Croatia: where natural beauty and culture abound

Nestled between Central Europe and the Balkans, Croatia attracts visitors from across the planet with its natural beauty and rich history. Boasting a water-colour coastline, undulating mountains, rolling plains, river canyons, waterfalls, lakes and a smattering of stunning cities, this is a nation that has a lot to show off about. It also benefits from an impressive cultural scene, hosting a rising number of music festivals and other events.

Make plans for Croatia holidays with First Choice then read on to see exactly what this charming part of the world has to offer you.

Coast

The biggest draw for those heading to Croatia remains the country’s picturesque coast. Not suitable for mass development, this part of the country, where the land meets the Adriatic Sea, is home to pebble beaches, islets, secluded coves and clear waters.

You’ll find resorts of all kinds, from bustling hubs to havens of peace of and quiet. If you’re keen to experience some glamor, check out the island of Hvar, where you’ll see VIPs and yachts aplenty.

Culture

Across the country, you’ll find remnants of the Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Austro-Hungarian empires. Meanwhile, the cities of Dubrovnik and Split are both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Other highlights include the basilica in Porec and the cathedrals in Sibenik and Trogir. To find out more about the country’s turbulent past, you can visit the many museums on offer there, like the Museum of Contemporary Art and European Museum Awards winning Museum of Broken Relationships.

If you time your vacation well, you can also sample an array of summer festivals. International performers congregate in Croatia’s cities to take part in theatre and open-air concerts.

City life

To experience city life, you can make your way to urban hubs such as Zagreb, Zadar and Split. However, for sheer beauty, it’s hard to beat Dubrovnik. With its baroque architecture and marble streets, this coastal spot is a true wonder to behold. To get a flavor of the city, you can walk along its ancient walls. Spanning over a mile, this impressive feat of architecture encompasses no fewer than 16 towers and five forts.

It’s also well worth taking a cable car trip up to Mt Srd, from where you can enjoy magnificent views over the sea and the city. Meanwhile, a trip to the Croatian War of Independence Museum will provide you with an insight into the conflict that raged in the country less than two decades ago.

No trip to Dubrovnik is complete without visiting the Placa or Stradum, where you’ll find plentiful shops selling beautiful jewelry and a host of other delights for you to take back as a gift (or keep as a memento!). Once you’ve worked up an appetite, you can make your way to one of the many eateries that dot the city. Local delicacies include seafood brodet, which is a fish stew, and capon.

One thing’s for sure, whether you’re sightseeing in the heart of a bustling city, trekking through stunning landscapes or simply relaxing on a tranquil beach, you won’t regret your decision to travel to Croatia.

Laura Connolly is a theatrical performance graduate who is currently traveling Europe. She loves learning about new cultures, especially tasting the local fare!

Image by Glen Scarborough, used under the Creative Commons license.