Croatia – Bright, Baroque and Beautiful

When you think of giant waterfalls, pristine turquoise lakes, spacious and affluent harbours, white-sanded beaches and modern architecture intertwined with ancient Ottoman and Romanesque structures, does Croatia come to mind? Even though this is one of the less-frequently visited countries for people who want a beach or sightseeing holiday, Croatia holidays are perfect for both and offer something different and special for travellers looking for interesting sights and culture.

Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

You’ll find one of the most stunning European sights in Croatia, in the Plitvice National Park. Exquisite turquoise lakes, sharp, edgy hills covered in exotic plants and animals and cascading waterfalls hundreds of metres tall make up one of the most spectacular sights that nature has to offer. You can choose from a number of different walks through the park with varying difficulty and length, ranging from a couple of hours to eight hours (these times also depend on how much time you spend exploring the caves or relaxing by the lakes along the way), with the opportunity to take a ferry across the lakes to shorten your journey and admire the hills.

The routes wind their ways through the forest from the lakes to some of the highest points on the hills, offering spectacular views. These routes then cross over the lakes themselves on wooden walkways, giving you perfect views of coral, fish and fallen trees through crystal-clear turquoise water. Along the way you’ll walk over and under countless waterfalls, ranging from streams flowing down broken rock staircases to gigantic white cascades over cliff faces. If you look out for wildlife along the way, you might catch some deer, small wildcats, wild boar and over 160 different species of birds. There are also many species of fish which tenaciously follow the tourists walking over the lake on the wooden broadways. Within the park you’ll also find a grill and shop to have a break and some lunch.

The wide range of accommodation here caters for all budgets, including cosy bed and breakfasts, hotels and camping (complete with camp restaurant, bar and general store). It is a short distance by bus from train stations in the area, simple to travel to and has the perfect climate for a day’s hike.

Zagreb – The capital of Croatia

Zagreb, the capital, is representative of many cities in Croatia. Being thousands of years old, it has a distinctive atmosphere created by the combination of Baroque, ancient Roman and Ottoman styles, charming markets, excellent shopping facilities and a wide range of restaurants and accommodation to choose from. This city is perfect for holidaymakers looking for a unique cultural experience; the Roman and Ottoman influences in the architecture provide travellers with superb streets and dramatic cathedrals to admire, the numerous museums are full of the most impressive historical antiquities and the town squares and lovely parks boast some of the country’s most remarkable statues and sculptures.

The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary lies in the centre of the city; with its incredible detail and scale, catching a glimpse of this building in the sunset is a sight that any traveller would find hard to forget.

The largest museums which are a must-see include the Croatian Natural History Museum, the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of the City of Zagreb, the Mimara Museum (for art) and the Museum of Technology. The building of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb is as world-class as the opera, music, dramatic and ballet productions that it houses.

Nightlife in Zagreb is as vibrant as its culture, where bars fill the streets and the dance clubs are still going in the early hours of the morning. The café -bars are a nice mix between these two types of establishments, providing a more relaxed atmosphere than the dance clubs. Some of the more popular bars and clubs include the Aquarius Club, the Bulldog Pub and the Sokol Club.

Croatia as a Holiday Destination

Croatia holidays offer a myriad of attractions, making Croatia a country which has something to suit almost all holiday-makers. Its fine, soft-sanded beaches are less densely populated than some of the more popular beach destinations in Europe, such as the beaches of Barcelona, making this the perfect place for a family holiday.