I'm originally from Burlington, Canada and I have always loved traveling, meeting new people and discovering unique places. Once I graduated university, I decided to take a year off to travel before finding a full time job back home. Little did I know, that year would turn into something much more! I spent 11 months in Croatia the first time around, and then I just kept on coming back to learn more, see more and discover more.
Here I am, 17 years later, living in Croatia, running Royal Croatian Tours with my Croatian husband. Our company is geared towards private, small group travel, where we’re able to create completely personalized, tailor-made trips. Our vision is simple: to show our guests the wonders of Croatia, the culture, the beauty and the people, all while providing exceptional client support. We want you to feel like you have a friend in Croatia, and that you have 100% support from us throughout your trip, for any reason at all!
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"We specialize in luxury travel throughout Croatia, and offer all of our activities privately, so you won’t ever have to join a larger group (unless of course, you want to). Some of the activities we offer include wine tasting, cooking classes, hiking, cycling and sea kayaking adventures, historical walking tours, along with boating excursions around the islands. "
How did you get involved in travel?
"Like I said, I discovered Croatia on one of my trips back in 2007, where I fell in love with the country (and then ended up marrying a local, who is now also my business partner at Royal Croatian Tours).
Since we both love exploring and showing people the beauty of Croatia, opening our own agency just came naturally. We think we make an excellent combo, as Ivan is a local Croatian and knows all of the ins and outs of Croatia, while I’m an expat, and do all of the communication with our guests personally. Coming from Canada, I understand what our guests are looking for when planning their trip, and traveling to a foreign country.
"
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"I once rowed a small wooden boat down the entire length of the Mississippi River (around 2400 miles) with 5 other people. The journey took around 4 months to complete, we camped every night on the riverbank and cooked over an open fire - except when sweet, sweet local people would randomly invite us in for the night and prepare us a delicious home-cooked meal. It was this unexpected hospitality of complete strangers that I’ll never forget. Who in the world would invite 6 people they hadn’t even met (who also hadn’t showered in weeks) into their home and treat them like family? It was getting to know all of these different individuals, hearing their stories, and feeling their love that will always stay with me. I’ll also never forget how cold and wet we were, as it rained for a month straight and our boat had no cover or shelter. "
Sarah's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries
Road trip itineraries
Best of Croatia & Slovenia: Zagreb, Ljubljana, Istria, & Dalmatia - 16 Days
A great route to discover Slovenia and Croatia over 16 unforgettable days. Starting in Croatia's dynamic capital, you'll first head into Slovenia to discover charming Ljubljana,...
Croatia Family Vacation: Zagreb, Rovinj, Šibenik, & Dubrovnik - 15 Days
This 15-day family-friendly vacation focuses on a few great locations and kid-friendly hotels to keep everyone entertained from Zagreb to Dubrovnik. Enjoy a day at the beach on...
Best of Croatia: Zagreb, Rovinj, Šibenik, Hvar, & Dubrovnik - 11 Days
From the romantic countryside of Istria to the charming coastal cities along the Dalmatian coast, this complete 11-day journey covering the best of Croatia has it all. The trip...
Recent trip reviews for Sarah
Beautiful views abound!
Croatia
|
Sep 19 - Sep 28, 2025
K R.
Ashburn, VA
| Reviewed on Sep 29, 2025
This was an amazing trip filled with a variety of activities that kept us moving and immersed in the local culture and history. The sunset views from the top of Marjan Hill in Split were breathtaking! Views from the fortress in Hvar were incredible both during the day and the night. We even hiked to the top of Mount Srd! You need a good set of walking shoes for this trip! Walking the walls of Dubrovnik while the sun was setting cast the perfect light for pictures. Wine tasting and...
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This was an amazing trip filled with a variety of activities that kept us moving and immersed in the local culture and history. The sunset views from the top of Marjan Hill in Split were breathtaking! Views from the fortress in Hvar were incredible both during the day and the night. We even hiked to the top of Mount Srd! You need a good set of walking shoes for this trip! Walking the walls of Dubrovnik while the sun was setting cast the perfect light for pictures. Wine tasting and biking were also fun adventures! There is so much to see and do! We felt safe even at night. Thank you 🇭🇷!
Hotel Reviews
Authenticity & Character
Our room was lovely with plenty of space.
Location
This hotel is just below the bus stop. It is a short ride (10-15 minutes). You can get tickets in the lobby. It is easier and cheaper to buy ahead of time but you can use a credit card on the bus.
Pharos Hvar Bayhill Hotel
Hvar
Authenticity & Character
Some rooms are very small but they make great use of space. There is room for luggage under the beds and furniture is full of shelves and cubbies. The rooms were very clean. We had a junior suite and it was very large and comfortable.
Location
This hotel is a short walk to the town. It is up on the hill so keep that in mind. (Most places require walking with stairs.)
Garden Apartment Hotel
Split
We arrived at night and we were unsure of this hotel’s location. The location was one of the things we loved the most! You can walk up the stairs to the most beautiful viewpoint in Split just outside your door. We were in the first unit and had a nice little balcony with a view where we could relax. (I am not sure if all rooms have this lovely view.). You need to keep in mind it is an older room, but the bathroom is beautifully renovated. The place was extremely clean too!!! ( I would recommend better pillows. ) The staff was very friendly and helpful.
Activity Reviews
E-bike tour in Dubrovnik with wine tasting and snacks (small group)
Dubrovnik
Adrian was a wonderful guide! It was wonderful to learn all about his life in the small town and bike the beautiful countryside! We felt safe on the roads and the e-bike made the adventure fun instead of grueling! The lunch and wine tasting were lovely! This is a fun activity for anyone wanting to get out of the city and explore the countryside! Thanks Adrian!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Tour Dubrovnik's Old Town
Croatia
Once again we had a wonderful tour guide who shared all about the history of the city. A small group was perfect for a personal experience where we could talk and ask questions. What a beautiful city to explore!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Hvar Wine Tasting Excursion
Hvar
It was wonderful to meet Maria and for her to share her knowledge of the area while we drove to our tastings. Everyone was friendly and welcoming!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Day trip to Krka National Park
Croatia
The park was a beautiful park with the sound of rushing water everywhere you went. The walking was fairly easy on well taken care of boardwalks. It was nice to explore outside the city for a few hours. It is close to split and can walk through in an hour or so. A nice change from the city if you need an activity!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guided Walking Tour of Split
Split
It was great to have such a wonderful, small group tour! We were able to have conversations and ask questions which made this experience more personal. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly! It is nice to learn about the history of the city you are visiting!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
Royal Croatian Tours was amazing!!
Croatia
|
Sep 15 - Sep 27, 2025
David M.
Kansas City, MO
| Reviewed on Sep 29, 2025
Sarah and Ivan with Royal Croatian Tours put together the most amazing 2 week trip for my wife and me. It was seamless! Everything was planned perfectly. Great hotels, B&Bs, tour guides and resturant suggestions were outstanding. Best trip ever. You can't go wrong with Sarah, Ivan and Royal Croatian Tours!
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
Croatia, a trip of a lifetime!
Croatia
|
Sep 19 - Sep 28, 2025
Julie M.
Ashburn, VA
| Reviewed on Sep 29, 2025
Croatia, a trip of a lifetime! With less than two months to plan this trip, Sarah was fantastic! The accommodations, private tours, tranfers via taxi or ferry were all great! If there ever was a question while traveling, Sarah or Ivan were available 24 /7 to address it. As two women traveling alone in a foreign country, it was so nice to be able to contact someone with any questions. We truly enjoyed our time in Split, Hvar and Dubrovnik, especially our bike tour in the mountains south of...
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Croatia, a trip of a lifetime! With less than two months to plan this trip, Sarah was fantastic! The accommodations, private tours, tranfers via taxi or ferry were all great! If there ever was a question while traveling, Sarah or Ivan were available 24 /7 to address it. As two women traveling alone in a foreign country, it was so nice to be able to contact someone with any questions. We truly enjoyed our time in Split, Hvar and Dubrovnik, especially our bike tour in the mountains south of Dubrovnik with our guide, Adrian. Adrian went out of his way to show us true Croatian hospitality. Croatia is truly a beautiful country and so are its people! Thanks Sarah for such a wonderful trip!
Hotel Reviews
Newly renovated hotel with spacious rooms. Convenient to the bus to get to old town. Delicious breakfast. Very friendly and accommodating staff.
Location
Convenient to the bus to get to old town. If you wanted to pay more for accommodations to be closer to old town you could do that but this was good for us
Staff
Very friendly staff. Very accommodating
Pharos Hvar Bayhill Hotel
Hvar
Staff worked with our travel agent when they made a mistake with our room. And they were attentive in finding a missing bag. Beautiful pool and nice breakfast
Garden Apartment Hotel
Split
Authentic, clean, very convenient. Our host was very attentive and helpful
Authenticity & Character
It is an authentic building on a hill in Split that is updated on the interior. Love the terrace with the grapevines and grapes hanging overhead with views of the water
Staff
Not sure of his name but he was around to make sure we had everything we needed for our stay
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pillows Could have been better
Activity Review
E-bike tour in Dubrovnik with wine tasting and snacks (small group)
Dubrovnik
Can’t say enough about Adrian and this biking tour! ! . It was so nice to get out of the city for the day and experience the small towns of Croatia. Enjoyed the spectacular scenery, the lunch on the river , talking to the winemakers at the winery, and getting to know Adrian and his family. By the end of the day, Adrian was more than a tourguide, he was our new friend!
Quality of Experience
The authenticity of Adrian. He really wanted us to have a good time and we learned a lot about his culture.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Adrian Was very accommodating . He knew we were having a good time at the winery and did not want to shorten our experience so his wife volunteered to take us back to Dubrovnik because he had to get to work. Never felt rushed. We felt like part of the family!
Transport
Car was very nice and ride to our biking destination was pleasant and informative
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
Every Detail Taken Care Of
Croatia
|
Aug 19 - Aug 30, 2025
Carolyn S.
Ashburn, VA
| Reviewed on Sep 25, 2025
Sarah did a wonderful job planning my island-hopping trip to Croatia, and filling it with incredible opportunities to experience the people, history, and culture of this fascinating country. It was phenomenal to have every single logistic covered, and know that she’s only a text away if anything came up. All of the tour guides we met along the way were engaging professionals who knew their stuff, and just as important, were locals who were speaking from their own lives and experience. I would recommend Sarah again in a heartbeat.
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
Best trip of our life! Sarah was thoughtful,...
Croatia
|
Jun 20 - Jun 26, 2025
Kate P.
Seattle, WA
| Reviewed on Jul 03, 2025
Best trip of our life!
Sarah was thoughtful, responsive, and thorough. With only a few brief conversations, she totally nailed planning the perfect, customized trip for my husband and I. I’d you are headed to Croatia, you need to talk to Sarah!
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Best trip of our life!
Sarah was thoughtful, responsive, and thorough. With only a few brief conversations, she totally nailed planning the perfect, customized trip for my husband and I. I’d you are headed to Croatia, you need to talk to Sarah!
Hotel Reviews
Villa Split Heritage Hotel
Split
The feel of a bnb at a hotel. Everything was clean, updated, and the staff went above and beyond. Highly recommend!
Hotel Neptun Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
If you are looking for an over the top resort, this is it.
Authenticity & Character
Big, resort style feel. Not friendly and warm like every other place we stayed in Croatia.
Location
3.5 mile walk into the old town and far from any local shops or restaurants.
Staff
Unfriendly and boarder line rude. Our key did not work multiple times and we continued to have it replaced. They dismissed our concerns and said it was because we put it next to our cell phone (we didn’t.) The ATM in their lobby stole €50 from us and they were unhelpful. They did not greet us or smile and seemed constantly annoyed if we had questions.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and full of anything you could possibly need. You can certainly find anything your heart desires at the breakfast, as well.
Everything was just perfect about this place! The staff were kind, the breakfast was delicious, the amenities were beautiful, and it was so clean! We can’t wait to return.
Excellent stay here while we were in our honeymoon. The staff was so kind, the location is an easy walk to the downtown, and the view was lovely. The amenities were clean and updated.
Activity Reviews
Private Motor Boat Excursion to Brač & the Pakleni Islands (end in Hvar)
Split
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Half Day Kayaking Excursion
Korčula
Korcula to Dubrovnik (via the Peljesac Peninsula & Ston for wine and oysters!)
Korčula
Our driver, George, Dobo the oyster man, and the vineyard family were some of our favorite people on the trip. So kind, we learned so much, and enjoyed each experience.
**I would not recommend this for anyone that gets car sick.
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
Family fun in Croatia
Croatia
|
Jun 23 - Jun 28, 2025
Shari B.
Ashburn, VA
| Reviewed on Jun 29, 2025
Sarah was great to work with in planning our family trip to Croatia! I usually plan my own trips so it was different for me to use a trip planner. Sarah was extremely responsive throughout the entire experience including when we were in touch with her once we were on the ground.
We enjoyed the sampling of cities — Split, Hvar, and Dubrovnik — that gave us a taste of what Croatia was all about. Hvar was our family’s personal favorite. Through our interactions with our bike tour guide and...
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Sarah was great to work with in planning our family trip to Croatia! I usually plan my own trips so it was different for me to use a trip planner. Sarah was extremely responsive throughout the entire experience including when we were in touch with her once we were on the ground.
We enjoyed the sampling of cities — Split, Hvar, and Dubrovnik — that gave us a taste of what Croatia was all about. Hvar was our family’s personal favorite. Through our interactions with our bike tour guide and boat excursion skipper we got a sense of the local culture and pride in the island.
Sure in retrospect there were a few things I would do differently, but we had a good first experience with Kimkim and I know how to better communicate our interests the next time.
Hotel Reviews
Interesting because it was right in the historic area but room was small and A/C did not work well. Breakfast was decent but minimal.
Everyone was so friendly there. The views were amazing. Loved the breakfast patio and lounge chairs overlooking the swim area. Room. Was very comfortable. Loved the balcony.
City Hotel Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
Room was spacious and front desk staff was nice but hotel was a bit far from the old city for our liking. It was closer to some other restaurants by the marina and was walkable to sunset beach but it was too far to go back and forth to the old city multiple times in a day. We had a power outage out last night but the staff worked quickly to get the generator back up and running.
Activity Reviews
Hvar - Island Bike Tour with Local Food and Drink Tastings
Croatia
We really enjoyed getting out of Hvar town to see the rest of the Island. Miko taught us a lot about the local culture. The wine tastings at the end were a nice touch.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Day Trip to the Caves & Beaches of Vis Island by boat
Hvar
It was a great day! We had an amazing group of 11 of us plus our captain and skipper. We had a great day of swimming, boating, and exploring.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Tour Dubrovnik's Old Town
Croatia
Guide was friendly and knowledgeable but she had her set script and did not tailor to the crowd. I probably would not have done this so late in the day if I had to do it again.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Dubrovnik Kayaking Adventure
Dubrovnik
John was our guide. He was very big on safety, which I appreciated. He only stopped 2x to give some history. He probably could have talked some more.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
Croatia - an amazing trip
Croatia
|
Jun 12 - Jun 21, 2025
Noelle N.
Newark, NJ
| Reviewed on Jun 28, 2025
The entire trip was amazing. The excursions, the drivers, the apartments were wonderful. The steps to the apartment in Dubrovnik were difficult to manage, but the location was good. Our local specialist was excellent and continually worked with us to ensure we were happy with our plans. Any questions we had were responded to quickly. The local guides were great as well.
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The entire trip was amazing. The excursions, the drivers, the apartments were wonderful. The steps to the apartment in Dubrovnik were difficult to manage, but the location was good. Our local specialist was excellent and continually worked with us to ensure we were happy with our plans. Any questions we had were responded to quickly. The local guides were great as well.
Activity Reviews
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Split
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Split Walking Food Tour
Split
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Hvar Wine Tasting Excursion
Hvar
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Day Trip to the Caves & Beaches of Vis Island by boat
Hvar
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Day Trip to Montenegro
Dubrovnik
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Day Trip to Mostar
Croatia
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Tour Dubrovnik's Old Town
Croatia
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
Sarah and Ivan were wonderful throughout. Fro...
Croatia
|
Jun 12 - Jun 21, 2025
Carol H.
Newark, NJ
| Reviewed on Jun 22, 2025
Sarah and Ivan were wonderful throughout. From helping us tweak the itinerary to make the trip just what we wanted to answering questions while we were in Croatia, the interactions were great!
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Sarah and Ivan were wonderful throughout. From helping us tweak the itinerary to make the trip just what we wanted to answering questions while we were in Croatia, the interactions were great!
Activity Reviews
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Split
Stunningly beautiful! We were there for 3 hours and could easily have spent another three just wandering through the pathways enjoying the natural beauty!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Hvar Wine Tasting Excursion
Hvar
Much more than just a wine tour! You get a great tour of the area surrounding Hvar Town including several stops at scenic overlooks to take pictures. And of course the wine tasting was wonderful! Our guide also gave us great tips and even helped us secure a last minute reservation at a restaurant for that evening.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Marija was amazing!
Day Trip to Montenegro
Dubrovnik
Wonderful day trip to a beautiful location. Our driver was amazing and kept us entertained with stories and facts all day. He let us customize our trip mid-day so we could visit exactly the areas we wanted to see.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Day Trip to the Caves & Beaches of Vis Island by boat
Hvar
We loved doing this trip as a small group. It allowed everyone to participate in all activities/experiences but still get to know your fellow travelers. Blue cave was stunning, and visiting the various coves and inlets was great fun!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
Sarah Cosic
Local specialist in Zagreb
| Replied on Jun 23, 2025
Thanks so much for taking the time to review, Carol! We're so happy you enjoyed the trip and we love your photos!! All the best from Ivan and me :)
Sarah was an invaluable resource when plannin...
Croatia
|
Sep 27 - Oct 6, 2024
Lisa C.
Purcellville, VA
| Reviewed on Nov 23, 2024
Sarah was an invaluable resource when planning our trip to Croatia. She had great recommendations and was a pleasure to work with. She always responded to my many questions promptly and with her ideas. This was our third time using Kimkim for our family vacations and I will not hesitate to sue them in the future as well.
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
BEAUTIFUL CROATIA
Croatia
|
Sep 19 - Sep 29, 2024
Susan L.
Ashburn, VA
| Reviewed on Oct 26, 2024
Our trip to Croatia was AMAZING!!! Sarah planned a perfect trip for my husband and I, I gave her some information on what we wanted to do in Croatia, and she pulled it all together beautifully. From the gentleman that met us at the airport to the gentleman that dropped us off to return back to the states, it was seamless. The guides we had for touring were incredible, so knowledgeable and very helpful. ( Sorry, I will not attempt to type their names, because I know the spelling would be...
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Our trip to Croatia was AMAZING!!! Sarah planned a perfect trip for my husband and I, I gave her some information on what we wanted to do in Croatia, and she pulled it all together beautifully. From the gentleman that met us at the airport to the gentleman that dropped us off to return back to the states, it was seamless. The guides we had for touring were incredible, so knowledgeable and very helpful. ( Sorry, I will not attempt to type their names, because I know the spelling would be way off) The hotels that Sarah made reservations for us were beautiful, and the staff at all of the hotels were amazing. Nick at Hotel Giordanno was very gracious and kind during our stay, the ladies at Irini Luxury Rooms were very helpful during our stay in Split. We had a tremendous time on this "bucket list" trip. We wanted to go to Croatia as my paternal grandparents immigrated from this country, it was very moving to go to Samobor and find where my Dad's roots began. Croatia is a beautiful country and all of the people that we met along the way were very welcoming. We are hoping to return one day with our children. Sarah, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for making this trip a dream come true.
Susan Leonard
Hotel Review
This hotel is beautiful!!! If we are lucky enough to return, we will stay here again. Nick and his entire staff were absolutely wonderful and so helpful. Location was perfect, the breakfast was delicious.
Location
It was a short walk to the town center and to the beautiful beaches.
Staff
Very helpful and so kind!!!
Cleanliness & Comfort
The hotel was spotless, beds were comfortable and it was very quiet.
Activity Review
Private Day Trip to Cavtat & Family Farm Day for Traditional Lunch or Dinner
Croatia
This was such a lovely experience, to be welcomed into some ones home and enjoy a delicious traditional Croatia meal. Our guide that picked us up at the hotel and drove us there, gave us a tour of Cavtat, which was so beautiful. Then she drove us to the farm. It was incredible!!!!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our driver/ guide was so very friendly and we had so much fun with her on this part of our trip.
Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
