TrekBytes

Our first stop in Europe after a 24-hour Paris layover, which in itself could be an entirely different blog, was Croatia. Known for its picturesque Adriatic coastline and numerous Venetian, Roman, and Austro-Hungarian cities, Croatia is home to fantastic wines, olive oil, vibrant nightlife, and world-class water polo. To view all that it had to offer, we opted to sail the country from south to north, visiting seven different cities along the Dalmatian coastline. Starting in Dubrovnik, we visited many different cities, including large ones like Split and Zadar, but also small islands like Hvar, Korcula, and Rab. Each city had a unique and intriguing history, with some dating back to Illyrian times. Most had been conquered by the Romans or Venetians, which led to beautiful limestone “old towns” full of eye-catching Gothic churches and fortifying walls surrounding the main squares. These old cities have been further popularized by being iconic filming locations for Game of Thrones. Full of cobblestone streets and intricately designed houses, it was easy to imagine life in medieval times. The moderate Mediterranean climate invites tourists and locals alike to enjoy and relax at the numerous outdoor terraces and cafes that fill the narrow streets. It is no secret that all European countries love their football (soccer), and Croatia certainly is no exception. While we visited, the European Championships had started, and we witnessed Croatia playing while in the country. Shops closed, restaurants were full of locals with their eyes glued to televisions as they supported their home country. Main squares were turned into massive viewing parties as temporary jumbo-trons were set up for masses to view. It was a delight to get involved in the spectacle. Throughout our sail north, daily swimming stops in the Mediterranean allowed us to enjoy the calm, bright blue waters. It was truly the perfect place, with clear blue waters that were not too choppy, and we could have stayed in the waters for hours. The water temperature was cool enough to escape the heat of the sun but not too cold.

Croatia seemed like a perfect way to ease us into our #EuroSummer tour. Contrasting with South America, upon visiting Europe, we realized and now understand we were in for a much more luxurious and comfortable experience (hopefully not too much more expensive). Croatia delivered just that, with historic medieval cities, great food and wine, and the beautiful blue waters of the Mediterranean. It was easy to understand why the country had become such a popular tourist destination. Spending a week and a half visiting numerous cities allowed us to experience the wonderful traits the country had to offer.