Although I am not a big fan of artificial villages and folk-Disneylands, Etnoland “Dalmati” near Pakovo selo was not a bad idea. It was imagined as a traditional hamlet that would give a good picture of the traditional life in the hinterland of Šibenik. Unfortunately, it does not look good… Instead of lovely, typical stone…
Month: March 2009
Food and Wine of Croatia – Bibich Riserva 2006
I definitely don’t want to make this a video blog but just today I found a great video clip review of my favorite wine. Bibich riserva 2006! Actually, last week we got a case of 2007 and it is a notch better than 2006 but watch the review and enjoy! I am so glad my…
Blacksmith and peka – traditions of Dalmatia
We recently received an order for a peka to ship to US. It was ordered through our Culinary Croatia web site that specializes in cooking tours and classes in Croatia but we also ship some unique products from Croatia. We hope to establish a web store but that can wait with World economy like this……
Travel in Croatia – Travel guide by DK
I am a big fan of DK Eyewitness series and recently, when I was in US, I purchased the one on Croatia printed for US market. Just last night I was going over it just to check some information and if everything is as it should be. And then I have noticed that Venetians are…
Travel in Croatia – Sea Kayak Odyssey: Rab to Skradin
The idea behind Secret Dalmatia project was always to offer unique and original programs in entire Dalmatia. So it happens that people are looking for the same level of experience all over the country and we had to expand, but that is another story. Few years back an owner of Southern Seas Ventures – Al…
Travel in Dalmatia – Bura of March
Bura is the wind very closely connected with Dalmatia. Although it is common from Trieste to Montenegro, everyone connects it primarily with Dalmatia. It is a northern wind of, sometimes, gusts reaching over 200 Km/h. That is the time to stay inside! The strongest gusts are in Trieste region although it is commonly perceived that…
Food and Wine of Croatia – Octopus for lunch
Octopus is one of my favorite sea-food. Especially in the summer – being light and refreshing. But winter is good time for octopus as well. My wife often prepares it either as a salad or as a delicious stew traditional way. Being from Vis island, it is “in her blood” someone would say, since Vis…
Kaić na kraju – painting the boat
It is that time of year again… Time to pull out the boat and fix what is needed. Clean it and paint it. This is our late grandfather’s boat. The boat in Dalmatia is called “kaić” – read kaich. It is about 40 years old now but still in excellent shape. My family comes from…
Hotel San Rocco – The Gem of Istria
Last year I have discovered wonderful hotel San Rocco in Brtonigla. It looked appealing and the owners sounded fine. I had an Australian couple on their honeymoon in Croatia and they wanted to spend the part of their 14 day holiday in Istria. Since I was not familiar with all the possibilities and accommodation possible,…
Almonds of Dalmatia
If I was to pick a flower that represents Dalmatia, I would immediately choose the almond flower. Although it starts blossoming in January, late February and early March is when it is in full bloom and the fields in Dalmatia are simply wonderful! Sprinkled with white and pale rose flowers, the almond trees are the…
Food Travel in Croatia – The Lamb on the Spit
This weekend, Jutarnji List published an article on lamb eating tradition in Croatia. Apparently, the lamb was a favorite delicacy in this area for 8000 years! And who can blame us? Very few dishes compare to the roasted lamb! With spring, and celebration of Easter approaching, lamb becomes increasingly popular! Young lambs are on the…
Food Tours in Croatia – Secret tastes of Dalmatia
In my efforts to find and promote the best we have to offer, occasionally I meet wonderful people but impossible to fit them into our culinary or food tours of Croatia. One of them is Trifun. Originally from Benkovac, being Serbian, he left in 1995 when Croatia won back the occupied areas of Dalmatia. People…
Zadar and Von Trapp
It was a surprise for me to discover, some ten years back, that famous Von Trapp was actually “Zadranin” or “Zaratin” – person from Zadar. He was born on April 4, 1880. in Zadar. It was even greater surprise to discover that the famous musical has a great following and people go to Austria just…
Diocletian’s Palace – Lavallée and Cassas in Split, 1802
My love for Dalmatian antiques dates a loong time back! I will be presenting some of my collection on this blog occasionally. My collection of archeological finds and antiques originates from walks, dives and eBay. I only collect things related to Dalmatian history: books, graphics, maps… Over 200 years ago, two French artists were commissioned…