Home of the popular “Game of Thrones” TV series, Croatia was my 2015 international travel destination, and it was love at first sight. See below for some of the highlights from my 10-day trip.
1. Croatia has the clearest, bluest water I have ever seen.
When you look into the water, you can see straight to the rocks at the bottom because the water is so unbelievably clear. The water is safe to swim in, albeit very cold, and the tap water is also safe to drink.
2. Locals are friendly, and they speak perfect English.
Croatian locals are welcoming and always ready to help out tourists, and best of all, their English is impeccable. I had no issues with communication in the major towns, and not once did I have to ask anyone to translate.
3. Marco Polo was allegedly born on an island in Croatia.
In Korcula Town, you can visit Marco Polo’s alleged house of birth. We went into the house, which also serves as a museum, and hiked up to a tower with a great panoramic viewpoint.
4. Secluded islands are a short boat ride away from major towns.
One of my favorite day trips in Croatia was to the island of Badija, which is a 15-minute taxi boat ride away from Korcula Town. The island has no inhabitants and very few visitors. There is a paved trail that spans the entire length of the island, which only takes about an hour to walk. Avert your eyes if you get shy around the nude tanners scattered throughout the beaches.
5. Nothing beats Croatia’s homey, inexpensive Airbnbs
Airbnbs are everywhere, and they’re super cheap! My friend and I stayed at full apartments, all with private bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms, for less than $50 a night, which meant that we were paying about $20-$25 each. The apartments were close to the city centers, and we were able to walk to all the major attractions.
6. Don’t miss out on the forts with gorgeous views.
The best view in Dubrovnik can be experienced from the Ancient City Walls within the Old Town. It is quite the hike up, especially in the heat, and there is an admission fee. However, when you get to the top, the views are absolutely breathtaking. The walk around the length of the wall takes 1-2 hours, with some great photo opportunities along the way. Save your ticket for free admission to Fort Lovrijenac nearby.
7. Coffee shops with free Wi-Fi are a great retreat.
One of my favorite pastimes was to sit at one of the many coffee shops scattered throughout the Old Town in Dubrovnik to relax, read a book, answer emails, and go on social media websites. The coffee shops were a pleasant retreat from the sweltering mid-day heat, and they were typically quiet, with very few patrons. The Wi-Fi signal was strong, the baristas were friendly, and I never felt rushed or pressured to order additional food or drinks.
8. The Plitvice Lakes are a must-see.
A UNESCO heritage site frequented by tourists year round, Plitvice Lakes National Park is world famous for its 16 lakes spanning over an area of 0.77 square miles. On the paved paths throughout the park, you can see waterfalls and lakes, known for their distinctive colors, around every corner. We used a tour company called Split Excursions to plan a day trip from Split to Plitvice Lakes National Park. It was a 13-hour day, but totally worth the trip.
9. Croatia has a good bus system between cities.
The bus is the most utilized form of public transportation in Croatia. The main bus hubs are in Zagreb, Rijeka, Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik, and from those cities you can reach most other cities in Croatia. Buses are an affordable mode of transportation and have comfortable seating, comparable to a Greyhound here in the states. I traveled by bus from Dubrovnik to Split, and it was a pleasant journey with scenic views along the way.
10. Plus, you can easily take side trips to nearby countries.
We decided to take two day trips from Dubrovnik to the bordering countries of Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, booked through Viator. The drive to the bordering countries were only a couple of hours, and the border crossings were easy and effortless. My favorite stop was the small town of Perast on the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro, with buildings that looked to be straight out of a fairy tale.
askcami 