It’s June 2020. My girlfriend – now fiancée – was purported to have moved to the Czech Republic to dwell with me, however right here got here an sudden impediment. As a Brit residing in Prague I used to be banned from getting into the US, and Kate was banned from getting into Europe.
Then the clouds half, Serbia opens up, and there’s a direct flight from New York to Belgrade. That’s only a nine-hour drive – plus a gnarly Hungary/Serbia border – from Prague. We make the preparations and I meet Kate, bleary-eyed from an in a single day flight, at Nikola Tesla Airport.
We don’t have a lot of a plan aside from ready until the Czechs open their borders to companions of residents and residents like they simply did for speedy kinfolk, however at the least we’re collectively. (Spoiler alert: they allowed companions of residents in late July, as a part of the #loveisnottourism initiative. However #loveisnotforpermanentresidents, and we ended up ready until late September). We guess we’ll spend a while exploring Serbia whereas persevering with to work remotely, then perhaps North Macedonia?
In the long run, we had been in Serbia for just a little over two weeks. Croatia opened its borders and we didn’t want a lot convincing. With mates and colleagues there, and it being the center of summer season, this was a incredible alternative to get to higher know a rustic we had each already spent lots of time in.
Apologies for the preamble, however this was all to set the scene as to the inspiration for the Croatia in Three Years itineraries. Primarily based on my experiences mixed along with her personal deep data, our knowledgeable Croatian journey planner Lidija put these collectively.
For lots of vacationers from the US, Croatia is approached in considered one of two methods: a packed south-to-north itinerary, with one or two islands, or sticking to the headline acts of Dubrovnik, Cut up, and Hvar. The hazard with both method is saying “I’ve ticked Croatia off, no want to return”. The aim of those itineraries is to showcase among the many issues which can be price going again for, and how one can take a number of bites at this Mediterranean peach, every with some acquainted flavors and just a little completely different each time.
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Dubrovnik, The Pearl of The Adriatic
There’s actually nowhere else to get a greater first impression of Croatia than Dubrovnik. The anticipation that has constructed up within the weeks main as much as your journey culminates at that second when your driver brings you across the nook and also you get your first in-person glimpse of the orange roofs of the walled metropolis jutting out into the azure sea. There’s nothing fairly prefer it. And on this itinerary, you’ll spend three days marveling at it from all angles.
Korcula, Marco Polo’s Hometown
No first go to to Croatia could be full with out some island time, and Korcula is a effective first island to go to. Marco Polo’s hometown, based on the locals, Korcula is sort of a mini Dubrovnik. Getting past the Outdated City, you possibly can take pleasure in some incredible white wines from indigenous grape varieties, great seashores, and untouched nature.
Cavtat, Dubrovnik’s Quiet Neighbor
To ensure you’re on the airport in time on your departing flight, it is sensible to move again within the path of Dubrovnik, through the Peljesac Peninsula, and on the best way, you possibly can pattern Croatia’s heartiest pink, Dingač. You’ll positively need to take some dwelling! The delights proceed whereas nonetheless on Peljesac with a cease at a small family-run oyster and mussels farm. Find out how these shellfish are cultivated and check out them simply moments after being pulled out of the ocean.
I wrote “path of Dubrovnik” intentionally. On your final evening, we suggest staying within the smaller coastal city of Cavtat – it’s even near Dubrovnik airport. Not solely will you get some extra time in mattress (most departures that hyperlink up with transatlantic flights have a tendency to go away within the morning), however you’ll additionally expertise this calm little city as your final reminiscence of Croatia. Till your subsequent go to that’s!
Zagreb, Croatia’s Vibrant Capital
We change gears for the second 12 months. Our Yr 3 itinerary would possibly really feel just a little an excessive amount of of a direct continuation of the primary, so we’re going to indicate you some completely different features of what may appear at first look like fairly a small nation. To place it in perspective, Croatia’s only a contact smaller than West Virginia in space, and Oklahoma in inhabitants. And but the north of the nation is dramatically completely different from the south when it comes to panorama, delicacies, and folks.
Begin your journey in Zagreb, the nation’s political, financial, and cultural capital. Central European café tradition, a la Vienna, meets Mediterranean chill. A number of the nation’s finest meals is available in Zagreb, and it’s a superb likelihood to attempt a really completely different delicacies out of your journey final 12 months.
Rovinj, The Jewel of The Istrian Peninsula
Subsequent up is Rovinj, a coastal magnificence in Istria, the so-called Croatia’s Tuscany. In addition to being drop-dead beautiful in its personal proper, it’s additionally an excellent base for day-tripping within the truffle-rich forested areas of inland Istria round Motovun and Groznjan, or to Pula, with its still-in-use Historical Roman amphitheater that’s on the UNESCO World Heritage Checklist.
Zadar, Croatia’s Underrated Gem
The panorama adjustments as soon as extra as you head south and inland to the Plitvice Lakes Nationwide Park. Whereas technically doable to squeeze this right into a cease on an extended drive to your last vacation spot, Zadar, the wonderful thing about staying for 2 nights is that you just get to enter the park as quickly because it opens within the morning, whereas the plentiful day-trippers from Zagreb, Zadar, and Cut up don’t arrive till round 10:30 AM. Plitvice is one other of Croatia’s UNESCO websites and is a riot of vivid turquoise lakes, spectacular waterfalls, and deep inexperienced forests. Since you don’t depart until the following morning, you possibly can take your time having fun with the park.
The ultimate cease on this itinerary is Zadar. As soon as an historical Roman metropolis, this previous city situated on a skinny peninsula has a enjoyable power due to its giant – by Croatian requirements – scholar inhabitants. With one full day right here, you possibly can both head to a different of Croatia’s nationwide parks, Krka, for some extra climbing, or go for a pleasant boat journey across the Kornati Islands shut by. Zadar’s worldwide airport is nicely related with main European hubs on your onward flight dwelling.
Brač, Croatia’s Scenic Haven
Selecting up nearly the place we left off, this itinerary is a loop from Cut up, Croatia’s largest coastal metropolis. You’ll get a glimpse of Cut up, returning to it on the finish of your journey, as you go straight from the airport to the ferry port. This Croatia itinerary is all in regards to the islands. The primary of which is Brač.
Brač presents a laid-back re-introduction to Croatian island life. Much less glitzy than Hvar, it’s nonetheless wealthy in seashores, significantly probably the most well-known seaside within the nation, Zlatni Rat, or Golden Horn in English. The delight of the island is its stone. The distinctive white Brač stone remains to be quarried and was used within the development of the White Home.
Hvar, Europe’s Sunniest Island
From Brač, a brief ferry trip will take you to Hvar. Simply Croatia’s most well-known island, Hvar has a celebration status, however peace and quiet are straightforward to come back by. A guided hike or an island tour in a 4×4 is an effective way to get a really feel of how locals dwell. Wine lovers will benefit from the island’s Plavac Mali, a relative of Californian Zinfandel. No journey to Hvar is full and not using a cruise across the Pakleni archipelago. Your skipper is aware of all one of the best bays and a wonderful place for lunch.
Vis, Croatia’s Beautiful Hidden Treasure
When staying in Hvar, many individuals take a complete day boat journey to see the Vis Blue Cave. What they’re lacking by doing that is exploring the island of Vis itself. Vis is particular and that’s why we’ve chosen to allocate probably the most nights to it. Vis has a novel historical past. It’s been of army significance for hundreds of years – the British constructed a fort right here – and it even has historical Roman ruins. Throughout the Yugoslavia years, it was a fortress island. These days, you possibly can discover the gun placements and even the tunnel {that a} submarine might slip into. A driving tour of the island with a cease at a family-owned vineyard will take you to all these plus Komiza, a fishing village on the opposite facet of the island.
Apart from the army historical past, there’s the compulsory Blue Cave journey. Nonetheless, you get to mix that with the Inexperienced Cave and a seaside and swim cease, circumnavigating the island, relatively than the hurried method of visiting the Blue Cave from Hvar.
Cut up, Croatia’s Summer season Capital
Your three years of Croatian travels come to an finish in Cut up. Keep inside the partitions of the Outdated City and select a resort constructed inside the ruins of a retired Roman emperor’s palace. Take in the wealthy historical past that’s Croatia, from antiquity as much as the people artwork and costumes within the most interesting ethnographic museum within the nation. Stroll alongside the Riva promenade, and take your final glances on the perfection of the Adriatic. For now at the least.
Fast Hyperlinks to all Three Itineraries
Dovidenja – Until We Meet Once more
Now you’ve a stable top-to-bottom data of Croatia, you possibly can come again and fill in among the different gaps, or see a few of your favourite locations once more. I do know Kate and I’ll as there’s all the time one thing new to fascinate us in Croatia. And, then, there are all these reminiscences that may by no means cease bringing us again to the Land of a Thousand Islands for extra.
Charlie is head of selling at JayWay Journey. An extended-term Prague resident, his pursuits are cooking, consuming out, biking, snowboarding and naturally, journey.
