Croatia + Dubrovnik – How to make it work for your budget

Croatia – and Dubrovnik in particular – has been added to almost everyone’s “gotta go” list over the last few years. Spectacular coastline, crystal clear waters, idyllic weather during the summer months – it’s hard to go wrong.

With more tourists come higher prices – but also better quality hotels, restaurants, and over-all services. While most people who visit are on cruise ships – and ultimately spend only a few hours on land in a couple different ports – the Croatian coast is a perfect get-away for a relaxing holiday – if you do it right!

We’ve organized “land” stays in Croatia for members with limited time, but by far our best “wow” adventure has been sailing along the coast for 2 small groups of friends. “Best holiday ever”, “most relaxed I’ve been in years” – hard to beat that feedback.

Dubrovnik is the ideal starting point – flights work well and the 5 star Villa
Dubrovnik (http://www.villa-dubrovnik.hr/) is an unbelievable way to start your adventure. Atmosphere Concierge members love it. In high-season though, rates can be extremely high – if you can even get a room – and if you need 2 or 3 rooms for a couple of nights, that can add up.

We took an interesting approach for one small group – and created a private “apartment” for them. It’s actually 4 bedrooms at “Rooms Raic” (a quick Google search will get you there). Rather than just getting them the 3 bedrooms they needed, we rented out all 4 – all for less than one room for one night in a luxury hotel. For that they got their own apartment, private balcony with killer views of

Dubrovnik, the sea and sunsets, a full kitchen (the owner will even stock the fridge if you ask), all with-in less than a 10 minute walk from Old Town.

After a couple of days in Dubrovnik (best dinner secret – charter a speed boat to take you to Cavtat at sunset – and bring along champagne for ride – then cab it back), they set off for their sailing adventure.

Here too there are options for every taste – luxury catamaran and sailboats with Captain, yachts of every shape and size, or a fully-crewed gullet. Then a week of sailing, swimming in private bays, dinner at restaurants only accessible by boat – where your Captain will call in to see what’s fresh, place your order, and have it waiting that evening – we know, we’ve done it.

Luxury either way, just a different approach. Because it’s not about how much you spend, it’s how you spend it, and how you spend your time.