General Tourism

With one of the most indented coastlines in Europe with its 1,185 islands and islets, of which only 66 are inhabited, Croatia is undoubtedly the most popular tourist destination. Continental Croatia, however, also abounds in beauty: it is a land of forests, rivers rich in fish, swift mountain streams and deep gorges of Gorski Kotar, and the magnificent Plitvice Lakes in Lika. It is a land of golden wheat fields, oak woods and wide rivers of Slavonia and Baranja, a land of quaint little villages, romantic castles and manors, and picturesque rolling hills and vineyards of the Croatian Zagorje.

 The most popular tourism is, of course, summer tourism. You can also enjoy the benefits of rural tourism in many of the villages in the continental region of Croatia, as well as that of health tourism in a number of spas and thermal and mineral springs, such as Varazdinske, Tuheljske, Stubicke and Krapinske spas, Lipik, Daruvar or Topusko in the continental region, and along the coast : Losinj, Umag, Opatija, Crikvenica, Hvar, Makarska, Vela Luka and Istarske Spa in Istria.

If you are a gourmet and a connoisseur of fine food, or simply like tasty and healthy food, you will certainly more than enjoy Croatia. Another attraction certainly worth exploring are Croatia's wine cellars. Red wines are best along the coast - Teran, Cabernet and Merlot in Istria and Opolo, Plavac, Dingac and Postup in Dalmatia. In the coastal area, some quality white wines are also produced, such as Pinot, Malvazija, Kujundzusa and White Muskat, while continental Croatia produces Traminac, Burgundac, Graševina and Kraljevina.

Popular destinations

Zagreb - is a vivacious new European metropolis that has well preserved its Central European charm, the capital city of Croatia and the country's political, economic, intellectual and cultural centre. Zagreb is now home to a quarter of Croatia's population, the City grew from the medieval communities of Kaptol & Gradec. The alleyways of these two districts are atmospheric places to wander, whatever time of the year.

Istria - is the most developed Croatian tourist region, closest and most easily accessible from Western Europe, whose landscape can be compared to that of Tuscany or Provence. The first know inhabitants of Istria were the Histri, from whom Istria received its name. Numerous peoples and cultures, from Romantimes to today, have left evidence of their cultures in the architecture, wall painting and in the rich church architecture. Vineyards and picturesque little towns are scattered all over the interior of the peninsula.

Porec - is probably the most visited resort in Istria, known for its hotel settlements, the Blue and the Green Lagoons, and the islet of St. Nicolas in the vicinity. A Roman colony since the 2nd century BC, Porec is a town with a preserved Roman urban pattern and numerous unique Ancient Roman, early and late medieval buildings, the most outstanding being Euphrasius' Basilica built in the 6th century on the site of an earlier basilica from the 4th century and of the even earlier Mauro's oratorium, of which floor mosaics have been preserved.

Rovinj - is also a famous resort, with many historical sacred buildings and Renaissance and Baroque palaces. The old nucleus is situated on a peninsula, previously an island connected to the shore in 1763. Rovinj is a very pleasant town delicately balanced between medieval port and modern tourist resort. However this has been remarkably achieved, possibly better than anywhere else along the west coast. Rovinj is also the most Italian resort along this coast. The town now boasts many art studios in the old town and during August (usually the 2nd Sunday) the main street, Grisia has a open air display of local art works. 

The Brijuni Archipelago - consists of two large and twelve smaller islands off the west coast of Istria. The archipelago is one of the seven National Parks of Croatia, abounding in rare plant and animal species, including a zoo park with animals from other climate zones. Some extraordinary examples of Roman and Byzantine heritage can be found on the islands.

Pula - is an ancient city on the southern tip of Istria, well known for its 2,000 year old amphitheatre, one of the world's best preserved buildings of the kind, and other cultural monuments. . Pula, the largest city and port in Istria, a communication economic and administrative center, is an attractive place to spend a holiday for many tourists, with some 2,350 hours of sunshine a year.

Kvarner - adjoining Istria, has several popular resorts, from the celebrated tourist centre Opatija to Kraljevica and Crikvenica. The area is frequented by tourists in winter as well, due to its mild climate and easy accessibility. The carnival season, from January until March, is particularly interesting. Tourists who want to experience nature, certainly must visit the islands, with their well preserved flora and fauna.

Opatija - is one of the most popular resorts on the Adriatic. It used to be a favourite winter resort of the Central European elite and aristocracy, known for its well-tended parks, small botanical gardens, numerous cosy restaurants and elegant turn of the century as well as modern hotels.

Dalmatia - Further down south, Dalmatia, is the apogee of the Mediterranean, bursting with colours, fragrances and shapes, unforgettable in the intensity of the experience of nature. It is a region of long beaches, pine woods and the ancient towns of Zadar, Sibenik, Split, Trogir, Omis and Dubrovnik, that testify to the rich cultural and historical heritage of Croatia. The islands of Hvar, Brac, Solta, Korcula, Vis, Mljet and others, although equally enchanting, are all unique in their character. Dalmatia is also known for its good wines and friendly people.

Split - is the second largest city in Croatia, and the regional capital of Dalmatia, built inside and around the historical Diocletian's Palace from the third century, included in the UNESCO world heritage list. The people of Split, who are particularly attached to their city and the hill called Marjan overlooking it, will proudly boast that there is no other place in the world like Split. The old part of the City is a delightful web of narrow alleys and quaint shops, this part just back from the Harbour is well worth seeking out. Some stunning architecture, with small squares with cafe bars.

Dubrovnik - a medieval aristocratic republic from the 12th-19th centuries and the best preserved walled city in the Mediterranean, is one of Croatia's main tourist attractions and one of only three European cities ranked as a World Heritage Site of zero category by UNESCO, which the English poet Lord Byron named the "pearl of the Adriatic". The enchanting landscape, including the nearby islands, the beaches, the numerous historical sites, the colours, the shapes, the scents, the warmth of the climate and people... will all provide for an unforgettable experience. The uniqueness of Dubrovnik lies in its continuous ties to its past history and cultural heritage and the modern lifestyle that mirrors its spiritual identity,historical imprint and presence within European culture. This monument city, surrounded by ancient historical walls, reflects its own beauty and its confrontation with the peculiarities of the centuries. Dubrovnik has always been Croatia's link to the world, recognizable through the contributions of its reputable writers, scientists, composers, painters, and architects - whose names adorn the streets and squares, and it has remained a destination for the many artists world wide who have pilgrimed to Dubrovnik. As an acknowledged Croatian tourist center rich in tradition, Dubrovnik has always known how to completely present the specialness of its natural beauty, monumental architecture and cultural sights through its international art festivals, scientific and other programs as well as by way of the numerous cultural, museum, scientific and other institutions that have left their imprint on Europes cultural map. It could be said that the blend of the traditional and the modern is the outcome of the supply that is evident in the numerous events occurring throughout the year, and which are harmoniously fitted into the tourist supply, that is thereby enriched in its own special and unique way. To be in Dubrovnik implies participating in a continuously live, stimulative, and inspirational dialogue with the past and present. The vivid impressions of the beauty and inter-reciprocity leave no one indifferent. Dubrovnik is a city one always comes back to.

There are many beautiful islands in Croatia, like Korcula, the birthplace of Marco Polo, Hvar, Brac, which has one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean - Zlatni rat - which is also a windsurfing paradise. The island of Mljet which is situated between the island of Korcula and Dubrovnik. The most visited island is Krk, but in the Kvarner there are also Cres, Losinj, Rab, Pag... To mention only most famous.

National parks

In Croatia there are seven National parks, here are links to some of them: The mountain of Risnjak is is a national park, situated relatively close to the coast, in the region of Gorski Kotar. The Plitvice Lakes are situated in the continental region of Lika, half way between Zagreb and Sibenik. The beauty of the virgin nature and the abundance of animal and plant life, were the reasons why the area was designated a national park in 1949 and why UNESCO put Plitvice lakes on its list of world natural heritage in 1979. The Paklenica Canyon, located in the vicinity of Zadar, is also protected as a national park. Its two 400 m deep gorges rank among the most impressive erosion formations in Europe. Paklenica is also noted for its flora and fauna. The Krka River, probably the most wonderful of all the rivers in the Croatian karst, is also a national park. The river runs through a canyon, and then as it cuts its way to the sea, it forms lakes, waterfalls and rapids. To access the waterfalls you can either walk along the gravelled path alongside the river. Or take a relaxing boat ride from the harbour at Skradin, services running all day. You can as we did walk one way & boat ride the other. Restaurants, Bars and food stalls abound. Stunning scenery, well worth the climb to the top, over the river and down the other side. You can swim and bathe in the lower lake. Excellent picnic facilities.

The Dubrovnik - Neretva County
It is rich in carefully cultivated landscape and places with long history. Numerous monuments, archives and magnificent treasuries testify to this. It is a region of the historic towns of Dubrovnik, Korcula, Ston; the remains of ancient Narona and the lost, possibly sunken town of Epidaur; of importants harbours of Ploce and Metkovic; of communities of great historical importance - Cavtat, Lopud, Slano, Mali Ston, Orebic; and of a few dozen little villages blending into the landscape of the coast or a river bank, of a hill or a field. Also, there are about a hundred renaissance summer houses built by merchants, nobles and seamen in nice bays, or on the edges of valleys, surrounded by gardens and parks. On certain sites, these summer houses were built in spectacular rows, like in Rijeka Dubrovacka, on the island of Sipan, in Konavle.
 

The Island Of Korcula  

The island of Korcula was inhabited already in pre-historic times, and the trails of pre-historic life were discovered on many places. The oldest funds are the stone knives from the Neolithic found on the small island of Badija next to the town of Korcula. The richest and best investigated fund place from the Neolithic is the Vela spila (the big cave) in Vela Luka. They found and investigated there several stratums of pre-historic life with fire places, ceramic pieces, graves (5000-3000 before Christ). 
 
Korcula 

The town of Korcula (3232 inhabitants) is the historical, cultural and political centre and the historical harbour of the island. It was built on a small peninsula that limits the passing between the island and the mainland on only 1270 metres. The possibility to supervise the navigation of galleys and sailing-vessels on this spot was the reason for the formation of the small town-fortress. It fulfilled this service for different governors. The town developed hastily from the 13th century, in the form it can be seen today. Those were the years of the origin of the Constitution, the coming of the governors Zorzi and the century of Marco Polo.
 
Blato 

BLATO (4093 inhabitants) is situated in the middle of the western part of the island like an amphitheatre on seven hills around a smaller valley. Through the village stretches a long alley of lime-trees called “Zlinje”, and along it are public buildings built in the last few decades: the school, a hotel, banks, shops, the municipality, the clinic and others. In the old centre, southern of “Zlinje”, on a big patterned place, is the parish church of “All Saints” that was originally built in the 13th century, the bell-tower and the lodge.
 
Vela Luka

Town of Vela Luka is an oasis of Dalmatia and Mediterranean influences: mild climate, unpolluted sea and air, olive groves, fig trees, tuneful melodies. Vela Luka is surrounded by the richness and beauty of Nature. It is the 2nd largest settlement on the Adriatic islands, a safe harbour for seafarers. It enjoys a Mediterranean climate with 2670 hours of sunshine a year. Summers are hot with June/July average temperature 25.6`C. Winters are mild with January average temperature 9`C. Sea temperatures in mid- summer are between 21`C - 24`C, reaching up to 28`C along the coast. Visibility - up to 30 metres depth. 
 
Smokvica

1.175 inhabitants) is also on the main island road, 29 km from the town of Korcula. It lies under the south slope of a high hill protected from the unpleasant north winds and facing south, like the neighbouring villages of Pupnat and Cara. Not far from Smokvica one can find significant traces of life from Illyrian times in the location of Gradina etc. Smokvica began to develop in its present form in the 15th and 16th centuries, when the island was more and more being inhabited by refugees from the Turkish advance. The original church was built in 1666 but was later pulled down, and the new parish church, Our Lady of Candlemas, was built in 1920. Only the loggia remained from the old complex, where the village elders used to settle the village problems, and the judge and the gentlemen of the town administered justice and passed on the news. Old customs have been preserved in the village, among the best known being the sword battle Kumpanija and Plucking the Orange, as well as the ancient dances performed by young men and girls. The people of Smokvica are known far and wide as industrious and hard-working men and women, who cultivate their land with hard devotion. They are therefore rightly proud of their two excellent dry white wines produced from the original native species - Posip and Rukatac. The modern wine factory of large capacity is 1 km away from the middle of the village on the road towards the bay of Brna, which was developed in the previous century for the export of wine from the Smokvica cellars to the ports of the Adriatic and the Mediterranean. A comfortable hotel, and numerous villas and houses for hiring to tourists have been built in Brna. One may taste, together with fish specialities, excellent Smokvica wines in the cafe near the jetty. Some hundred metres away from the bay of Brna, there lay the bay of Istruga, full of medicinal sea mud. Local people use this valuable therapeutic mud although there is still no organized expert service or supervision. The local road from Brna goes further towards the west to the bays of Prizba, Grscica and Karbuni, where the inhabitants of Blato have built significant facilities for tourism.
 
Cara

(763 inhabitants) is simared on the main island road, 25 km from Korcula. The village has a mysterious name (Cara - Charm) and is one of the oldest settlements of the Island. The parish church of Saint Petes in the middle of the village was mentioned in 1415, and the most valuable painting in it is the famous altar painting Christ with Desciples by Leandro Hassano. Next to she church, there is a neither old cypress which is protected under Croatian laws for the preservation of nature, though ir is not protected from thunderstorms which reduced it to only a remnant of a big tree. Opposite the church, on the road, there is a monument to the legendary brothers Crnomiri. Under the leadership of Petar Crnomir, they offered resistance to the Venetian duke, who was extorting tribute in the 11th century. The duke captured and executed Petar, but the brothers and the whole village rose up, defeated the duke's soldiers and killed the duke as an evil-doer. This legend has survived for centuries and lives still in the minds of peasants from Cara. The Church of Our Lady in the Field lies in the beautiful Field of Cara on the way to the bay of Zavalatica. It was built in 1329 and reconstructed in the 17th century. Christians from all over the island go on pilgrimage to this church for two Catholic feasts: July 25th, the feast of Saint Jacob the protector of Cara, and for the feast of Mala Gospa, on September 8th. A young shepherdess from Cara had a vision of the Our Lady in the bay of Cavica Luka on July 25 1686. The Baroque altar is this church is decorated with coloured alabaster relief with four scenes from the Bible. The reliefs are of the same origin as those exhibited in the Treasury in Korcula (15th.) Cara has preserved the sword dance Kumpaniiia, which is performed on July 25 on the feast of St. Jacob. The tradition of singing Dalmatian popular folk songs has also been preserved. The best known product of Cara, besides good olive oil, is the famous white wine from the autochthonic vine of Posip. The new wine factory and olive press are both at the edge of the valley. Not far from Cara, the little port of Zavalatica was developed to export the products in earlier times. Today it is an enchanting tourist erous small pensions, villas and apartments for hiring at Zavalatica and the nearby bay of Zitna provide summer homes to well-satisfied tourists from all over Europe. 
 
Pupnat