A History of Dalmatian Destinations
Founded in February 2005, Michael describes Dalmatian Destinations as a “business born of a love affair”, one that started off innocently enough with a family sailing holiday to Croatia in 2001. This led to many further trips over the years as Michael fell for the country’s unspoilt coastline, outstanding architecture, culinary diversity and cultural heritage. Above all, he was impressed with the people and their warmth of hospitality and generosity of spirit.
With conversations in Europe increasingly commandeered by friends seeking his advice and recommendations on Croatia, Michael decided to set up his own upscale travel company specialising in the destination. He felt there was a gap in this emerging market where the destination still remains a backwater in the majority of luxury travel company portfolios, or is otherwise saturated with innumerable mid-market companies often failing to deliver when it mattered. He is convinced that now Croatia has joined the EU this will will have long lasting effects on the Croatian Tourist Industry. Service and delivery is the key to a good product. Service and delivery is the key to a good product.
Having travelled extensively to the emerging economies he has always recognised how important it is to provide a high level of service to cater for the demands of the international traveller. During Michael’s long career in banking working for Swiss Bank Corporation and Barings and having lived in New York for three years he has firsthand experience of the frustrations that can be encountered when visiting new destinations. The provision of a first class service to his clients over the years has led to a strong repeat business.
Michael is married with two children. As an experienced sailor over many years and his fascination for the magic of this unique coastline led him and his family to buy a house on one of Croatia’s least spoilt islands, Vis, an island steeped in history and tradition, based principally on its strategic location of being the most westerly island in the Adriatic. He also keeps a boat in Croatia which has enabled him to discover many hidden gems, be they coves, vineyards or discrete restaurants.
DD has received considerable press coverage in a wide selection of international travel magazines to include FT ‘How to Spend it’ (a personal profile) Vanity Fair, CondeNast, House and Garden, Harpers Bazaar (UK and Middle East) Millionaire Magazine of South Africa and all the Nationals in the UK.
2012 saw the launch of Aegean Destinations – a wholly owned subsidiary of Dalmatian Destinations, that represents 10 luxury gulets in Turkey.