How a Croatian Vacation Sparked a Passion

In 2019, My husband, Dennis and I boarded a plane to Croatia, for what I thought would be a single Croatian Vacation — a way to reconnect with the family I still had there and to feel closer to my mother, who had passed away in 2010.

My mother was born in the former Yugoslavia, in what is now Croatia. She brought her culture, her language, and her recipes to the United States, but my younger sister and I grew up without any extended family here. All our aunts, uncles, and cousins lived in Croatia.

That trip in 2019 was meant to be a bridge back to them — a few weeks of catching up after decades apart. I’m fluent in Croatian, so I became the natural translator between Dennis and my family. My cousins speak English, but my older aunts and uncle do not. Still, something incredible happened around those kitchen tables, over plates of fresh bread and platters of grilled fish: Dennis didn’t need words to belong.

Through laughter, gestures, and shared meals, they adopted him as one of their own. They even gave him a Croatian nickname: “Dennisovich” — Croatia’s adopted son.

My cousins had shown us places you won’t find on a tourist map—tucked-away coves, tiny villages, and forgotten towns. We’ve walked through centuries-old historic sites and explored local towns still carrying the visible and emotional scars of the Homeland War—stories of heartbreak, leaving behind a quiet reminder of what was lost.

When we returned in 2023, after the long pause of COVID, something shifted. Before, the love for Croatia had always been through my mother’s eyes and memories, but now, it was ours, too.

Each trip since then has taken us deeper. This isn’t just travel for us—it’s a passion Dennis and I share, woven into every experience we have together. The cobblestone streets, the Adriatic sunsets, the smell of the smoke drifting from a family's smoke-attic—it's all become part of who we are. What began as a way to stay connected to my roots and honor my mother’s memory has grown into a desire to share with others the Croatia that has captured our hearts—the one untouched by time, where the real magic comes alive and where the mega cruise ships can’t go.

And every time we go back, “Dennisovich” somehow makes his own connections — whether it’s with my family, a shop owner, crew members, or fellow travelers.

We started Croatian Adventurers as a simple Facebook page so my sister and Dennis’s father could follow our travels in real time. But it has turned into something more — a growing community of people who dream of exploring Croatia in a more intimate, authentic way.

Now, we want to give other travelers the chance to experience Croatia and Beyond as we do — with insider access, authentic connections, and unforgettable moments you can’t find on a tourist map. With our guidance, you’ll discover hidden places, savor local flavors, and create your own Croatian Adventure.