It wasn’t long ago when the currency of Croatia transitioned from Croatian Kuna to euro; in fact, the change to euro occurred the first of this year – and is one more reason to visit Croatia now. Looking for more inspiration? Read on…

GOT Visitors

Most visitors flock to the historic walled city of Dubrovnik, if only to stroll the limestone courtyards and alleys where scenes of Game of Thrones was filmed. Re-enactments are regular entertainment in this tourist attraction dotted with restaurants, cafes, bars, art galleries, souvenir shops -- and a shop that sells a vast assortment of rubber ducks.

Steps outside the walled city is where Hotel Excelsior abuts the Adriatic, and where Queen Elizabeth II, Elizabeth Taylor and the love of her life, Richard Burton once stayed. A Wall of Fame serves as a roster to its guests that include Martin Sheen, Christopher Walken, Woody Harrelson, and Owen Wilson, among more. This is a supersized resort with its own limestone floor of beach access for guests who prefer time on a chaise lounge before a swim in the sea.

Dining has its privileges on a walk only five minutes from Hotel Excelsior -- at Villa Orsula’s grapevine-draped castle terrace that is Victoria Restaurant. Al fresco dining at sunset heightens the senses for tasting well-renowned Peruvian Adriatic Fusion menu selections. A glass of elegant ruby-toned 2017 galić Pinot Crni pairs perfectly with a plate of Lomo saltado (Angus beef slices with risotto) at sunset.

Cavtat

If ever there was one place that checks all the boxes, it would be at the newest hotel in the heart of historic Cavtat – at Hotel Supetar, located about a half-hour drive from Dubrovnik. This is a village where the world’s chaos stops, and your to-do list begins with a deep breath to imbibe all the beauty that surrounds.

Breakfast at Supetar is served inside a cozy dining space within easy proximity to the buffet with fresh harvested and cinnamon-infused honey, assorted jams, cheeses, fruits, pastries, and yogurt parfaits. If you prefer breakfast al fresco, you can take your plate to one of several bistro tables on the patio.

The harbor is right outside the Supetar and is where yachts, catamarans, and speedboats dock, and gift shops and restaurants offer an array of options. It’s also the starting point of a paved promenade that leads you along the waterfront past several cliffside spots carpeted in Cypress trees and twisted evergreens bended toward the turquoise coastline. You’ll pass pay-as-you-lounge beaches without sand before you loop back to the dock. Along the way, a statue of painter Vlaho Bukovac (1855-1922) sits on a bench with a painter’s palette in-hand as he looks out to the sea for inspiration. Bukovac’s childhood home is a traveler’s dream spot.

Back at Hotel Supetar, a tour through this original 1920s three-storied private villa (built on the remains of the ancient settlement of Epidaurum) leads to the lounge just past the lobby. Here, a wine-tasting may be arranged, starting with a flute of Sember, an extra brut Pinot Noir/Chardonnay of Pjenušac. Thanks to the Greeks who brought the grapes over to this region, there are more than 2,000 years of winemaking tradition in the South Dalmatia region. Grappa is also popular here, with choices of basic Lozovaĉa, Travarica (w/Mediterranean herbs), Orahovia (walnuts), or Višnjevača (cherries).

White wines made with Pošip indigenous grapes of Croatia hail from the island of Korčula. These wines pair well with white fish, shells, crabs, and white meat dishes that are light. A tasting of Graševina de Gotho tasted more like a Riesling. It’s aromas of white flowers and minerality led to a palate of unripe green apple – at first a bit bitter but then relaxed and delicious. Paired with local olives, even better.

From Istria, a Malvasia was one of the most impressive and refreshing tastes of the evening. The tasting concluded with a 2021 Vina Skaramuca Posip from Dalmatia. This was a more complex white with more body.

Dinner beckoned on the outdoor terrace at sunset. The ambiance added to the exquisite delights of a meal that began with fresh-baked carrot bread, followed by a palatable bowl of whitefish soup with parsley oil – and then a gnocchi appetizer served as the main course – a creamy black truffle sauce with diced chicken, asparagus, mushrooms and truffle slices. Dessert was a local recipe of Dubrovačka Rozata (flan). Every morsel was exquisite in taste – and the service impeccable, which matched the sunset sea view.

The rooms inside Supetar are newly renovated, spacious, inviting, and offer a view of the harbor. The beds are made for a superior slumber and guests will not want to leave. It’s that comfortable at Supetar. And the pool lounge area is yet another secluded spot among views of palm trees -- with chaise lounges canopied with fringed cloth umbrellas decorated in various patterns.

Day trip to Montenegro

Coupled with the excelled guest services at Supetar -- and Cavtat’s proximity to Montenegro, booking a bus tour for a day trip is easy. A stop in the bougainvillea covered old town in the Bay of Kotor, Perast, is best for lunch of mussels, where they’re harvested in plain sight. You may also opt to taste the local pomegranate wine.

A stop at Our Lady of the Rocks is most interesting for its story on being built as a manmade island, rock by rock. And, of course, you’ll want to stop in the medieval town of Kotor.

Charlene Peters is a travel writer and author of “Travel Makes Me Hungry,” available on Amazon.