Croatia is the newest addition to our Mountain Spirits journeys!  We have just returned from our first trip in June. This beautiful Balkan country has it all: beautiful water, gorgeous beaches, rich history, medieval fortresses, cobbled streets, friendly people and delicious cuisine.  There are over 1000 islands to explore and hike on beyond the endless possibilities on the mainland.

Our trip began in Split where we hiked to the top of Marjan Park, a sanctuary with amazing views located literally adjacent to Split Old Town. The views of neighboring islands and mountains were stunning!  Split is lively in the summer with harbor-side restaurants and alleyways packed with restaurants, shops, parks and history.  From Split we sailed for a week exploring Hvar, Brac, Vis and other nearby islands.  The islands offer great swimming, hiking and exploring possibilities.   With the sailboat it is possible to avoid the crowds on the more popular islands, anchoring out and dining under the stars!

We finished our week up by visiting Dubrovnik, one of the world’s most magnificent walled cities and now a Unesco world heritage site.  Dubrovnik’s Golden Age was in the 16th century when it had one of the largest merchant naval fleets in the world. Upon entering this pedestrian-only city, one cannot help but feel the history among the aristocratic palazzi, elegant Baroque churches, and sturdy medieval fortifications..  Walking along the wall at sunset is sublime!

We will be doing two more sailing/hiking trips to Croatia in September.  This trip is great for families or small, private groups as they allow flexibility for everyone the chance to do as they wish;  explore, hike, swim, SUP, relax.  Drop us a line if you would like to visit Croatia with us in 2018!