CROATIA
Every year, more and more visitors are
vacationing in friendly, picturesque Croatia along
the Adriatic coast. It has much to offer: good
food, good wine, beautiful beaches, clean water,
gorgeous scenery, historic cities, charming
villages, striking architecture, Roman ruins and
well-preserved antiquities.
Also, Croatia's infrastructure is solid since
multilane highways and international hotels
have been built to accommodate the large
number of tourists that populate the country
annually. Vacationers from all over the world go
to relax and enjoy the laid-back beaches and
other beautiful scenery that Croatia offers.
Geography
Croatia borders Slovenia, Hungary, and
Bosnia and Herzegovina and is close to
Austria and Italy. In the interior of the country
are mountains dotted with vineyards, castles,
lakes and waterfalls. Zagreb, the capital, is
situated in the north-central part of the
country. The rugged Dalmatia coast is simply
spectacular, with towering mountains
forming a backdrop for the long, narrow strip
of land and rock that is washed by the clear
waters of the Adriatic.
Why Travel To Croatia: Croatia's main attractions are beaches, the medieval walled town of
Dubrovnik, spectacular coastal and mountain scenery, picturesque towns, museums, ancient
islands, lakes, historical sites, fishing, gorges, yachting, marvelous churches and monasteries,
folk arts, fascinating culture, health spas and the capital city of Zagreb.
Is Croatia For You: Croatia will appeal to travelers who have already been to many European
countries and are ready to get off the beaten track to discover a fascinating part of the world.
Croatia makes a great beach holiday—the coastline is spectacular, and the seafood is
excellent.
When to Visit & Weather: May-October is an excellent time to visit, as it's the warmest and
driest time—great beach weather. During March, a cold north wind, the bura, can chill to the
bone. You may need a sweater in the evenings, even in summer. The winters are cold, often
drizzly, snowy and windy, especially in the interior and the north.
Potpourri
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The restoration of Dubrovnik following the war has been an international project, with
contributions coming in from around the world. For example, the red tiles that replaced
those destroyed by shelling came from France. And Italian artisans did much of the
reconstruction of bas-relief sculptures on the cathedral.
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You'll see a number of lion sculptures affixed to buildings in Croatian cities that were once
under Venetian rule. Usually, a sculpted book rests under one of the lion's paws. If the
book is open, that means the city was at peace when the sculpture was made. If closed,
the work was commissioned during a time of war.
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Caves near the towns of Krapina and Vindija, near Zagreb, hold evidence of habitation by
Neanderthals, the early humanoid species. Some of the discoveries from the caves are on
display at Zagreb's Natural History Museum.
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If you are in Dubrovnik, have a drink at the Troubadour Jazz Cafe near the cathedral.
Marco, the bar's owner, was the founder of a well-known Croatian rock group in the 1960s
called the Troubadours. (They had mop tops, wore Renaissance outfits and sang rock 'n'
roll versions of ancient Croatian folk tunes.) The bar is set in a labyrinth of narrow alleys,
creating great ambiance for the jazz bands that play there.
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Dubrovnik is believed to be the location of Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night.
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The modern man's tie is a direct descendant of the red scarves worn by Croatian soldiers
in the 17th century. The scarves came to be known as cravats—a corruption of the word
hrvatska, meaning Croatia.
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The island of Brac in the Adriatic channel between Split and the island of Hvar is famous
for its quarries of high quality white limestone. The stone has been used in the
construction of the Roman Emperor Diocletian's palace in Split, and in more modern times
for the White House in the U.S.
Money: The kuna (HRK) is the official currency and is divided into 100 lipa. In Croatia, euros and
other foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks, post offices and travel agencies. The euro is
commonly accepted for payment in many areas, and it is actually the preferred currency for
accommodations.
Do's and Don'ts
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Don't overlook the high-quality wines produced in Croatia. Try some white if you're inland
or some red by the coast. Sparkling wines are also available, especially during the holidays.
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Do try to visit Zagreb and the surrounding countryside (the Zagorje), in addition to the
Dalmatia coast. Most tourists head straight for the coast, but you'll be missing out on the
heartland of the country if you neglect the capital.
●
Do listen to the local folk and pop music, and pick up a recording. Though you may not
understand the words, the harmonies can be haunting and convey the song's emotion. (It
seems that most of the songs translate to mean "He misses his girlfriend.") Popular
folk/pop singer Oliver Dragojevic has entertained Croatian audiences since 1970 with his
songs that were originally influenced by the folklore of Dalmatia.
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Do try the local specialty dish janjetina na zaru, young lamb roasted whole on a spit. A
Croatian tradition at weddings and festivals, this delicious lamb can also be found in many
traditional restaurants and gostiona guest houses, particularly inland or on some of the
larger islands.
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Do check out the donkey races and festivals on the Dalmatian Coast, particularly in the
town of Tribunj but also taking place in other small towns on the coast during the month of
August. The most famous one has been taking place for decades in the first week of August
in Tribunj, near the city of Sibenik.
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Do check local theaters for musical performances. Cultural standards are high and ticket
prices low. In particular, the summer festivals in Dubrovnik, Split and Pula take place in July
and August and feature international and local stars. The festival in Dubrovnik is one of the
most renowned and features theater, ballet, classical music and opera performances.
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Don't miss a klapa competition if one is held during your visit. Most of the coastal towns,
as well as the main towns on the islands, have their own klapas (small a capella choirs
performing traditional songs). Klapa festivals are typically held at the end of June and in
July and August in the height of the tourist season.
Geostats:
Passport/Visa Requirements: Passports are needed by citizens of Australia, Canada, the
European Union and the U.S.; visitors from these countries may stay for up to 90 days without
a visa. Reconfirm travel document requirements with Palmer Vacations before booking.
Languages: Croatian.
Predominant Religions: Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy.
Time Zone: 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+1 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is observed
from the last Sunday of March to the last Sunday of October.
Voltage Requirements: 220 volts. 50 Hz.