DNA Croatia were again proud supporters of the Live and Work initiative from Central Istria, this year through the Central Istria Gourmet Getaway, which concluded earlier this month. Let’s relive the highlights of this month-long event that brought together digital nomads, picturesque landscapes, and the authentic flavors of Central Istria.
In November, seven digital nomads—Danielle Farage, Yuval Ackerman, Lizzy Komen, Paul Bradbury, Shaun Busuttil, Nilesh Pandey, and Ali Greene— were selected for a unique workation in Central Istria: the Central Istria Gourmet Getaway. They were joined by guests and mentors in a co-living villa with a month-long food and focus themed program.
The ‘Old School’ villa in Jakovići was our co-living and co-working hub. Nomads mixed work and leisure, using Pazin library and villa spaces for virtual meetings and personal projects. The coliving experience included communal dinners, mentoring and meditation sessions and festive gatherings.
Central Istria’s culinary scene took the spotlight throughout the event, turning it into a true Gourmet Getaway. Fridays featured Nomad Table dinners at restaurants such as Konoba Danijeli, Konoba 2. Peron, Tomaževa Konoba, and Agroturizam Ograde. Saturdays offered immersive ”Meet the Makers” workshops, unveiling the traditions behind local delights – honey and winemakers, olive oil tasting and traditional cookies among the offerings.
Despite the approaching winter, outdoor activities thrived. Sunny days invited nomads to explore the rural landscapes, from morning runs to scenic walks. An E-bike tour, courtesy of E-bike Istria, offered a journey through forests and medieval towns.
Hertz Croatia, our official transportation sponsor, helped the group discover Central Istria’s diverse landscapes. Each week, free Sundays became opportunities for nomads to delve into the region’s surroundings.
The Central Istria Gourmet Getaway also served as a knowledge-sharing hub. Mentorship from Anja Mutic, Jenn Rice, Ginny Krauss, Kaisu Koskela, Nicki Frandsen, Peter Rimkus, Kelsey Kay Love, Yvonne Wagoun, Jemma Reid played a pivotal role. Workshops covered diverse subjects, from travel and book writing, design thinking to video editing and ethical email marketing. Presentations by the seven nomads, supported by mentor feedback, showcased their progress over the month.
Acknowledgements go out to our sponsors and collaborators—the Central Istria Tourist Board, the Croatian National Tourist Board, Saltwater Nomads, Hertz Croatia, and Valfresco Direkt—for their contributions to this year’s Central Istria Gourmet Getaway.
We extend our gratitude to everyone involved—accommodation providers, transportation partners, mentors, local businesses, and knowledge-sharers. The journey doesn’t end here—stay tuned for future editions and explore more digital nomad stories, news, and upcoming events on our website.
Visit Central Istria’s official website for more information about destinations, accommodation, restaurants, outdoor activities, and more!
