Archive for 'Curiosities in Croatia'

Croatia is increasingly famous as a destination for stunning landscapes beyond the crystal-clear seas, incredible rock formations, soft white sandy beaches, diverse marine life and more of her perfect and renowned seaside resorts and cities. In addition to these wonderful coastal scenes, there are plenty of jaw-dropping vistas and awe-inspiring places to be explored. So, on your next vacation in Croatia, be sure to pack your activewear and hiking boots and get out into all of that outstanding natural bounty.

If you have found a vacation rental in Karlovac and are looking for a wonderful daytrip destination that combines a bit of a stretch of the legs, incredible views of the amazingly lush Croatian landscape in this part of the country, a stunning ruin of a historic architectural gem in an impressive setting, fascinating local legend and much more besides then you should head towards Ružica Grad. This medieval castle fortress is one of the largest in Croatia and is entangled in tales of fairies and noblemen but is also one of the most picture-perfect places in the country and a must-see for those in search of hidden gems that are far from mass tourism.

The actual origins of the building are not properly known but, per local legend, the area in which the castle is located used to be the meeting place of fairies and where magic potions were made. That is, until a nobleman decided to build a fortified city right on top of their meeting place. The fairies were very upset and used their magic to fight back, ruining whatever the workers had built during the day overnight.

There are plenty of reasons to visit the beautiful and vibrant city of Split, where modernity and tradition come together; there are stunning views over the Adriatic and beaches along the coast, there is always somewhere to grab something delicious or go for drinks, Roman ruins and architectural gems abound, and there is an endless list of things to see and do. However, if you have found a vacation rental in Split and you are interested in unique or bizarre attractions, then you should definitely pop into the UNESCO-protected SPAR in town…

Okay, so, technically it is actually a Billa supermarket (an Austrian supermarket group that has since been purchased by the Spar food retail chain) and it is technically located in a building that is part of a UNESCO-award architectural complex. In fact, it is part of the Mala Papalićeva Palača, a palace that is the former home of a noble family, which dates back to the 13th century originally and was rebuilt in the 15th century. This borders with Diocletian’s Palace and it part of Split’s Historic Centre, which was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1979. So, the SPAR is, technically UNESCO-protected by being located inside this building.

If you have found a vacation rental in Sibenik and are planning on exploring the archipelago, you might be looking for different towns, attractions, areas, and islands to visit on day trips. While there are many to choose from, one of the most unique and interesting spots to hit up must be the island of Zlarin. It is a must-see for those interested in taking care of the environment and environmental policies around the globe as it has recently been announced to be Croatia’s first zero waste, plastic-free island! Incredibly beautiful as it is, this latest announcement only makes the stunning island all the more appealing and is certain to ensure that it remains an unspoiled gem.

Truffles are a very highly prized culinary treat and delicacy that is a rare type of mushroom found in parts of France, Italy, and Croatia. Though perhaps the less famous country in the group as a destination to find truffles, Croatia is actually a really great place for foodies to get their hands on truffles and truffle-infused and flavoured products. It is also a great place to get involved in the whole process from finding to buying to cooking to tasting truffles. Just find a vacation rental in Istria, the truffle capital of Croatia, and come learn more about and sample these beloved delicacies while also enjoying else everything that the region has to offer as a holiday destination.

Prodan Tartufi is a famous company in Croatia that sells truffles and truffle products. They are also a wonderful resource for truffle obsessives as they offer truffle hunting experiences on their estate. Key to any truffle hunt are truffle dogs, dogs that have been specially bred and trained to find the truffles, and roaming the beautiful Istrian countryside with cute pups in tow sounds like an ideal way to spend a day if you ask us!