Croatia

Croatia has a long history that dates all the way back to the 7th century. Divided between the principalities of Croatia and Pannonia, The Trpmirovic dynasty consolidated them and in 1102, Croatia unified with the Kingdom of Hungary. In 1527, the country became part of the Habsburg monarch after the battle of Mohacs, and they were subjects of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the First World War, when they were defeated and subsequently dissolved. This caused Croatia to join a coalition with the neighboring Serbs, Slovenes and Bosnians to form the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. After World War II, Yugoslavia became a communist republic led by Marshal Tito. Unfortunately, many Croatians did not support the regime, and in 1991, they declared independence from Yugoslavia. This caused a major civil war between native Croatians and Croatian Serbs, which culminated in victory for the Croatians in 1998. Since then, Croatia has been particularly peaceful, helping to surge the tourism industry while helping businesses develop better internationally.

Attractions

There are a total of seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Croatia, most of them exemplifying the country’s pristine medieval architecture. Split, for example, is one of many fortified cities along the Adriatic sea. Dubrovnik, known to the locals as the pearl of the Adriatic, is another fortified city, but within the walls stands several monasteries, churches and palatial buildings from as far back as the 13th century. If you are looking for a quieter experience in Croatia, the Plitvice Lakes National Park is a visual wonder and a therapeutic experience. Waterfalls tumble down from smooth cliff-sides into gem-coloured lakes. There are also a number of hiking trails in the region, too.

Food & Drink

There is a surprisingly diverse range of Croatian cuisine considering the size of the country. The most celebrated foods are usually meats and cheeses, such as kulen, a type of spicy sausage, and cobanac, a stew made from several meats and seasoned with paprika. One of the most popular dishes in the capital, Zagreb, is a cheese pastry known as strukli; and if you’re still feeling hungry, you can always get purica s mlincima, which is basically a baked turkey pastry. In the more mountainous regions of the country, potatoes and berries and mushrooms are staples in any dish, and when you are by the Mediterranean, meaty seafoods are common dishes. As for the more common eats, there are actually few uniquely Croatian foods eaten unanimously throughout the whole country. For those who want a late-night snack after enjoying the seaside nightlife, bakeries and Turkish restaurants will often offer fresh bread, cheese pastries, and even chocolate-filled donuts.

Croatia is more known for its desserts in the region, and bakeries offering different types of cakes and strudels are quite popular. Just like many other nations along the Mediterranean, Croatia offers its own selection of wines and brandies. The most famous drink is undoubtedly the Maraschino, a liqueur whose cherries are grown in the country’s Dalmatia region. One of the more celebrated wines in the area is known as bevanda, but unlike most Italian Reds, it is mixed with water before consumption.

Safety

It is fairly easy to get burnt on the beaches of Croatia, so be sure to lather up before sunbathing. One thing you need to remember is that the emergency phone line is not 911, but rather 112.
Croatia has been gradually shedding its reputation for landmines. In most tourist areas, there is little to no trace of them, but if you are thinking of hiking, be sure to consult the locals. So long as you do not stray too far from the roads, you will be fine. There is also a wind phenomenon known as Bura that threatens the Velebit area of the country. Able to gust at up to 200km/h, be sure to go inside if you feel a strong draft. Croatian nightlife has a reputation for fun, but beware of how much your purchases are costing. Some clubs are tourist traps that will charge exorbitant amounts for drinks and threaten those who do not pay. The last safety concern about travel in Croatia is the tick problem, which fluctuates by the season but can nevertheless cause problems. So long as you wear long sleeves in forested areas, however, you should be fine.