Our Beautiful Croatia

Our Beautiful Croatia

Words and Photos provided by Major Rogers

Ican’t tell you everything about Croatia, but I can tell you at least this: You should go.

I toured six towns in 10 days, just enough to get the flavor of each, while capturing the movable feast the country offers. As with most of Europe, Croatia's history is filled with fighting for its individual identity. Its medieval walled cities, once built to protect it, now offer up a fun travel destination along the Adriatic coastline. The country is similar in size to West Virginia and houses around 4 million people.

One of Europe’s most popular destinations, the landlocked capital city of Zagreb, is an area rich with history and culture. Nearly one-quarter of the country’s total population is found in Zagreb and the surrounding area, home to several ancient cathedrals, mosques, and royal dwellings in areas the Romans once marched through. Summer evenings are pleasant, and when the daytime bustle of the area turns to nightlife, clubs, live music, and open-air markets spark to life, offering visitors lively European nights. Tourists may choose to fly into the international airport in Zagreb, then rent a car to tour the rest of Croatia.

Romance and adventure abound in typical Mediterranean Riviera spots, with a steep price tag to match. While the Croatian coastline isn’t cheap, it’s certainly more affordable than most of Western Europe. Plan in advance, and you could stay in a place overlooking the water for under $200 a night. In Europe, the secret is out: Croatia has a lot to offer, especially in summer. Americans are starting to get word on the destination too.

"AS WITH MOST OF EUROPE, CROATIA'S HISTORY IS FILLED WITH FIGHTING FOR ITS INDIVIDUAL IDENTITY."

"WALKING ALONG THE SEA WALL, OR SWIMMING IN ITS SAPPHIRE WATERS, IS REMINISCENT OF A LIVING FAIRYTALE."

Set your sights on the coastal town of Split, along the Dalmatia coast (where the Dalmatian dog breed originated). It’s the second largest city in the country, after Zagreb. Split was the retirement palace town of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, and is a treasure trove of Roman ruins. In the old ship-building town, you will find arts, culture, history, and great food. Walking through the Old Town during the bright hours of the day, or during the cool, salty, evening air, you’ll feel history underfoot while walking its winding, narrow, cobblestone roads and walkways. Stop and have an espresso or a bite to eat in Narodni Trg, “The People's Square,” while you relax and people watch. Be certain to visit the impressive Riva Promenade, too. This palm treelined walk stretches along the harbor with views of the Adriatic Sea and the incredible vessels that sail it—paired with amazing food and wine at its open-air harborside restaurants, and you'll have an unforgettable meal.

Only an hour out of Split is Krka National Park. The big draw in these lush, green hills is the Skradinski Buk, or the Krka Waterfalls. These falls, considered to be some of the world’s most beautiful, can be accessed via a lake ferry ride to the trailhead for a short walk to the vista. Near the waters, seating areas allow you to take it all in, or you can hike trails to capture an image that's certain to make your friends and family jealous.

With over a thousand islands in all of Croatia, it might be difficult to pinpoint the most beautiful destination. But with limited space here, we’ll say Korcula. Korcula sits just off the mainland, the fabled birthplace of legendary explorer Marco Polo. Several other spots just like it sit along the coastline, each with their own charms. The coastal medieval towns, once designed to wall enemies out, now serve to welcome visitors warmly inside. Korcula’s old town center is only a few football fields long, yet every few doorways lead to something splendid: Art galleries, wine tasting, small pubs, or a Michelin Star restaurant (Korcula has four). The town’s cobblestone streets are walkable at any hour, making it a pleasure to wander among the Venetian-inspired architecture. Walking along the sea wall, or swimming in its sapphire waters, is reminiscent of a living fairytale. This is also Croatia’s wine region, so a winery tour is a must for any who favor the drink. The small bit of effort to take a ferry is well worth it once you experience the locals' warm welcome.

"CROATIA IS A COUNTRY THAT MAKES YOU WANT TO RETURN, EVEN AS YOU'RE HEADED HOME."

Croatia is safe, often landing in the top 10 or 20 of online tourist travel safety lists. Of course, always keep your guard up, but don’t worry about groups of pickpockets that may occur in many other tourist hotspots. We even left our belongings on the beach with our towels as we went in for a dip. The people are friendly, and most speak English. Croatia is a country that makes you want to return, even as you’re headed home. The region's tenacious history and present flourishing will continue to beckon to me—and I hope to return someday.