Archive for 'Tourist Attractions in Croatia'

As winter looms, many are looking ahead to brighter days and thinking about their next sun holiday. If you have been considering a vacation in Croatia next spring or summer then why not browse our holiday rentals in Zagreb and come and see what this vibrant and beautiful city has to offer? As the capital and largest city in Croatia, Zagreb is a centre of culture and activity with lots to see and do, from wandering amongst the 18th- and 19th-century Austro-Hungarian architectural gems that make up the historic core of the city, to grabbing food in one of the endless outdoor cafes lining the streets, to exploring markets, to admiring the stunning Mirogoj Cemetery, to enjoying water sports on Jarun Lake, to visiting the wide range of unique and incredible museums in town. In fact, Zagreb boasts a rather remarkable museum circuit including: the Museum of Broken Relationships (dedicated to the stories of relationships and breakups as told by individuals involved in them themselves and the objects that symbolise these broken ties), the Archaeological Museum, the Croatian Association of Artists, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Croatian Museum of Naïve Art (dedicated to the work of some of the most famous artists in this genre of those who were not formally trained in fine art), the Museum Mimara (boasting a collection of works donated by a well-travelled local who brought back glassware from Alexandria, jade and ivory ornaments from China, paintings by Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Bosch, Velázquez, Goya, Renoir, and Degas, and more), the Museum of Illusion, the City Museum, and more. It would be fair to call it the museum capital of Croatia in addition to being the actual capital of the country.

Telašćica is a bay and natural park on the southeastern part of the island of Dugi Otok that is located just off the beautiful Dalmatian Coast, west of Zadar. Located on the biggest of the Zadarian Islands, it is a truly extraordinary natural gem and an excellent day-trip location for those who have found a vacation rental in Dalmatia. Under consideration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Croatia, this incredible place is a true paradise on earth and a perfect place to escape to while on holidays in Croatia.

At 10km long and 160-1800m wide, this deep inlet is dotted with cliffs, 6 islets inside the bay itself, and smaller bays, and is covered in vineyards, olive groves, fig trees, and Aleppo pine and holm oak forests. Telašćica Bay is also home to Lake Mir, a saltwater lake that is located picturesquely on a narrow strip of land between the bay and the open sea. The rich turquoise lake, wild and steep craggy cliffs, the barren karst area of the bay, islets and rocks emerging from the rich navy sea, the lush greenery of the forests: all of it paints an exceptionally scenic picture and it is the kind of restoratively beautiful landscape that one really needs to see with their own eyes.

Croatia boasts a long coastline along the Mediterranean and thousands of islands and islets. It is understandable, therefore, that it is home to some of the world's most truly picturesque beaches. Some are typically pretty long stretches of golden sand perfect for days out with family and friends, some are more unique and unusual-looking, some popular, some secluded, and some are utterly beyond picturesque. A perfect example of this latter-type of totally scenic and too-charming-to-be-real beaches is Stiniva Beach.

Stiniva Beach is located on the beautiful island of Vis, in the Split-Dalmatia region. Known for its mild Mediterranean climate that is ideal for growing delicious food and supporting excellent vineyards, the island is pretty, full of lovely old buildings, dotted with great places to eat, home to wonderful attractions like the Blue Grotto, and a long-standing popular tourist destination. However, one of its greatest selling points are the wonderful beaches of Vis. There are lots of truly spectacular examples to choose from and they all boast crystal-clear waters and considerably smaller tourist crowds compared to other parts of the Dalmatian Coast but Stiniva Beach is extra-special. If you have found a vacation rental in Split and you're looking to spend a day on the beach, a day-trip to Vis and to Stiniva Beach is just the thing!

Maksimir Park is the oldest public park in Zagreb and is one of the most beautiful spots in the city. In autumn, the trees lining the main paths and in the forests of the park turn the most stunning golden hues, making it the most perfectly picturesque place to walk around and enjoy nature. On the hottest days of summer, those same trees afford blissful shade and respite from the scorching sun. During winter, snow rests on branches and makes the paths glitter and, in spring, the blooms and animals take over. So, no matter when you find a vacation rental in Zagreb and no matter what time of year you come and visit the city, a walk in the park is a good idea!

Maksimir Park was founded in 1787 and was the first large public park in South-Eastern Europe, as well as an early example of a public park in Europe, in general. Named for Bishop Maksimilijan Vrhovac of Zagreb, the park was opened in 1794 and was originally on the outskirts of the city and home to a dense forest of hornbeams and oaks. Due to expansion, however, it is located in a more central position today and is now surrounded by several neighbourhoods, with only some of the original forest still remaining and acting as a girdle to the park. Landscaping was initially undertaken according to the plans of Bishop Vrhovac in the baroque style but then redesigned by Bishop Juraj Haulik, among others, in a more romantic neoclassical style that was in line with Biedermeierist notions, incorporated elements of historicism, and emulated the park that was established at the Laxenburg estate of the Habsburgs.

There are plenty of reasons to choose a vacation rental in Dubrovnik: it combines a sun and sea getaway with a city break, it is steeped in history and culture, there is a vibrant gastronomic scene, and Game of Thrones fans can visit backdrops from the television adaptation, to name but a fraction of its charms. However, if you are spending time in the city, which is now, undoubtedly, the tourist capital and hot spot of Croatia, you may want to take a day to escape the hustle and bustle that such a place can attract. If that is the case, then we would very much suggest a day trip to explore the Elaphiti Islands.

An archipelago located just to the northwest of Dubrovnik, the Elaphiti Islands are comprised of six islands and lots of smaller islets. Just three islands among them, the largest three, are actually permanently inhabited: Koločep, Lopud and Šipan. There are various ferries and tours that can get you to specific islands or take you to a few of them and you can also explore them more freely if you have rented a boat of your own. Jadrolinija have a daily ferry service that travels to each of the three main islands in turn and G & V Line operate a catamaran service from Dubrovnik to Sipan, for example. Viator, the tour specialist website also offers several different day trip options including cruises of the Elafiti and Green Islands from Dubrovnik and an Elafiti Islands Cruise from Dubrovnik on a 16th century-style galleon! Both spend time on each of the three main islands and include time for some swimming and sunbathing during your trip. However, the most popular way to experience the Elaphiti Islands is to take the, “Three Islands & Picnic,” tour. Offered by lots of different operators working out of Dubrovnik's Old Harbour, these tours will take you to the aforementioned bigger islands and offer you drinks and lunch, all as part of packages that usually cost somewhere between around thirty and forty euros.