Our recent trip to Croatia was a winner according to those who joined us on this awesome adventure. Planning the trip was difficult as there is so much to see and do. Croatia has 2500 miles of coastline and close to 1200 islands and you can’t do it all. When you add the many ancient architectural wonders, the UNESCO sites and gorgeous nature parks, lakes and rivers it is hard to cover everything. We did our best and we believe we made it to many of the best places to visit in this beautiful, diverse country.
We arrived in Zagreb, the capital which has marked the intersection of Eastern and central Europe for a thousand years. We were centrally located and able to explore the charming cobblestone streets and squares. Zagrebians have devised a brilliant scheme for confusing tourists, and I have to say we really did experience it. I was so thankful not to be driving (thank you John), I would have pulled my hair out trying to find the Hotel Dubrovnik. I can still see those two old boys we asked directions from in the park shaking their heads with their hands in the air as we drove by them numerous times. Finally finding our hotel and a place to park we dumped our stuff and head out to find a well deserved beer. There were so many outdoor restaurants/patios to pick from a very lively and inviting scene. We got introduced to “Big” local Croatian beers and shared 2 excellent pizza’s, this was just the start of Big Croatian Beers!!! The rest of the group escaped this adventure as Katarina Line arranged hotel transport when requested.
Our welcome dinner introduced us to some authentic Croatian dishes, the meal was excellent. After a very excited group and a couple of broken wine glasses I was wondering if Tanja (our guide for the trip) was wondering what she might have gotten herself into.
The 2020 earthquakes destruction is still evident, we were unable to visit inside many historic buildings, museums, churches still undergoing repair and restoration work. We however did enjoy this lively city. It boasts a very interesting modern art scene where Graffiti is considered art. Some visited the Museum of Broken Relationships, a quirky exhibit telling tales of fractured relationships and a Museum of Hangovers where you start with a beer and toss the empty into a huge pile of dead soldiers. Most people try to forget their drunken mishaps, but in Zagreb, these stories are immortalized within a museum’s walls. I wonder if any of our group that visited had a hangover? The special moment for me was the kind words and a blessing given to me/group from a server in the hotel restaurant where we had breakfast each morning. She was so appreciative of us and wished us safe travels. That angel was very good to all of us every step of the way.
On our way to the Kempinski hotel, our next stop, we stopped in Opatija, a seaside resort known for its historic buildings reminiscent of the Austrian Riviera. Here we met with owner of the Katarina Line and the people we worked with. We had a wonderful surprise as we were treated to champagne on the rooftop of the newly built KE&GHT 5* Hotel which is the brainchild of Katarina Hauptfeld, a beautiful hotel which celebrates the cultural heritage of the region and its natural beauty.
The Adriatic golf course on the Istria peninsula is our one and only golf stop on this tour. It is adjacent to the Kempinski Hotel a 5* facility with lots of amenities and beautiful rooms, some of us looking over the ocean and some over the many olive tree fields. We had 2 days of golf which brings us all together, not everyone golfed, but the camaraderie that comes with it was missed.
We also got a glimpse of the culture and different landscapes. It was amazing to enter the treasury of Roman remains as we explored the Amphitheater in Pula. Then on to Rovinj a charmingly picturesque town with narrow, cobbled streets, striking many visitors as being very Italianate in nature. It is so delightfully pretty and lively with its numerous cafes and restaurants, galleries and an active fishing port. A highlight for me was making it up to Rovinj’s landmark Baroque church where you find relics of St Euphemia the protector.
From the Istria peninsula we traveled to Plitvice National Park, one of the top natural attractions in Croatia. The breathtaking expanse of forested hills, turquoise lakes and hundreds of waterfalls was exquisitely scenic. The color of the water in the lakes and pools beneath the countless waterfalls was an unbelievable green-blue. Around every corner another beautiful sight. The trek back to the bus was challenging but we all made it.
Next stop Zadar an intriguing, historic old town of Roman ruins, medieval churches, quaint cafes and museums set on a small peninsula. We loved the sound and light spectacle of the Sea Organ and Sun Salutation, it has to be seen and heard to be believed. The locals don’t like it too much!! We had a lovely dinner at pretty restaurant over looking the water where we watched fisherman bring in the catches of the day. Mussels, Squid and Truffle dishes were enjoyed and of course local Croatian Wine and Beer. When we arrived back from to the hotel the lounge looked very busy but I did not see any of the Golfaround group which was a first. Taking a second look I found 5 of the ladies around the corner playing Bingo of all things. As it turned out Bingo was a lot of fun, an excellent host, great music and a room full of interesting people. A couple of us won only to give the prize away as we were leaving in the morning for out next destination.
The last stop of our land portion was Split, which is the port we departed from on our island hopping journey. Split has some of the best Roman ruins this side of Italy. A maze of narrow alleys is home to boutiques and galleries, wonderfully atmospheric cafés, and Roman artifacts around every corner. The city’s primary attraction is the Diocletian’s Palace and the scenic seafront promenade are easy to explore by foot. We enjoyed Old Town visiting an awesome Christmas store and finishing in the square where many charming restaurants and cozy wine bars look so inviting and we indulge once again.
We arrive at our Yacht, I don’t think it is like Below Deck the TV series but we will find out stay tuned….