What you need to know about Croatia. Croatia: where is the best place to relax and what to see? Music in the open air

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Croatia is an excellent ecological situation, the cleanest sea, mild climate, the opportunity to practice all kinds of sports, and, in addition, enjoy sightseeing, not only beautiful, but also of key importance in European history. Geographic location determines the prominent role of Croatia in European history, which is known to be very turbulent. Thanks to this, the country is rich in various historical and architectural sights of different styles and eras. On the other hand, Croatia is a quiet, calm - almost homely - a country that is washed by the cleanest sea and immersed in lush greenery.

Cities of Croatia

Croatian cities are incredibly good. Big and small, ancient and just old, they are all hospitable and friendly. Pula, Dubrovnik, Zagreb, Split, Opatija, Porec are the most famous of them. Dubrovnik, Umag, Brela, Porec, Split, Trogir are included in the list world heritage UNESCO. Rich story almost everyone, and almost everyone is ready to show off their sights: majestic cathedrals, polygonal squares, narrow crooked streets, ancient fortresses. Each historical period has made its own features in the appearance of Croatian cities. Not all remarkable buildings have survived to this day, but all cities have retained their original appearance.

Holidays in Croatia

Islands of Croatia

A feature of Croatia is the large - more than a thousand - number of islands off its coastline. These islands are surprisingly diverse. Among them there are very small ones, in fact, just a rock or a reef washed by sea water, and there are huge ones, for example, Krk and Cres, on which cities and villages are located. These islands are the goal of many travelers. They differ in excellent ecology, developed infrastructure and quiet life. Staying on these islands is filled with relaxation, contemplation and the delights of island life. Because of the sea winds, there is not much heat here, even at the peak of the season. Thanks to the islands, Croatia has almost the longest coastline in Europe, more than 5500 km.

Croatian beaches

The beaches of Croatia are diverse both in size and quality. But it should be remembered that in this country there are practically no wide sandy beaches, they are mostly rocky. The pattern is as follows: in the northern part of the coast, the beaches are rocky, with small pebble areas, and in the middle part and in the south - small pebble with small sandy areas. At first glance, this does not bode well beach holiday, but the cozy bays of the Croatian coast are so picturesque that it fully compensates for the lack of wide sandy beaches. The beaches of Croatia attract not only with their picturesqueness. Almost all of them are equipped with the necessary infrastructure, all have the opportunity to go in for sports or beach activities. Classic beach activities such as catamarans, parasailing, banana boat rides, and children's playgrounds abound here. Camping sites are often equipped near the beaches: many people choose car trips around the country. As a rule, near the beaches you can find many cafes, bars and restaurants for every taste and budget. I must say that you can have a wallet here and not very weighty, the prices in the country are such that the rest is not burdensome in material terms. An important aspect of any travel is gastronomic. And in this regard, Croatia is an extremely attractive country: the basis of the Croatian national cuisine are almost dietary dishes: seafood, vegetables and a variety of wines.

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Holidays in one of the cleanest and most beautiful countries in the world

In recent years, more and more popular solo travel. Croatia suits them in the best possible way: still visa-free (in holiday season) for our fellow citizens, having an extensive network of hotels and restaurants, speaking a related Russian language, Croatia is an ideal country for independent tourism. To this should be added the fact that the distances between Croatian cities and villages are small, and they are overcome in a matter of hours by public transport.

Croatian international airports are located in Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Pula, Brac, Zadar, Losin, Osijek, Rijeka, Split. In Croatian, airport means “stared bow”. Regular flights to the sighted bow of Zagreb are operated from Moscow by Aeroflot and Croatian Airlines. During the tourist season, many charter flights are added to them.

Croats are distinguished by their good-natured character and extreme cleanliness in everyday life (the latter makes them related to the inhabitants Western Europe). Openly showing negative emotions (arguing, swearing), just like leaving cigarette butts or littering on the streets, is considered unworthy behavior here and is universally condemned. However, at the same time, there are traditionally a number of unpleasant qualities in the Croatian character (first of all, lack of punctuality and egocentrism), which should be treated with maximum patience and understanding.
In summer, the popular beaches of Croatia are filled with people, so best time to rest on them - the beginning of autumn.

The language in Croatia is very close to Russian, but a few everyday words or phrases in Croatian, inserted into the conversation in time, will help to establish friendly communication with the locals. A short Russian-Croatian will help you with this.
It is forbidden to “vote” on the roads of Croatia. However, local drivers (especially in the interior of the country) willingly pick up travelers if they look like foreigners.
It is better to buy swimming accessories (special slippers) to protect against sea urchins and sharp stones in advance.
Red caviar is not sold in Croatia, so if you want to please your Croatian friends with an original delicacy from Russia, take a jar or two with you.

Accommodation in Croatia

Although you can find many hotels in Croatia, in terms of price-quality ratio, many vacationers choose accommodation in private villas or in rented apartments. The price of rental housing in Croatia directly depends on the season. At its peak - in July-August, prices tend to rise (apartments - from 50-130 €), and at the end of the season, for example in September, the cost of renting housing gradually decreases (apartments - from 25 €).

You can rent accommodation in Croatia in advance - on the Internet or immediately upon arrival in the country. At major railway stations in the country during the season, you can always meet people with Sobe (“room”) signs, signaling the availability of free housing. Similar inscriptions are also found at "hotel" houses along local roads.

How to save money in Croatia

The price level in Croatia corresponds to what can be found in the countries of Western and Central Europe. However, prices in different cities and resorts in Croatia can vary significantly. So, Dubrovnik, Zagreb and the Makarska Riviera are considered expensive places to stay, and hotels in the resorts of Istria (except Roven) are famous for their affordable prices.
Dine in Croatian restaurants big companies. A dish of large portions (n / a cold cuts "Meshano Meso" or fish "Fish Plata") are much cheaper per person, as well as whole bottles of wine.
Buying bus tickets directly from the driver's cabin in Croatia is cheaper than at the bus station ticket office.

Vacation planning

Despite having many beautiful beaches, Croatia is known as a country for lovers of active travel. A lot of historical and natural attractions have guests of the country to sightseeing trips. However, in order not to spend your vacation on the road while “chasing two hares”, you need to plan your excursion program in advance by choosing 3-4 main attractions located near your vacation spot in Croatia.
If you plan to travel a lot around the country, it does not make sense to take a room in an all-inclusive hotel, because. most lunches and dinners can go unused.

Holidays with children in Croatia

If you are going to spend your holidays in Croatia with small children, then one of the defining moments for its successful course will be the choice beach resort. The fact is that the beaches of Croatia are covered mainly with large pebbles or generally represent a concrete embankment. In order for the baby not to experience discomfort when entering the water, you need to choose beaches with a gentle slope, covered with sand or small pebbles.

Being in Croatia and not visiting Dubrovnik is just a crime. The pearl of the Adriatic, a UNESCO site - this city with fortified walls and red tiled roofs is simply made for walking. Especially romantic moments here can be caught at sunset and when climbing the funicular.

Listen to the sea organ and say "Hail to the Sun"

The Croatian city of Zadar is famous for two creations of the architect Nikola Bašić. The Hail to the Sun facility is a huge disc of glass tiles with built-in photovoltaic cells that turn it into a colorful street dance floor at night. And the music is provided, the design of which is hidden in the steps leading to the water: 35 pipes of various lengths, diameters and inclinations are controlled by waves and only by them.

Get treated on a coniferous beach

The shores of the Adriatic are famous for their coniferous trees growing right at the sea's edge. The aromas here are amazing - just right to heal and harden those who are often sick.

Dance the night away in "Croatian Ibiza"

For the right to be called the party capital of Croatia, two islands are fighting at once - and. Whichever of them the lovers of dancing choose, they will not be disappointed: both there and there they will find great amount clubs, bars and restaurants open all night.

Look into the caves of the nymph Calypso

be a nudist

Croatia is the first European country to allow the opening of nudist centers on its territory. It happened already in 1953, and since then anyone can sunbathe and look around at one of the many nudist beaches: Koversad, Monsen, in Pula and on the island of Hvar.

live at the lighthouse

If staying at a hotel is boring, in Croatia you can easily live for several days in a real lighthouse. In addition, there are eleven such "apartments" on the Adriatic coast: St. Ivan, St. Petar, Savudrija, Struga, Palagruzha, Plochitsa, Porer, Prishnyak, Veli Rat, Susac and Khost. The cost of renting such living space varies depending on the season and averages 500-800 € for seven days.

Eat truffles and oysters

From a gastronomic point of view, the main trump cards of Croatia are fresh truffles and oysters. The first ones are worth looking for in the north of the country - in a town called Motovun (in October they even hold a festival of white and black truffles), and the second ones - in the south, in the town.

Buy yourself a tie

Few people know, but it is Croatia that is considered the birthplace of ties. And all thanks to local soldiers, whose uniforms included neckerchiefs that were tied in a knot: unlike the then common lace collars, which had to be washed, starched and wrung out in a special way, these ties did not require such careful care and did not restrict freedom of movement . Now, in any Croatian city, you can easily find many shops offering a large selection of ties - from classic to the most extravagant.

Photo: thinkstockphotos.com, flickr.com

Nuances

When choosing a hotel in Croatia, always ask the managers of "1001 tour" whether the hotel was reconstructed and when. And although there are fewer and fewer hotels resembling Soviet pioneer camps in the country every year, they still remain. It makes sense to go to them if you only want to save on the service.

Also, if you opt for a three-star hotel, be prepared for the fact that they will almost certainly not have air conditioning.

Advice for the thrifty. When buying a tour, it makes sense to take half board - it will turn out to be more expensive than four euros per day per person, but for that kind of money you will not dine anywhere outside the hotel. And even if you skip a few dinners, everything will turn out cheaper. True, it makes sense to take half board only when you are going to a three or four star hotel. In the "fives" the cost of dinner is no different from the prices in restaurants outside the hotel, and sometimes more.

If animation is important to you on vacation, then in Croatia it is mainly in hotels of well-known international chains. In others, with rare exceptions, there is no animation at all.

Croatia is one of the most environmentally friendly countries in the world. And all Croats are very sensitive to the preservation of the purity of nature. And therefore, if you see prohibitory signs like "do not walk on the lawn", then it is better to follow them. Otherwise, at least the obvious disapproval of the locals awaits you, and at the most, a pretty decent fine.

All beaches in Croatia are municipal, therefore, on most of them, beach equipment is paid - about a euro per item. True, some hotels provide equipment for free. And in many places pine trees grow about three meters from the shore, so umbrellas are not needed.

Another feature of the Croatian beaches is that in Istria they are mostly artificial concrete platforms, or stone plateaus. All other beaches are mostly pebbly, so shoes are required to walk on them. And only a few beaches in Dubrovnik are sandy.

It is also worth considering that most hotels prohibit taking towels out of the room. So it makes sense to take a beach towel with you from home. In addition, in many places near the coast there are sea urchins, and therefore it is best to swim in special slippers. You do not need to bring them with you - they are sold at every corner.

Croatia is one of the centers of world nudism. If you are a lover or a lover of this kind of recreation, then inform the manager of the "1001 tour" about this in advance. Firstly, there are nudist beaches near some hotels, and secondly, there are commercial naturism centers in the country where you can also relax.

Also, when planning a trip budget, it is worth considering that not only is there practically no all-inclusive system in Croatia, but most of the entertainment in hotels is tennis courts, fitness centers, waterslides and much more - paid.

Again, when planning the budget, it is worth considering that the approximate cost of a dinner for one person with spirits is about 20 USD, with local draft wine - 12-15 USD, c mineral water or beer - 10 USD. Dinner or lunch from seafood is more expensive - about 30 USD.

But you can eat cheaper in local establishments called konoba. These are, as a rule, small family restaurants with home cooking and they are found in almost every tourist center. The same story with wine - you can try and buy local homemade wine on tap in the cellars. These cellars, as a rule, are also private and belong to the same family. This is a small family business. The only thing is that these cellars often do not have any signs. But to find them, just ask a local resident where you can buy homemade wine.

One of the most comfortable views transport in the resorts - bicycles. Especially if you are staying in the Poreč region, where almost everywhere is flat terrain. Bicycle rental is available at many hotels and centers on the street.

There is no need to buy phrasebooks, etc. in Croatia - due to the similarity of the Croatian and Russian languages, there are no special problems. In addition, many locals good command of English, German or Italian. And there is quite a lot of information in Russian.

From the Istrian region, you can go on a one-day visa-free excursion to Venice or Trieste, which costs about 60 euros. Why you need to have the following documents: the original Russian passport and a copy of two pages (the first page with a photo and surname and a page with a residence permit). Passport and a copy of the photo page. Original and copy of the return ticket. Original and copy of the hotel confirmation of accommodation - hotel registration card. Children under the age of 14 are not allowed to visit Venice, even if accompanied by an adult. Children over the age of 14 can take part in the tour only if accompanied by at least one parent.

If you decide to go to Trieste, then it makes sense to take a lot of money with you - you can buy very decent clothes of famous brands and shoes there cheaply.

About security. For tourists, the country is not criminally dangerous. The only thing in large tourist centers is to carefully look at the bills in restaurants or cafes - sometimes they cheat.

If you have not shortchanged, then in principle it is supposed to tip - about 10 percent of the amount. Or, if you're thrifty, it's considered decent to just round the amount up, of course. It is not customary to leave money on the table, but it is customary to give it from hand to hand.

If you are in the area, then in the summer in the mountain village of Radoshich the so-called "Dalmatian bullfight" takes place - bullfights. Only animals fight not with people, but with each other. This event is not particularly advertised, and in order to find out the time and exact location of the bullfight, you need to ask local residents.

If you are in Dubrovnik, then, firstly, you are lucky - this city is included by UNESCO along with Venice and is one of the three most most beautiful cities- Monuments of the Renaissance. And secondly, if we talk about domestic entertainment, then there is a street called Burbon, which consists entirely of bars.

By the way, when walking around the historical center of Dubrovnik, keep in mind that all restaurants and cafes here are somewhat more expensive - apparently, they take money for the unique atmosphere of antiquity and architectural beauty.

Shopping in Croatia is an exciting activity. Here are some tips on what to get out of there first. These are, of course, local wines of excellent quality according to affordable prices, cherry liqueur "Maraschino" - a favorite drink of British monarchs, jewelry called "Morchish" - fine workmanship brooches, pins, pendants in the form of a negro's head (relatives of the Venetian "moretto"). Silk men's ties are also good - they, by the way, were invented in Croatia. How Slavoljub Penkala invented a fountain pen here, which is also a signature souvenir of the country.

Of the other things, lace from the island of Pag, Pashki cheese from the same island (it is aged for six months in olive oil to give a piquant taste) will be worthy souvenirs. It is worth buying olive oil itself, although it is not cheap. And, finally, you can buy coral products - their independent extraction in the sea is prohibited and is punished very strictly. Shops in resort towns are open from 8 am to 12 pm and from 4 pm to 8 pm.

Concerning local cuisine, then there is only one advice - try everything. But first of all - fish, crayfish, oysters and cephalopods. Because the Adriatic white fish and crayfish are considered by many to be the best in world gastronomy. And also taste the lamb from the island of Cres and the sheep's cheese from the island of Paga, made according to a special ancient recipe.

Suffice it to say about wine that proximity to wine does not make one doubt its quality. Although the Croats themselves consider their wine better than Italian. Red wines worth tasting are Teran, Merlot, Cabernet, Opolo, Plavac, Dingach and Postup. And from the whites - malvasia, zhlahtina, thorn.

As you know, the Adriatic is the cleanest sea not only in the Mediterranean, but throughout Europe - visibility is up to 50 meters. It contains 1185 islands, and only 66 of them are inhabited. Therefore, in Croatia it is worth spending at least one day for a yacht tour. You can rent it near almost any pier, and the price depends on the time of the trip. You can arrange with the owner that he will take you to one of uninhabited island and will pick it up at the agreed time.

By the way, those who prefer all the best, including beaches, should go to the area of 14 Rovinj Islands, located opposite the Rovinj Islands of the same name. tourist center. Red Island is considered the best, connected by a narrow isthmus with Mashkin Island, a favorite place for nudists.

For those who love everything unusual, it is worth visiting the town of Um. He enters the Guinness Book of Records as the most small city on the planet. Only fourteen people live there, but the city has a municipality and its own police.

And finally, briefly about Croatian sights. Main advice this is - plan at least a few days on excursions, because there is clearly something to see here. These are seven amazing national parks, and Dubrovnik (XIII - XVII centuries), Split (the historical center and palace of the Roman emperor Diocletian) and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and national park Plitvice lakes. Or an ancient amphitheater in, still in operation. (World celebrities often perform there). In a word, it is impossible to describe everything. By the way, keep in mind that it is customary to tip the guides here.

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