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Exploring Croatia Holidays

How to spend your time

We suggest the perfect holiday in Croatia strikes a balance of historic cities, national parks and a number of islands. Croatia has 9 varied national parks and over 1000 islands, meaning there’s something for everyone.

Croatia Coastland and Islands

A real draw is Croatia’s indented coastline, running right the way from northern Istria to the tip of Dubrovnik. A holiday in Croatia offers historic coastal cities on the mainland and island excursions. You can find peace and tranquillity on hidden coves or bays, or a lively party scene. With over 60 marinas, Croatia is perfect for sailing and a popular destination for chartering a boat.

Croatia Culture and History

Croatia is rich in culture and history. Dubrovnik’s old town and perfectly preserved city wall is a must, as is Roman Emperor, Diocletian’s complex and palace – a living breathing museum in the city of Split. A private walking tour is a perfect way to learn about the fascinating history and stories of these ancient cities. In northern Istria, you’ll find ‘the arena’, the most well-preserved Roman amphitheatre in the world. Do visit at sunset for some magical photos and if your trip coincides with the arena’s event schedule, such as the Pula Film Festival in July, be sure to bag a ticket for a show in this truly unique setting.

Croatia National Parks

The national parks in Croatia offer much variety. Choose to sail the islands of the Kornati or the Brijuni Islands. Take a jeep safari in the Velebit. Climb Croatia’s thrilling peaks in Paklenica or take a leisurely hike through the waterfalls of Krka and Plitvice. Bathe in the waterfalls of Krka National Park and hike the lesser-visited falls. A trip to the emerald lakes of Plitvice National Park is also a must.

Croatia Food and Wine

Croatia is fast becoming the go-to destination for foodies. Anthony Bourdain, on his first visit to Croatia in 2012 couldn’t hide his delight at sampling “world-class food and wines”. He was so impressed he declared Croatia “the next big food destination” and confessed he was “an idiot” for not visiting sooner.

We highly recommend a trip to a boutique vineyard during your holiday in Croatia. As volumes are small, most of the wine produced in Croatia is consumed in Croatia, be sure to make the most and take some home. A personal wine tasting is a perfect start to your holiday. You’ll learn about the famous wines of each region before you set off to experiment and find your favourites on your own.

Croatia’s food is typically Mediterranean with quality local produce. An abundance of fresh seafood plucked from the Adriatic and organic lamb and beef dishes. Be sure to try the ‘Peka’ a local dish slow-cooked in a ‘bell’ and typically made with Lamb or Octopus. Istria is famous for the highly-prized truffle and each Autumn a number of events take place to celebrate the truffle season. A cooking class will shed some light on how to cook like a local and give you inspiration to take home.

Croatia Events

Croatia has a year-round calendar of events to enjoy, the peak being in the summer months. Many events take place in iconic settings, such as the stage at the St James’ Fortress during Dubrovnik’s Summer Festival (10 July – 25 August). Croatia has built a reputation as a destination for open-air music festivals covering most genres of music.

In Autumn and winter, there is still plenty of goings-on to tempt you to Croatia. Autumn offers a programme of operas, ballets and theatre productions in Zagreb. A highlight in winter is Zagreb’s Christmas markets, voted the best in Europe for 3 years running. A magical experience, not to be missed. The Snow Queen Trophy, a world cup slalom event for men and women, takes place on the 5/6 January. On the north slopes of Sljeme, just outside Zagreb. If you don’t fancy taking to the slopes, big screens and mulled wine are set up to enjoy the event from the city centre.

Rovinj
A charming, colourful, Meditteranean coastal town, said to be the most romantic destination in Croatia. More
Pula
The entry point to Istria and home to the world's 6th largest and the best-preserved Roman Amphitheatre - a unique venue with a seasonal programme of events. More
Bale
A hilltop village in rural Istria surrounded by olive oil and excellent wineries. Off the beaten track you will find the Meneghetti wine estate, one of our favourite locations to experience rural Istria. More
Zagreb
Croatia's vibrant capital city is often referred to as 'little Vienna' thanks to its architecture and cafe culture. The city is compact, has many parks and museums and nearby hiking on Medvednica, which also hosts a ski resort in the winter months. More
Dubrovnik
The medieval fortified town with iconic views from the top of the preserved medieval walls, overlooking the Adriatic. More
Split
Split is the second-largest city in Croatia and the largest in Dalmatia. A mix of modern urban life and ancient history. Home to the UNESCO world heritage site of Diocletian's Palace and the gateway to some of the well-known islands. More
Hvar
Touted as the new St Tropez, Hvar is a glamorous luxury island off the dalmatian coast that attracts the yacht set in the peak months to the trendy bars and restaurants. Aside from the glitz, it is also steeped in culture and history. More
Sibenik
An entry point to Krka National Park and to the Kornati islands. Sibenik is home to the Cathedral of St. James, a UNESCO heritage site. More
Plitvice Lakes National Park
A stunningly beautiful national park with 16 cascading emerald lakes and waterfalls to explore via boardwalks and trails.
Krka National Park
Situated on the Krka river, the national park has lively waterfalls.
Ston
Famous for the longest medieval stone walls in Europe and the world-class oysters farmed in the region. The surrounding Peljesac Peninsula is a famous wine region.
Trogir
This small preserved town is known for its Baroque, Renaissance and Romanesque buildings. Set on an island connected to the mainland by a bridge. The whole town is protected by UNESCO.

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