Croatia

Croatia is that lovely stretch of land at the foothill end of the Alps and bordered by sea by the Adriatic. By land, Croatia's neighbours are Hungary, Slovenia, Serbia and Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Most recently a section of former Yugoslavia, Croatia is a new nation, but its people have a long and tumultuous history. Travelling to Croatia these days means finding an enthusiastic culture full of national pride and a landscape that is stunning and full of wonder.

Dubrovnik view

From mountain climbing to island hopping, visitors to Croatia have a wealth of choices when it comes to experiencing the country. Croatia has a vast expanse of national parks in order to protect the natural beauty of its landscape. Some of these tracks include islands and lake districts. Lonjsko Nature Park contains the Posavac horse, a protected breed unique to Croatia.

The area of present Croatia has an ancient past that dates back to the Stone Age. Neanderthal bones were discovered in Krapina Cave that stretch back some 100,000 years. As early as 580 B.C. the ancient Greeks installed colonies along the Dalmatian coast, but further inland the Celts were the most powerful tribe in the area. Eventually the area came under Roman control and still later, Slavic tribes gained a foothold in 600 A.D. The exact origins of Croatian peoples is widely disputed, but many historians believe that are descended from Slavic tribes moving down from Poland and mingling with a Slavic tribe in the area of today's Czech Republic.

 Capital: Zagreb
Languages: Croatian
Time: GMT +1 hr
Currency: kuna (HRK)

In any case, today's Croatians are proud of their new nation that is not quite fifteen years old and eager to share the beauty of their environment with visitors from around the globe. Travellers will certainly want to pay a visit to some of the national parks - there are many renowned resorts for pleasant stays in these areas. The Dalmatian coast sees, as do the coastal cities of Split and Dubrovnik, a walled city with medieval roots. Zagreb, the capital has many attractions as well.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

When forming a travel itinerary, be sure to include the following: Plitvice Lakes, Krk Island, Emperor Diocletian's Palace (Split), Velebit Alps, Risnjak National Park, the Maritime Museum (Split), Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments (Split), Prince's Palace (Dubrovnik), National Assembly Building (Zagreb), Rijeka Harbour, St. Stephen's Cathedral (Split), Croatian National Theatre (Zagreb) and Old Town Alley (Split). Of course, Croatia's entire Adriatic coast and its islands are tastes of paradise. The clear blue water boasts an ancient appeal that draws visitors from all walks of life. It is a nation of great inspiration and beauty.