Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, located along the Adriatic Sea, is renowned as one of the most stunning coastlines you’ll have the pleasure to witness. Stretching from Zadar to Dubrovnik, it features crystal clear waters, a myriad of islands, ancient Roman ruins and vibrant local culture. To hear first-hand  what its like to cruise this coastal paradise, we had the pleasure to speak with Luxury Gold guest Sal who recently travelled with his wife on our Croatia & The Dalmatian Coast tour.

Discover the journey: Croatia & The Dalmatian Coast

An Unexpected Delight

“It was phenomenal,” says California resident Sal when asked to sum up his journey along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, admitting to not knowing much about this Balkan paradise before he and his wife set off on this tour. “Usually, I do a lot of research before a vacation,” he tells us, explaining that this was a more a spur of the moment decision. Originally looking to spend a month in Italy, a country they love, Sal decided to mix it up a bit and chose Luxury Gold’s Croatia & The Dalmatian Coast journey, with its seven day cruise of the islands..

“It was the best decision I made,” he tells us. “We’ve been to Italy six times and it’s lovely, but Croatia was just like a real breath of fresh air. Everything was clean and bright, the people were friendly, and it felt very safe. And the country is just beautiful. I had wanted to be surprised, and we were pleasantly surprised throughout the whole trip.”

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Croatia & The Dalmatian Coast – The Tour

Croatia & The Dalmatian Coast is a 2-week luxury small group journey, starting in the capital Zagreb with a stay in the magnificent and storied Esplanade Hotel. With the first few days on land, you’ll experience Croatia’s extensive natural beauty at the stunning Plitvice Lakes National Park and explore the country’s rich history with a visit to the ancient Pula Arena. You’ll also enjoy an exclusive introduction to Croatian cuisine as you try their hand at truffle hunting in Istria.

Then, on Day 5 it’s time to take to the crystal waters for a seven-day cruise. Built to the highest specifications, the MV Markan Deluxe yacht-like cruiser provides you with an unforgettable sailing experience through the charming islands that adorn Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. Geographically, the Dalmatian stretch of Croatia’s coast begins from the town of Zadar at the foot of the Northern Velebit Mountains, running south past major towns along the coast at Sibenik, Trogir, Split, down to Dubrovnik, the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’.

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A Thousand Islands, and More

Croatia is in fact and archipelago made up of 1,244 natural islands, of which 48 are inhabited. These range from glitzy party islands catering to the rich and famous, to islands hosting tiny communities and preserving a medieval way of life. From large to small, flat to hilly and forested to barren, there’s something for everyone, and together these islands form the centerpiece of Croatia’s charm. On Luxury Gold’s Croatia & The Dalmatian Coast journey, your cruise takes in the islands of Hvar, Sibenik, Sali, Mali Losinj, plus the coastal stops of Mali Ston, Zadar and Dubrovnik.

“As you sail, seemingly out of nowhere, there’s these little islands everywhere you look, hundreds of them,” says Sal. “Then as you get closer you see a development, whether it be a single house or a little community, an actual village or a bigger city. The architectural feats that they overcame to create these places I find amazing. Along with using rocks from the island, everything has to be brought by boat, every window, every brick.

“Each of the islands we stopped at had their own charm and their own individual character. The architecture is similar, as are the food and the people, but they all had different topography and were different in their own special way.”

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Front Row Seats to Croatia 

Cruising the islands of Croatia’s Dalmatian coast with Luxury Gold is more than just sailing in VIP style. On the island of Lošinj you’ll enjoy a private tour of the Museum of Apoxyomenos, home to a famous 2000-year-old Greek bronze statue, which had been perfectly preserved in the nearby seabed. While in the quiet town of Mali Ston, you’ll stroll out to the floating oyster beds and savor fresh, briny oysters straight from the sea.

When asked his highlights, Sal tells us that though there were so many it is hard to pick, but for him ultimately it was life on the water. “It felt like it was like our own private yacht, you know the lifestyle of the rich and famous,” he says with a grin. “As you arrive you have front row seats. You pull in right at the heart of the harbor, where most of the life of the city revolves around, they tie up the boat, you walk off and you’re in the heart of everything.”

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The MV Markan

At 48 m long, the elegant MV Markan is spacious yet intimate. Modern amenities include air-conditioned cabins with private facilities and a large sundeck with a hot tub and chaise loungers. Your every need is attended to by a dedicated crew and the cuisine on board is delicious.

“Dining during the cruise was a nice combination,” Sal says. “When it was convenient, we would eat on the boat, including breakfasts, or when travelling overnight and we had a fabulous Captain’s Dinner. Alternatively we would eat at restaurants on our stops.

“I’m not a big seafood person and I don’t actually eat fish, which is not ideal when you’re in the Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea and every stop is a harbor town! But I was still able to enjoy myself and eat well – the on-board chef was very accommodating and talented.

“Even though it’s a small crew running the boat, the service is exceptional. We had two bartenders who were also waiters. They wore lots of hats but knew all our names from the first day and were at our beck and call, they treated us so well.”

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Your Travel Concierge

At the helm of every Luxury Gold journey is your Travel Concierge. Fluent in the local language and experts in flawless service, they take care of all the details while you relax and enjoy yourself.

“Danielle our Travel Concierge was really great,” says Sal. “Very friendly and knowledgeable, happy to help with anything, and also very patient! It was great knowing that she was taking care of everything, and also on hand for all questions and recommendations.”

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Overall – Spectacular

“We’ve travelled with Insight Vacations before,” Sal tells us, talking of our sister brand at The Travel Corporation offering ‘Business Class’ style tours targeted at the curious mind, “and we heard about Luxury Gold being a bit of a step up. And it was. The hotels were spectacular, the small group size worked well for us, and the free time built into the itinerary.

“A lot of people think that guided tours are always going to be rushed but that was not the case. At almost every hotel we were there at least two nights, so we didn’t have to pack and unpack. Then on the cruise we were there for seven days, before a few more days on land. And when in Dubrovnik we just walked right out of the door of our hotel [the 5-star Hilton] and into the city. I really liked the pace of the tour, a perfect balance for us.

“Overall, it was just a spectacular trip. The beauty of Croatia combined with the lovely meals and restaurants, exceptional hotels and small group size made it the luxury vacation that we really deserved.”

Join us on Croatia & The Dalmatian Coast, a 15-Day luxury small group journey.

To whet the palate: Exceptional Dining with Luxury Gold

Where do truffles grow?

One reason truffles are so expensive is that they don’t grow in every part of the world. Historically speaking, truffles were largely only found naturally in European countries like Italy, France, Spain and Slovenia. In recent years, some other countries in North America, South America and Asia have successfully started growing their own.  

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How do truffles grow?

Truffles grow beneath trees in a symbiotic relationship by attaching their spores to the tree roots. The transfer of nutrients enables them both to grow. Most truffles grow beneath specific tree species, including hazelnut and poplar, which influence their taste and scent. 

Why are truffles expensive?

Truffles are expensive because they’re so rare to harvest. Grown naturally only in a few European countries, truffle hunting is a centuries-old practice in which truffle hunters rarely share their hunting grounds with anyone else. The most expensive truffles are white truffles found in Italy’s Piedmont region. The International Alba White Truffle Fair is the preeminent truffle fair where you’ll find the largest, most expensive truffles for sale.

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Where can I hunt for truffles with truffle hunters? 

Luxury Gold’s Croatia & the Dalmatian Coast tour is a two week itinerary filled with unforgettable activities, including hunting for truffles with a local farmer in Istria. You can also hunt for truffles on our Ultimate Italy tour in Florence. Keep in mind that the best time to harvest white truffles is typically between September and November, though peak season may alter based on the summer season’s temperatures, spring’s rainfall, and if the holes where the prior year’s truffles were found were filled properly. Black truffle harvest is between April and October in some areas like Slovenia, and their bounty is also impacted by seasonal climate fluctuations.

Read more about truffle hunting: A day in the life of one of Croatia’s top truffle hunters

Where can I taste a truffle?

Although only found in select countries, you can taste truffles at restaurants across the world. Casa di Langa, a hotel just outside of Alba, Italy, has a restaurant with a case of fresh truffles you can choose from. Restaurant Zigante in Livade, Croatia, is another fantastic dining destination where truffles are blended in delicious ways, including in truffle ice cream.

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Italy

Italy is the epicenter for truffles. When the most expensive truffles are up for auction, it’s likely that they were found in the Italian countryside. Truffle hunters stay silent about where they find these fungi in Le Marche, Tuscany, Piedmont, and Umbria, but the restaurants in these regions aren’t shy about featuring them in both fine and rustic dishes. 

Truffle hunting on the Ultimate Italy tour is the ultimate way to find and taste fresh Italian truffles.

Croatia

Italy may stay in the limelight for having the most expensive truffles, but Croatia’s Istria region has a bounty of its own worthy of your attention. The truffle capital of Croatia wasn’t lauded as such pre-1999, until a hunter and his dog dug up what became the largest white truffle in the world. Now, the Istrian Peninsula is regarded as a popular destination for truffle hunting and sampling.

Get off the beaten path and uncover gems like fresh truffles on the Croatia & the Dalmatian Coast tour.

Spain

The majority of Spain’s truffles are black truffles and its black winter truffles are especially popular, but that wasn’t always the case. In fact, it was until the mid-1900s that truffle hunters from France started seeking out the black diamond truffles they knew in the hills of Spain. When Spanish farmers realized how valuable these truffles were, they seized the opportunity and have since become the world’s largest producer of black winter truffles. 

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France 

It should be no surprise that anything grown in French soil is delectable; that includes truffles. France produces nearly one-third of the world’s truffles. The “black diamond” is a popular truffle found in Provence and Southwest France. Also known as the Périgord truffle, black diamond truffles are known for their strong scent and distinctive taste.

Sample truffle-infused dishes as you explore the French countryside on our Ultimate Southern France tour.  

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Slovenia

Slovenia shares a small piece of the Istrian Peninsula with Croatia. With Italy as its adjacent neighbor, one shouldn’t be shocked to learn that Slovenia is an underrated destination for truffle hunting and dining. One of the unique experiences you can have in Slovenia that you seldom can elsewhere is hunting for the rare spring white bianchetti truffle which is harvested around March each year. 

With Exceptional Dining a hallmark of every Luxury Gold journey, see how you can enjoy a truffle-infused vacation, or other gastronomical pleasures with our worldwide collection of luxury tours.

Oozing 1920’s glamour, the Hotel Esplanade Zagreb is a cultural historic icon of Croatia’s capital. The place to see and be seen, in the words of its General Manager Ivica Krizmanic, “If there’s one hotel in Croatia that everyone has heard about, it’s the Esplanade.”

We had the pleasure of speaking to Ivica, to learn more about what Luxury Gold guests can expect from a stay at the Esplanade, and discover what it is the secret to running such an exceptional hotel.

For travel inspiration: Croatia destination guide

Orient Express origins

“The reason why this caliber of hotel was first built in the city was due to the Orient Express, which was passing through Zagreb,” Ivica explains. “In the 1920s, it was necessary to have an exceptional five-star hotel to accommodate the train’s high-society passengers. The Esplanade hotel was built in two years, and it’s been something special from the first day it opened in 1925.”

Designed in the Art Deco style by architect Dionis Sunko the Hotel Esplanade Zagreb quickly became a symbol of luxury and elegance in the city. A full refurbishment in 2004 elevated the interiors and amenities to new heights. “We had a great architect and interior designer who ensured that the Esplanade spirit stayed intact,” says Ivica. “The design really blended together the history with the modern design from today’s era.”

Stay at the Esplanade Hotel Zagreb on Croatia & The Dalmatian Coast

It’s all about love and passion

“My father actually worked here before me, for 30 years. He’s the reason why I am here,” Ivica tells us. “In 1992, as a student, he asked me to help out. It was just for a month as a doorman, because they needed some extra staff, and that is where it all began. I was immediately in love with the hotel and have been here ever since.

“For me, the secret to running such an exceptional hotel is love and passion. This is something that it’s necessary to have for the Esplanade because the hotel deserves people who are dedicated to the Esplanade spirit. For all of us here, this is not just a hotel, this is more of an institution. So, for us to work here is something much bigger.

“The Esplanade is a synonym for luxury and good service. People widely connect the hotel with something special. Numerous times I have been in other establishments and have overheard people say (maybe in response to a complaint) ‘you know this is not the Esplanade, Sir.’ It sets the standard.”

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Exquisite rooms

With its 208 rooms and suites, offering stunning views of the city, keeping everything running perfectly at the hotel Esplanade Zagreb is no small task. When we ask how many staff Ivica is responsible for, he tells us that “I have some 170 colleagues depending on the time of year, but we try to do this business with a homely, family feeling. So, I consider it to be that I work for them.

“The rooms are designed in a sophisticated Art Deco style, with all the modern touches needed for today’s travelers. They are all very welcoming and cozy, to make you feel at home. We have marble bathrooms with heated floors, the perfect place to relax and unwind.”

Sumptuous beds, stunning city views and first-class room service complete the picture. Guests can also benefit from the hotel’s exclusive Health Club, offering a range of range of therapies to de-stress, replenish and revitalize.

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Exceptional dining

“I spend lot of time testing the food in the restaurants,” Ivica tells us, an important yet not undesirable part of his role as General Manager. From ‘high society-inspired dining to modern Mediterranean chic’ the Esplanade’s award-winning restaurants are worth a booking in their own right, with Executive Chef Ana Grgić Tomić at the helm.

Considered one of Zagreb’s finest, Zinfandel’s Restaurant combines the best local ingredients with a broad Mediterranean inspiration. “Here you can see a more Mediterranean style with modern food,” says Ivica, “with local specialties like sea bass baked in sea salt, Istrian truffles or steak tartar.”

Or for ‘seductive French cuisine’ Le Bistro celebrates a wide range of seasonal local produce, and also one particularly famous dish. “We have one signature dish – actually it’s a local specialty but this recipe is exclusive to the hotel – the legendary Esplanade Štrukli,” says Ivica. “It’s a baked pastry, made from thin sheets of dough, filled with fresh cottage cheese with cream. It’s sounds simple, but it’s very tasty and people really love it.”

“We change the menu in both restaurants three or four times a year, reflecting the seasons. You’ll see a mix of international cuisine, with influences from our neighbors. We’re surrounded by Italy and Austria, and obviously close to Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has a different culinary profile.”

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A treat for guests, from sunrise to sunset

The ultimate iteration of 1920’s decadence, the Oleander Terrace at the Esplanade offers stunning views across the city, and provides the perfect setting for some enjoyable people watching. A preferred spot for elegant breakfasts, high society lunching, and music and jazz evenings with a stylish Champagne bar. “To stay in the Esplanade Hotel and have a breakfast in the morning on the Oleander Terrace is considered something special,” says Ivica.

 “And in the evening, to relax, the place to be is definitely the Esplanade 1925 Lounge & Cocktail Bar for the signature cocktails.” Run by some of the best Croatia’s mixologists the bar offers an enticing range of cocktails dating back to the days of the 1920’s Flapper.

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The secret to exceptional service lies in the people

When staying at the Esplanade, each guest is treated as a VIP by attentive and professional staff. “To offer such exceptional service, we focus on finding the right people,” explains Ivica. “We are not necessarily focusing on hospitality experience as we wish to mold them in the Esplanade way – we look for someone with passion.

“Not only love and passion for guests and the hospitality industry, but people who have a connection with the hotel, are proud to work here and willing to do their part to justify our enduring reputation. This takes a special type of person.

“We also empower people to be brave enough to make the special service, to not be afraid to be spontaneous and try something new to satisfy our guests when required.”

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Royal guests and dignitaries

While no two days are the same when working in a hotel, some stand out as special for their own reasons. “We often host state leaders, presidents and royal family members,” says Ivica. “They’re always greeted by myself.

“One day I was waiting, with the Royal assistant, for a Queen and Prince in the lobby. They were attending a lunch at the Presidential Office and, as per protocol, timing was of the utmost importance.  As the Queen and the Prince stepped out of the elevator, we realized that the Prince and the Royal assistant were wearing the same tie. Definitely against protocol!

“There was no time for the Prince to return to the room and change. So, realizing what had happened and thinking quick I just took my tie and gave it to the to the royal assistant. I didn’t think much more of it, but when they came back to the hotel they were talking about the lunch and were saying how I saved the protocol. But it’s all in a day’s work at a hotel such as this.”

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The Esplanade Hotel Zagreb is part of the city

It is said that of Zagreb that ‘life is lived on the streets of the city itself, with public art, street food, and majestic green parks delighting locals and tourists alike in all four seasons.’ As well as being an enchanting Croatian walled city, one of the fabulous things about the capital city is that the region is lush with nature parks.

The Esplanade is perfectly placed to explore the city – just one more reason to select this iconic establishment when considering where to stay in Zagreb. Ivica tells us “it is an important part of Zagreb’s upper town.” One of Zagreb’s main attractions, the historic old town, Upper Town (Gornji Grad) is a myriad of cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and iconic landmarks like St. Mark’s Church. “Here you can feel really a special history. It’s so preserved that it’s still feels like 100 years ago.” Yet the city is credited as being young and playful at heart.

“Zagreb is a big and small city,” he continues. “Almost everything is within walking distance. So, it is very relaxing for the people to explore. There are a lot of small museums and interesting places, but nothing particular that you have to visit, that is what is so nice about it. It’s very romantic everywhere and there are a lot of coffee shops where people sit outside and watch the movie of life unfold around you.”

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A symbol of Croatia

“We’re proud to represent Zagreb to the world,” says Ivica. “But even more that we represent Croatia. There are a lot of nice hotels in this beautiful country, but there is only one hotel that everybody knows about. If you ask your taxi driver or whoever you meet which hotel is the best in in Croatia, even they have never been for themselves they will say The Esplanade. Even those not from this country.

“Every day is history, and every day is special. Each and every one of our guests are exceptional and make each day memorable. I’ve spent 31 years in the hotel, but every day I’ll see something new, I’ll never grow tired of the Esplanade.”

To experience the magic of the Hotel Esplanade, Zagreb for yourself and enjoy the ultimate Croatian vacation, take a look at our sensational Croatia & The Dalmatian Coast luxury tour.