There are plenty of advantages to traveling in a beautiful part of the world during the time of year when most tourists aren’t there. You get a completely different experience and perspective than you would if you visited during the peak season. Depending on your travel style– you might have an even better time 🙂
Visiting Croatia in October 2019.
ISTRIA
Zigante truffle days is an event which spans 10 weekends and brings together foodies from all over the world. The festival consists of a truffle fair, an exhibition of wine and other Istrian products (like prosciutto, sausage, cheese, honey, olive oil, and grappa), culinary workshops, truffle-hunting demonstrations, and various tastings of truffle specialties. The event takes place annually in Livade, in the very heart of the river Mirna valley, near the Motovun forest famous for its truffles.
Photo credit: Igor Zirojević/Istria Tourist Board
The Marunada is a festival devoted to chestnuts in October – sampling chestnut delicacies & chestnut liqueur, collecting chestnuts. The Marunada takes place in various venues, mainly near Lovran in Istria.
Tinjan in Istria is the venue of the International Prosciutto Fair that usually takes place in late October. This is one of the most popular food festivals in Istria attended by tens of thousands of visitors eager to sample the mouth-watering prosciutto by producers from the region, and abroad. Apart from the delicious domestic products, visitors are treated to a diverse entertainment program.
Photo credit: Igor Zirojević/Istria Tourist Board
The smallest town in the world – Hum, is usually a proud host to Brandy Festival at the end of October. Brandy producers from all over Istria get together to showcase their masterpieces. The brandy (locally called ‘rakija’) is traditionally made from grape marc and infused with aromatic and medicinal herbs or fruit like rue, mistletoe, St. John’s wort, sour cherries, mint, and walnuts.
Photo credit: Igor Zirojević/Istria Tourist Board
More about gastronomic events you can find on the following link: Gastronomic Events in Istria.
DALMATIA
Dalmatia Ultra Trail taking place in the mid-October is a perfect choice for all adrenaline buffs, fitness addicts and nature enthusiasts. One of the best trekking events held in this part of Europe takes place in the beautiful city of Omiš. Choose from four different race categories; 20 km (Dugi Rat – Omiš), 60 km (Baška Voda – Omiš), 110 km (Klis – Omiš) and 165 km (Omiš – Omiš). All paths pass through historical locations, charming villages, mountains, rivers, beaches, and stunning Adriatic coastlines.
Photo credit: Dalmatia Ultra Trail
In the light of preserving culture, heritage and traditions, International Festival of Jams & Marmalades is held in Dubrovnik, in front of the Church of St. Blaise, Stradun promenade. Exhibitors from Croatia and other neighboring countries are dressed in their national costumes and proudly present their products to visitors and Dubrovnik restaurateurs who will use these homemade delicacies to enrich their gastronomic offerings. The festival takes place over the first weekend of October and the visitors are free to enjoy the diversity of flavors and replenish their home stock.
Photo credit: Deša – Dubrovnik
The Good Food Festival is one more festival that takes place in mid-October in Dubrovnik and offers food and drink tastings, culinary walks, workshops for kids, and rich program for kids.
Photo credit: Dubrovniknet
October in Croatia may mean the end of summer and holidays to most, but to some, it means something else – olive harvest. Harvesting olives for most families represents the end of a summer season in tourism and the time when families finally come together and spend quality time. If you decide to choose a farm stay for your October holiday in Croatia, bear in mind that many hosts will be more than happy to have you involved in their daily routine and olive harvest season. Join your hosts on the olive harvesting and immerse yourself in the local traditions from picking to pressing, and finally – tasting! 😊
If you want to take it up a notch, kindly note that Brac island is host to the World Olive Picking Championship! The ‘competition’ is taking place in mid – October and is actually less about the competition but more a way of bringing people together from various olive-producing regions around the world to encourage connection and cooperation.
Photo credit: Croatiaweek
Autumn is knocking at our doors, yet Croatia hasn’t lost even a hint of its admiring beauty! Explore the coast and inland, spend time outdoors, enjoy the change of scenery and taste the fruits of Istrian and Dalmatian fertile land.
All dressed-up in its autumn attire, Croatia looks very inviting – you have to see it for yourself! 😊