"Croatia" Croatia by JLBG

Croatia Travel Guide: 16,219 reviews and 34,039 photos

The two regions in the world I have visited the most often are Western Balkans and the Maghreb. Look at my pages on Morocco and Tunisia and in each countries, local pages. I will build later pages on Algeria and the Sahara desert. In the Western Balkans, I have mostly wandered in Croatia and Greece, occasionally in and Albania, a long time ago in others parts of Yugoslavia.
I have visited Croatia about ten times. My first visit to Yugoslavia was as far back as 1975, driving (and camping) from Greece, back to home in France, passing by Bitola, Skopje, Pristina, Titova Mitrovica (as it was then named), the 50 tunnels road, Titograd, Ulcinj, and by the "Jadranska magistrala", Dubrovnik, Zadar, Split, Pula. Beginning in 1978, I sailed in the Dalmatian islands, several years in a row, altogether from Mali Losinj to Zut. That was in that period that I began to realize that the federal republics of Yugoslavia were not only names on the map. One year, on the 5th of August, in Hvar, there were a few red draughtboard flags hanging from the balconies. The following year, they were on every balcony. In 1989 and 90, back driving on the continent from Rijeka to Dubrovnik with a week sailing in the islands. In the last period, we went and stayed in Pula (96 and 98) and in Vrsar (99 and 2000) and visited the neighboring backcountry. However, I know that I am far from knowing the country in depth. The Croatian region that I have visited the most often is Istria and I have several local pages on great places.
Beram, a hidden marvel that few know.
Porec, a well known marvel, worth its reputation.
Pula, a must.
Vrsar, and other smaller cities, especially all the superb "perched" villages inland Istria.

I will build new pages on other cities in Croatia !, New visits already planned !

Intro Updated Dec 27, 2004
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (14)

500 and 1000 kuna Local Customs (8)

500 kn Marko Marulic - greatest Croatian poet of the 15th and 16th centuries. Landmark: Diocletian Palace in Split and... more travel advice

100 and 200 kuna banknotes Local Customs (8)

100 kn Ivan Mazuranic - first non-aristocrat to be named Ban (Viceroy). Landmark: Church of St. Vitus in Rijeka. 200... more travel advice

20 and 50 kuna banknotes Local Customs (8)

20 kn Ban (Viceroy) Josip Jelacic - military hero of revolution in 1848. Landmark: Eltz Castle in Vukovar, and Vucedol... more travel advice

5 and 10 kuna banknotes Local Customs (8)

Historical Croatian personalities are featured on one side of the banknotes, with famous Croatian landmarks on the... more travel advice

Favorites (2)
See All A great mystery has been solved
Things to Do (1)
The islands
Been to Croatia?
Share your travels with the world!

Comments (19)

frankyboy5 Sep 27, 2009 at 12:23 PM Report Abuse

Honestly, I think your pages are the best!
lynnehamman May 7, 2009 at 7:51 PM Report Abuse

Very good page,Jean-Louis. I had no idea of the 'Grape Connection". By the way-what is Ajvar? (shopping tip). The onions sound delicious.The coin & notes tip is interesting- but I would get very confused by so many.
volopolo Jan 13, 2009 at 9:10 AM Report Abuse

Interesting website, also near to my country!
Pawtuxet Apr 29, 2007 at 2:38 PM Report Abuse

Now you've made me hungry with your restaurant chatter. If I go...do you promise to sail the boat?
Trekki Apr 27, 2007 at 9:53 AM Report Abuse

Jean-Louis, this is marvellous !! Croatian coins are outstanding beautiful, I should visit just to collect :-) And reading the wine story is like reading an FBI report :-) ahh, and now I can even remember Ajvar, yummmm :-)
LoriPori Aug 28, 2006 at 11:34 AM Report Abuse

Excellent info on Croat restaurants and wine. I bet their Sweet Onion is a lot like the state of Georgia's sweet Vidalia Onion which I love. OK Jean-Louis, you got me - what exactly is jars of ajvar???
Nazha Jan 13, 2006 at 5:20 AM Report Abuse

you are the winner. This is great job. Thx
matcrazy1 Apr 16, 2005 at 10:20 PM Report Abuse

Very good and interesting tips on wine and what to buy in Croatia! Thanks for sharing.
KristaB Dec 28, 2004 at 2:30 AM Report Abuse

And you've also added some more excellent tips. I just checked if I still have two different 25 Kuna coins, I wasn't aware they are so rare, so I'll keep them for my girls - thank you!
Stephen-KarenConn Nov 24, 2004 at 7:38 PM Report Abuse

Very interesting tips - informative and well written.