The Insider's Club: March

The most complete GUIDE to the INSIDE

The Insider’s Club March 2018

Hot Spot of the Month

Croatia

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Choose Your News Explore: Croatia 4-7 Where To Stay 8-11 Exclusive Virtuoso World Travel Experiences 12-23 Tech News: Travel Technology 24-25

Explore: Croatia Written by Damien Martin

The beauty has always been there. It was scarred by war as Yugoslavia broke apart after a tumultuous 20th century. But now, Croatia is enjoying its moment in the sun on the world stage. From historic coastal cities such as Split and Dubrovnik to the aweinspiring nature of Plitvice Lakes National Park and more than

1,000 islands and islets, visitors have ample opportunity for their own moments in the Croatian sun. In numbers steadily approaching 15 million annually, those visitors must be finding plenty to love.

Getting outside and active is the way to soak up all that Croatia has in store, which makes multi-adventure itineraries from Backroads a fantastic fit. With biking, hiking and kayaking options, the trips pack a lot into six days. Starting in Split and ending in

Dubrovnik, they hit the highlights of the Adriatic.

“Croatia is an island destination for us,” Backroads regional sales manager Heidi Sheldon said. “Brac is known for its stonemasons; Hvar for sun, lavender, red wine. It’s trendy, you see a lot of yachts carrying celebrities. Korcula is the rumored birthplace of Marco Polo and heavily forested. There’s virgin pine forest and ancient oaks.”

With a pleasant Mediterranean climate, the coastal areas are great for an active adventure from May-early October.

“During the summer months, the Adriatic is really refreshing to swim in,” Sheldon said. “The water is warmest from late June into August.”

The multi-adventure trips (Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast to Montenegro, 101 Ways to Play in Croatia’s Dalmatian Islands and Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast: Split to Dubrovnik) can be as active as you want them to be.

“The trip leaders meet everybody’s needs” Sheldon said. “Short, medium, long” distances, it’s up to the traveler. And there’s always a van nearby if you planned on a long bike ride but decide you’ve had enough.

“Backroads trips include a lot of cultural activity as well,” Sheldon said, including wine tastings after you’ve worked up a healthy thirst.

Crafted for families with kids aged 9 through teenagers, the 101 Ways to Play itinerary and is designed with age-appropriate activities and pairs families who have children of similar ages to maximize enjoyment. The bikes and equipment provided cater to different sizes and skill levels so that no one is left out of the fun. Backroads provides helmets, water bottles and bikes on all departures.

Day 4 of the 101 Ways to Play and Split to Dubrovnik itinerary features a visit to the picturesque Pakleni Islands with kayaking in Palmizana Bay and a visit to an islet that boasts a beach, a couple of cafes and no cars. Cruise the bay in your kayak or take a leisurely lunch break, the choice is yours.

The Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast to Montenegro tour showcases Kotor, Montenegro, situated at the head of Southern Europe’s deepest fjord. With a two-night stay at the Venetian-inspired Regent Porto Montenegro and kayaking in the majestic Bay of Kotor, you’ll see why the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. And just as with Croatia, you’ll discover a previously hidden gem that is relishing its time in the spotlight.

Croatia:

Where you should stay

Villa Dubrovnik

A proud member of Mytha Hotel Anthology, Villa Dubrovnik is prominently positioned on the cliffs above the city’s prestigious St. Jacob district, a UNESCO World Heritage site rich in history and culture. Stunning panoramas of the Old City (to be reached with the hotel’s refurbished Venetian vaporetto) or Lokrum Island await in the 56 residences, almost all with sea views and all with private balconies and terraces. Enjoy the rooftop Prosciutto & Wine Bar and indulge in Mediterranean cuisine at Restaurant Pjerin or Al Fresco Bar Giardino. Exercise at the gym or indoor pool and soothe your soul with Villa Spa’s innovative treatments.

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Boutique Hotel Alhambra

A stay at the 51-room Boutique Hotel Alhambra seemingly suspends all time and space. Situated on tranquil Cikat Bay and surrounded by pine forest, this lavishly refurbished 1912 residence on Losinj Island, once a favorite royal retreat, spares no expense in creating one of Croatia’s most bespoke experiences. Walls of glass, clean lines, concept lighting and contemporary décor add a modern sensibility to its ageless grandeur, perhaps best appreciated from under a parasol on the private beach or on the restaurant’s terrace while enjoying a themed gastronomic experience and one of the area’s finest cellars.

Aman Sveti Stefan

Aman Sveti Stefan is at the center of Montenegro’s Adriatic coastline, on a unique site featuring more than a mile of beachfront (which includes three beaches), and breathtaking views of the sea, across the bay and along Montenegro’s most renowned stretch of coastline. The resort offers 50 guestrooms, cottages and suites on the island and eight suites at Villa Milocer. All rooms are decorated in a subtly elegant fashion; they provide every modern comfort while retaining the historic air and ambience of the island and the Villa. The resort has diverse dining options in an atmospheric setting reminiscent of its fabled past.

Hotel Korkyra

Hotel Korkyra is located in the very centre of Vela Luka in a peaceful area in the vicinity of the town harbour. It reads as one of the most significant hotels in the town; a hotel that combines various lifestyles with individual services. The interior of the hotel has been completely refurbished and its facade has been entirely renovated. There are 58 modernly designed rooms, a wellness centre, and an enclosed restaurant for 120 people as well as 140 seats on the hotel terrace, a bar, a swimming pool in the indoor yard.

Exclusive Virtuoso

World Travel Experiences

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World Travel Experiences

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World Travel Experiences

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World Travel Experiences

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05-20 April 2018 Canal to Cuba with Panama, Costa Rica and Colombia 28 Apr-11 May 2018 Discoveries of Coastal Europe 10-23 July 2018 Svalbard: A Polar Bear Quest

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World Travel Experiences

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World Travel Experiences

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Tech News:

Travel Tech

Fly Tot

We’re so excited to share our invention with you. We are two moms with young kiddos who have been searching for a way to make flying more relaxing for our children, which means more relaxing for us too.

The Original Fly Tot cushion is an inflatable bit of magic that allows your little ones to lie flat on a regular economy seat. It also works great on premium economy.

While airplanes have been offering more entertainment options for kids which we are very grateful for - the comfort of the seats have not improved much, making it difficult for kids to sleep for long periods of time.

Etymotic high-fidelity earphones

The new ER•20XS is the highly-awaited next generation of Etymotic’s industry-leading ETY•Plugs High-Fidelity Earplugs. ER•20XS eartips are interchangeable. ER•20XS earplugs can also be used with foam eartips with essentially no change in response.

Anker fusion 5000

This 2-in-1 Portable Charger and Wall Charger, AC Plug with 5000mAh Capacity, PowerIQ Technology, For iPhone, iPad, Android, Samsung Galaxy and more.