Wanda’s Journey

I was born in the former Yugoslavia, now Croatia, a 2,000 year old city that was never officially named, it was only known as Fiume and Rijeka, both names meaning river. As a child, I grew up in Italy and now reside in the United States. I have always been intimately connected to three cultures that I have lived and have formed me. This opportunity has granted me my understanding and respect to all. My journeys are about creating bridges of cultures, friendships, as well as expansion of the heart and mind. I’ve traveled extensively for pleasure, work and education to such places as Asia, Africa, North and South America and to most of the islands of the Caribbean. Yet, the most fulfilling adventure of all has been rediscovering and falling in love again with the country of my birth – Croatia. Croatia is the new and most desirable travel destination for most of the world, but for me, it is one of “my countries and my emotional home”.

Since living among its ancient beauty, I understand how Croatia has been passionately coveted and desired by so many throughout the centuries. I have journeyed through the history of Croatia brought forth by the Celts, Romans, Ottomans, Venetians, Hapsburgs, and Italians. I’ve turned to the romance and memories of the fairytales of my childhood…I’ve witnessed the gas lamp slowly illuminate the streets of Kaptol, in the heart of the capital of Croatia. I have walked through extravagant, explosive colors of the flower market in Zagreb. Slowly meandered along the mountain roads of Gorski Kotar National Park, and then spontaneously stopped to pick wild violets and mushrooms.

I have encircled the heart shaped peninsula of Istra, walked the quaint streets of Rovinj and visited the house of Euphrasian with a private, professional English-speaking guide. I have walked on the ancient streets of the medieval hills towns of Istria and left my mark on the shiny levitated stones. I have picked the poppies and daisies from the fields of grain as I let my eyes wonder through magnificent valleys of emerald and gold. I have walked the gladiator’s walk as I entered the Amphitheatre in Pula, the three thousand year old Roman city of Istria. Further along the Liburnian Riviera, I climbed to the top of the church steeple of the medieval town of Labin and lingered to watch the night slowly cover with its mantle of stars a sky painted azure, violet and mandarin. In Opatija, I have danced to the music of Strauss on a terrace overlooking the Gulf of Kvarner bathed in moonlight. In Lovran I have rested my head on soft pillows of the elegant properties where I invite you to be pampered guests. I have strengthened friendships with already dear friends over a dinner of “slow food” of local Croatian delicacies in Kastav, one of the castle towns overlooking the Gulf of Kvarner. On the island of Krk, I quenched my thirst and refreshed my palate with chilled malvasja wine; I swam in the emerald bay of Baska and recognized the green eyes of a lover that forever touched my heart.

My intimate knowledge of Croatia has offered me personal explorations that are so precious to me. 1,185 of Croatia’s gorgeous and distinctive islands are dotted along the famed Adriatic Coast - The sapphire, turquoise, and emerald colors of the Adriatic Sea arouse my inquisitiveness - I have tried to reach as many islands as possible…I’ve called out “ima ribe?” to the silent fisherman as he navigates his boat filled with sparkling fish. The sea air commingles with the aromas of lavender and rosemary. I have feasted on sardelle drizzled with pure Dalmatian oil, accented with golden drops of plump, fresh lemons of the Neretva Valley of Dubrovnik. Continue to the Pelijesac Peninsula, in a town simply called Ston, the ancient beds still offer their erotic fruit where I’ve enjoyed my “passeggiata” along the second longest protected wall of the world. In Dubrovnik, the pearl of the Adriatic, I’ve strolled within the protection of such a magnificent jewel. I have been dazzled by the dramatic vistas offered by the Adriatic Coast of Croatia; everlasting memories that I can never replace nor possibly reinvent...only new adventures to uncover!

Let my Tasteful Croatian Journeys introduce you to the treasures of Croatia. I offer Croatia for you to explore, discover, experience and forever cherish.