As the years pass and energy flows into endeavors that call upon my heart, I reflect on the motivations and values which drive my attention.

A talented writer, who I am proud to call a friend, Ms. Catherine Sabino, wrote an article for Forbes about a new luxury winery and villa in Croatia, which was developed as an homage of love and passion by Minnesota philanthropists, Mr. Lee and Mrs. Penny Anderson, together with their daughter Ms. Katherine Anderson Groethe.
Tasteful Croatian Journeys has the pleasure to develop, coordinate, and manage holidays of all kinds for travelers around the world. However, it is not often that we can enjoy the distinct pleasure to accompany our travelers.

In September of 2018, such an occasion arose when I, along with my team, accompanied the Andersons as part of a trip we created on behalf of a University group board of trustees. Arriving at Korta Katarina under the blush colored late summer sky, I was struck by the beauty and elegance of the villa, the production of world quality wines, and the heartfelt passion behind every element of their stunning seaside property. While spending time with the Andersons, I had the pleasure of hearing the story of how they came to fall in love with Croatia after first visiting as humanitarians during the war years. As I learned of their pursuit of a dream to create a winery in this stunning and culturally bountiful wine region, I instantly knew this was unlike anything else in Croatia, and I wanted the world to know what they had created.

This one-of-a-kind property is on my mind, as I dream of ways to bring this particular slice of heaven to the attention of the sophisticated travelers of the world. This was a project and pursuit of mine, but it was not until reading Catherine’s article did I recognize that here lay a passion of mine.
For 26 years I have created custom itineraries and luxurious experiences for travelers to Croatia and the surrounding regions. This is a source of great pride, joy, and gratitude with which I serve my clients, this is also my profession and how I earn a living. Simultaneously, for the last 26 years, I have engaged in another endeavor; an endless pursuit that originates from my desire to nurture, to develop, to teach, to mentor, and ultimately, to be of service. That pursuit is the development and promotion of what is beautiful, cultured, elegant, intelligent, and tasteful. When I encounter an actualization of that which presents the culture and history of Croatia authentically and artfully, I am overcome with a sense of obligation to become its champion.

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This passion of mine has become a mellower engagement recently than in my earlier years, when I did not find finished creations, but often what was an aspiration, or potential of what could be with an awful lot of hard work. Here, I went beyond my role in travel and tourism, beyond my role as a business associate, and inserted myself to be a force for elevating what was, into what could be. I gave my energy freely to my vision, for the development of Croatia, to be a destination of sophistication, culture, and beauty that did not rest in the shadows of European neighbors but is distinct and unequivocal. I gave my energy, despite encountering resistance, despite it pulling my attention from my professional work, despite the additional time required. I did this because of my conviction that Croatia, its heritage, and its people, should be viewed by the eyes of the world in the way I see it – Uniquely Magnificent.

So come, see Croatia through my eyes. Swim with me in the translucent Adriatic waters that call one to the shores of Croatia. Walk on the lustrous cobblestones of the Stradun in Dubrovnik, levigated by the footsteps of history. Let me direct your vision to a lace curtain in the medieval hilltop town of Groznjan in the heart of Istria, delicately waltzing to the notes of piano music and let us join in the dance. Let all inhibitions go as you participate in the irreverent, quasi scandalous, celebrations of Carnival in Rijeka. Let your taste buds be awakened to the seductive, sweet aromas of the fritule and vin brûlé, that permeate the upper town of Zagreb during advent.

Learn more about the Villa Korta Katarina and Winery here