Croatia is one of Europe’s “undiscovered” gems but is certainly not shy about making up for lost time!
This small country – shaped like an upsidedown U and bordering the Adriatic Sea to the west, facing the boot of Italy – is punching way above its weight when it comes to active holidays.
On the mainland, enjoy hiking, boating, and biking along unbusy roads. History buffs will want to make a beeline for the car-free city of Dubrovnik, where you can still walk around the walls. Or make it an island getaway: the west coast of the country is dotted with countless islands and little islets, some uninhabited.
This is the Dalmatian Coast (where do you think the breed of dog got its name from!) Add turquoise waters you might associate with the Caribbean, a moderate Mediterranean climate and you’ve got a great holiday destination. The islands of Hvar and Brac with their scenic towns and welcoming beaches are especially worth a visit.
And the food? A perfect combination of Greek and Italian, with the emphasis on fresh-caught seafood – if you like scallops and calamari, you’ve picked the right vacation destination.
Fall and spring are great times to travel here. After mid-September the big cruise ships no longer stop here and Europeans – the main tourist clientele – have gone back to work. And in the fall, the Adriatic is still pleasantly warm enough for that post-cycling dip!
World Expeditions, Explore, Intrepid and Exodus are just some of our partner tour companies that offer tours to Croatia.