With our Turkey and Croatia trip behind us, I asked my travelling companions to share some of their thoughts on this awesome trip we were just on. I sent them a list of questions so they could share their thoughts! Vino is first up!
My Top 3 Highlights
Highlight #1: Plitvice Lakes National Park
Walking through Plitvice National Park. It was very scenic and peaceful when we had the park to ourselves at 8 in the morning. I really wanted to use this Croatia trip to get a sense of peacefulness. I’ve been very caught up with work and the daily routine back home. The walk through the park was so calming and quiet that I was able to find my peace again.
Highlight #2: Sunset atop the Cathedral of Saint Domnius
Another highlight was watching the sunset from atop the clock tower. Sunsets in North America and Europe are very different. The sunset colours are so much more warmer than what I am used to. Climbing the clock tower was a challenge for me, especially with short legs. But the view from the top was the best reward ever!
Highlight #3: Croatian Cuisine
Eating on this trip was definitely a highlight! I was the “Culinary Director” for this trip. Prior to going I searched for restaurants to go to. Although there was a list of places to try, we were pleasantly surprised with the ones that we randomly walked into. Actually, eating on my trips are usually the highlight. The primary reason that I travel is to eat. Food is a universal element in life that everyone can enjoy or connect to. Friends or strangers can bond over a meal.
Favorite Meal
I LOVE food! This is definitely one of the hardest questions to answer! 360 in Dubrovnik was one of my favourite meals. This meal not only showcased how amazing the food is, but it’s also soaking in the ambiance. Since it was a clear day, they opened up their terrace for us to have our meal in. The moon was above us, the water was glittery, and street music playing behind us. I love to experience food and the different combinations of flavours and textures.
I don’t remember what the dish was called, but I’m just going to call it a “beet bomb”. It was spherification of beet juice. Once you put it in your mouth, there was a beet juice flavour explosion! Another dish was the a mackerel dish paired with an orange wine. I was amazed with the change in flavour of the entire dish with the wine pairing. It was the first time that I had orange wine. Orange wine is not wine made from oranges. Instead it is made from crushed white grapes and fermented in a ceramic or cement vessel with grape skin and seeds intact. The final product is an orangey colour; hence, orange wine.
If I could change the itinerary…
I think it would be interesting to start the trip from Zagreb and made our way down to Dubrovnik. We would get to see one of the more developed cities first and then drive out to the coast. This would bring another sense of freshness to the trip.
What surprised me?
I was surprised by how the water EVERYWHERE was so blue and clear! People say North American waters are clean, but Croatian waters are on a different level. Croatian scenery were very postcardesque. In every direction I turn, the view is just perfect.
Ordering coffee was something else in Croatia… or in Europe. Coming from North America, we have drip coffee, Americanos, lattes, espressos, etc. But in Croatia, Coffee is an espresso and large coffee with milk is a latte. It took me a while to get use to this.
One memorable story from this trip
When we were trying to pick a restaurant to visit for dinner, Minion was rapping the menu to entice us. Minion has such an angelic voice, but who knew he has another talent – rapping!
Did I pack appropriately?
This is my first time in Europe and I wasn’t sure what to expect. The weather forecast said the temperatures range from 15-21C during the day and at night it was from 10-15C. The duration of our trip was sunny, except for one drizzly day in Zagreb. I packed t-shirts, leggings, one sweater, one pair of dressy pants, runners, and a pair of Toms. That’s really all I needed. When we went out for dinner, it was a bit chilly so the sweater was necessary, but during the day time, it was warm, so t-shirts were perfect.
Regrets?
I wish we could stay in Split for a bit longer because there are many restaurants and small cafes that looked like it was worth a try. If I could eat all day with a bottomless belly, I would eat!
Advice for people considering similar trips/destinations?
If you are looking for a Starbucks in Croatia, you won’t find one! But if you want a coffee, just walk down any street and you will find many small coffee shops. If you are looking for a destination where you can sit, sip coffee, and people watch, this is a perfect destination for you! If you are planning to go to Croatia, October is a great time to go because the weather is not too hot or too cold. You will be able to fully enjoy all parts to the trip because of the mild weather.
Final thoughts?
I couldn’t have asked for a better bunch of friends to travel with and see this beautiful country! I would recommend everyone to go visit this country at least once in their life. The people, food, and scenery made this vacation one of the most memorable ones!
