Food & Drink
Croatia plates up delicious, home-style dishes heavily influenced by Italy and Eastern Europe. Fish, seafood, pizzas and pastas are popular along the coast, while stews, soups and goulashes bring hearty food inland. A few dishes to look out for in Dalmatia include a fish dish called Brodet, as well as Pasticada, a rich beef stew served with gnocchi. In Istria, popular ingredients include truffles, asparagus, cured ham, crab and other seafood. Like elsewhere in the Mediterranean, quality olive oil is used in abundance, produced at local farms. Wash down these gastronomic delights with one of Croatia’s many beers, or a glass of local wine – Croatian wines may not appear on supermarket shelves at home, but pair particularly well with Croatian food.
Mountains & Countryside
The Dalmatian Coast, near Dubrovnik, is a gateway to a limestone wonderland of jagged peaks, waterfalls, canyons, caverns and glistening lakes. The Istrian Coast, on the other hand, is edged with much smaller, rocky hills carpeted with scented pines. The further inland you travel, the Croatian countryside opens out into inimitably scenic, rolling farmland. Wherever you decide to stay, active and adventurous visitors will find a variety of outdoor pursuits - from leisurely walks along coastal paths, to ziplining.
Coast & Islands
Whether you’re holidaying in Dubrovnik or Rovinj, the coastlines and seascapes are wonderfully scenic, with fragrant pine forests, pebble-stone beaches and crystal-clear waters. The ideal backdrop for water sports, enjoy paddle boarding, kayaking and scuba, as well as sailing trips and ferry rides to outlying islands. A short hop from Dubrovnik, the emerald isle of Lokrum is overrun by peacocks and offers tranquil coves and a saltwater pool for escape and relaxation. The fourteen islands of the Rovinj archipelago, meanwhile, offer assorted locations for snorkelling, swimming and sunbathing – top picks include Sveta Katarina and Crveni Otok. Meanwhile, many of Rovinj’s stunning beaches are Blue Flag graded.
History & Culture
Wedged between the Balkans and central Europe, Croatia has been the subject of possession for centuries, with ever-changing rule bequeathing incredible cultural legacy. Exquisite Venetian palaces sit by Roman columns and Napoleonic forts – a unique combination of architectural delights. Dubrovnik’s rambling walls feature splendid fortresses and Adriatic views, alongside Gothic-Renaissance palaces, Baroque churches and impressive museums. Discover Croatia’s intriguing past - from prehistoric to post-communist. Rovinj, too, has its share of striking buildings, a highlight of which is a beautiful Baroque church atop the town’s highest point. You can also find a heritage museum showcasing paintings by Rovinj’s Old Masters. Consider an outing to nearby Pula, famous for its magnificent Roman amphitheatre, or a daytrip to famed Venice, under three hours each way by fast-service catamaran.
Travel Planning
Our Travel Consultants can advise on, arrange and pre-book many things to enhance your holiday. This includes everything from spa reservations and dinner reservations, to a range of special experiences available in our featured resorts that you may not know about.
Croatian Wine
Croatian wine deserves to be better known; among the best of the Dalmatian reds is Dingač, which comes in several varieties, or if you prefer white look for a label that says Pošip.
Flight Information
British Airways from London Gatwick to Dubrovnik. Easyjet from London Gatwick to Split. UK regional departures and charter flights are also available.
Flight Time
From London Gatwick to Dubrovnik: 2 hours, 40 minutes.
Travelling With Children or Without an Adult
Children travelling without both parents should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. Please contact the relevant Embassy for the county you are travelling to for further information.
Visa and Advance Passenger Information
All passengers must ensure they have a valid, acceptable passport, any required visa and any other documentation for both the final destination and any stop-off points en route. Please make sure that Advance Passenger Information is submitted in advance to travel for all destinations. Failure to hold correct documentation or submitting incorrect details with Advance Passenger Information or Visa applications may result in refusal of carriage or entry into a country. Please check with the relevant Embassy regarding visa requirements well in advance of your travel date. Charges may apply for some visas.
Passengers not travelling on a British Passport are advised to contact their relevant Foreign & Commonwealth office for individual Visa requirements.
For up-to-date resort information, visit www.fco.gov.uk
Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide and you should take health advice about your specific needs from your general practitioner or a specialist clinic as early as possible before travel. Those planning to become pregnant should discuss their travel plans with their healthcare provider to assess their risk of infection with Zika. For information about Zika, other mosquito-borne diseases (such as Dengue fever and Chikungunya), Lyme Disease (caused by tick bites), and to receive advice on mosquito bite avoidance measures, please visit Insect and tick bite avoidance.
In addition, we highly recommend that you seek specialist advice from your doctor and, where recommended, obtain vaccinations or tablets for protection against, for example: Malaria, Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid. In some cases, treatments for Malaria should begin well in advance of travel. Travellers may also be required to show Yellow Fever Certificates on arrival in certain destinations i.e, some African countries. Please note that you are strongly advised against scuba-diving for 24 hours before travelling by air. We would also like to draw your attention to the risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and recommend that you consult with your doctor before travelling.
Visit the FCDO website and select your destination country for the very latest travel advice: Foreign Travel Advice. Additional sources of information include: Public Health England, The National Travel Health And Network Centre, Foreign And Commonwealth Office and your General Practitioner or a specialised clinic.