Our story

In a world of fast travel, endless GPS trails, and algorithmic noise, Trek Goat takes a slower path.

Since 2020, Trek Goat has been a quiet visual journal from hidden Croatia – a space that follows a slower path through the Adriatic–Alpine world, exploring trails, villages, and overlooked corners through storytelling, photography, and mindful outdoor journeys. Through Trek Goat, these quiet stories travel beyond Croatia, reaching readers who seek a more thoughtful way of exploring the world. Every story is based on real walks, real encounters, and real places I’ve explored — not imagined or rewritten, but lived and remembered through words and images.

Trek Goat story

Trek Goat was born from a simple desire: to explore Croatia deeply and share its quiet beauty with honesty. At first, I documented trails, small villages, and wild coastlines — but over time, these notes grew into a slow travel journal dedicated to authentic, mindful experiences.

Today, Trek Goat connects two worlds:

• an international blog with short, reflective stories and photography,
• and a local Croatian version offering longer, immersive narratives through Putokoza (meaning the Trek Goat in local language).

Rooted in slow exploration and love for nature, Trek Goat celebrates the rhythms, quiet beauty, and genuine experiences of Croatia and the wider Alpe–Adria region. In a world overwhelmed by motion, Trek Goat honors the art of stillness. We don’t chase trends or repeat common travel tips — we follow footsteps, listen to landscapes, and share stories that reveal the true spirit of the Alps and the Adriatic.

Small villages, hidden paths, cultural traces, and wild silence take center stage. Each story and photograph invites readers to pause, notice, and move more thoughtfully. Some stories also highlight local crafts, slow food, and small businesses: always shared with care and respect for the people who keep these traditions alive.

The name

The name comes from a place especially close to my heart — the island of Cres. Walking its rugged trails and seeing goats roam freely among the stone and sea reminded me of my grandfather’s goats in Rovinj.

Those landscapes and memories shaped the name connecting Goat and Path, a symbol of simplicity, freedom, and the slower rhythm of life — the very essence of slow travel.

A different relationship with social media

In a world ruled by algorithms and constant updates, I’ve discovered that the classic blog, through careful writing and quiet photography, is the truest way to share my experiences. Social networks appear only occasionally, like small windows into what truly matters, never as a race for attention. Stories are allowed to breathe and unfold slowly, reaching those who pause to notice. My partner Jasna, a schoolteacher with a calm outlook and deep understanding of people, has been a constant source of encouragement, reminding me that connection comes from attention, not speed..

Who writes on Trek Goat

Hi, I’m Zdravko. My name means “health” or “well-being” — perhaps a fitting start for someone who has spent more than twenty years wandering the forests, hills, and quiet villages of the Adriatic–Alpine world. After diving into economics in my postgraduate studies, I discovered my true calling: photography, storytelling, and guiding travelers to experience places beyond the usual maps. For over a decade, I worked in the tour operator sector, learning how authentic experiences can turn a destination into a memory that lingers.

Yet it was Croatia’s forests, forgotten trails, and the silence of the mountains that became my real office — a place to slow down, to breathe, to see the world more intentionally. My journey with photography began back in high school, when my father handed me a camera. That simple gift sparked a lifelong habit: noticing light, shapes, and fleeting moments that tell a story.

Today, whether I’m working with digital files or analog film, I aim to capture the world as it truly feels — honest, quiet, alive. Through Trek Goat, I share these glimpses, hoping to inspire others to slow their pace, notice the small details, and connect more deeply with this remarkable Adriatic–Alpine world.

Contact & collaborations

Feel free to reach out. Some stories feature small local businesses or experiences, shared with care and attention to the slower rhythms of travel.

What else we write about

• DIY projects and local handmade products — especially Jasna’s passionate creations.
• Croatian food, favorite recipes, and creative explorations.
• Home décor and rural life.