Dubrovnik
“Those who seek paradise on earth should come to Dubrovnik” The moment you see Old Town’s stone walls jutting into the azure sea you’ll understand what George Bernard Shaw meant.
Known as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ for good reason; Dubrovnik is undoubtedly the most impressive of Croatia’s coastal cities. Not only is the city breathtaking from any angle, it’s so easy to get glimpses of its beauty. You can see picture perfect views while relaxing on your hotel or apartment balcony, walking around the 82 foot high city walls, after a climb to the top of Mount Srd’, or just strolling along the polished-to-marble-effect main street in the Old Town. Dubrovnik is a great place to start or end your Croatian honeymoon tour. And it’s not only romantic walks; the city is an ideal base for some day trips and activities. Think about horse-riding in the Konavle countryside, a wine and oysters tour of the Peljesac peninsula or scuba diving in the shimmering blue sea.
Hvar
Europe’s sunniest island, Hvar is truly charming. That’s why Conde Nast Traveler Magazine named Hvar one of the ten most beautiful islands in the world.
Hvar perfectly blends a lively bar and nightlife scene with peaceful little villages and quiet beaches for swimming and relaxing. On Europe’s sunniest island you can easily be entertained, or escape to relax in mere minutes. You can yacht-watch in Hvar’s harbor, often filled with glamorous boats of the rich & famous, or head inland to see a whole new side to the island. Our Hvar Off-Road Tour takes you to visit vineyards and meet friendly locals.
Korcula
Marco Polo’s hometown!
Korcula holds a privileged position among the Croatian islands. There are more legends, tales and monuments here than anywhere else.
Dubrovnik’s little sister, Korcula is one of the best preserved medieval towns in all the Mediterranean. But Korcula is so much more than a quaint city center; the island itself is one of the greenest in the Adriatic. Exploring its coast, you’ll find a variety of pebble, rock and even sandy beaches to enjoy.
Plitvice
The most popular national park in all of Croatia.
The famous guidebook writer Rick Steves describes Plitvice as “Niagara Falls diced and sprinkled over a heavily forested Grand Canyon.”
‘Wildlife paradise’ sounds like a bad brochure, but how else to describe Plitvice Lakes national park with its 20 unbelievably colored lakes ranging from azure, turquoise, green, blue and gray, not to mention the caves and gorgeous forests? Clearly marked trails of varying lengths mean you can easily walk as near or as far as you desire, but be sure to pay this park a visit. Plitvice can be done either as a day trip from our other destinations or as an overnight stop.
Rovinj
The heavenly heart of the Mediterranean. Rovinj’s special romantic charm enchants travellers.
Our favorite town in Istria, where Croatia meets Italy – really, street signs are in both languages. This is the region for foodies. Istria is a gourmet’s Eden, traditional cuisine with a strong Italian influence combined with the natural resources of amazing fish and seafood straight out of the Adriatic, plus truffles and wine from the inland part of the peninsula. You also can enjoy the Old Town of this still active fishing port which is a maze of narrow cobbled stone streets surrounding a Venetian bell tower.
Trogir
Locals call it “The Stone Beauty.” UNESCO-listed Trogir is one of the gems of Croatia.
Spend the night in a museum? Well, almost if you overnight in Trogir, an ancient-walled UNESCO listed city-museum. The architecture mixes Romanesque with Renaissance and Baroque buildings from the Venetian period. We typically recommend Trogir over its bustling neighbor Split both for its charm as well as its proximity to the Split International Airport, just 5 minutes away.
Vis
The island less traveled. At one time it was off-limits even to mainlanders. But the tiny Croatian island of Vis is an enchanting place that will have you eager to return.
The furthest inhabited island in Croatia, Vis is a lover’s paradise. Secluded coves, winding roads through vineyards and opportunities for unforgettable trips to the Blue and Green Caves.
Zadar
The Croatian underdog.
The New York Times describes Zadar as “maybe Croatia’s most underrated destination.”
Zadar might lack the big name glitz of Dalmatian coastal neighbor Split. But this bustling university city’s historic Old Town, located on a 400-by-1,000-meter peninsula, dates back to Roman times. The central Forum and original city gates set the tone. The marbled limestone of Zadar’s main street, Kalelarga, echoes Dubrovik’s Stradun too. But Zadar is very much its own city. You can see this in such urban art pieces as the water-powered sea organs and the bewitching Greeting to the Sun. When in Zadar, be sure to find a vantage point along the waterfront to admire what Hitchcock considered “the most beautiful sunset in the world, more beautiful than the one in Key West, in Florida, applauded at every evening.”
Zagreb
A city with a million hearts. Zagreb has managed to preserve its soul as well as its cultural and historical heritage.
Zagreb lies on the intersection between the Adriatic coast and Central Europe. It is the hub of the business, academic, cultural, artistic and sporting worlds in Croatia. Start in the Baroque atmosphere of Zagreb’s Upper Town, but don’t stop there. Check out the open-air markets, impressive architecture, museums and tasty cuisine. Zagreb is a city of green parks and walks. It has a horseshoe of urban greenery that starts at Ban Josip Jelacic Square. There are many places to visit in the beautiful surroundings too.
Marissa and Derek, Illinois