Croatia

An Unexpected Detour Before Croatia

As our time in Greece came to an end, we departed Santorini on an early morning flight with a connection through Athens before continuing on to Dubrovnik, Croatia. Everything appeared to be on schedule, and we were looking forward to beginning the next chapter of our trip along the Adriatic coast. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans.

As we approached Dubrovnik, strong winds began creating dangerous conditions around the airport. Eventually, the airport was forced to close, and our flight was unable to land. What had started as a routine travel day quickly turned into an unexpected adventure as we found ourselves back in the Athens area instead of Croatia.

At the time, it was frustrating. After weeks of planning and a carefully arranged itinerary, nobody enjoys seeing travel plans suddenly unraveled by circumstances beyond anyone's control. Yet, as we would soon discover, some of the most memorable moments of a trip happen when things don't go exactly as planned.

A Day in Nea Makri

Rather than making it to Dubrovnik, we spent an unexpected day in Nea Makri, a older beach town east of Athens. It was not a destination we had intended to visit, but it provided an authentic glimpse into everyday Greek life away from the more famous tourist destinations.

The next morning everyone was using the opportunity to catch up on their sleep. I on the other hand decided to take an early morning stroll to find some coffee. I found the area town square. Noticed an open air bakery/coffee shop and ordered a traditional Greek coffee. Calling it strong would be an understatement. One sip was enough to remind us why Greek coffee has such a reputation. Its rich flavor and powerful kick quickly became one of the unexpected highlights of my day in Nea Makri. I sat and ate a donut and drank this time my americano. I watched the neighborhood wake up and the residents come to life as they started off on their normal routines.

The town had a relaxed coastal atmosphere, with the Aegean Sea stretching along the shoreline with a steady rhythm of local life unfolding around me. Instead of rushing off to my next destination I found myself with a rare gift of an unscripted day. Though none of us would have chosen to spend an extra day there, the experience turned out to be a reminder that travel is often about embracing surprises rather than fighting them.

Finally Arriving in Croatia

later that afternoon, we returned to the airport and tried once again to reach Croatia. This time the weather cooperated. After landing in Dubrovnik, we picked up our rental van and made the short drive south to the beautiful coastal town of Cavtat. Nestled along the Adriatic Sea, Cavtat immediately welcomed us with sparkling blue water, palm-lined promenades, and a peaceful atmosphere that felt worlds away from the stress of the previous day's travel complications. It was the perfect place to regroup and settle into the Croatian portion of our adventure.

Exploring Montenegro

The next morning, we crossed the border into Montenegro for a day of sightseeing. The drive itself was spectacular, winding along the Bay of Kotor with breathtaking views around nearly every bend.

Our first stop was Kotor, a beautiful medieval town tucked between towering mountains and the deep blue waters of the bay. The setting was unlike anything we had seen before. Massive limestone cliffs rose dramatically behind the town, creating a stunning contrast against the calm water below. Walking through Kotor's narrow stone streets felt like stepping back through centuries of history.

From Kotor, we continued to the nearby town of Perast, a picturesque waterfront community that would become one of the highlights of the trip. Perast sits directly on the bay, with historic stone buildings lining the shore and mountains rising steeply in the background. It was here that we stopped for lunch and enjoyed pizza at a restaurant along the waterfront.

As we ate, we looked out across the bay toward some of the most dramatic scenery of the entire journey. The combination of crystal-clear water, old stone architecture, and towering mountains created a landscape that felt almost unreal. The view was the kind that makes you linger over a meal a little longer than planned. Boats drifted through the bay while sunlight illuminated the rugged mountain slopes surrounding the water. It was one of those perfect travel moments where the scenery, the food, and the atmosphere all come together at exactly the right time.

After spending time exploring Perast and taking in the spectacular views, we made our way back through Montenegro and returned to Cavtat for the evening. As we drove along the Adriatic coast, it was hard not to reflect on how much had happened in just a few days. What began with a weather-related travel disruption had unexpectedly led us to discover a quiet Greek beach town, experience local life in Nea Makri, and witness some of the most stunning landscapes in Montenegro.

Looking back, the detour was no longer the story of a canceled landing. It had become part of the adventure itself.