L & L Travel
CST# 3032511-40
PO Box 2510
Lodi CA 95241

209 339 4444
877 873 4445
info@lnltravel.com
www.lnltravel.com




CRAZY ABOUT CROATIA!

For US leisure travelers, 2021 is shaping up to be The Year of Croatia. This gorgeous, small country facing the Adriatic is one of the few European Union members welcoming North Americans to its shores. Croatia's rich cultural heritage is matched by the beauty of its landscapes and the utter deliciousness of its food and wine.

In addition to being the land of more than a thousand islands, sapphire waters, and ancient towns, Croatia is also a gourmet paradise. Especially wine. The country boasts 64 indigenous grape varieties and Croatians have been making wine for over 4,000 years. That’s more than enough time to perfect their craft and come up with some excellent vintages, one of which was served during President Joe Biden’s inauguration in January.

Three “wine-centric” services that we like to include on our Olive Tree Escapes custom itineraries deserve a special mention:

  • An escape to a private island in sheltered Mali Ston Bay to enjoy an oyster tasting of these famed local mollusks, paired with Croatian wines. The day ends with a guided walking tour of Dubrovnik’s charming Old Town.
  • Departing from Split, this full-day tour combines a visit to the impressive natural wonders of the Skradin and Krka waterfalls with a special wine pairing meal at Pelegrini, one of Croatia’s finest restaurants.
  • A renowned Croatian winemaker leads a tour of three of his favorite wineries on the beautiful Pelješac peninsula in Southern Dalmatia, home to some of Europe’s most intriguing red wines. Lunch in a 500-year-old wine cellar is a highlight of this perfect day.

What is needed to access this earthly paradise? Besides filling out an Enter Croatia form, tourists must show proof of a negative result from a Covid-19 PCR test that's no more than 48 hours old. It’s also possible to take the PCR test immediately upon arrival and self-isolate until getting a negative result. What seals the deal is evidence of an accommodation paid in advance and in full. A room reservation alone is not enough.

Our advice is to go before the Euro sets in, when prices will inevitably rise. Croatia joined the European Union in 2013 but the country won’t be adopting the Euro until sometime around 2024. Prices are still relatively affordable, especially when compared to similar coastal destinations. So if you’re seeking good value in a hot European destination that even a global pandemic couldn’t shut down, Croatia is the place to choose!