Croatia

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Dubrovnik, Croatia

Introducing Croatia

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Despite the hype, Croatia’s pleasures are more timeless than trendy. Along its 1778km coastline, a glistening sea winds around rocky coves, lapping at pine-fringed beaches. Istrian ports bustle with fishermen while children dive into the sparkling water. In Dalmatia, cities throb with nightlife amid ancient Roman ruins.

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Yachts glide up the coast, movie stars discreetly arrange to buy one of Croatia’s 1185 islands and no Mediterranean cruise is complete without a stop in Dubrovnik. The interior landscape is as beguiling, even though less visited. Soak in a thermal spa at Istarske Toplice in Istria. Hike through pristine forests watered by mountain streams in the west. Let the waterfalls of Plitvice moisten your face. And then there's the culture. The country that endured Roman, Venetian, Italian and Austro-Hungarian rule has a unique and slightly schizoid identity. You’ll find a strong central European flavour in the baroque architecture of Zagreb, and Italian devotion to the good life percolates up from the coast, permeating Croatian food and style. During holidays and festivals the country’s Slavic soul emerges, as colourfully costumed dancers whirl about to traditional folk melodies.

Croatians retain a strong attachment to the land and traditions that nourished the dream of independence for so long. Even as a tide of speculators and developers wash ashore, there is a real commitment to preserving the extraordinary beauty of the coast. Whether the country can hold out against the lure of easy money is an excruciating test of its character. But, so far the signs are promising.

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Last updated: Jan 18, 2012

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Thorn Tree forum discussion

Recent posts

  1. everbrite avatar
    RE: Traveling in Croatia Sept 25-Sept 30

    by everbrite 14 September 2011

    No way you can visit Pltivice Lakes, Split, Dubrovnik and an island or two in 5 days and get to Prague from Croatia in a day without spendin…
  2. Veta avatar
    Re: Traveling in Croatia Sept 25-Sept 30

    by Veta 14 September 2011

    You'll have to do some searching to find the best travel option--flight or train. However, I don't think you'll have time for all that…
  3. eritchel avatar
    Re: Croatian Language course in Zagreb

    by eritchel 14 September 2011

    Hello, Have you started classes yet? I'm actually planning on coming to Croatia in a few weeks to do the same. I took some intensive…

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Top cities in Croatia

  1. Dubrovnik
  2. Zagreb
  3. Split
  4. Zadar
  5. Rijeka
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