Croatia, a small country for a great holiday

Although this top 10 "must see" have been chosen based on my experience, including impressions from my trips and my meetings with people there, there is a high overlapping with "official" and other tourist guides. At least, everybody agrees on Dubrovnik, medieval Mediterranean town of art and science which was a great sovereign for centuries.

In this article I am concentrating only on breath-taking places, leaving out exciting activity you can do, rare flora and fauna you can find or traditional food you can taste. However, I could not resist temptation so I put some authentic events at the end of the list...

"If I looked for a paradise on the earth I would choose Dubrovnik" - is quite common beginning sentence of a tourist guide or documentary film about this one special town. It's difficult to say what makes it so famous and attractive nowadays, is it its architectural perfections or inheritance of its glory history (Dubrovnik has been independent and very prosperous state for centuries).

Basically, the old part of this UNESCO World heritage Site is nowadays town-museum which every street and corner talk stories from old times. Walls surrounding the town, Rector's palace, Onofrio's Fountain, churches, museums,... are some of the most visited spots.

When I spent a week in Dubrovnik and surroundings last year, my happiness was endless.

It's really difficult to say which one of eight Croatian national parks to put on this list, since each of them are of surpassing beauty. Consisting of 16 lakes connected by waterfalls and streams, situated in the heart of Lika region, The Plitvice lake attracts a lot of travellers every year. Far away of daily routine, it provides us with a unique touch with nature.

The crucial argument of putting this magnificent island on this list, for me, is its presence in everyday cultural life of Croatia.. New books promotions take place there as well as theatre performances and those are only a few of many such events.

However, for its visitors the island sounds and flavours are probably more attractive as well as spots of historical importance and beauty. My impressions of this island of lavender and sunshine still reverberate in my mind.

• Croatia as a sovereign country dates back to te 7^th century when Croats arrived in the land of present-day Croatia. The first king of the Kingdom of Croatia was Tomislav, who ruled by 925.

• The Republic of Dubrovnik was founded in 1358 and existed to 1808, when it was conquered by Napoleon's army. The Republic of Dubrovnik was very prosperous and reach European country with wide diplomatic network, including USA and India among the other countries.
• The oldest university in Croatia is University of Zadar, established in 1396 by Dominican Order and operated until 1807. The university is refounded in 2002 and nowadays counts 21 departments.
• It is believed that tie as an item of clothing comes from Croatia. It is recorded that Croatian solders in the Thirty Years War (1618-1648) wore their traditional 'neckerchiefs'.

Some of ancient buildings on the Croatian ground are still in a usage. For example, remaining Roman amphitheatre in Pula nowadays serves as a stage for many music stars from throughout the world (and being there is unforgettable experience). But probably the most famous Roman building, still in a function is palace of Roman emperor Diocletian, making significant part of the city centre.

The Palace is a large architectural structure which consists of several buildings, the square and basement. The city's main symbol, the bell tower of the cathedral of Saint Doimus, is part of palace as well. Nowadays you have opportunity to sleep in the same rooms where possibly Diocletian hosted his guests. Namely, in one part of the building there is a small luxury hotel called Vestibul.

Of course, once being in Split you can enjoy not only Diocletian palace but also endless beauty of the city centre. Tiny, narrow streets in the walking area are only part of city's charm. Split is also an excellent starting point for visiting southern Adriatic islands since there is a good ferry connection from Split, especially in summer season (and I'd like to take this advantage once being in Split).

If your first thought when you read the title was this is an allegory or even a fun, your are wrong! Famous, recently built, the Sea organ is an architectural masterpiece which plays music by means of the sea waves. St. Donatus's Church, a pre-Romanesque church from the 9th century is a famous landmark on the Zadar skyline. Then, the oldest university in Croatia is University of Zadar, established in 1396 by Dominican Order and refounded in 2002.

Walking through the old town parks and streets you will experience charming flavour of Croatia Mediterranean. In Zadar there is also possibility for tourists, and others, to enrol Croation language course.

Although loosing its charm in last few decades, Zagreb still won't leave you indifferent. A beautiful walking area, parliament building, church of St Marko, fantastic museums and galeries,... are the most visited places in old town called the upper town. In the down town is city centre and "green horseshoe" - including parks, Botanic garden, national theatre, museums, university building and hotels.

Together with Dubrovnik, county of Istria is one of the Croatian hot spots for tourists. The Istria cost, picturesque towns in inland usually situated at the top of a hill, sound of sopile, wine, hum and truffles nobody will leave indifferent.

Some of breath-taking spots: the view from the top of St Eufemija church in Rovinj, the view from walls surrounding Motovun (magnificant view on all four sides of Istria), Euphrasian Basilica in Porec, Hum - which is known as the smallest town in the world.

It can be said that Croatia is a country of islands since there are more than 1000 islands, around 50 of them being inhabited. As there is a huge diversity among the islands by their size, there are many differences in all aspect of life as well.

While the biggest islands count their population in thousands, there can be only few people living on some small islands presenting a strong will of people to live there. As an example I would like to mention the island of Susak where on the areas less than 4 squared kilometre live around hundred people.

A few times in its history population of Susak reached above 1000). Second time visiting this island, I was so impressed that I wrote a travel article. Nowadays list of inhabited islands is getting shorter and shorter. Majority of islands lose their population with some bright exceptions like the island of Rab whose population is increasing. However during the summer season population of many islands increases significantly, in some cases even a few times. Every small island is a treasure for itself which deserve to be explored.

Croatia has plenty of castles, especially in Zagorje and Slavonija region. Some of the most famous and the most visited castles are Trakoscan and Veliki Tabor.

There is no castle except Veliki Tabor with so many legends - and the story of The rose of Zagorje is the most famous one. In Veliki Tabor very inspiring was sitting at the table in the knight's hall where once real knights were sitting. Going into a castle, in its halls and towers, we enter into old times...

In Croatia there is an enormous wealth of cultural heritage. Sinjska alka or simply Alka make part of it. Alka is a knight tournament which takes plase every first Sunday in August in honour to the victory over Ottoman Turkish army.

Moreska, a traditional sword dance from the town of Korcula, can be seen on the island of the same name. The list of my "top 3" I will conclude with the Procession Za Krizen wich has been recently put on the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. To participate in such an event is a remarkable experience of Croatia.

The video above presents part of moreska dance performance.

Thank you - Hvala

Please - Molim

Hello - Bok, ciao, dobar dan (formal)

See you, bye - Do videnja