Countryside Cuisine in Croatia

This week saw the launch of our new excursion in the Dubrovnik region for Windstar Cruises’ passengers, Dinner at a local village home. Our latest shore excursion takes passengers into Dubrovnik's picturesque countryside for a gastro adventure that delights all the senses, in the heart of green Konavle region.

So, what is it that makes this excursion so special? Operations team member and successful licensed tour guide, Matea Miloslavic, shares a flavor of what Windstar's lucky passengers experience on this trip.

The Novakovic family has lived in its traditional style home for generations; working the land, producing grape brandy, olive oil and wine in the same way that their ancestors did hundreds of years ago.

Dinner at their house is a wonderful opportunity to see how people lived in this verdant valley, learn about local cuisine and of course, sample delicious local specialties.

Setting the tone for the evening, guests are welcomed on arrival with an aperitif of the Novakovic family’s home brewed traditional grape brandy liqueur.

On a tour of the grounds and house, Niko, who is both host and chef for the night, walks the guests through the vegetable and herb garden introducing them to some of the fresh ingredients that are used in the dinner.

When they return to the house, guests are invited to roast local pancetta ham over an open fire, a sneak peak of the starter to come. As they move to the dinner table, Niko then explains each dish as it is served, its history and its origins, making this a truly immersive experience.

Many years may have passed since the Novakovic family home was first built but the methods and recipes using fresh local ingredients for this special dinner have remained the same. Guests are treated to a main course of veal cooked under an iron bell on a bed of charcoal. This technique which slowly cooks the meat and vegetables, makes the veal and potatoes so soft and succulent that the guests often ask where they can buy an iron bell to take home!

Homemade pie for desert isn’t the only sweet treat either; local musicians play for Windstar’s guests as they enjoy the food and the regional wines specially chosen by Niko.

It’s not hard to understand why everyone leaves with a smile on their face.

For more information about our shore excursions and services for cruise liners, contact us at adriatic@adriaticDMC.hr