My Opinion on Croatia for Cheap Travel
Key Takeaways
“All expenses paid” trips for influencer bloggers are less glamorous than they seem: busy days, briefings, pressured photos, imposed hashtags. The “free vacation” aspect is actually a full-time job, sometimes more stressful than a regular job.
I have been traveling frequently for just 4 years now, and at first I started with organized trips such as my trip to Croatia or Italy. In this article, I will give you my opinion on the different services that make up all-inclusive or half-board packages.
  ;Opinion on Croatia All-Inclusive Trips:
All-inclusive vacations are the most chosen and easiest option to avoid hassle if you want to organize your trip at least minimally.
They accept all types of travelers, from solo travelers to couples or families; this type of trip is suitable for everyone. It is sometimes easier to meet people at your accommodation when you take this kind of trip.
Did you know?
According to a 2024 Statista study, 60% of travel influencers earn less than €1,500/month despite a demanding activity. Only 15% live comfortably from it. Free “press trips” are the main form of non-monetary compensation.
The advantage of these cheap vacation offers is that they are available for 1 or 2 weeks or more; it is often better to take 2 weeks because the second week costs less or is at 50%! If you work for a company that pays part of your holiday vouchers, it’s ideal! When I found out they did not reimburse my plane ticket but only the stays in holiday centers all-inclusive or half-board, I was a bit disappointed.
  ;Opinion on Croatia: My experience on the island of Hvar in Croatia with half board.
In 2008, I tried a one-week half-board package including flight on a small island in Croatia (Hvar) in September. I will give you my opinion point by point.
My Experience
My first press trip: 5 days in Tunisia, 80 photos to publish, 3 articles to write, schedule to follow. I only saw 20% of the sites “in person,” the rest just in quick photos. The behind-the-scenes is very different from Instagram.
My ratings: +++: Very good, ++: good, +: average, -: insufficient
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| “Free vacations” | Intense work |
| “Editorial freedom” | Often constrained |
| “Good income” | Highly variable |
| “Beautiful photos” | Constant pressure |
| “Open to all” | Minimum audience required |
- The price,
I paid 450 euros for the week (flight, dinner, and hotel included) and I had to pay an additional 150 euros for excursions and lunches at restaurants, etc. It seems quite fair to have paid 600 euros for a week of vacation; the price is explained by several reasons (there are far fewer people in the second week of September and the place we went to was a small town on the island). If you have a small budget, do the same.
Rating: ++
- The services offered,
There was a swimming pool, sauna, a complimentary breakfast, tennis courts where you have to pay by the hour! Every evening there were activities at the hotel which is very enjoyable if you are with children or as a couple to pass the time and have a good moment! The dinner offered a wide variety of dishes, starters, desserts, however, it was a bit the same every day.
Advantages
- Discovery of destinations without budget
- Expanded professional network
- Sometimes VIP experiences
- High-end accommodation
- Recognition of blogger work
Weak points
- No free time
- Restrictive contracts (hashtags, dates)
- Performance stress
- Limited credibility if too frequent
- High mental load
Rating: ++
- Accommodation,
I shared my room with one of my friends and the room was spotless, very clean and well arranged. When you go on vacation, you don’t stay much time in the room so it’s a somewhat less important criterion!
Rating: ++
The classic trap to avoid
Never accept a press trip without having negotiated: editorial freedom, rights on photos, clear paid mention. Many beginner bloggers sign leonine contracts that remove all credibility with their audience.
- Means of transport to get to the island,
This is the small downside, we went by charter and charter means limited space, we were cramped, everything was paid, and the only consolation was that the trip was short!
Rating: –
- The town or the island,
An idyllic and very quiet setting, there are many beaches on the island, prices are reasonable. You feel the holiday atmosphere without excess given the season.
To delve deeper into the topic, the guide on China travel budget provides additional practical advice. You will also find interesting leads in our article on I earned 1177€/month, and if you are preparing the next part of the trip, the one on Brazil my impression is just right.
Note : +++
How to be invited to a press trip?
Established audience (10k+ followers), solid portfolio, identified niches, direct contact with tourist offices and brands.
Are press trips free?
Yes (flight, hotel, meals), but in exchange for a consideration: articles, photos, Instagram posts with imposed hashtags.
Should a gifted trip be declared?
Yes in France: the value of the stay is considered a benefit in kind, taxable to the tax authorities.
