When talking of places to go on holiday the usual suspects will pop up; Spain, France, America etc… However Croatia is rarely mentioned in this conversation and, hopefully, this article will help to convince you that it should be. Situated on the Adriatic Sea, Croatia is fast becoming the must see place for holiday destinations.

It’s new

Well, not only has Croatia been an independent nation since 1991 when it broke away from Yugoslavia but it is new for holiday tourism. Why is this a good thing? Well for a start there are no greedy property developers propping up condo after condo, destroying the beautiful views for the sake of tourism. Those cheap and tacky souvenir shops that are now all too common in some of the more popular resorts are non-existent and instead you get a feel for the Croatian culture through authentic local markets.

The Coast

Croatia boasts a coast of 1778km (1102mi). There are a countless number of beautiful bays and coves that litter the country not to mention the amount of beaches present. Not only is there some stunning places to bathe but you won’t have to fight to find a deckchair.

Money

Croatia is yet to come onto the Euro and compared to other Mediterranean countries such as Spain, Italy and Greece, the cost of living and such things as meals, accommodation and drinks are well below the average in the area.

Safety

Pick pocketing is becoming a very common feature among tourist spots such as Italy and Spain. Barcelona has acquired a terrible name for street theft in recent years however this is not the case in Croatia. Street crime is very minimal and attacks on foreigners are virtually unheard of in the country.

Plitvice Lakes

This combination of 16 lakes that stretches for 5 miles is something of a must see for any tourist. They are surrounded by luscious forests that are home to many animals such as brown bears and wild boar. Plitvice lakes are just one of 8 Croatian National parks.

Nature

Croatia has remained relatively under industrialized compared to other countries like Spain so there is more of its natural beauty to wonder at. The countryside and forests provide a seemingly endless beauty and the national parks – like Plitvice and Kopacki rit – to enjoy their splendor and limestone caves.

The people

Croats are not hustle and bustle people. They do not expect everything to be done at once or are impatient; instead they are easy-going and good natured – a welcome break from the hurly burly of the usual holiday resorts.

Islands

The country has some 1000 islands sprinkled around its share of the Adriatic Sea. While you won’t be able to explore them all, a boat ride can provide you with a truly awesome experience and locations such as Brac, Hvar, Mljet, Korcula and Kornati will be memorable.

History

A history buff? Well Croatia is the place for you as it is a truly historical country. Recent history aside, Croatia played host to the Romans, the Slavs, and the Austro-Hungarian monarchs and their legacy can be seen in the architecture and churches that dominate the cities such as Split and Dubrovnik.

Weather

Sick of the rain back home? Croatia may not be the first country that comes to your mind when you think of a holiday in the sun however the coast is exceptionally warm in the summer with more 12 hours of sunshine a day, perfect for lazy days on beaches such as Banje in Dubrovnik or Zlatni rat beach in Bol on island Brac.