Travel Diary: The Magic of Croatia

The Magic of Croatia

Location: Croatia - Split & Hvar

Name of Person Submitting: Margaret Panepinto

Who Went: Blake (my new husband), and I.

We Went Because:

We were fortunate enough to combine our honeymoon with a friend’s destination wedding, extending our trip for an extra week. After talking through options with our travel agent, Kristin Diehl, she assured us that Croatia would have everything we were looking for from adventure to relaxation, immersing ourselves in the culture, while also pampering ourselves at the same time.

Hotel Recommendations:

In Split we stayed at Hotel Fermai, a beautiful art deco hotel situated in a historic building walking distance from Diocletian’s Palace.

When we moved over to Hvar Island we opted to stay at the Maslina Resort, a mindful luxury resort. Maslina is not only stunning with their chic contemporary designs, but also features customized wellness programs, locally sourced fare, and surrounded with breathtaking views.

Where to Eat:

Since most of Croatia is located on water, you will find a heavy influence of seafood in their dishes as well as influence from surrounding countries. If you’re looking for a nice dinner though, we recommend Bokeria (Split) and Black Pepper (Hvar). While there are plenty of high end restaurants in both areas, don’t forget to pop into some of the smaller spots for some cheap local eats. And whatever you’re doing don’t pass up the gelato spot which seems to be located on every corner you pass, our personal favorite was Gelateria Emiliana (Split).

Item of Clothing You Shouldn’t Leave Home Without:

If you’re going in the summertime, don’t forget your linen. Keep clothing light and flowy, as the days can get warm, but make sure to have a light jacket for the evenings when it cools down.

Favorite Local Attraction:

We spent a full day exploring Pakleni Islands by boat. Some islands had beach clubs set up whereas some were untouched and you could swim up to them. The water in the Adriatic Sea is very clear and mostly calm making it perfect for boating, snorkeling, and swimming.

A Great Experience Off the Beaten Path:

Our travel agent set up a private wine dinner with Marijan Winery. We drove up the island into a small village, where we met with the owner in his private tasting room, as he cooked us dinner while telling us all about his vineyard and process. It was the best experience to sit down with a local and hear all about his passion for his business and country.

Worth the Splurge:

We are already trying to figure out a way to get back to Maslina Resort. It was an amazing experience! There is nothing at this property that wasn’t thought through completely – from being beachside to the organic garden that supplies the spa and restaurant to the dreamy minimalistic and natural rooms.

Something Surprising We Learned on the Trip:

We spontaneously decided to book a daytrip with an ATV excursion company that offered transportation from the center of the city of Split up into the mountains north of the city, about an hour away. While it is nice to have your trip planned out, there were plenty of day trips and activities available in Split, including Game of Thrones tours if you’re a fan!

We Would Suggest this Trip to Others Because:

The unbelievable scenery at every turn! Croatia is a beautiful combination of all of the best Europe has to offer.