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A piece of heaven on Krka River

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

Tomislav Radić

Dec 22, 20253 min read

Winter Garden in Preko

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,

Alma Premerl Zoko

Dec 22, 20255 min read

Bled turned into a winter dream: Advent choice of 2025!

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

Alma Premerl Zoko

Dec 22, 20254 min read

Mala Riba on Zagreb's Sea

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,

Mustafa Topčagić

Dec 11, 20255 min read

Luxury of the Winter Menu in the Restaurant 1444

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

Alma Premerl Zoko

Dec 11, 20253 min read

Knin makes its wine scene

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

Vjeko Madunić

Dec 10, 20254 min read

Gifterija- a place where gifts are made with story and emotion

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

Alma Premerl Zoko

Dec 8, 20253 min read

Grand Cafe - a Place of Enjoyment and Spectacular Views of Piran Bay

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

Alma Premerl Zoko

Dec 3, 20253 min read

Signature Gelato Cocktails at the Esplanade

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

Tomislav Radić

Dec 3, 20253 min read

Horizons and Vertikales of the Vislander Wine

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

Tomislav Radić

Dec 3, 20253 min read

Keight Hotel Opatija - Modern Oasis of Kvarner Riviera

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

Alma Premerl Zoko

Nov 28, 20253 min read

Bugava - Tasting of Young Wines of Vis

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

Tomislav Radić

Nov 28, 20254 min read

Vizzulin Winery - Pride of Petrovo Polje

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

Vjeko Madunić

Nov 19, 20253 min read

Autumn in Zagorje

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

Alma Premerl Zoko

Nov 14, 20255 min read

27th Wine with a Spoon: Exotic Thai Dishes with Unusual Croatian Wines

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

Mustafa Topčagić

Nov 8, 20255 min read

Bokoon – Small Istrian Oasis of Big Flavours

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

Fran Ratković

Nov 2, 20254 min read

Winemakers of Hrvatsko Zagorje Reintroduce Indigenous Grape Varieties

“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

Tomislav Radić

Oct 23, 20252 min read

Discover the Secrets of Green Međimurje

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

Alma Premerl Zoko

Oct 20, 20255 min read

Jing Yuan: Zagreb’s Most Serene Chinese Tea House

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

Vedran Obućina

Oct 18, 20255 min read

Sveti Ivan Zelina među 100 najboljih praksi održivog turizma

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

Tomislav Radić

Oct 4, 20252 min read