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Written by Tash from www.tashpericic.com
The Covid-19 pandemic has unarguably modified the world. We’re but to see the total social and financial results it will convey, however it’s clear to see that will probably be far-reaching.
The tourism trade has been one of many hardest hit, and solely time will inform the way it recovers. With many nations seeing a decline or stabilization in numbers of contaminated individuals, eyes are actually turning to the long run – notably, how we adapt and hopefully save a part of the 2020 season.
Right here at Chasing the Donkey, we love Croatia and this area; whereas this can be a journey weblog and we’d like to see every little thing return to ‘regular,’ realistically, we all know that the ‘new regular’ goes to look very completely different.
We additionally wish to be cautious and accountable with reference to selling journey – as a result of, no matter all of our private conditions, security is in the beginning.
That being stated, borders are opening, and Croatia, together with EU nations are hoping to salvage not less than a part of the vacationer season. So, we’ve got determined to contribute to the dialog by sharing tales from tourism companies who’ve social-distancing facets, a singular provide, or small companies it’s best to take into account supporting whenever you go to Croatia.
At this time we introduce Captivating Croatia, one other distinctive connoisseur expertise that vacationers to Croatia can expertise. All of us have our favourite journey tales, and alongside these or nestled within the middle are often memorable meals experiences.
Captivating Croatia focuses on “immersive, meals-centric excursions,” providing a singular and intimate perspective of this beautiful nation. Captivating Croatia creates tailor-made itineraries with a powerful give attention to culinary traditions and regional specialties. The tradition, historical past, and pure highlights of Croatia are the backdrop whereas meals takes middle stage – because it ought to.
Together with his Croatian roots and fervour for meals, gastronomy, and journey, it was solely a matter of time earlier than Chef Richard Gruica returned to Croatia. In 2014, Richard was talking on the Terra Madre Balkan convention when the spark of the thought for Captivating Croatia was born. Since then, Richard has created in-depth tailormade culinary excursions, a ‘Sights and Bites’ tour of Dubrovnik, and an unique ‘pop-dinner’ eating occasion referred to as Gypsy Desk.
We talked to Richard to see how all of this seems now, how he’ll adapt to the brand new measures, and what’s on provide for the 2020 season?
In Basic, What Is Your Mindset Or How Are You Staying Optimistic In These Attempting Instances?
Properly, as everyone knows, these are unprecedented occasions, and it’s positively affecting us all, some greater than others. Talking for myself, what ought to have been my greatest 12 months ever, has was the worst. All of my excursions/journeys and occasions this 12 months have canceled or postponed. It’s sort of surreal in a horrible approach, however there’s not a lot we will do about it.
This example is past our management, however the one factor we’ve got in our management is our mindset and perspective, and I’ve been doing every little thing in my energy to remain optimistic; from doing issues which make me comfortable – like cooking, to planning for the long run and pivoting with the current second.
I’m making an attempt to show a damaging right into a optimistic, and one of many issues which has been probably the most rewarding has been arising with a brand new mission, “Croatia Awaits.”
Over the previous years, I’ve gotten to know so many fantastic individuals in Croatia; these persons are the guts and soul of the nation, and one of many nice joys of my excursions is introducing my visitors to them alongside the way in which.
I’ve requested these individuals to file a brief message of residence and for higher occasions to come back. Along with my pal Mišo Sorić from Distinctive Movies Croatia, we’re placing these movies collectively in a brief sequence. We’ve launched the primary one this week, and the suggestions has been fantastic.
What Does 2020 Look Like For Captivating Croatia, How Will Your Enterprise Adapt?
As I discussed, most of our excursions have canceled or postponed for 2020, and we won’t run our Captivating Croatia group excursions, however we’re not ruling out 2020 fully; we nonetheless anticipate some tourism.
Realistically, with lowered worldwide journey (notably from the US), our focus for 2020 is on journey inside the European continent. Nevertheless, we nonetheless have loads to supply and a few new tasks within the making, which is able to all respect new measures.
Our Sights and Bites tour in Dubrovnik has all the time been highly regarded as a singular option to discover Dubrovnik, and it was already small group excursions (10 and beneath), so social-distancing may be revered.
We’re additionally introducing even smaller excursions, for as few as two individuals. This fashion, we will provide an intimate expertise, AND visitors can really feel secure.
What’s the tour?
It’s a 3-hour foodie strolling tour the place visitors get to discover the enchanting historic Previous City of Dubrovnik whereas having fun with a peek into the town’s historical past, all whereas savoring among the greatest examples of Dalmatian delicacies.
Completely positioned contained in the world-well-known partitions of Dubrovnik and alongside the Adriatic Sea, our meals-loving guides will clarify the historical past of the delicacies and the tradition hidden all through the streets of this fascinating historic metropolis.
That is a lot greater than a meals tour…it’s an intimate, firsthand expertise with the individuals, the tradition, and the mouth-watering delicacies. The Sights & Bites Tour is on the market day by day with afternoon departures beginning at 4:00 pm.
Dubrovnik is my residence away from residence; so, I’m additionally making a Digital Tour for visitors that can’t journey now. We’ve filmed this already, so the completed product will probably be accessible quickly in order that visitors can go to from the consolation of their couches! It’s a short-term different till they’ll journey and go to us in particular person.
Gypsy Desk will even stay a function this 12 months! The Gypsy Desk is a social occasion, so we will probably be shifting and evolving this. As I’m within the US for quarantine, I will probably be specializing in smaller occasions like non-public themed dinners, the place I will probably be partnering up with native farmers/growers to showcase these fantastic merchandise.
Tailormade culinary itineraries – Although I received’t personally be in Croatia this summer season and our Captivating Croatia group excursions have been postponed till 2021, and I nonetheless have a wealth of data and fervour for the meals scene in Croatia. I’m related to so many fantastic locals; so, it solely is sensible that I can provide to create tailormade culinary itineraries for vacationers to Croatia. They will merely contact me, and we will chat.
I will probably be in Croatia from Autumn; I’m placing collectively a couple of issues and even engaged on a brand new occasion that can revolve round music and be held in one of many coolest venues in Zagreb – that is all within the pipework! So, whereas issues look completely different this 12 months, we’re doing our greatest to innovate and transfer with the adjustments.
The humorous factor is, we’ll see an explosion of creativity in lots of shapes and kinds. Simply take into consideration all of the individuals who have been cooped-up throughout these occasions – we’ve got all been considering, planning, and taking a look at issues in a brand new gentle.
Security And Considerations
In regards to security for our visitors, being a chef myself and having labored within the meals trade for years – well being and security is all the time a precedence and now, extra so than ever. As talked about, our excursions will all be very small group excursions, and we’ll adhere to all crucial tips. We additionally belief the entire distributors we work with and know that they are going to be training probably the most up-to-date sanitizing measures. If visitors have some other questions or issues, we will probably be comfortable to speak with them.
What Are Some Of Your Standout Experiences Or Impressions Of Croatia – And Why Do You Need To Share This With Others?
Though Croatia is thought by many, they’ve solely begun to scratch the floor of the nation. Heck, I’ve been coming right here for years, and I’ve solely begun to take action. We attempt to take our visitors to locations that we’ve got hand-curated and showcase one of the best of Croatia, and the visitors’ impressions have all the time been – “wow, we by no means knew!” Croatia has a lot extra to showcase than simply the coast.
It’s a hairdresser in Dubrovnik that could be a veritable Meals Historian that treats our visitors to her edible items of historical past; it’s our fishermen on the Pelješac that takes our visitors on inflatables and showcases his line fishing expertise after which on to his household’s Konoba the place we spend the afternoon consuming the catch and ingesting wine labeled “just for family and friends.” These are solely a handful of the impressions that make our visitors’ mouths drop in awe with reference to Croatia.
Last Phrases
2020 will certainly be a difficult 12 months for a lot of however we stay optimistic and might’t wait to point out everybody in particular person!
Or observe them on Instagram at @CapCroatia
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Extra Methods To Uncover Croatia With Social-Distancing
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