Director
A quest for new challenges brought this science major to Secret Dalmatia. During her studies, Ivana flirted with tourism in several seasonal gigs with the local and national tour operators. This led to a strong infatuation with the travel industry, and to managerial roles in several travel agencies after the completion of her studies. At Secret Dalmatia, Ivana is able to put her diverse expertise and skills toward creating perfect customized itineraries. Goal-oriented and composed, knowledgeable and informed, quick and dedicated, Ivana is your best antidote to travel planning stress.
Senior Travel Designer
With a remarkable 20-year tenure in luxury travel, Mariana possesses extensive expertise in crafting exceptional experiences. Renowned as a seasoned problem solver, her enthusiasm for the outdoors and adventure infuses a spirit of excitement into every venture her clients embark upon.
Senior Travel Designer
Emina's lively spirit is well reflected in her CV: she has experience in almost all the major sectors of tourism. Starting in marketing of Croatian National Parks, she continued in a PR role with one of the largest national tour operators before moving on to work with a national media company. Grounded and hard-working, Emina has kind words and fierce action towards any challenge – just the attitude you want when designing your perfect visit to Croatia and the Balkans.
Travel Designer
Sara holds a master's degree in both Spanish and French and has lived in Barcelona and Dallas, experiencing diverse cultures. With over 12 years in the tourism industry, she specializes in creating customized travel itineraries, combining her expertise in travel with her skills in designing unique experiences.
Travel Designer
Stephanie creates personalized journeys for adventurers and explorers, driven by her deep passion for travel. With a degree in international business, she combines her expertise in trip planning with a love for photography, capturing stunning vistas and intimate moments. Whether you're seeking relaxation on a beach or the excitement of a bustling city, Stephanie ensures your travel plans are unforgettable.
Travel Designer
Mia holds a degree in Tourism Management and has extensive experience in the hospitality industry, particularly in hotels. Passionate about travel, she specializes in creating unforgettable journeys, whether centered around relaxation, cultural exploration, or adventure.
Travel Designer
Anita is an enthusiastic traveler who loves turning her passion for exploring into memorable experiences for others. With adventures across the globe, she knows how to find the hidden gems that make each trip special. She's dedicated to creating journeys that feel effortless, exciting, and truly unforgettable.
Latin America Manager
With endless energy, Antoni is all about action. He holds a degree in sports management, a logical step after being a professional football player for a while. Having lived in several European countries and overseas, Antoni adores meeting new people, especially to craft their perfect holidays in Croatia. The project manager for our Latin American guests, and an advisor for guests seeking active holidays, Antoni infuses everything he does with a contagious enthusiasm that will make your travels here ever so special.
Concierge
Having majored in English and Art History, and with experience in both organizing and guiding day tours, Lea found tourism and hospitality to be the most logical of choices, deriving utmost satisfaction from turning travel aspirations into reality for everyone.
Travel Designer
Tena is a passionate linguist who is fluent in English, German, Spanish and Italian. She hails from Slavonia, but now calls Zagreb, Croatia her home. Professionally, she has been working in dentistry tourism before joining Secret Dalmatia. In her free time, Tena loves to pole dance, play the piano and enjoy strawberry mojitos. She also enjoys trying different cuisines from around the world and exploring new cultures. With her diverse skillset and enthusiasm for the industry, Tena is an invaluable asset to any team.
Travel Designer
After pursuing her passion for foreign cultures by earning a Bachelor's degree in Spanish and Portuguese languages and literature, Marina moved on to conquer her home turf. She spent years working as a tour guide in her hometown of Šibenik and a trip leader across Croatia and the Balkans, mastering on-ground secrets of perfect itineraries that she today happily designs for our guests.
Travel Designer
Inquisitive by nature and an avid lifelong learner by conviction, Ivona cultivates a boundless curiosity about new cultures and foreign languages, coupled with a heartfelt enthusiasm for animals and the great outdoors. Those passions are largely steeped in her childhood summers, spent on the dreamy Lopud Island near Dubrovnik. Today, the hallmark of every travel experience she creates is the harmony between local hospitality and fascinating natural beauty.
Marketing Specialist
Laura thrives on blending creativity with strategy. With a background in International Business and Marketing, and a passion for interior design, she finds joy in merging the aesthetic with the functional. For Laura, every project is an opportunity to tell a unique story about travel in the Balkans.
Our expert travel designers meticulously craft private, custom-made programs, ensuring a luxury service that transcends standard travel experiences. Committed to showcasing the hidden gems and highlights of Croatia in a new light, our dedication and extensive experience shine through, offering guests unique insights into the distinct identities of Croatian destinations through original and exclusive tours.
Contact UsPersonalized Croatia Travel Planning — The Story of Us
Secret Dalmatia was founded in 2005 by Alan Mandić — a Croatian who grew up surrounded by the country's extraordinary history, coastline, and cuisine, and who wanted to share it authentically with the world. What began as a one-man operation has grown into a team of dedicated travel designers.
Alan Mandić
Owner & CEO
As the founder and managing director of Secret Dalmatia, Alan Mandić is deeply committed to showcasing Croatia's beauty to every guest. With a profound connection to his homeland, he returned to Croatia after completing his studies at the New England School of Art & Design in Boston. The idea of creating Secret Dalmatia struck him while exploring one of Croatia's most significant archaeological sites — moved by the sight of two open sarcophagi at sunset, he was inspired to share Croatia's wonders with the world. A few months later, he embarked on the Secret Dalmatia journey full-time. Alan continues to oversee all design and photography, and his extensive travels to remote areas further enhance his expertise and passion for travel.
Director
A quest for new challenges brought this science major to Secret Dalmatia. During her studies, Ivana flirted with tourism in several seasonal gigs with the local and national tour operators. This led to a strong infatuation with the travel industry, and to managerial roles in several travel agencies after the completion of her studies. At Secret Dalmatia, Ivana is able to put her diverse expertise and skills toward creating perfect customized itineraries. Goal-oriented and composed, knowledgeable and informed, quick and dedicated, Ivana is your best antidote to travel planning stress.
Senior Travel Designer
With a remarkable 20-year tenure in luxury travel, Mariana possesses extensive expertise in crafting exceptional experiences. Renowned as a seasoned problem solver, her enthusiasm for the outdoors and adventure infuses a spirit of excitement into every venture her clients embark upon.
Senior Travel Designer
Emina's lively spirit is well reflected in her CV: she has experience in almost all the major sectors of tourism. Starting in marketing of Croatian National Parks, she continued in a PR role with one of the largest national tour operators before moving on to work with a national media company. Grounded and hard-working, Emina has kind words and fierce action towards any challenge – just the attitude you want when designing your perfect visit to Croatia and the Balkans.
Travel Designer
Sara holds a master's degree in both Spanish and French and has lived in Barcelona and Dallas, experiencing diverse cultures. With over 12 years in the tourism industry, she specializes in creating customized travel itineraries, combining her expertise in travel with her skills in designing unique experiences.
Travel Designer
Stephanie creates personalized journeys for adventurers and explorers, driven by her deep passion for travel. With a degree in international business, she combines her expertise in trip planning with a love for photography, capturing stunning vistas and intimate moments. Whether you're seeking relaxation on a beach or the excitement of a bustling city, Stephanie ensures your travel plans are unforgettable.
Travel Designer
Mia holds a degree in Tourism Management and has extensive experience in the hospitality industry, particularly in hotels. Passionate about travel, she specializes in creating unforgettable journeys, whether centered around relaxation, cultural exploration, or adventure.
Travel Designer
Anita is an enthusiastic traveler who loves turning her passion for exploring into memorable experiences for others. With adventures across the globe, she knows how to find the hidden gems that make each trip special. She's dedicated to creating journeys that feel effortless, exciting, and truly unforgettable.
Latin America Manager
With endless energy, Antoni is all about action. He holds a degree in sports management, a logical step after being a professional football player for a while. Having lived in several European countries and overseas, Antoni adores meeting new people, especially to craft their perfect holidays in Croatia. The project manager for our Latin American guests, and an advisor for guests seeking active holidays, Antoni infuses everything he does with a contagious enthusiasm that will make your travels here ever so special.
Concierge
Having majored in English and Art History, and with experience in both organizing and guiding day tours, Lea found tourism and hospitality to be the most logical of choices, deriving utmost satisfaction from turning travel aspirations into reality for everyone.
Travel Designer
Tena is a passionate linguist who is fluent in English, German, Spanish and Italian. She hails from Slavonia, but now calls Zagreb, Croatia her home. Professionally, she has been working in dentistry tourism before joining Secret Dalmatia. In her free time, Tena loves to pole dance, play the piano and enjoy strawberry mojitos. She also enjoys trying different cuisines from around the world and exploring new cultures. With her diverse skillset and enthusiasm for the industry, Tena is an invaluable asset to any team.
Travel Designer
After pursuing her passion for foreign cultures by earning a Bachelor's degree in Spanish and Portuguese languages and literature, Marina moved on to conquer her home turf. She spent years working as a tour guide in her hometown of Šibenik and a trip leader across Croatia and the Balkans, mastering on-ground secrets of perfect itineraries that she today happily designs for our guests.
Travel Designer
Inquisitive by nature and an avid lifelong learner by conviction, Ivona cultivates a boundless curiosity about new cultures and foreign languages, coupled with a heartfelt enthusiasm for animals and the great outdoors. Those passions are largely steeped in her childhood summers, spent on the dreamy Lopud Island near Dubrovnik. Today, the hallmark of every travel experience she creates is the harmony between local hospitality and fascinating natural beauty.
Marketing Specialist
Laura thrives on blending creativity with strategy. With a background in International Business and Marketing, and a passion for interior design, she finds joy in merging the aesthetic with the functional. For Laura, every project is an opportunity to tell a unique story about travel in the Balkans.