Insight Guides Croatia

Insight Guides

• Publisher: Insight
• Print ISBN: 9781780051567
• eBook ISBN: 9781780057385
• Edition: 3
• Topic: Personal Development
• Subtopic: Travel

Insight Guide Croatia is a comprehensive full-colour guide to the culture, history and people of this newest member of the European Union. Our inspirational Best Of Croatia section illustrates the country's highlights, from the lavender-growing plains of Hvar to the waterfalls in Plitvice Lakes National Park, the Roman emperor Diocletian's palace in Split to the coffee houses of Zagreb - making sure you don't miss anything.
Our unrivalled coverage of history, natural environment and culture provides an essential introduction to Croatia's rich heritage and contemporary life, to complement the in-depth coverage of the arts, activities and modern culture. The informative text, updated by an expert Croatia author, is packed with stunning new photography that brings to life Croatia's turquoise seas, fishing ports and Roman, Byzantium, Renaissance and Baroque architecture.
With increased coverage of Zadar, Sibenik, Split, Dubrovnik and islands, this new edition is incredibly user-friendly. Descriptive region-by-region accounts cover the whole country from inland eastern Croatia to the coast stretching from Istria in the north to the beautiful city of Dubrovnik in the south.
All major sights are cross-referenced with the maps, and the travel tips section provides a wealth of practical information on how to plan your trip, as well as our carefully selected hotel and restaurant listings.

Accommodation

Price categories

Prices categories are for a double room including breakfast:

$ = under 250 kuna

$$ = 250–400 kuna

$$$ = 400–600 kuna

$$$$ = 600–1,000 kuna

$$$$$ = over 1,000 kuna

Price categories are for the cheapest available double room in high season, including breakfast (unless indicated otherwise). On the coast there is often a supplement for sea views.

Choosing a hotel

Croatia has hotels to suit all tastes and budgets from vast concrete resorts that were built in the Communist era to small luxury hotels and even renovated lighthouses. The country is also in the process of developing high-quality small-scale accommodation, with more focus on design. Prices and facilities vary greatly, but most hotels offer spacious, clean rooms. The star system can be confusing, as the criteria for each category have yet to be standardised. You might find yourself in a hotel that awarded itself three stars but has very few or even no private bathrooms. It is highly advisable to book in advance in high season. For those travelling on a tighter budget, Croatia has a wealth of private accommodation and camping grounds with excellent facilities (for more information, click here). Except in Zagreb and some five-star hotels, hotel prices are seasonal, being highest in July and August and up to 40 percent less off-season. In Zagreb prices rise during trade fairs. You can find a list of trade fairs in Zagreb at www.zv.hr. A useful website for booking hotel accommodation in Croatia is www.adriatica.net. Hotel prices are often better if booked online.

Private accommodation

Private accommodation is popular in Croatia, and many resorts, villages and towns throughout the country have more beds in private accommodation than in hotels. The standard of private accommodation varies considerably, ranging from simple rooms in private houses (called sobe) to self-contained studios or apartments, ideal for longer visits. Although it is common for people to approach travellers at transport terminals offering rooms, it is best to go through an agency.

The concept of agrotourism is developing in Croatia, particularly in Istria, where farmers are opening their doors to guests and offering home-cooked food featuring their own produce. While it’s not as widespread as in Italy, agroturizam, or eko farm, as it’s known, it is becoming more popular for people who want a real taste of rural life.

The cheap rates for a room ($), and $–$$ for an apartment, can be hiked by supplements for short stays (30–100 percent depending on the location) taxes, registration fees and single occupancy. Generalturist, Atlas and Kompas are among the biggest agents and have offices throughout Croatia. A useful resource is www.hostelworld.com.

Holiday rental companies are expanding rapidly and constantly adding new Croatian properties to their lists. Some firms offer luxurious villas, such as Croatian Vill...

Table of contents

• How To Use This E-Book
• Croatia’s Top 10 Attractions
• Editor’s Choice
• Introduction: A Diverse Nation
• Land and People
• Decisive Dates
• Early Days
• The Middle Ages
• The Habsburgs
• The Modern Age
• Religion and Society
• Insight: Festivals
• The Cultural Scene
• Food and Drink
• The Great Outdoors
• Insight: Architecture
• Introduction: Places
• Istria
• Insight: Birds
• Kvarner
• Zadar, Sibenik and Islands
• Insight: Beaches and Boat Trips
• Split and Islands
• Dubrovnik and Islands
• Zagreb and Around
• Continental Croatia
• Insight: Naïve Art
• Transport
• Accommodation
• Eating Out
• Activities
• A-Z: A Handy Summary of Practical Information
• Understanding the Language
• Further Reading