Gastro-cultural event “Taste the destination” in Gospić
03/06/2026
Gastro-cultural event “Taste the destination” held in Gospić:
a successful blend of tradition, sustainability, and cross-border flavours
A unique gastro-cultural event, “Taste the Destination”, was successfully held on Friday, 22 May 2026, in the courtyard of the Lika-Senj County headquarters in Gospić. The event was organized as part of the celebration of Lika-Senj County Day and the 2026 EU Projects Open Days.
Bringing together visitors of all generations, the event was designed as an integrated gastro-cultural experience with the primary objective of promoting sustainable gastronomy, short supply chains, and local producers. The central focus was placed on showcasing products bearing the regional quality label “Lika Quality”, as well as presenting the successful business model of the local craft business Smočnica as an example of best practice in rural tourism.
Following an introductory presentation by project manager Nikolina Gotal on the cross-border project GUSTI, visitors had the opportunity to experience first-hand how tradition and intangible cultural heritage can be successfully transformed into contemporary tourism products through EU-funded projects. Interactive activities, gastronomy quizzes, and culinary workshops for children provided engaging opportunities for learning and participation.
A guided gastronomic journey through “Lika Quality” and partner regions
The central part of the event was a professionally curated tasting area designed as a comprehensive guided experience through clearly defined product categories – ranging from traditional fresh and aged cheeses, cured meat delicacies, and honey to traditional desserts and premium beverages. All products were clearly labelled according to their origin and producer, allowing visitors to sample and compare authentic flavours from Croatia and Italy in one place.
Lika-Senj County proudly presented a rich selection of products carrying the “Lika Quality” label. Visitors enjoyed delicate Velebit floral honey and rich honeydew honey, aromatic Velebit bacon, and the traditional fresh squeaky cheese known as škripavac. The local offering was further complemented by rosehip jam, refreshing elderflower syrup, traditional blackberry wine, and the indispensable plum brandy (šljivovica).
As part of the partner regions’ presentation, the County also introduced flavours from Zadar County, including the renowned Pag cheese, known for its strong geographical identity, and the visually distinctive Maraschino liqueur presented in its elegant signature bottles.
From Karlovac County, visitors discovered a perfect gastronomic balance through the rich flavours of traditional Croatian sausage kulen, paired with warm homemade strudel, creating an authentic atmosphere of tradition and home cooking within the tasting area.
The gastronomic heritage of Dubrovnik-Neretva County was showcased through visually appealing traditional candied orange peel sweets arancini served in practical bite-sized portions, while the premium red wine Dingač added a distinctive touch of elegance to the entire presentation.
The event’s cross-border character was further highlighted through the presentation of the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, offering visitors a tasting of the world-famous Parmigiano Reggiano, displayed in a whole wheel, alongside premium, expertly sliced Prosciutto di Parma.
From the Italian region of Apulia, visitors were attracted by the presentation of exceptionally creamy Burrata, particularly appealing when cut open and perfectly paired with traditional crunchy Taralli snacks.
Finally, the hosts completed the cross-border wine and gastronomy story with a presentation of the Veneto region, featuring the light and widely appreciated sparkling wine Prosecco, which proved to be an excellent pairing for the mild and approachable Italian cheese Asiago.
A message of sustainability and preservation of identity
This event successfully demonstrated a practical model for connecting the agricultural and tourism sectors. By directly presenting the work and dedication of family farms and local producers, “Taste the Destination” delivered a strong message about the importance of preserving local identity, promoting the sustainable development of rural areas, and supporting domestic production as an economically viable path for future growth.
The event was organized within the framework of the GUSTI – Gastro UpScaled Tourist Itinerary in Rural Regions of Croatia and Italy project (ID: ITHR0200403), co-financed through the Interreg Italy–Croatia 2021–2027 Programme.
