Preko

Posted by Mr Ɛ 🇺🇸 🇺🇦 (Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest) on 09/14/25 11:02 AM

So, the S.O. didn't appreciate mr enjoying BiH so much and upon my return demanded equal time abroad. Trouble is she cant take much time off work, so it needs to be a quick trip.

So I write from a dockside cafe at a town called Preko on an island called Ugljan. Reaching here was a silly cheap ticket on Ryan for a 1 hour flight from Budapest to Zadar, then a private transfer to the port and a private speedboat to the island hotel.

The prices here like most of Croatia rival those in Paris. But its only for half of Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning. I will live.

More to come.

Posted by Ivan

Zagreb

09/14/25 11:33 AM

37 posts

I have not been to Ugljan but prices are always a little higher on islands due to transport costs. I still hope you have a nice time.

Posted by Mr Ɛ 🇺🇸 🇺🇦 OP

Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest

09/14/25 11:38 AM

23796 posts

So far, I love it. Not a word of English or Spanish so far. First trip back in 4 years, and I knew about this, so I was prepared: https://trademagazin.hu/en/aremelkedes-veszelyezteti-horvatorszag-turisztikai-versenykepesseget/

Its why the past few years BiH and Montenegro were key destinations. But this time I had to stay in Schengen and didn't want to lose a lot of time to travel.

I spoke to fast. There are several American tourists here. But not RS types, more like Conde Nast types. No one ever heard of this place, why are tgey here? There is nothing historic or charming about it, but it seems to be a hideout for "a type".

Good news, one of the few times I have had good food in Croatia was tonight.

Posted by Mr Ɛ 🇺🇸 🇺🇦 OP

Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest

09/16/25 10:25 AM

23796 posts

Yesterday was beach and swimming and water day. This morning we got up and took the ferry to Zadar. Very interesting old town. Not an overly preserved museum town but a still functioning mix of Roman to post war infill. Tourists, but not overcrowded. Enjoyable at that perspective.

Posted by Mr Ɛ 🇺🇸 🇺🇦 OP

Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest

09/17/25 09:29 AM

23796 posts

Waiting on my flight home. One reflection on the trip. The Hotel Preko (Hilton) is without a doubt among the best hotel experiences of my life, and I've stayed in some great hotels. While Zadar and Preko are somewhat marginal international tourism destinations, I coukd return just to relax, unwind and spoil myself again.

Posted by Barbara

Brooklyn, NY

09/17/25 05:24 PM

4716 posts

We have an in-law who is from Preko. Visits for 3 months every year. We haven’t made it there yet cause my sister-in-law is from the neighboring island of Olib. We also have cousins who live just outside the old town of Zadar so we have to visit them too. Not complaining but all these visits take up time. Maybe next September we’ll make the ferry over to Preko.