Croatia

Walled Cities and Living History

Croatia wears its history openly, and nowhere more strikingly than in its old cities. Dubrovnik's limestone walls encircle a baroque townscape that has survived centuries of siege and earthquake alike. Split is built around a Roman emperor's retirement palace, its ancient corridors now humming with cafes and street musicians. Trogir, Šibenik and Korčula each offer their own layers of Venetian, Byzantine and Illyrian heritage, compact enough to explore on foot and rewarding enough to fill several days.

National Parks and Waterfalls You Will Not Forget

Inland Croatia holds natural theatre on a grand scale. Plitvice Lakes National Park strings together sixteen terraced lakes connected by cascading waterfalls in shades that shift from emerald to cobalt depending on the season and the angle of the sun. Krka National Park offers a similar spectacle, with the added possibility of swimming at the base of Skradinski Buk. The Velebit mountain range and Paklenica canyon provide serious terrain for hikers, while the Lonjsko Polje wetlands shelter white storks and free-roaming horses in a landscape that feels entirely removed from the coast.

Food, Wine and a Table by the Sea

Croatian food is a study in honest ingredients handled with care. The Dalmatian coast specialises in seafood grilled simply over embers, paired with local olive oil and wines from sun-scorched Pelješac or the gravelly soils of Hvar. Istria brings black truffles, prosciutto and a cuisine shaped by its Italian neighbours, while Zagreb and the continental interior serve up heartier plates of roast meats, freshwater fish and štruklji pastries. Sitting down at a konoba, the traditional Croatian tavern, remains one of the most uncomplicated pleasures the country offers.