Marija Vukoja Lastvić

As a girl, Marija used to come to Blidinje with her mom on weekends and wash glasses while standing on drinks crates, and at the age of eight she served drinks to guests. And then at seventeen, when her father died, she took over all the work. And it was not easy, because after her father’s death, she had to make a decision, continue business or stay in Mostar and move on with the life of her peers.

To be successful you need to have your heart in your business and your business in your heart

Marija holds a Master’s degree in Tourism and Catering Management from the University of Modern Sciences – CKM Mostar where she defended her thesis “Aspects and possibilities of sustainable tourism development”. She has also completed her specialization in food and beverages organized by the Faculty of Tourism and Catering Management in Opatija, as well as the training in diet therapy and therapeutic diet at the same faculty. She is also the proud owner of two certificates – Level 1 and Level 2 from the Wine Academy of Croatia, WSET London, in wine and spirits in general. Since 2009 she has been working as the manager of Hajdučke Vrleti property in the Blidinje Nature Park.

“When you have your heart in your business, and invest a part of yourself in what you believe in and create, then success comes as an expected outcome of all this. Of course, this does not happen overnight, but it comes with hard work, dedication and sacrifice.“

Hajdučke Vrleti – a peculiar story from the interior to the offer

Hajdučke Vrleti have their own peculiar story, and without false modesty I must say that this is indeed a peculiar property; from its interior to the offer. As such, it was already positioned on the market at the time when I assumed the position of general manager. I simply tried to take advantage of our strengths and eliminate or fix and minimize the weaknesses, and of course invest in priorities. Quality has been my guiding principle and a clear goal, which has remained unchanged to this day. I am still striving for improvements and success in every segment of my business. The team of people led by me built in a part of themselves into Vrleti, we have made superhuman efforts to improve our quality and bring it to a next level, we have not spared any effort in doing so, and I think that is the key to our success.

Since its opening in 1999 to date, the initial goal has been successfully accomplished, precisely because of the traditional cuisine of Herzegovina that is still cherished, homely atmosphere and family approach to running business.

The first woman haiduk, the leader of the Haiduk Republic

She is the first woman haiduk to be the leader of the Haiduk Republic of Mijat Tomić, founded by her father. In 2009, when her father died in a car accident, just a hundred meters away from Hajdučke Vrleti, she was only 17 years old.

“We lived in Mostar and I was a graduate of Mostar High School. The whole world collapsed for me that day. It was not only that my father died, I lost a man I loved immensely, he was my idol. I was his little girl, just his Marija.”

Each new day, new challenge and my dream

This is my lifelong project. Money is not my priority. I want to succeed in this business, I want my employees to be satisfied and make my guests want to come back. Each day is a new day and a new challenge, this is my dream. All that I am, all I know, I have invested in this business. My goal is far beyond mere profit – says Marija, who is supported by her mother in everything she does.