48hoursincroatia sept2015

Page 1

70

bq | HOSPITALITY+TOURISM | 48 HOURS IN

ADRIATIC ABUNDANCE

48 Hours in Croatia Fancy a modern but Mediterranean touristic experience? Croatia promises to surprise you every time with its bustling coastal towns, architecture and rich heritage By Shereen D'Souza, Doha

Dotted with over a thousand islands, dramatic mountainous landscapes and sparkling azure waters on a long coastline that stretches over the Adriatic Sea, the Republic of Croatia offers the perfect getaway to tourists looking for a relaxed yet exciting vacation to an East European destination. Positioned between the Balkans and Central Europe, the beauty, heritage and culture promises to leave its soaring summer temperatures far behind. The best time to visit would probably be May and June or post September, to escape the soaring heat while soaking in the best of Croatia’s sun and sapphire waters at some of Europe’s most popular beaches. Croatia is divided into various regions, each one with its own charm, and covering all of them might seem www.bqmagazine.com

impossible. Forty-eight hours presents a tough and hectic itinerary, as Croatia boasts a combination of unspoilt nature, centuries-old architecture and a lively contemporary cultural scene in some not-to-miss islands and towns! 48 hours in Croatia Day 1 8:00 Plitvice Lakes National Park - This UNESCO World Heritage Site promises to blow your mind away with its unique turquoise and azure coloured lakes and waterfalls. Definitely a must if you love hiking. The waters flowing over the limestone and chalk have, over thousands of years, deposited travertine barriers, creating natural dams which in turn have created a series of beautiful lakes, caves and waterfalls. These geological

processes continue today. The forests in the park are home to bears, wolves and rare bird species. It is recommended you start early in the morning to explore the 18.3 km K-Trail, the longest in the protected area that extends over 296.85 sq. km. (Price per person: 180 Kuna.) 17:00 Bus to Zagreb 19:00 Explore Zagreb - Make your way around the town sampling some of the chic lounges, bistros, cafes and shopping around the Lower Town lined with Habsburg-era buildings and a bronze statue of the 19th century ruler. Make sure to walk up to the Upper Town and feel its history as you stroll through the streets around St Mark’s Church. If you arrive earlier in the day, Zagreb is known for its museums and the Museum of Broken Relationships in the Upper Town is something to stop by. In the Lower


71

bq | HOSPITALITY+TOURISM | 48 HOURS IN

11:00 Visit Diocletian’s palace – An ancient palace built by Roman emperor Diocletian at the heart of Split, which is just a five-minute walk from the Port. To this day, there are restaurants and shops within the walls. For Game of Thrones’ enthusiasts, this is also a shoot location for the popular HBO series. The streets outside are lined with bars, restaurants and cafés. 15:30 Ferry to Hvar Town - Pre-book tickets 17:30 Arrive at Hvar Town - Hvar Island boasts a posh port and a charming city. Walk to the beach and around the town as the sun sets. Croatia is known for its beautiful beaches and Hvar easily has some of the best rocky beaches with clear waters. The cobbled streets of the port area are buzzing with bars, cafés and restaurants and of course, a line of beautiful and exotic yachts.

to offer. If a night out with some great music, pricey cocktails and jet-setting crowd is what you are looking for, Carpe Diem is your best bet! Recommended places to visit for additional days in Croatia: Dubrovnik: Also known as ‘Pearl of the Adriatic,’ Dubrovnik boasts churches, monasteries, museums, fountains and the famous massive stone walls that encircle the city. The city of Dubrovnik is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also a shoot location for Game of

If a night out with some great music, pricey cocktails and jet-setting crowd is what you are looking for, Carpe Diem is your best bet!

Town, the Zagreb Cathedral is a main attraction besides the museums you can visit. Dinner recommendation – Grandfather’s Dream. This restaurant serves food that can be traced to regions from Inland Dalmatia. The restaurant is rather small, with indoor and outdoor seating, and is always crowded even on weekdays. Reserving a table is advised. The outdoor seating area is almost on the streets, allowing the diner to be a part of the lively crowd strolling around. The food is great, and reasonably priced. Day 2 8:00 Fly to Split 10:00 Catamaran Port - Arrive at the Catamaran port departure point for Jadrolinija Ferry. If you have luggage, there are deposit boxes around.

Dinner recommendation – Dalmatino. The service was impeccable and food, even better. The restaurant has outdoor seating, where you can experience the lively and young crowds, with surrounding bars and a live band right across at the other restaurant. The food is slightly pricey, but well worth it. They serve Mediterranean, European and Croatian delicacies. Chill out recommendation - Carpe Diem. This is one of Croatia’s popular coastal clubs, overlooking the sea and buzzing with the best crowd Hvar has

1

Flydubai to Croatia flydubai flies only to Zagreb in Croatia, three times weekly, and is one of the first airlines to offer a direct link to Dubai from Zagreb. Business class is available on this sector, however, the extra legroom seats are highly recommended for those who want to fly in comfort for reasonable prices. The inflight entertainment

ensures that you are well occupied throughout your journey and is reasonably priced at AED 35 and the sector serves hot meals. The business class lounge at the Dubai Airport Terminal 2 is comfortable, well lit, has a good selection of snacks, a large magazine range and is a great way to kill time during your layovers.

September 2015


72

www.bqmagazine.com

bq | HOSPITALITY+TOURISM | 48 HOURS IN


bq | HOSPITALITY+TOURISM | 48 HOURS IN

73

September 2015


74

bq | HOSPITALITY+TOURISM | 48 HOURS IN

3

4

6

www.bqmagazine.com

5


75

bq | HOSPITALITY+TOURISM | 48 HOURS IN

Thrones (TV Series). Korcula: The sixth largest Croatian island, Korcula lies just off the Dalmatian coast. The island’s capital is nicknamed ‘Little Dubrovnik’ and this ancient city is among the most beautiful towns on the Croatian coast. One of the main attractions is the birth house of Marco Polo. Rovinj: One of the most striking and romantic towns in the Mediterranean, on the west coast of Istria, Rovinj promises a unique experience with its pastel-coloured houses huddled together on steep winding streets.

7

1, 3 - Zagreb Cathedral 2, 6 - Plitvice Lakes National Park 4 - Josip Jelačić statue at the main square in Zagreb 5 - St Mark's Church, Upper Town, Zagreb 7 - Hvar Town 8 - Zagreb City Centre, Lower Town Photographs: Pritham D'Souza Metal Farmer, Dada Zecic Pivac

8

September 2015


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.