Did you know that the necktie originates from the Croats?

The story goes that around the year 1635, some six thousand soldiers and knights came to Paris to give their support to King Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu. Among them were a great number of Croatian mercenaries led by a ban, or Croatian viceroy.

Croatian soldiers within the Napoleon army were spotted to wear unusual and picturesque scarves around their necks as part of their standard uniforms. The scarves were made of various cloths, ranging from coarse material for common soldiers, to fine cotton and silk for officers. This elegant "Croatian style" immediately enamoured the French noblemen, who were delighted by the new article of clothing, which had been previously unknown in Europe and soon the fashionable expression in French "a la croate" soon evolved into a new French word, which still exists today: la cravate and it became the word which in many languages still resembles to the name of Croatia - the homeland of the Cravate.

Every day more than 600 million people around the globe wear this fashion detail around their necks, close to their hearts.

Croata company produces original Croatian neckties that can be found in many Croatian towns.

Special packages are also available for all those looking for original souvenir from Croatia - Croata with a Story.

From 26$ for a Souvenir Collection up to 150$ for special collections.

Neckties are from Croatia

Not many people know that Croatia is a home of a necktie (or cravat), so what could be a better souvenir from Croatia than a original tie from its homeland?

Here is a little history lesson.

At the beginning, the cravat (tie) was a kerchief worn by Croatian soldiers in the 17th century. When they came to France around 1635 to give their support to King Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu they have aroused interest on account of the unusual and picturesque scarves distinctively tied about their necks. The scarves were made of various cloths, ranging from coarse material for common soldiers, to fine cotton and silk for officers. This elegant "Croatian style" immediately enamoured the French, who were delighted by the new article of clothing, which had been previously unknown in Europe.

Since that time in the 17th century, derivatives of the word croata have been present in many languages, (i.e., English, German, French, Portuguese, Italian), meaning cravat or tie. It follows then that Croatia is the mother country of the necktie, as France is the mother country of high fashion, Brazil of coffee, Switzerland of cheese and watches, Portugal of port wine etc.

Nowadays, ties with characteristic Croatian motifs, such as Glagolitic script or the Croatian wicker-work pattern that can be found on Croatian monuments from the beginning of the Middle Ages, are worn on all continents. 600 million people now wear the ubiquitous symbol of Croatia around their necks, close to their hearts.

Silk ties are among Croatia's best known souvenirs and are a symbol of the cultural development of the Croatian people. Therefore, for those looking for an authentic Croatian souvenir a tie is a perfect solution.

Probably the most known producer of ties in Croatia is Croatia. Their web site is http://www.croata.hr where you can shop among many styles of ties, scarves, shawls, for both men and women but you can also visit their boutiques around Croatia (Dubrovnik, Zagreb, Split, Osijek, Rijeka etc.) and abroad.

Make sure to participate in the short course on 'how to tie a tie'! Quite useful.

Vegeta - Food Seasoning

Well, basically this is a food seasoning, so what's the big deal about it? The big deal is that this is probably the most known product in Croatia. Vegeta has been for decades a favourite spice for every Croatian household and unavoidable ingredient in many meals.

Vegeta is a condiment sold worldwide, a mixture of spices and various vegetables. It is a combination of vegetables and seasoning herbs and is a must have product! It comes in different packages and several flavours.

Vegeta, almost 50 years after the discovery of its original formula, continues to be popular and favored today. Vegeta's secret lies in the fact that it does not dominate the aroma of a meal, but rather adds fullness to it. Simply sprinkle Vegeta over meat to be roasted, food to be BBQ-ed, poultry, fish and other victuals during the preparation stage or add Vegeta to soups, sauces, vegetables, rice and other cooked food 5 minutes before they are done. Your meal will have a stronger aroma and will be much tastier.

If you want to bring home one particular taste from Croatia, Vegeta would be it.

• Vegeta home page (it contains some tasty recipes)

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