Whole World of Wine

Quite a few people get to hear Croatia has amazing wine and wineries for the first time when booking my wine tours. It always boggles the mind how even true wine enthusiasts get caught in the rut race of the most common wine names: France, Italy, Spain, Australia, California…  and don’t think twice to venture out of their wine comfort zone. This is true simply for buying wine in the wine shops, let alone for international travel.

There is so much more to discover in the world of great wine. Countries like Switzerland, Hungary, Slovenian or Austria are amazing wine destinations for example. Even Germany lacks international acclaim as a wine destination considering how spectacular it is. And then there’s Croatia…

Why Book Wine Tours in Croatia?

Many people think about wine tours in a destination exclusively through the prism of travel or through the prism of wine. It is a natural inclination to view the world from an angle we understand or are used to. However, when you are able to consider multiple angles, you get a much more complete picture. You see, Croatia produces amazing wines. This means, you will get to find some “good stuff” in local wineries. However, this is not enough to make your wine tour amazing. What will is the fact, so much of Croatia is incredibly beautiful. Wine regions are some of the most beautiful parts of the country. Aside from all that, there are also interesting local traditions to consider as well as amazing food and oh so much diversity.

The Time is Now

I might be frustrated Croatia is not the world’s best seller when it comes to wine tours, but for potential wine travellers this is a great thing. It means you will get to discover it before the masses start thinking it’s cool to come here. So, book your Croatian wine adventure now and make your friends jealous!

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Guided tours were very simple to define in the past. Large group packed into a coach, set itinerary, set price per person, everything included in the price. Today, they are getting to be incredibly diverse. In fact, it would be hard to define what a guided tour is nowadays. With the advent of various online services and apps trying to connect you to locals providing amateur tours and activities, the market has become saturated with everything from passionate individuals offering to take you around their neighbourhood to old school coach tours taking you and 48 other people to countryside restaurants offering 10€ tourist menus.

My company operates mostly in Dubrovnik, Croatia which is often in the news for being a famous holiday spot. Dubrovnik has also been in the news during the past few years because its historical centre is on the brink of being seriously damaged by seasonal overcrowding. This small medieval city is being overrun by tourists on certain days. It is a popular cruise ship port and its beautifully preserved historical centre is seeing 4 or 5 times the number of people visiting per day then there are people living within its medieval ramparts. Local businesses are getting more and more geared towards tourists and locals are seeing their typical Mediterranean culture of living threatened by all these changes. Naturally, there are many in Dubrovnik that deem tourism as inherently destructive.

There is a fundamental truth to tourism that many don’t understand. While it’s often seen as a destructive force in many destinations, it is possible for tourism to be a force for preservation and sustainability as well.

Don’t believe me? Let’s take a hypothetical situation where you are setting up a guided tour to the countryside exploring traditional food and wine scene.
There is a big difference in how you approach the organisation of such an activity if you are handling 4, 6 or 8 guests in a group, versus groups of 50, 100, or 200 people. Places you are going to visit with your guests have to fall within certain parameters. If you are dealing with a small group of people or individual travellers, these places need to offer authenticity and intimate feel suitable for a tour that costs more per person than one carrying 50 or 100 guests.The idea is to experience the area and local lifestyle for what it is or what it used to be. The best result will be achieved if the places visited don’t seem as if they cater to guests at all, but rather keep the form of a traditional countryside winery or cheese making estate or similar. Preserving the heritage and original appearance is not only possible, but mandatory. Some traditional rural communities in Croatia have managed to survive the downfall or traditional industries they survived on in the past because of tourism.
On the other hand, if you want to cater to large groups of people doing cheaper tours, you need to modify the existing infrastructure to such an extent you can actually handle 100, 200 or more people at the same time. You need employees, huge parking, professional kitchen, multiple washrooms, suppliers, up-selling, merch… and plenty more. Preserving the character of local heritage or small family business becomes impossible, or at least very difficult. This is not to say any of these two extremes is inherently bad. It’s just the reality of this business.

Does this mean you should never do big group tours? No. Sometimes, bigger is better. It is simply more fun to do certain things in a big group and lack of individual approach might even be better for people who want to have an option of simply quitting the tour halfway in and go off to do their own thing. Besides, not every area is sensitive to larger numbers of people. Using the same logic, not every small group tour is good quality or good value for money either. The negative side of the liberalization of the market is an absolute flood of people offering services they are simply not qualified to organise or perform.

We are forced to reset the entire travel industry because of the Coronavirus pandemic. This is the right time to think about these issues. Aside from helping tourism approach sustainability, small group activities increase the flexibility of destinations to handle guests of various profiles. They provide more value for money for guests looking to truly enjoy a certain area. They enable incoming companies to think “outside of the box” and explore their creative ideas.

Most people in the world would like to be the kind of traveller that does not engage in activities which might harm the area they are visiting. If you think a large group activity in the place you are next visiting might cause harm, think twice about doing it. Where ever you are travelling to, you will be visiting a living community of people or some other creatures. Your purchasing choices will have some sort of an effect on that community. Be aware of this. If you are already investing half a day or a full day of your vacation in doing a tour, make sure you going to feel good about it. With a bit of effort, it is easy to make travelling into a deep and meaningful experience. Enjoy your next vacation and make it authentic. You’ll appreciate it, trust me.

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5 – You probably don’t know much (or anything) about Croatian wine, but you should

Croatian winemaking credentials are much more serious than people outside of this country understand. With a long and rich history of winemaking on its territory going back to Roman Empire and earlier, Croatia is also a home to over 120 indigenous varieties and has high diversity that would be much more suited to a way bigger winemaking power. Since we export very little of this wine, it is difficult to encounter Croatian wine in the big import markets. This is why majority of people visiting as travellers only get to try Croatian wine one they arrive here. It’s time you get practically informed!

4 – Wine tours are never just about wine

(Good quality) Wine tours are not just about going from point A to point B and tasting different wines. They are about meeting people passionate about wine and getting to understand different terroirs, different tastes and philosophies tied to it. Much like wine itself, they are all about socialising and sharing insights and a few laughs. It’s all about good fun and understanding local culture.

3 – Local wineries happen to be in some of the most beautiful areas of Dubrovnik region

Tied to the previous point, wine tours are perfect for exploring the area surrounding Dubrovnik. Main local wine regions are on Peljesac Peninsula, Korcula Island, Konavle region, and Komarna region near Neretva River Delta. While Peljesac is the most renowned one, I would do a great disservice to the reader of this text by separating any one of these as being more or less worth exploring. Each is amazing in its own way. There are going to be more texts on these regions coming up in this blog, but trust me when I say you are making a mistake if you spend your entire Dubrovnik holiday just within the city, regardless of how beautiful it is.

2 – Wineries are not tourist products, they are authentic

Yes, while some larger wineries have hospitality areas exclusively made with our incoming tourists in mind, for most parts they are a part of a household. Croatian wine making is done mainly on small scale and it’s usually within traditional countryside estates and country homes. Going wine tasting in Dubrovnik area is usually a good way to get to know a few things about what life was like in this part of the world in the “old days” as well.

1 – Escape the crowds

I wish this point was less important, but unfortunately, it is perhaps the most important one. Depending on when you are travelling to Dubrovnik you might be faced with the city’s historical centre being overcrowded at certain times. This shouldn’t sway you from coming to Dubrovnik for your holiday, but it is a good idea to make plans that will allow you to escape the most crowded areas on the busiest days. Winery and vineyard tours will take you to places most of which are not crowded even in peak summer months.

What do you think, did I convince you? Come on, this is a well written text, all logic is there, take a chance! You have plenty to choose from when it comes to wine tours in Dubrovnik. For example, we do Wine Lover’s Tour as our bestseller, Croatian Wine Tasting Experience if you don’t want to leave the city, and for those wishing to explore food and history more than wine, we do Food, Wine, and History of Peljesac Peninsula. We do plenty more custom made itineraries, so don’t be shy, drop us a line.

The post Top 5 Reasons for doing a Wine Tasting Tour while in Dubrovnik appeared first on Insider Holidays Dubrovnik.

Exploration of Peljesac Peninsula wine country starts in Ston

Why Though?

Ston and Mali Ston are situated at the base of Peljesac Peninsula, country’s most renowned wine region. They are approximately 45 minutes away from Dubrovnik, heading north on D8 coastal road. Towns are on the sea shore, facing two separate bays. Bay of Mali Ston is renowned as Croatia’s top oysters and mussels growing area, so needless to say, you have a few wonderful dining options when visiting. I most often go for Bota Sate Restaurant. This family owned, traditional eatery boasts some of the freshest seafood around. After all, they do have their own oyster and mussel farm.

Nothing beats fresh oysters, straight from the sea

Ston is no more than a couple of minutes’ drive, around the hill which separates the two towns. Ston is famous for its City Walls built in the 14th century. These are 2.5 times longer than those of Dubrovnik and actually span all the way to Mali Ston. They are quite steep and are not easy to climb, but the views from up there will be worth it, trust me. Ston and Mali Ston were built up during Dubrovnik Republic rule where they were extremely important border towns. Ston was one of the biggest money makers in the Republic seeing how it housed (and still does) the ancient salt flats which extracted salt from the sea. Salt was worth its weight in gold back then, so having this place which produced around a 1000 tons of it yearly was well worth protecting. Ston is popular for Dubrovnik locals as well for day trips and quick getaways from the crowds. It’s a perfect place to enjoy a bit of history and a relaxing coffee break or lunch.

Ston City Walls provide the most amazing views

How?

Both towns are wonderful in their own way and should definitely be on your bucket list when in Dubrovnik. Driving there on your own is a good idea, but if you decide you would rather have someone show you the best parts of the area and make a day out of it, you might want to check out our regular small group tours going there. Our bestselling Wine Lover’s Tour visits Ston and our brand new one – Food, Wine and History of Peljesac is to my knowledge the only regular small group tour to include a visit to the City Walls of Ston.

However you decide to go, make sure you schedule some time to visit these towns. Oh, and did I already mention they are at the beginning of the most important Croatian wine region?

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Photo: HBO

If you think about it, Dubrovnik shares plenty of things in common with its TV persona – King’s Landing. Here are 5 of them in no particular order:

Walk of Shame

Ok, let’s start with a popular one. Walk of Atonement is by far the most popular scene shot in Dubrovnik and it depicts Cersei having to go through a public shaming punishment by being forced to walk through the streets of King’s Landing in the nude while being booed and humiliated by the crowd. Dubrovnik had a similar punishment in its past. Dubrovnik’s real walk of shame was not done in the nude. Instead, the sentenced party would be walked through the city sitting backwards on a donkey. All the while there would be a person walking along, shouting out the transgressions one is being punished for. This penalty would be reserved mainly for sexual offenders.

The Sparrows

Talking about public morality, The Sparrows appear in the show as an extreme religious cult. They are insanely focused on purity and religious dogmas. This sounds very much like the cult of the flagellants whose members would be seen on the streets of Dubrovnik during the times of great plague epidemics of the 14^th century. They used to whip themselves, punishing their bodies for sins of their own as well as others and were aggressive towards those they saw as being immoral.

Espionage

Dubrovnik was a big centre for international trade, especially in the 15^th and 16^th century. Its geographical position made it a perfect merchant link between East and West. This, as well as a relatively neutral role it played in the conflict between the Ottoman Empire and Catholic forced of the Mediterranean also made it a key centre for espionage. In fact, Varys, Littlefingers, and early season’s Tyrion most probably had their local doppelgangers in Dubrovnik.

Street of Steele

While there is no comparing the biggest city of Westeros with its one million inhabitants with Dubrovnik which counted 6000 souls in the city centre at the peak of its power, both were still bustling cities. Dubrovnik was an important administrative, merchant, and industrial centre, which is why it had efficient city zoning. In King’s Landing for example you have your Street of Flour or Street of Steele – named after the bakeries and blacksmith shops that operated there. In Dubrovnik you have Blacksmith Street (Kovačka Ulica) or Goldsmith Street (Zlatarska Ulica) to name a few, that were named with the exact same logic in mind.

Photo: HBO

Wild Fire

Wild Fire is one of the things seen in Game of Thrones that is usually easily discounted as a fantasy element. However, it is much closer to reality than you think. In the show, it is a highly flammable liquid made by the Alchemists’ Guild to be used in warfare. It was decisive in the Battle of Blackwater Bay and Cersei’s destruction of the Sparrows. Actual weapon of this type was known as Greek Fire or Byzantine Fire and was used by the Byzantine Empire during the early history of Dubrovnik, while the city was under Byzantine protection. It just goes to show, sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.

We love both history and Game of Thrones, which is why we offer options for every type of visitor to Dubrovnik. For those looking to immerse themselves in the exciting history of this city, Insider’s Tour of Dubrovnik is all about the past and the present of this city. Those who are fans of the show and are interested in how and where it was filmed, there is our Game of Thrones Filming Locations Tour, while for all those looking to get the best out of both worlds we’ve created History vs. Game of Thrones Tour of Dubrovnik.

The post How is Dubrovnik like King’s Landing appeared first on Insider Holidays Dubrovnik.

Rowdy Visitors and Overcrowding

Globally, we are seeing a rise in degradation of famous natural sites by visitors. There are cases like the one in Thailand where a world famous beach is closing for public due to pollution or the latest news story from Indonesia where Komodo Island is being closed for visiting tourists because of the damage komodo dragon smuggling is causing. In the Mediterranean region there are several historical cities that are suffering under the weight of overcrowding. Unfortunatelly, Dubrovnik is on the list of those that are threatened by the sheer number of visitors it receives during summer season. I myself wrote about this problem a couple of years ago and I’m sorry to say the situation did not improve drastically since.

Tourism as the Creator and the Destructor

I am a tour company owner and a local tour guide in Dubrovnik. Of course I want us to have guest visiting in great numbers. It is my livelihood as it has been for so many living in this city for the past 120 years. Dubrovnik is a true tourism destination in its core. Even before modern day travel, back when Dubrovnik Republic was one of the most successful merchant ports of the Mediterranean, we still had to be able to receive people from all over the world and make them feel welcome (and willing to part with their money). It would be shame for this proud city to become anything less than welcoming. Still, sometimes we can witness destructive behaviours of our guests as well. Coupled with overcrowding it really does lead to diminished quality of life for the local community. While it makes sense to give people on their holidays a bit of leeway to blow off some steam and perhaps relax a bit more than they usually would, some common sense rules should apply. Otherwise, we are risking turning local people against tourism and against foreign travellers.

So…  Should We Just Go Home?

Of course not. Tourism and travel are amazing parts of the human experience and should be promoted wholeheartedly. When it comes to overcrowding, it’s not a bad idea to travel off season whenever possible. As for the other destructive behaviours, here are 5 easy tips one should bear in mind in order to be a more conscientious and welcomed guest:

• Respect national and community laws and regulations (duh!)
• Be mindful of the local way of life
• Follow local and international regulations aimed at nature preservation
• When it comes to public conduct, don’t do elsewhere what you wouldn’t do in your hometown
• When in doubt about what’s acceptable, ask a local

Oh, and a bonus one: Don’t take baby dolphins out of the water. That’s not rude, that’s just stupid.

PHOTO: Hernán Coria © Franciscana en Santa Teresita

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There is however one thing you ought to know when coming here in the spring. Weather can be quite fickle. Dubrovnik weather through March, April and May can be everything from cold due to significant wind chill factors (Bura – strong northern wind is especially tricky during March) to rainy and wet, to sunny and warm with temperatures higher than cooler parts of Europe experience in peak summer. For much of spring you really shouldn’t leave your accommodation without having your sunglasses and your umbrella with you as the weather can change on you in matter of minutes.

Don’t let this discourage you though as it certainly doesn’t change the fact this part of the year is one of the nicest during which to visit this beautiful region.

For some practical tips on what to do while here during spring, check out our blog post HERE, and also keep in mind our regular WINE TOURS (morning, afternoon) are starting in March. Enjoy Dubrovnik!

The post Two Things to Always Have With You when Visiting Dubrovnik in the Spring appeared first on Insider Holidays Dubrovnik.

Swimming / Sunbathing

Yes, I know, this is a summer „To Do“ item, but I actually prefer spring for both of these. Water can be a bit cold for the first part of spring, but any sunny day (and there are plenty of those through April and May) will be good to catch some sun rays on mostly empty beaches. During May many will already start swimming in the sea, so make sure to get some tan and some aquatic fun before the actual summer season starts.

Endless Coffee on the Terrace

Coffee drinking is by far the most beloved daily ritual for Dubrovnik Locals and it’s endlessly more pleasant when done on outside terraces with sun shining down on you. With sunshine generally widely available, but still not too strong during most of spring, feel free to indulge in people watching and lounging around in your favourite local cafes.

Explore the Historical Centre

Majority of the most famous Dubrovnik attractions are within the historical centre which can get pretty crowded at times, especially during the summer. March and April, as well as the beginning of May are perfect for city exploration without needing to worry about crowded museums or scorching heat, just make sure to check the opening hours of the city’s attractions beforehand.

Get Active!

With nature in full bloom and weather mostly pleasant (albeit a bit unpredictable at times), those with an inclination for the great outdoors will undoubtedly find plenty to do in Dubrovnik during spring months. Hiking, kayaking, nature walks, picnics, and many more outdoor activities await you, so put on your walking shoes.

Food and Wine

Yes, I’m cheating a bit because food and wine is my go-to answer for pretty much anything. Not only that, but this is pretty much a sure thing throughout the year in Dubrovnik. However, I believe springtime may be the best for indulging in the local cuisine. Unlike winter when plenty of restaurants around Dubrovnik are closed, or summer when the temperatures are often so high it makes eating less appealing; spring is just the right time to explore the rich restaurant scene and not hold back while doing so.

The post Top 5 Things to Experience in Dubrovnik During Spring appeared first on Insider Holidays Dubrovnik.

Heading South

South of Dubrovnik you will find Zupa dubrovacka region which offers lovely seaside promenade going across three separate bays. Excellent spot for leisurely walks, lunch, or a relaxing swim. Coffee by the sea is always among the priorities of local people, so do as the locals do while here. Small shopping centre right off the main road will give you a chance to quench your shopping thirst, but also provides very reasonably priced underground parking.

Further along you will eventually get to charming historic town of Cavtat. Because of its long and interesting history, it offers a good basis for a short historical walking tour. Cavtat is also popular as a place to get away from Dubrovnik for local people. There are a few wonderful dining options by the sea and nice swimming spots around as well.

Cavtat marks the beginning of a much bigger region of Konavle. This countryside region spans the southern part of Dubrovnik County, all the way to the border of Montenegro. Konavle has historically been known as an important agricultural region. Today, many of its families make their living or at least additional income through tourism, but traditions are still well visible all around and the entire area has a feel of past times. The region is perfect for learning about the old ways and traditional crafts, as well as enjoying wonderful local cuisine (especially traditional meat under the iron bell – Peka) in restaurants dotted around it. Konavle is also a small, but important wine growing region and it is home to some of the finest local white wine – Malvasija.

Along the way to any point due south, making a detour to the top of Mount Srd is a good idea. Aside from wonderful panoramic viewpoints, you can enjoy a small museum dedicated to Dubrovnik siege during Croatian War for Independence in early 1990’s.

The post Exploring Dubrovnik Surroundings, Part 1 appeared first on Insider Holidays Dubrovnik.

Most cruise ships arrive in Dubrovnik during the morning and stay until late or early afternoon. Many of these ships carry in excess of 2000 or even 3000 passengers most of which visit the historical centre. This means that periods between 10:00am and 2:00pm can be very crowded around the main city’s attractions. To avoid this, try planning ahead for when you are visiting the Old City district. Even if you’re in while the crowds are there, you can still use city’s smaller side streets to navigate your way around the crowds. These often offer shade, will give you a more authentic experience of what it’s like living within the city walls, and if you get any city map you will easily find your way around. However, if you are staying in Dubrovnik and are not one for getting up early in the morning, the best time to visit the city might just be in the evening. All the main sites are still well visible (with the exception of the museums which are all closed in the evening) and streets are populated by people mainly strolling around and relaxing, all in much lower numbers than during the day.

City Walls are a wonderful city attraction well worth visiting as well. They are best enjoyed as soon as they open in 8:00 am, or towards the closing time at 5:30pm, 6:30pm or 7:30pm, depending on the month.

All in all, a little bit of planning or thinking ahead can go a long way where ever you travel. When it comes to visiting Dubrovnik’s historical centre, it can mean the difference between enjoying the medieval city in a relaxed manner with a gelato in your hands, or making your way through crowds of screaming people during the peak daily temperatures. It’s up to you.

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