Ally Lewing

Senior Europe Travel Specialist

Email: [email protected]

Growing up outside Philadelphia, I was into sports and constantly in my grandmother’s kitchen — so it tracks that some of my favorite travel memories involve food and movement: cooking an authentic Spanish meal in a private home in a small Andalucían village, biking through Tuscany’s vineyards, or floating above Cappadocia’s lunar landscape in a hot air balloon.

I’m a planner by nature and by trade, but I’ve come to believe the best trips leave room for the unplanned. I still think about the time my family ducked into a pub in Dingle, Ireland for a quick pint — the room went quiet and every head turned as we walked in, because a local was about to sing an old Irish folk song, and we’d arrived right on cue.

My first trip to France as a kid started something that a stint studying hospitality in Switzerland later turned into a career. I’ve spent the years since traveling through much of Europe, and the last ten helping others plan their own trips across it.

Ally's Croatia Cruise Highlights

  • What is your favorite stop on a Croatia cruise and why?

    My favorite stop on a Croatia cruise is Mljet National Park. While I absolutely love exploring the historic seaside towns during the cruise, I always look forward to spending time in nature, riding bikes along the path, taking a swim in the tidal lakes or enjoying a cold beer with picturesque views.

  • What makes a great small ship cruise experience in Croatia?

    A great small ship cruise experience in Croatia is about getting to do what makes you happy whether you’re after history and culture, food and wine, or adventure. In my case, it’s a bit of everything – fascinating conversations with new people, swimming in the crystal-clear sea, dining on fresh seafood and delicious pasta, exploring the narrow, cobbled lanes of historic cities or relaxing in a shady corner of the boat with a book in hand.

  • What is your most memorable moment from a Croatia cruise?

    One of my most memorable cruise moments occurred when one of the guests on our cruise dropped their GoPro while we were swimming in the sea. Before long nearly half the boat was swimming with goggles on in search of the missing camera. After a few false alarms, some bumped heads and another camera nearly lost, the GoPro was rescued. But the jokes and laughs from the events of the search lasted for the rest of the cruise.

  • What are your top tips for a small ship cruise in Croatia?

    From a practical standpoint, bring layers (evening at sea can be chilly) and comfortable shoes (for those cobblestone streets). Ask locals for their favorite spots – bakeries, gelato shops, restaurants, etc. And don’t forget to slow down and be spontaneous; instead of trying to do and see it all, enjoy the quiet moments, take in the stunning views, pop into a shop or museum that interests you.

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