Rovinj

Rovinj is a Croatian fishing port on the west coast of the Istrian peninsula. The old town stands on a headland, with houses tightly crowded down to the seafront. A tangle of cobbled streets leads to the hilltop church of St. Euphemia, whose towering steeple dominates the skyline. South of the old town is Lone Bay, one of the area’s pebble beaches. The Rovinj archipelago’s 14 islands lie immediately off the mainland.

Aerial shoot of Old town Rovinj at sunset, Istra region, Croatia.

Motovun

This city has the reputation of being one of the most handsome towns in all of Croatia. It too has an Italian/Slavic charm to it and the aroma of fried truffles and pizza pies fills the air like lush green vegetation covers the hillsides.

Buzet

Buzet is known as the hometown of truffles. The biggest truffle in the world was found in this area in 2000 (1,3 kg!) with the help of dogs, specially trained to find the underground mushroom using their sense of smell. The annual “Days of Truffles” are held every October, where you can sample dishes made from freshly picked truffles.

Buzet

Groznjan

If you are looking for an authentic Croatian town with old world charm and authentic Italian culture then look to the north of the country where you will find Groznjan. This city has an Italian majority and is the home of many local artists and musicians.

Plitvice Lakes

Plitvice Lakes National Park is Croatia’s best known national park and the only one of eight that is listed on the UNESCO List of World Heritage sites. The main attractions of this park, unique in the world, are the 16 small lakes joined by waterfalls created by the sedimentation of travertine, a special type of limestone. This national park encompasses the source of the river Korana, located in the area surrounded by dense forests of beech, fir and spruce. There are also several caves in the park, as well as springs and flowering meadows.

Plitvice

Split

Split, a town on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, is the second-largest city of Croatia and the largest city of the region of Dalmatia. It lies on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea, centered on the Roman Palace of Emperor Diocletian. With enough history to warrant it’s own extended visit, many visitors use Split as a base to explore the surrounding Dalmatian Islands.

Split

Trogir

Trogir is historic town and harbor on the Adriatic coast in Split-Dalmatia county. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its Romanesque and Gothic Old Town center. Well-known for its cultural heritage and authentic architecture, the city of Trogir dates back to 3rd Century BC, while the name Tragos first appeared in 2nd century BC.

Trogir

Solta

Although Solta is the closest island to Split, just 45 minutes by ferry, it remained a place of pristine natural beauty. With only 1,500 year-round residents, 24 bays and natural beauty, Solta is a place where you can find peace and tranquility wherever you wander. But the island is more than just a collection of sleepy villages. First mentioned by the Greeks as Olinta, for most of its history, Solta was a wealthy “province” of Split – whether it was the Roman Emperor Diocletian who had a “summer” home here as well as a private fish farm (!), or the wealthy Cindro and Cipiko families. The island is still famed for its olives, honey and wine.

Ston

Ston sits on the cape of land connecting the Pelješac Peninsula to the mainland. Known as a salt-producing town, Ston was an important military fort of the Ragusan Republic, and the defensive walls are world-famous. The 900 meter encircles the area for three miles – the second largest in the world after the Great Wall of China. Despite its military history, nowadays Ston is a small, laid-back fishing town, which boasts some dramatic views – think crumbling churches, olive groves, and a stunning coastline. Its former value as a “salt city” gets confirmed even today in the plants of the oldest active salt-works in the world. These saltworks have remained faithful to the tradition and to the natural way of salt production which has not changed since remote ages. Oysters and mussels from the Mali Ston bay are appreciated around the world.

Ston

Dubrovnik

Walls are built to protect treasures, and, in Dubrovnik, this is particularly accurate, with 1,940 meters of stone surrounding one of the world’s most beautiful cities. As George Bernard Shaw stated: “If you want to see heaven on Earth, come to Dubrovnik”. “The Pearl of the Adriatic” has captivated and seduced kings and artists for centuries with its immaculate medieval architecture.