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!

Sibenik, Croatia---a UNESCO Charmer

           Join Wine-Knows in September on their private yacht charter along the Croatian coastline

Only five cities around the globe have two UNESCO World Heritage monuments.  Sibenik is one of them.   The United Nations grants this special status to sites with significant cultural, historical or scientific importance.   Places such as the Great Barrier Reef, Acropolis, Taj Mahal, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Westminster Abbey, and our own country’s Grand Canyon and Yosemite are UNESCO World Heritage sites.  The fact that the small town of Sibenik has two spots on the list of world treasures is extraordinary.

                                 Backstreets create ja perfect stage for the movie industry

Sibenik is also the oldest town in Croatia.  Tossed back and forth between the Venetian Republic, the Byzantine Empire, and the Austrian-Hungarian Dynasty, the town is a medieval treasure trove for architecture.  It’s no wonder that Game of Thrones chose Sibenik for filming as its labyrinth alleyways make for picture-perfect Hollywood sets of Gothic, Byzantine and Renaissance splendor.

                               Invaders had to sail past this Fortress to enter  Sibenik's bay

The St. Nicolas Fortress is one of the coveted UNESCO sites.   Located on a small island protecting the entrance to Sibenik’s bay, this fortress is one of the best preserved on the Dalmatian coastline.  The Venetians built St. Nicolas in the 16^th century to fend off maritime attacks by the Turks.  Shaped like an arrow, with a seemingly impenetrable exterior protected by 32 cannons, the fortress was designed to send a “don’t mess with me” vibe.

                         Wine-Knows will have a private tour of this UNESCO masterpiece

The Cathedral of St. James is the other UNESCO gem.   The church was initially conceived to be a simple one, however, several successive Italian architects over a period spanning more than 100 years turned the building into something far from simplistic.  The end result was a perfect fusion of Gothic and Renaissance.

Wine-Knows will visit Sibenik on this September’s private yacht tour of the Croatian coastline.  There are still one or two spaces left on the September 2-9 week (the week of 9-16 is old out with a waiting list).

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