About Croatia

Few countries in contemporary Europe have experienced the collapse of communism, a war of national survival and the securing of independence all within the space of half a decade – yet this is what happened to Croatia (HRVATSKA) at the beginning of the 1990s.

Much of this drama was acted out on TV screens across the world. It’s all too easy to forget that Croatia was – and still is – among Europe prime holiday destinations, boasting one of the most dramatic stretches of coastlines that the continent has to offer, with almost 2000kms of shoreline and over 1000 islands.
There are enough sparsely populated islands, quiet coves and stone-built fishing villages to make you feel you are visiting one of the Mediterranean’s most unspoilt areas.

An optimistic, welcoming and, above all, safe destination for travellers, Croatia is yet to be overrun by vacationing hordes – which is why now is the ideal time to invest.

Croatia’s underrated capital ZAGREB is a typical Central European metropolis, combining elegant nineteenth-century buildings with plenty of cultural diversions and a vibrant café life. It is also a good base for trips to the undulating hills and charming villages of the rural Zagorje and Zumberak regions to the north and west, and to the well-preserved Baroque town of Varazdin to the northeast. The rest of inland Croatia provides plenty of opportunities for relaxed exploring.

At the northern end, the peninsula of ISTRIA contains many of the country’s most developed resorts, along with old Venetian towns. Inland ISTRIA is characterized by sleepy hilltop villages, often dramatically situated – each mixing medieval architecture with rustic tranquility.

Beyond the Kvarner Gulf (south of Istria) lies DALMATIA, a dramatic, mountain-fringed stretch of coastline studded with islands. It is a stark, arid region where fishing villages and historic towns cling to a narrow coastal strip rich in figs, olives and subtropical vegetation.

Southern Dalmatia’s main town and Croatia’s second city is SPLIT, a vibrant port with an ancient centre moulded around the palace of the Roman emperor, Diocletan. It’s also the obvious jumping-off point for the most enchanting of Croatia’s islands. (Brac – Hvar – Korcula feature smallish towns brimming with Venetian architecture and numerous beaches).

South of Split lies the walled medieval city of DUBROVNIK, a magical place to be, whatever the season.

Also accessible from Dubrovnik is one of the Adriatic’s most beautiful islands, the densely forested and serenely peaceful Mljet.

It takes just over two hours to fly direct from London to Zagreb or Split, and about 2 hours 30 minutes to Dubrovnik.

Istria

Zadar

Sibenik - Vodice

Makarska - Split - Trogir - Ciovo

Brac - Hvar - Solta - Vis

Dubrovnik - Peljesac - Korcula