Croatia’s Venetian Gem

                Tiny Trogir island will be the starting point for Wine-Knows' yacht week in Croatia

Did you know that Croatia’s coastline was controlled by the powerful Venetian Empire for 350 years?   One of the most enchanting of all Venetian settlements along Croatia’s 1,000 mile coastline is the small island of Trogir (“Tro  gear”).  In fact, it oozes so much Venetian charm that Orson Welles chose the island to film his movie the Merchant of Venice in the 1960’s.   While many movies have been utilized Trogir as a backdrop, it has recently skyrocketed to fame for the island's use in the Game of Thrones.

                       These stunning buildings in Trogir could easily line Venice's Grand Canal       

Located just off the coast near the city of Split, Trogir is joined to the mainland by two bridges.   In 1997 the United Nations' cultural arm decided that the entire island was of such historical significance that it was granted special protection as a World Heritage Site (UNESCO).  This basically means that it now takes an act of God to change anything on the island.

                Trogir's main square is the antithesis of Venice's St Mark's in a good way

Trogir is a treasure trove of Venetian architecture from the 13^th - 18^th centuries.   Wander its tiny backstreets and you’ll swear you’re in an authentic Venetian neighborhood (today, that’s an oxymoron as few Venetians can afford to live in Venice).   You’ll know you’re not in Venice by the absence of endless souvenir shops, designer boutiques, and hordes of tourists jockeying for a table on its main square where small orchestras entice visitors to stop for a $20 coke or cappuccino.  Trogir’s far more simplistic main square has rustic charm for a fraction of the cost (and minus the pigeons) of St Mark's in Venice.

                 This scene is < 50 meters from Trogir's central square...not a single tourist in sight

The island of Trogir was purposely chosen by Wine-Knows as the boarding location for our private yacht.   For travelers arriving early a walking tour with a local guide is recommended as the best way to experience charming Trogir.   (Guides can be hired in advance via the web, or once you arrive on the island the concierge at the Brown Beach Hotel can assist with booking).

See you in Trogir!

Split: the Hottest Chill City in Croatia

                   Wine-Knows will end its private yacht trip this September in Split 

Split is loved by travelers of all ages from a plethora of countries around the globe.  The city exudes a relax vibe.  Some might think it’s because of its drop-dead location on an exquisite palm tree-lined bay.  Others may attribute the calm to its pedestrian only historic town center filled with beautiful outdoor restaurants on enchanting small squares that make for perfect chill-spots.  And the weather?  Even on warm days, the ancient part of the city remains cool, shaded by a labyrinth of tall stone buildings and narrow passageways.  Split represents the best of slow-living.

                                   Diocletian's palace is even more special after dark

The chill vibe of Split may not be by accident.  Although the Greeks founded the city about 300 BC, the Roman Emperor Diocletian 700 years later chose Split to retire.  Diocletian built a massive palace and his final retirement residence occupies today roughly half of Split’s ancient city.  The huge palace (really a fortress) featured expansive areas for personal use and entertaining the masses, but also served as quarters for his large military troops.

                Portofino not only serves terrific seafood, but has a good wine list & sublime service

Diocletian’s Palace is a popular stop for travelers on a day trip from Dubrovnik, however, to best soak up the city’s “relax” atmosphere an overnight stay in mandatory.  Experiencing the old town after all the day trippers depart is part of the city’s magic.  Don’t think of staying anywhere but in the heart of the old town.  Also, do consider eating at the Zinfandel Wine Bar or Portofino (reserve at both, and request an outdoor table at Portofino or a coveted window-front seat at Zinfandel.)

                             Split's upmarket restaurants offer a dazzling area of fish & seafood
 

Split will be the final stop of Wine-Knows' private yacht extravaganza.  Travelers are encouraged to spend at least two nights soaking up its chill-vibe prior to boarding their international flights home.   

BTW:  There is one cabin remaining on Wine-Knows’ luxurious private chartered yacht.   www.WineKnowsTravel.com

Croatia's "Olive Island"

                                          Brač is the third largest island in the Adriatic Sea

With more than a million olive trees, an Olive Oil Museum, the Olive Harvest Championship, the very first Olive Oil Cooperative in Croatia, and a three mile Olive Trail for tourists that passes through centuries old olive groves, there’s no wonder why the Croatian island of Brač (rhymes with watch) is appropriately named “the olive island.”  Located midway along the country’s 1,000 mile coastline, the island is 10 miles from the mainland city of Split. While olives are grown in many parts of Croatia, Brač is the nation’s largest olive grove.

                                  Centuries old wild trees & cultivated olive farms dot the island

It is believed that the ancient Greeks brought the first olive trees to the island.  Up until the 16^th century, however, there were no cultivated olive farms.  Instead, trees grew wild.  Recognizing the valuable commodity, the Venetian rulers passed laws in the 17th century to encourage planting of olive trees.  They also instituted edicts to protect the island’s olives:  anyone found harming a tree was banned from the island for ten years.  By the 18^th century, olive oil had become big business on Brač. 

                     Wine-Knows will tour an olive oil producer on their yacht trip in September

Brač’s olive oils are world-class.  The island’s unique geological and climatic conditions, in addition to hundreds of years of skills acquired by Brač’s olive growers, contribute to the quality of the oils produced.  Also, an olive variety only on Brač, oblica, further contributes to creation of the island’s distinctive oils.

                           An ancient olive press in the local museum shows how oil was made

Recently, olive oil from Brač was granted protection by the E.U.  This means that only olive oil made on the island of Brač can be called Brač.  Furthermore,  the extra virgin oil must contain a minimum of 80% of Brač’s indigenous olive variety oblica.   All bottles of the island’s oil display a special label showing its EU protected status. This label guarantees the consumer that this is the real-deal Brač oil, and not some knock-off from Algeria.

                       The EU label guarantees the authenticity of the product to the consumer

This September Wine-Knows will visit the island of Brač for an olive tasting.  The private yacht that Wine-Knows has leased has one last cabin for one or two persons available.  For more information about this Croatian yacht trip, consult our website,

https://www.wineknowstravel.com/croatia-itinerary/