A rapidly developing eastern European country, once part of the former Yugoslavia, Croatia is a vibrant and culturally-rich destination with an identity all of its own. 25 years of independence has seen its reputation as somewhere you simply must visit grow year on year and it’s easy to see why.
Coastlines on the Mediterranean, beautiful beaches and picturesque old harbour towns are plentiful, most of which remain unspoiled by decades of tourism, something that a holiday experience in Spain or Greece, for example, can be affected by. It also represents fantastic value in comparison to more familiar destinations, although this could all change of course as its popularity grows. Keep an eye out for great deals in the late season when prices drop.
Dubrovnik
Located on the Adriatic Sea, in the region of Dalmatia, Dubrovnik is a beautiful city and is one of the most popular destinations in this part of the world. The ancient old town is an architectural delight and remains one of its top attractions. You can walk along the city walls there or enjoy a drink in the main thoroughfare, Stradun; a perfect spot for a bit of people watching.
If you happen to be visiting during the summer, don’t miss the Dubrovnik Summer Festival for music, theatre and dance performances. And make sure you have your swimming costume with you for a dip in the Adriatic; still warm enough to enjoy in autumn when the weather is less humid than during the summer months.
Croatia’s Scenic Highway
Start your road trip from Dubrovnik’s Old Town as this is where the truly breath-taking views are. Travel along the E65, Croatia’s Costal Road, which runs between the Montenegrin border and Split, the capital city.
Heading in that direction, the three-and-a-half-hour drive to Split reveals a plethora of stunning views of islands, rivers, lakes and luscious valleys. It is truly a unique and unforgettable experience. On top of that, the road’s bends and varying ascents and declines provide a fun and challenging drive to all motoring enthusiasts who like to show off their skills. But keep an eye on your speed as the roads are monitored day and night by the police!
Hiring a car
When you hire a car for a trip such as this, it’s important to take out car hire excess insurance before you travel. This covers any excess charges you may incur if the vehicle you hire is damaged or stolen and is much cheaper than buying through the rental company at the desk. It is also more comprehensive, covering the most vulnerable parts of the vehicle which the rental companies do not offer. iCarhireinsurance.com are a leading provider and offer a wide range of policies.
Im from Australia and Croatia is my favourite country in the whole world and has now become a favourite for most Aussies with many people I know claiming it is paradise and one of the most stunning places they have seen. I couldn’t agree more. It has so many hidden treasures its no wonder this small country is becoming one of the most visited countries in the world. GOOGLE image these places I have visited and you will be blown away. Sibenikand the Krka Falls, Betina on the island of Murter and its proximity to the Kornati island Archipelago , Primosten, Rastoke the town on waterfalls just down the road from the amazing PLITVICE lakes. Vis island and Stiniva Cove. The Blue Cave on Bisevo island. Golden Horn beach and Pucisca town on the island of Brac, Cavtat and the old Croatian baroque Capital of Varazdin. These are my hidden treasures on top of the usual sites of Rovinj, Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik together with Hvar island. I swear anybody who visits these places or takes a look at them on Google images will be booking a trip here sooner rather than later. On journalist once described Croatia as heaven on earth and I couldn’t find a better description myself.
Hi,
Thank you for these usefull article and tips.
I just rented a car in Tel Aviv to explore the city and to drive along the shores of Israel. I have AMEX Platinum which specifically covers Israel, and a letter to show this. The agent at the lot didn’t care to see it. He just put a US$2000 hold on the card and we were on our way.
The insurance excess (deductible) on this vehicle was ILS 7,000 (US$ 2000) and the guy at the desk offered me excess waiver at US $29/day, which total US$96 for the entire rental period.
Unfortunately icarhireinsurance.com don’t offer the product to Singaporean residents. Someone introduce me to https://www.carinsurent.com which covers the “excess” insurance at a low annual fee. Anyone needing to buy cover in Italy might contemplate this, but you need to understand the system, as this is not “complete” cover, just the last part of it.”