With nearly 30 years in the travel industry and stamps from all seven continents in her passport, Senior Travel Counsellor Ned Ambrus brings a world of knowledge and passion to every journey she plans. Ned is always in search of meaningful experiences and hidden gems. Her most recent adventure took her to Croatia and Montenegro with Calvados Club, where she discovered breathtaking coastlines, centuries of history, and the warm hospitality that defines the Adriatic.  In this blog, Ned shares highlights from her journey and why these destinations should be at the top of every traveller’s list.

Ned’s Journey Through Croatia and Montenegro

Croatia is to Europe like Canada is to North America; the little child that is outstanding in beauty, with charming people, a quirky culture and a passionate love of their country. 

Croatia is a tiny country in Europe that holds so much charm and beauty and fame not only due to its history, but also now, in modern times. Filming of Game of Thrones was done in several locations throughout the country, and I, for one, was excited to see the Red Keep and many other locations made famous from the show. Yes, I’m a GOT nerd, but when I see a beautiful place on TV, it makes me want to visit (if it wasn’t already on my list). Croatia was just that; on my list, but full of specific highlights I looked forward to exploring.

This was a ‘working’ trip for me, which meant that while I got to explore many beautiful sites, walk through old castles, walled cities and stunning national parks, I was also there to do research. Fortunately, I went with one of our preferred luxury suppliers, Calvados Club, whom I had worked with in the past on several files for clients travelling to this wonderful gem. It was a combination of sightseeing, exploring, eating and drinking, and site inspections to help give me a better understanding of the country and the hotels and destinations that are on offer. This will allow me to help my clients plan their trip to Croatia and possibly Montenegro, as I had the pleasure of spending a few days there as well and seeing yet another beautiful, culturally rich country.

Calvados Club is a luxury custom supplier that creates dream itineraries for our clients at Tier One, and their service is second to none. We were treated like royalty, and we were able to explore all of the sites on our schedule. The private drivers, the early entrances, the private visits to local organic farms, truffle hunting farms, oyster farms, vineyards, palaces, beaches, and ancient walled cities were engaging and relaxing at the same time. I never felt rushed seeing the sites, and we managed to avoid a lot of crowds, given it was later in the season, yet the weather was unbelievably beautiful. The average temperature was 20C for our entire trip, and this was in October! It was a perfect time to explore Croatia, and I would encourage clients to reconsider travelling to Europe in October as crowds are less, the weather is still lovely and not too hot, and the fall colours were exceptional.

One of our visits was to a local organic farm owned by a family for 3 generations who introduced us to the UNESCO-protected dish, “Soparnik,” a traditional specialty from the Poljica Republic era. We watched it being made by hand, the dough rolled out into a large circumference, filled with fresh Swiss chard, garlic and olive oil and salt, and then placed on a flat bed of ashes and covered by more ashes and roasted in the heat. After it came out, it was glazed with olive oil and (more!) garlic and was absolutely delicious. We got to spend a couple of hours learning about the farm, some local foods and beverages and had a delicious lunch overlooking the beautiful countryside.

One of the highlights for me prior to going was wanting to see the island of Hvar, as I’d been told by a long-time friend it’s one of the most beautiful places on earth, and he did not exaggerate. We were lucky enough to spend 2 nights on the island, in different locations, giving us the chance to explore in depth. Plus, we took a catamaran out to a private beach and had a delightful afternoon swimming in the Adriatic, enjoying the sunshine and having a lovely lunch. It was a perfectly relaxing afternoon with incredible views, and we also visited Korkula Island, the hometown of Marko Polo, the world’s first traveller. 

Oh, did I mention the wine? Every country I’ve been to that makes wine says they are the best; Croatia was a pleasant surprise, as the wines we were served at the vineyards and during our meals were delicious. A wide range of grapes and different geographical growing locations made for a new wine to experience every day, and they all were so good! Everyone in the group was so impressed with the wine that several people bought bottles to bring back home, and fresh olive oil was another delicacy that may have made it into my suitcase 🙂 

We also got to go truffle hunting with the dogs, which, being a huge animal lover, was a real treat for me, and the entire group really enjoyed it. Plus, we got to taste all the delicious foods made with truffles, from eggs to butter, to bread, cheeses and much more. Plus, the dogs were super cute and really good at their jobs! Visiting an oyster farm was a huge learning curve for me as I’d never been to one before, and after learning all about the process, the group got to dive into oysters and fresh steamed mussels that left everyone grinning and then a beautiful sunset sail back to our hotel.

Calvados Club pays attention to all the details; nothing is too small or too big. Their service is exceptional, and all my clients who have travelled with them have commented on the same. I felt like royalty even though it was a work trip, and all the incredible sites we saw were so well preserved and so fascinating. In our few days in Montenegro, we got to go to Porto Novi, Perast and again were treated so kindly, and our local guide in Kotor was second to none. Actually, all our local guides were outstanding in their knowledge and explanations; no question was unanswered. I also found the locals in both countries to be very kind and helpful, sometimes even going out of their way to help me, which was so appreciated! 

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Plitvice Lakes National Park, truly one of the most beautiful parks in the world, and we got to spend a few hours exploring all the incredible scenery and waterfalls. The hidden gem for me was the area of Istria in the northern part of Croatia, and particularly the town of Rovinj. You know when you go somewhere and it just feels right? And you feel calm and happy and content? That’s how I felt in Istria: small towns, friendly people, quaint town squares and stunning sunsets every night. Definitely not something to be missed.

I had the luxury of spending almost 2 weeks in Croatia and Montenegro with Calvados Club, and it was a spectacular trip. I learned and saw so much, and feel much better versed to help sell these wonderful countries to travellers who have done Western Europe and/or the UK and are looking for something different. The distances between destinations are not too long, the roads are well paved, the people are friendly, the sites are incredible, the food is amazing, and just all around excellent destination to consider for your next trip to Europe.

Croatia and Montenegro offer a perfect blend of natural beauty, rich history, and warm hospitality, destinations that invite you to slow down and truly take it all in. Whether you’re drawn to the sparkling Adriatic coast, medieval towns, or unforgettable cuisine, these countries promise an experience that stays with you long after you return home.

Contact Ned Ambrus to start planning your own Adriatic adventure and discover the magic of Croatia and Montenegro for yourself.