One of Europe’s most popular national parks and a Croatian gem long proclaimed by both domestic and international visitors as a “paradise on earth”, Plitvice Lakes National Park has these days put on its winter attire. The cascades are partially frozen, the walkways await a blanket of snow, and from the restaurants wafts the aroma of food that awakens all the senses. The gastronomy of Plitvice Lakes National Park is so distinctive that it attracts a growing number of food lov

Koshary is Egypt’s most iconic comfort food, a hearty vegetarian dish built from a base of rice, lentils and macaroni, generously crowned with a spiced tomato sauce, chickpeas and crisp fried onions, and often personalised with garlic vinegar and flaming hot sauce. It is so ubiquitous that it feels woven into the very fabric of Egyptian urban life, served from humble street carts to bustling corner eateries throughout Cairo and beyond. At its best, koshary is much more than a

In Zagreb, at the Czech House, one of Serbia’s most significant wineries, owned by Božidar Aleksandrović, was presented. The winery is located in the village of Vinča in the Šumadija region. Those attending the presentation included winemaker Božo Aleksandrović, Jelisaveta Aleksandrović, Marketing Director, and Uroš Kostić, Sales Director. More on the presentation itself follows later in the text. That region, with the town of Topola at its centre, was an important hub of Ser

If you would like to experience Advent in a slightly different way—without crowds, queues for fritters, or jostling for the perfect photo—set off for Srijem. The easternmost region of Croatia, just over two hours’ drive from Zagreb, lives the festive season in its own distinctive way. Here, tradition and modern life intertwine; everything smells of grandmother’s cakes, Christmas songs fill the air, and both villages and towns breathe in the rhythm of the holidays. Christmas i

“Istrian Sheep’s Cheese” has been granted European Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, as announced by the European Commission in the Official Journal of the European Union on 10 December 2025. With this decision, the product name has been entered into the register of geographical indications for agricultural products and is protected across the entire European Union. The EU Protected Designation of Origin logo displayed on the packaging guarantees consumers that th

In the very heart of Zagreb, on one of the city’s most distinctive streets, at Radićeva 11, Dr. Pigley Food Clinique has opened its doors — a new gastronomic address that brings together tradition, contemporaneity, and a genuine passion for top-quality, locally sourced products. This recognisable Croatian brand, present on the market for over 20 years and best known for its production of pork cracklings, lard, and crackling-based products, now introduces a concept that goes b

Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan, two actors who famously portrayed James Bond, both enjoyed stays at Hotel Grad Otočec, a castle hotel built in the 13th century on a small island in the River Krka near Novo Mesto, halfway between Zagreb and Ljubljana. Among its distinguished guests over the years have also been actors Henry and Peter Fonda and Matthew Perry, statesmen Nikita Khrushchev and Josip Broz Tito with Jovanka Broz, King Harald V of Norway with Queen Sonja, as well as

If you would like to experience Advent in a slightly different way, here is an idea: choose destinations close to large cities, bustle, and glitter, yet hidden in the peace and beauty of nature and carefully chosen company. Welcome to Ugljan Island—the green pearl of the Zadar archipelago and an ideal year-round escape. Even now, during the coldest part of the year, when fog and low temperatures dominate the mainland, the island offers contemporary travellers a mild climate,

The first Sunday of Advent has been marked, and in keeping with the lighting of the first candle on the Advent wreath, many cities and destinations have dressed themselves in festive attire, transforming into fairytale settings waiting to be experienced. One of the most popular festive “fairytales” in Slovenia took place this weekend in Bled, a destination just 140 kilometres from Zagreb and one of our neighbours’ most famous and visited tourist locations. Many travel lovers

The final “Wine by the Spoon” event of the year, now in its 28th edition, was held on Zagreb’s very own sea – Lake Jarun – at the restaurant Mala riba. There, just as in the Adriatic Sea, the young manager Karla Mikičić navigates brilliantly. Fourteen years ago, her family, together with the Nikolac family, opened the tavern of the same name in Matulji near Opatija. The business in Matulji is running smoothly, so they decided to expand to Zagreb, where, since opening in June,

Just eight kilometres from Brežice, and only a twenty-minute drive from Zagreb, lies the magnificent Mokrice Castle, a true jewel of Slovenian history and culture. This Renaissance castle was first mentioned in 1444, and it acquired its essential features in the 16th century. The history of Mokrice is both fascinating and rich—on its site once stood a Roman military post known as Romulus’ Fortress, and through the centuries it witnessed turbulent events, including Ottoman att

Burnum is an ancient and highly significant Roman fortified camp located in the village of Ivoševci, in the wider Knin area. Referring to this important archaeological site, which is at least fifteen centuries old (it is known that the 20th and later the 11th Roman Legions were stationed here, and an aqueduct stretching 32 kilometres from the springs in Plavno Field to the camp was built), the founders of the winery chose this very name. The remnants of Burnum, in the form of

Giving – a little magic woven into big moments that always fill us with joy. Whether we are opening boxes and admiring their contents or carefully choosing gifts for the people we love, eagerly anticipating their reactions as they lift the lids, giving is one of the ways we connect with those dear to us. It is an expression of feeling and a creation of memories that last. It was precisely this mission that guided Iva Špalj, the founder of the Croatian brand Gifterija, whose g

Located on the 11th floor of the prestigious Grand Hotel Bernardin, Grand Café is not an ordinary restaurant. It is an excellent blend of fine coffee, delicious bites and a panoramic view of the Piran Bay, the Alps, Venice and Savudrija. Although, according to the French classification, a café is indeed a type of restaurant, Grand Café primarily embraces the philosophy of a cosy space for relaxation and enjoying the moment. Grand Café offers a wide selection of drinks – from

Esplanade’s top mixologist, Vjenceslav Madić – Master Kishoni – is once again pushing the boundaries of the bar scene. With extensive international experience and an instinct for innovation, Madić is known for his sophisticated approach, keen attention to detail, and refined cocktail aesthetics that recall a miniature theatre — every glass tells a story, every sip awakens a new emotion. From the first aroma to the final sip, each cocktail is conceived as a small ritual — shap

That the four seasons can be recognised in the Plavac wines of the Vis winery Vislander, made from four vineyard sites, was demonstrated through a comparative tasting of the 2021 and 2019 vintages. From the sandy site of Ljubišće, the 2021 vintage produced a spring-like Plavac with a fruity aroma dominated by the varietal plum note and a pleasing mineral freshness. On Voščice, where sand is mixed with red soil and yields are slightly higher, the 2021 Plavac is lighter in body

Opatija is one of the most beautiful destinations on the Adriatic, a town with a rich history and a continuous tradition of tourism dating back to 1884. Situated along the Kvarner Bay, Opatija entices visitors with its Belle Époque architecture, lush parks, and promenades such as the famous Franz Joseph lungomare. This town is an ideal year-round destination, and November 2025 will be marked by not one, but two captivating stories – the beginning of the month will celebrate t

On Saturday, 25 October 2025, as part of Sabatina in Podšpilje on the island of Vis, a professional tasting of young Vugava wines, “Bugava 2025 Wine Tasting”, was held as part of the project “Wine Trails of the Island of Vis”. The project promotes the island’s wine route and is carried out by the Tourist Board of the Town of Vis, the Tourist Board of the Town of Komiža and the UNESCO Global Geopark Vis Archipelago, with the support of the Tourist Board of the Split-Dalmatia C

In Zagreb, the Drniš winery Vizzulin was hosted in the workshop “It’s Time for…” at the Czech House. Alongside members of the media and the wine industry, the event was attended by the owner, Smiljan Reljić, and the enologist, Dr Željko Andabaka, a professor at the Faculty of Agriculture in Zagreb. The winery began planting vines in 2010, starting with Merlot, which is abundant in the region, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Pošip, Maraština, and Grk in 2022. The vineyards are

Autumn in Zagorje – is there anything better for a wonderful weekend escape or a perfect family day trip? If you visit the Biser Zagorja (Pearl of Zagorje) destination and focus on its three uniquely radiant “pearls”, the answer will be a resounding no. This is especially true if you live in Zagreb County, which meets Krapina-Zagorje County precisely in this area. The Biser Zagorja destination is located in the western part of the Croatian Zagorje region and encompasses Velik

Thai Me Up by Lira restaurant opened earlier this year in the centre of Zagreb (Teslina 5), offering excellent Thai cuisine at affordable prices. It is run by husband-and-wife team Yada, who is Thai, and Jura Dončić, a local restaurateur, who took on the challenge set by Renata Cisar and Mustafa Topčagić, organisers of the Wine with a Spoon events, to pair dishes from that part of the world with selected Croatian wines. Several street-food venues in Zagreb currently serve Tha

On the western coast of Istria, between Vrsar and Poreč, lies Funtana – a small village of great charm and even greater gastronomic potential. Although modest in size, Funtana has long established itself as a remarkably appealing culinary destination, a place where the Mediterranean spirit meets the authentic flavours of Istria. Barbara Belac from the Funtana Tourist Board highlights how this little fishing village proudly preserves its rich gastronomic tradition through a se

“We are proud of our indigenous varieties! They give rise to the distinctive wines of Hrvatsko Zagorje, yet we also adapt to the changing climate. These varieties are finally getting the recognition they deserve! Due to global warming, we increasingly struggle with lower acidity in grapes, but our native varieties naturally possess beautiful acidity,” said oenologist Jasminka Šaško, president of the Vino Zagorje Association. Among the indigenous varieties, Zagorje winemakers

If you’re looking to experience something truly special this autumn — a memorable weekend in the heart of continental Croatia — let your journey lead you to Međimurje. This beautiful region, nestled between the Mura and Drava rivers, proudly preserves a rich tradition and cultural heritage that forms part of both Croatian and global patrimony. Often affectionately called the “Green Međimurje”, the name will make perfect sense once you begin to explore. Even when it rains, the

In a quiet corner of Gajnice, one of Zagreb’s greenest and most self-contained neighborhoods, there is a place where time seems to move at a different rhythm. Here, in a small tea house Jing Yuan that doubles as a bistro, life is measured not in minutes or messages, but in cups — steaming, fragrant, unhurried cups of Chinese tea. Walking through its unassuming doorway feels like stepping across a threshold into another state of mind. A few wooden tables, numerous small pieces

At the Green Destinations conference held in Montpellier, France, Sveti Ivan Zelina was recognised for one of the best practices in...

A tourist train carries every hour thirsty guests from the centre of Eger to the Valley of the Beautiful Woman (Szépasszony-völgy). This...

The 30th printed and online Croatian and English edition of the book Restaurant Croatica: “100 Leading Croatian Restaurants and Their...

Every year, at the turn of summer and autumn, Vinkovci comes alive with the special spirit of its most famous festival – the Vinkovci...

With the closing ceremony and the presentation of the Olive Oil Times Champion of Excellence Awards in Postira on the island of Brač, the...

Nestled in the historic wine region of Eger, Macok Bisztro has earned a reputation as one of Hungary’s premier dining destinations....

This autumn, Međimurje – the green gem of northern Croatia – will be in the spotlight with the very first Wine&Walk event, taking place...

Northern Burgenland is a region shaped by its unique geography, lying between the Leitha Mountains and Lake Neusiedl, one of Central...

Nestled in the heart of Burgenland, Wirtshaus Wlaschits is a living testament to the region’s culinary and vinicultural heritage, where...

Stepping into Schloss Esterházy in Eisenstadt is akin to entering a theatre of taste and tradition, where the very walls echo with...

On the very border of Austria and Hungary, in the village of Klimpuh, lies Gregorits Inn – the gastronomic temple of the Gregorić family....

Joseph Haydn (1732–1809) is often called the “Father of the Symphony” and the “Father of the String Quartet,” titles that reflect his...

Nestled in the scenic region of Parndorf, near the borders with Slovakia and Hungary, the Markt der Erde exemplifies the richness of...

The building that today houses Das Stadtgasthaus am Nyikospark has a long and colourful history. Originally built as the officers’ mess...

A survey carried out in June 2025 by the agency Improve Research & Analytics for Dukat’s project “Food is not to be wasted” has revealed...

The scent of freshly baked strudels spread through Jaškovo, a small village near Ozalj and Karlovac, from the early hours of the morning....

Drniš has once again confirmed its status as the City of Prosciutto, host of the 8th International Prosciutto Festival, on 29 and 30...

Silba – the Pearl of Zadar is an island situated in the Zadar archipelago, between the islands of Premuda and Olib. Known as the...

In Loborika, a small place near Pula, a family business has grown into a true Istrian story of perseverance, love, and taste. Vesna...

Perched on Morocco’s windswept Atlantic coast, Safi (or Esfi, in Arabic) has long been known as the country’s pottery capital, but ask...

The island of Vis and its picturesque town of the same name attract visitors all year round who admire its history, unique island...

Numerous sunny days, beautiful cities, numerous events, crystal clear sea, perfect outdoor activities, but also a part of the somewhat...

On August 14th, Vižinada was once again the center of aromas, flavours, and traditions. The 27th edition of Sweet Istria brought together...

Krnica is located on the eastern side of the Istrian peninsula, near Barban and Marčana. Surrounded by beautiful nature and greenery, it...

In Novi Vinodolski, on August 2, 2025, the event Snovi Vinodolski was held - a unique summer event that combined fashion, music, and...