Travellers' reviews about Croatia

4.9
19 reviews
Wonders of Croatia Tour
5
Croatia
Friends
Overall we really enjoyed the trip to Croatia that was custom made for us by Marija, based upon what we wanted to see and do. It gave us a beautiful introduction to Croatia, it's history, scenery and people The itinerary was complete, down to minute details. It kept us busy, but also allowed for free time to explore on our own. I mentioned above the highlights and would highly recommend Marija
The best parts:
We loved all of our tours with our private guides and drivers. The guides and drivers were all very personable as well as knowledgable. The standouts were the cooking experience at Kameni Dvori, the wine tasting with lunch at Korta Katarina, and the tasting at the Milos winery. We also really enjoyed the oyster tasting in Ston and the wall as a backdrop.. In Hvar we enjoyed the tour of the country side while in route to our wine tours, as well as the wine tastings. Both Dubrovnik and Hvar were beautiful, rich in history, culture and scenery.
The worst parts:
This by far was not the worse- but a detail that may affect someone else tour in the future. Our walled city tour of Dubrovnik was scheduled at 5:30 which was great as far as timing,avoiding the crowds. We were under the impression that we would be walking the top wall and well as the city within on this tour. However, our guide did the city within tour and then gave us ticket to come back to walk the top of the wall, at a later time, because it closed at 6. Although it worked out to our advantage because we had a free afternoon on Friday. The only other issue was that the weather prevented us from taking the Hvar group speedboat tour, which was a disappointment, Although we knew in advance it was a possibility.
Evaneos
Dear Wonders of Croatia Tour, Thank you for your feedback! We are more than happy that you enjoyed your trip to Croatia and we are looking forward to see you again soon! Yours sincerely, Your Evaneos Team!
The Old Guide
5
Croatia
Couple
Let me put my comments into context. We are Canadians in our early 70s. My wife and I travel regularly, 41 countries and 91 UNESCO Wold Heritage Sites to date. I have used 'in country' agents to set up trips for independent travel in the Azores, Ireland, Greece, Alaska etc. I only 'discovered' Evaneos on-line in the fall of 2018 when starting to plan a trip to Croatia. The concept intrigued me and when I saw Jelena's ad mentioning UNESCO sites I took the plunge. I started our planning in late Nov 2018 even though we wouldn't be traveling until Sept 2019. We chose Sept hoping for warm but not cold weather rather than hot weather which would be the norm in the summer months. We also hoped for less tourists to contend with. Working with Jelena by e-mail we quickly came up with a 16 day self drive itinerary focused on UNESCO sites in Croatia and one which also included a drive through portions of Slovenia. I found Jelena to be easy to work with and quick to respond to my inquiries etc. She was clearly knowledgeable and able to answer any questions that I had. The final written itinerary was very detailed. She went so far as to provide addresses for parking lots to use while visiting sites we were interested in. The itinerary was set out day by day in a logical manner. The accommodations were clearly chosen to facilitate exploration by foot in the larger locales such as Zagreb, Ljubljana and Dubrovnik. She arranged for private tour guides for walking tours of the big sites and without exception these guides were experts: knowledgeable, personable and very helpful in all respects. The accommodations were excellent and very memorable. Breakfasts were all good, some exceptional. The distances to drive each day were quite reasonable and left enough time for us to explore and even choose to visit places not on the itinerary, the Motovun truffle festival for example. While self driving is challenging and occassionally stressful when one misses a turn as dictated by Athena, our GPS, I found the roads and drivers in Croatia to be quite good. We used a Garmin NUVI handheld GPS for driving and with one notable exception in Split it worked wonderfully. We purposely chose to stay longer in Zagreb, our first city, in order to rest up from our flight from Canada and again we lingered longer in Dubrovnik to relax after our journey and prepare for the flight home. The international flights, as many co travelers will confirm, are the worst part of international travel these days, even when using highly reputable carriers. I am confident that Jekena, who is very well organized, has our tour in her 'system' and that it is a well used and reliable route with accommodations carefully selected for parking etc. I suspect that we will travel with Jelena's guidance in other locales in that part of Europe as she is very knowledgeable of those locales. Our only regret is that we never had an opportunity to meet her personally as our telephone conversations while in country and exchange of e-mails over the months have made us to regard her to be a respected professional. I take pictures, lots of them!! Some people even think I am a photographer!! When I get around to editing them and if it is possible, I will try and add them to this review.
The best parts:
Several locales will provide fond memories. Zagreb for its many parks and Sycamore trees. Ljubljana for the craft beer/hamburger festival that we happened upon and the canal/city walking tour as well as the outstanding breakfast.at our hotel. Lake Bled, the Bled castle and a little further inland, Lake Bohinj and the boat cruise we took there awesome. Pula looked very interesting in addition to the Roman Amphitheatre. The Diocletian Palace in Split was OUTSTANDING as was walking the Old City walls in Dubrovnik. Opatija was also outstanding, with the historical atmosphere of the Riviera, albeit on a smaller scale. Korcula Old Town on Korcula island was also outstanding. Motovun, a hill village perched as it is on a small mountain was also outstanding. The renowned and beautiful Falls and cascades of Piltvice were beautiful and in fact, it was images of them that drew us to Croatia in the first place. Heck, it was all GREAT!! It would be remiss not to mention the people of Croatia and Slovenia. Without exception, everyone was most helpful and generous with their time and knowledge. Near perfect English is spoken everywhere.
The worst parts:
The worst part of self driving in Croatia is the parking. According to locals, parking has been an increasing frustration starting at least 6 years ago. Parking lots are inconsistent in the manner of payment so one must prepare for a number of eventualities. To her credit, Jelena did her best to prepare us for the rigours of parking In Canada, toll roads are not at all common, only a half dozen or so in the entire country. I had expected that they would be a pain to deal with in Croatia but rather than the novelty of having to pay to drive on a road, they were actually very user friendly and not overly expensive. We tended to use smaller, no toll highways in any event as we were there to explore, not conduct a road race by the fastest route
Evaneos
Dear The Old Guide, Thank you for your feedback! We are more than happy that you enjoyed your trip to Croatia and we are looking forward to see you again soon! Yours sincerely, Your Evaneos Team!
didn't add
5
Croatia
Private group
I found Evaneos by doing research online. I called 4 different tour companies and loved how quickly Jelena responded to my request. She called and talked to me about our group, wanted to know our likes and dislikes. She and I worked together to plan a trip of a lifeline for our group. She is why I chose Evaneos. We loved the hotels she secured, the cities we visited but truly loved seeing the National Park. She also added in a day of sailing during our trip for our last day and it was so special. She went above and beyond our expectations.
The best parts:
Our entire group couldn't get over the beauty of Croatia. Our tour guide was the best we've ever had on the 7 trips we've taken so far. Jelena added in extra surprises that we weren't expecting. She took us to additional hidden gems we didn't know we would be able to see and truly got to experience Croatia like a Croatian not just a tourist.
The worst parts:
We didn't have a worst part. It was magical from beginning to ending.
Evaneos
Thank you for your feed back! See you around the world!
World Traveller
5
Croatia
Private group
The Adriatic region is beautiful! The countries are young and trying to deal with the crowds that are visiting their countries. In each country the people appeared to be anxious to have their season end. They were exhausted from the crowds. After three weeks, we certainly learned a lot, saw a lot and got a real feel of its people and culture.
The best parts:
Our trip was well planned by Marija! She had an itinerary that was so detailed down to the time it takes to drive from one place to another with maps included in color. We visited Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro, driving through the countries and visiting caves, parks and cities. Our hotels for the most part were excellent. The three countries are clean, no graffiti anywhere and are very safe. We would highly recommend the Agency.
The worst parts:
The hotel *** in Dubrovnic was too far from town, going up and down hills for senior citiizens. We found ourselves taking taxis back and forth. The hotel needs to upgrade its rooms, they are not in good condition.
Evaneos
Dear World Traveller, Thank you for your feedback! We are more than happy that you enjoyed your trip and we are looking forward to see you again soon! Yours sincerely, Your Evaneos Team!
Jean-François
5
Croatia
Family
Igor from Tureta Travel organised us a perfect 20 days itinerary for our family of 4 (2 teenagers!) across Croatia including a stop in Mostar and Kotor. The private guides booked by Igor were all very good and made a difference in learning about the country and allow us to understand the rich history of Croatia. Thank you Igor for you professionalism, availability before and during the trip and the perfect coordination of drivers, guides and choices of hotels.
The best parts:
The diversity of Croatia. His history, landscape, cities and climate. The mix between cities, National park, beaches, sail and motor boats, islands and 4 days in Istria made our trip unforgettable.
Evaneos
Hi Jean-François, thank you so much for your review. We are very happy that you enjoyed the trip to Croatia so much! We hope to welcome you soon again at Evaneos! Kind regards from our whole team!
rms
5
Croatia
Friends
We traveled thru Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina and southern Croatia. Had a wonderful time everywhere.
The best parts:
Wonderful scenery, great food, spectacular guide!
The worst parts:
Rainy weather at times
Evaneos
Hello Robert! Thank you for the wonderful review. We're glad to know your trip was a success and that you're satisfied with our concept! The Evaneos Team
World Traveler
5
Croatia
Family
My husband and I had already visited Croatia, Montenegro and Venice in a previous tour 10 years ago. Since we liked it so much the first time, we decided to go again with another couple (sister-in-law and her husband). We visited Zagreb, in Montenegro Kotor, Cetinje. We then went back to Croatia: Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar, Plitvice Lakes, Motovun, Porec, Pula Rovinj and finalized in Venice, Italy. It was a wonderful trip!!
The best parts:
The perfect coordination of the drivers and tour guides. We didn't have any problem during the two weeks that the tour lasted.
BFK
4
Croatia
Solo
My trip was ok. I was ill the last day, and spent it in bed, which I don’t think the guide appreciated, as she complained about having to stick around the inn all day. I don’t think I was her ideal traveler as she told me she usually tours from 8:00am to 8:00 pm. This is not my style. I believe she was bored, as she was on her cell phone most of the time we were out and about.
The best parts:
I liked most the scenery, the beautiful Plitvice National Park, and the the small villages in between. I stayed at very nice inns run by really nice and warm people.
The worst parts:
I didn’t realize when I booked this trip, that I was going to be traveling a very long time in the car. It was hours between our next stop, and driving is not my favorite part of traveling. I knew there was car traveling, I just did not understand how much was involved. My guide was disappointed in how weary I got around 4:30 pm, but I was pooped by that time, and maybe had only seen one village and lunch.
Evaneos
Dear Barbara, Thank you for the review and the wonderful pictures as well. We’re sorry to hear you fell ill by the end of your trip. After speaking with your guide, we realized she was simply worried because you were not feeling so well. I hope this clears the confusion . Kind regards, Evaneos Customer Care Team
SaloM
5
Croatia
Friends
All three destinations we went to - Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnic - were absolutely stunning. We had a memorable all ladies trip. Piltwick lake and Trogir were another excellent places to visit.
The best parts:
We enjoyed Igor's hospitality in Zagreb the most. He is a nice, simple and polite person to deal with. He was supposed to be there for city sightseeing for only 2 to 3 hours and we took 4 and half hours of him, while shopping in small shops along the way but he is the nicest person, didn't utter a word! The rest of the journey was very smooth with our driver Matthew. He showed some beautiful food-joints on the way. He opened up a lot when we were in Dubrovnik, he seems a patriotic man for Dubrovnik! All in all a great experience with your beautiful country and under Igor's arrangements!
The worst parts:
The driver who came to pick us up from the airport was not very cooperative but we managed as it was a short trip with him. Zagorje Castle, Trakoscan could have been avoided. It looks fabulous only from outside and in total rundown condition from inside, not worth a visit and waste one day over it. Beware for your next guest, choose another nice place instead.
IS
5
Croatia
Friends
As we highlighted the cities and landmarks we wanted to go, the details were well planned out. Flexible and reschedulednwhen necessary. Overall, I loved Croatia and highly recommend to everyone!
The best parts:
Driver and guide are both punctual. Both knowledgeable in history of Croatia, communicated well in English and helpful BB when we specifically wanted to do something or go somewhere.
The worst parts:
Our trip was too short! :D
Croatia in 12 days
5
Croatia
Couple
This was a wonderful trip, start to finish. We drove from Opatija south to Dubrovnik stopping along the way at Plitvice National Park, Split, and Korcula Island.
The best parts:
Croatia is a beautiful country, the people were friendly and helpful, and the food is fabulous!
The worst parts:
Getting lost trying to find our hotel in Split!
Godiva2018
4
Croatia
Couple
We picked Croatia as our destination because my grandparents lived there before coming to America. It is a beautiful country and the prospect of doing some genealogy searching made it the right place for us. We like to find the 'hidden gems' when we travel and not follow the crowd. My favorite place was Velika Planina in Slovenia. It took some effort to actually get to the settlement, but 100% worth it. We also loved driving the Julian Alps and visiting Pag, Croatia. Jelena arranged a rental car for us, and we drove from Zagreb to Slovenia and then down the coast to Dubrovnik. Everything at our own pace. If we saw something interesting we stopped. No tour group schedules to follow, no feeling like were were part of a herd. I enjoyed the safety of knowing that Jelena was just a phone call away should we run into any problems.
The best parts:
The best part of the trip was that it was tailored to our wants and needs. I did my research and knew exactly where we wanted to go and what we wanted to see. Our local guide Jelena was AWESOME in making that happen.
The worst parts:
There really were no bad parts.
RMS
5
Croatia
Friends
We landed in Zagreb, spent a day or so there, moved onto the Adriatic Coast and Pula, stayed in Opatija for three days and traveled down the coast to Split. Every day was perfect.
The best parts:
Our guide, Jelena, was wonderful beyond words. We were four old friends traveling, but she fit in like the missing piece in a puzzle! Her plans worked out perfectly and she took us to some beautiful places we would have never found on our own. We can't thank you enough for helping us find her! (In the group photo, Jelena is wearing the white shirt)
The worst parts:
It ended too soon.
Hiker Docs
5
Croatia
Couple
Plitvice Lakes National Park and Dubrovnik have become world renowned and were the magnets. When hiking in the Dolomites we tried but could not fit in Triglave NP and Bled so this was the beginning of this trip. My wife and I are 64 year old activity travelers and have checked off our last 2 bucket list locations with the help of Evaneos. (Portugal with Anna and now) Croatia / Slovenia with Jelena, our local agent. As busy as Jelena has been with small independents such as us or leading bus loaded tours, she always found time for us. Beginning the trip's process with variable dates and length of travel, she remained calm and organized. Jelena quickly found out we were doers and not leisure lizards. She offered various itineraries and guided or independent treks including a variety of accomodations and sites. From there, she and Lauri grew the trip to cover both history, culture, people interaction, beauty and action. They explored their options on the internet and came up with a slighty more extended plan with additional highlights. We started in Zagreb to find out how little, we Americans know of the region. That simply added to the mystery of the history and evolution of this Balkan region. Lauri and I kept reading as we explored the region from city-state-and now the national Countries of the area from Illyrian, Greek, Roman, Venetian, Nappleonic, Habsburg, Austro-Hungarian, Yugoslavian cultures and now the newly re-soverign nations with Ottoman and Islamic influences. This simply super-enhanced the architecture, flavors, people, wars of appreciation by Jelena's recommendations. We toasted with the locals in Vrhnika, ate in stone cities, mountains, lakes and hilltops with wild or farm to table local foods. We chose Slovenian truffles with Croatian wines and ate the best steaks ever. Jelena was soon to find out that Lauri and I are over-achievers; we added a hiking guide for 2 days in Triglav National Park and indulged in Lake Bled and Bovec / Soca activities. We added Skocjan Caves and Predjana Castle Cave, Piran and Motovun on our way to Opatija where we walked the lungomare and had an extensive breakfast buffet under covered tables on the Grand Palace's gorgeous deck overlooking the Adriatic sea. Each accommodation was increasingly thought out for our enjoyment and interest by Jelena and if we got lost getting there even with GPS in the tiny car-challenged streets, Jelena helped us through. She even met us at our up-scaled BandB to meet and talk in Plitvice. Understanding Croatia and site recommendations are definitely Jelena's strength! Zadar (harmonic steps), Trogir (effervescent energy), and seaside towns to Split along the coast road and not the super highway further enlightened the history and development of Jelena's country. Oh my, what an understatement Split is for it's more heavily tourists 'sister' Dubrovnik! We stayed in a re-gentrified home/UNESCO turned BandB at Heritage Palace Varos with original in-floor olive mill 2 blocks from Split old city and Diocletians Palace. Split has accommodated Croatia's attraction well. By adding a half day private tour to our schedule, Jelena only enhanced it's unique history, cobbled with a young, energetic esplanade and great restaurants, bars and squares, street music within the Palaces courtyard and a wonderful Marjan Park with great views highlighted the coastal towns. The Jewish immigration and current presence over the centuries was most interesting to us. We added options like walking Ston's walls and eating oysters and appreciating the still functioning Roman salt pans before we got to Dubrovnik. As Dubrovnik was a City Nation-State, we stayed just outside this living double walled millenial fortress at the gorgeous Blue Hotel resort. We continued our activity with an extended prearranged tour and fine foods of pastas and seafood, took a short 'fish-eye' view of this historic town from the sea and a 'bird's-eye' view from the top of the gondola. We better understood the development of this wonderful country following the third Balkan War and left grateful for Jelena's masterful arrangements including car pick-ups and deliveries to and from the airports. Jelena deserves 5 star kudos for a most wonderful trip. We look forward to using the services of Evaneos once again in the near future!
The best parts:
Everything because Jelena made it happen!
The worst parts:
Too much to do and not enough time. Other things including: rafting and rappelling down the Soca river, 2 day hike to Triglav peak, more time in Bled, a side trip to Trieste, a night in Ljubljana, a side trip to Krka National Park, side trip to Mostar and gosh, so much more.
Louisette
5
Croatia
Family
We had a car from Split airport and drove directly to Plitvice Lakes which we visited the next day. By the end of our holiday, this was still our favourite day. The lakes and falls are something you should not miss. Then we drove down to Zadar and on to Sibenik. Sibenik is wonderful old town and we had a delightful apartment right in the old town. From there down to Split where we enjoyed a Wine tour and an afternoon sailing to the Island of Brac. Split old town is wonderful with so many things to see and we only covered a sample. Next a bus to Dubrovnik where we again stayed in the old town. So little time there to see all the wonders but we managed to go up in the cable car and take a ride to the Island of Lokrum where we spend a pleasant couple of hours.
The best parts:
I loved the beauty of Croatia and how varied it is. Waterfalls, the ocean, the old cities and the architecture. It really is a very lovely country and I would love to go back sometime.
The worst parts:
The worst part for me was driving in Split. It is a big town and we got there during the rush hour. I really should have read up on the Croatian highway code. One apartment that we stayed in was not really up to scratch. It was disappointing.
Evaneos
Thanks for your feedback on your trip! I hope we will have the pleasure of helping you with another trip in the future! :)