Croatia guide directory

Croatia guide directory to discover its secrets and find out how a small country can become a fascinating discovery for tourists who would like to explore unspoiled nature, rich cultural heritage and extensive offer of cultural events.One of the cleanest seas, one of the most-indented coastlines, Mediterranean climate, beautiful nature and hospitable hosts -� all in one place. Here you can find out more about useful information needed for your holidays on the Croatian coast and islands. For detailed information click on the appropriate links. Should you have any further questions regarding your trip to and stay in our country feel free to contact us.

Accommodation

Discover green areas

Exclusive Looking for� something unique and extraordinary? Maybe luxurious accommodation or a holiday to suit your wishes, or an apartment on the coast in a secluded bay, simply and tastefully decorated in the Mediterranean style?

Beautiful landscapes� We have numerous protected green areas: 8 National Parks, 10 Nature Parks, 2 Strict Nature Reserves, nearly 100 Special Reserves, 19 Forest Parks, 28 Protected Landscape Areas and 72 Nature Sights.

Agrotourism Relax in traditional houses in the inland surrounded by tranquil landscapes, enjoy local gastronomic specialties, take part in mushroom, grape and asparagus picking, go hiking, cycling, climbing and explore fascinating caves nearby.
Discover Croatia's Inland!

Regions� Coast is 5835 km long, has 1185 islands and islets, and extends from the north-west to the south-east. It is divided into the regions of Istria, Kvarner and Dalmatia. In order to help you choose your summer destination, we have prepared this feature about Croatia's regions.

Hotels Choose the right accommodation for Your vacation. Our offer encompasses over 180 verified hotels along the Adriatic coast, in the vicinity of national parks or the capital city of Zagreb.

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National costumes� National costumes are considered an integral part of a nation's culture and heritage.
National costumes always consists of blouses, skirts or dresses, aprons, shoes and kerchiefs for women and of shirts, trousers, vests and shoes for men, can be divided into three types.

Lighthouses Lighthouses on the Croatian islands and promontories are special places for a unique holiday. Choose a lighthouse in the vicinity of tourist centers or a lighthouse in the open sea - your own "paradise" far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Protected areas� In respect to its total territory area,� we have a great number of localities put under legal protection: 8 national parks, 10 nature parks and 2 strict nature reserves, nearly 100 special reserves, 19 park forests, 28 protected landscapes and 72 nature monuments.

Plitvice Lake private accomodation If you are looking for accommodation near Plitvice and the town of Slunj, take a look at our offer of accommodation in these places.

Souvenirs Buy and keep something which will remind you of your holiday - an authentic souvenir� like the tie or the ball-point Penkala pen, famous all around the world. Maraskino - a liqueur of pleasure difficult to resist to.

Private accomodation� �For your holiday choose from more than 11,000 accommodation units along the entire Adriatic coast, from Istria in the north to Dubrovnik in the south, as well as the Adriatic islands.

UNESCO Heritage� We can be proud of six cultural, historical and natural sights registered in the UNESCO's registry of world monument heritage. These are: Basilica of Euphrasius in Porec, Diocletian's Palace in Split, the old town square in Trogir, the Sibenik cathedral, the beautiful old town of Dubrovnik and the National Park Plitvice Lakes.

Villas �If you are looking for an exclusive holiday in first class accommodation choose luxury with style - luxurious villas on the Croatian coast. A perfect combination of grandeur of the old and comfort of the new age, villas are ideal for a relaxing holiday.

New highway� One of main strategic projects of Croatian economy is to build a quality network of modern traffic directions that would connect continental and coastal regions� as well as North and South of Croatian coast, and directly include our country in European road network.

Wellness �Choose a wellness program from our offer that best suits your needs, whether it focuses on health or beauty. All you have to do is relax at the hands of an expert and helpful staff that will make sure that you feel revitalized and relaxed after your vacation.

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Winds on the Adriatic� Our country is known as a nautical destination throughout the world. No matter how much sailing
experience you have, every sea, including Croatia's, has its own secrets. Its beauties as well
as its traps for those that do not know them are its winds. Find out more about the Adriatic's
winds.

About country

Calendar of Events� Events in croatia 2005. Largest and most representative cultural manifestation in Croatia: international musical-dramatic and dance festival situated in the Old Town of Dubrovnik. Festival stages about 80 theater, ballet, opera, and musical performances, literary work promotions, exhibitions, poetry evenings, off theater performances etc. Dubrovnik Summer Games were founded in 1950 and have been listed in the European Festivals Association (EFA) since 1956.
Contact: phone: + 385 20 323 400, + 385 20 323 414,
e-mail: program@dubrovnik-festival.hr, info@dubrovnik-festival.hr

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Culture and Art� The earliest known cultures� are from the Neolithic and Eneolithic Period (Copper Age). Cultures had strong ties with Greek colonies on Mediterranean islands. In Roman times, Dalmatia was a Roman province and Split (Salona) was its center. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Dalmatia fell under the cultural influence of the Byzantine Empire.First typically Croatian building period. In Early Christian and Pre-Romanesque Periods, small churches with various floor-plans (mostly circular or cross-shaped with domes) were built. The stone ornaments "pleter" (Croatian traditional knotwork) appeared at the time. Click here to read more.

Dalmatian gastronomic specialities� Dalmatian cuisine, due to its ingredients and preparation, meets all medical and nutritional recommendations for a healthy and well-balanced diet.
Traditional Dalmatian ingredients are various types of fish, shells, crabs, octopus, squid, cuttle-fish, olives, olive oil, vegetables, wild herbs, almonds, figs, grapes, honey, raisins and citrus fruits. Particularly delicious are Dalmatian "prsut" - smoked ham that is dried in the "bura" (north-eastern wind), best served with sheep-cheese, and "janjetina ispod peke" - lamb prepared in the traditional way. Furthermore, Dalmatian wines, both red and white, are a must with every meal and some of them are among the world's top ten.

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Croatian History�

7th C	The Avars and Slavs settle gradually on the territory of Croatia. The Croats engage themselves in fighting the Avarian dominance and after defeating them settle on today's territories. In the early Middle Ages, Croatia is under the rule of the Franks.
9th C	The age of Duke Trpimir (called dux Chroatorum) and Duke Branimir, when Croatia becomes independent.
10th C	The age of King Tomislav when Croatia is very strong. Stjepan Dr�islav is the first crowned Croatian king.
11th C	The Trpimirovi�i dynasty dies out, and Croatian kings come under the rule of Arpadovi�i, who introduce the new ways of ruling (division into counties).

Click here to read more.

Wine� Dalmatian wines, known since ancient times, are produced from autochthonous varieties of grapes. A photograph of the picturesque vineyard close to Primosten, where the autochthonous grape variety used to produce the "Babic" red wine grows, can be found in the lobby of the United Nations building. In northern Dalmatia you will be served "Babic", "Merlot" and the rose "Opol" produced in Sibenik vineyards. On the Peljesac peninsula, known for its wines, you can taste the world famous "Postup" and "Dingac", as well as "Knezevo", "Carsko", "Rukatac" and "Sveta Ana". Every island has its own wines and winemakers. "Bolski Plavac" and "Bolski Opolo" are produced on the island of Brac, while on Hvar, the islands with the most varieties of grapes, you can try "Faros, "Ivan Dolac", "Zlatni plavac", "Bogdanusa", "Hvarski Pelegrin", "Dobrogost", "Parc" and "Drnekusa". Three excellent white wines "Posip", "Marastina" and "Grk" and red wines "Plavac" and "Admiral" can be found on the island of Korcula. The island of Vis is proud of its "Vugava", while the island of Lastovo is known for "Ladesta" and "Augusta insula". Apart from the above mentioned wines, another Dalmatian specialty is "prosek" - a sweet liquor made from grapes.

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General Info�

Here you can find out more about Croatia including useful information needed for your holidays on the Croatian coast and islands. For detailed information click on the appropriate links. Should you have any further questions regarding your trip to and stay in Croatia, feel free to contact us.

GENERAL INFORMATION
TRAVEL
MONEY
HEALTH
TOURIST INFORMATION
IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS
POSTAL SERVICES, TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA
DICTIONARY
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Destinations �On these pages you can find accommodation that will suit you. By choosing desired area and clicking on chosen city, you'll get the overview of hotels, rooms, apartments and houses for vacations.
But that's not all - you'll find out how to get to your destination, what to see and where to go out. We suggest field trips and sports you can participate in during your vacation, and we offer loads of service information.
Click on the wanted region to obtain the list of the destination.

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Croatia guide directory!