Croatia - Unforgettable gastronomy experiences with Roundabout Experiences
Croatian food is wonderfully varied and distinctive, largely because the country blends many culinary cultures: the seafood-dominated flavours of the Mediterranean with Italian, Middle Eastern and Ottoman influences, all mingled with Croatia’s Balkan staples. Let Roundabout Experiences escort your guests down Croatia's long, stunning coastline, eating and drinking their way from Zagreb to Dubrovnik in a series of boutique and private experiences all focussed on the country's gastronomic delights.
Zagreb food walking tour
Get to know some of the most well-known Croatian dishes from various regions. This is so much more than a city food tour, guests will drop in on Zagreb's most interesting hidden corners and learn about local history while experiencing Croatia’s best flavours.
By the end of the tour, clients will have sampled up to six traditional Croatian dishes. A chance to get familiar with the distinctive tastes of each of the five regions, enjoy the most typical wine samples that pair best with traditional dishes, and uncover the rich history and culture of Zagreb.
Where to stay
We love the glamorous Hotel Esplanade Zagreb with its fairytale exterior, art-deco feel and uber-stylish rooms. There is something very decadent about the Esplanade, it feels like a dreamy mixture of vintage Hollywood meets the Orient-Express! Located within easy reach of key attractions, the city’s most iconic hotel is a haven for A-List movie stars, politicians, singers and artists.
Tour the Istrian olive groves in a vintage defender!
Olive oil and wine tasting with a real twist. Guests are collected and chauffeured around the beautiful Istrian countryside in refurbished, vintage Land Rover Defenders! Jump in, buckle up and explore the Motovan region, with carefully planned stops to take in the views and sample local sparkling wines.
Firstly, you'll meet one of the best producers of extra virgin olive oil in Istria. Through the degustation you'll be guided through the olive oils, accompanied with a glass of the best Istrian wines and small bites, guests will learn about the Buje region and its rich history where olives and olive oil feature so heavily.
Buzet Truffle Hunt
A hidden gem nestled in the hinterlands of the Croatian Istria, Buzet is perched proudly on a hilltop above the fertile Mirna valley. Once part of the Venetian empire this beautiful town not only boasts stunning history, architecture and monuments, but is in fact a gourmet paradise, officially pronounced ‘The city of truffles’. With a local guide, explore the surrounding woods and forests and participate in a truffle hunt adventure. Using trained dogs and with a great deal of patience and dedication your guests will learn how this underground treasure is found and unearthed. A game of chance…you can never know when truffles will release their magical scent, which makes truffle hunting unique, fun and adventurous! Foodies will be in heaven when this adventure is finished with a local meal, perhaps fresh pasta prepared with your own black truffles!
Istrian cooking class and wine tasting
Whether your guests are budding chefs or purely amateurs, this unique cooking class will fascinate and delight. Travel back in time as you will be cooking recipes using traditional clay/iron baking bells which date back to ancient times. Get hands-on and learn how to cook traditional recipes as well as mastering the art of simple pasta making. Fuelled of course, by wine tasting - cooking is more fun this way!
Where to stay:
Meneghetti wine hotel, where nature meets luxury. We love this hotel for the seclusion and stillness it offers. Considered one of the best luxury hotels in the world, the Meneghetti offers a selection of rooms, suites and villas, all oozing with vintage luxury and views across the vineyards. Think wooden beams, rooms painted in mineral hues, fireplaces and deep, freestanding baths.
Maybe Roxanich Winery and Design Hotel will suit your wine-loving guests more? The Roxanich wine collections are an experience for all the senses. Rooms are spacious and ultra-modern, with incredible views over the Mirna Valley.
Art and wine in the heart of beautiful Split. What's not to like!?
A painting party that requires no prior painting experience! Enjoy a sociable, stress-free night guided by our local artists. Release your inner artist, sample the unlimited local wines and create your own masterpiece. There are no rules, and no prerequisites - all you need to do is relax, sip wine and paint! The best part is that you take your final artwork with you as a great souvenir of your experience and fun times in Split.
Gastronomic journey through Dalmation history.
This Mediterranean culinary tour takes place in an Etno Agro park close to Split - a traditional, restored Dalmatian village and botanical garden. Your guests will become part of an interactive, authentic and entertaining tour around the property listening to the enchanting family story, exploring local and family culinary traditions and all through the great company of a local host. Learn how the amazing family-style "peka" meal is made, and savour some local wine and the famous Drnis "prsut" (smoked ham). End your visit with a great family-style "peka" lunch, set in the beautiful gardens. A must for food-mad guests, this experience explores century-old flavours and recipes, uses incredible quality local ingredients and uncovers some of the best well-guarded secrets of Croatian gastronomy, all in a simple, natural and authentic way.
Where to stay
For a completely unique accommodation experience, we love the Briig Boutique Hotel’s commanding architecture and its sleek white modern exterior. Enjoy sea-views, incredible gastronomy and a rooftop oasis spa.
Fishing tour around Split and the stunning blue caves
Nothing quite beats exploring the stunning Dalmatian coast by private boat! On this all-day tour, guests visit the stunning Blue Cave and Hvar before fishing the clear waters around the islands of Vis, Biševo, Sv. Andrija, as well as the volcanic islands of Brusnik and Jabuka. The catch of the day includes John Dory, Common Pandora, Dentex, Scorpionfish, Amberjack, Bonito, and many more! As well as experiencing the thrill of the catch, your clients will learn first-hand about the marine environment and the different species that inhabit the Adriatic Sea whilst cruising around some of the most beautiful Dalmatian waters. And it’s not all fishing! Onboard, you’ll enjoy your fresh fish lunch and then have access to snorkelling and spearfishing equipment, as well as a go-pro camera and drone to capture all the moments for your memories!
Hvar - sunset dinners with a private chef.
A moment for your guests to truly relax and unplug - Sometimes the finest things in life are also the simplest. Roundabout Experiences know how to create the most intimate and romantic dinner settings and this does not disappoint. For guests looking to mark a special occasion, this is perfect - a spectacular location on this sunniest of islands, with a 3-course dinner, cooked by a personal on-site chef. Perfectly timed to coincide with what is one of the most fabulous sunset vantage points on this incredible island, your guests will be taken to a private and intimate setting, styled with bohemian and colourful details and set in total isolation in an olive grove.
Waves and wines - speedboats and wine-tasting, what could go wrong!?
Exciting, exhilarating and one of a kind, a rare chance for your guests to discover hidden beaches and coves that most tourists never hear about. Roundabout Experiences will collect your guests on a private speedboat and tour along Hvar’s lesser-known coastline, stopping along the way for swimming, sunbathing, and food and wine tasting. A dream day! Your wine-loving guests will even get to taste award-winning wines in an underwater cellar on the southern shores.
‘Waves and Wines’ is much more than a wine tour – it’s a unique & exclusive concept rounded off with a delicious sunset seafood dinner at Paklinski Islands local tavern.
Where to stay
Guests seeking a luxury hideaway in nature will fall in love with the Maslina Resort nestled into the dense pine forest in the stunning Maslinica Bay on Hvar Island. This high-end resort has been carefully designed to blend and harmonise with its surroundings as gently as possible. Choose from a private seafront villa or a suite with a rooftop garden and private plunge pool - all the accommodation is beautifully furnished with neutral linens, Mediterranean-inspired colours and natural materials.
Pretty Korcula Island by e-bike.
Beautiful stunning scenery and friendly hospitality, discover quaint villages and Korcula island's old town - a gorgeous, mediaeval, walled town on the island's east side, full of winding cobbled streets, beautiful squares and Venetian architecture. Rich in history and claimed to be the birthplace of the famous Italian traveller Marco Polo, there is much to see in Korcula.
There is no better way to explore this island than by bike - but fear not, with total ease, so reassure your guests these are of course electric bikes! Start the ride from the town to get to the village of Zrnovo – one of the oldest settlements on the island, where visitors can enjoy the rich taste of the island’s indigenous olive oil and other fresh produce of the land, all enjoyed in an original old stone house setting. Once palates are satisfied, guests hop back on bikes moving onto a gravel road that leads us to a hidden, magical place known as Kocje. A labyrinth of strangely shaped dolomite rocks overgrown with ivy and a chance to cool down and explore the green corridors of this protected area. From Kocje, ride up to Pupnat – an ancient village in the middle of the island before returning to Konoba Maha for an excellent late afternoon lunch.
Finish the day with a panoramic descent to Kneze village on the coast, back to Korcula town with an option to make a stop for a dip in the Adriatic Sea.
Where to stay
For guests looking for a luxury, central bolthole, we would favour Lesic Dimitri Palace with its amazing Michelin-star restaurant. In the heart of the old town of Korčula, an elegant hotel delivers a perfect mixture of traditional and contemporary design. The brainchild of an Asian-Croatian team of architects and interior designers and inspired by Korčula's famous resident, Marco Polo, the interior is a heady mix of opulent original features and exquisite handcrafted furniture. With just six unique and spacious suites, clients can enjoy complete seclusion and privacy.
Pelješac peninsula - Ston oyster farm visit by boat and private wine tasting
Discover amazing landscapes, local seafood, and wines of the Pelješac peninsula - a haven for guests who love their seafood. Travellers can enjoy a visit to one of the many family-owned wineries this area is famous for and taste some amazing local wines. Moving onto the historical town of Ston, one of the most interesting and charming coastal towns in Croatia, your guests will have a chance to visit the impressive Ston City Walls – one of the longest defensive walls still standing in the World.
Finally, taken by a private boat, guests will visit an oyster farm and enjoy oysters and fresh fish directly from the sea in a truly serene setting.
Where to stay
Rising proudly above the Adriatic coastline and nestled between soaring mountains sits the picturesque seaside town of Orebić, home to our favourite Villa Korta Katarina & Winery. An exclusive property designed with great attention to detail, Villa Korta Katarina & Winery, a member of Relais & Chateaux is a sought-after destination for guests who love fine wine, gourmet food, and spectacular scenery.
Open-roof, vintage Renault 4 wine tour!
Hop into a brightly coloured vintage Renault 4 and roll back the roof! This super fun road trip around the Konavle Valley is a little quirky and A LOT of fun. Feel the sun on your face as you head along the stunning coastline and head for the hills. A convoy of vintage cars will take your guests through the beautiful countryside, exploring nature, tradition, and local culture along the way. After being collected from their hotel, guests will be chauffeured along the winding roads, taking in the stunning views over the whole Konavle region and the Adriatic sea. Stopping at an old water mill on the river and then on to local wineries where guests have the opportunity to try some of the local wine and drive through vineyards. The experience finale is a delicious private dinner of traditional food, set in a beautiful old olive oil mill.
Dubrovnik - eat and walk guided tour.
Take your guests on a private food tour around Dubrovnik, tasting local flavours on this hand-crafted ‘eat and walk’ tour through the Old Town. During the tour, your clients will wind through the old streets and sights, tasting and learning about the centuries-old delicacies of Croatia and Dubrovnik. A chance to discover some of Dubrovnik’s finest local restaurants and of course enjoy the must-see sights of St. Blaise Church, Stradun, the green market, Jesuit Square, the Old Port, and the Streets of Karmen - all the historical hot spots but with the added allure of tasting where you will local food specialities.
Elaphiti Islands and world-famous Bowa restaurant takeover!
This private three-island tour takes your guests to the biggest islands in the Elafiti archipelago by luxury boat. Group guests who crave a luxury, high-end experience will love this privately skippered cruise around these largely unpopulated islands and their hidden beaches.
Visit Koločep’s blue cave and gorgeous light, then hop to Lopud, which has the most beautiful sandy beaches, and finally, lush Šipan the largest one and well known for its diverse vegetation. On Šipan Island guests will enjoy a private takeover of the famous Restaurant Bowa, located in isolated idyllic Vrbovaon bay. BOWA restaurant is so much more than a restaurant, it’s an oasis! Skip across the white sand, small the carob, fig and olive trees and settle down in comfort on one of the ‘tiki-style’ cabana beds and kick back listening to your private DJ. Perfect for a fun-loving group of guests, this private island -hop and dining experience has a VIP feel throughout.
Where to stay
A super stylish retreat set on the rocky cliffs of the Dalmatian coast and the emerald green Adriatic sea, Villa Dubrovnik is a luxury, private and pristine accommodation suited for travellers demanding a high level of service. Chic, contemporary rooms with natural light and colours and an array of dining experiences, this is a favourite for travellers who want to combine rest and relaxation with fine cuisine and excellent concierge services.
Those who crave more of a central location, choose the historic Pucic Palace, set in the heart of Dubrovnik's old town. With a classical interior of artwork and antiques, but not missing modern luxury details, the rooms have been styled with a real Mediterranean Baroque flair. Originally home to the Pucic family in the 17th century and steeped in history, some might describe this as a living museum. A real must for art lovers, fine-dining fans and history-seekers.