Split(ting) time
Our trip started in Split, an ancient fort city that overlooks a wonderful clear beach. The narrow, cobbled roads are interspersed with markets selling Croatian sausages, clothes and fruit where you can test your bargaining skills against the street traders. In the middle of Split there is a large church - he Cathedral of Saint Domnius - which you can climb for a small fee of 10 Kunar (the national currency), for an impressive view of the town. The town is also situated right on a sandy beach, meaning once you are done soaking up all the culture around, you can then proceed to soak up the sun and have a dip in the blue waters. There is a wide range of accommodation available in Split. We chose to rough it out in the Old Town Hostel (hostelworld.com) because it is centrally located, economical (` 800 upwards, approximately, per night) and the courteous, helpful staff. The nightlife in Split is spectacular, so don’t expect to be in bed by 11. Bacvice night club (croparadise. com) may seem like a typical cheesy-house nightclub but the friendliness of the people makes for a great night. We were made to feel right at home and soon we were introduced to their alcohol of choice - a mixture of cola and wine. As the old saying goes, when in Rome do as the Romans do!
Island tripping
From Split,we took a short 45-minute ferry ride to Hvar. The island is small and is overlooked by many tourists because of its seeming remoteness from the rest of the country. In fact, that is perhaps one of its strongest plus points. When you land at the port you see a stunning white city that towers over gently sloping hills. Aesthetically, it doesn’t get better than this. Hvar hosts all the amenities that you would expect at more popular tourist destinations. We stayed in Jakic Apartments (`4,165 per night, booking. com) in Ivana Buzolica Road. It may be a bit outside the main part of Hvar Town, but the ocean views make it worth the walk.
Capital tour
Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia and the country’s link to the European Rail Network was next. The city is considered a mustvisit for history buffs as there are several monuments including a one in celebration of the patron St George killing the Dragon and The Well of Life that act as tenets to Croatia’s rich past. For a small fee, you can visit museums such as the Archaeological Museum and the History Museum, allowing you to learn about the influences behind modern Croatia. There are also several city tours you could opt for, if you prefer guided tours. And if history is not your cup of tea, there are plenty of nature parks, lakes and zoos, making Zagreb an ideal place for families.
Details: zagreb-touristinfo.hr
Things to do
Another to-do thing, could be to hire a boat and explore the coastline. From the coast of Split, we chose to take a boat out to scout the surrounding environment. The experience was completely unique and was my favourite part of the holiday. There are several small islands that are clustered around Split that we were able to visit and many of them are dotted with restaurants - perfect for relaxing with a drink. The water is crystal clear and the perfect temperature for swimming. We recommend you rent a boat with a cover as it can get very hot and you could get badly sun burned. If you’re feeling indulgent, luxury boats can be rented in advance.
Details: rent-a-boat-split.com
After hours
Along with several bars and nightclubs, Croatia has become a hotspot for dance music festivals such as Hideout (hideoutfestival.com), Outlook (outlookfestival.com) and Dimensions (dimensionsfestival. com) to name a few. With DJs such as Annie Mac, Sven Vath and Ricardo Vilaboos headlining the gigs, the Croatian party scene is only going to get bigger. So head there before others do.