Recently, we traveled to Croatia, and as you could see from our many posts, it is a remarkable destination. It is no surprise that it is rapidly becoming a favored holiday location for many travelers.
This visit was my first experience in Croatia, which left me uncertain of what to anticipate.
My expectations were elevated due to the enthusiasm expressed by friends, who consistently praised its beauty. The first image I encountered, posted by a friend on Facebook (unretouched, mind you), was so breathtakingly exquisite that I initially believed it to be a fabricated image or an artwork.
It is fair to say this sparked a strong desire within me to visit.
Fast forward to Saturday morning – we awakened early at our hotel in Split and proceeded to the ferry terminal for a ride to an island.
I remained unaware of the island’s name until we arrived. I admit that my lack of research contributed to this; however, my companion Lloyd was well-informed, and that was sufficient for me.
It did not take long to discover we were bound for Solta Island (pronounced Shh-olta), which lies just about an hour from Split.
By the way, it may interest you to learn that numerous scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed in Split. More details will be covered in future posts (I couldn’t encapsulate everything in this one).
Upon our arrival at Solta, I felt somewhat lethargic from the early start. Nevertheless, as soon as the beauty of the island became apparent, my drowsiness swiftly transformed into a surge of excitement for exploring this captivating island.
We were still at the harbor at this point, and I was already captivated by the views.
The most effective means of illustrating the charm of this island is by enumerating the numerous reasons you will undoubtedly fall in love with Solta, one of the gorgeous islands in Croatia!
1.) The charming coastal hamlets and exquisite beaches
2.) The historic structures
3.) The charming local communities…
4.) … and the remarkable architecture reminiscent of southern France.
5.) The appreciation for bees! The local population embraces their bees, as they are vital to the ecosystem, and their honey is considered one of the superior natural sweeteners.
During our visit, we explored a beekeeping farm, run by a third-generation beekeeper!
Below is a photograph of him as a child alongside his father and grandfather.
He possesses a delightful personality and a wonderful sense of humor. If you visit the island, make sure to say hello to him! His website is www.tvrdichoney.com, which contains all relevant information regarding the farm and its bees.
He is incredibly knowledgeable about bees, and this topic is far more intriguing than many people realize!
That vibrant yellow substance in the picture is pollen collected by the bees… which you can consume!
Question: “What did the sushi say to the bee?”
Answer: “Wasabi!”
I apologize for the corny humor, but I couldn’t resist sharing this joke that had been on my mind for ages, and this moment just felt perfect!
This, depicted below, displays natural bee hives in their native habitat…
These villages encapsulate an undeniable cuteness! You can also rent residences and explore these charming localities!
There is quite an assortment of coastal villages on this relatively small island, thus providing travelers with a multitude of options for accommodation and experiences!
6.) Family-operated wineries! This journey included a significant quantity of wine tasting. Tremendous amounts of wine!
7.) The delightful aperitifs! Previously, I had not fully embraced the aperitif experience prior to visiting Croatia, but enjoying a pre-meal drink is now an essential part of dining out!
8.) The delectable snacks: locally grown olives, freshly baked bread, homemade olive spreads… Remarkable! Even the aperitifs were crafted with care!
9.) The exceptional wines! Interestingly, in Croatia, red wine is referred to as black wine. Additionally, green and black olives are actually from the same tree; the green ones are harvested earlier, while black ones are allowed to ripen longer on the branch before collection.
10.) The breathtaking views of the island… Even as you depart, the enchanting beauty of the island captures your heart, enticing you to return!
However, our journey must continue as Split awaits, leading us toward the next chapter of our adventure across Croatia! 🙂
By now, it is perhaps evident how effortlessly one can become enamored with Solta Island!
