Touring Croatia with Insight Vacations

Posted - August 6, 2018

Croatia is a small Eastern European country with miles of picturesque coastline on the Adriatic Sea. It is nestled between Slovenia and Montenegro with more than 1,000 islands. Croatia is a land of history, culture and beauty. There are 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in this small country alone.

With a long history as varied as Croatia’s, the land holds so many interesting sites to see. In the capital city of Zagreb, you will see Ban Joip Jelacic Square, built in the 17^th century, and many open-air markets. Zagreb’s medieval Upper Town includes 13^th century St Marks Church, buildings with red clay roofs, and gas lamps lit each night by the lamp lighter.

Insight Vacations provided a special treat with a scenic drive outside the city to the rural countryside of the Zagorje region where many Croatians live a true farm-to-table lifestyle. After being welcomed at a small family establishment with cornbread and salt, homemade wine and roasted chestnuts, we dined on a traditional Croatian meal of pickled vegetables, beef salad with pumpkin seed oil, roasted duck with noodles and strudel. 
  
Our next stop was the UNESCO Plitvice Lakes National Park. A 300- square-kilometer natural park for hiking, walking, and enjoying the azure lakes and waterfalls.
  
The coastal town of Split is a mix of modern culture among ancient architecture. The UNESCO Diocletian Palace still stands as the largest covered area of ancient architecture in the world. Split offers high-end shopping, open-air markets and many places to dine alfresco while viewing the Adriatic coast.
  
A drive down the Dalmatian coast was stunning; every turn showed the beauty of the country. Along the way, Insight Vacations offered a special experience. We met with a local oyster farmer who took us on his boat to harvest oysters and mussels, then we dined on the fresh shellfish with local wine while the sun was setting.
  
Our final stop was Old Town Dubrovnik. We were educated on the history and current life of the Dubrovniks on a tour within the 14^th to 15^th century stone-walled city. The stone-paved streets are pedestrian use only. Shops and cafes are plentiful. Residents adorn their windows with plants and still hang their laundry out the windows. We walked on the 1.2 miles of stone walls protecting the city admiring the city, mountains, sea and islands. 
  
Croatia is a country of amazing people, architecture and natural beauty. There is so much to experience in this country, and a guided tour is an excellent option for exploring. Insight Vacations took care of every detail – including airport transfers, comfortable hotels in prime locations, engaging hosts and tour guides, roomy coach transportation, and special flourishes to make the experience memorable.