Our trip to Croatia started out as more of a practical one: we needed to stretch our visas in the Czech Republic out by a few more weeks, so we needed to leave the Schengen zone (separate from the EU). Although Croatia was recently accepted into the EU, it is not yet a part of the Schengen zone, and it isn’t too far away from Prague, so it seemed like the perfect excuse to add another country to our list.
Of course, the more I learned about Croatia the more it became a destination in its own right. The whole time, I couldn’t believe that our “visa” trip had taken us to this incredible, gorgeous country right on the sparkly Mediterranean. Oh Europe, how I miss thee!
The first stop on our Croatian itinerary was a small village about an hour away from Dubrovnik, and about fifteen minutes away from the airport. We originally planned to head straight into Dubrovnik but it was either booked or too expensive for how late we were planning (as usual) so we looked a bit outside.
After a very stressful few weeks packing up our life in Prague–and an initial rough start to Cavtat–I absolutely fell in love with the little town. We stayed right in the old town, up a steep, skinny alley lined with flowers, and every day we’d hike about five minutes down to the main promenade. The promenade of Cavtat is what Mediterranean dreams are made of: palm trees, seafood restaurants, ice cream galore, mega-yachts, casual beach bars and a few places to swim.
The word mega-yacht should warn you that Cavtat is not a cheap stopover, however! Of course, nothing felt cheap after living in Prague for a year–especially the food prices, yikes!–but we still had some delicious, reasonably priced meals there. And the ice cream was always cheap and always a win!
The only downside of Cavtat–and our time in the region, in general–was that it was ridiculously hot the whole time we were there. I always rolled my eyes when people complained of how hot somewhere was, but after traveling through Croatia, I can say that the heat really can be unbearable and makes it difficult to get out and do my favorite thing: explore.
Luckily, we had a plethora of Radlers, Croatian wine (!!), cocktails, swim breaks and an air-conditioned room to help us cope.
I can feel you not feeling sorry for me through the computer screen, I mean, look at this view.
Despite that, Cavtat was the ultimate place to begin our Croatian/Montenegrin tour. We purposefully planned a few quieter days, and with the heat and stress of the former weeks (not to mention the beginning stages of our farewell to Prague which was devastating), I’m so glad we did. We took a boat up to Dubrovnik for a half-day or so, we explored a few different coves and went swimming, we tried new foods and so much Croatian wine, we found a delightful bakery where I could get my daily iced coffee fix, we wandered the promenade almost every night with an ice cream cone in hand, and we made sure to watch every sunset. Not a bad introduction to Croatia, at all!
So what would you do? Stay closer to Dubrovnik, or “settle for” this adorable suburb?!
Linking up with Travel Tuesday.
These sunsets are amazing!! I would love to visit Croatia too, sooner rather than later… could really use some shunshine 😉
There is definitely a surplus of sun there 🙂 and beautiful vistas and water! oh the water!
looks great 🙂
Thanks, Tanja 🙂
Beautiful! I’m off to Croatia in a couple of weeks (completely different bit, but that’s not the point) and this is making me even more excited to go! You’ve taken some lovely pictures. Fun fact: the house I grew up in was called Cavtat before my parents bought it. We think the previous owners went on their honeymoon there. My parents changed the name but I feel the connection remains, so I really enjoyed this virtual tour 🙂
How funny that your parents house was named after the town! Well, probably 🙂 such a nice connection. I hope you enjoyed (are enjoying?) Croatia! It really is a lovely country. What part are you visiting?
I arrived in to Trogir/Split, and then drove up the coast towards Zadar. I stayed in a resort in the middle of nowhere, it was amazing! So much beautiful scenery!
Oh I really wanted to go to Zadar! I’ve heard it’s so amazing. Next time 🙂
We almost stayed in Cavtat on our last night but opted for Dubrovnik again. But it looks just perfectly Croatian. So, no joke, every place that we walk into that sells wine we immediately scan for Croatian wines. No luck so far. 🙁
I miss that Croatian wine! And I miss my Czech wine too…why aren’t they exporting more?! It would totally sell overseas, I think! I could be their sales promoter, even 😉
Ohhh, beautiful! Love the pink flowers and the sunsets best. I went to Croatia a few years ago, but not to Cavat – it looks so gorgeous! 🙂
It’s such a lovely town! And yes so many flowers and sunsets. Can never have too many of those 🙂
Everything about Croatia is just amazing, I need to go back!
It’s awesome, isn’t it?! I want to live there!!
What a beautiful place!
Totes!
Those sunsets, that water… AND that adorable kitty?! I could totally cope 😉
It was rough but I did my best to cope as well 😉 although that heat was no joke lol. I think the kitten and its siblings helped make up for that, though 🙂 xo
I am dying to go to Croatia! These posts are killing me!
It’s such a hot spot right now! I was only in one tiny corner too…would love to go back and explore even more!
this is just insanely gorgeous. I want to get out to Croatia so badly!
It’s soooo nice 🙂
Oh I definitely want to make it to Croatia – it looks amazing! And I wish heat was one of my problems haha
I know I should NOT complain at all haha ;).
You guys are super cute. This is just the prettiest- you have me sold!
<3 Have Ashley
Aww thanks Ashley 🙂 you should go!! It’s kind of a forgotten part of the area I think so it deserves your visit haha 🙂 see, you’d be performing a public service if you went!