From Dubrovnik to Split: Cruising on My Wish
Europe is packed with incredible destinations, making it hard to choose where to go next. Between arranging logistics, selecting hotels, and organizing day trips, planning a summer holiday can quickly become overwhelming. I am certainly not the type for standard all-inclusive resorts, though I genuinely enjoy spending two or three nights in a fine hotel or expansive estate when it offers generous grounds, great dining, and plenty of engaging activities right on site. This summer, however, we were looking for a different kind of journey, one that combined total ease of travel with authentic daily exploration.
The perfect answer was cruising along the Dalmatian coast aboard My Wish, a 50-meter luxury yacht operated with impeccable standards by Unforgettable Croatia unforgettablecroatia.com. With just 18 well-appointed cabins with private bathrooms, hosting a maximum of 36 guests and a dedicated crew of 10, including the captain, the atmosphere onboard feels relaxed and friendly right from day one. Our cabin even featured a lovely private balcony. A top deck Jacuzzi and an open-air fitness area complete the experience. The cruise organization is completely seamless, and the crew balances high professionalism with genuine warmth.
Two consistent themes throughout the journey were the immaculate cleanliness of every town visited and the outstanding quality of the local food, with every restaurant stop offering top-tier gastronomy. I was also pleasantly surprised by the vibrant atmosphere and the large number of young visitors, an energetic international crowd that gives a fresh feel not just to the main cities, but to almost every Dalmatian town.
Before embarking on our cruise, we spent the night just outside Dubrovnik's historic center, on the peaceful Lapad Peninsula, at Hotel More. The real highlight of the hotel is Cave Bar More, a spectacular venue set inside a natural cave that was unexpectedly discovered during the hotel's construction. Ranked among the world's most impressive subterranean bars by major media outlets, it spans across 3 levels, featuring natural rock formations and stalactites nearly 8,000 years old. A narrow passage leads to a stunning waterfront terrace right by the sea, creating an unforgettable atmosphere to unwind with a cocktail before setting sail.
Here are the key stops from a cruise I highly recommend to everyone.
Dubrovnik: A medieval gem in southern Dalmatia and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Dubrovnik captivates you instantly with its massive stone walls rising above the Adriatic. It is a vibrant city filled with international visitors and a strong presence of young travelers. Walking the entire length of the elevated ramparts is a must for breathtaking views, as is taking a kayak tour to explore the coastal cliffs and Lokrum Island from the water. I strongly suggest staying overnight if you can: when the evening lights illuminate the limestone streets, the atmosphere becomes truly magical.
We dined at Restaurant Dubrovnik, and it was memorable.
Ston and the Oyster Reserve: A bus ride brought us to Ston, famous for its ancient salt pans and a medieval fortification system known as the "European Great Wall of China". From there, we boarded a boat into the marine reserve for an oyster and mussel tasting on the uninhabited Banja Island. Shellfish cultivation here dates back to medieval times, and sampling European flat oysters at local seafood spots while learning about regional history was a highlight of the trip.
Korčula: Docking just steps from the town, we explored Korčula with a local guide who shared the fascinating history of this remarkably preserved town, famous for its maritime heritage, historic stone architecture, and unique herringbone street layout designed to protect against strong winds.
On the island of Korčula, we dined at Konoba Belin, located inland near the town of Korčula. It is one of those tavern-style restaurants where the food you taste has the timeless flavor of days gone by, and the people possess an old-fashioned, genuine quality.
Mala Stiniva (Hvar): The most impressive docking maneuver of the journey. The skilled captain brought the bow of My Wish just a few meters from the shore inside the small cove of Mala Stiniva. Surrounded by steep green hills and crystal-clear water, the setting was absolute paradise for photography.
Jelsa and the Stari Grad Plain. Jelsa is the ideal base to explore Hvar's wine country. Nearby lies the Stari Grad Plain, a UNESCO site preserving the original agricultural land parceling set up by ancient Greek colonists in 384 BC. Today, these fields produce local varieties like Plavac Mali and Bogdanuša. During our stop, we visited the famous Tomić wine cellar for a fantastic tasting of local wines.
Hvar and the Hvar Summer Festival. A quick bus ride up the hill brought us to the fortress overlooking Hvar Town. The elevated vantage point provides a breathtaking panoramic view across the red-roofed old town, the bustling streets below, and the Pakleni Islands scattered across the blue sea. During the summer, Hvar becomes an irresistible magnet for young international travelers who bring a vibrant and stylish energy to the island. Alongside its famous nightlife, the town holds a rich cultural tradition highlighted by the Hvar Summer Festival. This long-standing festival transforms historic landmarks, such as the ancient Franciscan Monastery and Veneranda, into open-air stages for classical music concerts, theatrical performances, and dance, offering a seamless mix of high culture and youthful summer spirit.
Zlatni Rat (Brač): On the island of Brač, the main highlight was the iconic Zlatni Rat beach, famous for its golden pebble spit that shifts shape with the ocean currents and wind. From the small harbor, we hopped on a road train that runs along the coastal path to reach the beach directly. The view of the crystal-clear sea and surrounding scenery is stunning, making it a great spot for photos. For the return trip to the pier where our yacht was docked, we decided to walk back along the coast to enjoy the views at a relaxed pace. A quick tip: it is best to visit early in the morning, as the beach gets quite busy from around 1 PM onwards.
Milna (Brač): Milna, or as the Venetians historically called it "Valle di mille navi", is a coastal village full of authentic charm. While the Venetian word Valle originally referred to a deep marine inlet, many today translate it as "the bay of a thousand ships" rather than "valley" to capture its geographic nature. Its crystal-clear waters and peaceful harbor make it a wonderful place to stop. The evening ended with an unforgettable dinner at Restaurant Bago, an unpretentious seaside taverna owned by Luka and Marina. Luka is also a fisherman, ensuring extraordinarily fresh seafood for their guests. Right in front of the restaurant, standing on the rocks by the shore, is the striking bronze statue of a fisherman, erected to honor Milna's deep-rooted maritime heritage.
Trogir Set on a small island connected by bridges, Trogir is a compact treasure trove of Romanesque and Renaissance architecture. Its UNESCO-listed old town centers around the impressive Cathedral of St. Lawrence, intricate stone portals, and charming alleyways.
Krka National Park One of the most impressive natural excursions on the itinerary. Traveling inland along the river leads to a dramatic landscape where water cascades over tufa barriers. The wooden boardwalks allow you to walk directly over the Skradinski Buk waterfalls, completely immersed in the lush greenery and the sound of rushing water, creating a dream location for landscape photography.
Šibenik My personal favorite stop of the whole cruise. Less crowded than other coastal hubs, Šibenik features a historic center cascading down a hillside protected by four stone fortresses and the magnificent St. James Cathedral. Šibenik is also recognized as the home of the Dalmatian Dog, an intriguing piece of local cultural heritage that we explored during our visit. Food lovers will appreciate that the town is home to Pelegrini, one of the four Michelin starred restaurants in Dalmatia. At night, Šibenik truly comes alive as the spotless stone streets fill with young people, open air bars, live music, and outdoor concerts. The mix of history, cleanliness, fine dining, and nightlife makes it unforgettable
We dined at the Michelin-starred Pelegrini, set in a truly ethereal medieval courtyard. The location and atmosphere are unbeatable; however, it comes with a high price tag. While the food is undoubtedly good and beautifully presented, considering the price and my previous experiences at other Michelin-starred restaurants, I expected a higher level of culinary impact.
Split Split seamlessly blends ancient history with vibrant modern energy. The heart of the city is Diocletian's Palace, a vast 4th-century Roman complex that remains a lively urban center filled with high end restaurants and cafes set among ancient columns. Split attracts crowds of young travelers from all over the world, partly thanks to global events like the Ultra Europe festival, a massive electronic music gathering that brings incredible energy and drives the local economy. Strolling along the pristine Riva promenade offers endless photographic opportunities.
Split is full of restaurants and bars; the ones we tried and enjoyed the most include Šug—a Michelin-recommended spot located just beyond the city’s bustling coastal promenade—which is also my personal favorite.
On the other hand, there are restaurants situated right in the heart of the tourist-heavy area, such as Portofino, which offers upscale Mediterranean cuisine,
and Bokeria Kitchen & Wine. The only drawback to the latter is that it can get extremely busy and noisy during the peak summer season—but if that doesn’t bother you, then I recommend it.
If you are interested in a getaway like this, be sure to visit their website: Unforgettable Croatia, award-winning small ship cruises and luxury private tours at unforgettablecroatia.com.
Personally, I highly recommend them!