Leaving Dubrovnik on a week-long chartered cruise along the sunniest coastline in Europe – and through the cleanest waters I’ve ever seen … anywhere!

It’s a “wow” – for sure!

A classic photo – from the top of the hill overlooking the rooftops of Dubrovnik. Another “wow”!

I have many similar photos – old men on benches, watching the world go by on a lazy afternoon. What do you think they’re talking about? Gabriel tried to infiltrate this bunch – but they were having none of it!

Captain of his own ship!

I managed to capture a rare moment when someone wasn’t soaking up the sunshine on the top deck of our beautiful ship.

Our Captain made swim stops every day – dropping anchor in one gorgeous little cove after another, where we’d take the zodiac to the pebbly beach and chill . . .

Didn’t take much prodding to get everyone to do the famous “wow” pose!

A typical day in Dalmatia: I was sitting at a seaside cafe, sipping a refreshing glass of local Grk wine when this sweet old lady came out on her terrace with her cat to survey the scene . . .

Does it get any more adorable? Local kids being irresistible – selling sweet treasures to the tourists!

I was sitting in the dining room of the ship when I noticed the reflection of the chandeliers in my sunglasses!

I stalked these two beautiful people for two weeks straight! That’s our Captain, Denis, and his beautiful wife, Anja.

Lavender fields, forever – with my friend, Gloria! (My suitcase still smells of the stuff … heavenly!)

On the second week’s voyage, a new group of WOWees enjoyed a soak in the same gorgeous lake on the island of Mljet – with the same enthusiastic “wow”!

Even though the food onboard our ship was fabulous, it was nice to be able to dine alfresco in several of the lovely ports where we overnighted! This beautiful group dinner was at Filippi’s in Korcula.

There’s a bigger story attached to this moment . . . to be published in a future blog post. For now, I’ll let you use your imagination!!

How do you say “YUM” in Croatian? We gorged on fresh, fresh mussels – sauteed in seawater, olive oil, garlic, and onion – with a sprinkling of parsley. OMG . . .

Come on … who WOULDN’T want to take a ride with this handsome sailor??

Golden Horn (Zlatini Rat) on the island of Bol – the shape of the beach changes according to the wind and tides!

Mine! All mine!!!

On one of the few rainy days (just a brief morning shower), we explored Diocletian’s Palace in Split, built in the year 305. No admission fee … as it’s been lived in by local people for centuries!

I had a broken blood vessel in my eye – a perfect excuse to dress like a pirate for the Captain’s Party! Aaarrggghhh!

The ship’s menu was based on whatever the fishermen brought in. Plus, the chef went ashore to get us freshly baked bread every morning. All of us were spoiled rotten and are having difficulty adjusting . . .

This barber is a self-proclaimed social media celebrity in a tiny town, on a remote island. There’s a very special story attached to this photo, too: A courageous, gutsy woman in my group – diagnosed with a rare cancer – was determined to come on this journey: NO MATTER WHAT! And since it was exactly two years before that I had my own scary diagnosis – it was a tender and emotional moment when she chose to get her head shaved . . .

There they are again – Croatia’s most photogenic couple!

Scenes like this almost got to be so routine as to make me question, “Don’t I already have enough beautiful photos like this?” (I say “almost” ….)

Could it get any better?? A hot tub on the top deck . . . COME ON!!!

A panorama as we pulled in to the pier . . . every port was prettier than the one before!

More old men on a bench. They were absolutely charming! I asked one of them to adopt me . . . but it was lost in translation!

Normally I could care less about soccer – but we all got caught up in World Cup fever. Bummed that they lost in the final round . . . 🙂