Croatia; the hidden gem in the Mediterranean

Looking to take a holiday to a destination with crystal clear, balmy waters, beautiful beaches, and plenty of great things to do? Then head to the south Central Europe. But don’t head to Greece or Italy, go to Croatia! Many people have not heard of Croatia, or are not sure where it is. After all, it has just been within the last five to ten years that Croatia has been discovered by the world as a fabulous tourist destination.

Only after celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Steven Spielberg, Jazy-Z and Beyonce, John Malkovich and José Carreras begun taking vacations to the country did people begin to hear about this gorgeous Mediterranean country. Some of the most gorgeous beaches in the world are in Croatia, and the Adriatic Sea is one of the cleanest seas in the Mediterranean. National Geographic Adventure named Croatia a top world destination in 2006, and the country also recently made the Forbes list of favorite celebrity destinations. Finally, Marie Claire magazine listed Banje beach in Dubrovnik, Croatia as the third most beautiful beach in the world.

The water of the Adriatic Sea is always balmy and warm, making conditions excellent for activities such as sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, or just lying out on the beach. Additionally, Croatia also has a rich culture, great cuisine, and in many cities you can also find a fast paced night life. But one of the most amazing parts about Croatia is that most people still don’t know about it. Unlike most other Mediterranean destinations, the coastlines in Croatia remain comparatively serene and underdeveloped. Can you imagine traveling to a gorgeous, pristine beach and not having there be a thousand other people there? And since most people don’t know about Croatia, vacationing there is also incredibly affordable.

When you go to Croatia, you might want to head to the Dalmatian coast, where there are over 1,000 off-shore islands surrounded by crystalline waters. Some of these islands are absolutely incredible to visit.

Croatia historical heritage is quite unknown. For instance,Trogir city has stunning medieval buildings and countless well maintained parks. Historic City of Trogir is on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

If it is a great nightlife and plenty of activities that you are looking for, then head to the city of Split, where there are also plenty of clubs, bars and shopping, as well as some terrific restaurants. Also notable in the city of Split is the summer palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian.

Finally, the city of Hvar is a fabulous destination. Built centuries ago by the Venetians, the city is stunning with crystal blue waters, terracotta-roofed houses, and pine covered mountains in the backdrop. The city has quaint churches and incredible architecture, as well as delicious, cafes and seafood restaurants, chic boutiques, and even a 16th-century, Venetian-built fortress.

Or, head to the northern coastal regions of Istria or Kvarner. Head to Medulin, a popular city where large competitions of some of Europe's top sportsmen takes place. Or visit Rovinj, the most photographed city in the Mediterranean. In the province of Kvarner, the city of Novigrad is known as having the cleanest seas, and the city of Rabac os known as ‘the pearl of Kvarner.’ Farther inland, the Plitvice Lakes area is the best known national park in Croatia, and the park is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Finally, the islands of Kvarner Bay boast crystaline waters as well as countless great activities.

Find accommodation Croatia here on seeyouincroatia.com. If you want to get the best deal on a vacation to Croatia, then plan a trip in June or September, when the weather is great but there are less tourists. Be sure and make your next vacation one in Croatia!

(Article author Melinda Johnson)

Best Way to Get to Croatia

An excellent option for anyone looking to visit a different area of the world is Croatia.  Croatia is a small country located in Central Eastern Europe which provides many options of entertainment, adventure, as well as cultural enhancement.  Croatia is bordered by Slovenia, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Monte Negro and has a long sea border with Italy in the Adriatic Sea.

The best way to travel to Croatia is into its capital city, Zagreb, which is also the countries largest city.  Zagreb’s airport accepts many inbound flights from a variety of European countries and other major cities located internationally.

While traveling to Croatia from Australia can be quite expensive, there are ways to save a significant amount of money on travel expenses.  Cheap flights can be found online through online travel brokers, such as Expedia, which can be accessed via http:www.expedia.com/au.  Expedia allows you to view all available flights to and from Croatia, which helps you select the cheapest flight option.

Expedia also allows you to create a vacation package combination to include a hotel in Zagreb, a rental car, and even guided tours.  By booking all of these services through Expedia, you can save up to 50% off of your travel expenses.  To save even more money, you can choose to have flexible travel dates, which allows Expedia to find even cheaper travel options.

Overall, Expedia is an excellent option when looking for either cheap flights or when you are looking for an overall discounted travel package.  Once your trip has been booked, Expedia will send you a confirmation email containing all of the details of your trip.  As your trip date comes closer, Expedia will also send reminder emails and any necessary instructions needed to ensure your travel experience goes smoothly.

Expedia has excellent customer service which is available to answer any questions you may have regarding your trip or how to use their website.