Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, located along the Adriatic Sea, is renowned as one of the most stunning coastlines you’ll have the pleasure to witness. Stretching from Zadar to Dubrovnik, it features crystal clear waters, a myriad of islands, ancient Roman ruins and vibrant local culture. To hear first-hand  what its like to cruise this coastal paradise, we had the pleasure to speak with Luxury Gold guest Sal who recently travelled with his wife on our Croatia & The Dalmatian Coast tour.

Discover the journey: Croatia & The Dalmatian Coast

An Unexpected Delight

“It was phenomenal,” says California resident Sal when asked to sum up his journey along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, admitting to not knowing much about this Balkan paradise before he and his wife set off on this tour. “Usually, I do a lot of research before a vacation,” he tells us, explaining that this was a more a spur of the moment decision. Originally looking to spend a month in Italy, a country they love, Sal decided to mix it up a bit and chose Luxury Gold’s Croatia & The Dalmatian Coast journey, with its seven day cruise of the islands..

“It was the best decision I made,” he tells us. “We’ve been to Italy six times and it’s lovely, but Croatia was just like a real breath of fresh air. Everything was clean and bright, the people were friendly, and it felt very safe. And the country is just beautiful. I had wanted to be surprised, and we were pleasantly surprised throughout the whole trip.”

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Croatia & The Dalmatian Coast – The Tour

Croatia & The Dalmatian Coast is a 2-week luxury small group journey, starting in the capital Zagreb with a stay in the magnificent and storied Esplanade Hotel. With the first few days on land, you’ll experience Croatia’s extensive natural beauty at the stunning Plitvice Lakes National Park and explore the country’s rich history with a visit to the ancient Pula Arena. You’ll also enjoy an exclusive introduction to Croatian cuisine as you try your hand at truffle hunting in Istria on this luxury vacation to Croatia.

Then, on Day 5 it’s time to take to the crystal waters for a seven-day cruise. Built to the highest specifications, the MV Markan Deluxe yacht-like cruiser provides you with an unforgettable sailing experience through the charming islands that adorn Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. Geographically, the Dalmatian stretch of Croatia’s coast begins from the town of Zadar at the foot of the Northern Velebit Mountains, running south past major towns along the coast at Sibenik, Trogir, Split, down to Dubrovnik, the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’.

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A Thousand Islands, and More

Croatia is in fact and archipelago made up of 1,244 natural islands, of which 48 are inhabited. These range from glitzy party islands catering to the rich and famous, to islands hosting tiny communities and preserving a medieval way of life. From large to small, flat to hilly and forested to barren, there’s something for everyone, and together these islands form the centerpiece of Croatia’s charm. On Luxury Gold’s Croatia & The Dalmatian Coast journey, your cruise takes in the islands of Hvar, Sibenik, Sali, Mali Losinj, plus the coastal stops of Mali Ston, Zadar and Dubrovnik.

“As you sail, seemingly out of nowhere, there’s these little islands everywhere you look, hundreds of them,” says Sal. “Then as you get closer you see a development, whether it be a single house or a little community, an actual village or a bigger city. The architectural feats that they overcame to create these places I find amazing. Along with using rocks from the island, everything has to be brought by boat, every window, every brick.

“Each of the islands we stopped at had their own charm and their own individual character. The architecture is similar, as are the food and the people, but they all had different topography and were different in their own special way.”

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Front Row Seats to Croatia 

Cruising the islands of Croatia’s Dalmatian coast with Luxury Gold is more than just sailing in VIP style. On the island of Lošinj you’ll enjoy a private tour of the Museum of Apoxyomenos, home to a famous 2000-year-old Greek bronze statue, which had been perfectly preserved in the nearby seabed. While in the quiet town of Mali Ston, you’ll stroll out to the floating oyster beds and savor fresh, briny oysters straight from the sea.

When asked his highlights, Sal tells us that though there were so many it is hard to pick, but for him ultimately it was life on the water. “It felt like it was like our own private yacht, you know the lifestyle of the rich and famous,” he says with a grin. “As you arrive you have front row seats. You pull in right at the heart of the harbor, where most of the life of the city revolves around, they tie up the boat, you walk off and you’re in the heart of everything.”

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The MV Markan

At 48 m long, the elegant MV Markan is spacious yet intimate. Modern amenities include air-conditioned cabins with private facilities and a large sundeck with a hot tub and chaise loungers. Your every need is attended to by a dedicated crew and the cuisine on board is delicious.

“Dining during the cruise was a nice combination,” Sal says. “When it was convenient, we would eat on the boat, including breakfasts, or when travelling overnight and we had a fabulous Captain’s Dinner. Alternatively we would eat at restaurants on our stops.

“I’m not a big seafood person and I don’t actually eat fish, which is not ideal when you’re in the Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea and every stop is a harbor town! But I was still able to enjoy myself and eat well – the on-board chef was very accommodating and talented.

“Even though it’s a small crew running the boat, the service is exceptional. We had two bartenders who were also waiters. They wore lots of hats but knew all our names from the first day and were at our beck and call, they treated us so well.”

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Your Travel Concierge

At the helm of every Luxury Gold journey is your Travel Concierge. Fluent in the local language and experts in flawless service, they take care of all the details while you relax and enjoy yourself.

“Danielle our Travel Concierge was really great,” says Sal. “Very friendly and knowledgeable, happy to help with anything, and also very patient! It was great knowing that she was taking care of everything, and also on hand for all questions and recommendations.”

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Overall – Spectacular

“We’ve travelled with Insight Vacations before,” Sal tells us, talking of our sister brand at The Travel Corporation offering ‘Business Class’ style tours targeted at the curious mind, “and we heard about Luxury Gold being a bit of a step up. And it was. The hotels were spectacular, the small group size worked well for us, and the free time built into the itinerary.

“A lot of people think that guided tours are always going to be rushed but that was not the case. At almost every hotel we were there at least two nights, so we didn’t have to pack and unpack. Then on the cruise we were there for seven days, before a few more days on land. And when in Dubrovnik we just walked right out of the door of our hotel [the 5-star Hilton] and into the city. I really liked the pace of the tour, a perfect balance for us.

“Overall, it was just a spectacular trip. The beauty of Croatia combined with the lovely meals and restaurants, exceptional hotels and small group size made it the luxury vacation that we really deserved.”

Join us on Croatia & The Dalmatian Coast, a 15-Day luxury small group journey.

Kept alive by captivating museum exhibitions, movies, artworks and documentaries, the ancient and unique appeal of Egypt as a travel destination has never waned. From the pyramids to the Nile, the bustle of Cairo with its new Egyptian Museum – millions in the making – to the mellow coastline of the Red Sea resorts, tourist season in Egypt means ample sunshine, storytelling and a rich, ancient history to capture imaginations of all ages. But when should you plan to go?

The best time to take a luxury holiday to Egypt will vary depending on whether you’re visiting inland, riverside sights or the coast, and how active you want your trip to be. This North African nation has hot, dry summers in its desert landscapes and mild winters by the sea, with steady temperatures around the fertile Nile Delta. Whatever your wish list for digging into this culture-packed country, here are the best times to visit Egypt.

What is the best month for weather in Egypt?

Egypt is typically thought of as a winter sun destination – that is, it has the most comfortable temperatures for exploring and sightseeing over winter. Broadly, that means the best time to visit Egypt is in the months from October to April, with many choosing to fly to the Red Sea Coast (reached by airports in Sharm-el-Sheikh and Hurghada) in the deepest months of winter, November to January. This tourist season sees average daily temperatures of around 70-82 Fahrenheit maximum, pleasant for beachgoing and sightseeing, while in the summer months average heat can rise to as high as 88-90 F – far too hot for moving about comfortably in the daytime. 

Egypt’s Red Sea coast has beach resorts and coral reefs

What is the hottest month in Egypt?

July and August are the joint hottest months in Egypt, with high temperatures of 99 Fahrenheit and lows of just 79-81 F. This time of year, outside the usual tourist season, is not the best time to visit Egypt, whether you’re exploring inland or staying by the coast. Most locals and tour guides would urge you to avoid the hottest summer months. Instead, wait for cooler October or November, or go earlier than summer in March or April, to enjoy active days out such as visiting the pyramids at Giza, taking a cruise along the Nile River or seeing the majestic temples at Karnak or Luxor. 

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Egypt’s desert sights are best explored outside of summer

What is the cheapest month to go to Egypt?

While the central summer months are too hot to visit Egypt, the “shoulder seasons” of April-May and September-October are bearable weather wise, with some of the cheapest flights, hotel room rates and best availability for tours. This is a popular time to visit the Red Sea resorts of Sharm-el-Sheikh, Hurghada and El Gouna, when flight and hotel package deals dip in price and the middle of the day can feel very hot – but you have the sea to cool you, and the area’s incredible coral reefs to snorkel or dive. Winter in Egypt is more expensive, as tourists from Europe escape their colder climates for its balmy winter weather. Cruises along the enchanting River Nile operate all year round, so those who don’t mind braving the heat will save money on tours from June to August. Between March and May, a phenomenon called the Khamsin Wind can bring thick dust and sandstorms to the sightseeing areas around Giza and Luxor, which is less than ideal for visitors.

Bright coral found off Egypt’s coast

Does it get cold in Egypt?

Winter in Egypt is still a mild affair – Egypt’s weather in December sees warm, dry and sunny days with high temperatures of around 73 F, while Egypt’s weather in January is similar with highs of 72 F around the Red Sea coast. Winter is one of the best times to visit Egypt, with the milder heat meaning you can explore freely without worrying about overheating; though you may want the balmier evenings of November or February-March. Things are slightly cooler in Cairo in the heart of winter, with December and January seeing lows of 48 F in the city, while highs reach around 64 F. You’ll need to pack jackets and cardigans for meals out here, or for a Nile Cruise in December or January, when evenings cool off (though the weather is still mild by day). 

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Visit Egypt on Luxury Gold’s 11-day Elegance of the Nile tour or browse our collection of luxury vacation packages to Egypt.