Food and Wine

The freshest octopus salad. Delicious grilled langoustines. World-class oysters. The famous Istria truffle. Golden olive oils. Wild asparagus. The finest quality prosciutto and local cheese. Slow-cooked stews. Plus, with 200 indigenous grapes, you’ll enjoy delicious Croatian wines.

The late Chef and traveller Antony Bourdain put it best when he visited Croatia for the first time in 2012: “If you like food and you haven’t been here to eat, you’re missing the boat”. Croatia is the next best destination for food and wine enthusiasts, with Istria often described as ‘the new Tuscany’. Croatian cuisine has many influences, thanks to its history, climate and geography. A mix of Mediterranean dishes of golden olive oils, fresh seafood, cured meats, risottos, herbs and pasta. Schnitzels, stews and strudels of central Europe. Grills and pastries found in the Balkans.

Octopus, potato and chard - A Dalmatian staple

The Croatian coast is abundant with the freshest local seafood. Octopus is a speciality often served grilled with a side dish of potatoes, garlic and chard. Delicious!

Stukli - Zagreb's comforting dish

A baked, gooey, cheesy delight. What looks like lasagna is actually a dessert, but we were hard-pressed to eat anything for the rest of the afternoon after trying this comforting Croatian dish. Best served at the Esplanade, Zagreb, with chilled Croatian white wine.

Istria white truffles

Continental Istria is famous for the white truffle, the largest white truffle on record was discovered here. Black truffles are harvested year-round while the white truffle season begins in October, with a month of truffle themed events in the region.

Traditional Peka

The Dalmatian coast's traditional dish is cooked on charcoal under the Iron bell for over 3 hours. A delicious and hearty meal with Octopus, or meat and hearty vegetables.

Croatian Fritule - little boozy fritters

Little deep-fried boozy fritters, a delicious sweet treat with sugar and Croatian brandy. Especially yummy at Zagreb's Christmas markets but why wait until Christmas, we say!

Holiday Inspiration...

Gourmet Istria - Luxury Food and Wine (7 Days, 6 nights)

From £1,225 pp

Croatia is the next destination. In this 7-day itinerary, you'll visit Istria, the northern peninsula often referred to as 'the new Tuscany'. Home to the largest white truffle on record, you will learn how to cook with the highly-prized ingredient and taste your way through the region. We have selected accommodation that will also delight your tastebuds, including a luxury wine estate in rural Istria and a newly opened 5* plus hotel with a signature dining experience.

Rovinj

A charming, colourful, Meditteranean coastal town, said to be the most romantic destination in Croatia. More

Pula

The entry point to Istria and home to the world's 6th largest and the best-preserved Roman Amphitheatre - a unique venue with a seasonal programme of events. More

Bale

A hilltop village in rural Istria surrounded by olive oil and excellent wineries. Off the beaten track you will find the Meneghetti wine estate, one of our favourite locations to experience rural Istria. More

Zagreb

Croatia's vibrant capital city is often referred to as 'little Vienna' thanks to its architecture and cafe culture. The city is compact, has many parks and museums and nearby hiking on Medvednica, which also hosts a ski resort in the winter months. More

Dubrovnik

The medieval fortified town with iconic views from the top of the preserved medieval walls, overlooking the Adriatic. More

Split

Split is the second-largest city in Croatia and the largest in Dalmatia. A mix of modern urban life and ancient history. Home to the UNESCO world heritage site of Diocletian's Palace and the gateway to some of the well-known islands. More

Hvar

Touted as the new St Tropez, Hvar is a glamorous luxury island off the dalmatian coast that attracts the yacht set in the peak months to the trendy bars and restaurants. Aside from the glitz, it is also steeped in culture and history. More

Sibenik

An entry point to Krka National Park and to the Kornati islands. Sibenik is home to the Cathedral of St. James, a UNESCO heritage site. More

Plitvice Lakes National Park

A stunningly beautiful national park with 16 cascading emerald lakes and waterfalls to explore via boardwalks and trails.

Krka National Park

Situated on the Krka river, the national park has lively waterfalls.

Ston

Famous for the longest medieval stone walls in Europe and the world-class oysters farmed in the region. The surrounding Peljesac Peninsula is a famous wine region.

Trogir

This small preserved town is known for its Baroque, Renaissance and Romanesque buildings. Set on an island connected to the mainland by a bridge. The whole town is protected by UNESCO.