Croatia Calls

A Q&A with Vanja Jelic Stjepovic of Adriatic Travel Collection

Yachting in the Adriatic (photo credit: Adriatic Travel Collection)

While most of Europe is off the table at the moment, we were hugely excited to learn that Croatia opened up to US travelers a few weeks ago. We sat down with Vanja Jelic Stjepovic from our trusted onsite in Croatia, Adriatic Travel Collection, to discuss what you should expect when traveling to this dreamy country during these times, as well as some of Vanja’s favorite experiences on offer. She had much to say in the way of Croatian culture, luxury experiences she’s always loved that might be even more fitting given the current climate, and simply how much she loves to share her country with others. Adriatic Travel Collection puts together stunning private itineraries that are totally tailored to each client’s individual wants and needs, ensuring that every single guest explores the Adriatic at their own pace and according to their own interests. Don’t blame us if you end up falling in love with Croatia! It’s all Vanja’s fault…

POE TRAVEL: We are over the moon that Croatia is once again open to US travelers. What can our clients can expect to be different, on arrival at the airport and during their travels, at this time?

VANJA JELIC STJEPOVIC: We are super excited to see that life is getting slowly but carefully back to normal, or at least a little closer to it. At the moment, masks are mandatory in all indoor premises, and social distancing is encouraged. This being said, upon arrival to the airport in Croatia, all of our private cars will have a COVID amenity set with sanitizer, masks, and disposable tissues. Hotels will follow procedures to ensure smooth contactless check-in and make clients feel comfortable during their stay. Our top-of-the-line guides will provide their usual exceptional service while maintaining physical distance. I think clients will feel safe with the procedures in place but will still be able to enjoy this fantastic country and all it has to offer.

PT: Tell us about some of the itineraries you have been working on with the current situation in mind.

VJS: There is no better way to experience Croatia than by private motor yacht (and they make it easy to maintain that all-important social distancing!), exploring the most expansive Mediterranean coastline and finding hidden gems. The summer season on the Adriatic is long, and yachting is possible all the way through October. With some of our enhanced experiences, guests go to smaller islands, discover secluded bays, and visit private home estates for farm-to-table lunches. There are over a thousand Croatian islands waiting to be discovered, so guests will find absolutely no shortage of unforgettable experiences.

A few weeks ago, we had our first US clients in-stay since travel to Croatia re-opened. They visited Split first and had a dinner at spectacular Zoi overlooking the famous Split Riva and stayed in Hotel Cornaro in stunning Top Floor Deluxe Rooms with views of Split Tower before they hopped on our yacht. The Prestige yacht (42-foot) is one of several yachts in our portfolio, and it is great boat for island hopping.

Croatia is full of stunning sunsets. We like to craft many of our experiences around this time of day. One lovely thing we have organized is a Bohemian picnic in Hvar. Imagine an intimate setting, with a private table for just a couple or small family, set in total isolation in an olive grove.  Dinner will be timed to coincide with what is one of the most fabulous sunset vantage points, celebrating one of the most beautiful aspects of Croatia.

A couple enjoying the dinner in the olive grove Vanja mentioned (photo credit: Adriatic Travel Collection)

PT: We know this is a tough question because there will be so many, but we’re going to ask it anyway! What are some of your favorite accommodations in Croatia? 

VJS: There is no shortage of stunning accommodation in Croatia. There are many iconic hotels with postcard views in Dubrovnik, Hvar, and Split, and of course we are always happy to make recommendations as to our favorites. 

However, to share some brand-new accommodation news from Croatia, we are very excited about the Maslina Resort, which opened its doors on Hvar Island on August 10th. It is a sustainability-focused boutique property with 33 rooms, 17 suites, and 3 villas. The luxury seaside resort features olive groves, terraced vineyards, and views of the Adriatic Sea. Dreamy to say the least!

PT: Summer is of course a hugely popular time to visit Croatia, but can you tell us about the country as a year-round destination?

VJS: George Bernard Shaw famously described Croatia as “paradise on earth.” Croatia’s natural attractions abound, from the stunning waterfalls of Plitvice and the forests and canyons of the Velebit Mountains, to the 1,000+ islands and crystal-clear water of the Adriatic coast. The region has been at the crossroads of civilizations for centuries and has the extraordinary sites to prove it, from the Roman amphitheater at Pula (one of the largest and best-preserved in the world) to its seven UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Split's 1,700-year-old Diocletian's Palace and the wonders of Old Town Dubrovnik.

With all of this being said, I would definitely say Croatia is a year-round destination. Summer is the most popular for active people and those wishing to indulge in the Adriatic Sea, busy nightlife, and active lifestyle. Spring and fall are great times to visit for genuine culture and history lovers to explore the cities and the UNESCO heritage sites in Dubrovnik and Split. For those who love Christmas markets, the one in Zagreb has been voted the best Christmas market for three consecutive years, so it should not be missed!  

PT: Given the current situation, are you urging travelers to visit cities or stay away from them?

VJS: This might sound crazy, but I think this is the best time to come to Croatia, whether you want to visit cities or stay in smaller villages because they are both almost empty at the moment compared to what they are normally like. Over the past few years, we have been suffering with over-tourism, which makes it difficult for us to show guests what Croatia is really about.

For me, it is all about the lifestyle, that motto that keeps us all going. We have a word—pomalo—which means “no rush.” This is the real Croatia: a long conversation with a friend over a cup of coffee that we sip slowly, the relaxing sound of a cricket in the pine tree overlooking the Adriatic just at noon when it is at its hottest, the splashing sound of the sea at your favorite rocky beach where you can jump in the crystal-clear sea… It is all about a locally-inspired holiday that will last in your memory and hopefully make you come back again and again, as so many do.