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Travel to Croatia: A Beginner's Guide
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Beach on Vis Island
Beach on Krk Island
Beach Banje Dubrovnik
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Croatia has quickly become Europe's hottest destination, and for good reason. The rocky coastline continues for 1778 kilometres and includes pine-fringed coves, wide sandy beaches and cosy inlets. As if that weren't enough, there are a good 1185 islands that range from lush and wooded to stark and hilly. Yachters love the sailing opportunities, sunbathers have an incredible choice of beaches and scuba divers have a paradise of sea life to explore. Beyond the pretty scenery, Croatia also boasts a fascinating history and cultural life. The walled city of Dubrovnik on its southern tip is a must-stop for Mediterranean cruises but the long coast is littered with remnants of Croatia's varied past.
The Romans swept through two thousand years ago, leaving an amphitheatre in Pula and Diocletian's Palace in Split. Long ruled by Venice, many ports along the coast bear the distinctive imprint of its former master. In southern Dalmatia, the towns of Hvar and Korcula resemble Little Venice without the canals. In Istria, the striking bell tower in Rovinj is modelled after that on St Mark's Square in Venice.
In contrast to the Italian-influenced coast, the Croatian interior was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire and looks it. Zagreb, Croatia's capital, has the kind of stately architecture that wouldn't be out of place in Vienna or Budapest. Plus, it has a small medieval quarter that vaguely resembles Prague. To the north of Zagreb, in the middle of green, rolling hills, lies Varazdin, Croatia's most underrated city. Lying too far from the coast to attract much tourism, Varazdin nevertheless boasts a stunningly well-preserved baroque centre. So, what to see first? Following is my personal list of highlights for a Croatian visit:
Dubrovnik Byron called it the "Pearl of the Adriatic" for the magnificent curtain of walls surrounding a city paved in marble and strewn with Renaissance sculpture.
Hvar Town In addition to the splendid harbour promenade and sculptured facades, it's becoming known for the best nightlife on the Adriatic.
Korcula Town It resembles Hvar in some ways, especially the narrow cluster of streets, but it lies on a narrow peninsula and is quieter. Rovinj
Istria's prettiest little town, it retains the flavour of a traditional fishing port despite the heavy influx of tourists in recent years.
Plitvice Lakes National Park It has to be seen to be believed. The 16 turquoise lakes seem to glow and there are waterfalls everywhere. It's a UNESCO world heritage site.
Brela Beach The idyllic coves, bordered with pine trees, stretch out like a long necklace of beaches. Forbes magazine recently named it one of the top twenty beaches in the world. No matter where you go in Croatia, you'll find people eager to welcome tourists after the gruelling war of the early 1990s. English is widely spoken and costs are comparatively reasonable compared to the rest of the European coast. So what are you waiting for? This article was posted on February 23, 2006 About The Author Jeanne Oliver is the author of this article. She has written all three editions of Lonely Planet's Croatia guidebook. To find out more about travelling to Croatia including accommodation, car rentals, ferry schedules and itineraries, visit Jeanne's website, http://www.croatiatraveller.com. If you want to return to "what the others say about Croatia" , click here! If you prefer to return to Home page, click here! |
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