Unveiling the Beauty of the Balkans
October 6, 2024
By Kristine Fisher
Dubrovnik, “The Pearl of the Adriatic,” Croatia.
I happily admit to being a hard-wired traveler, I blame it on my early years growing up in Southeast Asia, where my father served as an international liaison for US interests. His pursuit of adventure was contagious. We were fortunate to take advantage of our SE Asian location to explore countries near and far such as Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Bali, and Europe. Forever life changing, I now have a permanent craving for packing my bags. With a love for exploring new environs, learning from other cultures is foundational for me. Researching new itineraries and filling up with excitement for unknown adventures is my catnip.
It was the first week of January 2024; a fresh new year. And I was in search of a new adventure. Where to this spring?
Why the Balkans
Croatia and Montenegro have been on my radar for years and would be my introduction to the Balkans. I had heard how beautiful and culturally rich the region is with its layered history, amazing architecture, and natural beauty. Feeling curious and inspired, plans were made for a two-week trip in May. My husband Rick and I were soon in our glory, exploring the stunning Dalmatian Coast of Croatia by ferry.
We discovered that Croatia has over 1,000 islands to explore, with 79 in the Dalmatia and Adriatic waters. All those islands were beckoning. We wanted to take advantage of the easy public ferry system and selected the islands of Hvar, an absolute jewel, a mini Monaco, the irresistible vineyards of Korcula, and photogenic Trogir for exploration along with 4 days in charming Dubrovnik, “the pearl of the Adriatic”, which also served as our gateway for exploring Montenegro.
Left: The sculptural walls that define Dubrovnik, Croatia. Right: Stunning Hvar Island, Croatia.
Spectacular Montenegro was such a discovery. The dramatic Orjen and Lovcen mountains that surround the Bay of Kotor, were breathtaking. Motorboats of any kind must be registered and pay to travel the Bay, to control both boating activity and pollution. How smart! A pescatarian diet is favored by the Montenegrins as they pride themselves on the quality of their fresh catch. A sweet sea bass or flaky mackerel anyone? In addition to the impressive old walled town of Kotor dating back to the 9th century with its powerful walls scaling up to the peaks, Our Lady of the Rocks and Perast are also treasures. All that beauty was a trip high note to be forever remembered.
Dramatic Bay of Kotor, Montenegro.
Sophisticated Layers of Past Cultures
We chased UNESCO World Heritage Sites at every destination. These precious sites are landmarks and areas that are legally protected by an international convention administered by UNESCO for having cultural, historic, or scientific significance.
We delighted in getting lost in the labyrinth of circuitous medieval cobble alleys (some dating as far back as the late 3rd century) that made up the old walled towns showcasing Roman ruins, Gothic cathedrals, Byzantine, and Venetian architecture. I won’t soon forget the formidable undulating walls that ARE Dubrovnik. A walking adventure to train for…. all those steps! The only European trip where after indulging in gorgeous food and wine for over 2 weeks I actually lost weight! Be sure to sip Korcula’s crisp Posip, an island hallmark; the Croatian Cava is a must!
The Artistic Influence
As a visual artist working in photography and mixed media, I did not realize how much my trips to the Mediterranean and now the Adriatic have influenced my art. The textures, hues, and color waves of these regions have seeped their way into my work…. the azure blues, cyans, emeralds, and volcanic tones all recall my joy of being there.
Left: Beautiful tucked away Persast, Montenegro. Right: Architectural wonder of Old Town, Split, Croatia.
A Call for Action
We were welcomed wherever we went and felt incredibly grateful to our attentive hosts. For the region, big questions loom regarding travel and its consequences. How best to preserve these precious UNESCO World Heritage Sites and National Parks? Particularly, how to control the masses that step off cruise ships? With the increased numbers, questions abound regarding how to manage the environmental and sanitation strain on these rich cultural attractions.
Happy Trails
The secret is now out. The world is traveling to these Baltic gems. Should you go, we suggest that you travel in early May or late October to capture the promising weather while dodging the crowds.
I hope you will take pleasure in these “on the go” pics that capture the briefest moments of our Balkans adventure.
*Dedicated to the late Nancy L. Paterson, 1953 - 2010, brave friend, intrepid traveler, who served on the World Crimes Tribunal dedicating her efforts to delivering justice during the Balkan War, 1990 - 2001, and who encouraged me to travel to Croatia so very many years ago.
Cappaccino Anyone? Trogir, Croatia
Kristine Fisher works as a contemporary visual artist in both mixed media and photography.
Kristine’s mixed media work is deeply influenced by the environs of Cape Ann and her extensive career in commercial architectural design with global leader, Herman Miller which has impacted the graphic simplicity of her work. She is drawn to sculptural elements, movement, and texture, creating often bold and rhythmic compositions.
Photography, for Kristine is about attempting to capture the feeling of the briefest moment. Traveling and learning from other cultures is foundational for her. She enjoys creating a “sense of place” by weaving a narrative that focuses on the discovery of “off the grid“ locations.
“Being a champion of Artists” is in Kristine’s DNA. She an early CHARTER member of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington DC. Foundational for Kristine is helping to elevate the opportunity to learn from others on a community level. She likes to engage as a catalyst in this way. Her work as a Co-Producer of Cape Ann ARTWaves, along with serving on the leadership committee of the New England Experimental Art Group combined with past board roles of area cultural organizations all are critical to her passion for creating a vibrant community and economy
Kristine has exhibited with numerous North Shore arts organizations and galleries.
@kristinefishervisualartist
