Somewhere in the Adriatic Sea exists a place with pebbled beaches, fig trees, misty mountains and some of the most down to earth people. Where is this place exactly? Well if my title wasn’t a dead giveaway I’m talking about Croatia. This summer I visited the country for the first time and fell in love with Croatia’s natural beauty, food and culture.

I spent the first part of my stay in the south. The beaches were crystal clear and the streets less chaotic; all the tourists were on the way back home when I arrived late August. The climate in the south creates an environment perfect for growing grapes, figs, pomegranates and many more.

Every family home you visit, you’ll be greeted with a platter of prosciutto, cheese, bread and orahovac  (a walnut liqueur). You’ll start with salad and a soup, and then begin eating an assortment of pastas ( fuzi or gnocchi for example), deer, chicken, and then dessert. During the feast of course is ever flowing bottles of wine because families often grow their own grapes and then shots or sips of rakija ( think Croatian grappa).

 

The people I met whether it was the south or the north were very welcoming and open. Walking down the street people would greet you with a bright “Dobra dan!”, would shake hands, and say hello.

In the North the air was cooler, and the views were breathtaking. One of my favourite parts of this trip and especially the north was dancing in Ucka (a small town on top of a mountain). This is an Istrian folk dance.

 

Croatia was wonderful and although this was my first visit it certainly won’t be my last.