Croatia : The Bradt Travel Guide

by Piers Letcher

• ISBN13: 9781841620657
• ISBN10: 1841620653
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2003-05-01
• Publisher: Bradt Travel Guides

Summary

This new travel guide explores every aspect of the Balkan country of Croatia, with a strong focus on the natural and cultural aspects of this emerging nation. In-depth coverage of Dubrovnik - the "Pearl of the Adriatic", now restored to its former glory - and national parks, including the world-famous Plitvice Lakes, are just a couple of the highlights of the Bradt guide. Miles of unspoiled beaches and over 1,000 offshore islands bordering the Adriatic make up the stunning Dalmatian coast, perfect for sunbathing and yachting. Walkers can discover waterfalls, inland parks, and coastal hikes with breathtaking scenery. The historic cities of Dubrovnik, Zagreb, and Split provide an insight into the past for culture vultures intent on getting the best out of the country's remarkably rich heritage. This is the perfect guide to help visitors find and enjoy their own corner of this peaceful country, and learn about Croatia past and present.

Author Biography

Piers Letcher lives in Ferney Voltaire, France and has spent several years as a senior speech writer for the United Nations in Geneva. As an independent writer and photographer he has published 13 books, including the Bradt guide to the former Yugoslavia, over a 1000 newspaper and magazine articles, and hundreds of photographs.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	ix
Introduction	xi
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION	1	(66)
Background Information	3	(22)
Facts and figures	3	(1)
Geography and climate	4	(2)
Natural history and conservation	6	(4)
History	10	(10)
Politics	20	(1)
Economy	20	(1)
Tourism	21	(1)
People	21	(1)
Language	22	(1)
Religion	22	(1)
Culture	23	(2)
Practical Information	25	(42)
When to visit	25	(1)
Highlights	25	(3)
Tour operators	28	(1)
Red tape	29	(2)
Getting there and away	31	(2)
Maps and tourist information	33	(1)
Health, insurance and safety	34	(4)
What to take	38	(1)
Money	39	(1)
Opening times	40	(1)
Budgeting	41	(1)
Getting around	42	(7)
Accommodation	49	(3)
Eating and drinking	52	(2)
Public holidays and festivals	54	(2)
Shopping	56	(1)
Arts and entertainment	57	(1)
Photography	57	(1)
Media and communications	58	(4)
Business/time	62	(1)
Cultural dos and don'ts	63	(1)
Interacting with local people	64	(1)
Giving something back	64	(3)
PART TWO THE GUIDE	67	(214)
Zagreb	69	(18)
History	69	(3)
Getting there	72	(1)
Getting around	73	(3)
Local tour operators	76	(1)
Where to stay	77	(1)
Where to eat	78	(2)
What to see	80	(7)
Inland Croatia	87	(42)
Varazdin	89	(3)
The Zagorje	92	(9)
Samobor and the Zumberak	101	(5)
Karlovac	106	(3)
Plitvice Lakes National Park	109	(4)
Jastrebarsko and the Turopolje	113	(1)
Lonjsko Polje	114	(2)
Jasenovac	116	(1)
Pozega	116	(1)
Papuk Nature Park	117	(2)
Slavonski Brod	119	(1)
Dakovo	119	(1)
Osijek	120	(3)
Kopacki Rit	123	(2)
Vukovar	125	(4)
Istria	129	(30)
The west coast to Porec	130	(4)
Rovinj	134	(5)
Brijuni Islands	139	(4)
Pula	143	(8)
The east coast to Labin and Rabac	151	(1)
To Opatija and Ucka	152	(2)
Inland Istria	154	(5)
Kvarner Bay and Islands	159	(30)
Rijeka	159	(6)
Gorski Kotar	165	(3)
North Velebit National Park	168	(3)
Cres and Losinj	171	(7)
Krk	178	(4)
Rab	182	(7)
Northern Dalmatia	189	(28)
Zadar	189	(5)
Paklenica National Park	194	(8)
Sibenik	202	(3)
Krka National Park	205	(3)
Pag	208	(3)
Ugljan and Pasman	211	(2)
Dugi Otok and the Kornati archipelago	213	(4)
Central Dalmatia	217	(32)
Trogir	217	(3)
Split	220	(9)
Makarska/Biokovo	229	(4)
Solta	233	(2)
Brac	235	(3)
Hvar	238	(6)
Vis	244	(5)
Southern Dalmatia	249	(32)
Dubrovnik	249	(12)
The Elaphite Islands (Kolocep, Lopud, Sipan)	261	(2)
Mljet	263	(4)
Ploce and the Neretva Delta	267	(1)
Peljesac Peninsula	268	(3)
Korcula	271	(7)
Lastovo	278	(3)
Appendix 1 Language	281	(4)
Appendix 2 Further Information	285	(3)
Index	288