EXPLORING CROATIA!
Here is Croatia as located in relation to other countries. Due to it’s proximity to Italy, it’s an easy 1-2 day stop-over in Venice for honeymooners. When you have time, read up on the fascinating history. In the mid 1990’s I personally witnessed part of this history taking place while working in Albania just to the south of Croatia. Croatia only recently joined the European Union in 2012, going from communist state to a free republic.
LAND AND SEA:
Dalmatian Coast Photo credit: DestinationsMagazine
There are several ways to explore. Many cruise ships sail the Adriatic Sea either departing Venice or on the way to Venice. Cruises will stop in the ports of Dubrovnik and sometimes Spit. Reminder – don’t plan to visit Dubrovnik when the ships are in port as it can become very crowded. When you hear of the Dalmatian Coast, it is a narrow area along the sea from Rab, Croatia south to Kotor, Montenegro. It’s name comes from the Illyrian tribe called the Dalmatae who inhabited it in 100 BC.
Yachting the beautiful islands can feel like your own private place. Here’s a sample itinerary: Dubrovnik – Korčula – Metković – Split – Krka Waterfalls / Šibenik – Zadar – Rab – Opatija. This can also be combined with a land portion. You can also sail on a themed cruise, like wine, yoga and more.
Katrina cruise yacht
Stunning, breathtakingly beautiful landscapes, traditional culture and laid-back style. This new, sumptuously designed and fully air-conditioned Deluxe superior vessel with spacious en-suite cabins is the perfect way to experience the beauty of this long stretch of Croatian coastline. On the move, relax on spacious decks or swim in the crystal clear Adriatic Sea during stops. When we dock, explore small waterfront towns and wander.
Seeing the many sites on land, just the two of you (not a big tour group) will create your own memories. We work with several suppliers that are based in Croatia so you have the best experience. They will arrange either a self drive car and/or a private driver. Ferries are included to get to the islands. Many of the daily options are done independently or can be included as part of a group, like kayaking.
Different types of itineraries can be customized to your interests. Biking, hiking, wine, food, active and still be romantic for a honeymoon. Croatia also welcomes the LGBTQ community.
MOVIE MAGIC:
Many movies have been filmed here, below are some of the more popular ones. How much fun could Game of Thrones fans have on an excursion to play-act scenes right in the very spot where filmed? There’s an Instagram moment!
- Game of Thrones (2011–2019)
- Robin Hood (2018)
- Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017)
- Knightfall (2017– )
- Captain America (1990)
- Fiddler on the Roof (1971)
- Mama Mia II (2018)
National Park Plitvice Lakes by Pixaby
The park is a series of 16 lakes connected by beautiful waterfalls. It is surrounded by untouched nature with many animals & rare birds.
Sunset in Zadar by Pixaby
Head to Zadar (a small town with Roman ruins) for one of the most awesome sunsets in the world. What could be more romantic than that? There is more than that, the history combines many eras, the city belonged to the Republic of Venice until 1943. Ugljan, an island with nice beaches is just a short boatride off the coast.
Zadar is know for having the most beautiful sunset in the world. What could be more awe-inspiring than enjoying that! There’s also many beaches and lively markets.
ZADAR – solar-powered work of art that explodes with an array of brightly colored lights – The Greeting to the Sun. The glass surface changes hues as you & your partner dance across it.
The Greeting to the Sun consists of three hundred multi-layer glass plates in the shape of a circle 22 meters in diameter. It is conceived as a spatial installation in the form of an amphitheater surrounded by stone blocks with a presentation of all Solar System planets and their orbits.
Take a boatride to Island Brac (pronounced “Bratch”), one of the largest islands known for its famous beaches. However, check out the rare olive trees from which olive oil is made dating back to the 1600 ac. Also check the white stone buildings from Roman times, now used worldwide. Popular beaches are Bol and Zlanti Rat.
Private and romantic spots are all over Croatia. Besides the Platvice Falls and Zadar, it’s easy to find some private beaches of Hvar (H-var) town on the island. Couples can hop a boat to one of the Pakleni Islands.
Pakleni Islands and Hvar by Pixaby
Strossmayerova in Zagreb by Pixaby
If in Zagreb, take a stroll hand-in-hand along this tree-line promenade or find the fairy-tale street of Tkalčićeva, which snakes up from focal Jelačić Trg, was once the flowing stream of Medveščak. The first Croatian wine shop (Vinoteka) was born 30 years ago which gave birth to a renewed Croatian wine scene with many wineries in the country.
The coastal cuisine is Mediterranean infused with Balkan influences. Lots of fresh seafood drizzled with olive oil and rosemary. Hearty stews with gnocchi are common as is eggplant made with roasted red capsicum.
TIDBITS OF INFO:
- No Visa for US citizens staying under 90 days.
- Currency is the kuna. They are not yet on the euro.
- Croatian is official language, English is widely spoken.
- The climate on the coast is Mediterranean with mild winters and hot, dry summers. Inland may have colder winters.
- History, culture galore, mixed with great food, wine, and adventure.
- Beautiful and inexpensive!
There are so many places to explore with private beaches and yachts covering the many islands. This will be your truly memorable honeymoon.
Written by: Katie Cianciolo, Dreamcatcher Destinations
#1–Fiji is authentic. We hear so many say they want an “authentic” experience, yet what they describe as ideal is far from it. The Islands of Fiji are considered to be one of the exotic destinations. Remote,with a simple way of life, yet modern is many ways. With couples seeking more exotic, off- the-beaten-path, authentic destination, Fiji takes you beyond the typical vacation destination, and hits the mark without having to sacrifice on the comforts of home.
#2–Diversity of Options. Fiji offers a wide array of resorts in various locations. From large, chain types to very small and intimate. Those for the more minimalist, budget minded to incredible luxury villas. Many resorts offer a great mix of traditional Fijian design while providing modern amenities. The bures (this is what they call their rooms, aka huts on the beach) are very spacious, offering modern updated bathrooms (most with outdoor showers) and a stunning view. Many with a sitting area (inside and out), air conditioning, mini refrigerator, and some with a private plunge pool. None the same, though. All uniquely designed with local touches.
#3–Activities to satisfy everyone. The activities offered in Fiji are endless. You will find a great diversity to satisfy all types of travelers. From relaxing on the beach, lounging by the pool, snorkeling just off shore, hiking to a waterfall, visiting a local village or school, and SO much more. Soft adventure activities such as kayaking, standup paddle boarding, horseback riding,ziplining… With Fiji being the soft coral capital of the world, scuba diving is very popular and much different than what you will find in the Caribbean and Hawaii. Foodies don’t despair. Your palate is tempted and satisfied as well. Indulge in a fusion of cuisines such as local Fijian, Indian, Polynesian and more.
#4–Natural beauty. Breathtaking beauty is everywhere! From the Mamanuca Island group, to the Yasawa Island group, from Viti Levu to Vanua Levu. Some islands are small, some a bit larger, but ALL have their own beautiful setting. Did you know? One of the 1001 Places to See Before You Die is located within Fiji? Horseshoe Bay is an incredible site to see! The coral is magnificent, vibrant and a variety of colors. It seems to jump right out of the water. Speaking of those take- your- breath- away views. The best way to see many of the islands and coral is by air. Helicopter, seaplane or inter-island flight. However, you choose, get up in the air to see the amazing world below.
#5– Remarkable Sunsets. Fiji is blessed with some of the most remarkable sunsets in the world. I mean from every island! The colors light up the sky, like a new painting each evening. After the sun goes down, be sure to do some star gazing. You will see different stars and constellations that we are not able to see from the Northern Hemisphere. The most prominent are the Southern Cross and the Milky Way. Certain times of the year, these can be seen very clearly.
#6– The locals. I have saved the best for last. By far, the best part is the Fijians themselves. From the moment you arrive, “Bula” is heard everywhere. It is a greeting, similar to aloha, but has other meanings. The literal meaning is “life” and also implies wishes for happiness and good health. When being greeted, remember they are saying more than just a simple “hello”. Fijians are exceedingly warm and friendly. They love to express their love of life and share it with visitors. They have an infectious joy, enthusiasm, and genuine hospitality about them. It’s easy to join in!
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