Jeanne Oliver, author of Lonely Planet's travel guide to Croatia visited us in June and wrote a comment on her stay.
http://croatiatraveller.com/blog/villa-pape-trogir/2008/06/30/
Also visit her web page. Site is great and gives a lot of useful information about our country.
http://croatiatraveller.com/
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
This season we had a few unpleasant situations from guests who come through booking.com.
It seems that the information given on bookings.com about us was either not enough or people, when booking the accommodation, do no read all the given information.
For me it is difficult to change any text on booking.com For example, few weeks ago I posted a text change but so far they haven’t even considered reading it let alone putting it on line. In addition, it is hard for me to include all the information that I would like.
All of this is causing a hard time and unpleasant situations for our guests and us.
First, I would like to make it clear that we are not a hotel. We are more of a Guesthouse or Bed and Breakfast type of accommodation. Services we provide are ones similar to all B&B and guesthouses. Soon there will be a special post on my blog explaining our services but right now I am focusing on the booking.com problems we all have.
Despite the fact that in the bookings.com text about our rooms and apartments it states that our double rooms do not have a terrace or sea view we regularly get demands for double rooms with both.
Demands are made after the booking has been completed and once the guests have arrived they are all disappointed. The problem that occurs when booking our rooms is probably because many guests do not click and read the section on the bookings.com page that provides details about the room. Perhaps it is not visible enough and therefore often missed. When booking an accommodation, please pay attention to this informative link so we can all avoid an unpleasant situation. It is upsetting when people demand something that we have never mentioned having. Apartments, on other hand, all have a sea view so, if it is necessary to have one, please book an apartment instead of a room.
The bookings text for our double rooms reads as follows:
This room has twin beds. There is no sea view. No extra bed possible.
Room Facilities: Shower, TV, Air Conditioning, Toilet, Bathroom, Heating, Satellite TV, Refrigerator
Breakfast: Breakfast is included in the room rate.
Taxes: EUR 1.00 city/tourist tax per person per night is not included.
Another problem that is an every day situation with booking.com guests is our location. I wrote in the text given to bookings that we are located 2 km from the city center. This seems to be rather invisible information because bookings.com tends to list inaccurate distances and give our guests wrong information. I’m trying to include the 2km distance in all texts but they have not allowed us to do this. If, after reading this blog, you consider this distance too far from the city center, please cancel the accommodation even it has already been booked.
Steep hill and narrow streets is another topic I would like to address. On booking.com under the “area information” section is a little text explaining our location. It is as follows:
The region is hilly; and the houses sit on small but very steep slopes. Our streets are narrow, like most Mediterranean streets. We would strongly suggest that people who are not used to driving on hilly and narrow streets use public transportion and walk as much as possible. We thank you for accepting our region as it is.
Although I’m not saying specifically that this text is aimed at anyone who finds hills and narrow streets a problem, it is just a discreet little hint saying we are not your best choice if this is a problem. Since I’m not allowed to write do not book our accommodation if you are not prepared for a steep hill and narrow streets, this is my attempt to provide some guidance.
Many of our guests do not find our hill and narrow streets a problem; it is a very short climb of 200m. We have many return guests as well as guests who come on the recommendation of our former guests so there are many people who don’t mind hills and narrow streets. If you or anyone in your party find this too stressful, please, even if you have already booked accommodations, cancel as soon as possible. This will avoid future disappointment.
Why am I writing all this? We want to provide our guests with the best possible atmosphere during their stay and I would rather give up some bookings (money) than have a stressed out and unhappy guest.
Thank you for reading my blog,
Ira
It seems that the information given on bookings.com about us was either not enough or people, when booking the accommodation, do no read all the given information.
For me it is difficult to change any text on booking.com For example, few weeks ago I posted a text change but so far they haven’t even considered reading it let alone putting it on line. In addition, it is hard for me to include all the information that I would like.
All of this is causing a hard time and unpleasant situations for our guests and us.
First, I would like to make it clear that we are not a hotel. We are more of a Guesthouse or Bed and Breakfast type of accommodation. Services we provide are ones similar to all B&B and guesthouses. Soon there will be a special post on my blog explaining our services but right now I am focusing on the booking.com problems we all have.
Despite the fact that in the bookings.com text about our rooms and apartments it states that our double rooms do not have a terrace or sea view we regularly get demands for double rooms with both.
Demands are made after the booking has been completed and once the guests have arrived they are all disappointed. The problem that occurs when booking our rooms is probably because many guests do not click and read the section on the bookings.com page that provides details about the room. Perhaps it is not visible enough and therefore often missed. When booking an accommodation, please pay attention to this informative link so we can all avoid an unpleasant situation. It is upsetting when people demand something that we have never mentioned having. Apartments, on other hand, all have a sea view so, if it is necessary to have one, please book an apartment instead of a room.
The bookings text for our double rooms reads as follows:
This room has twin beds. There is no sea view. No extra bed possible.
Room Facilities: Shower, TV, Air Conditioning, Toilet, Bathroom, Heating, Satellite TV, Refrigerator
Breakfast: Breakfast is included in the room rate.
Taxes: EUR 1.00 city/tourist tax per person per night is not included.
Another problem that is an every day situation with booking.com guests is our location. I wrote in the text given to bookings that we are located 2 km from the city center. This seems to be rather invisible information because bookings.com tends to list inaccurate distances and give our guests wrong information. I’m trying to include the 2km distance in all texts but they have not allowed us to do this. If, after reading this blog, you consider this distance too far from the city center, please cancel the accommodation even it has already been booked.
Steep hill and narrow streets is another topic I would like to address. On booking.com under the “area information” section is a little text explaining our location. It is as follows:
The region is hilly; and the houses sit on small but very steep slopes. Our streets are narrow, like most Mediterranean streets. We would strongly suggest that people who are not used to driving on hilly and narrow streets use public transportion and walk as much as possible. We thank you for accepting our region as it is.
Although I’m not saying specifically that this text is aimed at anyone who finds hills and narrow streets a problem, it is just a discreet little hint saying we are not your best choice if this is a problem. Since I’m not allowed to write do not book our accommodation if you are not prepared for a steep hill and narrow streets, this is my attempt to provide some guidance.
Many of our guests do not find our hill and narrow streets a problem; it is a very short climb of 200m. We have many return guests as well as guests who come on the recommendation of our former guests so there are many people who don’t mind hills and narrow streets. If you or anyone in your party find this too stressful, please, even if you have already booked accommodations, cancel as soon as possible. This will avoid future disappointment.
Why am I writing all this? We want to provide our guests with the best possible atmosphere during their stay and I would rather give up some bookings (money) than have a stressed out and unhappy guest.
Thank you for reading my blog,
Ira
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Pangea day 2008
Villa PaPe is proud to host Pangea Day 2008, a remarkable event uses the power of film to strengthen tolerance and compassion bringing the world together for few hours.
Our event will take place at the same time and day as the live Pangea Day live event: May 10th 20:00 CET. Our friends and visitors of Villa PaPe are invited. We'll have some snacks and drinks and have fun.
Join us!
http://www.pangeaday.org/index.php
Our event will take place at the same time and day as the live Pangea Day live event: May 10th 20:00 CET. Our friends and visitors of Villa PaPe are invited. We'll have some snacks and drinks and have fun.
Join us!
http://www.pangeaday.org/index.php
Saturday, March 8, 2008
New special offer
Few days ago, we placed our new special offer. Protect the environment for at least one day. We though a lot how to get more involved in protecting the environment especially how to encourage our guests to do it too.
I got the idea when I received an email from Bed and Breakfast site we advertise our house. Their idea is to have gas free specials or green getaways. I liked the idea the new special offer was born.
The idea of this special is to encourage our guests to either walk or use public transport to get to Trogir center. It is only a 25 minute walk so this way not only the environment is saved from car pollution, your bodies will be in better shape. If I also mention that your have to walk from our hill to another, then we’ll come to conclusion that a better fitness performance is gained too.
As a reward, guests will receive 20% discount on a meal eaten at Villa Pape. I also have to mention that I cook only traditional Croatian meals not easily found in our restaurants. This way I want my guest to experience our cooking tradition.
I got the idea when I received an email from Bed and Breakfast site we advertise our house. Their idea is to have gas free specials or green getaways. I liked the idea the new special offer was born.
The idea of this special is to encourage our guests to either walk or use public transport to get to Trogir center. It is only a 25 minute walk so this way not only the environment is saved from car pollution, your bodies will be in better shape. If I also mention that your have to walk from our hill to another, then we’ll come to conclusion that a better fitness performance is gained too.
As a reward, guests will receive 20% discount on a meal eaten at Villa Pape. I also have to mention that I cook only traditional Croatian meals not easily found in our restaurants. This way I want my guest to experience our cooking tradition.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Croatian language
Croatian language belongs to western-south Slavic group (source Institut za hrvatski jezik i jezikoslovlje) of languages. As all Slavic languages its root is in old Slavic language.5,5 milion people speak Croatian language in Croatia, part of Bosnia and Hercegovina,Austria, Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro, Italy, Slovenia, Rumania, Slovakia and other countries.
Croatian language is divided in official Croatian language and dialects. Croatian dialects are cakavski, kajkavski spoken only in Croatia and stokavski is spoken in Croatia and other countries. Croats in Gradisce Austria speak a cakavski dialect although forms of kajkavski and stokavski dialects are used too. Croats in Italy Molise speak stokavski, Krašovani in Rumania speak torlacki dialect specific only for that Croatian enclave.
First written text in Croatian (it was a mixture of church Slavic and cakavski dialect) date from the end of 11 century. These texts were written in Croatian Glagolitic script. In 12 century Croats begin to form their own form of Cyrillic script Bosancica., from 14 century Latin scripts are in use. Croatian medieval texts were written in three scripts: Latin, Glagolitic, and Croatian Cyrillic (arvatica, poljičica, bosančica), and also in three languages: Croatian, Latin and Old Slavic. The most important early monument of Croatian literacy is the Baška tablet from the late 11th century. It is a large stone tablet found in the small church of St. Lucy on the Croatian island of Krk, containing text written mostly in cakavski.
Croatian language belongs to western-south Slavic group (source Institut za hrvatski jezik i jezikoslovlje) of languages. As all Slavic languages its root is in old Slavic language.5,5 milion people speak Croatian language in Croatia, part of Bosnia and Hercegovina,Austria, Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro, Italy, Slovenia, Rumania, Slovakia and other countries.
Croatian language is divided in official Croatian language and dialects. Croatian dialects are cakavski, kajkavski spoken only in Croatia and stokavski is spoken in Croatia and other countries. Croats in Gradisce Austria speak a cakavski dialect although forms of kajkavski and stokavski dialects are used too. Croats in Italy Molise speak stokavski, Krašovani in Rumania speak torlacki dialect specific only for that Croatian enclave.
First written text in Croatian (it was a mixture of church Slavic and cakavski dialect) date from the end of 11 century. These texts were written in Croatian Glagolitic script. In 12 century Croats begin to form their own form of Cyrillic script Bosancica., from 14 century Latin scripts are in use. Croatian medieval texts were written in three scripts: Latin, Glagolitic, and Croatian Cyrillic (arvatica, poljičica, bosančica), and also in three languages: Croatian, Latin and Old Slavic. The most important early monument of Croatian literacy is the Baška tablet from the late 11th century. It is a large stone tablet found in the small church of St. Lucy on the Croatian island of Krk, containing text written mostly in cakavski.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Beaches in Croata my little sustainable text
Over last 8 years of accommodation providing business I have notices one „problem“ that occures when people visit Croatia. Unfortunately, Croatia is seen as a beach destination only (some attempts by our Tourist board to change this perception are starting to occur), and when I say beach it manly reffers to sandy beaces.
I often wandered why that is so, but unfortunately, it is a rule not an exception. One of the reasons is definitely the guides people often buy. I seams that most of the guide writes either never been to Croatia or they are for some unknown reason to me, lying.
Croatia does have some sand beaches but is not so often to have them. Croatian coastline is manly rocky with pebbles (smaller and bigger).
If you love sandy beaches and your perception of a great summer destination is sand you should definitely avoid Croatia. This way you will not be surprised once you arrive and you will help us preserve our country as it is.
My opinion is if people don’t realize this sandy problem we’ll lead to a bigger one when some hotel or destination owner gets a terrific idea to put sand on our rocks and destroys the sea eco system. Fish that live in our sea will not get used to this new situation and then we’ll have another problem – no fish in our sea.
Being responsible both travelers and us Croats is the essential, so please respect our country as it is, don’t try to change it, and please don’t ask me this question: where can I find a sandy beach?!
Here is the list of sandy beaches in Croatia:
Trincel - island Pag,
Lumbarda - island Korčula,
Lopar - island Rab,Sabusa,
Jelenica i Kostanj - island Ugljan,
Lapad - Dubrovnik,
Trstenica - Orebić,
Slanica - island Murter,
Saplunara - island Mljet
Beaches of island Susak
Lumbarda island Korcula
Beaches of Omis riviera
I often wandered why that is so, but unfortunately, it is a rule not an exception. One of the reasons is definitely the guides people often buy. I seams that most of the guide writes either never been to Croatia or they are for some unknown reason to me, lying.
Croatia does have some sand beaches but is not so often to have them. Croatian coastline is manly rocky with pebbles (smaller and bigger).
If you love sandy beaches and your perception of a great summer destination is sand you should definitely avoid Croatia. This way you will not be surprised once you arrive and you will help us preserve our country as it is.
My opinion is if people don’t realize this sandy problem we’ll lead to a bigger one when some hotel or destination owner gets a terrific idea to put sand on our rocks and destroys the sea eco system. Fish that live in our sea will not get used to this new situation and then we’ll have another problem – no fish in our sea.
Being responsible both travelers and us Croats is the essential, so please respect our country as it is, don’t try to change it, and please don’t ask me this question: where can I find a sandy beach?!
Here is the list of sandy beaches in Croatia:
Trincel - island Pag,
Lumbarda - island Korčula,
Lopar - island Rab,Sabusa,
Jelenica i Kostanj - island Ugljan,
Lapad - Dubrovnik,
Trstenica - Orebić,
Slanica - island Murter,
Saplunara - island Mljet
Beaches of island Susak
Lumbarda island Korcula
Beaches of Omis riviera
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Ash Wendsday
Ash Wendsday was yesterday and The Season of Lent has started. After an overdose of krafne I definitely need it. The winter ends with mocking, carnival and a big party, princ fasnik is burned (false king, clown, the one guilty for all sins) and the lent begins.
Croatian lent tradition starts on Ash Wednesday with symbolic ash sprinkling. In Croatia, the name for Ash Wednesday is Čista srijeda and Pepelnica.
My grandma used to tell me that tradition was that everything in the kitchen had to be washed carefully. No traces of grease on dishes was allowed, everything had to be spotlessly clean.
Food had to be we would call it today vegetarian. No meats, for example in Samobor (M. Lang 1913) butcheries were closed for 40 days like in many Croatian towns. Typical food in that period was papula od graha (bean pate), kukuruzni žganci (polenta), dried fish, pasta usually with cottage cheese and sour cream, poppy seeds or walnuts.
Women used to wear different clothes during lent period. Dresses were darker color, with white scarf around the neck and no jewelry at all. In Zagreb area and Turopolje lent dressed were made of žutenina, hand woven material yellowish in color with white stripes and flower design. All lent Sundays have a name. Čista nedjelja, Pačista or Pračista, Bezimena, Sredoposna, Glušnica (Gluha, Gluva), Cvjetnica or Cvitnica are their names.Today most of our old customs are forgoten.
I keep the tradition of giving up usually food during lent. One year it was meat, another sweats but generay I try to make less meat dishes, cook our old vegetarian dishes and I don't buy and make cakes (anything sweet). I think it is a period to give our body a rest.
Croatian lent tradition starts on Ash Wednesday with symbolic ash sprinkling. In Croatia, the name for Ash Wednesday is Čista srijeda and Pepelnica.
My grandma used to tell me that tradition was that everything in the kitchen had to be washed carefully. No traces of grease on dishes was allowed, everything had to be spotlessly clean.
Food had to be we would call it today vegetarian. No meats, for example in Samobor (M. Lang 1913) butcheries were closed for 40 days like in many Croatian towns. Typical food in that period was papula od graha (bean pate), kukuruzni žganci (polenta), dried fish, pasta usually with cottage cheese and sour cream, poppy seeds or walnuts.
Women used to wear different clothes during lent period. Dresses were darker color, with white scarf around the neck and no jewelry at all. In Zagreb area and Turopolje lent dressed were made of žutenina, hand woven material yellowish in color with white stripes and flower design. All lent Sundays have a name. Čista nedjelja, Pačista or Pračista, Bezimena, Sredoposna, Glušnica (Gluha, Gluva), Cvjetnica or Cvitnica are their names.Today most of our old customs are forgoten.
I keep the tradition of giving up usually food during lent. One year it was meat, another sweats but generay I try to make less meat dishes, cook our old vegetarian dishes and I don't buy and make cakes (anything sweet). I think it is a period to give our body a rest.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Carnival tradition
It is carnival season. In Croatia we have a long and interesting carnival tradition. Each region has its name for carnival, in Zagreb and Zagorje region it will be fašnik, Slavonija poklade, seaside krnjeval or karneval or maškare used all over Croatia. First think that comes to my mind when carnival is mentioned is krafne. This is a cake made during carnival season more less in whole Croatia, except seaside, where krostule or fritule are made. Krafne are similar to doughnuts. Recipe you can find in my cookbook.
Zvoncari is another carnival association I have. I used to watch them as a child in my home town Zagreb. It is not a typical Zagreb custom, but I lived in the city suburbs that were a village before world war two and they kept the village custom of Zvoncari. Today you can see them in villages and Rijeka carnival. Zvončari" (bellmen) - the origin of which dates back to prehistoric times. The customs are typical for the regions in which cattle was raised - we know it from the equipment of "Zvončari" as their primary task was to scare away evil spirits of winter and to stir up new spring-time cycle. "Zvončari" have a sheepskin thrown over and a big bell, tied around their waist, on their back. On their heads they wear stylized masks, representing strange animal heads with a red tongue stuck out and with horns. "Zvončari" in Rijeka region wear white trousers and sailor’s striped shirts, while in northern Croatia they are covered with animal fur. In their hands they hold a "balta" or "bačuka" - a stylized mace. In carnival time, regardless of weather conditions, "Zvončari" as a big group go from village to village in the region, following always the same schedule drawn up centuries ago. There is a music section, too, at the head of the procession accompanied with young boys, the "eggers", who ask for eggs the local citizens which they need for supper. Local resident join the group of the bell bearers, welcome them and follow all along the villages they pass by. The dancing derives from ancient times. They gather in the middle of a village, in front of pubs or at crossroads, where they form a circle. They perform a special show, comprising wrestling in pairs or all together, rough movements with the bodies and separating at the end. I remember when Zvoncari used to come to my street kids would run into houses usually terrified by the noise they made and watch them form safe distance through window.
Towns usually didn’t have Zvoncari or very little, feasts on Tuesday before Ash Wednesday were and still are very popular. Most popular feasts are in Samobor and Rijeka, but almost every town has some kind of feast. The central part of most of town feasts is burning as called in Samobor prince Fasnik. It is a big doll made from straw and old clothes sometimes even representing some politician or other public figure that is not very popular within citizens. After a “trial” where prince Fasnik is accused of many crimes (bad weather, raise of prices etc…) he is burned.
The main attraction of all carnival traditions in Croatia are children. Kids dress up and walk form house to house asking for gifts. They sometimes sing and make a little performance. In our old tradition in especially north west and east Croatia children have to sing and perform and as a reward the would get money, eggs or krafne.
Every region has is own eating traditions during carnival. In Zagorje and Zagreb region sauerkraut,Krafne, sausages (cesnjovke-garlic sausages typical for Samobor) baked beef or turkey are most popular. Slavonija table is full of various sausages, dried meat, krafne. Seaside and inland Dalmatia have slightly different customs. Instead of krafne, fritule and hrostule are made. Both recipes you can find in my cookbook.
Since carnival somehow represents a new start because of a spring coming soon, there are many superstitions connected with it. For example in Zagorje region it is believed if you sprinkle your feet on Ash Wednesday with water where sauerkraut was cooked, this will protect your form sneak bites all year thorough. Another custom says if you on Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, before sunrises eat sauerkraut with krvavice (similar to black pudding, blood pudding) flies will stay away from you all year thorough. If you drink milk on Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, you will not get sunburns that year. Interesting who know maybe, it works.
Zvoncari is another carnival association I have. I used to watch them as a child in my home town Zagreb. It is not a typical Zagreb custom, but I lived in the city suburbs that were a village before world war two and they kept the village custom of Zvoncari. Today you can see them in villages and Rijeka carnival. Zvončari" (bellmen) - the origin of which dates back to prehistoric times. The customs are typical for the regions in which cattle was raised - we know it from the equipment of "Zvončari" as their primary task was to scare away evil spirits of winter and to stir up new spring-time cycle. "Zvončari" have a sheepskin thrown over and a big bell, tied around their waist, on their back. On their heads they wear stylized masks, representing strange animal heads with a red tongue stuck out and with horns. "Zvončari" in Rijeka region wear white trousers and sailor’s striped shirts, while in northern Croatia they are covered with animal fur. In their hands they hold a "balta" or "bačuka" - a stylized mace. In carnival time, regardless of weather conditions, "Zvončari" as a big group go from village to village in the region, following always the same schedule drawn up centuries ago. There is a music section, too, at the head of the procession accompanied with young boys, the "eggers", who ask for eggs the local citizens which they need for supper. Local resident join the group of the bell bearers, welcome them and follow all along the villages they pass by. The dancing derives from ancient times. They gather in the middle of a village, in front of pubs or at crossroads, where they form a circle. They perform a special show, comprising wrestling in pairs or all together, rough movements with the bodies and separating at the end. I remember when Zvoncari used to come to my street kids would run into houses usually terrified by the noise they made and watch them form safe distance through window.
Towns usually didn’t have Zvoncari or very little, feasts on Tuesday before Ash Wednesday were and still are very popular. Most popular feasts are in Samobor and Rijeka, but almost every town has some kind of feast. The central part of most of town feasts is burning as called in Samobor prince Fasnik. It is a big doll made from straw and old clothes sometimes even representing some politician or other public figure that is not very popular within citizens. After a “trial” where prince Fasnik is accused of many crimes (bad weather, raise of prices etc…) he is burned.
The main attraction of all carnival traditions in Croatia are children. Kids dress up and walk form house to house asking for gifts. They sometimes sing and make a little performance. In our old tradition in especially north west and east Croatia children have to sing and perform and as a reward the would get money, eggs or krafne.
Every region has is own eating traditions during carnival. In Zagorje and Zagreb region sauerkraut,Krafne, sausages (cesnjovke-garlic sausages typical for Samobor) baked beef or turkey are most popular. Slavonija table is full of various sausages, dried meat, krafne. Seaside and inland Dalmatia have slightly different customs. Instead of krafne, fritule and hrostule are made. Both recipes you can find in my cookbook.
Since carnival somehow represents a new start because of a spring coming soon, there are many superstitions connected with it. For example in Zagorje region it is believed if you sprinkle your feet on Ash Wednesday with water where sauerkraut was cooked, this will protect your form sneak bites all year thorough. Another custom says if you on Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, before sunrises eat sauerkraut with krvavice (similar to black pudding, blood pudding) flies will stay away from you all year thorough. If you drink milk on Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, you will not get sunburns that year. Interesting who know maybe, it works.
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