| Croatia has quickly become Europe's hottest | | | | coast to attract much tourism, Varazdin |
| destination, and for good reason. | | | | neverthelessboasts a stunningly well-preserved |
| The rocky coastline continues for 1778 kilometres and | | | | baroque center. |
| includes pine-fringed coves,wide sandy beaches and | | | | So, what to see first? Following is my personal list of |
| cozy inlets. As if that weren't enough, there are a good | | | | highlights for a Croatian visit: |
| 1185 islands that range from lush and wooded to stark | | | | - Dubrovnik Byron called it the "Pearl of the Adriatic" |
| and hilly. Yachties lovethe sailing opportunities, | | | | for the magnificent curtain of walls surrounding a city |
| sunbathers have an incredible choice of beaches | | | | paved in marble and strewn with Renaissance |
| andscuba divers have a paradise of sea life to | | | | sculpture. |
| explore. | | | | - Hvar Town In addition to the splendid harbor |
| Beyond the pretty scenery, Croatia also boasts a | | | | promenade and sculptured facades, it's becoming |
| fascinating history and culturallife.The walled city of | | | | known for the best nightlife on the Adriatic. |
| Dubrovnik on its southern tip is a must-stop for | | | | - Korcula Town It resembles Hvar in some ways, |
| Mediterraneancruises but the long coast is littered with | | | | especially the narrow cluster of streets,but iit lies on a |
| remnants of Croatia's varied past. | | | | narrow peninsula and is quieter. |
| The Romans swept through two thousand years ago, | | | | - Rovinj Istria's prettiest little town, it retains the flavor |
| leaving an amphitheatre in Pulaand Diocletian's Palace | | | | of a traditional fishing port despite the heavy influx of |
| in Split. Long ruled by Venice, many ports along the | | | | tourists in recent years. |
| coastbear the distinctive imprint of its former master. In | | | | - Plitvice Lakes National Park It has to be seen to be |
| southern Dalmatia, the townsof Hvar and Korcula | | | | believed. The 16 turquose lakes seem to glow and |
| resemble Little Venices without the canals. In Istria, | | | | there are waterfalls everywhere. It's a UNESCO world |
| thestriking bell tower in Rovinj is modeled after that on | | | | heritage site. |
| St Mark's Square in Venice. | | | | - Brela Beach The idyllic coves, bordered with pine |
| In contrast to the Italian-influenced coast, the Croatian | | | | trees, stretch out like a long necklace of beaches. |
| interior was part ofthe Austro-Hungarian empire and | | | | Forbes magazine recently named it one of the top |
| looks it. Zagreb, Croatia's capital, has the kindof stately | | | | twenty beaches in the world. |
| architecture that wouldn't be out of place in Vienna or | | | | No matter where you go in Croatia, you'll find people |
| Budapest. Plus,it has a small medieval quarter that | | | | eager to welcome tourists after the grueling war of |
| vaguely resembles Prague.To the north of | | | | the early 1990s. English is widely spoken and costs are |
| Zagreb, in the middle of green, rolling hills, lies Varazdin, | | | | comparatively reasonable compared to the rest of the |
| Croatia's most underratedcity. Lying too far from the | | | | European coast. So what are you waiting for? |