Its geography means there is abundant coastline and more than 1000 islands in the Adriatic, so there’s plenty of beaches to go around. If the sea isn’t your thing, then head inland to Plitvice Lakes or soak up some culture or history in one of the ancient cities.

For beaches/water activities

1. Hvar

Hvar’s one of our most popular destinations in the whole of Croatia. Our regional manager, Ana wrote this report on the best beaches in Hvar a few months ago.

2. Brač

From Hvar you can take a day trip by boat to the island of Brač where you will visit the town of Bol, the oldest settlement on the island. Take a walk along the shore to one of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia, Zlatni Rat, covered with tiny round white pebbles. Relax, swim and soak up the sun or visit the wine cellars, the Dominican monastery or have a delicious lunch in one of the many restaurants.

3. Vis and the Blue Cave

A short sail from Hvar you’ll find Vis, the most remote all the islands in the Adriatic, and on the other side of the island is the islet of Bisevo, where you will visit the Blue Cave, a truly unforgettable experience. After the cave, it’s on to Komiza, hometown of the reputed best fishermen in the Adriatic.

For history/culture

4. Dubrovnik

Hands down our top destination this year and set to be next year too. Polished marble streets, a labyrinth of alleyways and breathtaking architecture characterize the Old Town of Dubrovnik. In summer the city is buzzing with cultural options – concerts performed daily and throughout most of July and August the Dubrovnik Summer Festival keeps you entertained with music, theater and dance.

5. Split

Whilst much of Split is now an industrial port (and it’s for this reason that we suggest accommodation for our guests in picturesque Trogir nearby) there’s plenty of history to go round in this city that grew up around a 4th century palace built by the Roman Emperor Diocletian.

6. Trogir

Just a few minutes drive from Split Airport, this is often the first stop on a tour of Croatia. Trogir is a “city-museum” in every sense of the word. More than 2300 years in existence, the city provides lovers of cultural and historical monuments, art, original architecture and cozy alleyway streets an unforgettable setting. The old core of Trogir is an island surrounded by city walls which has been influenced by the Romans, Greeks and Venetians.

For active travelers

7. Plitvice

We offer Plitvice as a destination for overnight stays, or a day trip from from Trogir or from Zagreb, Plitvice is the first and most popular national park in all of Croatia and was described by famous guidebook writer Rick Steve’s as “Niagara Falls diced and sprinkled over a heavily forested Grand Canyon”. Enjoy a boat tour of the lakes, a tourist train or a walk. It was tough for us to pick a category for this one – it could go in the ‘outstanding natural beauty’ section too!

8. Krka

A whole day trip to Krka from Trogir takes you first to Šibenik and a visit to one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Croatia. Then it’s on to Krka National Park and the opportunity to enjoy the untouched nature, crystal clear water, waterfalls, creeks and small lake.

For breathtaking scenery/outstanding natural beauty

9. Rovinj & Istrian Peninsula

Istria is often called ‘Croatia’s Tuscany’ and Rovinj is its star attraction. Its also an idea base from which to explore the whole region. For nature lovers staying in Rovinj we offer whole day tours of Brijuni Island National Park or the Istrian countryside.

10. Korcula & Mljet

Marco Polo’s hometown is one of the best preserved medevial towns in all of the Mediterranean with red roofed houses, beautiful architecture and city walls surrounding its narrow streets. Known also for its marvelous nature, Korcula is one of the greenest islands in the Adriatic. The nearby island of Mljet is a paradise for those who enjoy untouched nature and absolute tranquility. We offer Korcula as an overnight destination or as a day trip for guests staying in Hvar or Dubrovnik.

Whatever you’re looking for from your 2012 vacation in Croatia, one of tailor-made tours of Croatia can piece it together for you.

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3. The Best Beaches in Croatia, Part 4: Trogir

Croatia has 7 entries on the World Heritage List and many more candidates on the tentative list of submissions. Many of these places are destinations you can stay in or visit on a vacation in Croatia with us.

Historic City of Trogir

Added to the WHL in 1997, Trogir is often referred to as a city-museum, the old centre of Trogiris an island surrounded by city walls influenced over the centuries by the Greeks, Romans and Venetians. We offer a wide range of accommodation options in and around Trogir

Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian

From Trogir we offer a 6 sightseeing tour of nearby Split, with transport, guides and entrance fees included so you can be sure you’re not missing out on seeing the most interesting parts of this 1979 addition to the WHL.

Old City of Dubrovnik

Another 1979 addition to the WHL, the old city of Dubrovnik is one of our most popular destinations. The pearl of the Adriatic, with stone-walled Old Town jutting out into the azure sea has a labyrinth of alleyways for you to wander in. You can stay in the old city itself, in a cosy hotel or apartment or outside the city at a luxurious villa. Dubrovnik is the ideal base to explore the surrounding area, with excursions to vineyards, and islands as well as day trips to Montenegro and Mostar.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

This final member of the class of 1979 is an area of breathtaking beauty. The highlights of the Park are the 16 lakes, all with unique and distinct colours ranging from azure, turquoise, green, blue and gray. We have a small selection of accommodation on the edges of Plitvice if you want to stay overnight and explore the 200 square miles of the National Park on your own (or we can arrange a local guide) or you can visit on a guided private day trip from Trogir or from Zagreb.

The candidate entrants

If you want to get ahead of the crowds, the candidate entrants are well worth a visit.

Veliki Tabor Castle

Submitted to the List in 2005, Veliki Tabor Castle is part of our whole day trip from Zagreb to Kumrovec and Veliki Tabor Castle. Kumrovec is the birthplace of the father of communist Yugoslavia, Josip Broz Tito and a visit to the restored village gives a taste of what an early 20th century Zagorje village looked like. From there the tour continues to 16th Century Baroque Veliki Tabor castle.

Lonjsko Polje Nature Park

Also submitted to the List in 2005, Lonjske Polje is another full day trip we offer from Zagreb. This Nature Park is where you’ll find Cigoc, a ‘European village of storks’ where the storks outnumber the human inhabitants of the village’s authentic wooden houses. On the tour you will take in the park’s forests pastures and meadows with a private guide, eat locally produced food and visit a crafts museum.

The historic town of Korčula

Marco Polo’s hometown was submitted in 2007 and as one of the best preserved medieval towns in all of the Mediterranean, we think it’s a shoo-in for full membership. Encircled by old city walls, the red-roofed houses and narrow streets are a postcard perfect. Korcula has been a very popular destination for us over the past couple of years and for accommodation we offer everything from hotels, apartments and villas, if you’re looking for somewhere to stay. We also offer day trips to Korcula from Hvar and Dubrovnik, if you’re staying there.

If this has given you the travel bug and a taste for the historical, cultural and natural sites of Croatia, get in touch and we’ll put together a personalized itinerary for you.

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Hvar’s best beaches aren’t actually on Hvar itself but instead scattered amongst the nearby Pakleni archipelago. To get there you have the choice of ferry, taxi boat or our recommdation is renting your own motor boat (from around $100 a day for a small 2 stroke engined boat), which gives you the freedom to explore the islands and see a bit more of them.

The most popular of the beaches on the Pakleni islands are:

Palmizana – located on Sv. Klement, the largest island in the archipelago, with a coastline that looks like it was designed by Slartibartfast himself. Here you’ll find a smorgasbord of sandy beaches and secluded coves here, perfect for your first go at skinny-dipping.

Sv. Jerolim is a well-known and long-established naturist haven. The coast of the island of Sveti Jerolim is quite rocky, with also nice small shingle beach. Shrub and pine groves come almost down to the shore, so if you choose your spot carefully you can get plenty of shade in the heat of the afternoon, with the sea just few steps away when you want to cool off. There is a good restaurant and showers.

On Marinkovac island there are a number of beaches, many of them naturist beaches. There are three popular coves, Stipanska is the first place the boats stop. A short walk trough the pines from the beach is a restaurant. Stipanska has a small shop, showers and a naturist section.

If your beach time is limited, you could do worse than stick around in Hvar Town and head for Amfora beach, the largest beach in town, in front of Hotel Amfora, just 5 minutes walk from the town center. There you can enjoy a meal in the restaurant on the beach or a snack and drink at the beach bar and wash the sand off with the showers. Make it an active day by renting a paddleboat or catamaran kayak or just relax on a sunbed.

By far the hottest spot in Hvar is Hula Hula Beach Club, a 5 minute walk from Amfora and 15 minutes from the town center, along the coast. The perfect choice for a full day’s relaxation by the sea with sunbed and parasol rentals, with your dining needs taken care of by the excellent Bubba Gump restaurant, one of our favourite restaurants in Hvar. When the sun’s over the yard arm (from 5pm), the famous after beach parties start. Enjoy a cocktail and watch the sunset.

Image credits: Sv Jerolim by PrettyKateMachine, Marinkovac Island by Dave Schumaker, Palmizana Island by googlisti, all via Creative Commons on Flickr. Hula Hula Beach Sunset courtesy of Hula Hula Beach Club’s Facebook Page

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Wherever you stay you are not far from the island’s beautiful beaches, but it’s not all about soaking up the sun, Hvar has plenty to see too:

THE FORTRESS

On a hill above the Old Town, this fortress was built in the 16th century and boasts amazing panoramic views

THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. STEPHAN

Situated on the main city square, the cathedral dates from the 16th century

THE FRANCISCAN MONASTERY

Built in the 15th century, the Franciscan Monastery is home to a large collection of paintings, manuscripts, old coins and incunabula

PROVVEDITORE PALACE

Gorgeous complex with the city’s clock tower, now the site of one of Hvar’s hotels

PALACE THEATER

Located inside the palace this is the oldest communal theatre in Europe

PAKLENI ISLANDS

Chain of 21 islands opposite the town, promising untouched nature. You can reach the islands by water taxi

And here’s the photo gallery to feast your eyes on:

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Bubba Gump

This is our choice of 8 restaurants in Hvar.

1.MARINERO,Majerovica 12

Situated in a quiet alley, Marinero serves up simple and fresh seafood dishes at good prices.

2.LUNA, Petra Hektorovica

With a great choice of seafood dishes as well as meat, Luna’s colorful decor and rooftop terrace will lift the spirits as well as satisfy your appetite.

3.ALVIZ, Dolac

Just outside Old Town, featuring some Dalmatian speciality dishes, like ‘meat under a bell’.

4.MACANDO, Groda

Always fresh fish and homemade wine

5.GARIFUL, Riva Promenade

The place to be seen, with an ideal location on the main promenade. Always fresh fish dishes as well as lamb cooking on the spit are specialities.

6.KOGO, Pjaca

Fresh,well prepared pizzas and pastas coupled with a great location in the main square

7.BUBBA GUMP, Majerovica

Great place for lunch and to spend the afternoon. Comfortable sun beds on the water with table service available to serve you food and drinks.

8.DIONIS, Pakleni Islands – Sveti Klement

Set in a stone house in a remote area, Dionis’ big draws are the fresh fish and homemade wines producted in the vineyards around the restaurant.

How about you? What are your favorite places to dine in Hvar? Let us know in the comments.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FjlaonuGiI

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