Hvar, Croatia: The Hidden Gem Of Croatia, 4 Day Itinerary

When planning a trip to Croatia, most people think of Dubrovnik or Split, but the island of Hvar is one destination that absolutely deserves a spot on your bucket list. Known to many as a glamorous party island, Hvar is so much more than nightlife—it’s home to crystal-clear beaches, breathtaking hikes, lavender fields, charming villages, and unforgettable boat tours.

Whether you’re exploring the Blue Cave, hiking to a fortress for sunset, or swimming in hidden coves, Hvar offers a mix of relaxation, adventure, and authentic Croatian charm. This 3–4 day Hvar itinerary will guide you through the best things to do, where to eat, hidden gems, and why this island should be part of every Croatia itinerary.

Why Visit Hvar, Croatia?

Hvar has long been a favorite for travelers who want a little bit of everything—culture, nature, food, beaches, and adventure. While the island has a reputation for nightlife, the real magic lies in its diverse experiences:

• 🌊 Boating: Explore sea caves, hidden coves, and the Pakleni Islands

• 🥾 Hiking: Climb to fortress viewpoints or trek through vineyards at sunset

• 🏖️ Beaches: Swim at secluded beaches with some of the clearest water in the Adriatic

• 🌿 Hidden Gems: Wander lavender fields in Brusje and discover charming local villages

If you want an island that combines adventure with relaxation, Hvar is the place.

Hvar Itinerary: 3–4 Days of Beaches, Hiking, and Boat Tours

Day 1: Arrival & First Impressions

• Take the Catamaran to Hvar
  Hop on the Kapetan Krilo Luka Line catamaran from Split (about 1 hour). The ride is beautiful, with panoramic views of the Adriatic.

• Pick up your rental car at Rapidus Rental Cars by the ferry port
  Renting a car on Hvar is essential if you want to explore hidden beaches and small villages at your own pace

• Check into Hotel Pharos
  I stayed at Hotel Pharos, just outside Hvar Town. With a pool, relaxed vibe, and walking distance to restaurants, it’s a great base!

• Dinner in Hvar Town
  For your first night, try Val Marina, which has a spot right on the harbor for great views and also had delicious food! Highly recommend the Chicken Parmesan

• Watch the sunset: Hvar is known for it’s incredible sunsets! Pick a spot on your walk back to Hotel Pharos or walk down to Hula Hula Beach Bar for an incredible view of the sunset

Day 2: Blue Cave & Green Cave Boat Tour

One of the best things to do in Hvar is to explore the sea by boat.

• Breakfast at Hotel Pharos

• Full-Day Boat Tour (10:20 am – 6:30 pm) with Sego Rent A Yacht
  Depart from Hotel Amfora’s dock and visit:

  • Green Cave – A magical cave glowing with emerald light

  • Blue Cave – A world-famous grotto where sunlight turns the water neon blue

  • Includes some other amazing spots too depending on the day!

• Dinner in Hvar Town
  End your day with at Black Pepper Restaurant for a wonderful meal

Day 3: Hiking, Beaches & Lavender Fields

This day is all about nature and hidden gems in Hvar.

• Breakfast at Hotel Pharos

• Morning Beaches

  • Dubovica Beach – One of Hvar’s most photographed beaches. Take a swim here for crystal clear water!

• Afternoon Hike with Iva (4:30 pm start)
  A 3.5-hour sunset hike (1,000 ft elevation gain) that rewards you with unforgettable views of Hvar and the Adriatic.

Other hiking options if you go solo:

• Napoleon Fortress – A short hike to panoramic views.

• Hidden Gem Stop: Lavender Fields in Brusje
  Just outside Hvar Town, Brusje is famous for its lavender—especially beautiful in June and July.

• Dinner in Hvar Town
  Check out Fig Café Bar, a cozy favorite with creative Mediterranean-inspired dishes.

Day 4: Departure

• Breakfast at Hotel Pharos
  Return your rental car and catch the ferry back to the mainland, continuing your Croatian adventure to Korčula, Orebić, or Dubrovnik

Final Thoughts: Why Hvar Belongs on Your Croatia Itinerary

Hvar is one of the most versatile islands in Croatia. Whether you’re chasing adventure, relaxing on beaches, or discovering hidden gems, this island has it all. Yes, the nightlife is legendary—but beyond the parties, you’ll find incredible nature, culture, and unforgettable experiences.

So when planning your Croatia trip, don’t just stop at Split or Dubrovnik—make Hvar part of your bucket list.

Ultimate 10-Day Itinerary: The South Island of New Zealand

Why you should visit the South Island of New Zealand:

The South Island of New Zealand is by far my favorite place I have ever visited! It is truly a magical place that has waterfalls, lakes, mountains, oceans, glaciers, and much more. The people were the kindest people I’ve ever met during all of my travels and the food was great too. Most people who visit New Zealand go to the North Island and visit big cities like Auckland. We completely skipped the North Island and went straight to the South Island since we knew the South Island is much more scenic.

Day 1: Queenstown

BEAUTIFUL VIEWS & A HOT SOAK

• Arrive in Queenstown

• Drive to Kamana Lakehouse from the airport (20 minutes)

• Hot tub soak at Kamana Lakehouse. Especially after a very long flight, the hot soak at Kamana Lakehouse couldn’t be more amazing. You get to enjoy a hot tub for an hour that has the most insane views of the lake and mountain range. It was very relaxing and you can also order a drink at the bar beforehand to enjoy during your soak.

Accommodation:

Kamana Lakehouse (includes a delicious breakfast at the Nest Kitchen)

• This is by far the best place to stay in Queenstown! Kamana Lakehouse is very cozy/comfortable, has the BEST food in the city at the Nest Kitchen, and the views of the Remarkables mountain range and lake are incredible. This may be a splurge compared to other hotels in the South Island but it is 100% worth it! We also loved how friendly and helpful the staff at the front desk were, they gave the most amazing recommendations of hidden gem activities to do in the area, with some of those activities being on this blog post below!

Day 2: Queenstown

HIKING, HELICOPTERS, & FRUIT ICE CREAM

• Breakfast at Kamana Lakehouse Nest Kitchen (try the smoothie bowl, it is amazing!!)

Things to do in Queenstown today: (any order)

• Moke lake walk (15 min drive from hotel): this loop walk is gorgeous. You walk around the lake and it is such a peaceful place to be! Make sure you wear bug spray though, this will be the first time you encounter the sand flies of the South Island. You don't know they are there but they are and you will have very annoying and itchy bites a few days later if you don’t wear your spray!

• Bob’s Cove track: Only 10 minute drive from Moke Lake, this is a gorgeous hike to the top of a hill where you can see two bays at the top. The color of the water is beautiful and I highly recommend doing this on a sunny day so you can see the vibrant color of the water.

• Drive to the town of Glenorchy

• Try fruit ice cream for the first time at Real Fruit Ice Cream Glenorchy. Enjoy your ice cream when you walk down to the water to take in the gorgeous views.

• Do a helicopter tour to Earnslaw Burn with Heli Glenorchy.

  • This is a MUST do when visiting this area. The only other way to access Earnslaw Burn is a multiple-day hike or by helicopter, making it an incredibly remote and special place where waterfalls are coming down from a glacier into a valley. If there is one thing you should 100% do today, it should be this!

• Skyline Queenstown is a must today!!

  • I recommend going in the afternoon after you’re done with your activities for the day so you can enjoy the sunset from the top. We took the gondola up to the luge which was super fun and made us feel like we were in a Mario cart game! The gondola ride was super fun and the views were incredible. Then, we went to the Stratosfare restaurant for dinner. We had an excellent buffet dinner here where we had a 360-degree view of the lake and mountain range.

Accommodation:

• Kamana Lakehouse

Day 3: Te Anau

NATIONAL PARK VIEWS & a scenic drive

• Have breakfast at Kamana Lakehouse and check out

• Drive from Queenstown to Te Anau

• Hike the Routeburn Track to Key Summit. The number one tip for this hike is to check the visibility BEFORE you drive the hour from Te Anau to this hike. We didn’t do this and basically hiked into a cloud. We had to look on AllTrails to see the photos and they were incredible, so don’t let the photos below deter you from going. Even though we didn’t see anything when we reached the summit, the hike itself was very lovely through the forest.

• Drive from the RouteburnTrack to Te Anau Airbnb (1 hour)

• Check into your accommodation or Airbnb

• Have dinner at the Mackinnon Restaurant in the downtown area of Te Anau. This is a great choice for dinner in the area, and has a beautiful view of the lake from the tables.

Accommodation:

• Airbnb in Te Anau — we stayed at this Airbnb in Te Anau and it was amazing! There are a lot of hotel options in the downtown area but we booked too late to be able to get any of those. I actually really liked staying in the Airbnb though because it allowed us to get a feel of what a typical New Zealand home is like!
  

Day 4: Milford Sound & Fiordland National Park

VISIT THE 8TH WONDER OF THE WORLD TODAY!

Milford Sound South Island

To take a day trip from Te Anau to Milford Sound, there are a couple of options:

• You can self-drive to the park and boat tour, but this option is very stressful with the windy roads and sometimes changing road conditions. We thought about this but ended up not self-driving since the rest of the trip was very road-trip-heavy. We didn’t regret our choice to do this and saw some spots we never would have found if we had driven ourselves.

• Option 2: Do a day tour with Fiordland Tours and a boat tour with Cruise Milford. If you want to support two family-owned businesses and not be in a coach bus stuck with hundreds of people, this is the way to go! I did so much research on the different tours to Milford sound and this was by far the BEST option.

• Experience Milford Sound with Cruise Milford. This is the BEST boat tour you could do in Milford Sound. The boat was extremely comfortable and the views of Milford Sound were incredible. We even saw fur seals which was a bonus! They also gave us complimentary tea, coffee, and cookies too! We loved the smaller feel of this experience as opposed to other boat tours which could have hundreds of people on board.

Dinner options in Te Anau:

• Redcliff, Fat Duck, or Ditto

If you’re feeling up to it after dinner, add in a night tour of the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves! This was a once in a lifetime experience and if you have never seen glow worms before, this is a must.

Accommodation: 

• Airbnb in Te Anau

Day 5: Wanaka

wineries, bungy jumping, & the famous Wanaka tree

• Check out of accommodation in Te Anau

• Drive 2 hours from Te Anau to the Gibbston Valley which is gorgeous wine country right outside of Queenstown and on the way to Wanaka

• Stop by Gibbston Valley Winery & Restaurant for lunch

• Watch people bungy jump at AJ Hackett Kawarau Bungy Centre (2 minutes away from the winery). If you’re feeling brave enough to bungy jump here, do it!

• Drive to Wanaka from the bungy centre- 55 minute drive to Wanaka

• Check into Wanaka Homestead (photos below)

  • Wanaka Homestead is a wonderful accommodation that makes you feel like you are staying in someone’s cozy home. It’s steps from the famous Wanaka tree and they also have bikes for rent! Definetely one of the best places to stay when visiting the town of Wanaka.

Things to do in Wanaka today:

• See the famous Wanaka tree 

• Roy's Peak - hard but worth it hike that has spectacular views at the top

• Bike ride around the lakefront of Wanaka for amazing views of the lake

• Have dinner at Francesca’s for some amazing Italian food in Wanaka.

Accommodation:

• Wanaka Homestead

Day 6: Mount Aspiring National Park

Helicopter, wilderness hike, & jet boat experience

• Drive to Mount Aspiring National Park (50-minute drive) to check in for your Heli Siberia Max tour with Backcountry Helicopters and Wilkin River Jets

• Enjoy an incredible helicopter ride above Mount Aspiring National Park and land on a mountain peak with Backcountry Helicopters

  • Our experience with Backcountry Helicopters was incredible. The pilot knew exactly what he was doing and showed us some of the most beautiful landscapes we have ever seen. We also loved how we got dropped off in a remote location that we otherwise wouldn’t have seen during our trip to the South Island!

• Take a 3-hour wilderness hike through the national park after your helicopter drops you off

  • This hike was gorgeous! It was very well maintained and was one of our favorite ones we did on the trip

• Arrive at the launch point for Wilkin River Jets

  • The Wilkin River Jets experience is amazing!! Going on a jet boat is a must-do activity when visiting the country of New Zealand. The boat ride was super thrilling and we really enjoyed it because it was so different than anything we did the rest of the trip

After your amazing experience on the Heli Siberia tour, here’s some things you can do for the rest of your day:

• Stop at the Blue Pools for a quick dip and nature walk

• Drive back to Wanaka

• Have dinner at Big Fig Wanaka for a healthy dinner where you can pick your own food options. This is a super casual place but after our long day, we were exhausted so really enjoyed this dinner!

Accommodation:

• Wanaka Homestead

Day 7: Mount Cook National Park

BLUE LAKeS, MOUNTAIN PEAKS, & farms

• Check out of Wanaka Homestead

• Stop at Red Bridges Strawberry Farm on your way out of town to pick some strawberries and have the BEST strawberry fruit ice cream you have ever had.

• Stop at Wanaka Lavender Farm down the street for amazing lavender products and the cutest lavender farm. My favorite gifts I bought in New Zealand were here!

• Continue driving towards Mount Cook National Park and stop at Lindi’s pass overlook for views that look like a different planet

• Take a quick detour to Omarama Clay Cliffs to hike up to these one of a kind cliffs

  • This place is hidden and is definitely an off-the-beaten-path experience. If you have the time to add this detour to your list, you won’t be disappointed!

• Stop in the town of Twizel for a late lunch/early dinner.

  • The food options in the Mount Cook area are very limited so we decided to fill up in the nearest town. There is also a Foursquare in the town of Twizel so I highly recommend getting groceries for things like breakfast, snacks, and even lunch for your time in the Mt. Cook region.

• Stop at St Peters lookout for gorgeous views of Lake Pukaki and Mount Cook

• Check into Aoraki Court Motel

• Walk over to the Hermitage to enjoy a drink with beautiful alpine views

• If you can book it early, book a stargazing tour at The Hermitage as this is one of the best things to do in this area! We unfortunately didn’t get a spot and the visibility at night was bad which cancelled the tours. If you get the right day, for sure do this!!

Accommodation:

• Aoraki Court Motel — we booked a Spa executive studio and were super impressed by the quality of the room and the views were incredible (pictures below of the view from the room patio).

Day 8: Mount Cook National Park

STEEP HIKES, GLACIERS, & ALPINE VIEWS

• Hike Red Tarns track (2.3 miles) for a steep thrill of a hike. Once you get to the top, enjoy beautiful views of Mt/ Cook and there is a lake on the top with Red tarns plants.

• Walk the Hooker Valley Track: This is one of the South Island’s most popular glacier country trails and is 6.8 miles long. Looking down from swing bridges over rushing rivers, you’ll walk a track that leads to an alpine lake complete with icebergs.

More things to do in the Mt Cook region:

• Tasman Glacier View track for amazing views of the Glacier in the distance and a gorgeous glacial lake. The weather can change pretty quickly on this hike so make sure to dress accordingly (we got soaked from head to toe!)

• Glacier lake boat tour: we opted out to do this because of poor weather but this tour gets great reviews and allows you to get up close to a glacier! Go to the Hermitage activities desk to book this!

• Have dinner at the Alpine restaurant buffet in The Hermitage hotel. There are pretty limited options for food in the national park and this food was actually pretty good and had a lot of options.

Accommodation:

• Aoraki Court Motel

Day 9: Mount Cook National Park

crystal clear lakes, farm towns, & road tripping

•  Check out of Aoraki Court Motel

• Lake Pukaki Shoreline Walk for a gorgeous easy walk along the lake. This is right on the way to Akaroa which is your next destination.

• Explore Lake Tekapo (on the way to Akaroa). We just stopped and walked around the lake a bit to stretch our legs to break up the card ride to Akaroa.

• Drive to Akaroa (3 hours 30 min drive). This will be your last destination you stay over night before going home! An alternative to this is to drive straight to Christchurch and spend the night there before you fly out. I highly recommend visiting the town of Akaroa for a very unique experience that I will talk about later in this blog.

• Check into Akaroa Waterfront Motel which is a super cute place to stay that is right on the harbor. Very comfortable lodging and great location!

  Dinner options in Akaroa:

• The Little Bistro

• Ma Maison

Accommodation:

• Akaroa Waterfront Motel

Day 10: Akaroa & Christchurch

rare dolphins, french town, & flights

• Wake up early to do the Akaroa Dolphin experience. This is the only place in the world you can see the famous small Hector dolphins and get up close to them. The tour was an incredible experience and the views from the boat couldn’t be more gorgeous. The boat also had a dog spotting dolphin which was the cutest thing ever!

• After the dolphin tour, drive 1 hour 30 min to Christchurch airport for departing flight

Summary

Overall, the South Island of New Zealand is an absolute dream bucket list trip that I had the pleasure of doing in February of 2024. If you love nature and want to visit a destination that has mountains, waterfalls, oceans, lakes, glaciers, and more, this South Island itinerary will take you to the best places in the country!

Top 10 Things To Do In Tofino & Ucluelet: Vancouver Island, Canada

Vancouver Island, Canada, is a treasure trove of natural wonders, and the coastal towns of Ucluelet and Tofino are among its crown jewels. In this travel blog post, we'll uncover the top 10 things to do in Ucluelet and Tofino, ensuring your visit to Vancouver Island is nothing short of spectacular.

Why you should visit Tofino & Ucluelet:

This area of Vancouver Island was my favorite and the most beautiful in my opinion. The views of the rugged coastline, beautiful nature, and small-town feel made me fall in love with these two towns. To get to both of these destinations, it is a couple of hour drive from the Parksville area, but is most certainly worth it.

Where to stay in tofino bc:

• I highly recommend staying at Duffin Cove Resort in Tofino during your time in this area. I stayed 3 nights and it was the perfect amount of time to explore the area!

Here’s the top 10 things to do in Tofino & Ucluelet:

1) Explore the Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet

Looking for the best hike on Vancouver Island? This was my absolute favorite! I highly recommend doing it in the morning for it to be the least crowded. The views are amazing and this is a must-do if you have to decide to do only one thing in the area.

2) Go kayaking with Paddle West Kayaking in Tofino

Linked here is a video highlighting my experience! This was a great adventure that allowed us to get out on the water during our time in Tofino. Our guide was knowledgable about the area and we learned a lot about the wildlife of the region when paddling.

3) Do a zipline adventure with Westcoast WILD Zipline

This is a must-do when driving to Ucluelet or driving back to the eastern side of Vancouver Island from Ucluelet. The views on the zip line were incredible and all were over beautiful bodies of water including a gorge, river, waterfall, and more.

4) Walk around Tofino and go into the little shops for cute souvenirs

The downtown area of Tofino is adorable and I recommend walking around and exploring. Make sure to get a cute souvenir when you’re in town. I recommend doing this before you have dinner at Shelter restaurant which is my next recommendation!

5) Have a relaxing dinner at Shelter restaurant in Tofino

The Shelter restaurant is nestled right on the water and has gorgeous views. Highly recommend getting the burger and truffle fries here, it was delicious! We also saw Orcas go by us during dinner which was a truly special and rare moment.

6) Visit the Ucluelet Aquarium

The Ucluelet Aquarium is a unique, educational experience. It features local marine life in a sustainable and informative setting, making it a great activity for families.

7) See the sunset and have dinner at The Great Room at Long Beach Resort

We had our absolute favorite dinner here dining at the Great room in this resort. You can eat here even if you aren’t staying at the resort. The food was delicious and I love the chicken with the truffle polenta. The dessert you must get for the most unique flavor combination! Come here for sunset and make sure to get a reservation for a good table by the window.

8) Go on a boat tour to see whales and other wildlife

This is one thing I didn’t have time to do during my trip to the island but I have heard amazing things across companies so if you have the time, you should add this to your list!

Jamie’s Whaling Station has amazing reviews online so would recommend going with them.

9) Walk around the Ucluelet harbor

After hiking the Wild Pacific trail, I recommend walking around the Ucluelet harbor for beautiful views and a quaint atmosphere. A harbor walk is always nice and you can grab a bite to eat around this area too.

10) Hike the Rainforest trail between Tofino & Ucluelet

This is a relatively easy hike that you can definitely take your kids on! It was a peaceful walk through the rainforest and we did it early in the morning to avoid crowds. This hike is in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, where you can hike along rainforest trails, explore sandy beaches, and witness stunning sunsets over the Pacific Ocean.

Summary:

Overall, Tofino and Ucluelet are two beautiful towns on Vancouver Island that you need to visit!!

Plan your visit today and immerse yourself in the beauty and charm of Vancouver Island's coastal paradise.

Ultimate Guide: Top 10 Things to Do in Naxos, Greece

Why you should visit Naxos, Greece:

Naxos is a beautiful island near Santorini and Paros that has incredible turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and amazing food. I would say that some of the best food I had during my trip to the Greek Islands was on Naxos.

In this travel blog post, I will guide you through the top 10 must-do activities on Naxos, ensuring that you make the most of your visit to this enchanting destination. Immerse yourself in the ancient villages, relax on stunning beaches, and indulge in authentic Greek cuisine. Let's explore the best of Naxos!

best hotel in naxos, greece:

Wondering where to stay when you visit the island of Naxos?

I had a wonderful stay and experience at Naxos Island Hotel. Just a few yards from Agios Prokopios Beach, the 5-star Naxos Island Hotel features a rooftop pool with a restaurant, enjoying panoramic views of the Aegean Sea. It offers a wellness center with hot tub as well. It was also located across the street from one of my favorite restaurants on the island.

Here are the top 10 things to do in Naxos, Greece:

1) Go to Rotanda Naxos for lunch and enjoy one of the most beautiful 360-degree views on the island

Rotanda Naxos was hands down the best restaurant to go to on the island of Naxos. It had 360-degree views of the island and ocean views right from our table. The property had gorgeous gardens and the food was also delicious.

2) Take a catamaran tour with Actionseaze catamaran tours

This experience that departed from Naxos Old Town was a wonderful day trip experience that took us to beautiful crystal clear coves to swim in. The food they served us for lunch was some of the best food we had on our entire trip, so highly recommend booking with Actionseaze if you want to do a catamaran tour on Naxos.

3) Visit Agios Propieros beach

This beach was gorgeous and was my favorite on the island of Naxos. It’s only a two-minute walk from Naxos Island Hotel so highly recommend staying there if you want to be close to a beautiful beach!

4) Eat at Giannoulis resturatant for a wonderful tavern experience and the BEST dessert I had in all of Greece!

This tavern was right across the street from Naxos Island hotel and I ate here several times during my trip. The food was amazing and the dessert they come around with was something I wish I could buy back here in the states!

5) Explore the old and beautiful streets of Naxos Old Town

After the catamaran tour I took, I explored Old town since that is where the boat docked. Make sure to wear good walking shoes when walking around Old Town! The shops were so much fun to go in and out of and I couldn’t get over the beautiful streets.

6) Explore the ancient villages

Naxos is home to many picturesque villages, such as Apiranthos, Filoti, and Halki. These villages are filled with traditional architecture, quaint tavernas, and friendly locals. We rented a car and it was very easy to get up to these towns ourselves.

7) Take a Day Trip to the Small Cyclades: small Cyclades islands, including Koufonisia, Iraklia, Schinoussa, and Donoussa are within a boat ride away from the island of Naxos.

8) See the sunset from the Apollo temple

This is the best spot on the island of Naxos to watch the sunset, so make sure to add it to your list for when you visit.

9) Visit Plaka beach

If you are looking for another beach to go to, this beach is accessible by car and is in a different area of the island. I didn’t get a chance to visit during my trip but have heard great things about the area of Plaka.

10) Drive up to Mount Zas to see incredible views
On your way to the small villages and Rotanda Naxos, make sure to stop at Mount Zas to see 360 degree views of the entire island of Naxos.

Overall, I think Naxos should definitely be added to everyone’s bucket list. It was such a beautiful island that I think is often skipped by most tourists who visit the Greek islands. I can’t emphasize how amazing the food was and how beautiful the beaches were. It was a very family-friendly island too!