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Croatia’s natural beauty, stunning Istrian shoreline and
continental climate coupled with emerald-blue waters sitting beside
historic cities and natural wonders ex[plain why Croatia is quickly catching on as
Europe's hottest holiday destination. The growth is tourism is in no small part due to its natural beauty, stunning
shoreline and continental climate.
The area around Dubrovnik is known as the Dalmatian
Coast, mainly due to its many small islands dotted just offshore.
These islands have small, fairly quiet sandy beaches and Dubrovnik
itself offers mainly shingle beaches or bathing platforms
The Istrian coast is situated in the north of Croatia and close to the
Italian and Slovenian borders. Istria is a large peninsula with
plenty of natural coves, bays, islands and lovely clean waters. Its
landscape and architecture are similar to Tuscany and Provence
The combination of coast and
mountains in Croatia provide extremely varied leisure facilities.
Hiking, cycling and pony trekking are popular activities through
winding country lanes while keen sailors love the sailing
opportunities and sunbathers have an incredible choice of beaches and
scuba divers have a paradise of sea life to explore.
The rocky coastline continues for 1778 kilometres and
includes pine-fringed coves, wide sandy beaches and cozy inlets. As if
that weren't enough, there are a good 1185 islands that range from
lush and wooded to stark and hilly.
Beyond the pretty scenery,
Croatia also boasts a fascinating history and cultural life.The walled
city of Dubrovnik on its southern tip is a must-stop for Mediterranean
cruises but the long coast is littered with remnants of Croatia's
varied past.
The Romans swept through two thousand years ago, leaving an
amphitheatre in Pula and Diocletian's Palace in Split. Long ruled by
Venice, many ports along the coast bear the distinctive imprint of its
former master. In southern Dalmatia, the towns of Hvar and Korcula
resemble Little Venices without the canals. In Istria, the striking
bell tower in Rovinj is modeled after that on St Mark's Square in
Venice. In contrast to the Italian-influenced coast, the Croatian
interior was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire and looks it. Zagreb,
Croatia's capital, has the kind of stately architecture that wouldn't
be out of place in Vienna or Budapest.
Popular resorts
in Croatia
Dubrovnik.
This fortified old
town, a gem of Renaissance architecture; but there is much more to
southern Dalmatia than its pièce de resistance. You can see most of
the area from a base in Dubrovnik itself. Byron called it the "Pearl
of the Adriatic" for the magnificent curtain of walls surrounding a
city paved in marble.
Porec.
Porec is probably the most
well-known resort on the Istrian Riviera. At its centre is the
picturesque Roman-built old town.
Rovinj.
Situated on the south-west
of the peninsula and surrounded by 22 islands, the historical port of
Rovinj is a popular resort.Once ruled by the Venetians, Rovinj is a
pretty harbour town steeped in history, whose Italian connections are
still very evident today.
Umag.
Umag is located 40km north
of Porec on a scenic stretch of rugged coastline, dotted with secluded
coves and lapped by the warm waters of the Adriatic. At its centre,
situated on a headland, lies the charming, medieval old town.
Baska Voda.
With miles-long pebble
beaches backed by cool pine forests, the Makarska Riviera is renowned
for its breathtaking natural beauty and is the setting for the
tranquil harbour town resort of Baska Voda.
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