Maja and Jonathon Are Getting Married

This blog is dedicated to the wedding of my dear friends, Jonathon and Maja, who I've known for a very long time -- even before I was married! We met in Croatia way back when and were part of a special circle of friends. We love them dearly, even if we all know that they are a bit disorganized. So, it will not come as a suprise to any of you reading this that some of us got together and offered to help organize a few things for the wedding.....Tatjana is leading the charge back in Zagreb and I'm trying to pull my weight from here in the States! So, sit back, enjoy, add your comments as you see fit (fun and lighthearted, please) and learn more about the two people about to be married, their choice of location and the wonders of my adopted home, Croatia!

About this Blog

This blog will be updated frequently with wedding-related information. In addition, please feel free to comment on any of the posts about your travel plans or thoughts about the upcoming activities.

What in the World Can we Do in Croatia

Whether it's sailing, biking or hiking, there is something fun for everyone to do during your visit. Check out the Croatian Tourism Board's site for some excellent suggestions: http://www.croatia.hr/English/TurizamPlus/TurizamPlus.aspx

* Photos courtesy of Croatian Tourism Board website.

Wedding Hotels

On the right hand side down below, you'll see that the "wedding planners" have recommended several nearby accommodations. Jonathon and Maja have also arranged a "deal" with the Hotel Ugo, which has three lovely properties in its chain of hotels, if you mention the "Jelisic/Cooper" wedding. For those that still don't know how to pronounce Maja's name (smile), it is Yell-a-shick or that's the closest I can come to a phonetic equivalent. (Sorry to Maja and her Croatian relatives for the butchering of her name). The rooms will be approximately 49 Euros per person with an additional 15 Euros for breakfast. For a twosome, the cost will be 113 Euros with breakfast. The Grand Hotel will also likely offer a spa discount and I can personally attest to the wonders of a Croatian massage.

Here is the website link for additional information: http://www.ugohoteli.hr/

In addition, 4 double rooms are also available at Draga di Lovrana hotel and restaurant for Friday, Sept. 21st and Saturday, Sept. 22nd.

Wedding Menu -- in English

DINNER MENU

Couvert

Marinated scampi on a bed of 'skuta' from mount. Ucka (art of cream cheese)

Veal-liver pate with duck breast and sweet-sour 'cipolline'

Roman 'gnocchi' with sea scallops in a truffle sauce

Homemade ravioli filled with fresh cheese in a prosciutto and basil sauce

MAIN DISH (two choices):

Filet of fresh fish and vegetables baked in pergament paper

or

Lamb (from the island Cres) cutlets with potatoes and fresh rosemary herbs

Wedding cake (chocolate and strawberries)

Cuisine of Croatia

Croatian cuisine is amazing -- the information was gathered from www.croatiatraveler.com/food.

"Sampling Croatian cooking is one of the high points of a visit to Croatia. Although it may be an exaggeration to say the whole country is made up of gourmets, it's true that Croatians place a high priority on fresh, correctly prepared food. You may even want to try a Croatian recipe yourself from one of these fine Croatian cookbooks.!

Like much of Croatian culture, the cuisine is divided into coastal (Dalmatian and Istrian) and interior flavors (mostly from Zagorje which includes Zagreb and northwestern Croatia) with a sub-category of Slavonian cuisine from east Croatia.

Following are items you'll find nearly everywhere in Croatia:

Burek: Throughout former Yugoslavia, this heavy cheese, meat or apple pastry was the breakfast of choice for farmers and fishermen. You'll see big trays of the stuff in gracing the windows of pastry shops and fast food joints.
Cevapcici ( pronounced Chev ap chee tse)Croatia's answer to the hamburger, this meatball is made of spicy beef or pork.
Raznjici (pronounced razh nyee chee) Another quick treat, this is a sort of shish kebab.
Palacinke (pronounced pala chink eh)This crepe-like dessert is a pancake often stuffed with walnuts or chocolate and sometimes served with ice cream.
BlitvaSwiss chard boiled and served with olive oil, potatoes and garlic is a simple and delicious side dish that's served throughout Croatia.
Pag CheeseMade on the island of Pag, this sharp, sheep's milk cheese is a delicacy throughout Croatia. It's often served as an appetiser, thinly sliced with olives on the side.
BakalarDried cod is prepared a variety of ways and is traditionally served on Christmas Eve.
PizzaEven if it wasn't invented in Croatia, the quality of the pizza on offer is excellent. The dough is usually homemade and tends to be thick and bread-like.

Enjoy!

Fun Wedding Related Events

Jonathon and his buddies are planning a fun-filled bachelor party -- no details have been divulged for obvious reasons......but I suspect that there will be much rakija (plum brandy) and pivo (beer)! In fact, Croatian beer, including Karlovacko, is something that shouldn't be missed during your trip! A rehearsal dinner will also take place on Friday night, details to follow. Please check back here for updates about these events.