Croatia is an enchanting nation of historic seafarers, walled fortresses, and white stone landscapes. Ryder Walker’s Croatian hikes explore the coastal national parks of Croatia while hopping between a selection of iconic islands off the Croatian coast including Korčula and Pomona.These islands are lost-in-time enclaves of Adriatic culture, sporting red slate-roofed buildings, the famous cobalt blue Adriatic water, and healthy servings of local seafood. 

Croatian culture is one of the most welcoming in the world. Tourism remains an exciting new possibility for the Croatian people, who, by and large, are thrilled to share their rich history, culinary traditions, and mythos. In Croatia, the surviving brutalist architecture from the Soviet Era sticks out in a striking way against the backdrop of cobalt blue waters and winding beaches. While Croatia itself was considered a largely war-torn country following the conflicts of the 20th century, today the nation has engaged in large scale reconstructions of their historic locations and preservation of the country’s unique coastal-desert biome. Throughout history, dating back even to the seafaring days of the Greeks and Romans, Croatia has been represented as a critical port, and it is easy to see why with the Italian shoreline visible across the Adriatic. Today, Croatian culture involves a hearty dose of beach relaxation, lively nightlife, and a plethora of fresh fish and seafood. Sitting eating a plate of calamari while you listen to the waves and look out at the distant lights of a fishing village on a neighboring island is an experience that can’t be replicated anywhere else in the world.