One of Croatia’s favorite home chefs, Tatjana has made headlines and appearances in renowned foodie media, like the Saveur magazine and the Bizarre Foods. She remains genuine in what she is famed for: sharing her heartfelt passion for the Dalmatian cuisine, its ingredients, seasonings, techniques, and most of all – the spirit! Enthusiastic, passionate and incredibly curious about food, Tatjana will pass the ‘cooking bug’ onto you in no time!

Domagoj has a passion for life that immediately rubs off on you. An active sportsman from early childhood, he engaged in many sport activities and even prepared Olympic athletes for their toughest competitions. A venture into the corporate world taught Domagoj that action in nature is his biggest love, so today he guides off-the-beaten-path tours and adventures exclusively for Secret Dalmatia, and is loved both for his personality and the savory picnics he sets up along the way.

Maris is a proud local of Dubrovnik and has been a guide for over a decade now. Communication is her forte: not only does she guide in four languages, Croatian, English, Italian, and Spanish, but is also working on her doctoral thesis in Communication Sciences, focusing on sustainable city branding that would benefit both the local community and its visitors. In her rare downtime, she enjoys traveling with family, reading inspiring books and enjoying delicious food.

Katija, the warmest smile of Dalmatia, lives in the quaint town of Trsteno in a traditional Dalmatian house. She grows an organic garden filled with veggies and wonderful flowers, and makes a delicious olive oil. Her fisherman father always has the best catch of the day! If we had to describe Katija in just a few words, it would be ‘lover of beauty in all forms’. On top of it all, she is also a well-known hairstylist in Dubrovnik!

Delightfully cheerful and genuine, Mirjana will welcome you in Motovun for one of Istria’s most authentic and rewarding experiences: the truffle hunt. The Kotiga family is all about presenting these delicacies; Mirjana’s husband Miro is a truffle hunter and his trained dogs know every tree in the Motovun forests. Mirjana is the program manager and the truffle master – she prepares all kinds of delicacies you will get to taste, from truffle honey and pate to homemade pasta with truffles.

With a degree in Latin and ancient Greek, Nives can, with equal success, interpret ancient inscriptions, make history, arts, and archaeology come to life, as well as introduce you to the countries’ most delightful edible and potable delicacies. Having traveled extensively all over Europe, her heart remains set on the Mediterranean basin. She feels her job as a tour guide in Split and Central Dalmatia is a privilege because  she finds that the region epitomizes the very essence of the Mediterranean culture.

Tonci is a cave biologist and entomologist who will take you to the subterranean parts of the Diocletian’s aqueduct in Split. Since 1973, when he first set foot underground, he has explored many caves and pits in the region, and has also headed four international expeditions. The bones of the Eurasian cave lion remain his favorite discovery! His feelings about speleology fit into two words: love and passion.

Vesna is a Dubrovnik local, a mother of two kids, world traveler, poet, copywriter, and a tour guide. Educated at RIT Croatia, a branch of New York state-based university, she spent nearly 3 years living and working in the USA. She also managed projects in heritage conservation and arts, ran a hotel’s HR department, and escaped for a 9-month-long backpacking trip in Asia. Now, happily settled in Dubrovnik, what she enjoys the most is narrating about the beauty of her town to her guests.

Nives is your guide into the world of Croatian creatives. An artist to-the-bone, she has experience in graphics, photography, and jewelry making, has produced props, masks, and costumes for theatre, but remains best known for her sculptures made using papier-mâché technique. With over 40 exhibitions in her pocket and workshops held from Japan to Israel, Nives is not only the published author of My Papier Mâche, but a wonderful teacher with valuable insights about the technique.

Mario is one of a kind! Energetic, active and witty, he is the best person to take you around the vine-laden hills of the Pelješac peninsula, as he is a winemaker himself. A Dubrovnik local, he experimented with the city living but always seemed to go back to his small village, his vineyards scattered on many different locations, and his family’s wine cellar that is over 500 years old. Today, he comes to the city mostly to pick up our guests!

Natasa possesses incredibly diverse knowledge, interests and capacities. Clothing designer by vocation, tour guide by choice, throughout her career she worked as a designer, florist, interpreter, marketing and PR specialist, and collaborated with institutions like foreign embassies, the European Parliament, and the International Red Cross. Yet, she remains infatuated with her hometown of Split and its easy-going lifestyle, and enjoys sharing its history and life lessons with her guests.

Ljerka calls the small Istrian town of Fažana her home, but is an expert on the entire peninsula as well as the neighboring regions. Guiding in English and French, and fluent in Italian, Ljerka mastered tourism on many levels. She has a bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Management and has worked in maritime and tourist agencies for major national tour operators as well as in the national parks before becoming a full-time guide over a decade ago.

Marijan knows the region’s mountain tops, craggy shores, and winding rivers inside out. Infatuated with nature in all its forms since early childhood, Marijan is a walking encyclopedia of local paths, unique spots, and their best kept secrets. He spent a greater part of his career working as a park ranger in the National Park Paklenica,so visiting with him is a special experience, as it is discovering the river Krupa and  the Modrić cave.

One of our secret spots that leaves no one indifferent is a small tavern “Toni” in the village of Dol on Brač island. Matulic family, who run the tavern, keep the secrets of local cuisine alive offering everything from Brač-exclusive vitalac lamb to a Roman imperial delicacy – grilled local dormouse. And for those who prefer classics, there are plenty traditional local dishes to enjoy. The village of Dol, a charming crossroads stuck in time, is a great destination to explore!

One of the best-known local families has a compelling history that spans over three centuries of struggle and protection of their ancestral home. Now, on the forefront of preserving the local culinary and cultural heritage, Mujo family farm is one the highlights for many. A hint: make sure to ask why they keep a small Napoleon bust statue next to the family tree.