Croatia is calling: Travel tips for a magical Mediterranean vacation
From ocean water that pairs crystalline with aquamarine to Adriatic red-roof villages that breathe with a cultural blend inspired by Roman, Byzantine, Central European and Mediterranean influences that have found themselves a crossroads in the small coastal nation.
Bring Your Water Shoes
Over 1,000 islands dot the Croatian coast, 48 of which are permanently inhabited. This means that beach-hopping is a major pastime for many aquaphile visitors. Croatian beaches, however, tend to be more rocky than sandy, and a pair of sturdy water shoes is highly recommended on any packing list.
Embrace the Bus
With narrow roads, a local driving culture that encourages overtaking and a largely manual fleet, renting a car as a tourist in Croatia may not be for everyone. Fortunately, the bus system is robust, far-reaching, affordable and reliable. Locals, expats and tourists alike praise the efficiency of the well-maintained travel infrastructure, encouraging it over alternatives like the train, which has a far less extensive network.
Mind your manners
Croatian history is checkered with periods of invasion, hostile takeover and violent conflict. It is respectful and important to refer to both the country and its language correctly and without reference to prior political titles or linguistically similar, but culturally and alphabetically distinct, languages in the region. The country is referred to as Croatia and its language Croatian, not to be called otherwise.
Learn a few words
Another footprint of this history can be found in the appreciativeness with which Croatians receive visitors who go out of their way to learn basic phrases like “hello,” “goodbye,” “please” and “thank you.” Showing this level of intention and care is not only important to creating an environment where Croatians don’t feel displaced by tourists in their own country; it opens doors of connection with locals, who are often happy and curious to meet travelers from abroad.
Beef up your budget
While many tend to associate countries in Eastern Europe with affordability and accessibility, Croatia bucks the trend. The country is riddled with luxury hotels and draws a high-flying clientele, meaning that price points are more comparable to Western Europe than budget destinations. Failing to keep this in mind will find travelers short of pocket change as meals and daily expenditures begin to add up.
This story was originally published August 10, 2022 at 8:00 AM with the headline "Croatia is calling: Travel tips for a magical Mediterranean vacation."