Older New Yorkers often regale me with stories of a bygone era in the Hamptons, back when the East End of Long Island was untouched, quiet, and delightfully unpretentious. It was pretty much the exact opposite of the Wall Street, hyper-exclusive, celebrity-studded scene that dominates the area today.
I’ve always longed for a place like that—and I finally found one. It is a secret, untouched, and blissful island paradise where you can truly unplug without feeling the pressure to keep up with the Joneses. If you decide to read on, I only ask for one promise: keep this between us. Don't kiss and tell.
This sanctuary needs to stay off the mainstream radar. If you happen to spot me sunbathing on a deserted stretch of sand, don't wave, strike up a conversation, or interrupt the peace. Just give a quick wink—I'll know exactly what it means. You're welcome in advance.
The location? Cres, Croatia.
Cres is an island with a population of roughly 3,500 people, spread across a handful of sleepy coastal villages. Fishing and agriculture still form the backbone of the local economy, alongside a community of Croatian pensioners who have quietly claimed the island as their personal haven.
Spend your morning relaxing on the secluded shores of Lubenice Beach, then head up to Porozina for an unhurried, local dinner. If your ideal vacation involves glitzy nightclubs, velvet ropes, fine dining, or mega-resorts, you will absolutely loathe Cres. You won't find any of that here.
Cres is simple, raw, and wonderfully slow-paced. Bring a good book—or sit down and write one. Enjoy Cres, Croatia.
