In May, I returned to one of the most enchanting corners of Europe—Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast—on a journey designed to showcase the depth of this region’s cultural richness, culinary range, and easy elegance. It was also a reminder that some destinations simply do it all: history, food, sea, and soul.
Split made its case immediately. We touched down and settled into the sleek waterfront Ambasador Hotel, the perfect base to explore the Roman bones of the city. Diocletian’s Palace isn’t just a UNESCO World Heritage site—it’s a living one. We wandered its narrow alleys with a private guide, caught the rhythm of local life at the green market, and took in the kind of historic layering you only find in a place that’s been relevant for 1700 years.
Spending time with our go-to on-the-ground partner in this region was invaluable. We always say, we’ve been where you’re going next, and this time we were, with a cherry on top. We traveled shoulder to shoulder with the very people who make the magic: the guides who will take you across this country (and many that border it), the restaurants they love, and the yachts you’ll sail. Nothing about it felt staged. It felt like Croatia letting us in on its secrets.
From there, the day split—literally. Half of us headed into the hills of Gata village to learn the art of soparnik (a garlicky chard pie with roots in medieval rebellion), while others were swept up to a vineyard on Kozjak Hill for a chef-led food and wine pairing that was as scenic as it was soulful.
Next stop: Hvar. We boarded a private boat for a breezy crossing through the Pakleni Islands, pausing for a swim in sapphire waters before landing at the stately Palace Elisabeth hotel. That evening, we dined onsite, surrounded by the energy of Hvar town, where cocktail bars, yachts, and cobblestones all seem to hum in the same upscale rhythm.
The following day brought a walking tour of the island’s rich past—Europe’s oldest public theatre, Venetian palaces, the 16th-century fortress—and then a private chef’s table experience where the island’s flavors came to life. From there, we transitioned to Maslina Resort on the tranquil Maslinica Bay.
If Palace Elisabeth was the social heartbeat of Hvar, Maslina was the exhale. The zen of Stari Grad—more wellness retreat than sleepy harbor—was the perfect contrast. With time to recharge, spa, and explore a town founded by Ancient Greeks over two millennia ago, we eased into the kind of quiet luxury Croatia does so well. Dinner that night was rooted in simplicity, seasonality, and a setting that spoke volumes.
Day five brought movement. A private boat took us back to Split where we met our driver and cut across the Pelješac peninsula—a region that deserves its own spotlight. We stopped at Miloš Winery, where passion and process met in every pour, and continued to Mali Ston Bay for a private oyster tasting and mussels alla buzzara lunch on the water. That evening, Villa Dubrovnik welcomed us with cocktails on the terrace—with Game of Thrones on our minds and the sea stretching endlessly before us.
Dubrovnik delivered, as it always does. A private walking tour reminded us why this walled city is called the Pearl of the Adriatic. But the real magic came in the experiences beyond the postcard: a private ceramic workshop on Lokrum Island, where we created souvenirs with a local artist; and a hands-on gin blending session at the Habitat Concept Store—because of course Dubrovnik has a distillery chic enough to pull that off.
We wrapped with a sunset dinner and one final toast. Croatia lingers. In your photos, in your memories, in the meals you want to recreate at home. Some trips are worth doing once. This one’s worth doing again—with intention
