Croatia

Originally built by the Romans as an island port, Rovinj was joined to the mainland in 1763 creating a peninsula. Rovinj harbour’s Baroque style architecture and historic landmarks are reminiscent of its 500 years under Venetian control. The ancient gates named Balbi’s Arch (1680), a clock tower dating back to the Renaissance era and the Christian cathedral rebuilt in 1736, make for a fascinating wander around the village. The Institute of Marine Biology and its aquarium can be found on the waterfront. South of the town is Zlatni Rt, a nature park with cedars, pines and cypresses, providing many authors with inspiration throughout the centuries.

Made up of fourteen islands and a national park since 1983, visitors are only allowed on the two main islands of Veli Brijun and Mail Brijun. In Roman times there were aristocratic villas and religious communities, and after WWII Marshall Tito would spend summer on these islands bringing with him many exotic animals which are still around today.

The fifth largest city in Croatia Pula is home to calm seas, mild climates and unspoiled nature. It is known for its ancient roman buildings: the amphitheatre dating back to the 1st century, the Arch of the Sergil and the Temple of Rome and Augustus, all well worth a visit. Today Pula has both an old town and new district, and attracts many cultural and artistic events. Austria based its fleet here in 1856 and it’s still one of the most important naval bases in Croatia. Pula has been fought over many a time, and only after the collapse of Yugoslavia did it regain its name and become part of modern-day Croatia. Today, Pula is a university town and the administrative centre of the region.

Made up of three hundred islands with an abundance of Mediterranean flora and surrounded by crystal clear waters, twelve of the islands are inhabited by small fishing and farming communities. Venice and the King of Hungary fought over Zadar in the 12th and 13th centuries until it was sold to Venice in 1409. During that period Zadar was renamed Zara, churches and palaces were built and it enjoyed a spell of prosperity. Zadar was repeatedly bombed in WWII and after the formation of Yugoslavia in 1947, many Italians left this archipelago.

The old Croatian fortress of St. Mihovil can be found in the heart of the Adriatic, at the mouth of the river Krka. The indestructible historic heritage is owed to the Western European Christian civilization. By taking a local boat up the river Krka you will reach Skradin, a national park with spectacular waterfalls and natural beauty.

This town on a small island off the Croatian mainland is gifted with extraordinary architectural beauty and is a UNESCO world heritage site. A wall with two gates encircles the ancient historic centre and a bridge connects the island to the mainland. Trogir is home to an ecologically preserved group of more than one hundred islands comprising the Kornati National Park.

Croatia’s second largest city is rich in cultural history. Must-sees include Diocletian’s Palace, the Mestrovic Gallery, the Archaeological Museum and the atrium containing tombstones, sarcophagi, mosaic floors and early Christian monuments.