Since Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, the country has become one of the most in-demand holiday destinations, with the number of sun-seekers heading for the Dalmatian Coast increasing yearly. Famed for its pebbled peaches, crystal-clear seascapes, national parks and lakes and its gargantuan mountains, it’s easy to see why.
In Split, gawp at Diocletian’s Palace and its labyrinth-like network of streets that were carved from the former Roman Palace of Emperor Diocletian. Tourists can cosplay characters from Game of Thrones and wonder amongst the ruins, museums and cathedrals beside Split’s thriving Riveria. It is this duality of antiquity and modernity that makes Split one of Croatia’s most charming cities.
Then, catch a ferry to Hvar and visit the Stari Grad plain, an ancient Greek agricultural landscape where olives and grapes are still harvested in a 2,000-year-old tradition. While in recent years, Hvar may have become renowned for its wild nightlife, it is also a haven for those seeking sun (there are 2,760 hours of sunshine per year), fresh seafood, and a swim in the turquoise waters of the Adriatic sea.
