Anyone who has been to Croatia knows that this is a real tourist gem, a rare combination of breathtaking picturesque landscapes, amazing nature reserves, lakes and rivers, as well as cities where time seems to have stagnated.
Croatia, one of the most beautiful countries in the world, lies on the shores of the Adriatic Sea and one of the most beautiful coastlines in Europe that meets a clear blue sea. Croatia's landscapes include a variety of hundreds of small islands, some of them inhabited, and these are fascinating gems. Croatia is characterized by a wealth of history, architecture at its best, hospitable locals, and fine culinary.
Visitors to the country will enjoy a rich variety of accommodation options including hotels and vacation apartments, from affordable price levels to luxury hotels, resorts for families with children including water parks and amusements and even spa resorts for healing holidays.
Indeed, Croatia is a perfect destination for any kind of vacation and recreation, including a trip in a rented car, an organized tour, extreme trips and diving and sailing vacations.
So if you're still undecided, it's time for you to decide that this summer you're flying to Croatia - and you're guaranteed a unique experience that you'll remember for years to come.
Where to visit in Croatia - in a nutshell
Let's start withPlitvice Nature Reserve – this is a huge reserve that covers 195 dunams of forested hills, including 16! Turquoise lakes to which the tongues of waterfalls flow from a great height and constitute a unique and spectacular sight that is viewed while walking on wooden bridges and boating.
Plitvice Falls Reserve, Croatia (Photo: Dreamesti)
ANOTHER INTERESTING NATURE RESERVE IS THEKERKA RESERVE, LOCATED IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE CROATIAN COAST. The reserve has amazing views including 17 waterfalls with a height difference of up to 47 meters, and this reserve also has spectacular hiking trails and the possibility of spectacular boat rides.
The town of Motovun in Istria, Croatia (Photo: Dreamesti)
And if you want to see a nature reserve consisting of an archipelago of about 150!! Dense islands and reefs in the Adriatic Sea Hop into the Cornati Nature Reserve. The islands have the appearance of a lunar surface built of bright limestone rocks, which have formed over thousands of years. On cruises from nearby towns you can go to these beautiful islands where you can hike, swim, snorkel and enjoy the peace and relaxation.
It is worth visiting theCroatian coastalcities which are vibrant resort cities abutting amazing beaches, we will mention and in a nutshell the citiesof Split, Opatija, Pula, Zadar, Šibenik, Trogir and Rovinj.
A visit to Split, Croatia's second largest city, will meet you in pine groves. You can feel the sound of the waves of the sea to the sounds of Dalmatian songs playing among the city's stones. The squares, streets, restaurants and cafes are bustling with activity and the city enjoys a comfortable and sunny climate. It is worth visiting the palace of Emperor Diocletian from the Roman period and getting out of the city for trips to the Makarska Riviera and the islands of Brac and Khabar.
A VISIT TO THE COASTAL CITY OF PULA YOU WILL FIND ROOTS FROM THE ROMAN PERIOD AND THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE CITY IS THE ROMAN AMPHITHEATER, WHICH IN ITS HEYDAY ENTERTAINED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF SPECTATORS IN BATTLES BETWEEN GLADIATORS AND TODAY IT IS USED FOR VARIOUS CONCERTS AND PERFORMANCES. The combination of the clear sea and the surrounding landscapes have made the city a recommended and popular tourist destination. Paula is also famous for her wine industry (which is definitely worth tasting), fishing and shipbuilding. Among the attractions that the city offers: diving into the wreckage of ancient ships, bicycle tours and rock climbing.
The coastal city of Pula, Croatia (Photo: Dreamesti)
Visitors toZadar willnotice that it sits on a cliff overlooking the Adriatic Sea and the small islands scattered close to the city. The war that took place in the area in the early nineties of the last century is somewhat noticeable, but most of the city is renovated and restored, thus preserving its special charm. In the city you will find museums, churches and walking trails and a walk within the city and on its promenade and this makes the visit a pleasant and delicious experience Do not miss a taste of the famous cherry liqueur produced in the region. It is also recommended to visit the Church of St. Donatus and the Museum of Christian Art and Archaeology located in the Benedictine monastery opposite the church. In Zadar you can also enjoy lovely beaches along the promenade.
THE TOWN OF ROVINJ IS SET ON A SMALL, PEACEFUL PENINSULA. One of the main buildings in the town is the cathedral, built in 1736, with a sixty-meter-high tower that is considered the tallest building in the Baroque style that can be found in Croatia. The forested hills surrounding it and the islands off its coast have earned the town the title of the most beautiful town on the Istrian Peninsula.
It is recommended to visit the fishing port bustling with activity and be impressed by the fishermen and their craft. It is also worth visiting the local aquarium where a large collection of fish of different
species is displayed.
The coastal town of Rovinj, Croatia (Photo: Dreamesti)
It is impossible not to mentionZagreb, the capital of Croatia, which is a center of Baroque culture and atmosphere, colorful markets, multiple green spaces, water fountains, museums, theaters and high-class restaurants. The city manages to preserve its unique character over the years and a visit to it guarantees a real experience.
The capital city of Zagreb, Croatia (Photo: Dreamesti)
Dubrovnik, located in the southern part of Croatia on the coastal strip, should not be missed and is really a gem on the Adriatic Sea. The city is partly surrounded by an ancient wall, houses with red-tiled roofs that add special grace to the spectacular sight of the city that has been included in the World Heritage List of the city. UNESCO walking tour of the city will meet you with a picturesque view of narrow alleys, preserved buildings from the Middle Ages, a Franciscan monastery where one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe is located, churches, monasteries, palaces, squares paved with marble, and more, not for nothing in Dubrovnik many parts of the series "Game of Thrones" were filmed.
If you arean island lover, Croatia can offer you hundreds of cute little islands, each of which is a gem in its own right. One of the islands worth visiting isKorcula Island. It is considered the largest and most beautiful of the hundreds of islands in Croatia. The island can be reached by ferry from Split or Dubrovnik. On the island you will meet picturesque medieval houses, magnificent churches, a magnificent Renaissance palace, and also the famous 13th-century traveler's Marco Polo house.
Korcula Island, Croatia (Photo: Dreamesti)
One of the many other islands worth visiting isMilliyet, the southernmost of the large islands of the Adriatic Sea. Here you can find the national park, at the center of which are two salty lakes surrounded by slopes covered with magical forest. There are boating, cycling or hiking trails on the island. It is worth having lunch at the Benedictine monastery which sits in the middle of a large lake.
And we haven't talked about the wine, cuisine and locals yet
Croatia is not only about landscapes, beaches and excursions, it is also delicious cuisine that combines Mediterranean flavors and traditional recipes. Croatian cuisine produces delicious dishes that are hard to find anywhere else in the world and can satisfy almost any palate. The kitchen includes plenty of fresh vegetables, lots of fruits and herbs, fresh fish and seafood straight from the well-known Adriatic Sea. Croatian wine also excels in quality and is definitely worth a taste and a long sip and you will even find it successfully competing with French and Italian wines.
Local Croats are usually friendly and welcoming, a trait that reminds us Israelis of their joie de vivre and generosity, so you can feel comfortable starting a conversation with them and getting help from them if necessary.
The resort town of Opatija, Croatia (Photo: Dreamesti)
So go ahead, take a trip to Croatia this summer and enjoy a dream vacation that is all about experience.
How to get to Croatia ?
Croatia has a number of airports, including the central and modern one located in the capital Zagreb. Another airport is located in the resort town of Dubrovnik. There are other airports in Split, Pula, Zadar and Rijeka.
The Croatian national airline operates direct flights from Ben Gurion Airport to Zagreb starting in May, and from June direct flights are also added to Dubrovnik.
Flights depart from the country several times a week and are offered at prices starting at $ 249 with no extra charge for luggage. The flights are on modern and comfortable Airbus planes and during take-off and landing hours that allow full use of vacation days.
Contributed by Croatian National Airlines
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