Taste Tester Wanted For Brand New Croatian Cruise

The lucky winner will join our brand new 7-night Food and Wine Cruise departing in 2020. The luxury cruise will depart from Split and island hop through Croatia before concluding their vacation in the historical city of Dubrovnik. The cruise will include guided city tours of Split and Dubrovnik, plus entrance to two spectacular National Parks. Whilst on board the ship, passengers will enjoy a tasty breakfast, 4-course lunches, and of course local wine is provided. Passengers will be accompanied by a Cruise Director, who is an expert in Croatian wine and will provide interesting and informative on-board wine lectures.

Croatia is home to an abundance of incredible food and wine which many people know little about. In fact, Croatia is a big producer of olive oil, cheeses, prosciutto, fresh seafood and even pasta, which may come as no surprise after learning about Croatia’s Italian influence.

The history of Croatian wine dates back to the Ancient Greek settlers and remains an important part of Croatia’s culture. The wine production in Croatia is dominant on the southern Dalmatian, particularly on the islands of Korčula, Vis and Hvar. Currently, Croatia has 64 distinct grape types, over 800 wineries and almost 20,000 registered winemakers for you to visit. For a long time, wine production in Croatia was divided into two groups – Continental wine production and Coastal wine production. More recently, the country’s wine experts have devised a new classification of four wine regions – Dalmatia, Uplands, Slavonia & Danube, and Istria & Kvarner.

On this unforgettable cruise, you will be island-hopping your way around Croatia, visiting so many beautiful islands. The cruise will begin in the medieval city of Split, offering you the chance to explore the impressive Diocletian’s Palace, learn about the Roman history enriched in the city and stroll along the promenade. Split is also the perfect destination to discover typical Dalmatian cuisine, including fresh seafood and handmade pasta, and don’t forget to visit the Green market where you will find locals selling fresh fruit and vegetables, homemade cheeses and cured meats.

Your journey will continue as you travel to Šibenik, a small Croatian city located on the Adriatic coast. Stroll around the quaint streets, admire the renaissance architecture and visit one of the popular attractions in Šibenik, St. James Cathedral. The Cathedral was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 and is unique because it is made entirely from stone. From Šibenik, you will you taking a daytrip to the impressive Krka National Park, where you will explore the park and marvel at its seven magnificent waterfalls, including the famous Skradinski Buk falls.

Vis Island is the perfect island for wine-lovers and history buffs. It was a former army base for Yugoslavia, with secret fortresses and military tunnels dotted around the island. The island has remained largely unspoiled and never developed a tourist industry, so if you are looking for a quiet and peaceful island to discover, Vis is the place to be. Whilst on the island, you will be visiting a family run winery, where you will sample delicious, good quality, local wines paired perfectly with a mix of cheese and meats.

Your wine tasting experience continues as you travel to Hvar, which is renowned for its incredible wines, buzzing nightlife and stunning lavender fields. You will enjoy a guided wine tour of Tomic Winery, which offers a selection of red and white wines – from meaty reds to sweet dessert wines. After your visit to the winery, you will have the evening free to stroll around the cobbled streets and enjoy dinner or a drink at one of the many lively restaurants, bars or cafes on the island.

On day five you will set sail to visit the sixth largest island in Croatia, Korčula. The main Korčula Town is described by some as “Little Dubrovnik” for its medieval architecture. After taking a tour of the town, you will be joining a wine tasting trip to a winery on the island, where you can soak up the panoramic views of the valleys as you sip delicious wine. In the evening, you can try a typical Dalmatian dinner at one of the seafront restaurants, the perfect place to watch a beautiful sunset.

In the morning you will set sail to the stunning Mljet National Park, which is one of eight national parks in Croatia. The national park is a large area with two saltwater lakes, Malo Jezero (Little Lake) and Veliko Jezero (Big Lake). Mljet has plenty of fun activities for visitors to try, from cycling around the island, enjoying a swim or renting a canoe to paddle around the lakes. Following your morning at the national park, your cruise will continue as you arrive in Slano, a small village in Southern Croatia. You will take a trip to the nearby town of Ston, which is famous for its salt production and oysters. Whilst here, you will visit an oyster farm and sample fresh oysters, paired with local wine and liqueur.

As you approach the end of your Food and Wine Cruise, you will arrive at your final destination, Dubrovnik. It is one of the prominent tourist destinations in the Mediterranean and a must-see city in Croatia. Dubrovnik has ben listed as a World Heritage Site since 1979 because of its history in the old town, which features Renaissance and Gothic architecture. Whilst in Dubrovnik, you will have the opportunity to visit a local family living in a village outside of the busy town. You will be shown how to prepare a typical Croatian dish using fresh ingredients from their garden before tucking into the delicious meal. This will be an authentic experience like no other! After eating and drinking your way through Croatia, it will be time for you to finally head home and boast about the amazing vacation you had to all of your family and friends.

The Prize

Our chosen Taste Tester will win a place on our luxury Food & Wine cruise across Croatia onboard the MV Belissima. The cruise will include expertly guided Food & Wine tours to traditional wineries where you will sample local wines, as well as dining on delicious homemade Croatian meals. The cruise also includes other excursions, such as a visit to an oyster farm to try freshly caught oysters, entrance to see the beautiful Krka waterfalls and a trip to Mljet National Park.

If you would like to find out more about the prize, please visit our competition page here>

What We Are Looking For?

The perfect ‘Taste Tester’ will be a keen food and wine enthusiast who has good knowledgeable of different types of wine and is willing to try new cuisines. We are looking for someone who feels confident to provide us with their honest feedback on our gourmet cruise and experiences.

Applicants do not need any relevant experience to apply for this opportunity, just a love for food, wine and travel.

Departure Date

The cruise will depart 10th October 2020 from Split and finish in Dubrovnik on 17th October 2020. Please see full T&Cs before entering.

How to Enter

To enter, all you have to do is fill out the entry form below telling us why you deserve to be given this opportunity. Entries open at 0:00am BST on 14th August 2019, and close at 11.45pm BST on 4th September 2019.

If you think you have what it takes to be the perfect Taste Tester on our Food & Wine cruise, then click here to apply now.