In his No Reservations!, Anthony Bourdain dubbed Croatia “world class food, world class wine, world class cheese…” Some of the treats he tasted, like olive oils and wines, are easy to find all over the country. Trying them along the way is a chance to understand terroir and its impact onto the fruits: a great lesson to take away from your foodie holiday in Croatia.
Au contraire, some delicacies you will have to hunt down in very specific places. Look for truffles in Istria, eat lamb on Kornati or try making rosemary-infused honey on Šolta! May our gourmet tours illustrate exactly what Antony Bourdain talked about.
Oyster tasting is a perfect break between Split and Dubrovnik: with seawater diluted by fresh water springs, Mali Ston Bay is the oysters and mussels idyllic home.
Croatian olive oils are internationally acclaimed: and Istria repeatedly proclaimed the best olive growing region in the world.
Start your meals with Dalmatian prosciutto: dry-cured and wind-dried, the perfect slice will be so thin that you can see through it.
Istrian truffles rival those of Alba and Piedmont: the black and white truffles are the delicacy to taste – and hunt.
Croatia’s famous cheeses come from Pag Island: the sheep cheese of Pag is known for a unique tang of salt-sprinkled Mediterranean herbs that animals graze on.
You will only know the true Croatia once you have spent some time with its locals. Our most popular experiences all revolve around unique individuals who are not only passionate about what they do, but equally so about where they live. Meet some of our favorite Croatians by enjoying some of the most popular Culinary Croatia tours:
In 2005, Secret Dalmatia was started from pure love for Croatia’s heritage, its incredible diversity, and beauty. We have since remained faithful to our initial mission – and are still today a boutique travel agency dedicated to showing the true, wholesome Croatia to the discerning travelers who want to experience our country and all our riches, not just see it.
A bottle of Croatian wine or rose liquor will go far in telling stories, and so will some of the praised olive oils. Keep the memory of the Adriatic alive with salt from centuries’ old pans at Ston or Pag Island or with a sample of Istria’s famed truffles. Lightweight travelers should consider typical spices like lavender or rosemary, herbal teas or candied orange peels and almonds.
