I'm pretty lucky to be married to a Croat -- sure, they might be a temperamental and eccentric bunch, but they're also super fun, have a beautiful country with a stunning coastline, and some of the best food in Europe. In fact, just the other day, I read an
article in the New York Times extolling the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, especially the foods of Italy and Croatia, for leading to better health and longevity.
I've been fortunate enough to visit Croatia frequently over the past twenty years, and not only do I always have a great time, but I discover something new on each trip. Lately, I've been island hopping and enjoying some great beaches and chilled-out seaside towns. For such a small country, it is surprisingly diverse, and every region offers something unique to try or experience. Whether it's a spicy kulen from Slavonia, seafood from the Adriatic, or frog legs from the Croatian hinterlands, there's always a great meal around the corner.
And, at the end of 2024, we very unexpectedly purchased an apartment in Zagreb and decided to make it our home base for the foreseeable future. Since then, we've been able to explore much more of the country and its neighboring regions at a more relaxed pace, which is key to travelling with both a toddler and a mighty Airedale terrier in the back seat of the car! Adjusting to life in Croatia has been surprisingly easy and relaxed, even if locals are perpetually perplexed by why an American would relocate here. I guess that's just a bit of the self-depricating national psyche, but deep down I think most Croats know they've got an OK thing going on here ;)
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| Sunset at Maslinica - Šolta Island, 2023 |
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| Preparing njoki with teta Ðina - Split, 2024 |
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| Teta Ðina's njoki and pašticada - Split, 2023 |
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Momjan, Istria, 2017
 | Its ice cream season! Split, 2024
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 | Lignje na žaru (grilled calamari) - Restoran Pojoda, Vis Island, 2023
 | Split panorama as seen from Zvjezdano Selo Mosor, 2023
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Calamari brudet - Konoba Šešula, Šolta Island, 2023
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| Dubrovnik, 2014 |
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| Istrian antipasti - Konoba Stari Podrum, Momjan, 2017 |
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| Zakloplatica, Lastovo, 2014 |
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| Lignje na žaru (grilled calamari) - Konoba Šešula, Šolta Island, 2023 |
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| Fuži s tartufima (pasta with creamy truffle sauce) - Konoba Stari Podrum, Momjan, 2014 |
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| Škarpina (grouper) - Konoba Herc, Pomera, Mljet Island, 2023 |
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Dubrovnik, 2014
 | BEFORE: bistecca alla Fiorentina with rucola and parmesan - Konoba Stari Podrum, Momjan, 2017
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| Sightseeing in Grožnjan, 2017 |
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AFTER: bistecca alla Fiorentina with rucola and parmesan - Konoba Stari Podrum, Momjan, 2017
 | | Vis Island, 2023 |
 | Pagar na žaru (grilled red dory) - Restoran Pojoda, Vis Island, 2023
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| Dubrovnik, 2014 |
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| Frutti di bosco - Konoba Stari Podrum, Momjan, 2017 |
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| Pizza Adriatica (ham, prosciutto, olives, cheese, arugala) - Restoran Pizza Adriatica, Pomena, Mljet Island, 2023 |
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| Dubrovnik, 2014 |
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Lazy summer afternoons - Šolta, 2024
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| Pizza with pršut, paški sir, and arugula: awarded best pizza in Croatia 2007 - Pizzeria Alfa, Vela Luka, Korčula Island, 2014 |
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| Ferry ride to Split, 2014 |
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| Hobotnica ispod peke, "Octopus under a bell" - Konoba Tauris, Šipanska Luka, Šipan Island, 2014 |
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| Šipanska Luka, Šipan Island, 2014 |
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| Langostines - Konoba Tauris, Šipanska Luka, Šipan Island, 2014 |
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Diocletian Palace, Split, 2014
 | Lignje na žaru (grilled calamari) - Bota Šare, Zagreb, 2022
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Diocletian Palace, Split, 2014
 | Saplunara, Mljet Island, 2023
 | | Lignje pržene -- absolutely the best, crispiest, juiciest, sweetest, and most tender fried calamari in the world! Now I can never eat frozen calamari again... Konoba Stermasi, Saplunara, Mljet Island, 2023 |
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| Kunjke i brbavice (Noah's ark shells and Venus clams) - Bota Šare, Zagreb, 2022 |
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| Diocletian Palace, Split, 2014 |
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| Zagrebački odrezak - Vinodol, Zagreb, 2022 |
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| Hvar, 2014 |
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| Spaghetti with sea urchin - Konoba Stermasi, Saplunara, Mljet Island, 2023 |
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| Dubrovnik, 2014 |
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| Octopus carpaccio - Konoba Šešula, Šolta Island, 2023 |
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| The Alk of Sinj Museum, Sinj, 2023 |
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| Black risotto with squid ink - Konoba Šešula, Šolta Island, 2023 |
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| Origin of the Cetina River, 2023 |
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| Lignje pržene -- I just can't get enough of this amazing fresh calamari, and I'm never ever eating frozen squid again!!! Konoba Herc, Pomera, Mljet Island, 2023 |
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Sušac sheep - Sušac Island, 2014
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| Shrimp tartare - Konoba Šešula, Maslinica, Šolta Island, 2023 |
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Sušac Island, 2014
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| Diocletian Palace, Split, 2014 |
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| Grilled veal - Sušac Island, 2014 |
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| Teta Ðina's janjetina (roasted young lamb with peppers, eggplant, and potatoes) - Split, 2023 |
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| Sušac Island, 2014 |
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| Pro - tSušac Island, 2014 |
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| Lastovo Island, 2014 |
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Lobster polenta - Sušac Island, 2014
 | | Pomena, Mljet Island, 2023 |
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Kozice al nono and salata od gofa (Grandpa's shrimp and amberjack fish salad) - Restoran Pojoda, Vis Island, 2023
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The city walls of Dubrovnik, 2014
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Mljetski makjeruli - Konoba Stermasi, Saplunara, Mljet Island, 2023
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Everything is fine - Saplunara, Mljet Island, 2023
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| Split Beach, 2023 |
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| Frog brodet, 2023 |
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| Bačvica Beach and Marina, Split, 2023 |
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| Hobotnica ispod peke, "Octopus under a bell" - Konoba Herc, Pomera, Mljet Island, 2023 |
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| A very happy 2nd birthday in our new apartment - Zagreb, 2025 |
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