Marilyn Foster: Croatia on everyone’s travel bucket list

Last September, I had the pleasure of joining a wonderful group from Carson City to experience the islands of Croatia aboard a small, private yacht.

Although Croatia is now gaining popularity and moving to the top of travel bucket lists, many are not sure where this sliver of a country is located. Picture the boot of Italy. Croatia is located on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea that separates the two countries with Zagreb, the capital city to the north and beautiful Dubrovnik to the very south. Game of Thrones fans will recognize Dubrovnik as the fictional city of King’s Landing as many episodes were shot there. There were other filming sites such as Split and Klis.

So popular was last year’s Mayflower Tours and Cruises yacht cruise that received rave reviews, the Carson City Chamber has once again chartered a new – now being built – Emerald Waterways yacht to reprise the trip departing Reno on Oct. 4, 2020. Since there are only 18 cabins, the yacht will fill fast, and some cabins are already booked. While I recommend booking early on any of the river cruises, I especially recommend booking as early as possible on this one.

The big plus for this tour is that you will have almost no motorcoach time unless you book the tour to Montenegro. We fly right into Split to transfer to Trogir to board our comfortable yacht. This small town resembles an outdoor museum with medieval streets where there is a surprise at every turn. Then it’s on to Sibenik, one of the oldest towns on the Adriatic Coast. Each island features old-world European architecture.

The yacht will moor with the other beautiful yachts right in the Split harbor. Just disembark and the ancient town is right there to explore with the Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace as the focal point. There are many lovely restaurants, shops, and bars to explore along the famous boardwalk.

There will be seven stops at the various islands as the ship cruises toward Dubrovnik with two additional tours planned just south of the famous city. The island of Hvar is reputed to be one of the most beautiful islands in the world, and there will be a guided tour in each port to acquaint all with what to see on free time where the yacht will overnight. There will be time to swim in the beautiful Adriatic, if you choose.

Another overnight docking is in Korcula, the island where the famous explorer Marco Polo is reputed to have been born. Here the ancient streets beckon exploration. On the island of Slano, experience a wine-tasting session.

There are two nights planned in the Pearl of the Adriatic – Dubrovnik. The last two days here are spent in a hotel allowing you to enjoy every corner of the walled city that is even more romantic and charming by night. You fly home from Dubrovnik.

After experiencing the beautiful coastline of Croatia on your own almost “personal” yacht with soon to be close friends, you will understand why Croatia has become such a popular destination. I would highly recommend this trip by sea rather than land. But, don’t tarry, cabins will soon be filled. Call 882-1565 or peruse on the Chamber Travel Club website at www.carsoncitychamber.com

Marilyn is 90 and still traveling hither, thither, and yon in this wonderful world of ours.