Croatia enjoys tourism renaissance
Jul 23, 2005, 12:58
Before 1991, Croatia, at the time part of Yugoslavia, was one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations. As many as ten million holidaymakers a year were jetting to the Adriatic coastline to take advantage of the great weather, cheap cost of living and wonderful beaches.
However, the break up of Yugoslavia and the onset of war unsurprisingly put a serious dent in the tourism industry. However, the damage was not permanent. Slowly but surely, Croatia has started welcoming back more and more tourists, and now Croatia is widely regarded as one of the best places to go for the summer holidays.
Dubrovnik, on the Adriatic coast to the south of the country, is one of the more popular places to visit. It is a fascinating city that offers a perfect combination of history and relaxation. Large parts were heavily bombed during the conflict, but great diligence was afforded to the restoration process.
As a result, the Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque architecture means Dubrovnik boasts some beautiful squares, cobbled streets, fountains, palaces and churches, all with a serene charm.
The city walls are a medieval masterpiece, an impressive sight dating as far back as the 13th century and still standing proudly today. There are 16 towers along the walls, and a walk along the wall offers breathtaking views.
All along the coastline are wonderful bays and islands out at sea. You can take a ferry from the southern port of the city and visit various islands, of which some are now nature reserves and offer charming pockets of tranquillity.
The sea provides the adventurous with superb diving spots, the most fascinating of which is the shipwreck of a merchant ship that was sunk in 1943. Engines and tractors are strewn across the seabed and the ship is quite literally split down the middle, an incredible wreckage.
Dubrovnik also offers many superb restaurants lining the bay where you can sample Dalmatian cuisine, with romantic views as the sun sets over the sea. The local food has a mixture of influences, from Mediterranean flavours to traditional Balkan dishes.
The islands of Croatia are simply stunning, and there are hundreds and hundreds to choose from. Some that are worth visiting are the Brijuni islands, which were only opened up to the public a few years ago. Before that, they were the summer residence of President Tito and top officials of the former Yugoslavia. Film stars including Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and Sophia Loren were all invited as guests at one time or another.
There are some excellent hotels in Croatia. Some to consider are the hotel Eden in Rovinj, or the hotel Fortuna in Porec.
To the north of Croatia can be found Kvarner Bay. Numerous islands are a ferry-ride away, such as Krk and Rab. Nature lovers will enjoy visiting Cres, with Vransko Lake, while Losinj has pine woods and beautiful beaches.
Zagreb is the capital of Croatia, and offers something away from the beautiful beaches and islands under the hot Mediterranean sun. It is the focus of the country's arts and culture with festivals of art and music being staged throughout the year. It is also sometimes referred to as the city of museums - it is believed that there are more museums per square foot than any other city in the world.
The city consists of three main areas. There is the upper town, called the Gornji grad, which is over a thousand years old. Here is where the Presidential Palace can be found, as well as the historic church of St. Mark's, the Croatian parliament, and museums and galleries situated along cobbled streets.
Then there is the lower town, known as Dolnji grad, less historic, but perfect for shopping, eating out or taking a stroll in a park. It is also worth stopping off at one of the historic coffee shops to sample the unique pepper biscuits and the local strong brew. The other main area is the Novi Zagreb, which is the newest part of Zagreb, constructed after World War II, a more residential area that offers less to prospective tourists.
For the best views across the city, visit the Lotrscak Tower, offering the chance to see the surrounding mountains and hills on the horizon. The firing of a cannon takes place daily at midday, so visitors are warned to check the time to avoid being caught unawares.
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