Silver Travel Book Club

January 2023 – My Family and Other Enemies: Life and Travels in Croatia’s Hinterland

We’ll explore a different destination for each Book Club, and a lucky Silver Travel Book Club reader can win a free copy of that month’s book.

Please note: this prize draw is now closed.


This month the Silver Travel Book Club is reading My Family and Other Enemies: Life and Travels in Croatia’s Hinterland by Mary Novakovich.

Set in Croatia’s hinterland this book recounts award-winning travel writer, Mary’s experiences to the country where her parents were born. She’s been visiting Croatia for the last 40 years and has met family and friends in places decidedly off the beaten track. She explores an area of karst mountains, thundering waterfalls and dense forest, filled with larger-than-life characters and glorious food.

My Family and Other Enemies is a fascinating dive into Mary’s family history and uncovers a part of Croatia not often seen by tourists. It’s a personal memoir and travelogue offering insights into a region that’s seen wars and communism yet it has retained its own unique Balkan beauty.


Croatia

Croatia is an enchanting holiday destination, whether you take a tour on land, a cruise around the breath-taking islands, stay in a gorgeous villa or enjoy a short break visiting the capital city, Zagreb. Talk to our Silver Travel Advisors to find out more and to book your trip: 0800 412 5678.


How to win a copy of My Family and Other Enemies: Life and Travels in Croatia’s Hinterland by Mary Novakovich


Comment below to tell us about a place in Croatia you’d like to visit and why (or maybe you’ve been lucky enough to go there already). There really is so much to explore .

A winner will be chosen at random in early February 2023.
The competition closes on 31 January 2023.

Read more about all our Silver Travel Book Club reads.

Share Article:

34 Responses

  1. Although I’ve only spent a week in Dubrovnik, I’d really like to visit the inland national parks of Plitvice Lakes, Paklenika and Krka.

  2. We have yet to visit Croatia.
    This book would give us a ”taster” of what to expect.

  3. I’d like to see the cultural sights of Zagreb, and also take a cruise around the beautiful coastline and islands.

  4. I’ve never been to Croatia and know very little about the area. This book sounds like a great introduction.

  5. I have never been to Croatia, but would love to visit Zagreb, and from there explore the wonderful Balkan countryside. My cousin married a Croatian, so would tell me about all the best sights to explore.

  6. Would love to visit. I have a close friend from Croatia and the conversations and pictures make it all sound magical and lovely. Would love to visit!

  7. Never Travelled to Croatia before , But We Talked in October 2022 about Visiting Brac one of the Islands Sounds Lovely we are Looking For Sea Sandy Beaches and History To Enjoy

  8. Dubrovnic is a must place to visit with its historic walls and lots of side streets to seek out souvenirs or have something to eat.

  9. I went on a tour of Croatia for two weeks. Was fascinated by the history of Dubrovnik and Split and blown away by the beauty of the Dalmatian coast and island of Brac. I would love to discover more of the islands and parts that I did not go to.

  10. I have been to Yugoslavia twice and then to Croatia . We stayed in Cavtat which is a lovely fairly small town on the Adriatic Coast, southeast of Dubrovnic. It was fun to take a water taxi to the beautiful city of Dubrovnic and to walk along the walls and visit the many museums. I am actually going back on a cruise visiting the islands and Dubrovnic later this year. I have lovely memories of what was my last holiday with my husband and seeing some of the most spectacular sunsets I have ever seen.

  11. I have twice visited Milner on the island of Brac but would love to travel to the interior of the mainland.

  12. Sounds like a fascinating book. A return to see Porec would be good and it appears to be in Croatia. I was there in 1986, before the break-up of Yugolavia and I remember Porec as being more interesting than Portoroz where we were staying. We had a couple of long coach trips in Istria and Slovenia and during one of them the coach was stopped and boarded by soldiers. It was beautiful countryside and coastline However, returning from the holiday was awful: in those days we had to fly Air Yugoslavia to and from (I think) Pula airport. Coming in to land at Gatwick the landing gear failed and we flew round and round to use up the fuel with passengers having hysterics while an trap door near my seat was opened up and the wheels manually wound down. On landing two fire engines raced alongside the plane until we came to a halt. It took me several years before I plucked up the courage to fly again.

  13. Have never been but planning to go this year; a two centre Dalmatian coast and inland mountain and lakes. The book would help decide where.

  14. Went to Split and Dubrovnik on a cruise a long time ago. Both were lovely and would love to go back for longer

  15. Have been to Croatia in the past and it is a wonderful country with some beautiful areas.

  16. I have never been but have heard so much about the beauty of Croatia and its people. I’m happy that I have booked a 2-week visit for March 2023. I gladly await the visit. I would like to visit the many UNESCO World Heritage sites dotted all over Croatia, see the outstanding Diocletian palace in Split about which I have heard so much, and finally drive along and enjoy the breathtaking Adriatic coastline. My guide has also booked a tour of Ston, Mostar, Omis and Trogir where he has promised to surprise me. So, the month of March will present me with a once in a lifetime holiday. I am excitedly waiting for it.

  17. Have been to Croatia twice, stayed on the Dalmation Riveria , beautiful coastline. Would like to go Baska Voda, a small area near Markaska. (in 2001 and 2005).
    First went to Croatia when it was still Yugoslavia in 1966 and stayed on the Istrian Penisula, Would like to see Pula again and spend more time there to explore the history.

  18. Been to Zagreb with mum and dad in 1965 when we drove home from Kuwait. A new visit would be great.

  19. The Plitvice National Park loks absolutely stunning, I’d build my visit around it.

  20. Having only had a 1 day taster on a cruise, I would absolutely love to explore all that Croatia has to offer.

  21. We would love to explore Split. We have been on a cruise down Croatia however Split was not included which was a disappointment. Hopefully one day………

  22. I would love to return to Dubrovnik as it’s so beautiful with amazing architecture and history. I wonder whether it’s changed as I haven’t been there for over 10 years!

  23. Only got to visit Dubrovnik for a few hours on a cruise 20 years ago and would love to go back and explore what looked like a beautiful & interesting country, as we sailed in.

Comments are closed.

Sign up to our newsletter to receive the latest travel tips on top destinations.

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.