Croatia

Croatia's Dalmatian Coast mixes a sunny climate with historic cities and one of the most breathtaking stretches of scenic shoreline in the whole Mediterranean.

The 1100 miles of coastline is stunning in itself but the myriad of islands and islets along its length (more than 1000) add to its beauty as well as offering so many choices of places to stay and visit. The outstanding scenery of the Dalmatian Coast, with its many Venetian-influenced towns, is matched by a mountainous interior including Plitvice Lakes National Park (one of our favourite places).

Elsehwere, we recomend the cosmopolitan and vibrant capital, Zagreb, and numerous opportunities to visit the bordering countries (of former Yugoslavia) - Bosnia & Herzegovina, Slovenia, Montenegro, Serbia & Macedonia.

Croatia's magical scenery and legendary hospitality are unquestionably real, as you'll confirm when you have explored a country, still waiting to be rediscovered.

Croatia Fly Drives

There are some classic fly-drive holiday routes which can be arranged with our assistance and local knowledge and these examples are on our website. Each of these suggested holidays has a summary of the details and a full itinerary giving day by day suggestions of the routes and sightseeing options but it is just as easy to use them as a starting point to plan a completely bespoke. Our quotes include a comprehensive list of "what's included", particularly relating to car hire. Pre-bookable activities and excursions can also be included.

Some of the most requested places to stay on self-drive holidays are - Zagreb, Plitvice National Park, Zadar, Rovinj, Trogir, Dubrovnik and the islands of Brac, Hvar and Korcula. We can arrange for any combination of these locations (and many others) in hotels to suit your budget and taste. We also provide advice on driving times, places of interest along your route and, quite importantly, up-to-date ferry timetables (much of which is indiviudally uploaded to our fabulous FREE travel app which also includes detailed maps and all your travel documents).

ALL SELF-DRIVE HOLIDAYS THAT START & FINISH IN ZAGREB CAN BE DONE WITH AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE.

Private English-Speaking Driver Service

If you would prefer not to drive or wish to enjoy the scenery as you pass through this fantastic country then we can offer a private driver. We would pre-book your driver on the same itinerary and board basis as you and include this cost in your quote. The driver will be English-speaking and will be able to assist with any local sightseeing, e.g. arranging a local, official guide for historic monuments, etc.

Flights

Flights are possible into Croatia from all over the UK (and Europe). If you want flexibility on duration as well as open-jaw itineraries then we can arrange flights with British Airways, Croatian Airways, EasyJet, Tui Airways, Ryanair, Wizz Air and Jet 2 to suit most requirements and provide full ATOL protection (T7172) for your holiday.

UNESCO sites in Croatia:

• Plitvice Lakes National Park (1979). Over time, water has flown over the natural limestone and chalk, creating natural dams which in turn have created a series of connecting lakes, waterfalls and caves. The nearby forests are home to bears, wolves and many rare bird species.

• Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian (1979). The palace was built by the Roman emperor Diocletian at the turn of the fourth century AD, and later served as the basis of the city of Split. A cathedral was built in the Middle Ages inside the ancient mausoleum, along with churches, fortifications, Gothic and Renaissance palaces. The Baroque style makes up the rest of the area.

• Old City of Dubrovnik (1979). Dubrovnik became a prosperous Maritime Republic during the Middle Ages, it became the only eastern Adriatic city-state to rival Venice. Supported by its wealth and skilled diplomacy, the city achieved a remarkable level of development, particularly during the 15th and 16th centuries.

• Episcopal Complex of the Euphrasian Basilica in Porec (1997). The episcopal complex, with its striking mosaics dating back to the 6th century, is one of the best examples of early Byzantine art and architecture in the Mediterranean region and the world. It includes the basilica itself, a sacristy, a baptistery and the bell tower of the nearby archbishop's palace.

• Historic city of Trogir (1997). Trogir's rich culture was created under the influence of old Greeks, Romans, and Venetians. It is the best-preserved Romanesque-Gothic complex not only in the Adriatic, but in all of Central Europe. Trogir's medieval core, surrounded by walls, comprises a preserved castle and tower and a series of dwellings and palaces from the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods.

• Cathedral of Saint James, Šibenik (2000). The cathedral is a triple-nave basilica with three apses and a dome (32 m high inside) and is also one of the most important architectural monument of the Renaissance the eastern Adriatic.

• Stari Grad Plain, Hvar (2008). The Stari Grad Plain is an agricultural landscape that was set up by the ancient Greek colonists in the 4th century BC, and remains in use today. The plain is generally still in its original form. The ancient layout has been preserved by careful maintenance of the stone walls over 24 centuries.

We look forward to being of service.