From Croatia, with Love
Story and photos by Kate Treick
Last October, my husband Joel and I took a glorious cruise through the Mediterranean. We started our adventure in Rome and stopped in many noteworthy Italian ports. But what I didn’t fully expect when we started out was that our final stops in Dubrovnik and Split, Croatia, would be among our very favorite places of the trip.
Our first port of call in Croatia was the city of Dubrovnik. What a beautiful place! After a cappuccino overlooking the water, we walked through the streets of the Old City. We visited a church and a cathedral, I bought a couple of textiles (handmade lace and some embroidery), and we walked up and down about 35 million steps. Around noon, we took a cable car to the top of the mountain and enjoyed a fabulous lunch at Panorama Restaurant and Bar. As I sat enjoying my Aperol spritz while we soaked in the spectacular view, I marveled at the beauty all around me. I loved it all, from the ancient architecture to the rugged mountains and deep blue sea.
Our next stop was Split, which features Diocletian’s palace and lots of shops tucked in among the stone buildings of the old city. As we explored the narrow streets, we heard the resonant tones of a men’s quartet singing in tight harmony. And when we entered the Vestibule of the palace, there they were! The acoustics in the vestibule ensured that each note was perfectly amplified, and we were all transfixed by the men and their song. This type of singing is called “Klaptha,” a word which is translated “group of friends.” The men demonstrated that unique bond as they sang, painting portraits of life in Dalmatia, of love and friendship. We might not have understood the words, but there was no doubt as to the meaning. The sound of their voices was the perfect backdrop as we continued to discover the charm that Split had to offer.
The next day, we were off to Montenegro — a story for another time! But as our ship drifted away from the coast, we determined that we would be back. We can’t wait to return to Croatia to enjoy its amazing sights, delicious food and friendly locals. If you get the chance to visit, you’ll love it!
We expected to fall in love with Rome and the Amalfi Coast — but it was the charm, music and beauty of Croatia that captured our hearts.
