Croatia Travel Blog

Archive for April, 2009

A major new expansion is in the works for Zagreb‘s suburban transit system. A modern new train is in development, designed to whisk 500 passengers back and forth from Zagreb’s city centre at speeds of up to 160km/hour. Only the first prototype has been produced for this technologically advanced train but eventually there will be 18 trains in service at a cost of EUR4.5 million each. It’s good news for Zagreb commuters and also good news for travellers as traffic is reduced in Zagreb’s historic city centre. The new system won’t be in service for several more years however. See more on getting around Zagreb.

Looking for a cheap flight to Croatia this summer? How does £2.99 sound? Not too much? Then hurry over to Jet2.com which is running a flight sale from now until noon on April 27. This budget carrier runs flights all summer from Leeds and Belfast to Dubrovnik and from Newcastle to Split. Either city is a great starting point for a tour of the Croatian coast. So, act now!

Writer Maeve Haran extolled Hvar Town this week in The Telegraph. She loves it all: the glamorous waterfront promenade, the shopping, the dining, the boats to the nearby Pakleni Islands and the ritzy Hvar Yacht Harbour Hotel. What’s not to like? Not much, according to this writer. I couldn’t agree more. Go to article. Read more about Hvar Town.

It’s finally on your bookshelves (and on amazon.com
and amazon.co.uk)! The book I worked so hard on last year has been published. Insight’s Croatia Step by Step Guide is a compilation of 15 tailor-made itineraries for self-guided tours in Croatia.  I cover Zagreb, Zagorje, Plitvice Lakes, Istria (coast and interior), Split and around Split, Krka Waterfalls, Sibenek, Vis, Hvar, Korcula and Mljet islands, the Peljesac peninsula and Dubrovnik.  Because I did all the walking and driving tours myself, the instructions and maps are detailed and easy-to-follow.

There  are plenty of photos for inspiration plus all my favourite restaurants, cafes, hotels and nightlife. Perhaps the best feature is the sturdy pull-out map that includes a Croatia road map and city maps of Zagreb, Dubrovnik and Split.  Let me tell you a secret: if you bought these maps separately you would pay more than the price of this book!

And there’s so much more: practical advice, transportation information, history, outdoor activities, insider tips, useful vocabulary. Insight’s Croatia Step by Step Guide has everything you need to plan an unforgettable holiday in Croatia. So, order it now from:

amazon.co.uk
or
amazon.com

Writer Clare Mann wrote a useful recap of her Dalmatia sailing adventure in this week’s Telegraph. What I particularly like is the PR boost she gives to some of Croatia’s less-visited gems. Yes Hvar and Korcula are “party islands” (particularly Hvar) but just sail out to Vis, Mljet or the Kornati Islands and you can get plenty of peace and quiet even in mid-August.

In addition to recounting her itinerary, the writer gives a rundown of where to fuel up, and I don’t mean put petrol in the boat. There sure aren’t a lot of restaurants jostling for space in Zlarin for example, but it’s nice to hear about her scrumptious local meals. Just keep in mind that many of the destinations mentioned are only accessible by sailboat. Another good reason to charter a sailboat in Croatia!

Click here for the article on the Dalmatian islands.
Click here for where to eat and drink.

See my Croatian islands guide.