Croatia: Endless holiday possibilities with year-round sun and sea

[Beach Podrače, Brela, photo: Shutterstock]

Getting to Croatia

Getting to Croatia couldn't be any easier; you can catch the quick two-hour flight from numerous UK airports, which means that you'll be soaking up Croatia's breathtaking landscapes in no time at all. This makes Croatia a good option for both a shorter weekend trip or for a longer family holiday.

For those flying into Zagreb, this city offers art galleries, Viennese architecture, an exciting craft beer scene and plenty of green spaces where you can relax. Zagreb is a great starting point for exploring Croatia's interior, the best-kept secret of this Mediterranean country. Slavonia and Baranja, the easternmost parts of Croatia, can offer a very different experience, without the usual tourist crowds, but with the same amount of sunshine and unique landscapes as the more popular coastal area.

If you're after a beach holiday, Croatia's seemingly endless coastline awaits you with the wonderful cities of Dubrovnik, Hvar and Split. Just keep in mind that flights to these destinations take a little longer, usually under three hours.

As a tourist, you can travel without a visa to Croatia (which is now in the Schengen area) for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

How to get around Croatia

Your best option for getting around in Croatia is by bus. The buses are comfortable and serve most Croatian destinations on a regular schedule. What’s more, they are very affordable and give you a chance to savour every glimpse of the passing countryside.

On the other hand, renting a car on your Croatian holiday gives you the freedom to explore every corner of the country according to your own schedule. If you are travelling with your partner or friends, this might be a great option to share costs and driving time. Put on your top songs and enjoy a summer road trip with your favourite people.

Holidays in Istria: Unique gastronomical phenomenon

Istria is the largest peninsula in Croatia and, along with the Kvarner Bay and Dalmatia, one of the most visited and popular holiday regions in the country. The main reason for this is its unique natural beauty and fantastic gastronomy. In Istria, the traditional Mediterranean cuisine is complemented by rural, rustic dishes, creating a gastronomic phenomenon on a global scale.

When you're in Istria, don't miss a chance to visit some of the famous wineries. Istria is full of wine roads that will leave you wanting more.

Must-visit places in Istria include:

• Brijuni National Park

• The caves of Baredine

• Pazin, known for its mediaeval castle

• The cities of Pula, Rovinj and Poreč

• Grožnjan, Motovun and Oprtalj, all known for their picturesque streets, charming squares and beautiful views.

If you are on holiday in Croatia and are looking for a little more action in Istria, you can also have a great active holiday here. You can go cycling, trekking, horse riding, diving, surfing, paragliding, tennis or golf.

Zagreb, history in the capital

Croatia's capital is often overlooked by tourists, but this city in the centre of the country offers a unique combination of historic charm, vibrant culture and modern style. With its rich history, Zagreb offers numerous attractions, including the Gornji Grad district with its Baroque and Gothic architecture and the impressive 13th century Zagreb Cathedral.

The historic centre of Zagreb has cobbled streets and picturesque squares with a wide range of shops, restaurants and bars. The Dolac open-air market is another popular place to shop for fresh local produce such as fruit, vegetables and cheese. Zagreb is also an important cultural centre, with numerous art galleries, museums and theatres, including the Croatian National Theatre, one of the oldest national theatres in Europe. It also has a lively nightlife, with bars and nightclubs open until late, and for those who love nature, the city has many green areas, including Maksimir Park, with walking trails and a beautiful lake.

In the Zagreb area, don't miss the fortified town of Medvedgrad, known for its imposing castle and trekking routes; and Samobor, a museum town where you can see the ruins of the medieval village and stroll among pastel-coloured houses, ancient churches and craft workshops.

The Mediterranean climate makes Croatia an ideal place for growing fresh fruit and vegetables. This is reflected in the many traditional dishes using locally grown ingredients such as olives, tomatoes and peppers.

Seafood is also an important part of Croatian cuisine, thanks to the abundance and variety of fish and shellfish in the Adriatic. The Kvarner region is particularly famous for its delicious prawn dishes, but meat lovers will also be delighted with the famous lamb from the island of Cres.

Whatever you choose, make sure that your dish of choice is prepared using one of the special cooking methods used in Croatian cuisine. The "peka" method involves cooking food under a traditional clay bell-shaped dome. The other method, "buzara", is used for seafood cooked in white or red sauce with simple, local ingredients.

Bear in mind that Croatia also has a long history of wine production. Some of the most popular are Plavac Mali, a red wine, and Grasevina, a white wine. When it comes to sweets, Croatia offers a variety of desserts such as fritule, a type of fried doughnut, or rozata, a traditional cream-based dessert.

Visit Croatia's World Heritage Sites

As of 2017, Croatia has a total of 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, all of which are dedicated to the sustainable preservation of these areas of beauty for tourism. Some may be better known than others, but all are worth a visit during a holiday in Croatia.

In no particular order, these are Croatia's World Heritage Sites:

1. Plitvice Lakes National Park

2. Historical complex of Split (including Diocletian's Palace)

3. Dubrovnik's Old Town

4. Early – Christian Euphrasius Basilica complex in Poreč

5. Historic city of Trogir

6. St. James Cathedral in Šibenik

7. Stari Grad Plain, Hvar Island

8. Stećci Medieval Tombstones Graveyards

9. Venetian defence works in Zadar and Šibenik

10. Primeval Beech forests of the Carpathians, National Parks Paklenica and Northern Velebit

[Plitvice National Park, photo: Shutterstock]