Choosing the destination for your next summer getaway is never the easiest part of holiday planning – though it is one of the more fun parts. There is a whole world to explore, from the frosty tips of the Alps to the verdant gorges of the Greek isles. Of all the potential destinations on our wondrous Earth, though, there is one criminally underrated country that could quickly become your new favourite place: Croatia.
Croatia is Italy’s neighbour, so to speak, with the eastern shores of the latter facing Croatia’s extensive western shore across the Adriatic Sea. Croatia enjoys a variety of climates and cultures, and is no hidden gem in and of itself. Dubrovnik, after all, is well-trodden ground for holidaymakers, especially after the use of its most iconic landscapes and locations in cultural monolith Game Of Thrones. But there is a hidden Croatia, past the popular picture opportunities – and what follows is just a glimpse of it.
Vis Island
Croatia is far more than an oddly-shaped coastal mainland. It is also defined by its islands – more accurately, its 1200-plus islands, which add thousands of miles to its coastline. There are many beautiful places to visit, but Vis Island is one of the best. Superyacht charters could take you from isle to isle in the lap of luxury, but Vis should be your last stop – if only for its unspoiled beaches. For the culture travellers amongst you, there are some phenomenal Roman ruins here to explore too.
Korčula
Korčula is another Croatian island, this time being one of the most populous. Don’t let its 15,000-ish inhabitants fool you, though – this is truly a hidden gem of an island, particularly when it comes to its culture. As well as sporting beautiful shores and charming settlements, Korčula has a rich seam of musical and literary culture that can only be adequately explored first-hand.
Pelješac Peninsula
The Pelješac Peninsula is a simply stunning outcrop of the southern Dalmatian coast, reaching out from Doli to touch the aforementioned island of Korčula. It is a peninsula that contains multitudes, and which could easily constitute a month-long getaway by that same token. The natural landscapes on offer here are the true draw, between the serene calm of Divna beach and the mountainous sublimity of Sveti Ilija. There is also an argument to be made for the Pelješac Peninsula as oyster capital of the Adriatic…
Plitvice National Park
Finally, we come to Plitvice National Park – one of Croatia’s most poorly-kept secrets, but a natural wonderland which nonetheless still holds surprises for even its most dedicated repeat visitors. There are lakes and forests without equal in Plitvice, but it is a place of special interest for the adventure tourists amongst you; after all, it is the host for some of the most thrilling single-pitch climbing routes in Europe.
