Good2Know

''DON'T FORGET TO TELL THEM ABOUT THE FRUITS!'' - Outdoor Markets in Croatia

Those were the exact words of a middle aged gentleman from Germany (who, at the time of my brief conversation with him was on vacation with his family at Villa Colonia in Pirovac), after I asked him what should we emphasize to the future visitors and tourists to Croatia as specific advantage of staying on holiday in this country.

Meeting with this gentleman seemed to me as a nice opportunity to hear his Croatia experiences given that he and his family members come here on holiday for the last thirty years. Hmh . ., I was expecting comments about crystal clear sea, beautiful beaches, friendly people, something like that. I did not expect comment about fresh fruits and vegetables. So I asked him a rhetorical question; ''You don't have fresh fruits and vegetables in Germany?'' - ''Of course we have, but not on every corner, fresh and not home-grown!'', he said.

Yes, indeed, we can say that almost every city and place in Croatia has its own market. There is a long tradition of the arrival of farmers to a specific place in a town or village in order to sell their products. Depending on the region you are in, this place is called ''trznica'' (trzh-ni-tsa) or ''pazar'' (pa-zar) or ''pijaca'' (pi-ja-tsa). Regardless of the name, regardless of whether is it a weekly or daily market, outdoor or covered one, you'll be attracted by the life that is there with its colours, sounds, people and products. The market is the true spirit of a city and its region; if it is normal to bargain for a apple price, you'll probably be able to bargain for the apartment price as well.

Besides the large variety of season fresh fruit and veggies, at the ''trznica'' various local products can be found; olives products (on the coast and islands), various flavours of grappa, bee products, herbs and grasses, flowers, souvenirs, beach towels or even shoes or bags for vacuum cleaner. Best of all, almost everything is home grown (o.k., shoes and vacuum cleaner bags are not). In most cases, the sellers are women who sell fruit and veggies from their garden and they will often gladly throw you a tomato or a carrot extra. Of course, men also sell products but such products are usually called here as ''a man products'' (smoked ham and other types of smoked meat, homemade grappas, etc.). Here I will end up with division of market vendors by gender.

Product prices are tipically written on a piece of paper (next to the product) and you can forget the credit card: only cash. Also, do not expect an account. It is therefore desirable for you to recall the basic mathematical operations, just in case. Do not buy early in the mornings when the prices are too high. Better to wait and buy afternoon because prices tend to be lower. As the product prices concerned, it is difficult to make a one sided conclusion. Some products cost less than in supermarket, some of them cost more. O.K., with this I have not said anything. There is a big difference whether is it a market in the famous and among tourists popular destination or is it a market in a lesser-known destination. Unfortunately, many in Croatia (including market vendors) using high tourist season as an excuse to raise prices.

However, I can say that prices are lower than in most EU countries. Do not forget; even if you are paying something more expensive then in the supermarket it worth money because almost all of groceries are completely natural (ecological) products produced at the local farms.

Write about the markets in Croatia and not to mention road fruit-veggies vendors along the tourist routes, it would be a great injustice. As if someone scattered market stalls along the road which leads to the next city, beach, part of the town, wherever people go. For example, if you are on the road from Zadar to Sibenik, you will pass by at least fifty of them. Zadar area is especially known for such road vendors (Ravni Kotari - area with large agricultural areas) as well as the Neretva River valley.

Definitely worth a stop for a moment to buy a watermelon or grapes, peaches. Especially since most of these stalls stands in front of the farmer house: fresh in this case literally means fresh! Be careful while driving you see a beautiful strawberry stall which you just passed; slow down, turn on the blinker and if necessary stop for ten or more meters away. Do not brake suddenly as this is a matter of life or death! You would not believe what's happening in these situations and how often.

However, no offense to anyone, I would not recommend buying milk products (cheese, pastries) at such places (regardless of the small fridges). Especially if a vendor in Dubrovnik offers you a homemade sheep cheese from Vrbnik on island of Krk (which is about 350 miles from Dubrovnik). Fresh, of course (?). Maybe I'm wrong, but you should buy a Vrbnik cheese on outdoor market or from road food vendor when you are actually on the island of Krk.

So, whether for a few apples, dried figs or for a beach towel, be sure to visit one of these outdoor markets when you are in Croatia.

By the way, did I tell you that in Croatia, at almost every corner, there is a bakery?

(Author; Marko Prpic.)

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WELCOME GUESTS, . . FAREWELL FRIENDS

Luckily it is not all advertising exaggeration!

Do not be surprised when the owner of the accommodation where you spend your holiday gives you a small present on the day of your departure. Usually, it would be a bottle of his homemade olive oil, wine or ''travarica'' (TRA-va-ree-tsa; herb brandy)or even a cheese.

Our clients (private acc. owners) tell us that guests often remain amazed and confused at the same time probably wondering whether they should pay? No, in no case (Do not worry; if you still offer money, you'll go home live and healthy :)).

As I said at the beginning, it's a gift.

Things are pretty simple; usual descriptions and impressions of the people in Croatia (from the Internet, numerous advertisiments, blogs, brochures, . .) as a good and gracious hosts are not just random. Such descriptions are true.

Yes, of course, there are exceptions but you know what we are saying about them.

For various reasons in Croatia lives the tradition of so called ''ordinary people'' of holding at least a small piece of agricultural land. In most cases land is inherited from ancestors. Here is the question of people's tradition and pride to have their own homemade wine, olive oil or smoked ham. Yes, sheeps, goats and pigs are here a natural sequence of things. It does not matter whether it is a few or a hundred liters, half or ten pounds; they made those products with their love and persistence and the fruits of their labor will usually be found in the grandfather cellar (''konoba'' - tavern).

Best of all, they are happy to share them with friends.

Sometimes the wine or a sweet dessert wine (proshek) will be bottled in plastic bottles, sometimes in a glass bottle with or without a label, homemade orange jam in a jar for pickles, olive oil in a bottle for wine, . . . , doesn't matter. The point is that you'll probably for the first time really try and taste olive oil, jam, cheese or wine.

In fact, all these bottles and jars of various sizes and shapes, wine, cheese and olive oil are actually the crux of private accommodation. Yes, of course, the financial element (financial compensation for using accommodation) is an integral part of the rental accommodation. Regardless of the reason(s) it started appearing and in what circumstances (in areas attractive to tourists has flourished), rental accommodation by private individuals should remain within the term or concept of family enterprise with as little as possible elements that are so characteristic for the large hotel companies.

A person - not a number, a family - not a group. Family, but on both sides.

As you should not be surprised by the gift(s) on departure, do not be surprised when the acc. owner, immediately upon your arrival, offers to you and your family members a glass of wine or a cold juice. Definitely a nice gesture after a few hours spent in the car.

So, all the photos of all these, more or less, decorated tables (with a variety of aperitives and other drinks, bowls of fruits, . . etc.) in the accommodation info-photo galleries of our clients on our web page are not there just because of the impression. Feel free to visit MEET CROATIA on BLOGSPOT for full article with more photos. (Author: Marko Prpich)

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WHERE TO GO ON HOLIDAY IN CROATIA?

For starters, get a little more detailed map of Croatia. You know, a map which also shows the places and cities with less than 5 000 inhabitants.

Or, forget for a moment all these widely-known tourist destinations in Croatia whose names are screaming at each promotional brochure; generally they are overcrowded with tourists and overpriced (for what they offer). Of course, there are some honorable exceptions.

We want to say that is worth a try to search for a holiday destination among the less known and popular places. Yes, now you'll say that everyone praises his land (actually, in this region we say that everyone praises his horse), but let's look at the facts. For example, compare the prices of accommodation in the City of Krk with prices in the places arround the city of Krk (private accommodation in the village Pinezici and village Garica ). As you can see, we have clients in the town of Krk as well as the clients in the places that surround him.

It is the same thing with Primosten and places arround them (private accommodation in Sparadici) or any other area that we could mention as an example. Means, it would be illogical on our part to alianate potentional guests from places where we have clients.

This proposal is for those undecided.

Why pay for expensive parking place when you can park wherever you want or do not pay for parking place at all. Crowded beaches can be replaced with an almost private beaches and coves. Why wait for a waiter in one of the countless caffes when you can have a waiter who have a respect for the customers so he, after your third or fourth visit, will remember what kind of coffee you like.

Sure, everything has its advantages and disadvantages. However, if you are on the vacation, it is better to spend it there where people arround you will appreciate that fact.

So, when you are using ''city search'' on our web page and find the name of the city you have never heard before, chill out; type it into one of the internet browser's search (web, images, blog's etc.) together with some other words suc as ''beach, restaurants, sights, history, . ., you might be surpprised how quickly you can find your holiday destination.

Here is another example; if you are driving along the coast from Split to Makarska you'll probably just rush through the place called Lokva Rogoznica (our clients private accommodation offer for Lokva Rogoznica is under the city of Omis).

Have you seen the beaches in this area?

Maybe this could help. This is a link to our YouTube channel and Lokva Rogoznica beaches. Do not overlook places just because you've never heard of them or their names are hard to pronounce.In addition, you might use MEET CROATIA YouTube Channel where we try to upload some videos and slideshows that might help in your search for holiday destination.

Finally, you can always try with our Customer Service; we will be happy to help you.

Good luck!

(Author; Marko Prpich.)