010 at the world championship held on Lošinj. He won the title of national champion 6 times in total – out of which 4 were consecutive victories.

I’ve been visiting Lošinj since childhood, that is, since I was just six months old. My parents bought a house in Osor in 1984, and I’ve been a permanent resident of Osor for 12 years now. I decided to make my home in this region due to the island’s excellent climate, and because the health-giving air on Lošinj makes relaxing by the sea and fishing even more special for both my family and me.

Igor Hinić is a Croatian water polo player. He plays at the position of centre and has played for the Croatian national water polo team 417 times, making his debut in 1995. He competed at the Olympic Games five times (in Atlanta in 1996, in Sydney in 2000, in Athens in 2004, in Bejing in 2008 and in London in 2012), winning a silver medal at the Olympics in Atlanta in 1996 and a gold medal at the Olympics in London in 2012. In addition, he won two silver medals at the European Championship in Florence in 1999 and in Kranj in 2003, and won gold at the World Championship in Melbourne in 2007 and the European Championship in Zagreb in 2010.