David Skoko: a place for me

Chef David Skoko travels to the Neretva Valley to discover the authentic offerings of this fertile region. Pavo Jerković, a passionate ambassador of the Neretva, introduces him to the area’s potential and unique character. Photo safaris, rides in traditional Neretva boats (*lađe*), mandarin orchards, and kitesurfing have become a distinctive brand of the valley. In the gastronomic segment, Skoko explores kapelunga shellfish and uncovers the secret of the perfect Neretva-style *brudet*.

In our most popular tourist destination, peace and quiet can be found even at the height of the season. David Skoko will introduce us to Dubrovnik’s divers and take part in underwater tours through which tourists from all over the world experience the magic of the Elafiti region, while also joining efforts to clean the seabed. In this episode, the group Ribarev sin will also take part in such an action. In addition, they will prepare a Mediterranean gastronomic spectacle.

David takes us to Učka and Velebit, mountains whose peaks offer views of the sea. Mountains are becoming popular again, both because of the intense heat that is hard to bear along the coast and because of their gastronomic offerings. Mountain infrastructure is important, and fortunately we have architects who create masterpieces in nature. David will introduce us to one of the best and most award-winning among them - architect, carpenter, and paraglider Ivan Juretić from Grobnik.

To be in solitude, far from the hustle and bustle, is the dream of almost every businessperson. Staying in lighthouse apartments offers the adventure of Robinson Crusoe style tourism amid the blue of the Adriatic, and David Skoko reveals their unique charm. In addition, together with his friend Nikola Mijandrušić, he catches and prepares fish as an authentic gastronomic expression of Mediterranean island culture and identity.

The Zrmanja River, navigable from Obrovac to its mouth in the Novigrad Sea, hides some of the most impressive canyons in Europe. Obrovac lies on a transit route, and only a few people turn off toward it. Skoko introduces us to this region, accompanied by Đuro Župan, who more than 20 years ago launched a project of active tourism in the Zrmanja area. Skoko seeks to reflect the distinctive landscape as authentically as possible through his gastronomy.

Every major tourist center in the 1980s had an open-air cinema. The Kino Mediteran project is dedicated to revitalizing cinemas: over the past ten years, a group of young people has reopened more than 20 of them along the coast. David visited Split, Brač, and Hvar. It’s wonderful that alongside nightlife we also have a corner under the stars-cinemas where caper plants grow-prompting David to wonder: what if, instead of popcorn, we snacked on fried gavuni (sprats)?