Blog

blog
  • 19. Jan, 2021.

Picigin in Split

Picigin has a tradition of playing in Split for 100 years! In recent history, the game has evolved to true sporting proportions, forming the first open-air competitions such as the World Cup. In addition to the sports side, picigin is much more noticeable as social entertainment that connects people every day. Our guide, Mijo Bebic when not training or working (actually some people consider this game as a serious exercise and training) spends time playing picigin on Bacvice beach. The goal of this game is to impress the watchers by keeping the ball dry while doing crazy stunts in shallow water.

 

Regardless of the season, it provides immeasurable satisfaction to its lovers. Winter does not really mean swimming in the sea, but at Bačvice beach, because of the everyday picigin, you will always see people ready to joke and play in Christmas and New Year’s attire that gives an incredible contrast of summer spirit in the winter environment.

 

Check out the gallery of Christmas picigin;

 

 

​​​​​​  

Mijo in his "zone"

   

 

 

Ho-ho-ho

   

 

 

Besides picigin you can play na male branke - balun! Football

   

 

 

Mr. Julio in action 

   

 

 

At the Bacvice beach 

   

 

 

Vedran Segvic - famous Split photo chronologist. All photos on this post belong to Vedran and we want to thank him for letting us use them and thank him for good work of capturing the real beauty of Split 

Read more
blog
  • 20. Nov, 2020.

Private Villa Experiences in Croatia

The changes the world has experienced in 2020 awakened the imagination of our product team. During the quiet period of spring 2020, the team was busy collecting information and preparing logistics to support our new service – Private Villa Experiences. 

We handpicked the best villas and private accommodation that are offered along the entire Croatian coast and added our own touch. Since we are an outdoor and active travel company, we place our main focus on activities that include cultural, historical and gastronomical adventures all over Croatia. Besides a fantastic and relaxing stay in your own private oasis, we are happy to organize for you a wide range of services in order to take you to all these fantastic spots. We provide top quality bikes (and overall support such as guides, transportation), we can hike/walk, we can use private boats (motor or sailing) for island hopping. We can even bring chefs to your villa, if you wish to learn to prepare delicious Mediterranean meals! If you want to do yoga each morning let us find you the best teachers, if you need entertainment and care for your kids and babies, if you want to have cultural guides for visits to historical sites – we have it covered for you! 

 

For inspiration see some of our examples below;

 

  Island Korčula 
     
  Island Vis 
     
  Island Korčula 
     
  Center of Split town 
     
  Marjan hill  - Split 

 

Use our expertise and local knowledge to add special bonus to your vacation. Some of the experiences we provide:

 

  • Cycling – from simple bike rental to supported tours 
  • Hiking/Walking – self guided or supported/guided
  • Sup, sea kayaking, sailing, diving and other water-based activities – daily or weekly excursions 
  • Care and entertainment of kids – babysitter services, excursions and activities for the small ones 
  • Yoga classes 
  • Culinary experiences 
  • Yachting – motor or sailing boat excursions and transfers 
  • Cultural sightseeing, guides and various visits 
  • Travel planning assistance, airport transfers 

 

 

Of course, you can just relax with your family and friends in the privacy of your “home away from home”. 

For more info do not hesitate to contact us or check our dedicated Villa webpage

 

 

 

Read more
blog
  • 28. Feb, 2023.

Propuh

The beautiful thing about the unusual facts is that they open a new perspective on the issue, initiate questions, and become a template for many great future stories.

Every place, country, or nation has particular and unusual habits that are hardly conceivable to anyone except them. Signaling while staying in the roundabout for Croatians is equally unusual as drinking tea with milk or knocking your head affirmatively while signaling the opposite. These are the habits we try to discover whether we are travelers, readers, writers, or simply - lovers of good, interesting, or funny facts.

 

But let’s get back to the incredible minds of the Croatian national climate. There is the most unusual phenomenon that appears only in Croatia and on the territory of ex-Yugoslavia. There are no records of it outside the mentioned area, except among people of Croatian nationality living outside of the country. According to this, it seems it is connected with genetic predispositions, as only the chosen people can feel its effect and consequences. This phenomenon is propuh. It derives from the verb propúhati and means a) to purify something by blowing and b) to expose someone to the wind.

 

 

We will focus on the latter. For Croatians, exposing yourself to the wind, in this case, means causing health problems. Every middle age or older Croatian knows very well that sitting in the middle of the room with two oppositely open windows, or any other openings, can get you cold. And not only that, but it can also cause many problems, from pain in the neck to headache or even head inflammation. It is also well known that propuh is responsible for broken health even in the summer months. During high temperatures, people enjoy the wind and the refreshing airflow. People do not think about propuh as a threat and get cold. Luckily, all moms, grandmoms, neighbors, people we know, and those we never met will always remember to close the window or warn you to move from propuh. They will also point out that even if we get used to this terrible phenomenon, it can still catch up in older days. It is important to remember that propuh is always somewhere around and can surprise you at any moment. For example, after washing your hair and walking across the apartment while windows are open or cooling down after training. Or even worse, cooling down in propuh with your undershirt still wet. These are all situations where propuh can become your enemy - as the only air you need after those activities is the one from the hair dryer and the heater.
The bottom of the story is that you should never expose the head, neck, and back, especially your lower back and feet to the cold. Also, it is important to acknowledge its existence. If you are not sure propuh is real, or you don't understand what is all about, make sure you act respectfully towards old knowledge and wisdom - move, close the window, and say something like: “Oh, yes, feeling it. Thank you.”

 

 

The southern part of Croatia and Dalmatia is known for winds and their effect on men’s state of mind. One of the local’s favorites is bura, a northern wind that clears the air, sky, and mind. Going out to get clear by bura wind is a must, but once you’re back home, make sure there’s nothing like wind passing through the house. You don’t have to understand it - just accept it.

 

Cultural differences and habits create entities that tell a lot about the nation. Croatians are known as open and communicative, but also as very traditional and protective. As much as we praise freedom, we appreciate protection and security - for ourselves and others. And this is why, if you don’t notice you stand in propuh, someone will remind you already :)

Read more
blog
  • 04. May, 2021.

Prošek or prosecco?

 

Sweet or sparkling wine? Croatia and Italy, countries that are proud of the quality and authenticity of their wine and many other products. If you are a wine lover or someone who likes to try different things when on the trip, and if you traveled to both Croatia and Italy you might have found yourself in a confusing situation ordering prosecco or prošek. 

 

Even the two names sound pretty much the same, these products are very different. Generally speaking, prosecco (prəˈsɛkoʊ) is wine made from grapes. It resembles sparkling wine, but again it is not. Croatian prošek (pro-shek) is a dessert wine made from local grape varieties. Their origins, ways of production, the products themselves differ quite a lot from each other.

 

 

Prošek

 

Prošek is a sweet wine with a controlled origin from coastal Croatia. The proof of its early origins goes back to 303 AD, with Emperor Diocletian mentioning this unique product.

 

For making a high-quality prošek it takes 7 times more grapes, in comparison with wine production. This is the reason why in the past it was always produced in small quantities and therefore kept for special occasions.

 

The production of prošek is based on the passito method. After regular harvesting, overripe grapes are collected and dried on straw or plastic substrates for approximately 1 week. The loss of the liquid raises the amount of sugar and further fermentation continues until the alcohol level is at 15%. This is the minimum for the production of a good quality Prošek. 

 

The most commonly used grape sorts are Bogdanuša, Maraština, and Vugava, with added smaller amounts of other, mostly local varieties.

Prošek produced from Bogdanuša is characterized by light and lively notes, while prošek made out of Vugava is reminiscent of sweet sherry. The most prominent in quality are those made from Plavac Mali, and Bogdanuša and Vugava cuvée.

If we had to compare it, Prošek most closely resembles Santoo - a traditional wine from Tuscany. The product is thick, almost like a liqueur, and varies in colors from dark gold to dark red and brown.

 

 

Prosecco

 

Prosecco is an Italian, geographically protected white wine originating from nine provinces in the Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia regions. It was named after the village of Prosecco, and it is produced from the grapes of the same name, which was later renamed Glera.

 

Prosecco is usually produced as sparkling (spumante) or semi-sparkling (frizzante) wine, but it falls into the category of prosecco as a still wine (tranquillo) as well.

 

For the production of quality Prosecco, the Charmat - Martinotti method is usually used, where the wine ferments for a period of up to about 9 months (Charmat Lungo). To be eligible, 15% of Prosecco wine must be a mixture of Verdisa, Bianchette Trevigiane, Perere, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianca, Pinot Grigio or Pinot Noir (vinified white). The amount of alcohol is usually around 11 - 12%. Sparkling wine is light in texture and its light golden color.


 

Name issues

 

When Croatia joined the European Union in 2013, the European Commission raised the issue of using the name "prošek" as it recalls a name that is already protected by Italy (prosecco). However, according to the provisions of the Ministry of Agriculture, the name "prošek" may still be in use after Croatia's accession to the European Union. This resolution stopped the discussion about the new potential name which, as everyone agreed, will hardly describe the product that is known as prošek since the start of its production in the 19th century. 

One thing is certain, these two names will continue to be the subject of misunderstandings for many travelers and wine lovers, so pay attention to the correct pronunciation because in the end - the names are similar but not the same.


 

Prošek is still a very local and traditional drink that very few guests know about. On the other side, there are locals who still keep good bottles for special occasions and always have a small glass of prošek after Sunday lunch. This is, of course, because Dalmatians find prošek as an excellent remedy for different conditions and they all swear in the positive effects it brings.

 

On the side of confusion, these two drinks are in many ways different, and in fact, each of these two names originates from different periods and other reasons, and as such have every right to be used in their traditional form.

 

And as per confusion, expect the unexpected! Mistakes bring new experiences, revelations or cold served prosecco, I mean prošek ;)

 

Read more