| Croatia is situated on the Adriatic Sea, opposite Italy, | | | | wine and other fruits. However the main export is |
| in the Northern Mediterranean. With a history going | | | | the famous Brac stone from which many buildings in |
| back over a thousand years, it first appeared on the | | | | the world have been constructed, including the home |
| political map of Europe in 1992, following the break up | | | | to the presidents of the United States of America, |
| of Yugoslavia after a bloody civil war. | | | | The White House in Washington DC Bol is said to |
| Weather - The climate is typical of the Mediterranean | | | | have the most beautiful beach in the Adriatic. Other |
| and provides for pleasant holidays throughout the | | | | resorts include the Golden Horn (Zlatni Rat), Milna, |
| year. The best season for sailing in Croatia is early | | | | Sumartin, Supetar and Sutivan. |
| summer with good winds in May and June mainly | | | | Hvar is the fourth largest island in the Adriatic and is |
| from the S/SE. Mornings tend to be calm with the | | | | even sunnier than Brac. There is however enough rain |
| wind increasing later in the afternoon to around 15 - | | | | to keep the island green and to maintain the beautiful |
| 20 knots. The months of July and August see calmer | | | | fields of lavender, marjoram, rosemary, sage and |
| conditions which is OK for those who don't mind | | | | thyme together with the vineyards. In the spring |
| motoring. Summer temperatures average between | | | | Hvar smells like a herbalist shop. The lavender oil is |
| 26 to 30°C and the sea temperature in summer | | | | the island's major export. The main resorts are Hvar |
| is about 25ºC. | | | | Town, Jelsa, Stari Grad, Sucuraj and Vrboska. Hvar |
| Sailing Area - Starting in the north | | | | boasts the country's oldest public theatre dating from |
| The Brioni Islands - Formally the summer residence of | | | | 1612. |
| President Tito, these islands were closed to the | | | | Vis - At 24 miles from the mainland this is the most |
| general public. Today they are open but the facilities | | | | westerly of the larger Croatian islands. Vis is the |
| are a bit rundown, as little money was spent on their | | | | oldest established town in Dalmatia founded in 397 |
| upkeep following the death of the President. The | | | | BC. The island was major base for British troops |
| group of islands consists of 2 larger ones and 12 | | | | during World War II. After 1945 it was closed to the |
| smaller ones. They were given National Park status in | | | | public the Yugoslav military and reopened in 1990. |
| 1983. The largest island is Veli Brijun, just is 2km from | | | | Some of Croatia's finest wines are produced there, |
| the coast. It is very green being covered with | | | | such as Plavac and Vugava. The two main towns are |
| vegetation. | | | | Vis Town and Komiza. Vis is especially peaceful and |
| Cres & Losinj islands - Covering nearly 400 | | | | relaxing. |
| square km, Cres is the second largest island in the | | | | Bisevo is home to the famous Blue Caves and this is |
| Adriatic. It is grouped with Losinj and another 28 | | | | the perfect snorkelling spot |
| smaller islands. The harbour of Mali Losinj is said to be | | | | Korcula is known for its dense forest. Marco Polo, the |
| the most beautiful in the entire Adriatic. Cikat bay, | | | | famous adventurer, was born on Korcula, and his |
| which is well known for its beach and good | | | | house still there. Korcula known as "Little Dubrovnik", |
| windsurfing, is the tourist centre. While the town of | | | | Vela Luka and Lumbarda are the main resorts. |
| Veli Losinj is much quieter. Cres Town is also popular | | | | On the mainland, Ston, is one of the most beautiful |
| and is reminiscent of an Italian village due to the fact | | | | fortified towns you are ever likely to see. It is |
| that for several centuries it was ruled by Venice. The | | | | famous for its many cultural monuments and |
| island of Susak is well worth a visit. The population | | | | impressive defensive walls. The local restaurants |
| speak their own dialect, which is not easily | | | | serve delicious dishes of oyster and other fresh |
| understood by other Croats. And the women often | | | | seafood. Spend the afternoon on it's sandy beach |
| dress in a colourful costume, a short, multicoloured | | | | lined with olive trees. |
| dress, red leggings and a white blouse. | | | | Mljet is 23 miles west of Dubrovnik and is the |
| Krk is the largest island in the Adriatic, covering | | | | southern most of the larger islands. The western half |
| 405.78 square km, and is also one of the most | | | | of the island is a National Park and over two-thirds of |
| populous islands.. It is very busy with tourists being | | | | the island is forested with. According to legend, |
| by bridge to the mainland. It is not the most beautiful | | | | Odysseus fell in love with the island and stayed there |
| or the greenest of the islands. The main towns are | | | | for seven years. You will find numerous good |
| Baska, Krk town itself, Malinska, Omisalj, Punat and | | | | anchorages and sandy beaches on the southern |
| Vrbnik. Krk Town is famous for the Cathedral of St. | | | | coast, the best of which is Saplunara |
| Mary. | | | | The Elafit islands - Kolocep, Lopud and Sipan - In |
| Rab island is one of the greenest islands in the | | | | ancient times these islands were home to a large |
| Adriatic and probably one of the most magical. It is | | | | deer population and take their name from the Greek |
| has beautiful sandy beaches and is covered with pine | | | | word elafos, meaning deer. There are in fact six |
| forests. Rab Town, the main resort, is full of | | | | islands in the group and it is reputed the most skilful |
| medieval buildings, built under Venetian rule in the 13th | | | | mariners came from here. Once again the islands are |
| century. The old town walls are still visible in some | | | | very beautiful and are a must visit. Lopud is little |
| places. | | | | more than two hills which are connected by a |
| Pag is the second longest island in the Adriatic. It has | | | | beautiful valley. Follow the footpath through to the |
| little in the way of vegetation due to strong wind of | | | | bay called Sunj, a round white sand beach perfect |
| Bora. In spite of this Pag has a lot of charm. It is well | | | | for a swim. |
| known for its lace making and the Pag Town is | | | | Dubrovnik is an immaculately preserved 13th century |
| beautifully preserved. | | | | fortified city. Ancient walls surround the old town |
| Primosten, on the coast, is one of the most popular | | | | enclosing a fascinating mix of Renaissance, Gothic and |
| resorts on the Adriatic coast and boasts the best of | | | | Baroque architecture. Tall ramparts and towering |
| Croatia from yesterday, stroll the narrow, cobbled | | | | spires rise dramatically from splendid squares packed |
| streets of the old town centre set on a small, hilly | | | | with colourful bars, markets and restaurants. The |
| peninsula and today, the Hacienda all night disco is | | | | whole city is a UNESCO world heritage site. |
| just a 10 minute taxi away. | | | | Food and Wine - Croatian cooking is typically |
| The Kornati islands - 140 islands make up this | | | | Mediterranean with fish, shellfish, fresh vegetables |
| archipelago and it covers an area 300 square km. The | | | | and olive oil taking centre stage. Varieties of fish |
| majority of the area is a National Park, designated so | | | | include dog's tooth, gilthead, grouper, mackerel, |
| because of it's numerous coves and crystal clear blue | | | | sardines and sea bass. You will find cuttlefish, octopus |
| waters. It was described by astronauts as having the | | | | and squid, lobsters, mussels, oysters and shrimps. |
| bluest water on earth seen from space .It is truly | | | | These are presented grilled or in stews and risottos. |
| beautiful. George Bernard Shaw said of the island | | | | The local smoked ham is very good. Lamb is also |
| group "On the last day of Creation God desired to | | | | highly regarded, especially baked on an open fire. |
| crown His work, and thus created the Kornati islands | | | | There are some interesting local dishes, some found |
| out of tears, stars and breath." Most of the area | | | | on individual islands, to be sought out or avoided. |
| belongs to the people of Murter island who come to | | | | Take Vitalec as an example - lamb's offal wrapped in |
| look after the olive groves, vineyards and orchards. | | | | lamb gut and spike-roasted, not everbodys idea of |
| They in stay cottages during the agricultural season | | | | culinary heaven. Regions with a plentiful supply of |
| but there is no permanent population. Hramina is a | | | | fresh water, the Neretva valley, Trilj and the Cetina |
| private marina on Murter Island with good facilities | | | | basin, are well for their frog, eel and river crab dishes. |
| including a choice of restaurants. | | | | Pag and Dubrovnik produce high quality sheep's |
| Dugi Otok is home to the large, beautiful bay at | | | | cheese. Pag's is known as Paski-Sir, a hard, |
| Telescica. The small fishing town of Sali here is | | | | distinctively flavoured cheese. The unique flavour |
| famous for summer events celebrating local folklore | | | | comes from the method of rubbing the cheese with |
| with a fun donkey race and a procession of | | | | olive oil and ash before leaving it to mature; in |
| illuminated boats. Brbinj higher up on Dugi Otok is a | | | | addition, the sheep eat a diet that includes many wild |
| quiet, sheltered stop surrounded by pine woods and | | | | herbs such as sage. Dalmatian desserts are good too. |
| olive groves. | | | | The most usual ingredients include almonds, eggs, |
| The city of Split is a UNESCO world heritage site | | | | honey, local fruit, dried figs and raisins. Try Orehnjaca, |
| famous for the Palace of the Emperor Diocletian. | | | | a sweet bread with walnuts or poppy seeds. |
| Visit Skradin on the mainland and venture up-river to | | | | Palacinke are pancakes usually served with jam or |
| the famous waterfalls at Krka. | | | | chocolate. Dalmatian wines have been regarded highly |
| Brac is the largest island in Central Dalmatia and the | | | | since ancient times. Famous wines include Babic from |
| third largest in the Adriatic. It is also one of the | | | | Primosten, Dingac and Postup from the Peljesac |
| sunniest with 2,700 hours per year. Brac is renowned | | | | Peninsula and Plancic from the island of Hvar. |
| for its agricultural products, figs, olive oil, nectarines, | | | | |