Along the way
Moments from the tour, 10–17 October 2026.
A plant-based journey down the Adriatic, women only
This women-only departure ran 10–17 October 2026 — an 8-day journey from the capital of Zagreb down to the walls of Dubrovnik, tracing Croatia's cobblestone streets and shimmering coastline, entirely plant-based. Along the way the group wandered UNESCO Old Towns, stood among the waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes, ferried to Brač Island, and shared nourishing vegan meals at hand-picked local restaurants.
It was a small group (7 travelers plus Kristin) of vegans, vegetarians, the veg-curious, and women who wanted to see the world without compromising their values. There was a hands-on soparnik cooking class, a family winery tasting, and plenty of time to simply wander, eat well and connect. We also ran an identical open-to-all departure of the same itinerary, 5–12 September 2026 — see that retreat story here.
The carbon footprint of this tour
We calculated the carbon footprint of this tour after it finished: 104.35 kg CO₂e per person. See where it comes from, add your own journey and download your personal report.
See the carbon reportEight days, Zagreb to Dubrovnik
A relaxed pace with a full, plant-based table — city walks, national-park nature, island views and long, unhurried dinners. Here's how the week unfolded.
Arrival in Zagreb
The group arrived in Zagreb, Croatia's laid-back capital, and settled in. In the evening everyone gathered for a welcome dinner at a local vegan restaurant — the first of many plant-based meals, and the perfect way to meet fellow travelers.
Exploring Zagreb
A guided walking tour took the group through Zagreb's Old Town — striking architecture, quaint alleyways and the stories behind them. The afternoon was free for markets, museums or café-hopping, before dinner on lively Tkalčićeva Street, a colorful pedestrian lane lined with restaurants and good energy.
Plitvice Lakes & Zadar
The group headed into nature at Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of cascading waterfalls, turquoise pools and forest boardwalks. Later everyone continued to the coast at Zadar to catch the Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun light installation at sunset, followed by dinner at a vegan-friendly spot.
Zadar & Split
A free morning let the group wander Zadar's Roman ruins and Old Town, then everyone traveled down the coast to Split and its remarkable Diocletian's Palace — a UNESCO site and one of the best-preserved Roman monuments anywhere. Dinner followed in the Old Town.
Brač Island day trip
A ferry took the group to Brač Island for the day. They took in the panoramic views from Vidova Gora, the highest point on any Croatian island, visited a family olive oil museum for a tasting of spreads, figs, bread and local wine, and spent time at Zlatni Rat, Croatia's most iconic beach.
Cooking class, wine & on to Dubrovnik
A hands-on cooking class taught the group to make soparnik — a traditional Dalmatian pie of Swiss chard, onion and garlic, baked under hot coals and served with stories and smiles. The group stopped at a family-run winery on the Pelješac Peninsula for a tasting with local bites, then continued to Dubrovnik.
Dubrovnik & farewell dinner
A walking tour through Dubrovnik's walled Old Town traced its medieval history past landmarks like the Rector's Palace and Sponza Palace. The afternoon was free — walking the famous city walls, riding the cable car for sweeping views, or browsing the marble streets. In the evening, a farewell dinner featured peka, a dish slow-cooked under an iron bell and veganized just for the group.
Departure
One last breakfast together before transfers to Dubrovnik airport and onward journeys home — hearts full and bellies happy.
Traveling with Kristin
Kristin Lajeunesse
Founder, Will Travel for Vegan Food · Vegan travel author
Kristin has been vegan for nearly two decades and has built her life around ethical, plant-based travel. In 2011 she left a conventional career, renovated a 1996 Chevy van, and set out to eat at every fully-vegan restaurant in the United States — a passion project that grew into a book (Will Travel for Vegan Food, 2015), a 27-city tour, and a community of compassionate adventurers.
Since then she has traveled all 50 US states and more than 24 countries, dining at hundreds of vegan spots along the way. She founded Will Travel for Vegan Food to create space for travelers who want to explore the world in line with their values — and she has spent time in the very cities and restaurants on this Croatian itinerary. As she puts it, this country is an absolute gem.
About this route through Croatia
Which airports work best for this route?
Zagreb (ZAG) and Dubrovnik (DBV) are the most convenient international airports for this route — flying into one end and out of the other avoids backtracking.
Is Croatia an easy destination for vegan travelers?
Yes — Croatia's markets, coastal towns and cities all have growing plant-based options, and traditional dishes like soparnik, a Dalmatian chard pie, are easy to make vegan.
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