Blue-Roads Touring got its current name from a man who went on a journey of discovery across America. William Least Heat-Moon began this road trip in 1978, a road trip that would take him 13,000 miles along “blue roads” around the United States. Meaning, William traveled mostly on secondary roads, with the sights and sounds of local folk in his chronicled collection titled Blue Highways.

Fitting for Blue-Roads Touring to gravitate to this name, as they take the traveler beyond Read the rest of this entry »

Sitting at the foot of the Učka Mountain, the city of Opatija has been a seaside resort since the late 1800s. With the Adriatic Sea shining along an almost 8-mile coast, and Kvarner Bay hosting relaxing beaches. Though there was some decline in the state of the city following the 19^th century golden age, it has returned to a gleaming example of the gems that sit along the coasts of Croatia.

Opatija from the sea is an experience of how stunning the Croatian coasts remain to this day. The sparkle of the sea meets bright villas and, further, a slow-rising mountain of green; creating a scene sought after for the sheer excitement of simply being there. This is one of the reasons that Opatija was officially declared by the imperial government to be a climatic health resort in 1889, making it popular for health and wellness tourism.

Katarina Line, Croatia’s premier small ship cruise company and DMC, has added a new mix of seven-night cruises that introduce travelers to Croatia and Montenegro’s natural beauty by both land and sea. Read the rest of this entry »

The cruise industry appears to be booming with 99% of ships sailing and with demand way up since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, the end of the CDC’s reporting program for ships, and the cessation of many of the vaccination protocols both on ships and in ports of call.

However, cruise lines now find themselves up against a rising tide of anti-cruise sentiment in Europe. Protesters are confronting passengers in some ports as the tourists disembark for shore excursions. The protesters complain about the crowds brought by the ships which are perceived as overwhelming the streets of cities like Dubrovnik, Venice, and Barcelona while spending very little money on food, goods, and services in those same locales.

Protests broke out in Norway this week at five different ports of call, with protesters confronting cruise passengers protesting the “environmental and social damage” caused by cruising. The protests are led by the anti-cruise group CruiseNotwelcome. Protesters and academics alike argue the cruise industry is a major source of environmental pollution. Posters in the Norwegian ports of call point out the cruise ships are registered under foreign flags, pay no local taxes, and flood the streets of the port towns.

Lot of these up in the harbour pic.twitter.com/Vimkutbvv1

— Ketan Joshi (@KetanJ0) July 16, 2022

Similar protests and issues have arisen in the United States, most notably in Key West.

In response to such criticisms, the cruise industry is undertaking major sustainability initiatives. In January of this year, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) released its “2022 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook Report”. The report asserts the cruise industry has implemented progressive protocols and points to the value of cruise tourism to both local and national economies worldwide, and acknowledges and plots a course to achieving carbon neutrality.

While Croatia has been gaining popularity in recent years, few offer such immersive and comprehensive cruise itineraries as in-destination experts Katarina Line. Based in Opatija, a coastal town on the Adriatic less than 50 miles from Italy, Katarina Line knows Croatia in and out, and offers guests unique voyages across a fleet of 60 vessels. Read the rest of this entry »

The easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions across Europe is helping to bring back international travel in a big way.

Croatia is among the beneficiaries, with record numbers of visitors expected in 2022. Preparing for this surge, Katarina Line, Croatia’s premier small ship cruise company and DMC, is highlighting the many seamless transfers available among its wide range of land tours and Adriatic cruises that offer some of the best ways to explore the country “by land and by sea.” Katarina Line is also offering 10 percent off all cruises from April 23 to May 28, 2022, making spring an excellent time to visit Croatia.

Among Katarina Line’s most popular combinations is the 3-day “Coast Express” land program and 7-night “Breathtaking Croatia” cruise. Coast Express can originate from places such as Venice or Zagreb and connect to companion cruises in Opatija or Split. With the 10 percent discount, “Breathtaking Croatia” can start at $1,362, based on double occupancy.

Coast Express includes guided tours and popular excursions, such as a visit to Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The park is Croatia’s largest, dominated by a mix of forests, meadows, and spectacular waterfalls.

“Croatia is much more than just its stunning Dalmatian coast and jewel-like islands, historic port towns and lush, natural wonders,” said Daniel Hauptfeld, Katarina Line’s marketing director. “It also has world-class cuisine, extraordinary architecture steep in history, and friendly people.”

Any Way You Like It

Katarina Line’s Coast Express land tour can originate from several different gateways. The Split and Zagreb gateways feature a guided tour of Croatia’s capital of Zagreb that includes such attractions as St. Mark’s Church and Lotrščak Tower. It also includes a guided tour of Split, Dalmatia’s largest city whose history and rich cultural heritage can be traced back to Roman times. In between is a day spent exploring Plitvice Lakes, the oldest Croatian national park with 16 lakes connected by picturesque waterfalls.

Coast Express also features an Italian gateway, with the tour originating in Venice and visiting Opatija and Plitvice Lakes, before concluding at Split. The Slovenian Gateway features a guided tour of Ljubljana’s three bridges, Prešeren Square and the Robba Fountain. It will also visit Lake Bled in the Julian Alps; and Postojna Cave Park, before concluding in Split.

A Breath of Sea Air

Katarina Line’s seven-night “Breathtaking Croatia” cruises between Opatija and Split, departing from each city on alternating weeks. The itinerary includes guided tours of Split; the island of Hvar, whose historic island town is home to 7th-century fortifications; a Venetian loggia; and historic piazzas. It will also visit the village of Primošten; Kornati National Park; the island of Vis and its famous Blue Cave; the city of Zadar; and the Roman and Venetian ruins of its Old Town.

Other highlights include a visit to Brijuni National Park near the Istria Peninsula. A deluxe cruise includes most breakfasts and lunches, a captain’s dinner, and wine tastings.

“Combining a land and cruise programs offers an exciting opportunity to experience all of what the country has to offer, with English-speaking guides showing you the way,” said Hauptfeld.

Katarina Line sails the Dalmatian coast with guaranteed departures from cities that include Split, Dubrovnik, and Opatija. It provides the full range of small ships, from Deluxe Superior vessels with a capacity of up to 39 persons to the more intimate sailing boats and catamarans.

Strict Health and Safety Protocols

Katarina Line observes strict health and safety protocols, with frequent and regular cleaning of all common surfaces, including handrails, doorknobs, and light switches, as well as the use of air purifiers in the restaurant area. Cabins are cleaned on a daily basis, upon request, with all surfaces thoroughly sanitized.

 

About Katarina Line Katarina is the premier small ship cruise company with a fleet of 60 ships and weekly guaranteed departures from the end of April to mid-October. It operates out of the major tourist centers of Opatija, Split, and Dubrovnik. With a growing fleet in six different categories, the company serves more than 110,000 clients that include 30,000 cruise guests of all ages and budgets. Katarina Line itineraries give travelers the opportunity to explore the stunning natural environment and picturesque Mediterranean towns of Croatia while hopping from one island to another, offering guests a unique opportunity to experience the true Croatia. The company enjoys an exceptional relationship with travel advisors, which account for more than 98% of all bookings worldwide. Katarina line is a member of many different travel associations, including USTOA, ASTA, NTA, ACTA, RDA, STAN and ETOA.  For more information, call toll-free 1-800-485-3121 or visit www.katarina-line.com.

 

I LOVE Backroads. What’s to love? The company layers its active adventures, primarily cycling, on top of cruises, both ocean and river. That layering provides the perfect adventure: You spend your days being active, exploring Europe the way many Europeans do, straddling a saddle. Your floating hotel is your oasis for rest and replenishment.

In 2016, I had what turned out to be one of the best trips I’ve had on the rivers, cycling with my son while cruising on AmaWaterways. Check out Backroads Bike Trips & River Boating: A Winning Combination For Active Travelers. Rinse and repeat. In 2019, we cruised Ponant and pedaled Croatia, a wonderful trip that I summed up Read the rest of this entry »