Exploring a diverse Culinary Landscape

Many of my blog readers will likely recall the former socialist country of Yugoslavia. And, for those too young to know, this blog post will be a history and geography lesson for you.

Yugoslavia was a large Eastern European country, (shown here in green) situated south of Austria, southwest of Hungary, north of Greece, east of Italy. The country was invaded and occupied during WWII. Most of the country's Jewish population was sent to concentration camps and there was significant loss of life. After the war, the government was replaced by a socialist government. In 1990, the Yugoslav Wars broke out and the various member states of the country eventially declared independence. The country was made up of what was later dissolved into six (arguably seven) separate nations: Slovenia, Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo (partially recognized). Slovenia, which we got a taste of today (literally), was the first to declare independence on the 5th of June 1991.

Izola, a small fisherman village, was our first stop. There we walked along the seaside of this quaint coastal town and took a moment to enjoy coffee and crepes - strawberry and chocolate.

Afterwards we were off to Marezige Wine Village. There we delighted in a wine-tasting experience surrounded by vineyards and quaint village serenity. We savored both a crispy chilled dry white and a flavorful red that they referred to as black wine.

The final stop was Koper, the port town just steps from where our ship was docked. We savored our last taste of Slovenia before strolling past a 15th-century Praetorian Palace.

We relished the sights, the culinary delights, and the beautiful coastal towns of Slovenia. Next we're off to Croatia and then Montenegro - each with their own unique heritage, architecture and local flavors.