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If you went to last year’s Carassauga Festival of Cultures you may have been exposed to some cultures that intrigued you enough to think about a trip to one of the many countries featured there.

If one of those countries that piqued your interest was Croatia, then you are in luck. Croatia is a hidden gem of the Adriatic and has a lot to offer a traveler. From friendly people to a fantastic tourist infrastructure there is a lot to love about Croatia.

In this article, I will go over several of the reasons that your next trip should be to Croatia.

1 – The beautiful water of the Adriatic

Croatia’s greatest treasure is the water of its coast. It is crystal clear and wonderful for swimming. The temperature is cool enough to be refreshing, yet, warm enough to not be uncomfortable. Beaches are rocky, but have a lot of character and offer a perfect way to dive into the water for a swim.

The best way to experience Croatia is from the sea so bareboat charters Croatia are a great way to get out and see it from a different perspective. There are so many islands in Croatia and many of them are not inhabited. Getting there by boat is usually the only way to reach them.

2 – Mediterranean cuisine

The food in Croatia is a blend of all the different cultures that surround it. Italian cuisine has a big influence so you will see lots of pasta dishes that highlight the fresh produce and seafood from the area. Grilled fish is very popular and you will want to wash it down with some of the local wine.

Greece and Turkey also influence the cuisine there so you’ll see many dishes with phyllo dough, dill and stuffed vegetables.

The food focuses on freshness and is usually simply prepared and then finished with the local olive oil. If you like truffles then you’re in luck. The truffles are abundant in Croatia and cost a fraction of the ones in France and Italy.

3 – One of a kind cities

If you have ever wondered what it would be like to go back in time to the Roman Empire, then you only have to go to Split. The city center is literally built into the ancient palace of the Emperor Diocletian. You don’t need to use your imagination to see the building for what it was like you would have to do for many ruins.

Explore the different rooms within the palace that now house chapels and markets. The basement is a huge indoor marketplace where you can admire Roman engineering and also buy some local olives while you’re at it.

Dubrovnik is a walled ancient city that has retained its charm throughout the centuries. Roam the cobblestone streets and then take a walk around the city ramparts for unbeatable views of the surrounding Adriatic sea.

Game of Thrones fans will recognize many of the landmarks as much of the series was filmed there.

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