Culture and Romance in Croatia
Croatia's most striking feature is its long coastline, known as the Dalmatian Coast, with a string of more than 1000 islands running along the shoreline from Rijeka in the North to Dubrovnik in the south.
The indented coastline is dotted with picturesque towns and villages in a mix of Mediterranean and Eastern European style, with hundreds secluded bays perfect for romantic strolls.
Dubrovnik is not known as the Pearl of the Adriatic for nothing, it is a glorious place with its sheltered harbour, old walls and red-roofed houses stretching up the hill.
Photo: Old Dubrovnik, a World Heritage Site.
Lifestyle & Culture
While not a wealthy country, you will see little visible poverty in Croatia. The tourist industry is recovering following the years of civil war in the 1990's and is the country's most important source of income. The people are friendly and welcoming, if a little distant and many speak excellent English.
The capital, Zagreb, is home to almost a quarter of the population and is a busy, modern and thriving commercial centre.
Tourists mainly stick to the Old Town, to the north of Ban Jelačić Square (left), which is easily explored on foot and has churches, palaces, museums and galleries galore, many dating from medieval times.
In Dubrovnik, people watching is a favoured pastime, with locals promenading through the narrow winding maze of streets each evening, invariably ending up in the Buniceva Poljana, the town square, to sit at outside tables and meet with their friends and neighbours.
THE Place to Buy a Tie!
There are smart shops and restaurants aplenty in all of the larger towns and the top tourist purchase is, perhaps surprisingly, neckties which are sold in many specialist stores.
Croatia claims to have invented this item of clothing, and the word "cravat" comes 'hrvat', which means Croat.
It is said that Croat soldiers wore a kerchief around their necks during the "Thirty Years War", in the 17th century. The style caught on, spreading around the globe.
Watersport Wonderland
The towns along the Dalmatian Coast vary from buzzing holiday destinations with lively bars and nightclubs to small sleepy fishing villages where time seems to have stood still.
Watersports are, as you would expect, widely available and enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Diving in particular is a popular tourist activity and there are good diving schools and centres right along the coast.