Jumping in
Explore the Coast of to
Croatia By Rosalind Stefanac
Croatia’s abundant coastline provides the perfect backdrop for a family adventure. MOTORBOAT TOUR AT KORNATI NATIONAL PARK ©ROSALIND STEFANAC
SIBENIK CROATIA
I can feel my heart beat quicken as I watch my teenage sons climb the jagged rocks that lead to a tiny ledge five metres up. As they hesitate near the top, I hear words of encouragement coming from the local kids waiting their turn (many of whom seem barely school-aged them-selves). With some prodding, the boys eventually step onto the stone and take their first leap into Croatia’s Adriatic Sea – and then there’s no turning back. By the end of this trip my sons, ages 13 and 16, will have catapulted off the tops of boats and rock cliffs that look much scarier. They’ll even convince me to jump a couple of times and I’ll understand the appeal. Croatia’s translucent, turquoise waters look so inviting, it’s no wonder people jump in whenever the opportunity arises. Located between Central and Eastern Europe, Croatia is replete with charming towns, ancient monuments, picturesque parks and mountains. But what I’ve discovered after several visits here is that Croatia’s ultimate jewel is its coastline. Stretching nearly 1,800 kilometres from the Istria peninsula in the north to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre of Dubrovnik in the south, this coveted stretch of sea side has been drawing SWIMMING ©ROSALIND STEFANAC
