What Croatians Eat for Breakfast: A Vegetarian’s Nightmare!

12/23/2019

Platter with spek, homemade sausage and cheese/Photo credit IG @marijanamarosevic

What do people eat for breakfast in Croatia? Croatians like a hearty meal to start the day, and having spent many breakfasts with my in-laws and my husband's extended family in Croatia, I’m here to give you the inside info.

Croatians don’t generally do a big sweet breakfast, instead they prefer a hearty, savory meal in the morning. If you want to eat like a local, you can say goodbye to pancakes, French toast and sugary cereal, and hello to cured meats, cheeses, fresh bread and strong coffee!

Read on to find out exactly what you can expect when you join a Croatian family for breakfast!

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A Guide to Zagreb’s Best Craft Beer: The Top 6 Breweries

12/16/2019

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Tasting beer at the Zlatni Medo Pub!

Craft beer is definitely gaining popularity in Croatia, but which ones are out there, and where are they located? Well, Sarah and I decided to explore a few local breweries first-hand, in and around Zagreb.

So what did we find? Here are our top 6 picks for breweries in Zagreb, where true beer lovers can visit, sample, and enjoy some varieties with the brewers themselves: Garden Brewery, Medvedgrad, Pulfer, Zmajska, Varionica, and Zlatni Medo.

Read on to find out about each of their unique stories, history, and the different types of beer they offer, along with some pretty outrageously innovative beers they are experimenting with.

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Croatian Culture, Etiquette & Social Norms: A Complete Guide

12/3/2019

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Croatian Culture, Etiquette & Social Norms - Photo credit IG @juri_sydney_photographer

What are typical Croatian social norms and etiquette? What should and shouldn’t you do when you’re invited to someone’s house or get together for coffee? How do you meet, greet, socialize and join a Croatian meal?

Here I’ll outline some simple social rules and etiquette to follow when hanging out with Croatians. I’ve learned all of these (some the hard way), by going from a complete foreigner in Croatia when I moved here years ago, to now feeling like a local.

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Is Croatia Safe? Read Our 20 Useful Safety Tips for Tourists

11/28/2019

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Pickpocketing in the streets

Croatia is statistically a very safe country to travel in, with a very low crime rate (especially low for violent crime). There are some petty crimes and a couple of places you could be “overcharged” or “scammed” which are on the list below, but it’s generally a very safe and wonderful place to visit for groups, solo & female travelers, as well as families with children.

Although Croatia is an extremely safe country, here is a list of a few things to be mindful of (both in preparation for your trip and while you’re out and about exploring the country). Generally, though, if you take the normal precautions you’d take while traveling anywhere else, you’ll be just fine!

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Direct Flights to Croatia From North America (& Asia) in 2020

11/21/2019

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Air Canada - Direct flights to Croatia/Photo credit IG @ils.images

As many of our guests are from North America, there’s always the question of direct flights to Croatia. Avoiding a layover and getting right to your vacation is ideal, and now from some cities in the United States and Canada, it’s possible!

Currently Air Transat and Air Canada Rouge have direct flights from Toronto to Zagreb, covering most days of the week, and American Airlines has a direct flight from Philadelphia to Dubrovnik, which operates daily through most of the season!

I called each airline to confirm the schedule for the 2020 season, and outlined it in the table below. I’ve also put together a few tips on the best layover cities if there isn’t a non-stop flight from your area, along with some helpful info about other international airports in Croatia and the surrounding region.

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Our Insider’s Guide to Wineries & Wine Tasting Near Zagreb

11/21/2019

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The stunning view throughout Plesivica wine region

Are you a wine lover visiting Zagreb who wants to get to know the region’s wineries, sample some local varieties and enjoy the countryside? Well we also love wine, we love wine tasting and we love exploring, so we’ve done you all a favor and visited almost all of the wineries near Zagreb to tell you which ones we liked the most!

We visited over 10 wineries, and below I’ll go through our top 5 picks (most are hidden gems you’ve probably never heard of), and tell you a little bit about each one.

We found that the Plesivica Wine Region (about an hour from Zagreb) has the most to offer, as it features many smaller, family-run wineries that are special to visit, and the wines are excellent because of great growing conditions. The other two regions that have wineries that made our list, are Vivodina and Zagorje.

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9 Reasons You Should Never Use a Travel Agent

11/18/2019

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Authentic local experience in Croatia at the top of the mountain after a long hike!

"Why should I use a travel agency? It’s so easy to book everything online myself these days!"

While that’s true in some cases, it may not be in others. Below I’ve put together a list of when you DON’T need a travel agent to book your holiday, followed by a few benefits of using one, along with some circumstances when having an agent on your side could be extremely useful.

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Top 10 Day Trips From Zagreb, Within 1hr Drive

11/14/2019

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The "Old Village" (Staro selo) Museum Kumrovec

Looking for a fun day trip from Zagreb (that’s not too far of a drive)? I’m always on the hunt for new places to discover, and having lived in Zagreb for almost 8 years now, I’ve compiled a list of the best places we’ve explored and loved as a family.

What have we found? Samobor for its famous dessert and quaint small town feel, Varazdin and Trakoscan to explore some medieval castles, Turanj for the Homeland War Museum to learn about recent history, Kumrovec to see Tito’s birthplace and take a glimpse into village life back in the day, Krapina to learn about the history of humans and the Earth, and the list goes on!

Keep reading for a complete guide to these day trips: what to do there, how far it is, if there’s anything else to discover in the nearby vicinity, are there any entrance fees, is it kid friendly, etc

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38 Local Tips & Mistakes to Avoid When Traveling to Croatia

11/5/2019

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Thinking about a trip to Croatia? Already have one planned? I've put together 38 local tips, including getting around, safety & health, tips for the beach, dining in restaurants & cafes, using mobile phones & wifi, best ways to charge your devices, along with a couple of items NOT to pack for your trip!

Read on to find out more!

Plitvice Lakes National Park

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Driving in Croatia (a Helpful Guide With Practical Tips)

9/23/2019

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Driving to Sljeme with family

Thinking about driving through Croatia? Well I live in Croatia and have driven abroad, and I can say the driving rules and customs are slightly different, so I’ve put together a helpful guide for anyone planning on taking a road trip!

What are some driving rules that foreigners need to know when driving in Croatia?

Don’t turn right on a red, obey the higher freeway speed limits (130kph / 80mph), remember that anyone who is already inside the round-a-bout has the advantage, and try to use ENC to pay for tolls (it's the fastest, most cost effective way).

Read on for more detailed info about driving in Croatia, insider tips, the best places to fill up on gas, taking the ferry with your car, licenses, border crossings, roadside assistance and more.

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How I learned to speak Croatian as an adult (in 7 steps)

8/28/2019

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Can you learn to speak Croatian as an adult? I’ve lived in Zagreb, Croatia for over 7 years now and thought I'd put together some advice about language learning from personal experience.

There’s no shortcut or fast track, but I do have a good tactic that really helped me.
The goal is not to speak perfectly, but to feel confident speaking imperfectly. Below I'll walk you through 7 steps to start speaking conversational Croatian.

Children’s books

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Travel to Croatia with a toddler or baby (from experience!)

8/20/2019

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St. Nicholas Church, Nin

Is it safe and/or easy to travel with a toddler or baby in Croatia? I get this question a lot, so I thought I’d put together a few tips from experience, because I have 2 toddlers and a 6 month old baby and have travelled around Croatia with all of them in tow.

Croatia is a safe, clean country, and easy to travel through with young children. Almost all baby related items are accessible, you can dine out, breastfeed, and explore freely, although a baby carrier is a must if you plan on seeing historical ruins, fortresses or national parks. Don’t forget to ask ahead for pack-n-plays and car seats, but those items shouldn’t be a problem to secure if you book in advance.

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Croatia travel itinerary for 5, 7 or 10 days

8/19/2019

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Planning a trip to Croatia, but feeling overwhelmed with choosing the best route? A lot of people want to plan their own trips, and just need a basic blueprint of an itinerary to build off of, so here’s a little head start for those that are interested (see below for 5 different sample plans).

"Pearl of Adriatic" - Dubrovnik

Most commonly, people visit Croatia for 5, 7 or 10 days, so I’m gearing the routes towards those lengths, which should be a good base for filling in the gaps. I kept things simple, sticking to the main spots, cities and highlights, and even suggested what to do on each day! (I hope you like wine)

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Croatian money: KN or EURO, Exchanging $, and Daily Costs

8/18/2019

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So many of our clients ask us what currency is used in Croatia, can they pay in Euros, and what the best way to get Kuna might be (along with where to exchange foreign currency). I’ve put together a helpful guide to outline currency, exchanging money, cost of living & traveling, and a few other insider tips.

Croatia’s currency is the KUNA, not the EURO, so it’s the only legally accepted currency (although some smaller places & companies will accept Euros). Try to bring Kuna (HRK) from home, or sign up for a Revolut card to get the best exchange rate. On average, the exchange rate is 6.7kn to $1 and 7.4kn to €1. Croatia is less expensive than other major European cities, and still good value for money.

Croatian Kunas

Read below to see the best ways to exchange money, currency denominations, average prices of drinks, meals and daily items to get an idea of how much to bring, and more detailed info about spending in Croatia.

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Tipping in Croatia: a complete guide with suggested amounts!

8/12/2019

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Tipping in Croatia

“How much should I tip…? “ - I get this question all the time from our guests, as they want to tip appropriately, but have no idea the “normal” amount and don’t want to be rude or offend anyone. To find the answer, I personally reached out to our guides, drivers & other partners, as well as a few local servers, and noted some common amounts.

Like anywhere, tipping in Croatia is (of course) based on the service you received, and certainly not obligatory, however, if you enjoyed the service, tips are definitely appreciated. An average salary in Croatia is much lower than in the west, and with service jobs, tips make up a good portion of workers’ earnings. Generally, about 10% of the service is considered a nice tip.

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Zagreb’s Flea Market, Hrelic: A Helpful Guide

8/7/2019

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Hrelic Flea Market in Zagreb

Several times over the past couple of years, our guests have asked me if there is a flea market in Zagreb. I didn’t realize visitors & tourists of Zagreb would be interested in checking out flea markets, so I decided to write this article about Zagreb’s famous “Hrelic,” also called Jakusevec.

Hrelic flea market is located in the southern part of Zagreb near the River Sava. It’s a huge open area where anyone can sell and buy almost anything. It takes place every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday year round, from 7am-3pm and it’s free to enter.

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8 Reasons You Should Never Swim in the Adriatic!

8/2/2019

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Sv. Ivan beach - Lubenice, Cres

Warning: swim at your own risk when you travel to Croatia! These are the top hidden dangers you should watch out for when you head to the coast this summer.

First, I’ll dive into a few unexpected dangers regarding secluded beaches, sea temperatures, water clarity, to name a few. Next, I'll address what most people are concerned about: sharks - are there any in the Adriatic?! Finally, I'll talk about those pesky sea urchins, and what to do in case you step on one!

Read on to find out more!

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Top 5 Croatian Travel Snacks

7/26/2019

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What do Croatians snack on? What should you try when you’re in Croatia on vacation? You can fit right in if you walk around munching on these tasty snacks!

*I've now updated the list and added 7 more, so don’t leave Croatia without trying all twelve!

1. Napolitanke

These flaky wafer cookies should almost be illegal for their addictiveness. They’re so light and crispy and layered so finely with different flavours of cream (my favourite is the classic chocolate cream, shown in the picture).

They’re perfectly bite sized as well, which makes it easy to keep having just “one-more.” Watch out, you’ll polish off a kilo of these cookies after 30 minutes in the car.

Get them on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jmPZvb

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5 Reasons Croatian Grannies are Cuter than Kittens

5/14/2019

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When I first moved to Croatia, I was introduced to a few “rules” that most Croatians live by (because they’ve been brought up with their grammas nearby, always keeping a watchful eye and enforcing these - let’s call them - laws).

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Croatia Honeymoon Ideas

4/2/2019

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28 Reasons to Honeymoon in Croatia

A Croatia honeymoon can be designed to perfectly match your traveling style. With so much to offer, there’s something for every couple! Read on to find out just a few reasons you should start your married life with a trip to Croatia!

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Forward>>

What Croatians Eat for Breakfast: A Vegetarian’s Nightmare!

A Guide to Zagreb’s Best Craft Beer: The Top 6 Breweries

Croatian Culture, Etiquette & Social Norms: A Complete Guide

Is Croatia Safe? Read Our 20 Useful Safety Tips for Tourists

Direct Flights to Croatia From North America (& Asia) in 2020

Our Insider’s Guide to Wineries & Wine Tasting Near Zagreb

9 Reasons You Should Never Use a Travel Agent

Top 10 Day Trips From Zagreb, Within 1hr Drive

38 Local Tips & Mistakes to Avoid When Traveling to Croatia

Driving in Croatia (a Helpful Guide With Practical Tips)

How I learned to speak Croatian as an adult (in 7 steps)

Travel to Croatia with a toddler or baby (from experience!)

Croatia travel itinerary for 5, 7 or 10 days

Croatian money: KN or EURO, Exchanging $, and Daily Costs

Tipping in Croatia: a complete guide with suggested amounts!

Zagreb’s Flea Market, Hrelic: A Helpful Guide

8 Reasons You Should Never Swim in the Adriatic!

Top 5 Croatian Travel Snacks

1. Napolitanke

5 Reasons Croatian Grannies are Cuter than Kittens

Croatia Honeymoon Ideas

28 Reasons to Honeymoon in Croatia

Join us for more info about Croatia!

Authors

Sarah Cosic

Ivan Cosic

Royal Croatian Tours - Travel Agency

1. Napolitanke

​28 Reasons to Honeymoon in Croatia

Join us for more info about Croatia!

Authors

Sarah Cosic

Ivan Cosic

Royal Croatian Tours - Travel Agency

28 Reasons to Honeymoon in Croatia