Shopping in Croatia is an interesting experience and it is important to buy those unique items rather than just shop for clothes and shoes. Souvenirs, edible items, traditional costumes, neckties and so on are the items that should be on your list. Croatia has plenty of malls and boutiques for shoppers to visit and make use of.
When one goes shopping in Croatia, food and drink is one area that must be thoroughly explored. The local delicacies, will truly give you an idea of what Croatian shopping is all about. Purchase a few goodies to sample for yourself or as thoughtful gifts to friends and family. Most of the local foods are available in markets, in either Split or Dubrovnik.
A favourite purchase among most tourists is the Ajvar relish, a divine concoction made of roasted red peppers, roasted aubergine and liberal helpings of garlic mixed in oil. It is advisable to locate a shop which retails a homemade variety, as the flavours tend to be more authentic.
Many tourists prefer to purchase food items as gifts for friends and family back home as it is the easiest way to sample the culture of the land. For those with a decidedly sweet tooth, the paprenjak (biscuits with honey, walnuts and pepper) or strawberry filled seizis biscuits can make delightful gifts.
Other food delights to be indulged in include exquisite olive oil, delicious almond nougats and air-dried ham, known locally as prsut. To purchase Croatian liquor, try the Istra bitter or Dingac. Carrying bottles home may cause clashes with customs, but drinking on Croatian soil isn’t affected by that circumstance.
One of the most common purchases in Croatia second to food is the cravat and neckties. The cravat originated from Croatia, and became widely adopted by the French. Initially Croatian soldiers in Napoleon’s army sported these jauntily tied scarves, and the French were quick to ape the style. In Croatia, the Croata company fashions the original neckties, as worn historically in the country. The company has stores in virtually every city in the country, and has a variety of choices for those wanting to carry back a memento of their journey.
Croatia is also home to the inventor of the automatic pencil, Eduard Slavoljub Penkala. An automatic pencil is a great souvenir, to remind oneself of the great innovations this country was responsible for.
Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing Croatia holiday rentals and Barcelona and London Rentals.
