A Journey Meant for Rest (But Nature Had Other Plans)
I didn’t expect wild herbs to be the highlight of my very first sailing trip.
This spring, I set off on a short but unforgettable route along the Croatian coast—starting from Biograd na Moru and weaving through the quiet beauty of Veli Iž, Rava, Sali, Dugi Otok, Katina, the Kornati islands, and finally Marina Žut. Just a few days, but enough to feel like I had stepped into another rhythm entirely.
The Croatian coast is dotted with over a thousand islands, and each one has its own rhythm. The places we visited—Veli Iž, Rava, Sali, Dugi Otok, and Marina Žut—offered a quiet beauty far from crowds and noise.
But it was the Kornati islands that truly took my breath away. Part of a protected national park, this archipelago comprises over 80 mostly uninhabited islands and islets. Dry and dramatic, the Kornati landscape is almost lunar—with sharp white rocks, endless horizons, and winds that seem to carry stories from the sea. Plants grow low and tough here, rooted in stone and sun.
And somehow, wild herbs manage to thrive even in these extreme conditions. This was the Adriatic at its wildest—and also its most alive.
But for this short sailing trip? I went, full minimalist.
No indulgent layering, no “just in case” extras. It was about staying fresh, clean, and protected—without the waste. I packed only what I knew I’d actually use.
🠖 You can read the full list of what I packed in my post on travel-size beauty products.
And honestly? It felt kind of amazing.
As we drifted along the islands, something shifted. I started to notice the plants—wild herbs clinging to dry, rocky soil, thriving under sun and sea wind. I wasn’t looking for them. But there they were. Rosemary with its silver-green glow, sage with its bold personality. Familiar names from my formulations, now alive and fragrant before me.
I’ve studied these herbs in books. But seeing them in their natural world, untouched and growing freely between stones, felt completely different. There’s something about wild plants that carries the story of place—and if you’re paying attention, they always have something to say.
The Wild Herbs That Caught My Attention
Each day of sailing had its rhythm—part of the day spent on the boat, catching the wind, and the other part anchored in a small harbor where we’d explore whatever island we’d landed on. It was during those quiet afternoon wanderings that I began to notice more than just the views.
Along the rocky coastline, tucked into stone cracks and sunlit patches of earth, were the herbs I thought I had left behind at home: rosemary and sage. Their leaves and flowers stood out—sun-warmed, aromatic, and unmistakably alive.
I wasn’t planning to gather anything, but the scent in the air made it impossible to ignore.
On the island of Žut, the air was thick with the fragrance of rosemary and sage. It clung to the breeze and seemed to rise from the very ground. As I walked the paths, I gently picked just a few sprigs—mostly young leaves and flower tops—making sure never to uproot the plant or disturb its natural growth.
I took only what I needed, leaving the rest to bloom, feed pollinators, and continue thriving in the wild.
Then, as we returned from the sea, we made one last stop—Cerovačke caves. The terrain changed completely: cooler air, shaded stone, and different vegetation. It was here, in this unexpected shift of climate and mood, that I noticed ivy trailing along the edges of the path.
A different kind of beauty. Strong, deep green, and full of character. I collected a few vines after careful plant identification, already imagining how they might be used.
I always take time for proper plant identification before gathering anything. If you’re curious about identifying herbs in the wild, this visual gallery of medicinal plants is a great place to start.
What Wild Herbs Mean to Me
For me, foraging wild herbs isn’t just about sourcing ingredients—it’s about presence. When I gather plants myself, whether it’s wild greens growing along the coast or resilient ivy near a cave, I’m stepping into the rhythm of the season.
I’m not just using the plant—I’m meeting it where it lives.
There’s something deeply grounding in working with ingredients that are fresh or dried but hand-picked with care. The scent, the texture, even the way the leaves curl or stretch toward the sun—it all tells a story.
These aren’t anonymous raw materials from a supplier. They’re part of a memory. A place. A moment.
Every time I open a jar of infused oil or herbal glycerite I’ve made from wild herbs, I know exactly what’s inside—because I’ve written it down. The plant, the date, the place, the method. I label everything carefully.
That’s how you make skincare you can trust. It’s not about guessing—it’s about knowing.
That’s also why I love creating my own plant profiles. It’s not just what a plant can do for skin—it’s how it grows, where it thrives, what season it appears in. These details matter. They’re part of the relationship.
And that’s why I’ll always choose a wild, wind-blown rosemary over something packaged and shipped. It’s not just about effectiveness—it’s about connection.
If you want to dive deeper into how natural materials are chosen and used, take a look at my DIY Skincare Ingredients guide.
This way of working reflects everything I believe in when it comes to sustainable beauty practices—slowness, seasonality, and respect for the land.
From Sea to Skincare: What Comes Next
The more time I spend outdoors, the more I realize how rich the natural world is with inspiration for DIY skincare formulation. This sailing trip wasn’t just a break—it became a creative reset.
I came home with a few handfuls of carefully chosen roots and leaves, ready to be transformed into something meaningful.
🟢 Rosemary will be the first star ingredient. I’ll be diving into its traditional use and modern benefits for the skin—how it supports clarity, circulation, and balance.
I’ll explore various forms of botanical extracts, ranging from simple infused oils to water-based preparations. But I won’t stop there.
Rosemary also shines in herbal remedies for scalp care and hair growth, so I’ll be formulating a nourishing hair tonic and a revitalizing body oil focused on boosting circulation—especially for tired legs or cellulite-prone areas.
🟢 Sage will soon appear in a calming and clarifying DIY—her strong personality deserves her own moment.
🟢And then there’s ivy, collected near the shaded paths of Cerovačke caves. Found often in disturbed areas, ivy is surprisingly resilient.
I’ll be testing it in future body care experiments and sharing what I learn.
This trip was a reminder that sometimes, the most effective ingredients are the ones growing right around us. It deepened my love for truly locally sourced beauty ingredients—especially when they come straight from nature, with scent, memory, and place still attached.
If you’re curious about how to turn these natural gifts into your own beauty rituals—stay with me. There’s a whole season ahead, and it smells like rosemary.
In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing step-by-step tutorials and ideas inspired by this trip—some for skin, some for hair, and maybe even a few body care blends.
You’ll find them added to my evolving DIY Skincare Recipes collection as I continue to develop them.
Final Reflections from the Coastline
This sailing trip gave me more than just a brief escape from routine—it reshaped my perspective on beauty. It reminded me that skincare doesn’t always come from a jar, a shop, or a lab.
Sometimes, it begins with the wind in your hair, the scent of wild rosemary, and a handful of leaves collected with care.
This journey deepened my connection to nature, as well as to myself. I didn’t come back with souvenirs. I came back with purpose—and a few ideas I can’t wait to turn into botanical extracts, infusions, and herbal rituals.
If you’ve ever wandered through nature and felt inspired to create, you’ll understand the feeling.
And if you’re looking for ways to turn that inspiration into meaningful moments, take a look at my post on DIY Skincare Gifts—simple, heartfelt recipes made from plants, intention, and love.
🌿 Have wild herbs ever inspired your self-care rituals? I’d love to hear your story.
🌿 Closing line:
Thanks for sailing through this story with me. Wherever you are, I hope you find time to slow down, step outside, and notice what’s growing around you. 🌱
Until next time,
Kristina
