Two For The Table : Europe 2016 : Croatia

Croatia

While we usually plan the details of our vacations, from start to finish, Croatia proved to be problematic. Our itinerary included two islands, which complicated transportation. So after a bit of research, we enlisted Leonidas Travel to orchestrate our stay in the Republic of Croatia.

With our input, Leonidas designed a private tour for the four of us, including hotels, transportation and day tours, with plenty of free time to wander around on our own. We spent three nights in Dubrovnik at the Pucic Palace, two nights in Korcula at the Hotel Korsal, two nights in Hvar at the Adriana Spa Hotel and three nights in Split at the Judita Palace.

Leonidas planned every detail to perfection, such as our own private speedboat, complete with skipper and mate, to get us from Hvar to Spit. We were provided with cell phones with Croatian numbers, so Leonidas could text us daily instructions and updates. The day tours came with knowledgeable guides and drivers, and were properly paced.

Marlene planned all of our evening dinners, with reservations made in advance. But some of our most memorable dining experiences were at midday tables, planned by Leonidas.

	Nautika Restaurant - We ate at Nautika Restaurant our first night in Dubrovnik. Nautika lies on the edge of the sea, alongside the western entrance to Dubrovnik's Old City. The restaurant is housed in the former Dubrovnik School of Maritime Studies.
	Mali Ston Bay - The bay of Mali Ston has been famous for seashell cultivation since Roman times. On a wooden platform in the middle of the bay we watched in awe as fresh oysters and mussels were pulled out of the bay.
	Korta Katarina - Korta Katarina winery is perched on the edge of the Adriatic Sea in the small town of Orebic. We were treated to a four-course lunch with wine pairings.
	Stori Komin - On our first full day in Hvar, our guide picked us up near our hotel in a 4WD vehicle for a tour of the island's picturesque countryside. Included in our tour was lunch – in an abandoned village.
	Bokeria - Our first night in Split, we dined at Bokeria Kitchen & Wine. Bokeria was inspired by the La Boqueira market in Barcelona. It's a big restaurant, set in a building that once was a hardware store.

Paris