Murter Island has been known for it’s boats for few centuries now. Especially gajeta and leut. These traditional wooden boats were used by the Murterini to reach their olive groves and pastures in the area of Modrave (a narrow strip between Pakoštane and Pirovac) and Kornati which were owned by the nobility of Zadar. Later,…
Month: September 2009
Sunset over Korcula
Late September is so melancholic… Everything is “dying” but the weather is still gorgeous. Bura is rarely strong like in the winter months but quite common in this time of the year clearing the clouds from the skies and opening views all the way to the Italian coast. On the road from Ston, down the…
Skradin – The eternal charm of traditional Dalmatia
Probably the cutest little town on the coast is Skradin. Only 20 or so kilometers from Šibenik, this town is the “capital” of some other Dalmatia. Relaxed, easy paced, traditional… Although many things are changing and the modern elements like the new building of Krka National Park headquarters are ruining the picture perfect feeling of…
Grapes of North Dalmatia – Debit and Babic
Talking about wine, we usually focus on the bottled stuff, labels, prices…but rarely anyone talks or shows the grapes that are the source of this precious liquid. Although we all know that Babic is red and Debit is white, I am sure that very few would be able to recognize them in the vineyard. So,…
Split harbor… in 1907.
Just this morning, a new acquisition for my historic postcard collection was delivered! Beautiful postcard of Split harbor sent on June 2. 1907. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! Ships and boats, masts and sails, clear Adriatic with Venetian tower and present day hotel Bellevue in the background… Of course, some other boats now anchor and sea is…
Figs in Dalmatia
End of summer… It has a very special scent of dried fields, moist clouds and figs rotting on the ground. I would have to say that this particular scent was one of the reasons why I returned home after 5 years in US. Nothing could replace it… The fruit connected to the hard life of…
Zeleni Hrast in Islam Latinski – The mysterious Green Oak of Ravni Kotari
Dalmatia still hides numerous secrets and fascinating places and monuments. One of the often overlooked, standing by the main road from Zagreb to Zadar, is the green oak in Islam Latinski some 20 Km north of Zadar. Not exactly a mystery since the botanists studied (and continue to) this magnificent tree for decades. It is…
Best restaurants in Croatia – Cantinetta in Skradin
Gastronomic traditions of Skradin are famous on our coast! This foodie mecca is famous for great sea food, traditional pršut ham, wines, cakes like skradinska torta… The most famous of all is the Skradin risotto :cooked for 10 hours but the actual recipe is inherited within the local families and is kept a secret! One…
Organic food in Croatia – Turkeys on pastures of Ravni Kotari
Traditional food is becoming scarce in Croatia as majority of people live in cities now. The war in the 90’s had a devastating influence on the villages and especially those in Slavonia and Dalmatia. But, even now, there are people still living on their small farms in the hinterland of big cities and still produce…
Sand beaches in Croatia – Kraljičina (Queen’s) Beach in Nin
Sandy beaches in Croatia are not as rare as many travelers think! Those that stretch for miles are rare, though. Patches of sand and small sandy beaches are found almost down the entire coast but most of the coastline is rugged and rocky with rocky and pebbly beaches. One of the areas that has only…
Traditional folk singing in North Dalmatia
The past Medieval Fair in Vrana was interesting for various folklore elements presented: everything from local food and customs to traditional singing. The singers were local women and men who learned the tradition from their fathers. The singing was popular at celebrations and manifestations and was usually preformed without instruments. From the original singing, popular…
The Medieval Fair in Vrana – The return of the Templars!
This past weekend, a local tourist board of Pakoštane organized a 3 day show focusing on the medieval tradition of Vrana village. This tiny place was one of the most important towns in the medieval Croatia and even the royal crown was kept in the now ruined castle. Among many very unique features, the best…