Travelling to Croatia

Written by Dora Ječmenjak
of Adriatica.net

If you have decided to visit Croatia this summer, it´s up to you to choose the most convenient way for you how to get there. You can travel by car, bus, train or plane. Flights from Prague to Zagreb, Croatian capital, and connecting flights to Dalmatian cities will bring you to Zadar, Split or Dubrovnik in short time. Train connections work fine, so you can again take a train from Prague to Zagreb and then onwards. Travelling by bus or car will take approximately six to seven hours, since new built highways make your journey last shorter.

LITTLE TREASURES OF CROATIA

1. BRIJUNI ISLANDS
Just like major part of Croatian coast, Brijuni islands make a perfect combination of natural beauties and cultural heritage. In pre-historic times the people have realised how well positioned these islands are, and thus decided to stay and make history there. The small area of approximately seven square kilometers didn´t seem to be an obstacle.
If you visit Brijuni islands, you will find traces of the past on almost each and every step, since there are about hundred objects of archaeological, cultural and historical value, dating from the age of the neolitic period.

2. LIGHTHOUSES
Built in the era of Austrian-Hungarian Monarchy, in the period from 1811 to 1899, their purpose was to keep safety of the naval activities, but as time was passing, technical devices have taken over the control. Out of 48 lighthouses, 11 of them were chosen for a completely new purpose: to give people who want peace and quiet a holiday option. This fusion of natural legacy and the architectural culture that is shown in the beauty of the lighthouses makes a winning combination. You will learn how to really respect nature, you will find the peace and quiet you were looking for, and you will witness a beautiful game sea and stones play.

3. TRUFFLES
All chefs agree in one thing: whether black or white, truffle is always a gastronomic jewel. But, as every other jewel, this one is hard to find too. Since it grows in the ground, the truffle is invisible to people, but it has an intensive and specific scent that specially trained dogs can feel. Some truffle hunters even take pigs with them, to help them find these little treasures. All those who have tasted them say that you cannot stop once you try them, so there is no “just once” and “just a bit”. Once you try, you remain eternal admirer. Although gastronomic experts cannot agree whether the truffle is food or spice, they all agree in one thing: the truffle is the star of all delicacies.

4. WINDSURFING
Are you a sport type? You like summer challenges, and you feel bored if you only lie in the sun on the beach? Adriatic coast has a couple of very popular destinations, like for example Bol on the island of Brac, but we recommend you to visit Viganj as well.

5. RAB AND PAG-TWO FACED ISLANDS
RAB
Don´ get deceived by a saturnine, stony face of the island of Rab, as you will be approaching the island by ferry from the port Misnjak. This is the face that protects the island from the strong winds from Velebit mountain, and when you arrive to the other side, you will be welcomed by a song of crickets and gentle scent of the plants and pine trees. Rab, the town on the island, has a strong spirit of the past, kept in the renaissance and gothic mansions of noble families. If you stay in Rab, don´t miss visiting its four church towers or take a stroll down the stony streets. If you like tasting local cuisine, visit Barbat, where you will find home made sheep cheese, wine and honey.

PAG
Pag is the island of unusual beauty and we offer you a chance to discover it. This island, where rough stones make Moon-like surface, has its another face, the one that shows richness of nature. Olive and fig trees and their green shades give you shelter from the sun, and if you like sun all day, then visit Zrce beach. This is a legendary beach where you will meet 24-hour-party-people, because there is no end of party and dancing on the beach. Be a part of the crew! Maybe you would like more peace and quiet? Then visit Kosljun, where you will enjoy in the stony beach and a romantic sunset, when the sun dives into the sea.

Croatia at glance:
· 7 National Parks:  Plitvice (lakes), Krka (river), Kornati islands, Mljet (island), Paklenica (mountain), North Velebit (mountain), Risnjak (mountain)
· 6 monuments from UNESCO heritage list: Basilica of Euphrasius in Poreč, Cathedral in Šibenik, Diocletians pallace in Split, Old city of Dubrovnik, Plitivice lakes, Romanesque town Trogir
· 2600 hours of sunshine per year
· sea temperature during summer: 25 – 27°C
· over 85 underwater locations where diving is permitted
· 450 hunting grounds
· 11 lighthouses possible to rent for a holiday

Did you know?
· that one of the greatest world travelers, Marco Polo, was born in 1254 on the island of Korčula?
· that the inventor of the first parachute, Faust Vrancic, was born in Šibenik in 1551?
· that first pharmacy in Europe was established in Dubrovnik in 1317?
· that theatar on the island Hvar built in 1612 is among oldest ones in Europe
· that town called Hum (in Istria) is the smallest town in the world according to Guiness book of world records
· that the biggest truffle in the world, weighing 1310 grams was found in Istria?
· that pan was invented by Croat Slavoljub Penkala?
· that Croatia is the home-land of tie?
· that marble from island Brač is used for building White House in Washington?
· that Nikola Tesla, world known inventor who worked with Edison and patented almost 700 patents was from Croatia?