Dubrovnik Old City in Croatia Photo by Greenweasel (Creative Commons)
Going on for the last decade, Croatia has been the place to visit. The “unspoilt Mediterranean” paradise complete with 2,500 miles of coastline and clear waters has been a hidden gem. Not so hidden anymore, of course, the country and its Dalmatian Coast have become popular with backpackers, holidaymakers and festival goers alike.
It may no longer be undiscovered, cheap and is home to overt tourism but it’s still a great place to visit. Having joined the European Union at the start of the year, there is hope for the country to enjoy the stability it has lacked for more than two decades. The interest in trips to Croatia continues to grow and the weather is warm for longer than the rest of Eastern Europe, so where do you need to go? Check out icelolly.com for great deals.
Dubrovnik
We’ll start with the obvious, an amazing medieval city that is so well preserved you are unlikely to see anything else like it. Often referred to as ‘The Pearl of the Adriatic’, the marble streets allow you a wonderful chance to enjoy the beauty of this city. The 13th century was the high point as Dubrovnik was a major power and the monuments and churches reflect this golden era for Gothic architecture. With character in abundance, you will enjoy the amazing medieval city walls, the palaces of Rector and Sponza while the cable car gives you great panoramas of the city.
Island Hopping
The coastline comes complete with magnificent islands of all shapes and sizes. The various boats, catamarans and ferries available means that you should at least have a cruise out at some point.
Hvar is the number one destination, a luxurious island with fields of lavender, heather and rosemary is charming in words let alone first hand. Cres is a large undeveloped island ideal for wandering around is blissful isolation while the Kornati National Park boasts 147 islands and reefs complete with evergreen forest and caves. Aside from this, you have Brac with Croatia’s most famous beach, Vis a mysterious island, Mljet which is covered in forest, Elafiti Islands, Orebic and Rab. Some are easier to reach than others and it’s worth looking in to.
Plitvice
Croatia’s largest national park, this is natural beauty at its best. With colours changing on an almost daily basis depending on the water minerals and sunlight, it is finding and discovering places like this that whets the appetite of travellers. It should certainly be a to-do on a trip to the country.
Zagreb
The country’s capital, it is an economic powerhouse in Eastern Europe that is the industrial and cultural centre of Croatia. Cosmopolitan and stylish, it is a welcoming and charismatic city for those who don’t wish to spend their trip by the beach.
Split, Croatia at Dusk by Michael Angelkovich (Creative Commons)
Split
The second largest city in the country, it doesn’t have the pull of Dubrovnik or the charm of Zagreb but it does offer a relaxing setting. It owes its beginnings to a Roman Emperor, Diocletian, who built a palace that the city is built around. The palace is a must see while the centre plays host to a market and a wealth of restaurants and cafes to enjoy.