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et on the dazzling Adriatic coast, Dubrovnik is Croatia’s superstar. Popular for its beaches and picture-perfect old town, this vibrant city put Croatia on the map – but that could be about to change. More and more holidaymakers are falling for northern Croatia, with its charming blend of culture and countryside. Istria is the name on everyone’s lips up here; it’s a legendary winemaking region with an Italian flair, home to pretty Venetian towns and rolling vineyards. Not sure which side to go for? Here’s what to expect in Croatia’s north and south…
THE NORTH Culture and cuisine Northern Croatia has a real Italian feel, with beautiful Venetian towns and rolling hills giving way to pretty vineyards. The town of Rovinj is a
Istria is Croatia’s best wine region, producing the famous Istrian Malvasia, a grape variety known for sweet whites, dessert wine and sparkling wine. The picturesque rural estates are the perfect place for a wine tour. Take professionally guided tasting sessions and stroll through the vineyards and olive groves, then soak up the wine with local bread and olives. “I’d really recommend a trip to the
great place to soak up this unique
vineyards of Konvale,” says Georgina
culture, lining up picturesque
Bunn, personal assistant at Sovereign.
buildings, cobbled streets and a
“On our tour, we sipped locally-
Venetian old town.
produced reds, whites and fortified
Istria is a must-visit for foodies, with
wine, and tucked into a traditional
Italian-influenced cuisine served in all
lunch of boiled eggs, smoked bacon,
the konobas (local restaurants). The
salad and homemade corn bread. We
fishing harbour in Rovinj has one of the
also got to try an award-winning dessert
best reputations in the Mediterranean,
wine that sells for around £80 a bottle!”
with local fishermen hauling in quality seafood. The day’s catch is available all along the waterfront – look out for the unbelievably fresh sardines.
Natural beauty
Day trips Northern Croatia is around three hours from Venice by ferry, so it’s easy to fit in a day trip. Glide down the Grand Canal, stroll through St Mark’s Square and
The Dubrovnik Riviera may have
spend the day discovering the famous
its famous capital city, but the
city, before hopping on a ferry back in
north of Croatia is home to natural
the evening.
beauty that wouldn’t look out of
Pula, Istria’s largest city, is a
place in Tuscany. The region is at
treasure-trove of historic sites and
its most breath-taking at the Plitvice
Roman architecture, made for a day
Lakes National Park, a UNESCO-
of sightseeing. The star of the show
listed collection of glittering lakes,
is an incredible first-century Roman
waterfalls and forest that you’ll need
amphitheatre with a 20,000 capacity,
a day to explore in full.
making it one of the largest in the world.
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