Archive for 'Tourist Attractions in Croatia'

Istria is often most popular as a seaside getaway destination as its beautiful coastline boasts lots of pretty coastal towns but, in addition to this part of the region in Croatia, there is the inland, “Green Istria.” This part of Istria is lush and green and scenic, with a landscape dotted by exceptionally pretty little villages, orchards, olive groves, vineyards, and rolling hills. It is also well-known for its incredible gastronomic heritage and, therefore, there are lots of delicious things to snack on as you explore this gorgeous part of the world. However, if you have found a villa in Istria and you are taking time to venture into Green Istria, whether you are staying on the coast or inland in the midst of it, then we recommend that you make a point to plan a day-trip to the unbelievably picturesque town of Motovun.

Motovun is a picture-perfect gem of a 14th century walled town that was fortified by the Venetians and rises up on a hillside that overlooks green pastures and hills all around in the Mirna River Valley. With the deep green Motovun forest at its base and the old walls, church tower, and pretty houses with terracotta roofs crowning the town, Motovun truly looks like something that has been plucked straight from the pages of a fairytale and that has been frozen in time. Throughout the streets of the town, once you have climbed the little road that stretches up the hill and passes through the houses and business on the outskirts into the wall historic core of the town, you will find an elegant and atmospheric cluster of astounding Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance buildings that house restaurants, coffee houses, artists’ studios, and little shops. 

The county of Split-Dalmatia is an ideal spot to find a vacation rental in Croatia as it is one of the most beautiful parts of the country with an incredible coastline and a wide variety of tourist attractions. When one looks into these tourist attractions of the region, they will quickly discover that the most popular usually fall into one of a few categories: famously lovely beaches, incredible churches or historic fortresses, natural gems, museums, and scenic spots boasting panoramic views. One especially interesting spot, that is a must-see for those who have found a villa in Split-Dalmatia and are planning a day trip to the charming port town of Hvar, is the town's fortress. This fascinating gem is not only a picturesque architectural wonder but it also combines several other of the types of attractions of the region under one roof as it is also a museum, boasts a rich and intriguing history, and affords one of the best views in the entire country.

Perched high atop the town, the Fortress or Fortica (also known by the locals as the Španjola) takes in views down over the cluster of incredible historic buildings of the old town of Hvar, the bay, its surroundings, the sea, and all the way out to the Pakleni islands. This view is often made even more impossibly lovely by the incredibly vibrant hues of this landscape on a sunny day with the bright cerulean of the skies reflected in rich blue waters, the Mediterranean greenery that is so lush in this area, and the creamy white stone of the buildings below gleaming in the light with the rich terracotta of the tiled roofs atop them all, all painting a vivid scene. It is equally an ideal place to go during the day for the clearest views to see far out of the water or to go at sunset and watch the rich glow that makes the city even more magical and pretty. At night, the building is lit up beautifully to crown the city perfectly and can be seen from all around. 

When one imagines a vacation in Croatia and time spent enjoying the coastline, they tend to think of hot summer days, sprawled out on the beach or splashing around in the water. However, there is so much more to Croatia than just sun holidays. There is a wealth of incredible natural beauty from towering peaks to glittering lakes to fascinating swamps to lush valleys where all sorts of outdoor pursuits can be enjoyed from hiking to zip-lining, to rock-climbing to, even, skiing. Yes, skiing! Many don’t think of skiing when it comes to Croatia and, certainly, it is not a major ski destination by any stretch of the imagination but there are some mountains across the country that support ski holidays during the colder months. These same mountains are also excellent spots for other leisure activities throughout the rest of the year so even if you miss the ski season, they are still worth seeking out if you like to stay active and take in the great outdoors while on vacation.

If you head to Rijeka during the winter, for example, you can head to Platak, a charming ski resort that is ideal for intermediate skiiers and that boasts views over the coast from its snowy peaks. Then, during the spring, summer, and autumn, you can also head to Platak for a different sort of thrill by trying your hand at mountain biking or enjoying the many different hiking trails around the area that afford truly stunning panoramas over the surrounding countryside and coast. So, just find yourself a villa in Rijeka and then come to enjoy the adventure and natural bounty on offer in this part of Croatia, no matter the weather or when you happen plan your trip!

We boast a wide array of stunning villas in Croatia and one can readily explore the many charms of the region if they book a holiday in Croatia with us. Endless adventure awaits across the region and getting mobile by renting a car means that you can enjoy all sorts of experiences from swimming in the bluer than blue waters of the Adriatic, to skiing in the picturesque mountainous area not far from the capital of Zagreb, to island-hopping from one paradise to another along the coastline, to hiking through nature parks and dramatic peaks, to zip-lining across stunning green valleys, to taking in the mills of Radmanove Mlinice while canoeing on the River Cetina, to scuba-diving to view sunken Roman galleons, and beyond. However, if you are in search of an outing that combines adventure with a touch of romance and luxury then be sure to get browsing our villas in Zagreb, vacation rentals in Karlovac, and holiday rentals in Primorje-gorski Kotar and plan a day-trip to enjoy the experience of a lifetime, soaring over the stunning Croatian countryside in a hot air balloon...