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 is a sensation— it is a feeling that transcends matter and engages all senses.

For American tourists, a luxury journey through Croatia is no longer defined solely by predictable comfort and indulgence. Their expectations extend beyond impeccably “polished” five-star hotel rooms, first-class flights, and fine dining experiences. Instead, they seek authentic, meaningful memories that resonate long after their journey ends.
 

Wanda S. Radetti, a New Yorker with roots in Rijeka, has spent the last 30 years mastering the art of crafting such experiences. As the founder and owner of Tasteful Croatian Journeys, she was the first to introduce Croatia to the most discerning travelers from the U.S and Canada, a testament to her vision and passion.
 

Since 2006, Condé Nast Traveler has consistently recognized her as the world’s top Croatia travel specialists. Wanda specializes in curating unforgettable, tailor-made journeys across Croatia—experiences that reflect her love for the country and its treasures.

“About 20 years ago, she embarked on a journey with her friend Lidia Bastianich, the cookbook author and television host of Istrian heritage, to explore the lesser-known harbors and serene waves along the Croatian coast. Their boat, modest and unassuming compared to others docked in the marina of Cavtat, was far from the largest or most luxurious. Yet, it was the location—coupled with the extraordinary culinary experience—that made their trip unforgettable. They indulged on board in the finest ‘spiza,’ or local cuisine, crafted from fresh ingredients sourced from the nearby Konavle region, paired with exquisite wines from within a hundred kilometers, showcasing the true essence of the Croatian coastline. That was the first sailing of many more annual sailings attempting to explore the one-thousand-plus islands of the Croatian coast.
 

How do the travelers for whom I organize trips define luxury?
I can tell you that they seek exclusive, personalized experiences tailored to their personalities and interests. Luxury today consists of tangible comforts, but even more importantly, the intangible aspects of travel: impeccable service, exceptional attention to detail, and creating unforgettable moments for every client,” explains the American travel expert.

When you combine that with unique locations like Dubrovnik, Istria, Split, Korčula, Hvar, and especially Rovinj—which has recently become a rising star—you have the foundation for creating an unforgettable experience of Croatia.
 

The story of how one becomes her client begins with a phone call to her directly or to Tia Lovisa Moreira, Wanda’s right hand and Senior Luxury Travel Designer at Tasteful Croatian Journeys.

Before preparing a personalized itinerary, it is essential to have a phone conversation, as it is crucial for Wanda to get to know the person on the other end of the line. This allows her to understand the client’s interests, past travel experiences (what they liked or didn’t like), passions (culture, history, adventure, food), travel style (luxurious, relaxed, active, or family-oriented), and expectations (pace, budget, and must-sees).

On the ground, Mirela Benić, Tasteful Croatian Journeys Concierge based in Rijeka, takes care of the clients’ needs, ensuring they feel supported before, during, and after their trip to Croatia.
 

What Else Do We Discuss in the First Contact?
For example, I’ll ask them about their hobbies, requirements, and expectations, and what inspires them the most. We’ll discuss food allergies and their level of physical fitness so we can plan activities according to their abilities. This exchange helps us understand how to focus the traveler’s attention on places and experiences that will meet their specific needs. Once we connect, we begin transforming their dreams into a unique 10-to-12-day itinerary—the usual length of their stay in Croatia. Whether it is organizing a vow renewal, a private tour of a family vineyard, private cooking lessons with a local chef, or a bird-watching excursion for nature enthusiasts – explains Mrs. Radetti, who, for example, with the help of Leila Krešić-Jurić, director of the Croatian National Tourist Board in the USA, once organized a trip for a retired constitutional judge from California to Croatia which included a meeting with a Croatian judge to exchange professional experiences.

Wanda explains that organizing a personalized trip means anticipating every traveler’s need and acting unobtrusively while arranging private charters of specially designed yachts, behind-the-scenes access to cultural landmarks and events, or personalized culinary journeys… The key is understanding that today, luxury is defined by the depth of the experience. Therefore, it matters how the service is presented to the guest, whether it’s a private tour guide, skipper, or personal driver.
 

After the first trip I organized in 1994, while Croatia was going through a difficult period, little by little, I got to know and trained a network of collaborators on the ground. Sometimes it felt like I was an ‘ice breaker’ I trained professionals whose services we needed, such as private drivers. I acted as a client and guided drivers on how to be professional, elegant, patient, educated, and, of course, non-smokers. I taught them to remove their sunglasses when speaking to clients and not to wear flip-flops. I explained when it’s appropriate to talk with the guest and when it’s not. They learned that cologne should be used sparingly and that their favorite music should not be played in the car without the guest’s consent. I emphasized that it was not advisable to step on the gas to show how fast they could drive and that they should not invite their girlfriend on the ride with the guest,” explains Wanda S. Radetti, who also revealed to us that the usual seasonality of travel to Croatia (summer, summer, and only summer) is no longer crucial. Here’s how she presents to guests what they can do off-season.
 

In autumn, imagine a private yacht weaving along the Dalmatian coast. Find quiet, secluded emerald coves where you can anchor overnight. Swim in the Adriatic Sea, which is still pleasantly warm. On a clear, crisp night, wrap yourself in a blanket on the deck, sipping “rakija” made by your skipper’s family as they teach you how to navigate by the stars. Visit off-the-beaten-path coastal destinations, join celebrations of local traditions or patron saints, or enjoy February carnivals. Rijeka is one of the most beautiful carnival cities in the world. In spring, just before Easter, spend the night in a renovated bishop’s palace on the island of Korčula and join the Good Friday procession with the locals, a tradition over 700 years old,” Wanda suggests.  Since, after three decades of organizing luxury travel to Croatia, she can recognize the unspoken desires of the most demanding travelers, it is no surprise that she has traveled the world in search of unforgettable experiences. Travel is her way of life and true passion, which she has transformed into a successful business.
 

I have traveled almost all the states of the USA and Canada, navigated the white water rapids of the Colorado River, swam in the cenotes of Yucatan, sinkholes that develop over millions of years, I swam with dolphins and fell in love in Isla Mujeres, one of the most beautiful smaller islands of the Caribbean Sea. I spent a night at a table in Mexico City tasting tequila and enjoyed coca leaf tea in Cusco. I paid the price with a terrible headache, but it was worth trying. I rode the train along the Urubamba River on my way to Machu Picchu, played blackjack at the Casino de Monte-Carlo, and regained my losses when I played my birthdate at the roulette table; I was intimidated by the shouts and banging of the tables by the players at the Casino’ in Macao. I climbed the famous pyramids in most Central American countries, visited most European countries, and petted a baby elephant on a safari in West Africa. In Mombasa, I received a marriage proposal: to impress me with his wealth, my suitor brought his camel daily to greet me on the beach… On my way to Bali, my airplane made an emergency landing in Papua New Guinea, which was an extraordinary experience,” recalls the unstoppable entrepreneur.
 

And since there are very few corners of the world she hasn’t visited, her answer to where she found the most beauty carries special weight. “Have you seen the full moon low over the sea next to Rijeka and Opatija? Believe me when I say there is no more beautiful sight in the world,” concludes Wanda S. Radetti.