Situated at 45 10 N, 15 30 E, Croatia sits near the head of the Adriatic Sea and forms a sideways horseshoe shape on the eastern banks. It stretches from the Istrian Peninisular in the north to Dubrovnik on the Dalmatian coast in the south.
The coastline is dramatic, with the hills and mountains reaching down to form deep gashes around which the road snakes its way south. To drive this route is breathtaking, as the sun glistens on sparkling seas which are dotted with a plethora of small uninhabited islets, and as the road dips in and out of the small gorges and valleys, small hawks and buzzards circle lazily overhead on the thermals. The many small bays are not sandy, but rocky with crystal clear seas, the water wonderfully warm in high summer.
Imagine yourself, at sunset, walking through the acacia and pine trees, being serenaded by the cicadas, enveloped in the warmth of the coming night.
Croatia is blessed with a Mediterranean climate along its coast, with hot, dry summers and cool winters, whilst the interior is continental with hot summers and snowy winters.
Being such a coastal destination, water sports feature highly with diving, sailing and fishing high on the visitor’s list of ‘things to do’.
Apart from the modern attractions of this beautiful country, Croatia offers an historic footprint which is well worth exploring in places as diverse as the Venetian Istrian Peninsular, the Roman town of Split, early 19th century Zagreb, the capital, Zadar, with its Italian influences, and last, but by no means least, the Medieval delights of Dubrovnik.