The ultimate adventure awaits you just five minutes from the Old City of Dubrovnik. Driving buggy vehicles over the hills and fields, through the striking landscape and pine forests all the way to Mount Srđ will give you real off-road action and allow you to enjoy the spectacular panoramas of the Adriatic. The tour passes by Napoleon’s Fortress, which offers an incredible 360° view of the entire Dubrovnik area, including islands and mountains behind the hill. This fun activity is a great choice for all those looking for action and adventure, but also for photography lovers, so make sure to book a ride when visiting Dubrovnik.
Read moreŠpin Stancija near Poreč is an essential place for all gourmets who spend their vacation in Istria. It is constructed with Istrian stone, and all visitors can enjoy the finest local products here: cow, sheep, and mixed cheeses; delicatessen cheeses with truffles; cow and sheep curd; etc. Since cheeses go perfectly with wine, here you can learn how to pair wine and cheese and enjoy the premium and award-winning Laguna Wines along the way.
Read moreThe Mirna River Canyon is a magical area hiding the Seven Waterfalls Trail that will delight anyone who likes to hike or walk. The view of the waterfalls, the exploration of abandoned Istrian villages, and the popular Kotli are the reasons why this is one of the most popular trails in Istria. The trail is 15.5 kilometers long, and while enjoying the beautiful view, it will take you about 5 hours to cross it. If you decide to go there, you should wear comfortable and quality clothes, but the route itself is not demanding and can be enjoyed by experienced and less experienced hikers.
Read moreThe towns of inland Istria blow everyone away. Vodnjan wins the first prize for its beautiful murals. The colorful Grožnjan is widely known as a city of artists and music. Every summer, the enchanting Motovun and its film festival attract many fans of the seventh art. Momjan is known for its high-quality muscat wine, and the view of its medieval castle will transport you back in time. Full of beautiful vistas, Oprtalj is a picturesque center of blacksmiths and stonemasons, surrounded by tree alleys and high Venetian lodges. And this is only a small part of the picturesque towns and places that can be explored in the heart of Istria!
Read moreWhen visiting Dalmatia, you should definitely taste the pašticada. Beef fricandeau stuffed with panceta, onion, and garlic, marinated overnight in diluted vinegar, and quickly baked and slowly cooked the next day in red wine and prosecco sauce, is traditionally served with homemade potato gnocchi. No one has yet managed to resist the full taste and divine scent of this delicacy, without which festivities in Dalmatia are unimaginable, and we are sure that neither will you!
Read moreBesides the wine trails, you will also have a great time in Istria if you follow the paths of the dinosaurs. Start your journey with a tour of Veli Brijuni and Bale, which hide countless giant footprints, and end it with a visit to Dino Park Funtana near Poreč. A Jurassic theme park with adrenaline carousels, acrobatic performances, fossil excavation workshops, and life-size mobile dinosaurs will undoubtedly delight all adventurers looking for great fun.
Read moreThe small village of Tičan is situated 16 km from Poreč. It houses the Višnjan Observatory, which is one of the 12 most productive observatories in the world, in terms of the number of discovered asteroids. With 1750 discovered asteroids, Višnjan is also responsible for the discovery of three comets. The observatory can be visited during July and August. Astronomy enthusiasts will surely be pleased, and we believe that watching the stars in the sky above Istria will delight both children and adults.
Read moreVisit Dubrovnik, rich in picturesque landscapes and Mediterranean herbs, explore the interesting history of the old town and even older cultural heritage. Take a break from visiting magnificent palaces and sights enveloped in mystical stories and legends and enjoy the perfectly arranged, delicious food and intoxicating local wine that will make you feel just like a king of Dubrovnik!
Read moreYou will find Dubrovnik beautiful from every side, but you will experience its true beauty from a bird’s eye view. The Dubrovnik cable car, which has been running intermittently since 1969, will show you the island of Lokrum, the majestic city walls, and city center covered with red roofs. The panoramic view of the beautiful nature and the old town center from 405 m above sea level is one of the most beautiful memories one can take from Dubrovnik.
Read moreAfter relaxing on beautiful beaches of the Makarska Riviera, head to the youngest Croatian observatory and enjoy a romantic view of the starry sky. The observatory, which also houses a children’s astro park, is only 50m away from the seafront. Surrounded by a dense pine forest, it provides a perfect shelter for the most beautiful view of the mysterious constellations and meteor shower, which turns into a real sky spectacle in mid-August. Do you know what wish you’re going to make from your shooting star yet?
Read moreThe first Croatian museum dedicated to one of the most expensive foods in the world—truffles—opened near the Istrian town of Buzet. In the traditional Istrian stone house, you can learn all about the history of truffles and get acquainted with the biological cycle of the most famous and important Istrian delicacies. You can apply what you learn in practice and go on a truffle hunt with the assistance of the museum owner. In this adventure, you will learn all about truffles, the tradition of hunting and truffle dogs, and enjoy a tasting of truffles in a beautiful setting.
Read moreIf you have chosen Istria for your vacation this summer, spice up your trip by visiting an oyster farm near Poreč where you have the opportunity to enjoy raw seafood delicacy with chilled champagne. Getting to know this refined delicacy in its natural habitat is an excursion that will delight all true gourmets. With intoxicating scents and flavors, continue your gourmet journey in the local cellars, treasure troves of celebrated Istrian wines.
Read moreIn the small village of Sveta Nedjelja on Hvar, there is a special attraction—a unique wine cellar under the sea with glass rock. In this cellar, the temperature is ideal, from 12 to 16 degrees, and while tasting excellent wines, you can also observe the underwater world. For all those who love vacation with the taste of adventure!
Read moreThe mild Mediterranean climate, the landscape dotted with olive trees and the spectacular sea view are just some of the advantages of Krk that make it ideal for a holiday. However, in order to get to know the island better, opt for a cycling adventure with which you will get to know the indigenous variety of island wine—the widely known Žlahtina from Vrbnik! By driving through olive groves, along dry-stone walls and vineyards you will reach the old town centre of Vrbnik where you can enjoy the delicacies of Krk.
Read moreThe islands west of Dubrovnik are full of sandy beaches, vast pine forests, and the scent of Mediterranean plants. Besides natural beauties, Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan abound with summer villas and ancient monuments and fortifications. The fortress of Kastio, the tower of Toreta, and the Rector’s Palace are just a part of the Elaphite treasure, and you will surely be impressed with the most beautiful panoramic view of Srđ, the Dubrovnik coast, and the islands from the Pakljena hill on Šipan.
Read moreThe Morosini-Grimani Castle has been standing proudly in Svetvinčenat since Venice, waiting for someone loyal, brave, faithful, just, cautious and persistent to reveal the secret of an unknown knight. Are you the one who’s going to triumphantly take the sword out of the rock? Come, with the help of friends or your significant other, explore the ancient towers, dungeons and armoury, have a blast and find your place on the Grimaldi Wall of Fame.
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3 minIt is human nature to do everything last minute. We tend to rush through our lives, making it difficult to plan in the long run.
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Vrbnik, on the island of Krk, is the birthplace of Žlahtno champagne beer. It is produced from Žlahtina wine, barley malt, and hops grown in Austria. Although it is foamy and has a bitter aftertaste like beer, it tastes like sparkling wine or champagne. It contains 5.5% alcohol and lasts up to two years. It can be tasted and bought in the Žlahtina tavern on the island of Krk.
In the Dubrovnik area flows the Ombla River, which is considered the shortest river in the world. This natural phenomenon is only 30 meters long. It springs as part of Trebišnjica, and after 30 meters it turns into a small waterfall, about 70 centimeters high, that flows into the Adriatic Sea. In the past, due to its natural beauty, the people of Dubrovnik built their summer houses in the area. Most of them were destroyed over time, but there are still a few left, which is why visitors today have the opportunity to see the old Dubrovnik way of building houses.
His trademark, black or reddish-brown spots, on these popular dogs begins to develop only at the age of three months, and this process can last a lifetime. They are one of the oldest recognized breeds, which is mentioned in historical records in the 2nd century BC and is believed to originate from Dalmatia. In 1961, a popular animated film was made about them, and they were also found on the silver coin of the Croatian National Bank.
The railway line that used to connect Lupoglav and Štalije in Istria stretches for 50 km in length and was built by the inhabitants of Istria during voluntary actions from 1948 to 1951 for the purpose of transporting coal. Due to the frequent landslides of the embankments, caused by strong torrents, the rails tilted over time, and on some sections they even hang. The slopes give the impression that the railway is fluttering, which is why it was called the “drunken railway” by the locals. If you decide to visit it, you will find yourself in the company of the intoxicating smell of sage that grows there.
There is no holiday, party or family luncheon in Istria without pasta filled with raisins and sweet cheese filling traditionally served with vegetables and roasted chicken. The Istrians quickly realized that these pasta pillows, traditionally reserved for special occasions, are a great addition to any day, so today you can get them whenever you want—sweet, salty, cooked, baked or flambéed, with cheese and raisins or truffles and walnuts.
If you visit beautiful Istria, spice up the delicious creations that the local caterers will serve you with Teran, fresh wine with a fruity aroma and ruby color that comes from the variety of the same name. This old variety ruled Istria a hundred years ago, as well, and the famous seducer Casanova was introduced to its charms in Vrsar. With its refined and rich aroma, it seduced him in an instant, and you will certainly not be able to resist it either.
If you want to prepare an unusual and yet delicious meal for your family and guests, serve them stone soup. Once eaten by the poor, this meal is today a prized Adriatic delicacy whose recipe was created by skilled fishermen who, in the absence of fish, extracted hollow stones rich in algae and marine organisms from the sea and boiled them together with carrots, potatoes, and olive oil.
Hum, a picturesque town in central Istria, is an ode to medieval culture and the smallest town in the world. Two streets, two churches and one tavern are enough for seventeen inhabitants who live here, as well for more than 300,000 visitors who visit it annually. You will hear many stories about the creation of Hum, and if you want to know if it was really built by good giants, it is best to come and ask yourself.
“La mula de Parenzo” for the people of Poreč is much more than just a song. It represents a symbol, part of the identity and history of Poreč itself. It is one of the most famous folk songs of Istria, and it talks about a girl from Poreč who came and “sold everything”. In her honor, a visitor center with the same name was recently opened—a store that, with its interior design, testifies to the entrepreneurship of this legendary person.
There’s a saying that you’ve never been to Dubrovnik unless you’ve taken a walk along Stradun. This most famous central city street is 198 meters long. Built back in the 11th century by filling the sea canal that separated two Dubrovnik settlements (Ragusa and Dubrava), it was paved only in the 15th century. Today it attracts one million visitors a year and is the center of events and heart of the city.
The green island of Hvar is the island with the highest number of sunny hours, known for its beautiful bays, wine and lavender. While the soothing scent and purple shade of lavender have enchanted people for centuries, people from Hvar used to satisfy 90% of the oil needs of the inhabitants of the former country. Hvar is also known as the wine island because of its long tradition of viticulture, and if you visit it you can enjoy a unique wine cellar under the sea.
Croatia is adorned with incredible natural wealth. Eight national parks and 11 nature parks together account for more than 10% of its area. The most famous park is the Plitvice Lakes, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. When entering the country, every tourist will surely ask for a way to the National Park “Krka” or to the other side, towards the National Park “Brijuni”. Each of the parks tells its own story and brings an unforgettable experience.
The town of Vrbnik on Krk is full of interesting facilities. The streets are made the old-fashioned way, so cars and motorcycles can’t pass through some of them, and there is even one too narrow for people! Klančićeva Street is one of the narrowest in the world, and its narrowest part is just over 40 cm wide. This street is a true challenge for any adult, so if you want to get through it, you’re going to have to pull your stomach in hard.
One of the most beautiful and oldest Croatian traditional cakes is made of almonds and Maraschino, and it was first prepared for Pope Alexander III who decided to seek refuge from a storm on the island of Rab. It was made by nuns, and they wrote the recipe in calligraphy and did not indicate the exact amounts of the ingredients! The right amounts don’t really exist because the amount of ingredients varies by season. It is not known whether the Pope liked the cake, but it delights tourists year after year.
Klapa singing is performed without a conducter and instrumental accompaniment, and the song is led by the highest voice type. A part-singing, harmonious song used to be the most popular means of attracting girls in Dalmatia, so a capella songs are most commonly love-themed. The dialect, which is a trademark of the town whose squares and streets resonate in summer with playful tones to the delight of tourists, gives them a special charm. Besides them, the indigenous Dalmatian song charmed the UNESCO itself, which protected it back in 2012.
Owing to its ancient beauty and rich tradition, Dubrovnik has long been listed as one of the most visited destinations in Croatia and worldwide. Its historical attractions, luxury accommodation, stunning beaches and nearby archipelago are just a small part of what this Mediterranean jewel has to offer.
Read moreWould you like to share with us and our readers your memories, experiences and recommendations from your holidays in Croatia? Email them at blog@valamar.com and tell us what it was like, what impressed you the most, where you were and what you enjoyed most!
One of my biggest wishes for this year was to come to Croatia again. I hope I’ll have a chance to do that… I have so much I want to see and experience there. I can’t wait!
I love the food at Istrian restaurants… Especially their fish specialties. I even tried at home to prepare some of the dishes that impressed me the most, but they turned out to be not nearly as good. I’ll just have to find out first-hand in one of those restaurants what exactly I’m doing wrong and how to fix it 🙂
