When you are in Rijeka, you will be greeted by the aromas of maneštra and jota, fish and meat, fritule, kroštule, lamb and fresh vegetables. Here you will eat the finest squid you have ever tasted and discover that even an ordinary pizza seems to have an unusual flavour. In Rijeka you will encounter the famous Rijeka cream slice, enjoy an excellent tiramisu, and—while savouring the delightful chocolate dessert Rigojanči—hear the story of a Roma violinist in love and a recipe

At the XOCOC chocolate shop in Ptuj, you can learn how to make chocolate with pork cracklings! A fantastic experience and great fun. In the heart of Ptuj, the oldest town in Slovenia and the holder of the European Heritage Champion title for 2026, you will find XOCOC. Pronounced Sho-ko, the name belongs to the sweetest place in Ptuj—a small boutique chocolate shop that opened a few years ago and where you can taste and purchase handmade pralines every day. Modern travellers f

After finishing our visit to Veli Brgud, we descended to Rukavac, a settlement situated slightly above the centre of Matulji. It lies on the slopes of Orljak and Beljč and is connected by local roads with Opatija and Jušići, while the Rijeka railway line passes nearby. Rukavac has a strong tradition of bell-ringers and bell-ringing processions during the carnival season, which begins on St Anthony’s Day (17 January) and lasts until Ash Wednesday. The Rukavac bell-ringers wear

Just three hours’ drive from Zagreb, hidden in the heart of Triglav National Park, lies Bohinj – Slovenia’s winter paradise that combines a crystal-clear lake, Alpine peaks and unforgettable nature trails that are fascinating all year round. Triglav National Park protects this magical valley with 84,000 hectares of unspoilt nature – from waterfalls to high-mountain pastures that turn into ski slopes in winter. Bohinj is not overcrowded like some similar destinations – here pe

Lent in Croatia is a culinary mood. For forty days leading up to Easter, kitchens across the country subtly shift rhythm. The meals become simpler, the flavours more restrained, and yet, paradoxically, more inventive. Historically shaped by Catholic fasting rules, which limited meat and animal fat (especially on Ash Wednesday and Fridays), Croatian Lenten cuisine grew out of necessity, seasonality, and deep respect for religious practice. What emerged over centuries is a repe