Croatia Things to Do Tips by acemj

More than a mere launching pad

Split is often used as a base of exploration for the Southern Dalmatians, but be sure to spend some time exploring its charming Old Town and the Roman ruins of the Emperor Diocletian's Palace. Split is Croatia's second largest city behind Zagreb and its coastal location in the shadow of some beautiful mountains makes it extremely photogenic and a pleasure to explore.

Island hopping

The Adriatic Sea off the west coast of Croatia is an island hopper's paradise, although when I was there in February, the ferry schedules were intermittent at best and it was difficult to visit the islands and keep a convenient schedule. Some of the more well-known islands are Hvar, Rab, Vis and Korcula and many people fly into Split, which is also known as somewhat of a gateway to the Dalmatians, situated at the northern end of the southern Dalmatians.

Trogir

A great day trip from Split is nearby Trogir, a charming "semi-island" just 30-45 minutes by bus (#37) to the north of Split. You probably won't need more than a day here, but I would imagine that spending a night here would be relaxing. The medieval town has a great waterfront promenade and the main Cathedral in Trg Ivana Pavla II has a beautiful Venetian tower and some interesting artwork inside.

Diocletian's legacy

Well, some might say that he helped cause the fall of the Roman Empire, but somewhere along the way (he because Roman Emperor in 284 A.D.) Emperor Diocletian built an amazing palace in Split. Today, it's a little hard to see where the palace begins and ends amidst the internet cafes and shops of the Old Town, but grab a map and you'll be able to spot some impressive original structures.

One of the world's great streets

Stradun is the main street in Dubrovnik's Old Town and is truly a great, short stroll. It's lined with shops and cafes and some interesting architectural sights, but be sure to wander off the street to the many intersecting lanes where you'll find, well, more shops, cafes and interesting architectural sights! ;-)

The Pearl of the Adriatic

You've probably heard Dubrovnik's nickname before, but it truly lives up to the moniker, "The Pearl of the Adriatic." In fact, the Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is simply a great place to spend some time. The entire Old Town is surrounded by a thick and ancient wall and the cafes here (even in February) were always crowded with people intent on the serious business of relaxation.

A permanent rest

Zagreb's main cemetery, Mirogoj is an enormous place set on the outskirts of the city, but easy to reach by bus (#106 from Kaptol). Mirogoj is truly an all-inclusive resting place and as you stroll around the massive grounds, you'll see religious icons of all kinds and of course, most of Croatia's famous sons and daughters are buried here.

Architectural gems

Zagreb is a stately, grand city with a number of impressive buildings and organized squares that make exploring easy. Pictured here, is the Croatian National Theater located in Marshall Tito Square. In the front of the theater and also seen in this photo, is a fountain by the ever present Ivan Mestrovic called "Well of Life".

Zagreb

Croatia's capital city is often overlooked because of its inland location, but in my opinion, it is a must see. Perhaps my experience there was a little influenced by the great hospitality of some fellow VTers that I met, but nonetheless, I loved Zagreb. I've been to a few other eastern European capitals (Prague, Budapest and Bratislava), but don't overlook Zagreb. It has a very fascinating Old Town which was once two rival towns and is now an easy to explore jumble of cobbled streets and GREAT outdoor cafes.