Photography Oriented Articles by Coronado’s Own Keith James
Keith and Marianne visited Croatia in May 2025. Keith posts articles and pictures on MacFilos and wrote two.
Discovering Split: A photographer’s paradise in Croatia – Macfilos
Photographing Dubrovnik’s old city: The value of a great zoom lens
Article in Travel and Leisure
How to Get the Most Out of a Private Yacht Charter in Croatia, According to a Top Travel Advisor
Advice from our Agent
Other than Dubrovnik, the ship will dock right in the heart of these beautiful towns and villages. Since you are cruising during the morning (enjoying swim stops) and arrive in the port in the afternoon, it is optimal to simply get out and explore independently. These villages and towns are easy to enjoy and navigate.
Be creative! Take your time and do a late afternoon tour 5-7:00 before dinner so you’re not going at same time as all other tours.
Split
If guests are spending extra time in Split and want to hire their own guide, here’s our recommendation:
Tour guide – Jelena Vrancic (jelena_vrancic@hotmail.com).
Ports of Call Notes
Skradin
Skradin is a fishing village with great restaurants and lots of swans! It’s a popular port since it’s at the mouth of a national park. Cruisers can take a boat up river and see a myriad of waterfalls. Hikers can do a long hike.
Pomena
Pomena is a great place to rent bikes or kayaks. Mljet National Park can be visited from here.
Vis
Vis is also good biking and a great beach.
Per Ivana on July 22, “Recently, the Harbor Master of Vis has decided to limit the number of ships that can dock and the docking preference will be given by lottery two days prior to arrival. What this means for you: Your captain will not be able to confirm that they can dock in Vis until two days before arrival. If they are not granted a docking spot, then the captain will advise you of your choices for alternate ports.“
Dubrovnik
Included in your cruise cost, we will arrange for guides to do walking tours of the city of Dubrovnik. We will hire 3 guides to keep your group sizes small (10-12) as the streets are narrow and it’s easier and more enjoyable to navigate this way. Scheduled for 4 o’clock on August 5 (the day we arrive in Dubrovnik).
Read about this pass in the New York Times: Dubrovnik Pass
Captain’s Dinner
Traditionally a Captains’ dinner is held on the ship toward the end of the cruise. Guests can create a play list of favorite songs for a dance party to follow.
Winery Visits
If guests are interested in visiting wineries, when you stop in Cortula, there are a couple of nice wineries 15 minute ride away. Staff on the ship can arrange visits for 35-40 euros/pp.
Baraka and Antesladic wineries near Sibenik at end of tour have both won awards. Baraka hosts their tastings in a modern building in vineyard; Antesladic holds theirs in a garden area not at their vineyard. Cost to visit these is $20-25/pp at Baraka and 25-30/pp at Antesladic. Bus ride costs around 5 Euros, Once again, staff on the ship can assist with this.
The Cruise Manager should be able to help with winery visits.
Other
It is possible to rent bikes at some of the stops. Have is a destination for lavender blooms, but that happens late June/early July.
Starigrad (really beautiful town w/ lots of cute arts and crafts shops, wine tasting too
Special Dinner
We will arrange, a traditional Croatian ‘Peka” dinner the evening we are docked in Stari Grad.
When the boat docks in Stari Grad, we will be picked up by bus and delivered to an organic farm/winery called Hora Hvar in time for our 6:30 PM reservation, where our group will be served a private dinner overlooking the vineyards. The meal will be a traditional Croatian “Peka” with barbecued meats and traditional side dishes. Hora Hvar sells their own olive oil, lavender products and wine. There will be no extra charge for this. Here’s their website:
Though the Peka is not on the website, it is featured in their Facebook page.
Dianne is asking that people tell her which meal choice they want for the dinner.
Krka National Park
We will be able to access Krka National Park on our first day of cruising after moving to Skardin. We have made reservations for all the guests at 3 PM – please let Dianne know if you don’t want to go so we can cancel your reservation. We pay at the entrance (Ivana recommends we collect the money and have one person pay – 22.5 Euros each – hopefully we can get the Cruise Manager to do this.) Entrance by boat is included but one can also hike or bike to the waterfalls. The reservation says a 7:30 PM return by boat but one can go on whichever boat is available.
Scuba and Snorkel
Area isn’t great for scuba – water is clear but there is no great reef or coral system. But a couple of places can make arrangements. Snorkeling is great! Need to bring your own eye goggles; the boat has snorkels and fins. The boat has a sea scooter.
After (or Before) the Boat
Russ Nevitt’s friend made these recommendations.