Croatia: Introduction

If you have not heard of Croatia so far, or if you want to know some basic information about this beautiful country, here are some introductory things you might want to know.

"Sitting at the crossroads of Europe, the Mediterranean and the Balkans, Croatia has a stunning 5,835km of coastline, and while it might not be the most obvious cheap holiday destination, Croatia has lots to offer. Sunny beaches, delicious Mediterranean-style food and historic locations for those who like to mix culture and relaxation – Croatia is the ideal package holiday.

Reasons to visit
Croatia’s shoreline provides not only beautiful sandy beaches but also plenty of fantastically fresh seafood. Croatia is also well-known for its premium wines – particularly the fine white wines the north-east of the country produces. Having been under Roman, Venetian, Italian and Austro-Hungarian rule, the country has retained a lot of these influences. A family holiday to Croatia means you can be sitting in the sun or visiting a medieval town – there is something to please everyone.

Things to see and do
Visit the Dalmatian coast and explore the town of Mlini, which is about 12 kilometres south of Dubrovnik on the road to the resort of Cavtat. Dubrovnik is a great destination for days out – you can visit the Old Town, which is car free, so perfect for a stroll, or go for a cable car ride to get the best views and visit the museum and fortress on Mount Srd.

Kids’ attractions
Once your kids have enjoyed the fun of swimming and building sandcastles on the beach, you can take them to the aquarium in Dubrovnik, where they can also explore the natural history museum and take a walk along the ancient city walls.

Weather
The most popular time to visit the region is during the summer months, from June to September. Temperatures are in the mid to high 20s, occasionally reaching into the 30s. Croatia has a very low humidity, so the hot sun is pleasant, and you can always dive into the waters of the Adriatic to cool off."

Hvar - one of the most popular Croatian islands

One of the most popular tourist places to visit in Croatia is definitely Hvar Island, especially in the summer. Even popular American singer Beyonce and her husband Jay Z visited this beautiful place.

"Hvar has long been one of the most popular Croatian islands. People talk of its verdant colour, fragrant air and mild climate, and at one time local hoteliers even had enough faith in the weather to offer a money-back guarantee if the temperature ever dropped below zero. And Hvar is undeniably beautiful – a slim, green slice of land punctured by jagged inlets and a steep central ridge streaked with the long grey lines of limestone spoil heaps built up over the centuries by farmers attempting to carve out patches of cultivable land. The island's main crop is lavender, which was introduced in the 1930s and covers the island in a spongy grey-blue cloak every spring before finding its way onto souvenir stalls across the island.

Intensively but tastefully developed as a tourist resort, the island's capital, Hvar Town, is one of the Adriatic's most bewitching – and best preserved – historic towns, and is a good base from which to explore the rest of the island, which is fairly low-key in comparison. Buses out of Hvar Town either take the old road across the central ridge, or speed through the recently built tunnel to reach the northern side of the island, where Stari Grad and Vrboska boast some good beaches, old stone houses and an unhurried, village feel. Jelsa, farther east, can't quite compete with its two neighbours in terms of rustic charm, but has more accommodation than Vrboska, which is only a forty-minute walk away. East of Jelsa, the island narrows to a long, thin mountainous strip of land that extends all the way to isolated Sućuraj, which is linked to the mainland by regular ferries, although there's virtually no public transport between here and the rest of the island."

Text from MSN travel.

When to Go to Croatia

Everyone says that Croatia is really nice country to visit, but you can't decide when is the right time to visit Croatia. Here is what New York Times says:

"Summer, specifically July and August, is the busiest time on Croatia's coast and islands. This is the country's "season," a time when the sun is the hottest, the sea the bluest, and traffic endless. The Croatian coast is at its best -- and worst -- during midsummer. Hotel room rates top out; restaurant tables are always full, and crowds can be overwhelming. This is the period that makes or breaks many businesses that depend on tourism for a year's income, and it can be tough on unsuspecting travelers.
Much of the madness is due to traditional European vacation schedules which coincide with the coast's glorious summer weather. Boating enthusiasts, tour groups, and independent travelers from all over the world make up the rest of the traffic.

Weather -- Weather in Croatia generally can be divided into two miniclimates. Northern Croatia has a Continental climate, with average temperatures ranging from near freezing in January to about 77°F (25°C) in August. The coastal areas have a more Mediterranean climate, with average temperatures ranging from the mid-40s in January to 100°F (38°C) or more in August. Spring and autumn are pleasant and mild along the coast; winter inland can be cold and snowy.



The bottom line is that in July and August, good weather is almost a certainty and tourism is in full swing, but prices and availability on the coast can be prohibitive. Conversely, in the interior, summer crowds are minimal and prices can reach their lowest levels. Zagreb and other interior cities can be real bargains then because many residents will be on the coast, leaving the city less crowded than usual. However, that means many Zagreb restaurants and shops may be closed. A word of warning: The weather on the coast is usually nice, the sea warm, and prices lower in May, June, September, and October, but some establishments, especially those on the islands, might be shuttered and some ferry routes might be canceled or on reduced schedules."

Text from The New York Times

Croatia: Islands in the Adriatic

Thinking about spending your holiday in Croatia, on one of many beautiful Croatian island? The choice is really large, but read this BBC Travel article to make it easier:

"Croatia’s coast is speckled with dozens of magnificent islands that range from tiny, verdant and unpopulated to massive, arid and sporting ancient towns and villages. One of the chief delights on any visit to Croatia is hopping between the islands on the numerous ferries, catamarans and taxi boats, or, if you’re thus blessed, your own sailing boat.

Hvar
Hvar is the number-one carrier of Croatia's superlatives: it's the most luxurious island and the sunniest place in the country (2724 sunny hours each year). Hvar is also famed for its verdancy and its lavender fields, as well as other aromatic herbs such as rosemary and heather. It draws more tourists than any other Adriatic atoll thanks to its gorgeous hub (also called Hvar). Stari Grad and Jelsa, the island's two other towns, are emerging as popular alternatives thanks to their quieter, more discerning charms.



Brač
The biggest of the Adriatic islands, Brač sports Croatia's most famous beach, the lasciviously alluring Zlatni Rat in the pretty town of Bol. Windsurf and sunbathe here, but don't forget to explore the island's gorgeous interior.



Vis
Off-limits to foreign visitors for around four decades, Vis is a mysterious island that's truly off the trodden path. With its three small fishing villages and one of Croatia's few real eco-holiday options, Vis is well worth exploring."

Text from BBC Travel.