Graham Carter
Hi, I’m Graham, Co-Founder of Unforgettable Croatia. Alongside my wife Julia and our fantastic team, we’ve grown to become the largest luxury travel company to Croatia.
I grew up in South Africa where my love of adventure, outdoors and the sea started. I lived and studied in Florida, before moving to London. Being based in Europe has given me the opportunity to travel the world and visit every continent, which I am incredibly grateful for.
I’m hugely passionate about Croatia and since launching Unforgettable Croatia in 2015, I’ve taken over 100 trips to Croatia and got to know every part of this beautiful country, which I fondly call my second home now.
I’m driven by ensuring our team provides exceptional customer service, unrivalled destination knowledge, acute attention to detail, and ensuring we always strive to go above and beyond for our clients.
Graham on Location
Graham's Croatia Highlights
What's Your Favorite Destination in Croatia?
I don’t think its possible to say one destination in Croatia which is my favorite, I have a few:
Dubrovnik – I love walking around Dubrovnik in the Summer evening months. The atmospheric buzz from the festivals and the simply breathtaking architecture around you, make it a special place to be.
Komiža – I always strive to get off the beaten track wherever I go and to be Komiža in Vis epitomizes this for me. Its quaint port, local tavernas and laid back vibe makes you feel you are visiting a town from yesteryear.
Istria – There is something to be said for its rolling hills, charming family run vineyards and its welcoming truffle producing families, which reminds me of Tuscany 30 years ago…
What Are Your Favorite Experiences in Croatia?
As a company we strive to take our clients to meet local family’s, producers and the people who really create those everlasting moments. My favorite ones include:
The Ultimate Foodie Day out which includes truffle hunting with one of the sweetest family’s and their adorable dogs, followed by wine tasting where you get to meet the wine maker and have a personalized bottle of your favorite wine to take home as a gift.
A home-hosted cooking class where the menu changes daily based on the ingredients and seafood they have available. Bill Gates has celebrated two milestone Birthdays at this hidden gem.
For VIP clients we host a sunset gourmet picnic overlooking Dubrovnik Old Town complete with chef, 2 piece band and a photographer. The location is to die for.
Where Are Your Favorite Places to Rest Your Head in Croatia?
We work with a small but very hand-picked selection of hotels around Croatia which we have excellent relationships with. So its hard for me to choose my favorites, but there are two that I love for sentimental reasons:
Hotel Excelsior in Dubrovnik – This gorgeous hotel is where my wife and I got married, and we were extremely fortunate to be one of the last weddings they hosted on their beautiful Palm Terrace which offered spectacular sunset views overlooking the Old Town.
Splendida Palace in Split – I consider Marija one of our closest partners in Croatia and also a dear friend. We launched our businesses at around the same time and the level of personalized service she provides, is in keeping with how Unforgettable Croatia operates.
What Are Your Favorite Restaurants in Croatia?
We work with the best of the best in Croatia and our clients are incredibly fortunate to enjoy preferred service at these restaurants, thanks to the Signature Club we operate with these restaurants. So I think it would be unfair for me to pick a favorite.
I would rather tell you some of my favorite Croatian dishes which I feel you should try whilst you are visiting Croatia:
Peka – My personal favorite a slow cooked and incredibly tender roast lamb or octopus which is served in traditional restaurants along the coast.
Blueberry Strukli – A baked cheese dish which you can either have served as sweet or savoury. Try the blueberry version at Le Struk in Zagreb.
Fritule – Croatia’s version of small donuts. They are delicious sprinkled with just sugar dusting, but even more indulgent with a chocolate sauce!
Graham's Croatia Highlights
What's Your Favorite Destination in Croatia?
I don’t think its possible to say one destination in Croatia which is my favorite, I have a few:
Dubrovnik – I love walking around Dubrovnik in the Summer evening months. The atmospheric buzz from the festivals and the simply breathtaking architecture around you, make it a special place to be.
Komiža – I always strive to get off the beaten track wherever I go and to be Komiža in Vis epitomizes this for me. Its quaint port, local tavernas and laid back vibe makes you feel you are visiting a town from yesteryear.
Istria – There is something to be said for its rolling hills, charming family run vineyards and its welcoming truffle producing families, which reminds me of Tuscany 30 years ago…
What Are Your Favorite Experiences in Croatia?
As a company we strive to take our clients to meet local family’s, producers and the people who really create those everlasting moments. My favorite ones include:
The Ultimate Foodie Day out which includes truffle hunting with one of the sweetest family’s and their adorable dogs, followed by wine tasting where you get to meet the wine maker and have a personalized bottle of your favorite wine to take home as a gift.
A home-hosted cooking class where the menu changes daily based on the ingredients and seafood they have available. Bill Gates has celebrated two milestone Birthdays at this hidden gem.
For VIP clients we host a sunset gourmet picnic overlooking Dubrovnik Old Town complete with chef, 2 piece band and a photographer. The location is to die for.
Where Are Your Favorite Places to Rest Your Head in Croatia?
We work with a small but very hand-picked selection of hotels around Croatia which we have excellent relationships with. So its hard for me to choose my favorites, but there are two that I love for sentimental reasons:
Hotel Excelsior in Dubrovnik – This gorgeous hotel is where my wife and I got married, and we were extremely fortunate to be one of the last weddings they hosted on their beautiful Palm Terrace which offered spectacular sunset views overlooking the Old Town.
Splendida Palace in Split – I consider Marija one of our closest partners in Croatia and also a dear friend. We launched our businesses at around the same time and the level of personalized service she provides, is in keeping with how Unforgettable Croatia operates.
What Are Your Favorite Restaurants in Croatia?
We work with the best of the best in Croatia and our clients are incredibly fortunate to enjoy preferred service at these restaurants, thanks to the Signature Club we operate with these restaurants. So I think it would be unfair for me to pick a favorite.
I would rather tell you some of my favorite Croatian dishes which I feel you should try whilst you are visiting Croatia:
Peka – My personal favorite a slow cooked and incredibly tender roast lamb or octopus which is served in traditional restaurants along the coast.
Blueberry Strukli – A baked cheese dish which you can either have served as sweet or savoury. Try the blueberry version at Le Struk in Zagreb.
Fritule – Croatia’s version of small donuts. They are delicious sprinkled with just sugar dusting, but even more indulgent with a chocolate sauce!
Graham's Top Tips
- Escape the crowds and get into the hinterland, this is where the magic happens and you will get to see authentic Croatia.
- Croatia is best explored by yacht, some of the most charming destinations in Croatia such as Komiža, Pučišća, Milna and Palmizana for instance are best accessed by yacht.
- Spend at least 2 nights in each location. There is often the tendancy to try and fit as much as you can into the trip. Having that extra day, takes the pressure off trying to rush to see everything. That little hole in the wall restaurant you discover, you can book for the following evening.
- Try regional food as it really differs a lot between destinations. The Dalmatian Coast has some of the freshest fish you will ever taste, whilst food in the North of Croatia is influenced by Austro Hungarian’s and can be very different and delicious.
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