Go to Croatia!

Our overall best week so far!

Everyone said, “Go to Croatia. It’s amazing.”

“They have the bluest, cleanest, and warmest waters,” they told us.

“The people are authentic, the culture is rich, and it’s more affordable than most of Europe.”

And “They” were absolutely right. From the moment we landed, Croatia’s relaxed atmosphere wrapped around us like a hug from an old friend. Our transfer driver, casually dressed in board shorts and a t-shirt, paused to chat with his brother on the way out of the airport, capturing the easygoing, connected vibe that shaped our time here.

The week in Croatia flew by, packed with incredible experiences. We scratched the surface of Split and Dubrovnik, soaking up their ancient charm, but the real highlights—unsurprisingly, if you know me and Bryan—unfolded by the water. Plitvice Lakes and the sparkling Adriatic dominated our time.

Just before we left, a friend urged us to visit Plitvice Lakes, a destination we hadn’t even planned on. Her advice couldn’t have been more perfect. The lakes dazzled us, with colors shifting between mesmerizing turquoise and brilliant emerald. The less-traveled 18 km loop, estimated to take 6-8 hours, took us just 4.5, including a peaceful picnic by the water. The remote paths, away from the crowded waterfalls, felt serene and magical, as if we’d stumbled upon a hidden gem. The natural beauty of this UNESCO site blew us away, and we were grateful for the preservation efforts at every turn. So glad we followed that friendly advice.

After Plitvice, we spent three unforgettable days on the Adriatic. Each morning, we woke to the gentle sway of the boat, moored a few hundred meters offshore, and enjoyed breakfast in our PJs. The fresh, salty sea air filled our lungs, setting the perfect tone for the day’s adventures. One night, moored not far from shore, our captain suggested a tiny restaurant with only a few tables and no menus. We simply mentioned we were vegetarian (not a popular choice among Croatians), and he decided what we could eat—convincing me that vegetarians sometimes eat fresh-caught tuna from the nearby stream. Bryan held strong and had gnocchi, but the tuna was so amazing that I happily became a pescatarian for the day. What made the evening even more memorable was hearing the story of how the restaurant owner once pressed Tom Cruise (without realizing who he was) to order a meal after occupying a table for too long. His son eventually recognized the actor and corrected his dad, and they all laughed about it. Tom ordered a meal and even invited the owner’s son on his boat the next day.  Now photos from that trip hang quietly in the back corner of the restaurant. It’s not a story the owner loves to tell, but it’s definitely one his son and friends enjoy sharing.

On what became our “perfect day,” our captain ferried us to a remote island town. A short, hilly walk led us to a tranquil lake that we first explored on foot. We then took a much-needed plunge into its cool-ish waters, swimming in Veliko Jezero as part of our training for next week’s SwimTrek in Greece. Two kilometers later, we capped off the swim with a quick play session with a local German pointer, whom I briefly considered taking back to the boat much to the owner’s objection.

Afterward, we swam back to the boat for a delicious lunch and sailed to another peaceful spot. There, we took on our second swim of the day where a few shockingly cold freshwater springs jolted our senses, leaving us wide awake. The halfway beach stop offered a nice break, allowing us to warm up before braving the chilly springs on our return swim.

That evening, after a fun and friendly (although less than delicious) wine tasting and dinner, Brani, our captain, invited us to join him, his wife Iva, and their friend Peter for a drink. Exhausted but intrigued, we agreed. We spent the evening at a tiny outdoor table, not just chatting, but diving into an in-depth conversation about the nature of free will. What amazed me most wasn’t the topic itself, but that two native Croatians, along with Iva—who’s Slovenian and speaks eight languages—were holding this conversation in flawless English. In fact, Iva was the most well-versed English speaker among us. 😉. I marvelled at how easily they navigated complex philosophical debates with an openness, curiosity and appreciation most native English speakers would struggle to match.

We returned to the boat just after midnight, with the heat and gentle winds still lingering. And then the real test began…

Between the sweltering heat and the boat creaking like a haunted house, sleep became an impossible dream. Still, if paradise comes with a side of sleepless nights, I’ll take it—though next time, I’m definitely packing stronger earplugs and a portable AC unit for the boat.

Recommendations after one week in Croatia:

• One week is far too short! If we could do it over, we’d spend 3-4 weeks here to explore and relax in more of the beautiful small towns, enjoy the water and find more hidden areas.
• 1-2 nights in the bigger cities (i.e., Split and Dubrovnik). While the history is fascinating and Split’s castle being part of the city is unique, they’re also very busy and touristy.
• Two nights on a boat is enough for me—maybe a few more if the weather’s cooler.
• The ideal time to visit would be late September or early October when the water is still warm for swimming, but the air has cooled enough to make both land and water adventures enjoyable.

In summary, I’m officially joining the bandwagon of fans in love with Croatia. Even the barely drinkable wine and sleepless boat nights couldn’t ruin the magic of this place.

Of all my recent travels, I’d say: Go to Croatia!