Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
5
Croatia
by Karen Olson & Sanja Ba
z
uli
5
Olson
G
ermans, Italians, Austrians, and Hun-
garians have been aware of Croatia's
charms for more than a century and,
until very recently, these groups com-
prised the bulk of the country's summer
visitors. That changed after the 1991 war
with Serbia. Even after hostilities ended,
safety concerns and the notion that there
was nothing left worth seeing kept for-
eign travelers away. Today, tourism is
almost back to prewar levels, but negative
perceptions persist. The reality is that
Croatia is safe and welcoming for
tourists, which is clear after the shortest
sojourn.
Travelers from the around the world
are flocking to the country's miles of
coastline, ancient ruins, medieval hilltop
castles, and abundant natural wonders,
making tourism one of Croatia's most
important sources of revenue. That
doesn't mean Croatia is overrun with vis-
itors: Even when the foreign influx is at
its peak, it still is possible to find a
secluded cove where it seems you are the
only person on earth. And when hotels
are full, there is always a room waiting in
a private home where the landlord wel-
comes you like a long-lost friend.
Croatia's rich and varied natural beauty
is reason enough to visit, but for those
who want to combine an active vacation
with breathtaking scenery, adventure
travel options abound. Whether you pre-
fer kayaking on swift rivers, rock climbing
the formidable Velebit limestone walls,
windsurfing off islands like Bra
c
,
spelunking in the subterranean caves that
honeycomb the karstic landscape, or
scuba diving off Vis, Croatia is an ideal
venue. For those drawn to more sedate
pursuits, Croatia offers numerous resorts
along its many stretches of “riviera,” plus
quaint agri-inns in the rural interior,
where meandering wine roads are dotted
with places to linger over a meal. For
those who like to wander, there are
leisurely day trips to offshore islands or
pilgrimages to a plethora of religious sites.
History buffs will revel in the castles,
museums, ruins, and churches scattered
about the countryside. The past is a living
thing in Croatia, where every building,
park, and hill has a story that adds to the
lore of this ancient land.
Since gaining independence in 1991,
Croatia has been working through eco-
nomic, social, and political issues, and the
country hopes to obtain membership in
the European Union by 2010. Mean-
while, Croatia is moving ahead with ren-
ovation, road building, and restoration,
three R's of progress that are closely tied
to the current tourism boom. From
secluded coves to bustling metropolises,
Croatia is the ticket. Be sure to bring a
sense of wonder and plenty of film—
Croatia is a country of many colors and a
magnificent work in progress.
