Forbes Mentions Funky Tours as Split Opens a New Chapter in Croatia Sailing

We are proud to share that Funky Tours has been mentioned in Forbes in a recent article about United Airlines’ new direct flight to Split, Croatia, and the city’s growing identity beyond its party image.

For us, this is not just another media mention. It is a meaningful moment because it connects directly with what we have been trying to build for years: a more personal, authentic and thoughtful way to experience Croatia by sea.

When I first saw Funky Tours mentioned in Forbes, I felt proud. Not only because our name appeared in an international publication, but because it felt like confirmation that hard work, patience and belief in a different kind of travel can be recognized.

It also gave me motivation to continue doing this amazing job with even more energy.

The Forbes article is about much more than a new flight route. It talks about Split, one of Croatia’s most iconic coastal cities, moving beyond the narrow image of being only a party destination. That matters deeply to us.

At Funky Tours, we believe that a small boutique local agency can deliver something genuinely unique for guests while also promoting Split, Dalmatia and Croatia in a more authentic way.

We may not be a large cruise company or a mass-tourism operator, but that is exactly where our strength comes from. We are close to the region. We understand its rhythm.

We understand that the Adriatic is not something you simply consume in a few quick photos, a rushed itinerary or one evening on the waterfront. It has to be felt slowly.

Of course, Split has Diocletian’s Palace, the markets, Marjan Hill, the waterfront and the nearby islands.

These are important parts of the city’s identity. But Split is not defined only by its attractions. As someone from the Balkans and the former Yugoslav region, I feel that Split has a unique temper, humor, pride and rhythm that is difficult to understand on a short visit.

The city has many layers. Some are Roman. Some are Venetian. Some are Mediterranean. Some are working-class, local, emotional and deeply Dalmatian. You may not discover the true spirit of Split immediately.

But you should never lose hope trying to find it. That is where sailing becomes important.

In the Forbes article, I recommended sailing as one of the best ways to understand Dalmatia and its connection to the Mediterranean Sea.

I believe this strongly.

You cannot separate Split from its islands. You cannot separate Dalmatia from the sea. You cannot untangle the net by which the Adriatic has captured its fish: Split, Šolta, Vis, Hvar, Brač, Šćedro and the wider Dalmatian coast.

You can only dare to explore deeper.

For us, sailing is not only about moving from one island to another. It is about uncovering the layers beneath the surface. The same courage that leads a traveler to choose a small local agency instead of a large, predictable travel brand is the courage that allows them to discover a different Croatia.

A Croatia of quiet bays, local sailors, olive oil producers, wine makers, honey, stone villages, island food, old harbors and small details that do not always appear in mainstream travel brochures.

👉 Read more: What Most Travelers Don’t Know Before Booking a Sailing Holiday in Croatia

Funky Tours is a small fleet operator. We are not focused on mass tourism. We are focused on authentic experiences.

Our philosophy is not to show only the surface of a destination, but to help guests uncover its deeper essence.

That means we are proud to work with small local businesses: wine producers, olive oil makers, honey producers, restaurants, sailors, guides and families who carry the identity of the region in their everyday lives.

But we do not want these experiences to feel like “touch and go” stops. We want them to have meaning. We want our guests to feel that they are not only passing through a destination, but connecting with it.

That is why sailing works so well.

It gives time. It gives space. It gives perspective.

The Forbes article mentions our 7-day private sailing route from Split, visiting Vis, Šolta, Šćedro, Hvar and Brač. Each island has its own personality.

Šolta is the island of stunning olive oil, local rhythm and unique villages.
Vis carries ancient history, maritime depth and a sense of distance from the ordinary.
Šćedro feels like an escape from anything urban.
Hvar offers beauty, elegance and one of the most recognizable island layouts in Croatia.
Brač is defined by stone, size, strength and working island tradition.

Together, these islands show that Dalmatia is not a simple postcard. It is a living region shaped by sea, labor, land, wind, history and people.

👉 Read more: Sailing Hvar’s Secrets: Jelsa, Paklinski Islands & Šćedro

There is nothing wrong with enjoying good nightlife. A good party can be part of a great holiday.

But Croatia cannot be reduced to that.

A country with more than 2,000 years of written history, layered civilizations, extraordinary nature, dramatic coastlines, stone towns, islands, winds, mountains and maritime traditions cannot be defined only as a party destination.

It is much more.

Croatia is Roman walls and fishing boats.
It is olive groves and stone houses.
It is wine, wind and salt.
It is quiet mornings at anchor and small island restaurants at night.
It is history, nature, food, family, sea and memory.

The real opportunity for travelers is not to reject fun, but to combine enjoyment with deeper discovery.

You can have both. You just have to open your mind.

Our ideal guest is not simply someone looking for a holiday.

Our ideal guest is someone who likes to explore, who likes to learn, and who loves to stay enchanted until the very end of the journey.

This is why the Forbes mention means something to us. It helps show that there is space in Croatian tourism for a different kind of sailing experience: smaller, more personal, better balanced and more connected to the places we visit.

When we combine local sailors’ expertise, beautiful anchorages, carefully chosen islands and the small details that remove stress along the way, we are able to create something very special. Over time, we have built our own world of sailing philosophy and itinerary design.

And we are happy to share that world with our guests.

For us, it is a win-win: guests experience the Adriatic in a deeper way, while local people, small businesses and authentic island communities become part of the story.

The new United Airlines flight to Split makes this part of Croatia more accessible for travelers from the United States. That is important because many U.S. travelers are open-minded, curious and ready to explore places with depth.

For small groups, couples, families and mature travelers, Croatia sailing offers something special: the freedom of the sea, the comfort of a crewed catamaran, and the chance to discover islands in a way that feels personal rather than rushed.

Being mentioned in Forbes is a proud moment for Funky Tours. But more than that, it is a sign that the story we believe in is becoming more visible.

Split is more than a party city.
Croatia is more than a summer hotspot.
And sailing is more than a holiday.

When done properly, it is one of the most honest ways to understand Dalmatia.

All-inclusive cabin charter exploring Kornati & Krka National Park and the Šibenik islands.

⛵ Modern catamaran
👥 Small group sailing
🍽 Half-board included
🍷 Authentic Adriatic experiences

All-inclusive private catamaran sailing across Croatia’s stunning islands and national parks.

⛵ Private catamaran
👨‍✈️ Skipper & host included
🧭 Flexible itinerary
📍 Custom Routes