European delights
FROM INFLUENTIAL CULTURES TO THE BEGINNING OF ANCIENT CIVILISATIONS, EUROPE HAS A RICH HISTORY BEGGING TO BE EXPLORED. HERE, SHAUNA McCRUDDEN SPEAKS TO TOP TRAVEL PROFESSIONALS ABOUT THREE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS
CROATIA
“Interest for Croatia is certainly rising,” says Ivona Grgan, Director of Croatian National Tourist Office, UK and Ireland, “especially due to the new flight routes launching next year in Ireland. For instance, Aer Lingus are launching a flight from Cork to Dubrovnik in May next year which will add further fuel to the country’s popularity. And, Croatia Airlines already has direct flights from Dublin to Zagreb with a twice-weekly service.”
Croatia is a rising destination for Irish holidaymakers according to Ivona. The blend of history and culture along the Adriatic coast makes it a picturesque place with pebbled beaches and perfect peninsulas.
With interest and the number of flights on the rise, what is the allure of travelling to Croatia?
“Croatia has a diverse offering, from its eno-gastro (wine-tasting breaks) and city break potential, to its cultural heritage and natural beauty. More than 10pc of Croatia is covered by eight national parks and 10 nature parks, combined with a dozen UNESCO World Heritage Sites packaged into a relatively small but diverse territory. This ranges from mountains to islands, rivers, caves, waterfalls, peninsulas, forests and glitterati hotspots, such as Hvar and Dubrovnik.
“Croatia ticks all the boxes and is able to offer all that in a half or full-week stay, which is unlike many Mediterranean destinations.”
Here are just a few of Ivona’s top ideas of what to do in Croatia: SPA DAY Travel to the island of Losinj and Opatija in the Kvarner region. They pride themselves in their long-standing heritage of wellbeing tourism going back to the 1800s.
Ivona says: “The Croatian capital of Zagreb and its region of Zagorje are also famous for their spa offering. Croatia is an ideal destination to press pause and relax.” WINE DOWN Croatia is gaining traction as a centre for food and wine according to Ivona. There are three Michelin-star restaurants, in combination with a number of food festivals and events such as Dubrovnik Good Food Festival in October. The peninsula of Istria has award-winning olive oil, and Guinness Book of World Records award-winning truffles. Croatian food has become very enticing.
“I would recommend touring the wine cellars in Slavonia, which are loved by the British Royal Family, and so many others,” says Ivon. “Then go back in history and discover the upper town charms of Zagreb. Croatia’s inland areas and coastal areas guarantee off the beaten path holidays. And you are guaranteed to have traditional and local cuisine.” ADRENALINE JUNKIES There are plenty of adrenaline activities around Croatia, from kayaking to deep sea fishing along the Adriatic coastline. There are also wellbeing and yoga sessions along the coast for a cool down.
Climb one of the most picturesque Croatian mountains, Velebit, or visit Paklenica National Park known for its canyons of Velika and Mala Paklenica, rock formations and black-pine forests.
Ivona knows Croatia more than anyone, so where are her favourite places to go?
“I have visited every region of Croatia and know what a transformational force the country has on people. Be it the high-quality Croatian coffee, or Istrian truffles and its award-winning white wine, combined with ‘klapa’ singing in Dalmatia. There are endless locations that eventually become your favourites. If I had to choose, I would recommend kayaking or sailing around the more than 1,200 Croatian islands.”