Interviewed for The Solo Traveller website

I am happy to be part of the Departures section of The Solo Traveller website aimed at connecting, supporting and inspiring solo travellers around the world. The article was written by Geoffrey Williams, its founder, publishing curator and writer. I am copying below the text from the interview, but if you want to view the full article, please visit their website here.

''Your friendly local welcome to Croatia’s coastal gem

By Geoffrey Williams

Briefly … Licensed guide and solo traveller Sanja welcomes visitors to her hometown of Split with private, story-rich walking tours that turn a historic city into a personal experience.

When we land somewhere new, the best way to find our bearings isn’t necessarily with a map or an assortment of apps and bookmarked websites, but with a local by our side. A good guide does more than point out landmarks – they open doors to hidden corners, share stories that don’t make it into guidebooks, and give you the kind of welcome that turns a place from foreign to familiar. For the solo traveller, it’s not just about knowledge, it’s about a genuine, authentic connection that can make our first steps in a new destination feel like belonging.

Sanja is a licensed local tour guide and a small business owner from Split, Croatia, whose private walking tours focus on the culture and history of Split’s ‘Old Town’ – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

“I think Croatia is a great choice for a solo traveller. It is a small country, meaning you will not have to travel long distances to switch from mountain views to sea views, or from horseback riding in the hinterland to urban exploration of historic towns. Safety is a common feature of the entire country, and Croatian people are obliged to learn English at school, so most people are able to speak it at least a little bit, meaning you don’t have to worry about not understanding our language. My walking tours are also available in English, French, Italian and Spanish.”

“All of my tours are private, which means that the experience is 100% adaptable to my guests’ interests and is interactive and conversational allowing deeper insight into the local culture. My walking tours (lasting up to two hours), cover all the main must-see sights in Split and I offer plenty of recommendations for later exploration in your free time.”

As a solo traveller herself, Sanja knows what it means to find a local in the destination who can give you reliable and trustworthy information about the place you are visiting and good recommendations on what you may do in the time you have there. “Instead of being just a guide, I aim to become a friend – and hopefully, memories of a tour with me will be happy ones to share with friends and family.”

Having experienced enough stress by this time in her life, Sanja understands the importance of being able to relax while exploring new destinations, and she enjoys taking the stress out of what it can mean to land in a new, unfamiliar place for her guests. “I am drawn to relaxing stress-free destinations and types of holidays – whether it be a late-Spring hike through the mountains and meadows of Lika and Gorski Kotar (a region in Croatia famous for Plitvice lakes and waterfalls), or a lazy time-out by the beach in the area around the villages of Primošten and Rogoznica on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. I am always ready for a mini holiday to recharge my batteries so that I can go back to doing what I love the most – my private walking tours in my hometown of Split.”

“I am also passionate about cultural and historic heritage preservation. Living in a 1,700-year-old town that is changing very fast, makes me think about what we are leaving for posterity and what can be done on a personal level to enable the transition to the next generation. Hopefully, I will make my small contribution to the town I call home.”

So, when is the ideal time to visit, Sanja? “Probably early to late Spring (from March to May) and Autumn (September and October). This is the time of the year when the temperatures are mild so that you can enjoy being outdoors exploring the town and learning about its history. If you want to avoid the crowds, then March is the best month, it is considered as the low season (for now). If you are really looking for a local experience of the town, then come in winter (from November to February). It is the time of the year when only Croatian language can be heard in the streets (as there are practically no tourists) and the shops close early in the afternoon, but there is the charm of the town’s daily hustle and bustle that makes Split the centre of the region of Dalmatia.”

Sanja’s top 3 tips for solo travelling success

1. Preparation is key. If you do your homework thoroughly, you’ll reduce the risk of unpleasant surprises while you’re travelling. Surprises are good if you unexpectedly meet an interesting person on your journey, but you don’t want any surprises when it comes to your hotel or tour reservations.

2. Take your time. You will probably want to see and do as much as possible in the time you have at your chosen destination, but don’t forget to just stop and space out, doing nothing at all. Give yourself the time to smell, feel, taste and observe the world around you with no prior plans. Let yourself be carried away by the vibe of the place.

3. Safety first. For solo travellers, this is always a thing to consider, but don’t let worrying take away all the fun. Before departure, adapt your itinerary to its safest version, and if you’re not sure about an experience or a place, follow this motto – ‘When in doubt, leave it out!’ But once you’ve made your decision, be confident about it and focus on enjoying yourself. By the way, if you are considering visiting Split, know that it is a very safe destination day and night!''

Interviewed for The Solo Traveller website

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Sanja - Tour Guide in Split