There’s nothing Ston native Robi doesn’t know about Croatia, which is why he’s the man for the job when it comes to leading our Southern Dalmatia adventure holidays.
Robi’s love for the great outdoors was ignited at an early age and it was when he joined a rowing team at university that he started to think about turning guiding into a career. He’s now a licensed tour guide, cycling guide, skipper and mountain rescue certified, so whatever you get up to you’re in capable hands.
Get to know Robi below and meet the other members of our UB family.
Tell us a little bit about you. What inspired you to become a tour guide?
I was born In Dubrovnik and spent my early years on the Pelješac peninsula in the countryside. I believe that being in nature from an early age set a strong foundation for my love for nature and exploring. While studying law at university, I joined a rowing team. One of my friends there got me a summer job as a rafting guide and after lots of training experience on rivers guiding river rafting, kayaking and multi-sport tours I got my IRF (International Rafting Federation) certificate.
I liked what I did, so I came back for the next season, and the next one, and the next one… until it became my full-time job. After years of working in tourism for others and having a conversation with the boss in the family (aka my wife) we decided that the time had come and our future is our own, family-owned travel company. We put all of our knowledge and passion into it.
I personally have done all the trips that we run, including the ones we offer with Undiscovered Balkans. I have kayaked and rafted every river, hiked every mountain, biked every road, swam to every beach, been to all of the hotels and restaurants, eating all the food you will eat – I collect energy for the season! So, when I say you are traveling with a genuine insider, I mean it.
Related:
- The Undiscovered guide to Ston, the quieter alternative to Dubrovnik
- An introduction to wine in Croatia & Montenegro
- Meet our co-founder Emma
What is your favourite thing about being a guide?
The beauty of my work is the variety, I get to do it all – hiking, biking, rafting, river and sea kayaking, sailing, wine and food tours, city tours, you name it. Besides that, I love meeting new people, making new friends and seeing them again after years.
Why should people visit Croatia?
People should visit Croatia because it offers so much variety in such a small space. Within 12 days, you may feel like you have visited three different countries. Whether you visit us in Ston or elsewhere in Croatia, you can’t beat being shown around by a local whose family has lived there for centuries.
What questions do you get asked most by visitors about Croatia?
‘Are there ATM machines?’ haha! Croatia is not unknown any more so people research online and find lots of information before they come. But that doesn’t mean you know everything, we show you the things you can’t find on the internet ;).
What traditional Croatian food & drink should people try?
Croatian cuisine is really versatile. People should try whatever is seasonal – for example, strawberries in spring or mandarins in autumn.
Peka is a traditional dish with either meat or fish and takes a few hours to prepare, so it needs to be preordered in selected restaurants, but it’s worth the effort.
Cuttlefish risotto or pasta cake are interesting dishes for many too.
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