Sophie Cayley - Silver Travel Advisor / Hays Independence Group

18/09/2026

🇭🇷 CROATIA… WHAT A TRIP! 🇭🇷

I’m home, the case is unpacked and after looking back through everything from the last few days, I think it’s safe to say… Croatia completely stole my heart. 💙

I went out there to experience the destination as a Travel Agent, but there’s only so much a brochure or website can ever tell you.

I’ve now walked the streets, visited the hotels, tasted the food, travelled between the islands, explored by private boat, discovered hidden coves, met some wonderful local people and seen for myself just how much Croatia has to offer.

That’s exactly why these trips are so valuable to me. When you ask me about Croatia now, I’m not just selling you somewhere I’ve seen in a brochure, I’ve been there, experienced it and can help you work out which parts are right for YOU.

So after following my adventures, I want to know…

Has Croatia made it onto your list? 🇭🇷👇

And if you’ve been watching thinking “I need to go there”, message me CROATIA and let’s have a chat. ✈️💙

This might be the end of my trip… but I have a feeling it’s only the beginning of my Croatia obsession. 😂🇭🇷

Send a message to learn more

17/09/2026

Yesterday our skipper took us out onto the Adriatic by private boat to explore the beautiful Pakleni Islands. Turquoise waters, hidden little coves and gorgeous scenery everywhere you looked. 🌊☀️⛵️

We then stopped for lunch at the legendary Meneghello estate in Palmižana, on the island of Sveti Klement, the largest of the Pakleni Islands. 🌿

What I loved discovering is that you can actually stay here too. There’s a wonderfully secluded place to stay at the Meneghello estate, surrounded by nature, where they also offer experiences such as yoga retreats. 🧘‍♀️🌿 Imagine waking up here with the Adriatic on your doorstep!

Private boat, island hopping, sunshine and wonderful food… definitely one of those days I could get very used to. 💙🇭🇷

17/09/2026

🇭🇷 HVAR… I THINK I’VE FALLEN EVEN FURTHER IN LOVE WITH CROATIA ❤️

What a beautiful place. 😍

From the moment we arrived into Hvar, with its gorgeous harbour, beautiful old streets, waterfront cafés and that laid-back island vibe, I absolutely loved it.

And the best bit? Hvar is only around an hour by ferry from the mainland, so it’s incredibly easy to add a little island time into a Croatian holiday. ⛴️🏝️

While we were there, we also managed to squeeze in a couple of hotel visits.. because even in a place this beautiful, I’m still working! 😂✈️ It’s been really useful seeing the hotels for myself and getting a feel for where I’d recommend to different clients.

Hvar itself has a completely different feel to Split. It’s relaxed, stylish, pretty and has that wonderful holiday atmosphere where you instantly think… I could stay here a little longer. ❤️

Everywhere I’ve visited on this trip has made me fall a little more in love with Croatia. 🇭🇷

16/09/2026

ISLAND LIFE… I THINK IT’S THE LIFE FOR ME. 🌊🤍

We came over to Hvar yesterday for just one night and, wow, what a beautiful place. I’m lying here this morning waiting to start another day, looking out at this view and wondering why on earth I don’t live somewhere like this. ⛵☀️

Hvar has definitely stolen a little piece of my heart, but if I’m honest, Croatia in general has. 🇭🇷❤️

Everywhere we’ve been has given us something different and there is still SO much more I want to see.

One thing I know for certain is that I need to come back. 🏝️

15/09/2026

Today’s mode of transport… ⛴️☀️🌊

We’re leaving Split behind for the night and heading across the beautiful Adriatic to the island of Hvar. 🇭🇷💙😍

Another day, another Croatian adventure… and I can’t wait to show you what Hvar has in store! 📸✨

15/09/2026

🍸 WHEN YOUR “RESEARCH” INVOLVES VISITING ONE OF THE WORLD’S TOP GIN PRODUCERS… 😂🇭🇷

Another stop on yesterday’s adventures was Poetica Distillery in Vrgorac – and I have to say, this was GREAT fun!

I hadn’t realised quite how highly regarded this Croatian gin is until we visited and saw the awards for ourselves. 🏆

Their Poetica Ginuine London Dry Gin scored an incredible 96/100 and won GOLD at the 2024 International Wine & Spirit Competition in London – one of the biggest international competitions in the industry.

And it doesn’t stop there…

🍸 Poetica Distillery was one of just five producers shortlisted for the 2024 International Gin Producer Trophy.

🏆 Poetica Ginuine was also shortlisted for the London Dry Gin Producer Trophy.

🥇 And at the GinIstra festival, Poetica has picked up a whole collection of awards, including Best in Show, platinum and gold medals.

Not bad for a distillery tucked away in this part of Croatia! 🇭🇷

We got to learn about how the gin is produced, hear the story behind Poetica and, of course, there was some tasting involved… purely for research purposes! 😂🍸

Our host was absolutely brilliant and made the whole experience so much fun. There were plenty of laughs and a great time was definitely had by all.

I’m not a gin drinker myself, but I know someone at home who most definitely is…

😂 My husband is going to be a VERY happy man because a bottle of Poetica will be coming back to Wolverhampton with me!

Another little Croatian gem I probably wouldn’t have known about without coming here and experiencing it for myself. ❤️🇭🇷

It’s a tough job this travel research… 😂✈️

15/09/2026

🇭🇷 THIS is the Croatia I love discovering… ❤️

Yesterday, while exploring the countryside around Vrgorac, we were invited into the home of the lovely Dragica for a very special lunch.

But this wasn’t a restaurant… this was quite literally home cooking in every sense of the word. 🥰

The food Dragica prepared for us was made using produce grown or reared on their own land, cooked in her traditional kitchen and then served to us around her table.

And it was absolutely delicious. ❤️

There’s something very special about sitting in someone’s home, eating food that has come from the land surrounding you and experiencing a little bit of how local people actually live.

Vrgorac is an area famous for its Dalmatian prosciutto, wine and strawberries, but experiences like this take you beyond simply tasting the food – you get to meet the people behind it too.

No big restaurant.
Just wonderful hospitality, traditional cooking, local produce and a very warm Croatian welcome. 🇭🇷

For me, THIS is what travelling is all about.

It’s also why these research trips are so valuable – finding those little experiences that you might never know existed when simply booking a holiday from a brochure. ❤️

14/09/2026

✨ CHANGE OF PLAN TODAY… ✨

We were meant to be heading over to Brač today, but due to the current fires our plans have changed and we’re staying on the mainland.

Most importantly, hoping everyone on Brač is staying safe and thinking of all those affected. ❤️🇭🇷

But when a change of plan brings you somewhere like this and you’ve still got a full day of adventure ahead, there really are worse places to be!

And I have to say… an unexpected picnic by the river is a pretty lovely way to start! 😍🧺

We’re off exploring and discovering more today, so I’ll update you all later with where we’ve been and what we’ve been up to. 👀🇭🇷

Sometimes the unplanned days turn out to be some of the best… ❤️

13/09/2026

🎬 OK… WHO KNOWS THIS ONE? 👀🇭🇷

Today’s adventures have taken us somewhere rather spectacular… just LOOK at that backdrop! 😍

But I’m not telling you where we are just yet.

Instead, I’ve got TWO questions for you…

📍 Where am I?
🎬 And what VERY famous TV series was filmed here?

I reckon quite a few of you will get the second one… but can you name the actual location too? 👀

No Googling! 😂

Drop your guesses below 👇

13/09/2026

🇭🇷 ONE OF THOSE SPECIAL MOMENTS IN SPLIT… 🎶❤️

Walking through Diocletian’s Palace and we came across this…

These are traditional Klapa singers, performing inside the ancient Vestibule and there’s a reason they sing right here.

The circular stone chamber has the most incredible natural acoustics, so their voices echo and blend together beautifully, no instruments needed. 🎶

Klapa is a traditional form of Dalmatian a ca****la singing and is even recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

I love finding things like this when I travel – the little unexpected moments that give you a real taste of the destination rather than just seeing the sights. ❤️

🔊 Sound on for this one!

Split, you’ve been beautiful… 🇭🇷☀️

Next stop… Trogir! 👀