Carla’s Curated Compass

Where culture, luxury, and adventure meet to spark your next unforgettable escape.

Hi Reader,

In the spirit of February and Valentine's Day, I wanted to share some details of a trip I've been planning for myself and my husband. This summer, we will be celebrating our 20th anniversary with a 17-day trip beginning in Dubrovnik, Croatia before continuing on with nights in Split and Rovinj to explore the Istria peninsula. The second half of our trip includes a stay in Lake Bled, Slovenia (the magnificent lake with a small island and overlooking the Alps) and a train to the Emilia Romagna region of Italy (Bologna, Parma and Modena) before our journey commences in Florence. Our busy lives and the demands of raising kids active in sports prohibit us from traveling to this region of the world as much as we'd love to (we still love 'em though 😉!), but this is one trip we are pulling out all the stops. I'm looking forward to this adventure, as there is no one I enjoy traveling with more than my guy.

Our trip: Croatia, Slovenia & Emiglia Romagna

Our trip is 17-days packed full of sight-seeing, coastal cruising, parks and cave exploration, and of course utter food and wine indulgence.

I've been lucky enough to work through my Virtuoso partnership with Travelive to plan this trip and I'm excited to share just some of the highlights of what is to come:

Dubrovnik, Croatia

• Stari Grad Hotel: Our trip kicks off with a stay in the charming hotel tucked inside Dubrovnik’s iconic historic core, just steps from the famed city walls and hidden alleyways.
• Strolling the ancient Old Town: Exploring its stone streets, cafés, and sea views are quintessential Dalmatia.

Split & The Adriatic Coast

• 5-Island Exploration Tour: A scenic day cruising the Adriatic, hopping among secluded bays, charming islets, and sparkling waters. This will be perfect for photos, quick swims, and coffee stops along the way.
• Wandering historic Split: This city is built around the Roman Diocletian’s Palace where everyday life mingles with centuries of history.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

• We'll experience this UNESCO-listed masterpiece of cascading lakes and waterfalls, framed by lush forest paths and boardwalks - nature at its most serene.

Istria Peninsula Adventure

• Explore rolling vineyards, olive groves, and picture-perfect hilltop towns: Istria’s countryside delivers some of Croatia’s best wine, truffle, and olive-oil experiences. A delight for food lovers like us.

Lake Bled, Slovenia

• We will be staying at Rikli Balance Hotel. It is beautifully situated on Lake Bled’s shoreline, with serene views of the iconic church-topped island and alpine backdrop.
• Lakeside walks and a boat ride to the island - a picture-postcard highlight of this Alpine jewel.

Slovenia Caves & Castles

• Škocjan Caves is a dramatic underground canyon of stalactites and stalagmites, known for its immense chambers and river-carved passages.
• Predjama Castle is a medieval fortress built into a cliff face, steeped in legends of knights and rebels.
• Postojna Cave is one of Europe’s most impressive cave systems. It is part of Slovenia’s classic natural heritage trio along with Škocjan.

Food and Wine Across Northern Italy

• Bologna, Parma & Modena Food Tour: A gastronomic immersion into Emilia-Romagna’s finest: think rich tortellini, Parmigiano-Reggiano, traditional balsamic, and perfectly paired local reds.
• Chianti Wine Tasting near Florence: our journey commences with a day among rolling hills, vine-lined estates, and award-winning Sangiovese pours. This is classic Tuscany at its best.

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