Few countries in contemporary Europe
have experienced the collapse of communism, a war of national
survival and the securing of independence all within the space of
half a decade – yet this is what happened to Croatia (HRVATSKA) at
the beginning of the 1990s.
Much of this drama was acted out on TV screens
across the world. It’s all too easy to forget that Croatia was – and
still is – among Europe prime holiday destinations, boasting one of
the most dramatic stretches of coastlines that the continent has to
offer, with almost 2000kms of shoreline and over 1000 islands.
There are enough sparsely populated islands, quiet coves and
stone-built fishing villages to make you feel you are visiting one
of the Mediterranean’s most unspoilt areas.
An optimistic, welcoming and, above all, safe
destination for travellers, Croatia is yet to be overrun by
vacationing hordes – which is why now is the ideal time to invest.
Croatia’s underrated capital ZAGREB is a typical
Central European metropolis, combining elegant nineteenth-century
buildings with plenty of cultural diversions and a vibrant café
life. It is also a good base for trips to the undulating hills and
charming villages of the rural Zagorje and Zumberak regions to the
north and west, and to the well-preserved Baroque town of Varazdin
to the northeast.
The rest of inland Croatia provides plenty of opportunities for
relaxed exploring.
At the northern end, the peninsula of ISTRIA
contains many of the country’s most developed resorts, along with
old Venetian towns. Inland ISTRIA is characterized by sleepy hilltop
villages, often dramatically situated – each mixing medieval
architecture with rustic tranquility.
Beyond the Kvarner Gulf (south of Istria) lies
DALMATIA, a dramatic, mountain-fringed stretch of coastline studded
with islands. It is a stark, arid region where fishing villages and
historic towns cling to a narrow coastal strip rich in figs, olives
and subtropical vegetation.
Southern Dalmatia’s main town and Croatia’s second
city is SPLIT, a vibrant port with an ancient centre moulded around
the palace of the Roman emperor, Diocletan. It’s also the obvious
jumping-off point for the most enchanting of Croatia’s islands.
(Brac – Hvar – Korcula feature smallish towns brimming with Venetian
architecture and numerous beaches).
For more information on the areas that we feature in
our properties pages or to search that area in our database please click on
the area on the map, click on
one of the links above. or:-