The Best Way to Visit Croatia by Land and Sea
If Croatia has been on your travel list for years, you want to make sure you do it right. It’s gained massive popularity when Game of Thrones infamously brought us the ultimate walk of shame steps, and travelers are going in droves.
If you’re going to the Adriatic gem, you want to make sure you have a solid week or more to visit the highlights. On my recent trip, we went on a fully curated itinerary for a bevy of heavy hitter travel advisors, and myself, leading the travel press. It was our chance to showcase the breadth of options and be able to advise travelers best.
While Via Croatia only works with travel advisors, you can easily tap them to level up your trip through your travel agent (like me!).
The top highlights to make sure you include: Dubrovnik, Hvar, Korcula, Split, Plitvice Lakes (or Krka) and Zagreb. If you have more time or it’s the second visit, consider adding more places like Istria to the north, coastal places like Zadar and surrounding destinations like Montenegro.
One of the biggest benefits of staying onboard a yacht (aside from being bougie and fabulous), we didn’t have to fight for hotel availability, especially if you’re going in peak season. We started in Dubrovnik with a tour around the Old City Walls and stopped at D’Vino Wine Bar to grab some sustenance and storytelling about Croatian wine. Make sure you do the walk above on the walls themselves. I had already two times on other visits, but I would always go again.
For our big kick-off evening, we took a traditional Croatian Falkusa ship from our dock to provide a grand entrance in the Old City Walls by water, followed by an even grander dining experience at Sponza Palace - special access Via Croatia can provide and other options are to dine on the walls themselves.
Since we were there to capture a taste of Croatia, we moved on quickly the following morning to get a head start and stop for some bike riding around smaller, lesser traveled Mljet Island to then arrive at the infamous Marco Polo Island Korcula - a great place to pick up some coral jewelry.
As we docked, we had to shift gears for a tour of the tiny historical town center, then whisked off for some traditional Croatian dining at Konoba Maha - a special oasis under a leafy canopy and slow-cooked peka simmering under the embers.
Before we could get too comfortable, we were off to the next destination: Hvar. This island brings back memories to when I visited with girlfriends in 2015. When we arrived, there was a market and plenty of activity by the port. Before shopping in the cute boutiques, we drove up to the hilltops for a cooking class at Alavia. The incredible views, hilarious banter with the chef and delicious cooking were just the ticket.
Later that afternoon, we jetted off on a speedboat to Laganini Beach Bar. We were greeted by refreshing cocktails and good vibes. As we watched the sun set, we appreciated how fortunate we were to call this work, and for me, to be back for a third visit.
In the morning, we set out for a day in the sun, took all the water toys and grilling with all the five yachts circled around. Aretha set up the big water slide off the top and everyone grabbed their favorite watercraft. This day was absolutely perfect!
Shortly after, we cruised into Split and spent our last night on our yachts. The city was abuzz since Eurovision had the Croatian band Baby Lasagna in the top 10. The big screen was set up in the city center so we made sure to get back in time to watch with everyone.
A short drive away, we went to Kastel Sikuli Winery with a sweeping view of Split. Course after course, glass of wine after glass of wine, we chatted about the amazing time we were having. Not wishing it to end, we wrapped up to see Eurovision top players. We took our last night in the city to heart and kept the party going on the top deck of Agape Rose yacht with drinks till 4 am!
The following morning at early 0700 we drove to Plitvice Lakes. Thankful for the bus snooze to prepare the hike through the park and picnic. The beautiful vistas and green and blue iridescent waters were incredible.
Onward to the last stop Zagreb, we got there in time for a leisurely dinner and early night. The following morning we took a walking tour around the city, which I hadn’t done on my last visit. It’s an underrated European city in my opinion. Love that there’s a museum for so many interests and quirky subjects, most famously known for the Museum of Broken Relationships.
On the way back to the Esplanade Hotel, we made a stop for a proper beer tasting on the main historic drag, lined with restaurants. Winding down the trip, we got all dressed up for the galad dinner and luxury travel panel. The crowd was full of power-house travel advisors that consider Via Croatia the go-to partner for land and sea charters - as do I. If you gather your friends and family, there are boats and yachts for all sizes that can be very approachable budgets. Let me help you travel better with Via Croatia.
A little sampling of Luxury Island Wine Roads & Culinary itinerary to wet your appetite in the meantime.
