Island Hopping with the Wines of Croatia
(22 Reviews)
100% Recommended
Jeff Coggin
Newnan, GA
European River Cruise Expert
River cruising is a great way to see the wine regions of Europe.
You get to travel through some of the most beautiful and historic wine-growing regions in the world, while also enjoying the convenience and comfort of a river cruise ship.
River cruising is a great way to see the wine regions of Europe.
You get to travel through some of the most beautiful and historic wine-growing regions in the world, while also enjoying the convenience and comfort of a river cruise ship.
There are many different river cruise itineraries that focus on wine, so we can find one that fits your interests and budget. Some popular wine regions for river cruising include:
- The Dordogne & Garonne rivers, in the Bordeaux region
- The Rhine River in Germany, France, and Switzerland- The Douro River in Portugal
- The Rhone River in France
- The Danube River in Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and Germany
- The Moselle River in Germany
On a river cruise, you'll have the opportunity to visit wineries, go on wine tastings, and learn about the history and culture of winemaking in each region. You'll also enjoy the beautiful scenery of the wine country, and sample some of the delicious local cuisine.
Here are some of the benefits of river cruising for wine lovers:
- Convenience: River cruises are a great way to see a lot of wine country in a short amount of time. You don't have to worry about driving, parking, or finding your way around.
- Comfort: River cruise ships are typically small and intimate, so you'll feel like you're part of a small group. The cabins are spacious and comfortable, and there are plenty of amenities on board, such as restaurants, bars, and swimming pools.
- Education: Many river cruise lines offer educational programs about winemaking, so you can learn about the history and process of winemaking. You'll also have the opportunity to meet with winemakers and learn about their wines.
- Affordability: River cruises can be a great way to experience wine country without breaking the bank. There are a variety of price points available, so we can find a cruise that fits your budget.
If you're a wine lover, I highly recommend considering a river cruise as a way to see the wine regions of Europe. It's a great way to relax, learn about winemaking, and sample some of the world's best wines.
Can Be Reached At
1-800-912-9701
Coggin Travels hosted a wine lover's cruise in Croatia in June 2023 with 35 guests. We started with a pre-cruise stay in Dubrovnik where we walked the City Walls and learned about Dubrovnik's amazing history. We enjoyed delicious food and wine, which is a big part of Dubrovnik's culture.
Once aboard the the M/S Antaris, we toured the peninsula Pelješac to be inspired with the Ultimate Oyster & Wine Experience. We sailed through Mali Ston bay and boarded a wooden floating dock where we learned everything about cultivating oysters. Then we enjoyed tasting them fresh, just taken out from the sea. From there we enjoyed wine tastings at the Edivo Wine Bar and Grgic Vina.
From there we stopped on Island Korcula, famous for its millennia-old tradition of winemaking. Unlike the rest of Dalmatia, which is known mostly for its red wine varieties, the Island of Korcula is renowned above all for the quality of its white wine made from its native grapevine varieties. In the central region of the Island, Pošip and Rukatac varieties are cultivated, while in Lumbarda, on the eastern side of the island, there are vineyards of Grk. Among the red wine varieties, the most popular one is Plavac Mali. We enjoyed a wine tasting at Bire Winery. Bire Winery is Korcula’s first organic wine producer and has a taste of the island’s traditional wines. A century after the indigenous grape variety grk disappeared from Korcula, vintner Frano Milina replanted it and started making what is now his signature Bire Grk white. At Cara, besides being famous for extra quality olive oil, it is the famous white wine Pošip. The winery and olive press are situated at the edge of the wine yards.
Then on to Island Hvar to visit Sv. Stephen’s square or Piazza, the place where locals meet, the living room of Hvar. Tour the Theatre in the Arsenal building, after being closed for renovation for over 20 years, this year it finally opened its doors for visitors, audience and actors. See elegant city Loggia and the old Palace hotel, once Austrian Empress Sissi’s spa hotel, now being renovated into its old glory as Palace Elisabeth heritage hotel, Hvar’s first 5 star hotel! Walk the Old streets and Benedictine nunnery, where nuns keep the secret of their unique handicraft which is now a part of UNESCO Cultural Heritage of Humanity - lace making of agave threads. We continued sailing to Stari Grad, Island Hvar. The narrow streets and laneways of Stari Grad’s old town (fun fact, Stari Grad actually means ‘Old Town’), some dating back 384 BC, are picture perfect - white-stone streets, marble pathways, bougainvillea growing on street corners, and the ubiquitous smell of lavender wafting through the air.
Next stop gorgeous Trogir (called Trau by the Venetians) is set within medieval walls on a tiny island, linked by bridges to both the mainland and to the far larger Ciovo Island. On summer nights everyone gravitates to the wide seaside promenade lined with bars, cafes and yachts, leaving the knotted, mazelike marble streets gleaming mysteriously under old-fashioned streetlights.
Finally on to Split. Built around Diocletian's Palace, a nearly 2000-year-old relic of the Roman Empire, this is a city begging to be explored. Uncover the many layers of history that make up this evocative region on your own private Split tour. The heart of Split is the city's majestic cathedral that rises from within the ancient walls of Diocletian's Palace. Built upon the octagonal base of a Roman Mausoleum, the Cathedral of Saint Domnius is a testament to many eras of Western history, from Roman Times, through to the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Stroll along the marble streets inside the Palace walls, where you can shop for local souvenirs, or simply take in the ambience of this World Heritage site. At the harbourside promenade, stop at one of the pleasant sidewalk cafes for a cool drink.