Meet the People of Zagreb: Dubravko Primorac, Bed & Breakfast and Tour Agency Owner

1. Hi Dubravko, could you tell us something about yourself?
Outdoor sports, crazy coffee lover, love for the beans led me to my previous job before I made my dream come true, that is Lobagola B&B and Lobagola Tours. Find out more here.

People person in short, this is how usually sounds first impression when someone meets me, smiles all over guaranteed. Having many passions from adventure sports, architecture, product design, traveling, history, bicycle and motorcycle long distance traveling, food, art, every day is too short and new ideas are being laid out on daily basis.

2. How did you decide to start your own business in Croatia, was if a difficult decision?
Intuition is what I always try to follow as much as possible. So when that little voice told me it’s time, jump on your head and believe! I did ?
Like to say that we need to follow the natural flow, so follow your flow whatever that is ?

3. What do you think about the current status of tourism in Zagreb?
The city has changed for the better in the recent 2-3 years. Though we still lack a lot in department of storytelling and destination management and what should be presented as our benefit as a city and destination in broader view.
Restaurant scene is booming and getting to a definitely higher level, bars are slowly following, specialty coffee places are pushing coffee culture, festivals, accommodation … all in all, opening of the new airport will for sure bring a new vibe to support the above-mentioned initiatives.

4. Do you like living in Zagreb? What are some of your favourite things about living here?
Like our guests love to say, it’s bohemian, have to agree with that! I love outdoors, so Medvednica nature park and lake Jarun are perfect getaway and so close to the city. Specialty coffee places (again), artisan bakeries, bicycle friendly (getting better and better day by day) places, ateliers of my friend’s artists, craft shops …
I have to say that spring is my favourite time of year in Zagreb. Seems to me that the city is waking up from long winter hibernation, and when the trees starts to get greener, then natur creates a very special play along the green horseshoe with highlight at Botanical garden.

5. What are some of your least favourite things about living here, anything you’d like to change?
I believe we all would like to see more front faces of the buildings to be in better shape! Another thing because we at Lobagola are crazy about bicycles is that we believe there needs to be more cycle paths and less cars, or maybe even better, create a broader pedestrian zone in the centre of the city.

6. Tell us a little something about your B&B, Lobagola. And explain what the name stands for, please! 🙂
Started as an intuitive idea, and grew into real thing in quite short time. It’s built by intrepid travellers for intrepid travellers, and we like meeting global overlanding guests on motorcycles and bicycles we’re part of their world. By being in contact with our guests it makes us fresh in mind, broadening our perspective on daily bases, and honestly, it’s all about energy in life, and of course needs to be positive one.
Lobagola is a word from Africa, it means “elephant pathway” that they create and use on their way back when moving on long distances. They will never tramp a fence or destroy anything of human creation. So of course, we’re not enticing our guests to break our design classics in the interior lol , but just to visit us, and if they will like the place and its energy we believe they will come back.

7. What are your favourite places to go out and have a beer in Zagreb?
RO-DO on Opatovina, 20 000 milja pod morem, Booze and Blues, Melin, Swanky mint hostel, Talkiens, …

8. What’s your absolute favourite place in the city?
Old upper town for sure! It’s so quiet and elegant, I just love taking walks there visiting some friends or friendly businesses that share the same love for this part of the city. Dropping for a coffee at galleria Lav or for a beer at Pod starim krovovima

9. Favourite restaurant (or any other place to eat)?
I can’t name one sorry, so here’s a few: Lanterna, Gallo, Korcula.

10. Do you think the city has changed in the past couple of years and how?
For sure it did change. I believe the younger generation is pushing forward and changing the city to be more interesting to live and work here. More foreigners are coming and staying. More flight connections mean more business opportunities etc
We need to be patient ?

11. What are some of the places you think most tourists miss when they visit Zagreb?
Maksimir park as a beautiful example of park architecture, lake Jarun , and Medvedgrad fortress are I believe top three very often missed places.
We all need to work hard on storytelling and presentation of these places to create unique experiences that will stay in the memories of their visitors.