Overview

Croatia is a country in southeastern Europe that is surrounded by the Danube, the Alps, the Dinara mountain range and the Adriatic Sea. It is home to over four million people with the majority of them being Croats and the ethnic minorities in the country generally made up of Serbs, Hungarians, Slovenes, Bosnians, Czechs, and Italians. Zagreb is the capital as well as the cultural center of Croatia.

Sitting between western and eastern civilizations, Croatia has been influenced by a variety of movements and styles. Within Croatia, you can find Greco-Roman, Medieval and Renaissance art and monuments, as well as Baroque and art from other periods. This small country has a large number of UNESCO protected historic landmark sites.

Activities & Attractions

The capital of Croatia, Zagreb, is home to dozens of cinemas, theaters, museums, galleries concert halls, and other cultural sights, and events. Some of the well-known artistic sights include the stained glass windows of St. Francis and the Archbishops Cathedral, and the palace in Zagreb. Also the interior of the Croatian National Theater is a beautiful architectural marvel.

Some museum sights you'll want to see in Croatia include the display of three Ptolemeian era mummies in the Archaeological Museum, and the wood carving in the Mimara Museum, called the Archangel Gabriel and the Angels. Documents, stone carvings and even clothing from historic periods are all featured in a variety of cathedrals and museums throughout Croatia.

Lodging

Hotels in Croatia run the gamut through all price options from basic rooms to beachside resorts, with the larger hotels starting at about EUR 85 and up. Many smaller and family-run hotels are available in the area. Some are cheaper and some are more expensive depending on the amenities offered. You can also stay privately in a rented home or villa, or even a lighthouse. For those who would wish to cherish the outdoor vacation, you can even camp in Croatia. When camping in Croatia you must make sure you are within a designed camping area or that your RV or camper is parked in a proper camping park. To camp or park your RV outside these designated areas is illegal in Croatia.

Croatia also offers many specialty camps, including several nudist camps for the die-hard naturalists. Nude beaches are common in the region as are entire camps and resorts that cater to the nudist.

Transportation

The Zagreb airport offers flights to dozens of major cities across Europe, and the city. You can find dozens of rental cars, taxis, and buses at the airport, as well as at your hotel. The railway network in Croatia connects all major cities except Dubrovnik. There are also ferries and catamarans in Croatia which provide regular connections between the main ports and the offshore islands.