The Facts
Capital: Zagreb
Currency: Kuna
Time Zone: GMT +1
www.visit-croatia.co.uk
Introduction
With over 4000km of beaches, coves and bays and 1185 islands Croatia has ready-made appeal. Throw in an annual 2600 hours of sunshine and it can boast one of the sunniest coastlines in Europe. Gliding through these waters aboard a charter yacht or slipping silently by sea kayak are just some of the more popular ways to explore. Croatia is increasingly styling itself as a playground for the adventurous. Inland, rugged mountains and unspoiled forests can be explored, hike, bike, climb, it's all possible. You can even go hunting for truffles, a delicacy found in the hilltop town of Istria. Croatian culture is as varied as its landscapes with Roman, Venetian, Italian and Austro-Hungarian influences.
Where To Go
Croatia is a Central European and Mediterranean country bordering Slovenia in the west, Hungary in the north, Serbia in the east and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the south. It also has a maritime border with Italy in the Adriatic Sea. Croatia covers a land area of 56,691 km square and has a population of about 4.4 million people. Over 90% of the population is Croat (the majority of whom are Roman Catholics), but there are also Serbian, Bosnian, Hungarian and Italian minorities.
What To Eat & Drink:
- Mainland cuisine is characterized by Hungarian, Viennese and Turkish influences.
- The coastal region bears the influences of the Greeks and Romans and the later Mediterranean cuisine of the Italian and French.
- With such proximity to the Adriatic Coast seafood is plentiful. Cod with potatoes is a Dalmatian speciality served at Christmas time.
- Goulash dishes are very popular- rabbit and venison are common ingredients.
- Viška pogaca is a foccacia from the island of Vis.
- Soparnik is a Dalmatian vegetable pie.
- Pod pekom means that the dish has been put into a stone oven under a metal cover. Hot coals cover the container so that the meal is cooked slowly.
- Sljivovica is a plum brandy.
Unmissable Croatia
5 things you really should do in Croatia
1. Island hop
Visit Kornati National Park and discover stunning seascapes and an archipelago of over 89 islands and reefs. Relatively uninhabited the people of Murter island farm olive groves, vineyards and orchards. They have cottages offering tourist accommodation.
www.kornati.hr/eng/introduction.htm
2. Light up
Head to Bisevo a tiny piece of land 5km (3 miles) southwest of Vis. This is the site of the spectacular Blue Grotto (Modra Spilja), a sea cave that "lights up" in shades of blue and silver for an hour each day between 11am and noon.
www.adriaticadventures.com/tour_cr_bi_02.htm
3. Get wet
Walk and swim in the Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site and Croatia's most popular tourist attraction. Located roughly halfway between the capital city Zagreb and Zadar, sixteen lakes, inter-connected by a series of waterfalls, are set in deep woodland populated by deer, bears, wolves, boars and rare bird species.
www.visit-croatia.co.uk/plitvicelakes/
4. Make time to meander
Explore the charming city 13th century city of Dubrovnik dubbed 'the jewel in the adriatic'. Surrounded by tall ramparts there are only two city entrances, which lead to the Stradun, the city's promenade. A world-renowned summer festival (mid July-end of Aug) features many open-air evening performances.
www.dubrovnik-festival.hr
5. Follow in the footsteps of Odysseus
Head to the untamed Dalmatian island of Mljet where Odysseus is supposed to have been enticed to stay for seven years. Two inland saltwater lakes, Malo Jezero and Veliko Jezero, are connected to the sea by a narrow canal. In the middle of Veliko Jezero is the tiny islet of Sv Marija, where a former 12th century Benedictine monastery can be visited by boat.
www.mljet.hr
