Here you can read our guests experience about apartment we booked for them, places they visited, things impressed them and many useful advices. Read first-hand impressions from guest who stayed in Dubrovnik in August 2014. If you are looking for a holiday destination that fulfills every taste – culture, history, beaches, mountains, adventure – then look no further than Dubrovnik.

You get confirmation that your holiday choice was a good one even before the plane lands. Coming from Western Europe, you have a great view as the plane approaches Dubrovnik and you get a privileged look at the many islands along the coast.

After driving into town while enjoying a great view of the coast, especially Lokrum Island , we arrived at the wonderful “Studio Harmony 2″ apartment.

The apartment had just been renovated so it was brand new, superbly decorated and well equiped. To make it even better, our hosts went to great lengths to make us feel welcome and comfortable – they could not have been more hospitable.

Another nice surprise is leaving the apartment, crossing the street, and being right in front of Minčeta Tower, on the edge of Old Town. From there, either go right down the (many, many) stairs to Pile gate - the main entrace into Old Town – or take an easier left and enter through Buža gate or Ploče gate further down.

Take your time in Old Town since there is much to see. It is a maze of narrow streets and beautiful old buildings. You will find many restaurants that cater to all tastes  and you will run into wonderfully talented street performers. Take the opportunity to walk on top of the city walls and get an amazing overview of Old Town.

Enjoy the sunset sitting on a bench in Old Port and then head back into Old Town, which gets even busier at night.

For those who love to spend some time swimming and working on their tan, there are many options. From Banje beach, right next to Old Town, to Lapad on the other side of the peninsula, there are many choices.

But if you really want to spend a great day at the beach, catch the ferry at the new port and head over to Lopud island. The ferry  ride itself is worth your time as it crosses some of the many islands along the coast. Then, on Lopud, there will be a small paradise waiting for you. There is a nice sandy beach right near the dock, but if you cross the island to the other side and you will find an even greater option: Šunj beach.

Although having a car in Dubrovnik is not easy due to the difficulty find parking spots do not let that stop you from exploring. Just rent a car for the day and there is plenty you can do. The drive up north is beautiful. You can see the city walls of Ston and if you continue along the coast, you will find many wonderful beaches. And if you stay for longer, take advantage of the excelent location of the town to pay a quick visit to Montenegro (Kotor, Tivat, Budva and Sveti Stefan are close and worth seeing) or drive into Bosnia, visit the beautiful town of Mostar and see the famous old bridge.

Croatia  was a wonderful choice for a holiday and it felt like so much was left unseen that I am sure I will visit it again

Thank you dear guest for this wounderful testimonial from holiday in private apartments in Croatia!

The post Testimonial from holiday in private apartment in Croatia #1 appeared first on Online Croatia.

In the north of the country, you will find more meat dishes, as pork, chicken, turkey and veal. However, Istrian and Dalmatian cuisine will present you something else. Traditional Dalmatian cuisine is based on fresh fish and seafood, olive oil, season vegetables and variety of wild herbs. Laurel is almost inevitable, as well as rosemary, basil, sage, parsley and garlic. The most often dressing for the meals and salads is virgin olive oil and Adriatic Sea salt. Most of the meals have only few ingredients, herbs, Adriatic salt and olive oil. Unpretentious but inspiring are the best words to describe it.

Croatian cuisine is a melting pot of the best from Italian, Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman and domestic cuisine.

If you drive through Croatian coast from Istria on the North to the Cavtat and Konavle on the South, you will notice lots of olive trees and vineyards. This route will make you try fabulous vines and dishes with high quality olive oil. Try to take a drive from Hum in Istria where you can try Fuži with truffles, then to Skradin where you will be served with variety of fresh fish. Continue to Trogir and you will try the best shrimps ever. In Komiža on Vis island try famous stuffed bred under the bell, and on Korcula island their extraordinary white wines. To try Croatian red wines visit Pelješac peninsula and order a glass of Dingač or Postup. In each meal you will taste salt and olive oil produced on traditional ways.

Do not bother to ask for organic food. All you will get is answer that everything here is traditional and therefore organic in the best way. Maybe your meal won’t be served in the nicest porcelain plates and you won’t be served by waiters with French manners – but the food and vines you will try will make a mence.

Our tip: Next time when visiting Harrods in London, look for Croatian Extra Virgin Olive Oil with golden leafs. This oil is of course eatable, but due to its price (£750), usually used only as a final décor to the dish. It is the only Croatian product you can buy at this world’s famous shop – but only for now.

When visiting Croatia try to taste as much of domestic food, because, after all, pizzas and stakes you can order anywhere.

Remember to combine this top Croatian dishes with wines from most famous vineyards in Croatia on Pelješac or Istria peninsula!

Fuži with truffles  - for most delicate gourmands- one of the best Croatian dishes

The best way to start your meal is to order Istrian Prosciutto and cheese as a starter. Then order Fuži with truffles. Of course, do not forget to add a glass of wine. Appreciation for truffles started in Roman age centuries ago. Common belief says that truffles are grown as the result of God Jupiter throwing a lightning to an oak tree.

Istrian truffles are among most expensive in the world, with white truffle leading on the list. The best ones grow in deep oak woods of Istria under the oak trees. Specific soil gives them unique aromas and scents that makes them highly appreciated in the gastronomy all over the world. Istrians usually serve them with Fuži – homemade pasta in an Istrian way.

Our tip: Enjoy the best Istrian Fuži with truffles at restaurant Stari podrum in Momjan while sipping white wine Malvazija Kozlović. To the Kozlovic wine basements is only a short walk away through green forest of Istrian hills. You can also try authentic ones in traditional restaurant Humska konoba in the world’s smallest town Hum, in heart of Istria. To remind you: Hum is listed as one of five places in Croatia with soul on our list.

Did you know: Truffles grow 10-30cm underground, which makes them almost impossible to find. It is not possible to plant white truffles at all. Most efficiently way of finding them is with help of special trained dog or even a pig. These two animals are best known for their subtle sense of smell.

Octopus under the Bell – you will love it- -one of the best Croatian dishes

Octopus is like a sea chameleon. It can change its colour – from red to grey, yellow, dark and dark-green and the arms can reach a length of 3m. When octopus feels danger it simply discharges black liquid that muddies the water and creates the opportunity for escape.

It can be prepared on many different ways, even as a cold salad but octopus under the bell is a real treat!

Main ingredients are octopus, potatoes, only a drop of olive oil and wild herbs. Everything is slowly cooked in a cast-iron or earthenware pot. Must be prepared in a fireplace but covered with a bell with hot coals. This kind of baking will colour the potatoes in purplish colour and make them juicy and soft. Delicious aroma spreads as soon as the bell is removed. Order some fresh seasonal salad with it, and do not forget to breathe while eating.

Our tip: Enjoy amazing octopus with potatoes cooked under the bell with a glass of rose Saint Hills from Pelješac, take a deep breath and say thank you Croatia!

Tasting a glass of rose Saint Hills in Tavern Galija while watching boats sailing into the Cavtat harbour could be a perfect end of your day. Cavtat is also on our list, so do not miss to read more about Cavtat.  After reading more about Cavtat next step is to book you apartment there, isn’t it? Search for best apartment in Cavtat!

Did you know that octopus is the only food that is even better after freezing and which is not to be eaten fresh? When frozen before cooking, it is softer and juicy.

Black risotto – Croatian way of making rice- – one of the best Croatian dishes

Croatians do not like rise so much. Nevertheless, try to serve black risotto to the greatest rise hater – he will not only eat it but also ask for more. Cuttlefish or squid are one of the main ingredients here. Its ink gives a unique black colour to the rice but also a delicious taste. Near the end of the cooking process, cuttlefishes’ ink sacs are poured over the rice colouring it. For even better flavour grate some cheese over, pour a glass of local Pošip wine and enjoy!  If you love food, the sea food especially, you will fall in love with this black risotto!

Our tip: Order one at famous restaurant Kapetanova Kuća in Mali Ston right on the entrance to Pelješac  Peninsula. This time eat like Croatian and ask for more! While in Ston take a moment to stop by and check how the salt is being collected in one of the oldest Salt pans in Europe.  The process and the shape of pans are just the same for almost 7 centuries. You can also try fresh oysters just picked from the sea. Also, take time to check out our private apartments in Dubrovnik area.

When stating that oysters are one of the most famous aphrodisiacs, the question Did you know is completely unnecessary here.

Viška pogača – bread stuffed with sea- – one of the best Croatian dishes

Pogača is domestic stuffed bread. It is based on salted fish as anchovies, olives and herbs. Its tradition goes centuries back to the times when Greeks came to Vis Island. Following tradition, it should be baked under the baking bell.

If you visit Vis without trying Viška pogača you will regret it for sure since this is one of the most interesting authentic Croatian dishes!

There is no room for frozen fish from supermarkets, as fishing is more than tradition for Vis inhabitants. The coexistence of the man and the see is unbreakable here.

You can eat magnificent Viška pogača on island of Vis and only few restaurants outside the island. If not visiting Vis, definitely try one at Uje bar in Split. Komiža on Vis island is one of our 5 places with soul in Croatia, so read more about Komiža. In case you decide to visit Split we are sure we can offer you wonderful apartments in Split.

Our tip: Due to its saltines, skip ordering just a glass of vine. Rather ask for a bottle of good domestic one. Red vine Vugava will just glide through you throat. One Greek writer wrote that wines from Vis were the best ones he had ever tasted. His name is of no importance here, but those vines…

Did you know: Another version of this bread is one with tomatoes added making it similar to pizza, but better. While having a bite just imagine eating pizza Napolitana in 3^rd century in small Mediterranean island city ruled by the Greeks. Just like eating part of culinary history, isn’t it?

Buzara with shrimps – Simply delicious! One of the best Croatian dishes

It is a wonderfully, beautiful and messy dish. It is made from Adriatic shrimps stewed in a tomato and white wine sauce.  Buzara represents slowly cooked tomatoes and garlic with herbs, and olive oil in lot of water, bit of white wine and various types of seafood. Because of its simple preparation, it is most appreciated dish among fisherman.

Buzara can be done with other seafood too, but Buzara with shrimps is something special. Once you try it this way, you will never choose another one.  Shrimps are true gem of the sea, top delicacy for everyone, even ones who do not prefer seafood on their plate, so don’t miss it! It is served in a large bowl with lots of soup. Do not be surprised when waiter brings you bib for adults and another smaller bowl with water and lemon. You will need it to clean your hands, as dinner set is useless here. Do not finish eating meat from the tails only. The meat in the head of shrimp is even more juicer.

 Out tip: Do not feel embarrassed to dip your bread in buzara sauce. It is delicious! Also, if you wanted to propose your love one, wait till she is finished eating buzara. When we say it is messy – trust us.

At Frankie restaurant in Seget Donji near Trogir you will find the best Buzara with shrimps you can get! More about beautiful town Trogir. Visit our website to find cozy apartments in Trogir.

Did you know that frequent meals of shrimp and other seafood can have positive effects on mood and avoid depression?

Roasted Lamb under the Bell - For those who love meat- – one of the best Croatian dishes

To prepare food under the bell is most appreciated way of cooking in Croatia. Moreover, lamb is one option. Forget eating it any other way, taste of roasted lamb under the bell simply cannot be compared. Lamb and vegetables are baked with bit of oil and some herbs under the lid. Fireplace fire melts herbs and meat juices together creating specific aroma. Not completely cooked or roasted, but just perfect. Before this you won’t need any starter. Just ask for some seasonal salad and “pogača” bread. Make it complete with local red wine from Pelješac peninsula – Postup Donja Banda. It will just melt in your mouth.

Out tip: Make a phone order before coming to restaurant. Preparation time is about 2h so this way you will avoid starving while waiting. Do not worry, it will not be weird, locals do it all the time. You just make sure to come hungry enough!

We recommend you to visit restaurant Monković close to the most southern town in Croatia on our list – Cavtat. Find beautiful apartments in Cavtat or in Dubrovnik area!

Did you know that fireplace used to be the central point of every home? It was the place where meals were prepared and where family would gather. It was also the warmest place in the house in winter.

The post We present you the best Croatian dishes appeared first on Online Croatia.

Suffering from any kind of allergies is a huge problem in everyday life, and therefore makes booking your perfect holidays accommodation even more demanding.

Besides searching for apartment situated in great location, with beautiful view, balcony and terrace, close to everything but far away from the noise, you are forced to look for something very specific – but luckily not impossible nowadays – allergy free room.

General Tips and questions you should ask renter or tourist agent:

• If the owner is willing to clean room thoroughly with natural products only before you arrive
• If the owner is willing to take out all rugs, carpets and draperies from the room and make sure to leave space under the bed free
•  Is the room free of unnecessary furniture and accessories – less equipment means less places for allergens
• All cabinets in the room should be able to close
• Check if you can get allergen mattresses and pillows (should not be older than 2 years) or the ones that are encased in a protective allergen cover
• Ask your renter to wash all bedding in hot water (60 C minimum) to kill dust mites.
• All bedding should be made of synthetic materials and washed together with pillows

Sounds complicated but simply inevitably for you in order to avoid fighting with allergies and fully enjoy your holidays.

Additionally, Croatica is preparing special catalogue of allergen free rooms for you, so keep following us!

The post Allergy Free Room in apartments and villas in Croatia appeared first on Online Croatia.

So Croatia is your new holiday destination this year!!! Great choice!!

After you decided what your preferred location is, you have to make decision which apartment or villa in Croatia you want to book. Sometimes this can be very tough decision, especially if you are traveling on a long term vacation so the place you are staying would be your second home for 2, 3 weeks. You can find yourself checking 200 apartments in your dreamy location because you do not know which preferences to look for in an apartment so you do not get lost in the bunch of offers presented to you.

Follow these steps and you will easily make the right decision on which apartment or villa in Croatia you need to book!

1. PHOTOGRAPHS IN HIGH RESOLUTION

Most of the adverts will use the best photo (sea view, balcony view) which is most appealing and that catches your eye. Scroll down through the photos section and check how apartment visually “speaks” to you. Did it made you more interested in? By visualizing things you can promptly decide if something will suit you or not. The apartment or villa should be advertised with photo of each room (if you like some apartment, but you do not see picture of bathroom for example, you can always ask for more photos). The photos should be in high resolution (do not book apartment with 3-4 low resolution photo, this is risky) and you should see minimum 20 photos. Beside the photo of each room in the apartment or villa, there should be photo of the house, building, and exterior.

2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Pay attention on the description! The most important facts about the apartment or villa should be stated. Therefore, look for the size of the apartment or villa (interior square meters + exterior square meters), number of bedrooms, kitchen equipment, living room and dining room amenities. Depending on your preferences, if you want a nice, big terrace to enjoy morning coffee, afternoon relax or evening sunset, you can exclude the apartments without terrace or balcony immediately. Also, if you are to cook each day and you are coming to holiday with your family, children, you should pay attention on the kitchen equipment. Most of the apartments or villas in Croatia have basic kitchen utensils such as cutlery, refrigerator, stove, but if you are looking for more equipped kitchen this would not be enough for you.

3. MAP

Each apartment should be located on the Google Map and you should check carefully location. Keep in mind that Google was creating map for Croatia in 2010, so some things have changed, but the main features (as distance to the beach), remained the same.

Also, sometimes you will not be able to find the exact street address, if it is some side street even in the bigger Croatian towns (unfortunately, not every street is on Google map).

When locating apartment or villa in Croatia, use the advantage of Google where you can position yourself in front of the apartment or villa and search around. You should always, “walk the street” to the nearest beach, shop, restaurant and compare it with the description on the advert. If you are noticing big difference between the facts advertised and what you see on the map, you should not spend your time on those unprofessional presentations.

4. PRICES AND AVAILABILITY

On each advert, prices of the apartment or villa should be stated. Check if the price is stated as price per night, per apartment or price per night, per person! Usually, you will see daily and weekly price. Pay attention on the minimal stay per season, arrival/departure days and if any discount for long term vacation is offered. Be aware that most of the apartments charge extra 10, 20, 30% if the stay is less than 4 nights.  The calendar of the availability should be updated daily and most of the advertising sites show you when the calendar was updated. However, the availability can change in few minutes, especially if you are a last-minute traveller, so you have to get the confirmation from the apartment owner, agency. The best is to start your search as early as possible; apartments are booked the whole year round; from January the booking seriously progresses. Book on time your perfect apartment or villa in Croatia.

5. REVIEWS

Checking apartment’s reviews, other people experiences and impressions, must be part of your perfect holiday apartment hunting! The apartment that you are considering should have at least 2 good reviews! Sometimes you may find some negative comments from other guests, but think about how everybody has different opinion and expectation.

Also check if the owner answered on the negative review (this is very easy to do, shows good will and politeness) with the explanation and/or apology-this also speaks much of the owner and what you can expect.

These 5 things should be on everybody’s mind when searching perfect holiday apartment or villa in Croatia. Therefore, organize yourself before your travel, list your wishes and expectations, your budget, it will help you not to waist too much time on numerous apartments.

Use these advices and enjoy the hunting of your perfect apartment or villa in Croatia!

The post 5 things when booking apartment in Croatia appeared first on Online Croatia.

Croatia offers you different types of holidays. If you are planning to go for your holiday during the summer, you should definitely spend the most of your holiday time in Dalmatia. Dalmatia is a costal part of the Adriatic Sea and it is rich in historical towns, National parks, beautiful islands with untouched nature and secluded beaches. Trogir, Split and Dubrovnik area are the most attractive tourist destinations.

 SPLIT AND TROGIR AREA

This area of Middle Dalmatia has great geographical location. It is located near Split airport which offers lots of cheap flights to Croatia from various world known destinations. You can also reach Middle Dalmatia by highway Zagreb-Split or by ferry from Italy. Split port has very frequent ferry and speedboat connection with Dalmatian Islands Hvar, Brač, Šolta, Korčula.

If you are on a short 3, 4 day holiday, you should choose apartments or rooms in the town of Split where you can explore the city itself, its historical monuments and sights, beautiful beaches and exciting night life. Split is the second largest town of Croatia and the centre of Middle Dalmatia. You can choose apartment in the city centre- Old Town, near popular beaches (Bačvice beach, Meje beach) or in its neighbourhoods (Veli Varoš for example). Since Split offers a lot of vocational homes and apartments you will be able to find luxurious to low budget ones. After making the sightseeing and enjoying the crystal sea, take your time to visit Solin, Omiš, Trogir and islands Hvar,Brač or Šolta. These destinations are very close to Split so you can choose one as your daily trip!

Town of Trogir is also a beautiful place for holiday relaxation! Trogir is located only 24km from Split and 8km from Split airport and it offers you numerous options for finding the perfect holiday apartment or villa in Croatia. Trogir is famous for its historical sights and the city centre is under UNESCO’s protection and listed as world heritage. Trogir offers you beautiful beaches, restaurants with traditional Mediterranean dishes and friendly and warm hosts. Trogir and its surrounding places are destination for long stay holiday, therefore some renters take reservations for minimum 7 night stay and they prefer reservations with arrivals and departures on Saturdays. Pay attention on the conditions of booking under the apartment listing! Apartments are rented mostly from May to October, the high season is considered as July and August. Booking starts from January, even though the peak reservation time is around April and May. Consider this when deciding when to book and if you find the apartment that you like it is better to book immediately so you do not lose it.

Perfect apartment or villa in Croatia- Trogir

Perfect apartment or villa in Croatia – how to find it ?

Do not expect first minute offer deals for high season period; renters will not lower the price because they know they will definitely sell this period. Since the high season is only 2 months, you will notice the big difference between June and July, most of the renters put much lower prices for the offseason. If you are booking late, in July and August, ask for the last minute deals!

Apartments or villas in Trogir can be found near the city centre or in nearby villages on the Island Ciovo. Island Ciovo and Trogir are connected with small bridge which is opened 24/7. All parts of Ciovo Island are 2-12km far from Trogir. If you decide to book apartment in Trogir, you can go for daily beach day on Ciovo Island and discover small, charming villages by the sea.

Apartments or villas on Ciovo Island vary from low cost apartments to astonishing modern beachfront villas with pools. If you are traveling for relaxation, Ciovo Island is perfect holiday destination.

If you are traveling with your family and children, check first the beaches and the distance from the apartment. Even though, these villages are small and you will be able to walk to beach, you have to check if there is some hilly route, stairs and most important whether the beach is suitable for children. Most of the beaches on Ciovo are pebble and stone beaches suitable for children; unfortunately, there are no sandy beaches here. If you are looking for animation for your children, choose apartment near playgrounds and sports centres. Okrug Gornji (the biggest village on Ciovo) can definitely be the perfect holiday location for your family since it offers lots of summer activities especially for the young ones. This area also offers you lots of restaurants, shops, 3km long Copacabana beach and lots of small hidden bays. There is a boat on a daily basis for Trogir.

While staying here you should definitely visit nearby islands Drvenik Mali and Drvenik Veli and discover the unspoiled nature and beautiful sandy beaches.

Other places on Ciovo Island where you can find nice apartments are: Mastrinka, Arbanija, Okrug Donji and Slatine.

So, whether you are looking for relaxing or active holiday, Trogir and Split area will fulfil your wishes!

Find perfect  apartment or villa for your vacation in Croatia and enjoy your new holiday home!

The post Perfect apartment or villa in Croatia appeared first on Online Croatia.