Include Croatia in your Balkan Tour

The Sponza Palace, the Rector Palace, the St. Savior Church are examples of old and imposing Renaissance buildings. The library of the Franciscan Monastery features a 15th century silver cross, and an 18th century crucifix.

The Archeological Museum with over 150,000 artifacts is worth a visit. Visit the City Museum to learn about Split’s heritage, culture, economy. The Maritime Museum will show marine equipment and weapons.

Outside St Mary’s Cathedral, you will see the amazing Holy Mary monument. The Museum of Illusions will leave indelible memories with the Kaleidoscope, the Vortex Tunnel, Holograms, and other fascinating sections.

The Plitvica river joins the lakes on the north via a waterfall. The river and the lakes reach to the lowest lake, where the point of origination of the Korana river is. Lots of Orchids grow here. Brown bears and wolves breed in the park.

Roman landmarks are preserved to tell stories of glorious times, like the Roman Forum founded by Augustus, and the aqueduct. Churches merit special attention. The Church of St. Donatus dates from the 9th century. Another gem is St. Anastasia’s Cathedral; its construction is dated to the 12th-13th centuries. The Sea Organ plays via sea waves; its tubes are under a set of marble steps.

Hvar is a historical town on the south coast. The scenic bay is the port for boats and yachts. The town itself is a protected area of cultural heritage.

The Amphitheatre hosts summer film festivals. One of the city gates, Porta Gemina, still stands near the remains of the city walls. The first century built Gate of Hercules features Hercules’s head.

The Pula streets are narrow, paved with ancient Roman stones.

According to a stone inscription (which is the oldest inscription in Croatia), a colony was founded by Greeks there in the 3rd century BC. Then, in Roman times, Korčula was included in the Dalmatia province. Stone masonry thrived in the area, with its peak during the Venetian Republic.

The Pelješac strait is the separating area between Korčula and the Pelješac peninsula.

Easily reached from Dubrovnik, Cavtat as in the center of Konavle municipality. That is one of the country’s richest counties, lying between the mountain Sniježnica and the Adriatic Sea. The mountain peak rises to 1234 meters.

Cavtat, the principal town that lies by the coast. Founded by ancient Greeks, which is why its name means “old town”, destroyed by Avars, later Cavtat was rebuilt. There is a mausoleum of the local Račić family in the Cavtat cemetery.

Being a national park since 1985, Krka bears the name of the river whose course it lies by. The park was established to protect the river itself. Krka Waterfalls are the spot to visit, with the highest density of lavender per square km in Europe.

The hiking trails are convenient for exploring the park.

Rijeka is the main port of Croatia. Founded by Celts, it was later part of the Dalmatia Roman province. When Croats settled in the 7th century, they gave it the name Rika svetoga Vida, meaning “St Vit’s River”. Thus the name Rijeka was born.

Since 1982 the Rijeka Carnival has been the main event.

The climate makes it easy to grow grapes and offer unique wines tourists can sample on a wine tour. Wine tasting tours, competitions in grape harvesting, and accompanying meals complement the charm of the country.

Dalmatia is one of the areas for wine tasting. On Hvar island, wine tasting along with sampling fish and seafood is a must do. On Pelješac peninsula, near Dubrovnik, red wines are the best, delicious in tranquil settings and accompanied by great food. The most famous wine regions are Dingač and Postup. The most renowned wine on the is Plavac Mali. For wines you can also visit Slavonia, area in the east known for its great wineries.

Acquaint yourself with the charming Dalmatian coast by  doing Island hopping by ferry. Start with the UNESCO listed old town of Dubrovnik, and continue to Korčula and Hvar. On Hvar, 2 hours away from Korčula by ferry, you will admire the Franciscan monastery. Finish the tour at Split, where the UNESCO listed Diocletian Palace is a must see.

The 250 miles of coast are dotted by over 1,000 islands, so visit them on board a yacht and delight in their untouched nature.

Many of them have welcoming bays and meet visitors since the Napoleonic Wars.