Croatia

Overview

Croatia is a country of thousand islands. This beautiful European country where Adriatic Sea, Alpine slopes and Pannonian plains come together in a unique harmony of natural beauty, one doesn’t need to travel far to experience this unique landscape difference. Zagreb is the capital and the biggest city in Croatia offers extensive list of cultural and entertainment activities for everyone. For those who love seaside and beaches, Dubrovnik is a paradise on Earth. Either you are going to one of the big cities or a quite seaside village, one of the best ways to experience the country is to stay in one of many charming holiday homes or a modern holiday apartments.

Top holiday destinations

Dubrovnik

“The Pearl of the Adriatic”, Dubrovnik is a stunning city that attracts millions every year and leaves none unimpressed. Its beautiful Old Town became UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979 and is well preserved. If you are visiting Dubrovnik in summer, don’t miss Dubrovnik summer festival with its music, dance and theatre performances. Warm climate and people, numerous historical sites and beaches make Dubrovnik a must see. 

Hotel accommodations in Dubrovnik can be quite pricey. If you're visiting the city for more than a night, try renting a holiday apartment or a holiday villa rather than paying high prices for a small hotel room.

Istria

Istria is the most popular and developed tourist region in Croatia. Its landscape can be compared to those of Tuscany and Provence, with small picturesque villages and vineyards scattered all over the peninsular. Porec, Umag and Pula are the most popular holiday resorts in  Istria.

Split

Split is the second largest Croatian city and a regional centre of Dalmatia. It is a true historical and cultural centre where numerous museums, the National Theatre and archaeological sites can be found. Split can be reached by sea, rail, road or air. 

Regions of Croatia

There are 7 regions in Croatia, here are some highlights. Visit any of the following regions and you will experience each their own local traditions, styles and produce.

• Istria - is the largest peninsular in Croatia and the most popular tourist destination. Its close vicinity to Italy, Austria and Slovenia makes it easy to reach for tourists. Istria offers splendid landscapes with numerous small beautiful towns and villages where service is at its best. Istria is heavily influenced by Italian culture, due to its geographical closeness to Italy.

• Dalmatia - is situated in the very south of Croatia including numerous islands and mountains, as well as impressive cities and small charming towns. Northern Dalmatia is a perfect spot for a family vacations with children. Out of all country only here you can find pebble beaches. Southern Dalmatia is one of the most attractive vacation spots. It has everything - big cities like Split, towns rich in culture and traditions like Dubrovnik, stunning islands where one can go diving or fishing, and magnificent national parks like Krka National Park
• Basque country  - situated on the north, it is the most different region of the country. It has a wide autonomy with its own government and language that is very different to Spanish. Bilbao is the capital of the region and is a great mixture of history and modernism. It boasts with Guggenheim Museum which attracts many tourists every year.

Cuisine and wine of Croatia

Croatian cuisine is known as a cuisine of regions - with its own peculiar cuilinary traditions. The cuisine of central parts of Croatia  was heavily influenced by Slavic, Hungarian and Turkish cuisines, whereas coastal parts of Croatia have predominantly Italian, Greek and French influence. 

Central and mountainous regions of Croatia are famous for its simple but very delicious dishes like turkey with mlinci, many types of sausages like Kobasica and Kulen, Purgerica Turkey (traditianl Christmas dish) and so on. 

Cuisines of Dalmatia and Istria are characterized by wide choice of fish and seafood as well as meat, especially game meat. A must try is a leg of lamb à la Pašticada (rolled pieces of Pršut in white wine sauce) as well as Cuttlefish risotto and Buzara (shellfish sautéed in garlic, olive oil, parsley & white wine). 

There are 2 main wine regions in Croatia: Continental and Coastal. Coastal region is famous for its red wine like Merlot and Cabernet. 

When to go

Croatia is good for visiting any time of year - depending on what you plan to do there. The best months for a vacation on the seaside is from May till September. Water temperature goes up to +22/+24 degrees. Autumn is a perfect time for exploring Continental part of Croatia and the mountains. If you are visiting Croatia in May, start your visit with Split where they celebrate Summer Festival before tourist crowds hit the city. Keep in mind that many holiday villas in Croatia should be booked well in advance if you are visiting during national holidays or festivals.