School
CUNY Graduate School of Journalism
Expertise
Nautical adventure, road trips, Mediterranean lifestyle
- Joe very briefly dressed like Jon Snow while working on a story about set-jetting "Game of Thrones" tourists flooding Dubrovnik.
- His first big-time, fancy glossy magazine article was in Islands over a decade ago, a feature about his love for making traditional Dalmatian olive oil.
- He once underestimated a wave's height, sending a speedboat too quickly into the oncoming crests and nearly launching The New York Times's 52 Places writer into the Adriatic Sea.
Experience
Joe's nearly two-decade career in journalism started as a founding member of Lukewarm Off the Press, the first student newspaper at St. Joseph's Grammar School in Astoria, NY. Joe's first decade as a paid journalist involved covering the ins and outs of life in New York for the local press, culminating in a "News Story of the Year" award from the New York Press Association in 2013. He then shifted gears by moving across the Atlantic Ocean to his ancestral home, a small island off the Croatian coast, and continuing as a freelance journalist. Since then, his work has appeared in a wide range of publications, from Popular Science to The New York Times.
Education
Joe has a master's degree in journalism from the City University of New York.
Islands content is created by a team of veteran writers and editors passionate about travel. Outside experts with deep field knowledge sometimes inform our work with additional context and perspectives by way of exclusive commentary. Our goal is to offer readers well-rounded and diverse articles that inform, entertain, and inspire.
Our editors consistently review and update articles to ensure they're providing current, relevant, and useful information. Complete information on our editorial process is available here.
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Travelers seeking a quiet retreat near the water will find this Wisconsin state park to be an excellent fit, thanks to its lovely campsites and serene trails.
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About an hour from Knoxville, this serene river and its surrounding wilderness are home to several waterfalls, a large campground, and wonderful hiking trails.
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Hidden away to the west of Acadia National Park, this state park in Maine offers panoramic views of Penobscot Bay without the hassle of crowds.
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Colorado isn't just about mountains, and this serene reservoir near Loveland proves it. With great fishing, boating, and camping, it's a nice change of pace.
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Hidden within Oregon's Blue Mountains, this wilderness area offers visitors more than 100 miles of trails, alpine lake views, and tons of unique wildlife.
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Escape the bustle of the city at this charming destination near Boise, which sits on the Payette River and offers a bounty of wonderful festivals.
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Don't judge a book by its cover — and never judge a river by its name. This Oregon waterway's character is nothing like what its name suggests.
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While a forest fire devastated this destination in Europe, it is now reopened for visitors to come and take a boat ride through a beautiful gorge.
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This incredible Arkansas state park offers a ton of outdoor activities. From hiking and biking to fishing and kayaking, you'll find plenty of ways to stay busy.
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Denver is close to the Rocky Mountains, but even closer to the city is a stunning state park featuring an expansive lake, tons of trails, and excellent birding.
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This isn't the tallest waterfall in Ohio, but it remains stunning most of the year, offering a beautiful hike and plenty of activities in the nearby forest.
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This scenic gravel road in Arizona's gorgeous red rock country is easy to navigate and offers some of the best dispersed camping sites near Sedona.
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South Carolina
By Joe Orovic
18th-century history is palpable in South Carolina. But this small town's past uniquely intersects with Cherokee Indian culture and Revolutionary battles.
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Pennsylvania
By Joe Orovic
Pennsylvania may not be the American West, but its state parks are breathtaking enough to make you think you've reached the end of the world.
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What happens when you combine basalt outcroppings, dramatic valleys, and jagged plateaus across 1.4 million acres of land? A national forest like no other.
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North Carolina
By Joe Orovic
About an hour from Asheville, this private lake offers a retreat into the wilderness, featuring fine dining, lovely cabins, and heaps of outdoor activities.
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The words "world's busiest airport" and "serene nature getaway" don't often coincide. Check out this amazing park during your next long layover in Atlanta.
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Travel to the Midwest to experience a spooky and scenic natural landmark accessible only by water. You don't even need a broom to get there.
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Tucked away in the dense forests of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, this sprawling lake offers 36 miles of shoreline and activities for every season.
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If you need to beat the Georgia heat, you'll find a serene lake southeast of Atlanta that offers excellent fishing, swimming, boating, and camping.
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Travel back in time by visiting this historic cave near Santa Barbara, which is filled with artwork from the Chumash people that dates back to the 1600s.
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California offers plenty of aquatic fun with the Pacific Ocean, but head inland and you'll find a serene reservoir with waters perfect for boating and fishing.
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This Oregon camping area just outside of Portland offers majestic cliffside views of the ocean, potential whale viewing opportunities, and more.
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This little-known spot is a nature lover's paradise, with outdoor adventures to suit all tastes on a pristine, preserved island off the Georgia coast.
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This sprawling lake is a quick drive from Nashville, offering visitors a scenic spot for hiking, boating, swimming, and camping out in the Tennessee wilderness.
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Tucked away at the eastern edge of Seneca Lake near Watkins Glen State Park, this uncrowded waterfall is an excellent detour that's easy to reach.
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This incredible Wyoming lake is one of the deepest in the country, offering visitors a chance to go boating, fishing, or kayaking while surrounded by mountains.
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