Go Ahead and
Jump
Explore the Adriatic coastline of Croatia, the perfect backdrop for a family adventure By Rosalind Stefanac
ŠIBENIK, CROATIA
JUMPING IN THE ADRIATIC SEA
I can feel my heartbeat quicken as I watch my teenage sons climb the jagged rocks that lead to a tiny ledge 16 feet up. As they hesitate near the top, I hear words of encouragement coming from the local kids waiting their turn (many of whom seem barely school-aged themselves). With some prodding, the boys eventually step onto the stone and take their first leap into Croatia’s Adriatic Sea – and then there’s no turning back. By the end of this trip, my sons, ages 13 and 16, will have catapulted off the tops of boats and rock cliffs that look much scarier. They’ll even convince me to jump a couple of times and I’ll understand the appeal. Croatia’s translucent, turquoise waters look so inviting, it’s no wonder people jump in whenever the opportunity arises. Located between Central and Eastern Europe, Croatia is replete with charming towns, ancient monuments, picturesque parks and mountains. But what I’ve discovered after several visits here is that Croatia’s ultimate jewel is its coastline. Stretching more than 1,100 miles from the Istria peninsula in the north to Dubrovnik in the south, this coveted stretch of 32 Ultimate Family Vacations | 2021
