December 11, 2024

 

LUXURY REDEFINED: WANDA S. RADETTI AND THE ART OF TAILOR-MADE JOURNEYS TO CROATIA

 
By TANJA VUČIĆEVIĆ
Photos: Private Collection

Original Article (PDF)
 
Wanda with her team, Mirela Benić and Tia Lovisa Moreira.
 
Luxury isn’t measured by material possessions. For Wanda S. Radetti—a New Yorker with roots in Rijeka who has been curating unforgettable Croatian journeys for American travelers through her company, Tasteful Croatian Journeys, for three decades—luxury is about experiences that resonate with the soul.

Radetti has redefined travel for discerning clients, emphasizing personalized moments over predictable comforts. For her, luxury transcends the five-star hotels, first-class flights, and fine dining that many equate with opulence. Her clients seek something more profound: a connection to Croatia’s culture, history, and authenticity.

Named the World’s Best Croatia Specialist by Condé Nast Traveler—a title she’s held since 2006—Radetti has built a reputation as the go-to expert for tailor-made travel in her homeland. Her itineraries are crafted with the same care and passion she pours into her own explorations, like a sailing trip 20 years ago with her friend, cookbook author, and TV personality Lidia Bastianich. Aboard a modest yet charming sailboat, they navigated the Croatian coast, savoring local delicacies and wines, proving that true luxury lies in authenticity, not extravagance.
 

What Travelers Want

“Today’s travelers define luxury as exclusive, personalized experiences tailored to their interests and personalities,” says Radetti. “While tangible amenities are important, the intangible aspects—impeccable service, attention to detail, and unforgettable moments—are what truly matter.”

Croatia’s unique destinations—Dubrovnik, Istria, Split, Korčula, Hvar, and the rising star, Rovinj—set the stage for these extraordinary experiences. But the process begins long before arrival. Every journey starts with a phone call, either with Radetti herself or her senior designer, Tia Lovisa Moreira.

“It’s essential to get to know the client,” explains Radetti. “We discuss their interests, past travel experiences, passions—whether for culture, history, adventure, or cuisine—and their preferred travel style, pace, and budget. These conversations allow us to design bespoke itineraries, typically spanning 10 to 12 days.”

On the ground, concierge Mirela Benić, based in Rijeka, ensures every detail is flawlessly executed. “We cater to travelers’ needs before, during, and after their trip, from addressing food allergies to tailoring activities to physical capabilities,” Benić adds.
 

Beyond the Ordinary

Radetti’s itineraries are as diverse as her clients’ interests: exchanging wedding vows on a mountaintop monastery, private vineyard tours, cooking lessons with local chefs, or birdwatching in pristine nature reserves. Her expertise even extends to unique cultural exchanges, such as arranging a meeting between a retired U.S. judge and a Croatian constitutional judge.

Personalized luxury means anticipating clients’ every need and ensuring flawless execution. From private yacht charters and behind-the-scenes cultural tours to immersive culinary adventures, every detail is meticulously planned.

“Luxury today is defined by depth of experience,” says Radetti. “Even small details—how a guide presents themselves, the discretion of a driver, or the authenticity of a local meal—make all the difference.”
 

Training for Perfection

Radetti’s dedication to excellence began with her first trip in 1994, during Croatia’s challenging post-war years. Building a network of collaborators from scratch, she trained drivers, guides, and service professionals to meet the highest standards.

“I taught drivers to be professional, patient, and elegant—removing sunglasses when speaking to guests, avoiding flip-flops, and knowing when to engage in conversation,” she recalls. “The little things, like using cologne sparingly or asking before playing music, create an exceptional experience.”
 

Year-Round Croatia

While summer is Croatia’s peak season, Radetti champions its year-round appeal. “In autumn, imagine sailing along the Dalmatian coast, anchoring in secluded bays, swimming in warm waters, and sipping homemade brandy under a starlit sky. Stay in a restored bishop’s palace in Korčula in spring and join the locals in the centuries-old Good Friday procession. And don’t miss Rijeka’s carnival in February—one of the world’s most vibrant celebrations,” she says.
 

A Life of Travel

With a lifetime of globetrotting, Radetti has honed her expertise through firsthand experiences. Her adventures have shaped her unique perspective on travel, from rafting the Colorado River and exploring Yucatan cenotes to riding the Urubamba train to Machu Picchu and climbing pyramids across Central America.

But for all her travels, Radetti’s heart belongs to Croatia. “Have you ever seen the full moon hanging low over the sea near Rijeka and Opatija? There’s nothing more beautiful in the world,” she concludes.

TRAVEL + LEISURE A-LIST FEATURED ADVISOR

December 4, 2024
 
Celebrating 30 Years of Passion and Dedication
Thirty incredible years devoted to exploring and promoting the culture, art, history, and culinary treasures of Croatia Full of life —and its neighboring countries.
It has been a journey marked by challenges and countless moments of joy and discovery.
I am deeply grateful for the recognition of the effort, expertise, and passion we share with our most curious and inspiring travelers.
Thank you to Travel + Leisure for this honor, the extraordinary VisitCroatia.com – Tasteful Croatian Journeys team, and our cherished partners, friends, and service providers. You have guided, supported, and held my hand from the first moment my heart landed in Croatia.
Here’s to many more years of creating unforgettable journeys!
 
– Wanda
 

Featured Advisor: Wanda S. Radetti

 

Full article here

November 7, 2024

There’s a reason it’s been voted among the top 10 countries to visit. Here’s what you need to know about the best time to go to Croatia.

Wanda Radetti, founder of VisitCroatia.com, recommends the following highlights for your visit… Read more

 Full article here

August 26, 2024

Avoid the summer crowds by traveling in May or October—shoulder season is no longer June and September, especially in Dalmatia. “September has become the most popular month to visit Croatia, as our travelers see it as the first chapter of autumn,” says Wanda S. Radetti, founder of Tasteful Croatian Journeys, a pioneer in Croatia travel with more than 30 years of experience.

Full article here

October, 2023

Opatija, Croatia – A Playground of the Past: This town on the Adriatic Sea draws Europeans for its healthy air and waters for more than a century, Says Wanda S. Radetti, founder of visitcroatia.com

 

 
Full article here

April 27, 2023

“Located on a tiny island, Trogir’s Old Town is bursting with charm. Its narrow, ancient streets form a labyrinth lined with medieval town houses. The lively seafront promenade, lined with cafes and restaurants, is abuzz with activity on a summer day. The town also boasts many beautiful and well-preserved buildings from its age of glory between the 13th and 15th centuries. In 1997, its profuse collection of Romanesque and Renaissance buildings earned it UNESCO World Heritage status.” wrote Wanda S. Radetti, President of VisitCroatia.com – Tasteful Croatian Jorneys.

Full article here

December 2, 2022

When two luxury tourism pioneers collide, as Tasteful Croatian Journeys founder Wanda Radetti meets Hotel Ambasador, the first luxury waterfront 5-star hotel in central Split. It was quite an evening.
It only takes a few good people, those with vision and a pioneering spirit, whose efforts, dedication and passion can truly bring change.
Opposite me was a lady I had wanted to meet for a very long time, the truly pioneering founder of luxury Croatian tourism from the USA, and Conde Nast’s preferred Croatian partner every year since 2006, Wanda Radetti, whose VisitCroatia.com Tasteful Croatian Journeys project has arguably done more than anything to raise the profile of Croatian tourism in this crucial market.

Full article here – PDF version

November 15, 2022

Nemaš vizitku, a razgovaraš o biznisu? Da sam ja na tvom mjestu, sama bih sebi dala otkaz! – kroz smiješak jednom od svojih vodiča govori Wanda Radetti, ponajbolja američka agentica za luksuzna putovanja po Hrvatskoj, Tasteful Croatian Journeys. Ova rođena Riječanka, hrvatska Talijanka već je desetljećima najcjenjenija u svom poslu, a sve, kaže, zbog toga što je zaljubljena u Hrvatsku. Iz Rijeke je promjenom granica s roditeljima pobjegla kao dijete, boravila u migrantskim logorima u Italiji, morala lagati da je iz Trsta, dok se nisu dočepali obećane zemlje Amerike. Granice ne podnosi, a kad ih netko i spomene, smatra da su to mjesta koja spajaju ljude, ne crte razdvajanja.

Full article here

September 8, 2022

Croatia native and trip planner Wanda Radetti relishes the slower autumnal pace on the usually crowded destinations along the Dalmatian coast: “The days are calmer, the restaurants are still open, and the sea is still warm.” On Korčula, an island long associated with the peripatetic Marco Polo, visitors can help pick olives or explore in an antique motor boat. In the isle’s walled old town, Ms. Radetti suggests overnighters consider the 18th-century Lešić Dimitri Palace, with six suites inspired by the famed explorer’s wanderings.

Full article here

June 17, 2021

After becoming engaged, you’re (understandably) eager to celebrate-but the stress of wedding planning can quickly snowball. So why wait until the honeymoon to take a few days to toast to your future together? Planning a post-engagement trip allows you to spend time with your future spouse and kick off a lifetime of adventure, before you get bogged down in wedding details. Here are some of the best places to celebrate a recent engagement, suggested by T+L’s trusted A-List travel advisors.