Looking forward to the fall: your future Croatian dream vacation
There are few things that seem certain right now, but there is one that we are absolutely sure of – we will vacation again.
This is a scary time all over the world. As we are all social distancing and following self (or other) quarantine, our thoughts wander to when this will finish. And what we will do when we start resuming our normal lives. We are certain we aren’t alone when we say that we cannot wait to visit again some of our favorite countries. Though the next few weeks or months may have most of us postponing our travel plans, our future is still full of dream trips waiting for us this fall.
Croatia is one of them. This Adriatic country is a wonderful vacation destination throughout the year. And it is just as wonderful in the autumn. Temperatures drop making sightseeing sunny cities enjoyable instead of sweltering. This spectacular seaside country lends itself to the changing colors of the cooler months. Like so many destinations that are packed in the summer, a visit in the shoulder season means fewer tourists. Though this year is certainly an atypical, uncharted one for tourism, Croatia will be ecstatic to have visitors back as soon as we can all travel again.
Split is especially breathtaking in the fall. Diocletian’s Palace is a UNESCO world heritage site. It is so large that it seems like its own small city. The surrounding old town and Riva in Split are justly among Croatia’s greatest attractions. A private half-day tour of Split is the perfect way to see the city on your first day and to give you an idea of how to spend the rest of your free time here.
You are also in a great base to short-travel and explore some other wonderful sites as day trips from Split. The National Park of the Krka Waterfalls is an easy day trip with our private driver. We love to combine this with a local winery, to taste some high-quality wines. After that, to a local producer of salumi. In the fall, the harvest is taking place. Depending on when your trip is, you might be able to see the process first hand.
A half-day visit to the town of Trogir, a real jewel on the Adriatic coast, is another fun addition to your vacation and easily done from Split. It is a small but very significant town for Croatia (listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list). With 2300 years of tradition the village is rich in the culture created under the influence of old Greeks, Romans, and Venetians. Trogir, with a concentration of palaces, churches, towers, a fortress on a small island, in every way deserves its nickname “the stone beauty”. In the fall, crowds are almost inexistent and this treasure is just for you to explore. Perfect for your holiday!
A great second stop for your trip is the city of Dubrovnik. A private driver would bring you easily there from your hotel in Split. On the way, food lovers will love to sample one of Croatia’s most famous delicacies at a local oyster farm. Fishermen will get fresh oysters directly from the sea and prepare them for you. Your next stop is Ston, a beautiful place best known for its Salt Work. It also possesses the second longest city walls in the world. Once you’ve explored Ston, it’s time for the best part of this tour, wine tasting. You will go to 3 different family wineries, taste some of the best quality Croatian wines, and make amazing memories. After wine tasting, enjoy free time for lunch, and then afterward, head on to Dubrovnik.
The UNESCO-protected Old Town features medieval stone buildings, red-tiled roofs and narrow passageways. A stroll down Stradun, the main street, reveals the intricate network of cobblestone streets and squares, famous landmarks, and monumental edifices that all make Dubrovnik an open-air museum. A quaint Franciscan monastery hides Europe’s oldest pharmacy; Rector’s Palace honors the mighty dukes of Dubrovnik and the baroque Church of St Blaise celebrates the town’s patron saint. The town gets incredibly packed in the busty summer season, and fall visitors will be able to experience this city in a magically quiet time of year. A half-day city tour with our private guide gets you your bearings. But for those of you who are “Game of Thrones” fans, we have an extra tour to see the sites from the TV series is another great way to spend the day.
A wonderful tour for food lovers is a visit to the Konavle region. Your driver would bring you to the town of Cavtat, which used to be a Greek colony called Epidaurum. A beautiful walking trail will lead you to many palaces and summer residences. (Be sure to visit the mausoleum of the Racic family!). After Cavtat, enjoy a panoramic drive through Konavle. This will lead you to Konavoski Dvori, the most famous part of Konavle. The Ljuta River (which means angry in Croatian) and beautiful trees around it is something worth capturing. After your walk, you will enjoy a traditional, educational, and entertaining cooking lesson. Enjoy making your own food with a help of the locals is a truly unforgettable experience. They will teach you incredibly delicious local dishes and prove you why Konavle is so famous for its food and friendly people. After the class, you will enjoy the “fruits of your labor” with an amazing meal created by you!
There are so many other excursions we can plan for you on a fall vacation to Croatia. Even a day tour to the often-overlooked seaside nation of Montenegro is a spectacular way to spend the day, and in the autumn, the sites are pleasantly empty, leaving villages and vistas just for you.
Though right now things are challenging and the current situation might seem infinite, it isn’t. This too shall pass, and we will all be able to start exploring and satisfying the travel dreams that have been keeping us going these past few days, or weeks (or for some of us, months) here at home.
If this Croatian fall trip sounds like the vacation of your dreams, contact us to learn more about how we can tailor a trip to your preferences!
