MONTENEGRO & CROATIA

WITH A VAST RANGE OF SCENERY BRIMMING WITH NATURAL BEAUTY, CROATIA AND MONTENEGRO ARE UNDEREMPHASIZED AND UP-AND-COMING

DESTINATIONS FOR A TRULY FANTASTIC HOLIDAY.

D-RESORT G Ö CEK HOTEL EXCELSIOR DUBROVNIK

Montenegro and Croatia can so often be mistaken as the Caribbean with the crystal clear blue waters and consistent warm temperatures in the summer. The scenery is brimming with natural beauty and both Montenegro and Croatia are up-andcoming holiday destinations.

There’s great variety - each area and island have their own personality; some with enticing sandy coves, some dramatic coastal drives and charming villages - all knitted together by a fascinating antiquity.

Montenegro and Croatia are also home to bustling cities packed with history, interesting architecture, and impressive sights. Dubrovnik is the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ and makes for a great all-round destination combining stunning coastlines and an abundance of bars, restaurants, and shops. Famously a Game of Thrones fi lming location, the pedestrianised, walled Old Town has stunning views from its battlements, ancient Baroque churches, a morning market and is simply spectacular in the evening. Diocletian’s Palace in Split, which is more of a walled town, has Roman origins but also features Gothic and Baroque architecture. Though busy during the day, it becomes a very romantic spot once the sun sets.

Moving on to Montenegro, Stari Bar, an ancient, ruined city that is almost three thousand years old, is another impressive site to explore. Take a few hours to wander the ruins of this fortress settlement, learning about its history and enjoying views of the surrounding landscape. The region’s picturesque coastlines are another reason why tourists fl ock to the region. From the mainland, which itself off ers plenty of serene beaches, visitors can take ferries to a multitude of glittering pine-covered islands surrounded by pristine cobalt sea. The island of Hvar is popular destination, with no shortage of natural wonders.

EXPLORING MONTENEGRO & CROATIA

MONTENEGRO With its steep mountains, deep canyons, a coastline edged with beaches and coves set against a backdrop of lush interiors, you might, at fi rst mistake Montenegro for a lost Caribbean island, but investigate its towns and villages and you’ll fi nd that you are defi nitely in the Balkans. Set in one of Montenegro’s most beautiful bays, Kotor, is a marvellously preserved city with medieval architecture dating back to the 12th century. Its numerous monuments and wealth of artistic and cultural heritage have made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

DUBROVNIK OLD TOWN A stay in Dubrovnik brings you upmarket amenities housed within the beautiful Medieval walls of the city. Stylish bars off er you the choice of local Croatian wines or cool cocktails as you take in views of the harbour or narrow city streets. The little boutiques off er designer fashions and little trinkets to take back home, while there are some well known brands as well. When it comes to dining you’ll fi nd upmarket eateries dotted throughout the town, tucked away in the walls of Old Town, as well as some fantastic hotels housing a choice of restaurants. HVAR Located on an island just off the south coast of mainland Croatia, Hvar Town is perfect for couples wanting to soak in the quiet side of Croatia’s culture. Arrive in the harbour by catamaran and watch the yachts and fi shing boats as they bob side by side. Head into the square and stop off in bars, cafés and restaurants, serving everything from fi ne gourmet cuisine to takeaway slices of pizza and delicious varieties of ice cream.

SUTIVAN, BRAC This 1700 years old village town on the north west side of Brac island used to be a home to Roman noblemen who had their villas here. There is a lot of history in the village, which was en-route from Venice to the East and had some grand old ships moored there laden with soldiers or exquisite merchandise. Olive groves, mandarin gardens and vineyards surround the village, which is quite tranquil, except for a few summer fetes and shows.

GETTING THERE

Montenegro: There is a mixture of scheduled and low-cost fl ights into Tivat and Podgorica Airports and also to Dubrovnik, with a transfer across the border into Montenegro. Flying time from the UK is approximately three hours

Croatia: Regular scheduled fl ying with British Airways into Dubrovnik is available, plus a choice of low-cost carriers. Flying time from the UK is approximately three hours

1

2 BRAC

DUBROVNIK

3

4

5 TIVAT

CROATIA

1. Lemongarden Hotel (p85) 2. Adriana, Hvar Spa Hotel (p85) 3. Hotel Dubrovnik Palace (p83) Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik (p84) Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik (p82)

MONTENEGRO

4. One&Only Portonovi (p82) 5. Regent Porto Montenegro (p83)

ZAGREB

CROATIA

Podgorica

MONTENEGRO