This November, four winners will join us in Central Istria during Distillery Days for unforgettable workshops, food, and rakija. The Double Shot Contest is your chance to experience one of Croatia’s most authentic regions through the lens of photography and the taste of Istria’s finest spirits. Whether you’re a budding photographer or a curious digital nomad ready to dive into Istria’s culinary traditions, this contest is your gateway to an immersive local experience.
Whether you’re a budding photographer or a curious digital nomad ready to dive into Istria’s culinary traditions, the Double Shot Contest is your gateway to an immersive local experience. For years, DNA Croatia has partnered with the Central Istria Tourist Board to highlight this region as a hidden gem for digital nomads. Past initiatives include:
-
Digital Nomads in Residence (2022)
-
Central Istria Gourmet Getaway (2023)
-
ViNomad Event (2024)
The Double Shot Contest continues this journey by blending Istria’s rich traditions with creative storytelling and authentic community-building. Supported by the Croatia National Tourist Board, this is more than a contest – it’s a chance to experience the warmth, culture, and flavors that make Central Istria unforgettable.
About the Double Shot Contest
The Double Shot Contest celebrates the spirit of Central Istria by offering two unique prize tracks:
Photography Workshop Winners (x2)
Submit your best photo and a short story (max. 100 words) about why you should be chosen. Two winners will each enjoy:
-
A food or landscape photography workshop with Lizzy Komen or Tijmen Hobbel (Amsterdam-based photographers and resident digital nomads)
-
€250 travel stipend
-
1-week stay in an Istrian villa (private ensuite room, +1 welcome, extra costs apply)
-
Distillery tasting & peka dinner
-
Truffle hunt & Digital Nomad cocktail party at the villa
-
Your work featured in the 2026 Central Istria tourism campaigns
Distillery Weekend Winners (x2)
Enter with a short text (max. 100 words):
“A Toast to Central Istria – why I should be chosen to experience Distillery Days.”
Two winners will each receive:
-
3 nights in an Istrian villa (twin-share available)
-
Distillery tasting & peka dinner
-
Truffle hunt & Digital Nomad cocktail party at the villa
-
€50 toward overland travel (bus or fuel)
🚐 Group rideshare transport will be available for all activities.
Meet the Instructors of the Double Shot contest
Tijmen Hobbel
Tijmen Hobbel is a photographer, videographer, and founder of Studio Brainbow (Amsterdam), with projects spanning from Antarctica to Bali. His passion lies in capturing landscapes, light, and atmosphere. For Tijmen, photography is about telling a story that feels alive and true. Sometimes that’s a quiet mountain sunrise, other times it’s the buzz of a festival crowd. Either way, he is always looking for that spark that makes a moment unforgettable.
Lizzy Komen
Lizzy is a food photographer, stylist, recipe developer, and founder of Delizzioso Food Photography, also based in Amsterdam. She collaborates with cafés, restaurants, and brands, bringing culinary stories to life through visuals, styling, and stop-motion. Through her hands-on workshops in food photography and styling, she shares her expertise in lighting, composition, editing, and prop styling, helping others capture food beautifully and confidently.
Both will share their expertise in intimate workshops designed to inspire, whether you’re capturing landscapes or culinary traditions.
How to Enter
Raise a glass, share your story, and take your best Double Shot. To enter, fill out the form below. Please read the terms and conditions carefully before applying.
The Double Shot Contest is where creativity meets tradition, photography meets gastronomy, and digital nomads meet the heart of Central Istria. Whether through the lens of a camera or the taste of Istria’s famous rakija, this is your invitation to experience a unique side of Croatia.
📌 To learn more about living and working remotely in Central Istria, visit the Live and Work in Central Istria website.
📩 Stay updated on digital nomad news and events in Croatia by subscribing to our monthly newsletter.
