destination of the summer: Croatia

the dilettante destination of summer 2025 is Croatia

Jun 25, 2025

Destination of is a series where we introduce the destination we will be highlighting for a period of time, whether it’s for a month or a whole season. Our focus is on making sure the guides and recommendations we give you throughout that time are intentional, sourced from locals, and curated to dilettantes visiting for the first time. In our first of many, we’re delighted to introduce the destination of Summer 2025.

The dilettante destination of the summer is:

Croatia

Croatia, the small country in the Mediterranean that has been on many of your bucket lists for years, has the honor of being the first destination to get the dilettante treatment. You might not be surprised our first featured destination is Croatia given I grew up there. However, I truly believe this is the year everyone is finally crossing it off of their bucket lists. After all, I made a prediction last year that everyone will be heading to Croatia in Summer 2025, and it’s already proving to be correct. So, we’re here to make sure the experience is worthy of a dilettante.

What to expect here on the dilettante this summer:

First off, if you’re getting ready for your trip to Croatia this year, here’s some inspiration to get you in the mood:

A Dilettante Moodboard:

A Dilettante Playlist:

The next several days we’ll be sharing various tips to prep you for your trip, such as:

Things to know before your trip to Croatia, where we will share all the must know tips, ranging from which ATMs to use to a dictionary of basic Croatian words to help you communicate with locals.
Things to pack to your trip to Croatia, with tips from myself and our VP of Vibes on the things you absolutely need to bring to your trip.
Dilettante Croatia Itineraries, which we’re especially excited about.

We also have some other special dilettante stuff coming up this summer, but I’m not going to tell you about those just yet. Think recommendations and tips only a local would know, some live on-the-scene reports, and other fun information and content.

We want to make sure everything we’re sharing is really benefiting every dilettante - curated to your interests with a unique local point of view and inspiration to further explore on your own.

About the destination

With over 1,000 islands, crystal-clear sea, and a coastline that stretches for more than 3,600 miles, Croatia is a Mediterranean gem that somehow still feels like a well-kept secret.

Croatia’s charm lies in its offering diversity: ancient cities like Dubrovnik and Split offer cinematic beauty and rich cultural heritage, while islands like Hvar, Vis, and Korčula provide a more laid-back, luxury experience. Inland, you’ll find cascading waterfalls at Plitvice Lakes National Park, truffle-rich forests in Istria, and rolling vineyards producing award-winning wines.

Whether you’re island-hopping on a catamaran, swimming in hidden coves, dancing at open-air festivals, or enjoying slow dinners on seaside terraces, Croatia offers that mix of adventure and relaxation every dilettante craves. This isn’t a destination you follow the crowd to, it’s a place to curate your own experiences and memories.

With a Mediterranean climate, long daylight hours, and warm Adriatic waters, Croatia is best experienced between June and September, making it a perfect dilettante summer pick.

So what should I do in Croatia?

As dilettantes we all want our travel experiences to be unique, fun, and inspiring. We don’t want to do and see the same things as everyone else and we also want to make sure we’re doing what we like. However, not every dilettante is made the same - so here’s some fast recs based on your flavor of dilettante.

For the dilettante that likes to sightsee but also immerse herself into the culture

Picture this: You’re barefoot in a small alleyway, sipping rakija1 from a chipped glass, learning how to say “cheers” in three dialects.

Places you would like: Split for Roman ruins hiding espresso bars, the Istrian Peninsula for truffle hunting and olive oil tastings, or Vis for that still-undiscovered island feel.

Don’t miss: Folk performances in town squares, dinner in a konoba2 where a local grandma is the chef, or an afternoon spent learning about Glagolitic script3 in a village museum.

For the dilettante that wants to party

Picture this: It’s 4AM. You’re in a slip dress, watching the sunrise on a beach after a night of partying, surrounded by strangers who suddenly feel like forever friends.

Places you would like: Ultra Europe in Split, Pag for moonlit techno festivals, or drinks at Dubrovnik’s cliff bars followed by partying in a medieval fortress.

Don’t miss: A day party that turns into dinner, that turns into dancing on a bar in a small local hidden pub.

For the dilettante that likes a balance of relaxing and a night out on the town

Picture this: You’re doing your makeup on a shaded terrace, wine in hand, getting ready for dinner with the girls at a Michelin-level but undiscovered restaurant.

Places you would like: Hvar and surrounding islands for days in the sun and hitting up after-beach parties, Vis for fresh seafood lunch while tanning on a boat, or Rovinj for a perfect blend of Venetian architecture and boutique spa hotels.

Don’t miss: A boat day exploring small islands, a vintage shop with 90s Versace on a rack, or a squid ink pasta dish so delicate it feels like a secret.

For the dilettante that likes to seek adrenaline

Picture this: You dive off a cliff into the salty clear Adriatic sea followed by snacking on a local cheese spread.

Places you would like: Mljet for cliff diving and cave swims, Paklenica for hiking through karst canyons, and Pelješac for windsurfing between wine tastings.

Don’t miss: A scooter ride on hairpin turns on Hvar, lunch by the waterfalls on Krka after a hike, or rafting on the river Zrmanja.

I’m so excited we’re officially kickstarting our first dilettante summer. What better place is there to do it in than Croatia? I’ll be heading over there beginning of July, so I can’t wait to take you dilettantes along for the ride.

Rakija is a strong fruit brandy popular across the Balkans, especially in Croatia and Serbia. It's mostly made from plums or grapes but can also be crafted from figs, apricots, or pears. It has a fiery kick to it, but it’s more than just a drink. It's a symbol of hospitality, and if you are offered to take a shot with a Croat, consider that the biggest honor of all.

A konoba is a traditional Croatian tavern, typically family-run, known for its rustic charm and warm hospitality. Often tucked away in stone buildings or coastal villages, they serve homemade local dishes like grilled fish, octopus salad, and slow-cooked meats, paired with house wine or rakija.

The Glagolitic script is the oldest known Slavic alphabet, created in the 9th century by Saints Cyril and Methodius. Unique in its rounded, ornate letters, it was used primarily in parts of Croatia to write liturgical texts in Old Church Slavonic. Today, it stands as a symbol of Croatian cultural and linguistic heritage.