Escape to Croatia at low off-season prices
Join a quality escorted tour to explore after the crowds have gone
IF YOUR off-season travel dreams feature days delving into rich cultures once the crowds have gone, then unspoiled Croatia is the place to make them happen.
Its island-speckled Dalmatian coastline is famously photogenic, lined with beautifully preserved, centuries-old harbour towns. Within them you’ll find a stunning legacy bequeathed by a parade of empires and republics that have marched this way.
So Venetian palazzi snuggle up to Viennese mansions, while Roman columns sit alongside Napoleonic forts. The abundant cultural treasures nestle against a backdrop of almighty mountains, waterfalls and picturesque lakes.
Add in warm Croatian hospitality, locally sourced cuisine served with an adventurous twist and award-winning wines and olive oils — and you have a country that’s a delight to explore.
An escorted tour will reveal the most rewarding Croatian wonders, visiting the big sights and special places off the beaten track.
One great option is Escapes by Globus — a new series of expertly curated guided tours offered by Globus, the upscale sister brand of Cosmos, the UK’s leading escorted tour operator.
These holidays explore popular destinations at less crowded times out of season, so are more affordable, but they still include stays in highly rated, centrally located hotels, with VIP access to must-see sights. And each one is under the wing of an experienced tour director, ably assisted by knowledgeable local guides.
The nine-day Croatian Escape, for example, is priced from £1,264, and includes visits to beautiful Slovenia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, too.
PICTURESQUE WORLD
TOUCHDOWN is in elegant and leafy Ljubljana — one of Europe’s greenest, most liveable capitals, with a heart that’s largely pedestrianised and bursting with a lively cafe culture.
Beautiful bridges and lamp posts make the city even prettier, while its museums, magnificent St Nicholas’s Cathedral and Town Hall are absolutely unmissable. Enjoy a scenic drive along the stunning coast to intriguing Zadar, a city that features Habsburg elegance and an historic old town sited on a small peninsula.
The city’s two unique attractions, the sound-and-light spectacle of the Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun installation, need to be seen and heard to be believed.
A sense of awe descends when you set eyes on the beauty of Dubrovnik’s old town, with its limestone streets, baroque buildings and ancient city walls.
On your guided walking tour, visit monasteries, stand on the ramparts and explore the 15th-century Rector’s Palace at the centre of this former maritime republic that stands on a dramatic promontory and once rivalled Venice. Divert into pretty Bosnia-Herzegovina next, stopping at enchanting Mostar, another beautiful slice of the past, to see the Balkans’ most celebrated bridge, dating back to the 16th century and meticulously reconstructed.
Buzzing Split is an exuberant city, blending ancient and modern alongside the turquoise waters of the Adriatic. Step inside UNESCO-listed Diocletian’s Palace, one of the world’s most impressive Roman monuments.
On your guided walking tour, you’ll also see the mausoleum, cathedral and Temple of Jupiter, a filming location for Game Of Thrones. And in the afternoon, there is an optional excursion to a picturesque harbour town along the coast, and later a special dinner at a local restaurant in Split.
Zagreb is the vibrant and cultural capital of Croatia, a city made for strolling as you admire its red roofs, cobblestones, domes, spires and landmarks including the parliament, Archbishop’s Court and cathedral.
In the evening, a farewell dinner awaits to celebrate your guided adventures in this fascinating world of beauty, history and rich cultural traditions.
So off-season explorations don’t have to mean second-class travel.
With milder temperatures and smaller crowds, these Escapes tours from Globus offer first-class quality, while taking advantage of affordable off-peak deals.