Americans Flock To Croatia

Visitors from the USA are expected to flock to Croatia in record numbers this summer as a survey by U.S. Tour Operators revealed the country was tied at second for hottest places to visit this year. Only two years ago 200,000 Americans visited the beautiful country bordering the Adriatic Sea, and this year the Croatians are expecting double that number. So, what do the canny Americans know that us Brits don't?

Most obvious are the financial considerations. With the dollar taking a hammering in the international money markets Americans are finding it increasingly expensive, to the point of prohibitive, to visit their traditional European stomping grounds of the Italy, Greece and the French Riviera. Searching for cheaper alternatives has led Americans to Croatia, eager to establish itself as a top European destination. Outstanding quality food and drink at incredible value combined with the clean water, less-than-crowded beaches and friendly, helpful approach of the locals immediately makes the Croatian Tourist slogan of: "The Mediterranean as it once was" ring true. It also helps their ambition to be big on the European tourist map.

Picking up the pieces from the horrendous four-year conflict that saw the disintegration of Yugoslavia in the mid-1990s, Croatia emerged with a spectacular 1,100-mile coast and almost 2,000 islands. Add the imposing and historic city of Dubrovnik to the mix and you already have the basic ingredients for an enticing country. Inland is found one of the country's biggest tourist attractions: Plitvice Lakes National Park. A series of waterfalls joins 16 beautiful turquoise coloured lakes between the Mala Kapela and Pljesevica Mountains. This gorgeous natural attraction, mixed with the coastal hotspots, the friendly locals and the amazing value all make Croatia one of Europe's great undiscovered destinations. It is easy to see why the Americans are flocking here in their hundreds of thousands; it is the antithesis of their crowded, busy and expensive culture.

To make the most of a trip to Croatia, especially those planning on island hopping or travelling up the stunning coast will find that car hire is not essential as the country is well-served by buses and ferries. However, those who prefer to drive, like most things in the country, will find incredibly cheap car hire in Croatia. Most major airlines operate directly to Split which is centrally located on the Adriatic coastline, and also has one of the highest concentration of car rental offices in Croatia.

Robinson Tourism - Adriatic Sea

The Southern Side of the Pasman Island Overlooking the Kornati Archipelago pt.1

Pašman is an island in the Zadar archipelago. A picturesque Pasman Channel, with dozens of small islands dotted about it, separates the island from Zadar and Biograd. A number of small fishing ports with lots of greenery and sand beaches are situated along its beautiful sunny shore. The sea current changes course every six hours and thus put the surrounding sea among the cleanest in the Adriatic.

Mediterranean climate bore a reach plant and animal world, various kinds of officinal and aromatic herbs and a sea bed filed with all kinds of shells and fish that can be found in the Adriatic Sea. The majority of inhabitants in typical island settlements, such as Zdrelac, Banj, Dobropoljana, Nevidane, Mrljane, Barotul, Mali Pasman, Pasman, Kraj, Uginic and Tkon, are fishermen and farmers by tradition, but recently they also took up tourist trade and developed a rich variety of tourist facilities – rooms and apartments for renting, summer cottages, boarding houses, camps, restaurants and taverns which offer sea-fruits and home-grown food. http://www.sea-islands.blogspot.com

Our famous Dalmatian cuisine and warm atmosphere in cosy Mediterranean ambient of island’s restaurants – Dalmatian taverns called “konoba” – guarantee taking a supreme pleasure in home-grown food and sea specialities (Dalmatian smoked ham, cheese, lamb, shellfish, freshly caught fish, crabs, Dalmatian wines and aperitifs).

Thanks to its position on the most indented part of the Croatian Adriatic, this area provides excellent opportunities for nautical tourism and navigation. People have inhabited the island of Pasman since ancient times. One can still see the remains of Illyrian settlements and hill-forts, archaeological finds dating from Ancient Roman times, mosaics, the stone statue of St. Michael from the 12th century in Neviđane, and plenty of other historical monuments. St. Kuzma and Damjan Benedictine monastery near Tkon was built in the 12th century on the foundations of an early Christian church and represented an important Glagolitic centre.

The monastery is decorated with a Gothic crucifix dating from the beginning of the 15th century, a Renaissance cloister, a dining room and a museum with an especially valuable painting of Madonna with baby Jesus and John the Baptist.

Organizing sport activities, such as tournaments between local people and the tourists, has become a tradition on the island. Five-a-side soccer tournaments in Nevidane and Pasman, basketball in Dobropoljana, and the traditional regatta are major sport and social events. Night racing through torches in Pasman, in which both tourists and local people take part, is a special attraction.

Ecologically preserved landscape, vineyards, fields and olive-groves right next to sandy and pebble beaches are the right choice for those who prefer a vacation away from noise and crowded places.

Zadar, Croatia

The City of Zadar has beautiful and practical location. Zadar is an easily reached destination by land, sea and air. It is directly connected to the other bigger cities of the Republic of Croatia: Zagreb, Rijeka, Split, Dubrovnik etc Good infrastructure is accompanied with extraordinary accommodation and contemporary service of numerous marinas.

Whichever way you want to reach Zadar, the natural beauty of the landscape will touch you. Highway is brand new and magistral coastal road is just going through last days of serious repairs and improvements.The ferry port as well as the new tourist port for cruisers are located on the peninsula itself (old part of the city that used to be an island) Entering Zadar on a ferry or boat gives you a magnificent view of the whole city, making your arrival in Zadar a unique experience. Air transport, even though the airport /Zemunik/ is a small it is contemporary and connects Zadar with bigger Croatian cities and some European capitals. During the summer season it is busy place and one would be surprised with abundance and diversity of flights. Other destinations are accessible with changes in Zagreb and/or Split and in the network of international air traffic. Situated in the hart of the Adriatic, Zadar is the urban center of northern Dalmatia .It is administrative, economic, cultural and political center of the region with almost 100 000 inhabitants.

The coast is particularly indented. Island are forming parallel strings with the coastal line creating Dalmatian specificum with triple or quadruple settings of the islands. Nature is untouched and allures many boaters and sailing fans to this region. The archipelago counts 24 bigger and about 300 smaller islets and rocks, 3 nature parks (Telascica, Sjeverni Velebit and Vransko Jezero) and 5 National parks (Paklenica, Plitvice, Kornati, Krka and Velebit) Zadar and its surroundings are at the the very top of the Croatian tourist offer .

Climate

Thanks for its geographical position Zadar is distinguished by its gentle Mediterranean climate ( warm and dry summers , mild and rainy winters) On average temperature of the air in summer is 25 degrease C, in winter 7 degrease C, while the summer average temperature of the sea is 23 degrease C.

Croatia's Islands - The Ten Best Croatian Islands To Visit

With 1185 islands to choose from, Croatia's Adriatic coast truly offers an embarrassment of riches. Whether your interest is lounging lizard-like in the sun, exploring ancient villages, hiking through lavender fields or partying until dawn, there's an island in Croatia for you. And you don't need your own yacht to see them! All of the following islands are easily reachable by regular ferries run by Jadrolinija, Croatia's largest ferry company. Let's start at the southern tip of Croatia and work our way northward.
Mljet Island
A good part of Mljet Island is pristine national park including two inland seawater lakes that present the very picture of tranquility. You can bike around the lakes, paddle or swim them or take a hike through the interior. Most people visit on a day trip from Dubrovnik, but there's no reason you can't stay overnight. There's only one hotel but a good amount of private accommodation.
Korcula Island
Large and forested, Korcula offers endless possibilities for exploration. Start in the Old Town, crowded onto a little peninsula and then explore some quiet islets around the main island via excursion boat. To get away from it all, stay in one of the interior villages.
Hvar Island
Unquestionably the trendiest of Croatian islands, it seems that everybody wants to head to Hvar. The old town is impossibly romantic, the harbor is the most delightful in the Adriatic and the nightlife. . .Suffice it to say that you'll find everything from chic cocktail bars to down 'n' dirty backpacker joints (although much more of the former). During the day, take a boat to the naturist islands that beckon offshore or traipse through the lavender fields that dot the interior.
Brac Island
The most accessible island from the Dalmatian coast, Brac is a favorite getaway for Croatian mainlanders. Cheaper and somewhat less crowded with foreigners, Brac Island's highlight is the unusual Zlatni Rat beach, a staple of Croatia's tourist brochures. Supetar is the main entry point and boasts an appealing "fishing port" ambiance.
Vis Island
Here is that special gem that is still relatively undiscovered, mostly because Vis Island is a long ferry ride from the coast. But it's so worth it. Neither hip nor chic (yet), Vis has the unspoiled nature, the swimming and diving possibilities plus two great villages. Vis Town has early Greek and Roman remnants and Komiza is the kind of charming fishing village that is rapidly disappearing from the Mediterranean. Think St Tropez about, oh, 100 years ago.
Dugi Otok
Also not on the tourist circuit, Dugi Otok is long and relatively flat compared to the other islands. Still, there's good swimming and a calm and peaceful atmosphere. It's main highlight is the Telascica Bay nature park with a saltwater lake and miles of rugged coastline.
Pag Island
All Croatians sigh over Pag Island as it produces the country's finest cheese, pungent and aromatic. Dry and flat, Pag Island still boasts a kind of offbeat beauty. The main town is Pag Town, with its straight, stone streets but party people will want to head to Novalja on the northern end of the island. At the first thought of summer, Novalja's main beach is transformed into a non-stop outdoor party with DJs, cocktail bars, foam nights and a regular circuit of theme events.
Cres & Losinj Islands
These two long thin islands are separated only by a narrow canal. Losinj in the south is much more developed for tourism with a range of hotels and a magnificent bay that is a center for windsurfing. Cres is much wilder and mostly devoted to fishing and sheep raising. Accommodation is somewhat limited in terms of both comforts and quantity but it's easy to stay in Losinj and visit Cres.
Rab Island
This is a pretty island near the northern coast with scenic Rab Town as its center. Tourism is very developed here largely because of the splendid sandy beaches in Lopar. Sandy beaches are a rarity in Croatia! This is the place for an easy, relaxing beach holiday.
Krk Island
With an airport receiving international flights right on the island, Krk is one of the easiest islands to reach. Desolate it isn't but you'll find a wide choice of places to stay on this large island. Visit the historic center, walled Krk Town but also Baska with its long stretch of pebbly beach and the hilltop village of Vrbnik.

On the Road to Croatia

A string of little paradisiacal islands can be found off the South Dalmatian coast in Croatia. It's an ancient, naturally luxurious corner of Europe: the beautiful, sun-drenched island of Hvar has a wealth of architectural gems, while nearby Vis boasts fishing ports that have remained intact over the centuries.

The line in front of the ice cream bar in the harbor is lengthening by the minute. Moored at the quay opposite is a big blue yacht registered in Newport, Rhode Island. There are some people on deck, drinking Champagne. Visitors come from far and wide to drop anchor in the old harbor of Hvar, which has in recent years become the Saint-Tropez of Croatia. The town's inhabitants are not a little proud to list the jet-setters whose yachts are based here in the summer: Kimi Raikkonen, Bill Gates, Bernie Ecclestone, Tom Cruise, the Benetton family.

History and nightlife

You only need to take a short walk through the town to understand its appeal. A maze of red-tiled roofs and little streets tumbles down toward Saint-Stephen Square, which is paved in dazzling white stones. The 16th century cathedral is among the most beautiful in Croatia. Renaissance facades stretch toward a harbor basin packed with small craft. Farther along the coast, the campanile of a simple Franciscan monastery overlooks a pebble-stone cove dotted with yachts. The harmony of nature and architecture here is so perfect that not one element could be removed without spoiling the effect. Centuries of history have fashioned this landscape. Sardine fishing and salting turned Hvar into rich and powerful town. The little Renaissance theater was built 1612., and lords and fishermen alike has access to it. Those who couldn't pay would be admitted for two fish. The theater is soon to be renovated. Visitors come to the island for a different kind of show: the first act is played out on the bench; the second on the cafe terraces, sipping cocktails to the sound of DJ mixes; and the final act is performed at a former monastery converted into a nightclub, the Veneranda.

Preserving tradition

Yet Hvar has many other charms: the family-friendly Stari Grad harbor, the quiet quays in Vrboska, the little streets of Pitve and excursions inland. In the Brusje area, the landscape is reminiscent of a Cubist painting , crisscrossed with ancient dry stone walls. This dry, stony land yields some of the best Croatian wines. Vineyards carpet the cliff face on the southern coast. In the village of Sveta Nedjelja is a new restaurant and wine cellar - the only one in the world that's below sea level, with a window to see the fish! People compare Hvar to Saint-Tropez. They have no idea. Saint-Tropez is a fishing village that became famous because of a starlet. Hvar has thousand years of history behind, that is it’s wealth.

Unspoiled Vis

Maybe the true Croatian Saint-Tropez is on the nearby island of Vis. Komiza is a simple fishing port nestled in a sheltered cove. It has the easy-going atmosphere of a place that isn't geared to tourism: no music, no yacht engines- just the sound of the wind, a fisherman whacking an octopus against the pier to tenderize it, the chime of the Venetian bell tower. Vis seems to have escaped the march of time. The Yugoslav army contributed to its slow progress, banning access to the island to tourists until 1989 to shield its military base from prying eyes. People come here for a taste of the unspoiled Adriatic coast, the pleasure of swimming alone in one of its countless desert bays. It's a place where you can experience an authentic lifestyle, hardly affected by the modern world.

How To Enjoy Croatia

1. Why Croatia ?

Croatia is the closest Mediterranean destination to central Europe. It takes 2 hours by plane from London, 45 minutes from Munchen... Croatian natural beauties are significant and amongst the best preserved in the world ( over 5,800 km of coast, over 1,000 islands, numerous national parks ... ). More about Croatia find on the official web site www.croatia.hr

2. How to Croatia ?

Traveling by car you have to keep in mind that the traffic is increased in summer season. National ferry line is Jadrolinija and the national airline company is Croatia Airlines

3. Where in Croatia ?

Although the inland of Croatia is beautiful as well, lot of tourists decide for one of the places along the Croatian coast. Most of the beautiful places in Croatia are located on the Adriatic sea coast ( National Park Brijuni islands, Roman arena in Pula, National Park Kornati islands, old towns Dubrovnik, Zadar, Trogir, Sibenik, Split, National Park island Mljet ... ). Having one day trip in inland you can visit more Croatian beauties like National Park Plitvice lakes, National Park on river Krka, National Park Paklenica, ... )

4. Stay (sail) in Croatia ?

Usually tourists rent a hotel room or an apartment and spend a week laying on a beach not aware that there are plenty other places around worth to be visited. Instead of changing hotels and moving your stuff from one place to another trying to see as much as possible , you can rent a boat ( skipper if necessary ), visit all the places along the Croatian coast and islands and have an extraordinary holidays. Croatian coast has 1000 of islands so there are no big waves and high sea. The conditons are perfect for nice and easy sailing. There are no long distance routes across the open sea. You can achor anytime you want and take a swimm. The price for sailing holidays in Croatia is equal to price for a hotel accomodation. More about yacht charter in Croatia find on web site www.Yacht-Rent.com ( or www.star.hr ). There you can find a complete yacht charter offer in Croatia: more than 1500 charter yachts belonging to all relevant charter companies in Croatia ( having at least 10 to 100 boats in their fleet). You can compare the prices for different boat models and select the most appropriate one.

To answer the question how to enjoy in Croatia - sail in Croatia!

Why Should People Visit Croatia?

Croatia is a small country situated in Mediterranean along the coast of the Adriatic Sea offering variety of cultural and natural beauties. Everyone interested in history and cultural heritage would enjoy Croatia where every “stone tells its story”. Well preserved old architectural work is somewhat breathtaking. It is like walking trough centuries and centuries of turbulent history. On the other hand Croatia’s natural beauty that ranges from beautiful coast, islands, beaches to the hinterland rich in fields, castles, and mountains. Such diversity on a small territory like Croatia leaves everybody in amazement. Croatia has been proclaimed as the new French Riviera and a number one tourist destination. There are numerous reasons why visit Croatia here are a few that you might consider.

Eastern Adriatic coast is considered to be the most beautiful coast in the Mediterranean. It is then not surprising why Romans chose this coast to settle and built their villas, palaces, towns to indulge in leisure, entertainment and delight. Nowhere else through the Mediterranean will you find so many islands, bays, caves; picturesque beaches and cliffs gilded with sunshine, as well as 5 National Park and 5 Nature Parks are located in this area of the country.

The towns along the coast are true jewels of Mediterranean culture. As we have mentioned before, every stone tells its own story, reaching back to sails of the Argonauts and those of Roman galleys; Venetian high-ranking state officials and merchants from Dubrovnik on their carracks and argosies. They say that there are more than a hundred small towns, villages and islands on the Dalmatian coast where one gets the impression that time stopped long ago somewhere in the Middle Ages or in the Renaissance.

On the green hills, resembling wave crests, glisten the old towns of Hum, Plomin, Groznan and Motovun in Istria, Vrbnik, and Lubenice on the islands of Krk and Cres.

Petrified moments of the past centuries can also be recognized in the bell-towers of Rab; in the churches, palaces and pavements of Hvar, Dubrovnik and Zadar. In the balustrades of Korcula and particularly in the monumental Sibenik Cathedral wreathed in sculptured portraits of medieval citizens of Sibenik; not to mention the villas on the Brijuni archipelago or the monumental church-towers in Pula.

Much of Croatian history in this area can be seen in some sixty 1000 year old little stone churches scattered along the Croatian coast. Inside these ancient beauties it is the permanent play that tells time and which makes each of these churches, in a very special way both a clock and a calendar at the same time. Basic characteristic of this area are numerous cypress and olive trees; lavender and immortelle flowers and vineyards.

Where olive groves end continental Croatia begins. Cypress with the woods of Ucka Mountain above them is replaced by the pine and fir trees of Gorski Kotar. Vineyards are gradually replaced by rich gross-lands descending downhill to the orchard, vegetable patches and gardens of the red-roofed village houses in the valley. Having crossed the Velebit Mountain and descending on its continental side, the road will lead you through the breathtaking landscapes of Lika and Banovina on to the vast valleys

of Posavina and Slavonia. Along the way you’ll see Plitvice Lakes, one of the eight National Parks in Croatia, the small town of Slunj and Karlovac, city on four rivers. Finally your trip takes you to Zagreb, the capital city. Approaching Zagreb from the northwest you’ll pass through the picturesque scenery of Medjimurje and Hrvatsko zagorje.

This area is abundant in fields and meadows that moderate in size, villages along rivers, and cities situated in the valley, Cakovec and Varazdin, the crown of Baroque architecture. Further east on your way through Slavonia you pass by the large willow-groves of Podravina, the hunting districts of Moslavina and thermal springs and spas of Daruvar and Lipik. In the very heart of Posavina valley there are charming age-old wooden houses which are typical examples of traditional local architecture. Surrounded by picturesque vineyards in the Golden Valley is the old Baroque town of Pozega.

Also famous for their beautiful Baroque-Secessionist architecture are cities of Dakovo and Osijek. Before flowing into the Danube, River Drava deluges into the area known as Kopacki Rit (another Nature Park), the last untouched nesting site of wading birds in Europe. Close to the city of Vukovar, known as the city of Croatian Heroes, lays the famous archeological site of Vucedol with 5000 year old culture. In the furthest eastern corner of Croatia there is fortified old town of Ilok famous for excellent wines.

All of this is just a small intro to a vast natural wonders and historical treasures that Croatia offers. Hopefully this information will help you on deciding where to go for your next vacation; Croatia will certainly be a good choice. Croatia will definitely make every holiday a remarkable and unforgettable event.