Croatia, the Pearl of Adriatic Sea
Rovinj
A fairy tale town by the sea
Some people says that Rovinj is the most beautiful town on the Adriatic Sea. This is true. There are blue skies, tall green trees, gorgeous flowers, beautiful beaches, antique cobblestone trails... everything about the beauty is fully displayed here, attracting a large number of tourists to visit here.
It is called the "Venice of Eastern Europe", and some people say it is another "Siena". This seaside resort full of Italian style in the eyes of the world has a lovely name: Rovinj.
Rovinj is a small fishing port town in northern Croatia. It belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Empire before the First World War, and was included into the Italian territory after the First World War. After the Second World War, the city becames part of Yugoslavia. the rich history makes Rovinj even more colorful.
Although the Italians have already left, they have left Italian elements here. Rovinj’s old town is both classical and full of vitality. It has a pleasant climate, clear waters, tranquil islands, leisurely islanders, and delicious food but much cheaper comparable to Italy. Each of them will become the possibility of your nostalgia.
▶Mysterious stone alleys attract the attention of photographers
Picturesque on both sides of the alley, lively house colors, women sitting & chatting in front of the house, blue sky above the head and kittens at the end of the alley, these seemingly random elements will make a unique photograph.
▶Rovinj at night is a colorful castle in fairy tales
In September, a large number of tourists have left. At night, the lights on the beach are on, the noise and crowding are gone, and the quietness of the town has been restored. There is a long string of bars next to the small pier. Tourists are holding wine glasses and silently looking at the sea. Everything is so casual here.
Zagreb
Far more than just a transit city
Zagreb is the capital of Croatia, located in the northern inland. It is a city with a distinct division between the old and the new, with a small area, you can measure the center city with your foot steps only. Many people think that this is just a transit point in Croatia, but after savoring this kind of city, you will find that Zagreb has a different kind of beauty that is unknown also.
▶Museum of Broken Relationships, a stop not to be missed in Zagreb
This unique museum of broken relationships was founded in Croatia and stores love tokens from all over the world, or in other words, objects that once symbolized love. The collections in the Museum of Broken Relationships include love letters, engagement rings, scooters, and empty wine bottles left after the romance. Next to each exhibit is an explanatory text written by the donor explaining the source and meaning of the exhibit.
It focuses on emotions, so it’s unique
The founder invites people to provide love souvenirs and the stories behind them, hoping to let the broken-hearted people feel relieved and heal their injuries in this way. Compared with those who are also in the world, their emotional road may not be so bumpy.
▶Find an outdoor cafe and experience the real European coffee culture
People here have elevated coffee drinking to the height of religious rituals. Sitting on the street for hours drinking coffee and chatting or just in a daze has become an indispensable part of daily life.
▶Look for authentic delicacies at the Dolac Market
If you want to try the local delicacies and experience the local life, going to the open-air market must be your best choice. The Dolac Market, located in the upper part of Zagreb, is a excellent place. It is located just north of Yelaqicha Square. Vendors from nearby villages will sell agricultural products in this lively market every morning. You can feel the enthusiasm and romance of the local life.
In addition, the Carnival in Rijeka, the sixth largest Roman amphitheater in Pula and the hilltop castle in Krapinsko-zagorska are all must-visit places in Croatia.
What to eat in Croatia?
Croatian cuisine combines the flavour of Hungarian, Austrian, Italian and Far Eastern cuisine, which not only retains its original characteristics but also incorporates local cooking traditions.
Croatia has more than 50 different local dishes and local desserts and cheeses. Worth recommending to you are bonfire barbecue, Dalmatian prosutto, goat cheese, and kulen (pepper-flavored sausage). In the interior, the more popular dishes are turkey with mlinci (baked dough soaked in turkey sauce) and cheese (cheese cake). The most popular dishes along the coast are Dalmatian fish stew, seafood soup and seafood salad. Hundreds of years of winemaking history has also enabled Croatia to produce many fine wines, some of which have grown into world-famous products.
It's a shame not to eat seafood in Croatia. Dalmatian fish stew, seafood soup and all kinds of fish, shrimps and crabs caught from the deepest freshest are dazzling. The wide range of white wine, red wine, and cherry wine is even more a good choice for Croatians to accompany meals.
Croatia is such a colorful and niche country. Here, you will slow down unconsciously and fully understand the scenery you see on the road and what happened. Every time I go to a town, I stop and stroll around leisurely. It is full of fun to explore...
Beauty lies in discovery, encounters, and chance. And travel is an opportunity that allows us to search for beauty, discover beauty, and enjoy beauty!
Currency
Croatia doesn't yet use Euro, it has its own currency: "Kuna", or for short Kn. At the moment of this writing, 1 € equals 7,5 Kn, 1 $ equals 6,2 Kn, and 1 GBP is 8,7 Kn.
Many people imagine that Croatia is a dirt-cheap destination. Well, not really! The prices in Croatia are higher compare to other Eastern Europe. but some travelers from north-European or UK, they find it affordable.
You can eat well in Croatia for as little as 20 to 40 Kn. Light meals go for 35 Kn to 60 Kn (5-8€). Light meal can include a plate of pasta, risotto, mussels a la buzara, fried calamari, chicken breasts with a side dish, and alike. Fish and steaks are generally the most expensive.
Tour cost price various depends on destinations too. Dubrovnik and Hvar being the most expensive places. The closer to the popular attractions, the more expensive it gets.
Most hotels and restaurants accept credit cards, while small restaurants and hotels only accept cash.
Transportation
Flight: internal flights mainly operated by Croatia Airlines. there are daily flights available between Zagreb and Dobrovnik; weekly flight between Split, Zadar and Pula.
Croatia airline web: http://www.croatiaairlines.com
Intra-city transportation: Intra-city transportation in major cities mainly relies on walking, buses, and taxis.
Intercity transportation: mainly rely on long-distance buses. The departure time of long-distance buses and shuttle buses in off-peak and peak seasons is quite different, so it is best to go to the station to see the specific departure time.
Island transportation： Cruise or ferry is the main transportation between islands and mainland. island hopping tour is popular there in summer. but most of ferry or cruise are available from April to October only.
Due to heavy rainfall throughout the country, most of the road sections are relatively humid, and some road sections may have rocks falling, posing a safety threat to passing vehicles. In addition, there are too many vehicles going to and from the Croatian coastline during the tourist season, which often exceeds the carrying capacity of the highway, causing traffic jams.
Language
Almost everybody speaks at least a little English, and many people also speak at least another foreign language (German and/ or Italian being the most widely spoken language after English).