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.
A real draw is Croatia’s indented coastline, 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 in 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 is rich in culture and history. Dubrovnik’s old town and perfectly preserved city wall is a must, as is the Roman Emperor, Diocletian’s, complex and palace in Split. A living breathing museum with Mediterranean charm. A private walking tour is a perfect way to learn about Croatia’s fascinating history of Roman, Venetian and Austro-Hungarian rule. The city of Pula in Istria is home to the Pula 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.
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. A leisurely meander through the waterfalls of Krka and a visit to the emerald cascading lakes of Plitvice National Park are a must.
Croatia is fast becoming the go-to destination for foodies. The late Anthony Bourdain couldn’t hide his delight at sampling “world-class food and wines”on his first visit to Croatia in 2012. 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 some of Croatia’s excellent vineyards during your holiday in Croatia. As volumes are small, most of the wine produced in Croatia is consumed in Croatia so be sure to enjoy it while you can. 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. One of our client’s favourite experiences is a visit to the Town of Ston to sample worl-class farmed oysters, washed down with excellent sparking wines. Or enjoy a local ‘Peka’ in a rural setting. A Peka is a dish slow-cooked in a ‘bell’ and typically made with Lamb or Octopus.
Istria is famous as one of the few places in the world where the highly-prized white truffle is found, and each Autumn a number of events take place to celebrate the truffle season. The town of Motovun is a must for joining a hunt and enjoying delicious meals with results, paired with delicious local wines.
Croatia has plenty of events to enjoy on the mainland and the islands. The peak is 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 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.
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