Reset search
Italy and Croatia 2026
  • Catherine Kidd
  • Catherine Kidd

Italy and Croatia 2026

A 29-day adventure by Catherine Read more
FollowInsightsInsightsCalendarCalendarPhotosPhotosShareShareBucket list
InsightsCalendarPhotos
  • Catherine KiddItaly and Croatia 2026Traveler
    By a church and graveyardSomeone who made the door medalions had a sense of humourLociszeLimestone quarryTrogir

    Brac Island and Trogir

    May 28 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    We leave for Brac at 0700. Our first stop is Milna on Brac Island. We will have a 31K round trip to Nerezisca and back. The uphill was a lot harder than coming back.

    We traveled thru farmland with olive groves in bloom
    You could smell their flowers. We saw a round stone structure that was used by shepherds for shelter. Didn't see any goats or sheep.

    The island is famous for its limestone which was used in the parliament buildings in Budapest as well as the White House and other international buildings.

    In Netezisca there was a small church with a bonzi pine growing out of the roof of the nave.

    Upon our return to Milna, we said goodbye to our bikes. We had a lovely lunch as we sailed towards Trogir, our final stop.

    We arrive in Trogir and have time to wander prior to our guided tour. The tour was excellent, and the guide was not only informative but very entertaining.

    Tonight's farewell dinner was excellent, once again. What a great group we've been sailing and biking with! The staff and guides are exceptional.

    It will be sad to say goodbye to everyone tomorrow, but the journey continues.    Read more

  • Catherine KiddItaly and Croatia 2026Traveler
    First lake
    Boat launch60 foot drop

    Split to Lake Plitvice

    May 29 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    This morning we say goodbye to Trogir, take a bus to Split and pick up our rental car.

    Wayne expertly drives us towards our destination. We pass through beautiful mountainous areas with lakes dotted here and there. The highway is engineered with long tunnels and bridges to get us through mountains and over ravines.

    As we get higher, the houses change to resemble more of a Tryrollian shape with steeper metal roofs. We pass by fields with cattle, sheep and goats. Such a contrast to our time at the coast.

    We check into our hotel, and it's beautiful. We have a room with a balcony overlooking the mountains covered with trees, and we can hear waterfalls in the distance.

    We decide to go for a short tour thru the park which consists of a short boat ride across a lake, a 5 K walk through the amazing landscape, and a bus ride back to our starting point.

    Words cannot do justice to the UNESCO world heritage site. We are in awe of the beauty around us.

    After apertifis with Jen and Wayne in our room, we take a shuttle to a restaurant that serves dishes typical for this area. It was delicious!

    Back to the hotel to relax and prepare for more explorations tomorrow.    Read more

  • Catherine KiddItaly and Croatia 2026Traveler
    From our balcony
    Highest fallsAnother view of the highest falls.1

    Lake Plitvice

    May 30 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    This morning we explored the lower area of the park. Amazing scenery again! No place like it. Birds singing. Fish visible in the clear blue water.

    We get around by boat and bus from point to point, walking about 4K or so between points along either boardwalks, stone stairs or gravel paths. It's neat to see and hear the rushing water beneath the boardwalks as we walk across.

    We bumped into two couples who were on our boat/bike tour. It was fun to see them again.

    It was hot again today. Lots of Croatians visiting here as it is a national holiday.

    Crowded pathways. Lots of tourists groups. It's such an amazing place.

    We took a drive towards Zagreb looking for a drug store, but all stores were closed due to the holiday. We did find a bakery where we had a Spanakopita Croatian style for lunch.

    Out for dinner at a nearby restaurant. As usual, the food was delicious.

    We're feeling tired. Lots of steps today, and many upward climbs, but truly an amazing experience!    Read more

  • Catherine KiddItaly and Croatia 2026Traveler
    Bell tower built by Diocletian now the Cathedral of St Dominus
    Gregory of Nin who defied Rome and translated the Bible into CroatianEntrance of the golden gate.Today, 3000 people live within the walls of the palaceOlive in bloomEntrance to the palaceRoman soldiers guard the main square.Medieval buildingsFrom the ferry to TrogirEntering under the palaceReception room of the palace

    Split

    May 31 in Croatia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Today we leave the beautiful National Park and return to Split to drop off the rental car.

    We pass thru the same lush farming areas and enjoy the views.

    We were able to drop off our suitcases at our hotel in Trogir prior to returning the rental car in Split.

    Split is the second largest city in Croatia, around 176,000 people. We wandered aound Diocletian's Palace built in 300 AD. It has been continuously lived in since then up to the present day. The combination of old ruins and buildings still in use is amazing.

    We bumped into another couple from the boat/bike cruise and chatted for a while. So nice to see them again.

    We caught a water taxi back to Trogir after a full day. It was lovely to see the area from the water.

    Out for dinner along the Trogir waterfront. Jen and Wayne leave tomorrow for Dubrovnik. We'll meet up with them in Fiumicino the evening before we head home.    Read more

  • Catherine KiddItaly and Croatia 2026Traveler
    Beach vibes
    By our hotelWalking from the beachBridge to Trogir old town1

    Trogir - a relaxing day

    June 1 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    This morning we had a slow start in our room. Our room is one of many created in a 300 year old palace built by Mavretich Carol. I couldn't find any history on who he was. The palace has been nicely renovated.

    Trogir is amazing. When you're walking, you must remember to stop and look up at all of the architecture. You stop because as you walk you have to look down to watch your step on the uneven flagstones.

    We went to a market to purchase lunch and breakfast items.

    After lunch, we took a taxi to Okrug Gronji, a 3 K pebble beach that is on Ciovo Island, reached from Old Trogir by a bridge.

    The sun is warm, the water blue, and it feels great to lounge on the beach.

    While there, a young shapely woman, who happened to be topless, was having difficulty walking on the pebbles to get into the water. John, being the gentleman that he is, suggested he go to her and offer her his water socks. Alas, she plunged into the water before he could reach her.

    As the afternoon progressed, clouds moved in, and it became cooler. We packed up and walked back the 3 K to our apartment, glad of the reduced temperature.

    As we walked towards our apartment we ran into another 3 couples from the boat/bike cruise. Again, it felt like meeting up with old friends.

    There was a light rain in the late afternoon. We went for dinner and had another delicious meal.

    Went for a walk and found Gelato! A nice finish to the evening.    Read more

  • Catherine KiddItaly and Croatia 2026Traveler
    Drevnik Mali
    Drevnik ViviMaslinika1Blue LagoonTrogir

    Trip to the Blue Lagoon, Maslinika, Salinska Ba

    June 2 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    This morning we are taking a boat tour from Trogir. It is our last full day, the next 2 are travel days.

    We are picked up on the quay and join one other person on a speedboat. Two others were supposed to join us but they didn't arrive. Our skippers name is Tomo. He owns a number of boats that are used for short charters from Trogir.

    We head off to the Island of Drevnik Mali (small), the most northern island of the Dalmatians. We tie up at the village of the same name. There are 10 full time inhabitants here. This is a summer town, but so far the vacationers haven't arrived. It has a small sand beach, apparently the only one in Dalmatia. A few people are going for a swim.

    We board our boat again and headed for Drevnik Vevi (big). I guess they have so many islands they've run out of names.

    We have a coffee and bathroom break. The village is small, and a mix of very old and newer construction. We walk around the harbour. The grocery store seems to be the local hangout, with a few men drinking beer on the steps.

    Maslinika on the island of Solta is our next stop. A beautiful town nestled in a protected harbour.

    We have lunch and wander the streets. Much busier than our previous stops as many large boats from Split bring tourists here.

    Next stop the Blue Lagoon. There are many boats moored here. The funniest thing is a small boat that goes from boat to boat selling cocktails. The young people on the boat beside us order a bunch.

    I go for a swim. The water is an amazing blue, but a bit chilly. I swim around a bit. I feel very buoyant in the salty sea. A wonderful feeling.

    Our skipper then returns us to Trogir. A great last day in Croatia!

    As we finished our dinner, the eight o'clock church bells started to peel. I'm going to miss the bells!

    We pack up tomorrow and head to Rome to overnight before flying home the next day. It's been wonderful!    Read more

  • Catherine KiddItaly and Croatia 2026Traveler

    Homeward Bound

    June 3 in Croatia ⋅ 🌧 19 °C

    This afternoon we take a Croatia airlines flight to Rome. We'll overnight in Fiumincino and fly home Thursday afternoon.

    We'll meet Jen and Wayne for dinner, as they are staying there, as well.

    Thunderstorms and raining hard in Trogir. Not a good day for sightseeing, so we go to the airport to await our 1600 flight.

    Spent time checking out wines in the duty free. Found our favourite Croatian white, Grk, but it was 38 Euros a bottle, decided not to ruin John's holiday by purchasing it.

    Our flight was delayed by over an hour, but we finally arrived!

    Jen and Wayne met us at our very comfortable Air B&B. We had a lovely dinner at a nearby restaurant. The sunset was spectacular!    Read more

  • Catherine KiddItaly and Croatia 2026Traveler

    Home today.

    June 4 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    We left Rome on time and had a pleasant flight to Calgary.

    A couple of hours there, then on to Vancouver.

    All went well. The end if an amazing time!

    Trip end
    June 4, 2026