Land your feet on Croatia, one of the quickly growing tourist attractions in the world
Have you wondered why there are increasing numbers of mega yachts to be found in Croatia. People are rapidly finding out about the abundant natural, sustainable and unspoiled beauty, rich cultural history and surprisingly affordable luxury offered by this gem set along the Adriatic.
Umag
This is the largest summer resort, with Sol Polynesia, Sol Stella Maris and Punta offering all kinds of activity holidays, including windsurfing, sailing, water skiing, spear-fishing, diving, boccia, horse-riding, volleyball and handball. Many professional tennis players like Goran Ivanisevic and Felix Mantilla are devoted to the region and can be seen on local tennis courts, perhaps in training for the prized Croatia Open. Superb choices of accommodation are to be found here. Umag can trace its rich history through Renaissance, Baroque, Roman, Genoese and Croat ages.
Dubrovnik
The medieval town Dubrovnik is the pearl of South Dalmatia, listed as a UNESCO world heritage centre. Roman Emperor Diocletian's Palace in medieval Split is one of the world's most significant architectural forms from Byzantine, early Christian and early medieval ages, with preserved original parts. The Chestnut Festival and Asparagus Festival in nearby Lovran are gastronomic delights.
Porec
This is another exquisite Istrian town, where the sheer warmth of the locals as well as the charming cobbled streets of Cardo Maximus and Decumanus will enchant you. The Byzantine Basilica Euphrasiana, dating to c.553 with its brilliant mosaics, listed as one of the world's cultural heritage sites, honouring responsible travel, keeps elite tourists returning all year round.
Vrsar
Nestled on the hilly coast between Limski Kanal Fjord and Porec, many tourists enjoy activity holidays climbing Ucka, Istria's highest mountain. Red soil covers the limestone in this hilly region. The islet of Koversada is among the most regarded European nudist centres. Beautiful Renaissance, baroque and medieval historical monuments abound.
Rovinj
Protection of the environment is held in the highest regard by responsible travellers and here, the whole coastline is preserved for natural heritage. The beautiful varieties of plant life found in the 'flower-garden' of the Red Island, the green paradise, the crystalline blue Adriatic, pure air and unique scenery have been revered by many writers including Jules Verne. His adventure book, Mathias Sandorf is partly set in this region. A Roman wrote two centuries ago, "In Istria, the Roman patricians feel like gods..." . Solta is a beautiful island now increasingly surrounded with mega yachts, attracted by the sheer beauty and perfect climate of the region. Zadar can date its origins from antiquity, with incredibly preserved sites from Roman and earlier periods. The Film Festival in Motovun and excellent musical programme of the Terraneo Festival in Šibenik and the hilltop town of Kastav with its rich cultural programme including plays, dramas, music and art events with international and local artists delight tourists and locals alike. It is easy to see why the knowledgeable few are rapidly increasing; Croatia is a hot destination. So savour an aperitif of Maraschino desert liqueur made from unique Maraska cherries, the singular Pag cheese from the small sheep grazing on the aromatic Mediterranean plants all savoured with the multiple-awarded wines of the region in the blissfully beautiful settings which only Croatia offers.
About the author
Born in London and raised in Italy, Spain and New York, Simon Pearce caught the travel bug at a young age. He writes regularly on the subject of travel in Croatia and surrounding regions for a range of holiday websites and blogs. Simon firmly upholds and researches responsible travel and eco-tourism.