Croatia Archives - Page 2 of 2

Ancient cities, breathtaking scenery, and the sparkling Adriatic sea – Croatia offers one of the most stunning holiday backdrops in Europe. Whether you want to dive into history, sail between islands, or relax on the beach, you’re bound to find your ideal getaway here.

Not sure where to stay in Croatia, or what kind of accommodation to choose? To pack as much as possible into your trip for a truly memorable experience, a self-catering rental provides the perfect base. The money you’ll save over purchasing a package holiday can go towards excursions and experiences – not to mention the delicious local produce!

North, south, inland, or on the coast, Croatia is bursting with things to see and do. Here are some suggestions:

Image by fjakone, used under Creative Commons license (CC BY 2.0)

Explore Dubrovnik’s Old Town

It’s hard not to fall in love with Dubrovnik’s charming streets. The old town dates from the 13^thcentury, and you’ll be surprised by how little has changed. This makes it a great place to soak up Croatian history. Stroll along the elegant Strada shopping street, or walk the medieval city walls. Make sure and stop at the Rector’s Palace, which you might recognise from its appearance on Game of Thrones!

Image by 29cm, used under Creative Commons license (CC BY SA 2.0)

Visit Plitvice Lakes National Park

This national park is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located inland, in the northern half of the country, it is an absolute must-see if you’re staying within driving distance. The park boasts sixteen stunning lakes, countless waterfalls, and lush forests. You can explore on foot, by bus, or even go rowing on one of its lakes.

Lounge on stunning Adriatic beaches

Croatia is home to some picture-perfect beaches. Golden Horn Beach on the island of Brac is perhaps the most famous, known for its unique horn shape. Mountains and forests rise high behind this idyllic sunbathing spot. It’s also pebble beach, which means that the waters are crystal clear, and perfect for snorkelling.

Eat, drink, and shop inside a Roman palace

In southern Croatia, the city of Split is remarkable because it’s old town lies inside the walls of the 4^thcentury Diocletian’s Palace. You’ll find shops, cafes, restaurants, and even apartments nestled inside these ancient walls. Make sure and visit at night when the ambient lighting and street performances bring the area to life.

Go hiking in Dalmatia

Dalmatia is a region of outstanding natural beauty. With a choice of rugged mountains, lush valleys, rivers, and lakes to explore, it is a hiker’s dream destination. Near Split, the Mosor Mountain offers a climb that all levels of expertise will enjoy. And those that make the trek are rewarded with incredible panoramic views from the top.

Hop between islands

There are thousands of islands scattered along the Croatian coastline, making it the perfect place to go if you’re looking for that perfect island paradise. One archipelago, the Elaphite Islands, lies off the coast near Dubrovnik. A short boat trip will take you to Sipan, Kolocep, or Lopud, the three main islands. Here, you can hike, sunbathe, or take to the waters in one of Croatia’s most serene areas.

Inspired? Browse our selection of Croatian villas and take the first step towards the holiday of your dreams.

By Ciaran Brooks. A former history graduate, Ciaran Brooks’ love for old stories has led him around the world. A self-confessed adventurer, he fell into travel writing after his blog chronicling his year in Thailand was picked up by a national paper.

5. Sporting activities

Not an obvious choice I hear you cry, however, Istria is full of different sporting facilities so anyone wanting to try something different or experience a certain activity for the first time will be in their element! Water sports, tennis, golf, horse riding, hand gliding, cycling, caving and climbing facilities (to name but a few…) can all be found scattered around Istria. Whether it’s a leisurely cycle around the area or a more serious instructor-taught lesson you want, you’ll definitely find it here.

4. Beaches

This Northern part of Croatia does has some fab beaches, although mostly pebbly or paved. But the facilities at most of them are very good, the water is typically clear and shallow so great for kids, and the views across the water from most of them are amazing! And of course, you don’t take half the beach home with you 😉

3. The food

Istria is famous for its wine, ham, olive oil and in particular, truffles. I don’t think I’d ever tried truffle before being in Croatia but thinking about the bowl of freshly made pasta topped with truffle shavings we had one day for lunch is making me salivate as I write this!

This part of Croatia belonged to Italy for a number of years in the early part of the 20th century and its influences are still obvious today. Istria has a rich wine and olive oil producing background, in strong competition with Italy. The last Sunday in May is Wine Day, a popular festival when all of the local farms and wineries open their doors to anyone wanting to find out more about the process of making wine, as well as sample some and even buy a bottle or three to take home with you!

The same goes for olive oil. There are various planned routes along the Adriatic coastline where you can visit olive oil mills, plus taste and buy the produce.

The number 1 reason to visit Istria has to be its wealth of art, interesting history and culture.

Despite our Croatia programme only currently having villas close to Pula and Porec, anywhere in Istria can be reached in around an hour or so by car so hiring one and exploring the area is a must! We saw the Roman Amphitheatre, the Roman Arch of the Sergi and statue of James Joyce in Pula, the Church of St. Euphemia in Rovinj, and explored the quaint cobbled streets in Porec. Just walking around you’ll see so many photo opportunities, stunning architecture, and beautiful scenery across the harbours and hillsides. And there are various archaeological sites, museums, collections and frescoes to see as well.

Sadly, I didn’t get to see the beautiful island of Brijuni, the valley of Lim, or Hum, the world’s smallest town. But that just gives me a good excuse to go back!