Destination Guide: Croatia
Currency: Croatian Kuna
Language: Croatian
Capital: Zagreb
Population: 4 Million
When to go & Weather
Croatia has a Mediterranean climate with dry, hot summers and mild, wet winters.
If you are wanting to explore it’s beaches and islands, these are best enjoyed in the summertime, during June to August. This time of year averages between 23 - 27C inland and 25 - 29C on the coast, with temperatures frequently reaching 30C. The days are dry and heat up as the sun moves over the sky so the afternoons are generally the hottest part of the day. With the heat and ocean come tourists and Sail Croatia, making it a very busy time of year especially on the coast.
If you want to avoid the crowds but still want the sunshine, the couple of months on either side of summer is still quite pleasant with weather averaging 18 - 25C on the coast, though expect some rainy days during this time.
Between October and March, the coastal regions become much quieter but with that many tourism and hospitality businesses closed their doors, so if you choose to go over this time ensure you are pre booking your accommodation, tours and transport. These coastal regions can Inland regions are prone to snowfall and can reach 0C.
Food & Drink:
Croatia’s cuisine has been influenced by neighbouring countries and cultures which have been involved in its rich history.
Zagreb boasts a Central European influence with meaty dishes, side dishes with potatoes, cabbage or other vegetables. Some popular dishes to try include Cevapi, which is a type of sausage made from mince; and Strukli, a type of dough that is filled with sour cream and cottage cheese.T
The Dalmatia Coast including Split, Dubrovnik and the islands surrounding these cities, offer a large variety of seafood dishes with Italian and Meditteranean fusions. Popular dishes in this region are Brujet, which is a fish stew; Skampi Na Buzru, another seafood stew made with shellfish; and Crni Rozit, a black squid ink risotto.
For dessert, a couple of must trys include Lavender Ice Cream, especially in Hvar where they are renowned for their Lavender fields; and Fritule, which are similar to donut balls and often can be found at food stalls with a variety of different toppings.
Like many parts of Europe, Croatia allows for any budget traveller to enjoy the cuisine and immerse in dining experiences. Many cities and towns showcase delectable food stalls offering cheap, delicious eats for as little as 25 Kuna/5 AUD. In the coastal cities, tourism affects the pricing, though you can still enjoy street food for around 35 Kuna/7 AUD, and a one course restaurant meal can reach around 120 Kuna/25 AUD.
Getting There & Getting Around:
Croatia is easily accessible from many different countries. You may be travelling from a neighbouring country, or from your home country, there will be a way to get there.
Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik all have larger airports that carry international flights to many destinations around the world making it easy to get to and from Croatia if it is the start of your journey, the end of your journey or even somewhere in the middle. From the big cities, and even in between the small ones, there are many bus services.
Travelling by bus may take a little longer than flying, but it allows you to see the beautiful landscapes of Croatia and enjoy the scenery. Flixbus is a bus company that offers cheap rates between many cities and towns, and you can download their app and book through this.
If you are visiting the Adriatic Islands of Croatia, you are going to become very friendly with ferries. There are many ferry routes that pass through most islands, making it easy to move from island to island, and connecting them to cities and towns along the mainland coast.
History:
The Romans have had a large place in Croatia’s history, which is evident in many regions, boasting Roman influences in their cuisine and architecture. The Romans had a strong hold throughout the beginnings of the first century, creating a powerful trade route via Croatia. Emperor Diocleatian was a ruler for the Roman Empire who retired to Split, where his presence is profound through the remnants of his Palace. During the Roamn reign, Christinity spread throughout Croatia, resulting in it becoming one of the largest practiced religions of the country today.
At the end of World War 1, Croatia chose to align itself with Serbia, over Italy, which led to the first form of Yugoslavia. In this regime, Croats found themselves marginalized. The Kingdom of Yugoslavia was created with a royal dictatorship, until the King’s assasination in 1934.
Soon after, Yugoslavia was occupied by Germany in the Second World War, which saw the tables turn for the Croats. Serbs were deemed an unclean race and were often sent to concentration camps or exiled by the Croats, with the backing of Germany.
At the end of the war, Tito gained leadership of Yugoslavia, which at this time included Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Slovenia and Serbia. Under his rule, socialism took hold and Yugoslavia turned from agriculture to industrialisation. This affected the republic’s economy, and when Tito died in 1980 the countries began to crumble away with old rivalries returning to the surface.
In 1991, Croatia’s journey to claim independence from the Yugoslav Republic faced resistance from the Serbs who lived in Croatia. The Serbs, with the help of Serbia, began to take over various parts of Croatia in an attempt to keep it within Yugoslavia. This began what is known as ‘The Homeland War’ which lasted for 4 years. A number of memorials can be seen in Zagreb at The Images of War Museum and The Memorial Centre of the Attacks on Zagreb.
Money:
Tipping in Croatia is customary at around 10%. This should be taken into consideration for any services given, such as food & beverage staff, tour guides and taxis.
When determining spending money, you should think about your meals, drinks, nights out, and any souvenirs you may like to purchase.
You should aim to budget around 300-350 Kuna/65-75 AUD per day for meals. You can have a cheaper experience by frequenting the food stalls, markets and bakeries scattered throughout the cities.
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