My Wish: Cruise Ship Review
My Wish
Carrying just 36 guests, Unforgettable Croatia's elegant yacht, My Wish reminds one of a floating boutique hotel—modern and ultra-chic—yet small enough to allow for easy sailing through the tiny ports of Croatia's Dalmatian coast from Split to Dubrovnik.
Unforgettable Croatia boasts an enviable black book of exclusive VIP experiences and relationships with some of the world's finest restaurants, hotels, and private guides. With its highly bespoke service, you'll start with a conversation about how you like to travel before your own personal Croatia experts design your journey with immersive experiences, Michelin-star dining, and sumptuous pre-stays in hand-picked properties.
Balcony stateroom onboard My Wish.
There are 18 guest cabins onboard—while its Balcony Staterooms are bright and cozy, with Olympic Queen-sized beds facing wraparound panoramic windows, a small wardrobe (with a safe), a flat-screen TV, an ensuite with a walk-in shower, and a sweeping private balcony that's perfect for sipping Moët & Chandon under the stars.
Main restaurant onboard My Wish.
The main restaurant onboard is silvery and ultra-modern—where you'll feast on lavish buffet breakfasts (think elaborate fruit platters, delicious French breads and pastries, crispy bacon and juicy sausages, and specials like eggs benedict and cooked-to-order omelets) and three-course lunches ranging from dalmatian pašticada with gnocchi to sea bream in skartocu—followed by weighty New York cheesecake or uber-creamy tiramisu.
Here, you'll also join Unforgettable Croatia's Welcome Dinner (one of two hosted dinners onboard My Wish) as the perfect opportunity to meet your fellow travel companions for the week ahead—think Americans, Canadians, Australians, and a sprinkling of Brits.
While its well-stocked bar serves as My Wish's social hub—where family-like waiters are on a first-name basis and will remember your favorite tipple.
Sun Deck onboard My Wish.
Sliding doors reveal a lower deck wrapped in plush cream banquettes—perfect for catching a Croatian sea breeze with a late-night brandy snifter or a fresh morning latte—and a watersports platform. With paddle boards, kayaks, a myriad of snorkels, and two ladders sinking into the sea—it's where you'll join daily swim stops in secluded coves—some with champagne served right to you, as you lounge on sandy bays.
Swirling up a winding staircase, you'll reach the Lower Sun Deck, where you can laze on sunloungers and sink into a bubbling hot tub—or take shade under a canopied lounge area with comfy sofas, exercise bikes, and hanging cocoon chairs where you can peruse a copy of Treasure Island. While only the bravest of sun-chasers hang out on the Upper Sun Deck, with just a couple of rattan sunloungers sat under the blazing heat.
Split bay aerial view through stone window, Dalmatia, Croatia
After embarking in Split, the second-largest city in Croatia, take a 10-minute stroll passing the pazar (Split's open-air market—selling local cheeses and fresh fruit) to the nearby Michelin-recommended ZOI Restaurant set within the walls of a Roman palace built 1,700 years ago by Emperor Diocletian. Here, you'll nestle into a sweeping terrace overlooking the Riva harbour and seafront below, surrounded by towering pine trees—where you can opt for the 7-course Dalmacija tasting menu ($240pp with wine pairing) as you graze on Amberjack fish, beef tongue, Tingul, and silvery seabass.
The Old Town of Trogir.
Stopping for a swim in a crisp, secluded cove, you'll sail from Split onto the medieval town of Trogir—a UNESCO World Heritage Site perched on a small island dating back to 3 BC. Stroll along its narrow cobblestone streets and charming marina, often dubbed mini-Venice, or visit its 13th-century Saint Lawrence's Cathedral—housing the Renaissance Chapel of St. John and a 140-step bell tower boasting 360-degree views over Trogir the sparkling Adriatic coastline.
Krka National Park, Croatia.
From Trogir, you'll hop on a 45-minute coach transfer to Krka National Park, named after the Krka River that lazily winds through a verdant canyon, boasting serene waterfalls, vigorous rapids, natural pools, lush forests, and over 800 plant species and wildlife like white-tailed eagles.
Franciscan monastery on Hvar island.
Passing by Croatia's famed Golden Horn Beach, you'll arrive in Stari Grad on the northern coast of Hvar, known as the Island of Wine for its 2,400-year-old winemaking tradition. Here, you'll visit a Hvar family winery, VinAtomic, producing up to 150,000 bottles a year (specializing in the traditional Dalmatian dessert wine of Prošek) before swirling down to its cellars with aging oak barrels to sample Croatian Pošip and Grk.
Journeying onto Hvar Town, with its 13th-century walls, marble piazza, and ornate Gothic palaces, you can waltz along its palm-lined promenade and buy a scoop of lavender ice cream—or embark on a seafood feast at Gariful. It overlooks Hvar's famous sheltered harbor dotted with yachts and tiny fishing boats as you graze on beluga caviar, fresh oysters, and grilled octopus.
Then, follow steep alleys up to Hvar's medieval hilltop castle, looming high above the town below, for stunning views over the bay and Pakleni islands.
Aerial view of Vis town on Vis island.
Sailing across the Pakleni islands, a utopian archipelago of 16 serene islands off the southwestern coast of Hvar, you'll make a swim stop at one of its crystal bays before arriving in Vis—once serving as a military base for Yugoslavia. Today, it is characterized by secluded white-pebbled coves, sprawling wineries, pretty fishing villages, and its Old Town set along a horseshoe-shaped bay.
Stroll along cobbled lanes as you pass by ancient Roman settlements or visit its Austrian-built battery and Renaissance Church of St. Jerome (with its peaceful gardens and Franciscan monastery).
The Blue Cave of Bisevo.
Setting your sights on the island of Bisevo, you'll ride a little motorboat into the world-famous Blue Cave—narrow, rocky, and utterly mesmerizing, as you witness the natural phenomenon of its shimmering cerulean glow filling every crevice of this wondrous space.
In the afternoon, you'll sail onto Korčula—the birthplace of Venetian merchant and explorer Marco Polo, guarded by towering city walls. Visit its Gothic-Renaissance Saint Mark's Cathedral, sip a Moscow mule at Cocktail Bar Massimo (climbing a ladder to the top of the medieval Zakerjan Tower), or wander along narrow stone alleys to Korcula Old Town.
Mljet National Park
In the village of Pomena on Croatia's greenest island, Mljet—you'll visit Mljet National Park to see its two turquoise saltwater lakes, Malo Jezero and Veliko Jezero (Big Lake), nestled within its forested hills—the latter home to a 12th-century Benedictine monastery you can reach by boat.
Before sailing onto the charming fishing village of Slano—a gateway to the fortified town of Ston, famous for its oysters, where you'll explore its medieval ramparts and hop on a ferry boat (plied with Rakija—Croatian fruit brandy) to the Mali Ston Bay to taste its refreshing Ostrea Edulis oysters—a natural aphrodisiac.
The Old City of Dubrovnik.
Sailing onto your final port of call, Dubrovnik—often dubbed the Pearl of the Adriatic, with its ancient city walls, beautiful baroque architecture (like the impressive Cathedral of the Assumption and the Rector's Palace), and UNESCO World Heritage Old Town—you can surf through its bustling Stradun. In this bustling thoroughfare, you'll admire its stunning Onofrio's Fountain and Franciscan Monastery.
Complete your island-hopping adventure with a royal feast at the Michelin-starred 360 Restaurant. Sitting within the medieval walls and fortress of St John, you can opt for a 5-course tasting menu ($188 per person) grazing on mouthwatering scallops, fresh mackerel, and pan-seared turbot, as your sommelier pours you a deliciously intense glass of Kozlovic Teran (360 serves 70 different wines-by-glass).
Unforgettable Croatia offers seven-night small-ship cruises from $2,595 per person, including breakfast, lunch, two dinners, private transfers, all excursions, and Wi-Fi. Flights are not included. For more information, visit unforgettablecroatia.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Condé Nast Traveler
3 hours ago
- Condé Nast Traveler
The Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Tuscany
Arriving in Tuscany can feel like walking into a watercolor—the sun-dappled hills are so dense with hue, and the medieval architecture so in harmony with the natural surroundings. Add to this the fact that it harbors one of the world's most celebrated wine regions, as well as 43 Michelin-starred restaurants (the third-most in Italy in 2024), and it's not surprising it's considered a sensory playground for adults. Thankfully, it's also home to increasingly cutting-edge hotel kids clubs and a hugely family-centric culture in general, so the prestigious location can be enjoyed with babies, children, teens, and their less refined palates in tow, too. From family campsites (such as hu Norcenni Girasole village), to smart villas (including the newly renovated Villa Il Santo), and even private islands (perhaps Forte San Giorgio and its 11 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms?)—there are plenty of accommodation options to choose from, however big your brood. Plus, tour companies such as Black Tomato are on hand to come up with multiple places and a broader Tuscan adventure. But for canny parents who like to make the most of room service, fully-staffed kitchens, and increasingly creative (free) childcare to maximize everyone's eating and exploring time while travelling as a pack, here's our pick of the best hotels in Tuscany for families.
Forbes
a day ago
- Forbes
5 Farm-to-Table Resorts Every Food Traveler Should Know About
Farm tour at Castle Hot Springs in Arizona. There's a quiet revolution happening in the world of luxury travel—and it's sprouting straight from the ground up. Across the globe, hotels and resorts are rethinking what it means to serve a truly unforgettable meal. These resorts with on-site farms or greenhouses are asking chefs to get dirty (literally), bringing fresh, sustainable, hyper-local ingredients to the center of the dining experience. And trust me—you can taste the difference. A food lovers delight awaits at Castle Hot Springs, just an hour north of Phoenix. Castle Hot Springs, Morrisville, Arizona Take Arizona's Castle Hot Springs, a wellness resort with incredible natural hot springs, the state's only Via Ferrata and a robust culinary program about an hour north of Phoenix, for example. Chef Chris Knouse isn't just running the kitchen—he's helping run the farm. "Having the produce you want at the freshest possible quality is every chef's dream," he says. "Our vision for our farm and culinary program is simultaneously evolving through sustainable practices. We are finding the perfect balance of give and take to keep each other flourishing." At this resort, the farm isn't just for show. With over 200 plant varieties growing at any given time, the farmers and chefs are talking daily—like, every day—to keep things humming. "It takes the whole team to follow through with the plan," Knouse says. And when that plan works? You can taste it. The tomatoes, grown in mineral-rich soil and spring-fed water, come out bursting with flavor. 'It's almost as if they're pre-seasoned,' he adds. How cool is that? Dairy Flat lodge with a farm that sources Lake House restaurants. Lake House and Dairy Flat, Daylesford, Australia And Castle Hot Springs isn't alone in this. Over in Daylesford, Australia, Lake House has a full-on working farm called Dairy Flat—the lifeblood of its award-winning Two Chefs Hats restaurant. Co-owner and culinary director Alla Wolf-Tasker and her team pulls heirloom veggies and herbs straight from the garden into the kitchen. The 38-acre farm also includes a five-acre vineyard, 300 tree orchard and bee hives. 'We ensure that our plantings favour the beautiful pollinators at Dairy Flat Farm,' says Wolf-Tasker. 'Just like them, when we work together in harmony and with the rhythms of nature, … and deliver great experiences.' Guests are invited to wander the gardens, join sourdough baking classes, and basically geek out on where their food comes from. Rows of seasonal abundance at Babylonstoren in South Africa, where edible gardens meet Cape Dutch ... More farm charm—and every harvest tells a story. Babylonstoren, Simondium, South Africa On a Cape Dutch farm dating back to 1692, Babylonstoren in South Africa's Franschhoek wine valley has over 300 types of edible and medicinal plants on 1,500 acres. 'We build our menu around what comes from the farm and garden,' says Executive Chef Schalk Vlok of Babel, the resort's fine dining restaurant. 'The produce dictates what we cook and reflects the current season.' You can immerse yourself in the rhythms of farm life with a daily guided walk through the orchards and up the koppie, where sweeping views and fragrant fynbos await. Explore the working farm by bike or on foot, pass serene Chianina cattle, or join the early morning buffalo tour to witness milking and indulge in fresh water buffalo dairy at breakfast. Or, harvest fruit and vegetables with the chefs, bake alongside the farm's artisan baker and discover the magic of essential oil distillation in the Scented Room. Basically, a stay at Babylonstoren is like very refined Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory for food travelers. Babel restaurant at Babylonstoren. 'The inspiration one gets from the garden is something, I think, that every chef dreams about,' says Vlok about working with Babylonstoren's farm garden. 'At Babylonstoren, every single person here shares the same passion for the ingredients and produce we use. This is what inspires me and everyone in the kitchen on a daily basis – the shared passion for what we offer.' SingleThread, Healdsburg, California Back in the U.S., SingleThread Farm, Restaurant and Inn in Healdsburg, California, might be the most refined example of this movement. Chef Kyle Connaughton and his wife Katina (the farmer half of the duo) manage a 24-acre farm to create a stunning Japanese-inspired, 10-course tasting menu that's earned them three Michelin stars (Sonoma's only three-star) and well-deserved cult status. The creative duo behind SingleThread's incredible success: Chef Kyle and Katina Connaughton. 'Our menu is a reflection of that day on the farm, guests are really experiencing the seasonality of that exact moment in time throughout their meal,' says chef Connaughton."The farm dictates every creative decision we make in the kitchen." And the farm's bounty looks downright red-carpet glamorous on every dish at SingleThread. Produce from the farm as art at SingleThread restaurant in Healdsburg, California. If you're staying at the SingleThread Inn, don't miss the Japanese style two-course breakfast or the in-room hot pot Donabe dinner, both are 'wish you were here' write-home worthy. The farm map at Castle Hot Springs where no inch goes unused to provide Harvest restaurant with the ... More freshest produce. Back at Castle Hot Springs, the farming program is just hitting its stride. Since reopening in 2019, the property's agricultural team, led by Arizonan agronomist Ian Beger, has cultivated over 200 varieties of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and florals each season, including 30 heirloom tomato varieties. Heritage corn and watermelon are next on Knouse's wishlist, while current crops like celery are presenting creative challenges. "It has a slightly more bitter aftertaste," he says, thanks to soaking up minerals from the soil and water. But pickling it or using it in broths has unlocked surprising new flavors. Chef Chris Knouse on the farm, harvesting in-season produce for the menu at Castle Hot Springs, ... More Morrisville, Arizona. At Castle's Harvest restaurant, you'll get to experience Chef Knouse's wildly creative talents with the ever-changing tasting menu. The starters, soups and salads, are where he—and the freshly-plucked produce—shine. Think fire-roasted coconut curry squash bisque or a Tatsoi green salad topped with caper berries, pickled onions, sweet corn sourdough croutons and basil pine nut vinaigrette. And it's not just about the food—Level 2 sommelier Sarah Foote, formerly of French Laundry, pairs it all with rare wines. Opt for the 'Sarah's choice' wine pairing—a globe-trotting, oenophilic adventure. And don't miss their signature lithium-infused lager—brewed with mineral-rich hot spring water and only on tap for lucky guests. Cocktails are next level as well, with deft bartenders allowing the garden to govern what's in the glass—like the Medicine Man featuring Thai basil, lemongrass, lemon and ginger all grown on property mixed with Frenet and Licor 53. Cocktails are just as culinary focused as the nightly tasting menu at Castle Hot Springs. During the day, double down on a foodie-focused getaway with a Farm-to-Bar mixology class (often using foraged Sonoran desert ingredients like prickly pear), wine tasting led by Foote, an agave spirit tasting or a farm tour. Besides being in a state of enlightened bliss from the rhapsody of flavors, another reason to check out these dirt-to-dish resorts is the sustainability factor. "We utilize 100% of all our farm products—whether they are used fresh, dried for preservation, or even used to feed our chickens," Knouse says. Los Poblanos, Los Ranchos, New Mexico In Los Ranchos, New Mexico, Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm—a historic 1930s dairy farm turned dreamy resort— is doing the same thing: growing what they serve at their James Beard-winning Campo restaurant, composting what's left or feeding it the farm animals, like alpacas, and letting nothing go to waste. Lavender, with 25 acres of a Grosso lavender hybrid grown on the property, dictates much of offerings at the restaurant, gift shop and bakery at Los Poblanos, from lavender scones and soap to lavender gin and cocktails, like Lavender '99 (a tribute to the year 1999 when lavender was planted) of Los Poblanos gin, Crème de Violette, lemon juice, and lavender simple syrup and topped with sparkling wine. Lavender harvest at Los Poblanos in Los Ranchos, New Mexico. Campo's head chef Christopher Bethoney and his team goes out on the farm to weed or harvest every day before service as a way of connecting with the farm and each other. 'It's a great opportunity for guests to stop and chat or sample the harvest before enjoying it on the Campo menu,' explains Sarah Sheesley, Los Poblanos' director of marketing. Chef Christopher Bethoney harvesting salad greens for Campo's menu at Los Poblanos in New ... More Mexico. What really sets these places apart, though, is the guest experience. From farm tours to tasting produce straight from the ground, it's a full-sensory connection to the soul and terroir of the place. "You get to see how the chef reimagines it and pairs it with other flavors," Knouse says. "It connects a lot of dots." In a world craving authentic, sustainable, wellness-focused travel, chef-driven farm luxury hotels are checking all the boxes. And this isn't just another TikTok food fad—these resorts featuring chef-driven farming represents long-term shifts in how hospitality thinks about ingredients, guest connection, and the planet. "I would love to see more chef-driven farms," Knouse says. "Or at the very least, a better way for farmers and chefs to communicate with each other." Same here. And with more resorts turning to the soil for inspiration, the future of travel tastes very, very good.
Travel Weekly
a day ago
- Travel Weekly
Royal Sonesta Kauai unveils transformation
The Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort in Lihue has completed its multimillion-dollar, multiyear renovation. The Kalapaki Beach resort's guestrooms, lobby and 26,000-square-foot pool area have been redesigned. Among its dining experiences, Kukui restaurant was renovated and now offers an expanded menu; and a new bar was added with handcrafted cocktails and light bites. "In every decision throughout this transformation, we sought to honor the legacy of this iconic resort while reintroducing it as a modern luxury destination," general manager Jim Pedone said in a news release. "The heart and soul of this property remain unchanged — it has always been a place where guests create lifelong memories, from the iconic views to the oversized koi pond in the lobby, to the beachfront and pool experience. Now, with a fresh new identity and world-class enhancements, we are excited to welcome a new generation of travelers while continuing to be a home away from home for our loyal guests." Also new to the resort is a luau show, "Drums & Dances of Polynesia," every Thursday night. "Set against the stunning backdrop of Kalapaki Bay, this immersive celebration showcases the rhythmic pulse of Polynesian drums, captivating dances and rich traditions of the islands," the news release said.
