About Croatia
A&K Croatia
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Istria
The Istrian Peninsula lies at the foot of the Alps, nestled at the northern end of the Adriatic Sea. Enchanting maritime towns dot the spectacular coastline, while inland Istria is a striking fusion of rolling hills with delightful fortified towns. Once the home of the Histrians, the Romans and the Venetians, Pula’s colourful past is reflected in the splendid architecture, including one of the best preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world. Another pretty coastal town, Poreč, is noted for its Euphrasius Basilica which houses remarkable Byzantine mosaics. The idyllic medieval town of Rovinj provides a romantic escape for those seeking a sense of time gone by. Wander the narrow streets and squares to the Balbi Arch of the old town, where you will discover the striking church of St. Euphemia. Originally a summer retreat for Italian and Austrian aristocracy, the elegant resort of Opatija is home to hotels in the Vienna Secession style and beautifully landscaped gardens and parks.
Zagreb
Croatia’s capital and the heart of its economic, political and cultural life. This dazzling cosmopolitan city surrounded by parks and woodland, is located between the Sava River and the slopes of Mount Medvednica. With over a thousand years of tradition, Zagreb is bursting with historical treasures. The main areas of interest are Gornji grad (the upper town), and Donji grad (the lower town). In the former you will find art galleries, Parliament, museums and the cathedral and in the latter open-air markets, trendy boutiques and bustling café culture.
The Plitvice Lakes National Park
The Plitvice Lakes National Park is Mother Nature at her best. Described as one of the greatest natural wonders of Eastern Europe, the spectacular scenery is made up of five miles of shimmering turquoise lakes and cascading waterfalls linked by emerald forests and meadows of wild flowers.
Sibenik
The town of Sibenik lies at the heart of the Adriatic coast at the mouth of the river Krka, looking out over a picturesque lagoon towards the beautiful islands of Kornati. The old town is still magnificently medieval in its appearance, filled with ancient churches connected by an elaborate web of narrow stone paved streets. During the 15th and 16th centuries the city was known as the "Croatian City of Culture" as it was home to many of the country’s composers, scientists, writers and artists. A highlight here is the Renaissance Cathedral of St.Jacob, an architectural marvel listed by UNESCO, built exclusively of stone in the original method of assembling stone slabs and blocks.
Split
When Pope John Paul II visited Split and saw the Diocletian Palace, he remarked: “Here history talks!” The largest city on the Adriatic coast, Split was founded between the 3rd and 4th centuries. Work on the Palace began in 295 AD when the Roman Emperor Diocletian ordered a palace to be built in preparation for his retirement; it is now considered to be one of the best preserved monuments of Roman architecture in the world. It is worth visiting some of the excellent museums including the Museum of Croatian Archeological Monuments, the Maritime Museum, the Museum of Croatia and the Mestrovic Gallery. A perfect day trip is Trogir, a museum town in the very sense of the word. A delight for lovers of culture and monuments, it was listed by UNESCO in 1997.
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik was dubbed "the Pearl of the Adriatic" by Lord Byron. Entering the old town through the Gothic arch of the Pile Gate is like travelling back in time to the city’s celebrated Renaissance past, with an assortment of exquisite historical landmarks at every turn. This is all the more remarkable considering the suffering inflicted on the city’s architecture during the conflict of the early nineties. Sites to see include the imposing Dominican Monastery, the striking and impressive Rector’s Palace and the sumptuous Baroque Church of Saint Blaise. No visit would be complete without a tour of the magnificent city walls, rewarding you with staggering views over the rooftops and glittering waters of this most beautiful of destinations.
The Dalmatian Islands
A boat trip across the waters to the enchanting islands dotted along the coast is a must. The largest island of the central Dalmatian islands, Brač, is an oasis of calm for those wanting to bask in the Mediterranean sunshine. The southern side is home to the medieval port of Bol, near the famous Zlatni Rat, a stunning sandy beach jutting into the crystal clear waters. Hvar, with its wealth of wild flowers and bountiful fields of scented lavender and rosemary, is a nature-lover’s paradise. A blend of Renaissance palaces, ancient monasteries and an elegant marina has created this chic resort on the Adriatic. Korcula is famous for being the birthplace of Marco Polo and for its production of Grk, a fine wine. Enchanting Korcula Town is poised on a peninsula surrounded by 13th century honey-coloured buildings made exclusively of stone in the original method of assembling stone slabs and blocks.
Slovenia
Cross the border to the small but perfectly formed country of Slovenia. The lively and friendly capital Ljubljana is an ideal starting point for discovering the beauty of this hidden gem. Experience stunning Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj in the north, leisurely wine trails in the south and the renowned horse stud farm in Lipica, home to the world famous Lipizzaner horses of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna.
Montenegro
Also neighbouring Croatia, Montenegro lies on the Balkan Peninsula covering an area of just 13,800 square km. However this charming country more than makes up for its small size with its astonishing diversity. The southern coast has over 30 kilometres of golden sand and warm blue sea, sharply contrasting with the imposing mountains of the north, and making it possible to swim in the morning and ski in the afternoon. Located along one of Montenegro’s most beautiful bays, the city of Kotor’s magnificent medieval architecture and famous monuments have resulted in a listing by UNESCO. One such monument is the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, a remarkable legacy of Roman culture and the oldest of its kind on this side of the Adriatic.
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