One of the more successful stories of Croatian cattle breeding is that of selling lamb. Young lamb from Lika, Kvarner and Dalmatian islands, Dalmatian hinterland, regularly found its market in restaurants and shops of more active tourist areas. Although the market is full of foreign lamb, mostly from Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Romania, domestic lamb has its own special aroma and recognition. How many times have we wondered whether Pag or Cres lamb is better, r

Jedna od uspješnijih priča hrvatskog stočarstva jest ona o prodaji janjetine. Mlada janjetina iz Like, kvarnerskih i dalmatinskih otoka, Dalmatinske zagore, redovito je pronalazila svoje tržište u restoranima i trgovinama turistički aktivnijih područja. Iako je tržište puno i strane janjetine, ponajviše iz Makedonije, Bosne i Hercegovine, Srbije, Rumunjske, domaća janjetina ima svoju posebnu aromu i prepoznatljivost. Koliko smo se puta nadvikivali je li paška ili creska janje

Hrvatska se diči svojim ribljim jelima, što je svakako pošteno i pohvalno, ali neke ribe su dičnije kao da su dičnije od drugih. Tako će mnogi kontinentalci prije svega posegnuti na tržnicama svojih gradova za morskom ribom, dok slatkovodna riba ostaje nekako u drugom planu. A i kada se govori o slatkovodnoj ribi, često se misli na zamamne fiševe i masne somove, dok se zanemaruje pastrva. A nje ima u velikim količinama, pliva u raznim ribnjacima, iznimno je pristupačna i cije

Croatia prides itself on its fish dishes, which is certainly fair and commendable, but some fish seem more savoury than others. Thus, many Croats in the continental Croatia will primarily reach out to the markets of their cities for seafood, while freshwater fish remains somehow side-lined. And when it comes to freshwater fish, it is often thought of fish stews and fatty catfish, while neglecting trout. Trout comes in large quantities, it swims in various rivers, is extremely

Every Primorac (a person living in Croatian Littoral region) likes the konoba, a cellar-like part of the house. Mostly they like to enjoy their own konoba but do not run away from anyone else’s, especially to enjoy gastronomic pleasures in it. The tradition of dining in the konoba, where old dishes and other necessities were kept, but also where oil, wine, prosciutto, cheese and cured meat products were found, is a special charm of the Croatian Littoral. In summer the people

Svaki Primorac voli konobu. Najviše svoju, ali ne bježi ni od tuđe, pogotovo ako se u njoj čuvaju gastronomski užici. Tradicija objedovanja u konobi, gdje se držalo staro posuđe i druge potrepštine, ali i gdje se čuvalo ulje, vino, pršut, sir i suhomesnati proizvodi, osobit je čar Hrvatskog primorja. Ljeti su se ovdje ljudi hladili od žege uz čašu vina, a zimi su se grijali uz kobasice i kiseli kupus, a nije nedostajalo ni maneštre niti pjesme. Zbog toga je konoba sastavni di

In the very centre of Delnice, itself an unofficial centre of Gorski Kotar region, a hotel named after the National Park Risnjak stands since the earldecades of 20th century. Today, it is one of the strongholds of Gorski Kotar accommodation facilities, with quite a long history. Because of the transport connections between the continental Croatia and the Littoral, Delnice became a hub for road and railways. Very soon, not only the businessmen and drivers were regular visitors

The biggest gathering of everything finest in the Vrbovsko region is Bundevijada – the annual festival of pumpkins! It is now 13th year in a row that the Tourist Board of Vrbovsko and the Town Hall organise this festival, which bears a mark of a fair with many to-buy-list opportunities. There are many things presented on this fair, but Bundevijada in its core is primarily about autumn and its fruits. Traditionally, people used to gather all the best from the autumn season and

No, the milk doesn’t come from the supermarket. And no, the cows are not white-purple as Milka shows it. And yes, these are mostly the messages revealed to children today. Astonishingly, we lost the touch with nature in such substantial way that our children haven’t seen ordinary things like cows or chickens. For families that do care for their offspring, and for those who care for an excellent cheese, a visit to Family Homestead Mrvoš is a must! It is situated in Ljubošina,

Right half way between Zagreb and Rijeka lies Vrbovsko, the second biggest town of Gorski Kotar, the Croatian highland region. It is a picturesque place built in two parts: lower one is separated from the upper part of the town by 450 metres! First records of Vrbovsko date back to 1481 and show it as one of the oldest inhabited places of Gorski Kotar. Originally this region belonged to the Frankopan nobles; however, due to the Turkish invasions in the 16th century, Vrbovsko b

A bee jumps all over the table, trying to take a sip from elderflower juice beautifully prepared by Mr Gani Ramadani, the charismatic owner of the Family Farm Kate. His piece of heaven on Earth is situated on a green hill just outside Vrbovsko. Sitting under a large tree and trying his homemade juices is a rest like no other! Master Gani, as we call him, also makes something he calls “pear in bottle”; it is in fact a pear brandy, but just made with mild percentage of alcohol.

The sun pushes its rays through the evergreen trees and makes a beautiful backdrop of crystal blue sky and equally perfect snow. Peace and tranquillity rule over the small valley in midst of mountains. In the centre of it, yellow walls of the Serbian Orthodox Monastery of St. John the Baptist, near the village of Gomirje, invites us to be humble and enter the realm of spirit in Gorski Kotar. As it turned out, we almost didn’t come to this place. Snow was falling heavily last

We were driving down from the centre of Vrbovsko, always sharply descending all the way to the railway station. Then, next to the wood factory, over the railway, and when you think there is absolutely nothing in front, you reach the entrance to the Kamačnik Gorge. Right at the beginning of Kamačnik is the restaurant bearing the same name, a testimony to the Vrbovsko gastronomy on the most important tourist spot of this region. The birds are singing, the sun is shining, and al

We are sitting beneath a vast oak tree and enjoy splendid elder flower juice. It is made by Nataša Kozlica, owner of the family farm Goranska Borovnica (Highlander Blueberry) and it just suits great in already warm end of spring. She is accompanied by three generations of her family, a dog, and a cat. Oh yes, also a wooden bear looks at us, as part of the education garden where school kids come to learn more about self-grown herbs and students have their practical work. But t

Anyone driving through the Rijeka-Zagreb motorway gives a thorough look on Fužine. The road suddenly exits the wooden and hilly teritorry just to give a glimpse of the Lake Bajer and the town of Fužine, stretching up and down the hilltop. This image invites everyone to Fužine, to enjoy the shades and cool mountain air in summer, try the fruits of the forests in autumn, celebrate the New Year at noon in winter, and hike on the numerous walking paths in spring. And while the mo

In 1733 inhabitants of Lič, now a small place near Fužine, were renovating the dilapidates St. John the Baptist Church which kept collapsing. On August 5th, in middle of summer, snow fell and covered the little chapel in which Mother of God appeared. Since then people make pilgrimages to this small chapel, now dedicated to the Virgin Mary of Snow. The chapel stands in midst of green mountain meadow, surrounded by evergreen hills. Peacefulness of the place is only sometimes br

Entering the Fužine’s hotel Bitoraj gives you almost an impression of what’s on the menu. First greeting may well be with a stuffed bear and other forest wild animals that are traditionally part of the Gorski kotar cuisine. But very soon you will find out that you are in excellent hands of Mr Andrej Kauzlarić, a descendent of the long family tradition in running this hotel and restaurant, that was opened in 1933 as the tourist house Neda. This historical site is totally refur

On the very edge of Ravna Gora, where streets turn into paths that lead to the woodlands and hills, stands a culinary paradise Breza. The name itself may be misleading, as there are not so many birch trees in the neighbourhood, considering the evergreen forest practically on the doorstep of the restaurant. And this is one of the resources for exquisite cuisine of Breza. The woods were abudant with mushrooms, and they still are. Morels and boletus are favourite mushrooms in th

Since 1968 the owners of Bijela Ruža (White Rose) have been preparing venison, mushrooms, and forest fruits, among other gastronomy offer. This long tradition is a symbol of good quality, not only in the restaurant itself, but in its accommodation and mountain hut. We enjoyed the hospitality of Mr Romeo Marević, who welcomed us although he had two full buses of people arriving unexpectedly to his restaurant! After some introduction, we were first customers to get the lunch. O

Gorski kotar Fruits of the Mountains is a community registred in Ravna Gora with an aim to promote the regional cultural and eco tourism in Gorski kotar area. The group leads projects „Fruits of the Mountains“ and „From grandma’s box“, manifestations that have become feature events in this hilly region of Croatia. The Fruits of the Mountains is whole summer-long festival with dedication to the homemade culinary culture and delicacies made from the forest fruits and authentic