Croatia – A Journey Through Coastal Heritage and Natural Wonder
At Tomanek Photography, travel is about immersion—walking the alleys, tasting the traditions, and capturing the soul of a place. The Croatia 6/2021 gallery documents William B. Tomanek’s journey through one of Europe’s most photogenic destinations, blending historic charm, natural beauty, and personal connection.
From the narrow stone pathways of Trogir to the sweeping views atop Nature Park Biokovo, this gallery reflects a rare moment in time—Croatia had just reopened to tourism, offering quiet streets and untouched landscapes. With a base on the Island of Čiovo, William explored the Adriatic coast, inland springs, and national parks with his signature documentary style.
What You’ll Find:
- Historic Towns: Trogir’s medieval architecture, quiet alleys, and local hospitality at Heritage Hotel Pasike.
- Natural Landscapes: A 10K hike through Plitvice Lakes National Park, the dramatic terrain of Biokovo, and the crystal-clear depths of the Cetina River Spring.
- Cultural Moments: The preparation of a traditional Peka meal, and a final evening in the capital city of Zagreb, adding urban contrast to the coastal calm.
Why It Belongs in Your Portfolio:
- Authentic Travel Storytelling: Like your work in Saint Maarten, Key West, and Brookgreen Garden, this gallery blends technical precision with emotional resonance.
- Cultural Immersion: From family-run hotels to traditional meals, your lens captures the human side of travel.
- Visual Range: Coastal towns, mountain parks, and urban scenes offer a rich variety of textures and tones for your HDR and candid style.
Whether you’re drawn to ancient alleyways, natural wonders, or the quiet rhythm of local life, this gallery offers a heartfelt and visually compelling look at Croatia through your eyes.
We departed the U.S, traveled through Frankfurt Germany to Split, Croatia. We were picked up from the airport by Alicia and her father (Michael) and mother. (Nina) We then headed out of Split, to the Island of Čiovo (1 of over 1,000 islands)
The island of Čiovo is a historic town and harbour on the Adriatic coast. Trogir Croatia is the very small town located on the island, but one the the best places to visit. Croatia just opened up for tourist the week before we arrived. So as you view my pictures the alleys are empty and the tourist have not arrived yet. Almost everyone we ran into could speak English.
On the small Island of Čiovo you have narrow pathways between the historic buildings that lead you through the old town packed with stores and placed to eat or drink. Credit cards and local currencies are excepted.
Heritage Hotel Pasike, Croatia
We stayed in a very nice hotel that was family owned and ran by all members of the family.
Heritage Hotel Pasike, Croatia
Address: Hrvatskih Muchenika 24, Trogir, HR 21220
Phone: +385 21 885 185 https://hotelpasike.com/
Traveling is about getting out and seeing things. From Trogir the road trip headed south to the tallest mountain in Croatia.
Nature Park Biokovo
https://pp-biokovo.hr/en/20/home
Plitvice Lakes National Park Croatia
Nacionalni park “Plitvička jezera” (np-plitvicka-jezera.hr)
This is a beautiful park that includes about a 10k hike from the bottom to the top. Along the way you will see falls and lakes. There are signs at each level that tell you where you are, and the information about the falls. This is a great location not just to shoot some pictures, but to conduct a photoshoot.
You really need good connections to find gems like this out in the middle of nowhere. The Cetina River Spring Croatia is one of the springs that feed into the Cetina River. The water is deep, depth currently unknow but diver have gone to about 115M. This spring water is very cold and clear.
Croatia Cetina Spring
Peka Meal preparation
There is nothing better that the traditional Peka Meal. Most restaurants require a days notice with reservations. The meats and vegetables are placed in the pan and cooked under the bell. A good cook knows exactly how long you have to cook the food before opening the bell and turning the meat over. In this case about 42 minutes on each side. Once the bell is returned for the second half of the cooking time, new hot coals from wood are applied to the top and the sides of the bell.
Capitol of Croatia, Zegreb
Our trip was topped off with an evening in the Capital of Croatia, Zegreb. This is the largest city in Croatia located in the northwest of the country.
Friends out for a ride.
