Croatia: Overview

Why go?

Croatia was set to become the Eastern European equivalent of the French Riviera when the playful jet set was replaced by deadly rockets as the Balkan civil war entrenched itself from 1991 – 1995. It’s taken some time for the country to emerge from the distress and destruction but now it’s ready to welcome back sun-seekers, sailors and anyone with a soft spot for historic sites.

True tan afficionados say Croatia has some of the best beaches in Europe and there’s certainly plenty of opportunity for that over-all glow – the culture of naturalism is quite fervent here. Wonderful for exploring by sailboat are the 1,000 islands that dot the Dalmatian coast ... some like Palmizana, worth anchoring down for a week’s worth of sun and seafood. Forget the recent war-torn history and soak up the medieval mood in magnificent Dubrovnik with its atmospheric (and car-free) squares and streets.

Croatia’s capital, Zagreb, also has ancient relics and the grandest Roman ruin in Western Europe, the Palace of Diocletian, is in the town of Split, halfway along the stunning Adriatic coastline. The triangle at the top is Istria and you’ll find more than a touch of Tuscany in this rural region of olive groves and hilly stone towns.

Any Downsides?

Croatia is more expensive than other parts of the Balkans. There are some remote areas that have not been cleared of landmines so avoid deserted fields and abandoned villages.

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In Dubrovnik:

	Overview
	Places to Stay
	What's Where
	Dalmatian Coast
	Dubrovnik
	Background Info
	Travel Tips
	Getting There
	Getting Around