As we brace for winter, dreaming about the warm summer months and getting a jump on planning how to spend it can take a bit of the bite out of the cold. Why not combine a family trip to Europe with a summer camp experience? Kids will have fun, make new friends and learn new skills while you have time to relax, reconnect or work remotely. The Field School Hvar is an English-speaking school with international instructors that offers summer camp experiences on the island of Hvar, Croatia. Tuition is €650 per week per child in the summer, €500 per week in the fall.

Ottawa-based Mom and entrepreneur Genevieve Vienneau registered her children aged 3, 6 and 9 for three weeks last summer:

“My husband is of Croatian descent, and I wanted to experience where his family comes from. What attracted us to that specific program in Croatia was that they had a really beautiful community feel. For three weeks, kids got to do amazing activities while parents had the chance to work in the co-working space and share experiences on the Island of Hvar. We did a farm-to-table dinner in a gorgeous UNESCO-protected field, wine tasting, explored a sacred cave, did a boat tour where some jumped off cliffs, olive oil tasting…. and so much more. We wanted to try something different as a family, and we really enjoyed it. Meeting other families along the way was my favorite part.

What surprised you the most about Croatia?

Once I went, my biggest surprise was that I hadn’t gone there sooner! Croatia exceeded my expectations in so many ways. The beauty, the architecture, the sea, the food, the culture. But really, the Adriatic Sea stole my heart. I have never seen water so clear and fresh. It’s like swimming in a natural pool every day. 

What are your favourite places to go with your kids in Croatia?

We loved exploring the island of Hvar as a family. Hvar town is known as a “party town,” but Hvar island is SO much more than that. We loved the three weeks we spent in Jelsa. 

What were your kids favourite memories?

Jumping off a boat in crystal clear turquoise water, catching crabs at the beach and eating pastries from the corner store. They also loved the new independence they found there—Croatian people do let their kids roam free much more than we do in North America, and they gained so much confidence from getting euros to walk to get their own gelato. 

What tips do you have for families with young children when travelling to Croatia?

Be patient—things can take longer than we’re used to. Prepare kids that delays are normal. We played card games like Uno, or “I spy with my little eye” to pass the time. Plan in advance; transportation isn’t always easy outside of urban centers (but Ubers are plentiful in places like Split). Car seats are not available in public transportation. Life jackets, while available on boats, are not worn as religiously as we do in North America, so bring them if they’re a must. If you take the ferry (a beautiful way to see Dalmatia and its islands), try to get on board at least 30 minutes in advance to get a nice seat in the air-conditioned lounge. It can get hot on the deck! Speaking of heat, summers are HOT, and it’s normal for most people to stay inside between approximately 11 and 2. Lots of kids’ activities happen in the evening once things cool down. It’s normal for kids to stay up later there as a result. Have fun with it! 

Oh, and bring a gelato budget. Because it’s everywhere and it’s delicious! 🙂 

How did the kids enjoy the summer camps?

It was the most magical experience. It ruined them for “regular camps” for years to come! The camp was from 2 to 9pm every day (because of the heat and kids’ activities being later). They were in small groups with educators from around the world: an equestrian educator from Utah, a beach school specialist from Australia, a forest teacher from the UK, plus people from the community who opened their arms (and their homes!) to our children. They had dinner at a local woman’s home almost every night, where they helped harvest veggies from the garden and cleaned up their dishes after dinner. They often took boat taxis to different towns. They went to the beach multiple times per week… They prepared a play, built a boat… It really was as amazing as it sounds. 

For more information on travelling to Croatia by sea or on land, reach out to your travel advisor or visit croatia.hr/en-gb

Feature image by author and photographer Vanessa Dewson.