Croatia Hotels

Croatia has an odd shape on the map. It is on the other side of Adriatic Sea opposite to Italy. The country covers "a thin" coastline from its northern neighbor Slovenia to further south, Montenegro. There is also an inland part that goes around Bosnia and reaches Hungary. On the map, it looks like Croatia covers "around" all western and northern Bosnia. The coastline is open to sea effect and a nice Mediterranean climate with warm, usually dry summers and mild winters. The inlands, where it gets a bit cold especially in the northern regions, are of a more continental climate; that is to say snow is not uncommon. The main history of this land is pretty similar to any other in the Balkan region, starting with Greek periods, then on to the Romans, Byzantines and after that period, an alliance with the Hungarian Empire. Turkish effect was not felt much here in the later periods. Venice and a brief Austria-Hungarian period followed. Yugoslavia was formed in 1963, along with neighboring nations, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia. All of these periods left their significant mark on the peaceful towns of Croatia. Every town, has a "historical town center" where you can observe typical architectural qualities of respective periods. There are no huge crowds to be found here. That, I think, is the strongest point of this country as a tourist's destination. The beauty of the coast, especially Dubrovnik -a very popular stop for Mediterranean cruiser ships- is widely acknowledged. Along the sunny coasts, there are around 1200 small to tiny islands only a very small number of which are populated. It is claimed that some of these islands have been sold to celebrities -those from Hollywood of course. That wouldn't be surprising at all! This place is like a paradise with Balkan lush green and amazing beaches stretching for miles and miles together, forming some of the most spectacular scenery. The fresh breezes carry cool mountain air with highest levels of oxygen from those famous pine trees to you. These mountains meet the sea at the endless cliffs and reefs. Streams, waterfalls, gorges will be fascinating rest stops for hikers and campers. The opportunities for a peaceful and quiet vacation are very tempting. Nature is very well preserved in Croatia. In fact, this country is where some of the first natura-tourism spots appeared. Another rather amusing alternative to do in Croatia is "rent a lighthouse" spots. I say that would make a great "role playing". At present, Croatia is a popular destination for many European citizens -especially German and Italian tourists. This is partly because EU, USA and Australian citizens do not need a visa. The culture of Croatia shows effects of Italian and Balkan as well as Slavic traditions. The traditional clothing is very colorful. The "Cravat" or as we know it, the "necktie" originated from here. Some claim the spotted "Dalmatian" dogs are originated from here too. Some unique drinks are to come by, such as "rakija" which is basically a fruit liquor and "maraschino" which was favored by Euro-nobility around 19th century. Another exclusive flavor here, is the famous "Vegeta". It is basically a mixture of different spices, vegetables and herbs and is used on almost every dish. If you are looking for a quieter holiday around the Mediterranean, Croatia is a very good option. You won't get bored here, that's for sure