Croatia in Frames: Sea, Stone, and Sunsets
Croatia has a way of sneaking up on you. A place I never had thought of traveling to and it became one of my favorites! One minute you’re wandering narrow stone streets that feel like a movie set, the next you’re perched by the Adriatic Sea listening to music the ocean makes for itself. This trip wasn’t about ticking boxes, but about slowing down and boy, was it nice not to have to be anywhere or have a to-do list. The light, texture, and little moments stayed with me!
Zadar Highlights
Started my trip solo in Zadar before joining a group trip a few days later. Zadar is quieter, slower. The Sea Organ is so unique and unforgettable - you just sit, listen, and let the ocean play you out as the sun sets.
Where I Stayed: Hyatt Regency Zadar
Zadar felt even more like a retreat because of where I stayed. The Hyatt Regency Zadar sits right on the Adriatic — a glass of wine on the terrace, the sunset walk along the water, even the light coming through the spa and pool made me want to grab my camera. I’d stay here again in a heartbeat!
It is the first Hyatt hotel in Croatia that recently opened in May 2025. It had everything you’d want in a personal getaway: modern and comfortable rooms, spa with saunas and steam rooms, indoor and outdoor heated pools, a well appointed fitness center, and within minutes of the Old Town, and even a beach.
Split (Meeting the Group)
From Zadar, I traveled south to Split, where I met the group of twenty fellow travelers. Hosted by 10X Travel and run by TrovaTrip, it was a mix of personalities and backgrounds, all bound by a shared obsession with points, miles, and seeing the world. Split was our launchpad: cobblestone streets, bustling squares, and dinners that stretched into laughter.
Korčula (Vineyards + Sea)
Korčula was the pause button. Two days of vineyards, winding streets, and sun spilling across cobblestones. The group grew closer here — long lunches in the sun, wine glasses never empty, and sea views that felt like a postcard come to life.
Dubrovnik (Final Day Together)
Our last stop was Dubrovnik, a city that feels both ancient and cinematic. Walking the walls with the group was the finale: stone glowing, sea shimmering, and the sense that we were closing a chapter together.
Croatia wasn’t just about the places — it was about how they unfolded. Solo mornings in Zadar, group dinners in Split, vineyard afternoons in Korčula, and sunsets on Dubrovnik’s walls. Sometimes the best journeys are the ones that shift gears — from solitude to shared experience, from quiet reflection to loud laughter.
If You Go
Start → Zadar (Sea Organ at sunset, stay at Hyatt Regency Zadar)
Split → Explore Diocletian’s Palace + waterfront
Korčula → Vineyard tours + cobblestone charm
Dubrovnik → Walk the walls of Game of Thrones
How I Traveled → Solo start, then joined a group trip with 10X Travel x TrovaTrip
