5 Must See Cities In Croatia

Croatia - Top 5 Cities 

If you have been thinking or planning your trip to Croatia this summer, probably you should know which cities you want to visit.

• Looking for fun - party or want to meet a lot of international people?
• Looking for some quiet place, with good restaurants and beaches?
• Looking to discover culture, history?

1. Dubrovnik
2. Split
3. Island of Hvar- city of Hvar
4. Island of Pag, Novalja
5. Zadar

Dubrovnik - small city located southeast in Croatian coast, close to border with Montenegro. However, it's not recommended to visit Dubrovnik by car, because there are not many parking spots, especially in summer time. As Dubrovnik is historical city, with a lot of amazing restaurants, beaches and rich history, it's more of a quiet place. Young couples, families with children, people in retirement will for sure enjoy in delicious food, Crystal Clear Water, beaches and warm weather with a lot of sun.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik Croatia

Split - the city where I am from.

Split is located in the heart of Dalmatia.Every year Split is becoming more and more popular for all ages. Split is offering  great beaches, amazing history as Diocletian palace, great restaurants with delicious food and a lot of events for young people. Every year in summer from Split is starting popular "Yacht Sailing Week"!

Definitely if you are in Dalmatia, You don't want miss this such a beautiful city.

Split Croatia

Hvar - located on the Island of Hvar. Hvar is known as the city with the most sunny days a in year. 

In summer time, this city lives 24h per day. The other name for Hvar is "Croatian Ibiza" and it's not hard to get there, only hour and a half with car ferry from Split. Parties are one thing that are never missing in Hvar.  Hvar also will provide you great food, beaches, clean water and a lot of fun.

City of Hvar - Croatia

Novalja - located on the Island of Pag. Just a few minutes driving from city of Novalja is located popular party destination, called Zrce. Cheaper than the island of Hvar with amazing events, DJ-s, restaurants, disco bars. Perfect for young people.

Zadar only 150 km far from Split. Greeting to the Sun at Zadar promenade is one of those thing what you must see. Zadar has great connection with highway, and it's in the middle of the Adriatic coast. 

Croatia - Bibinje

Here is video for everyone, who is in love in Croatia,...

Singer is Tomislav Bralic & Klapa Intrade.

One of my favorite,....

Tomislav Bralic is coming from Bibinje, small place close to Zadar, the same place where my mother is from.

Located on Adriatic coast, in province of Dalmatia.

Song is about beauty of Croatia.

And if you are visiting Croatia, definitely you should put on your list Bibinje & Zadar.

 Also the other amazing singer is Ivica Ico Sikiric, also from Bibinje, and proudly I can say, I am glad because he will singing at our wedding in Split.

Ico should organized concert in Canada!!! An amazing singer,..

Bibinje promenade 

 

 

DALMATIA

A few days ago when I was waiting for bus at the bus station I saw one interesting article in Vancouver Sun, and that article took my feelings back in my home country, in Croatia!

Vancouver Sun wrote that article so amazing that everything what they said is very true!

On very end of article, topic is about food and eating in Dalmatia.

This is what say The Vancouver Sun:

"When visiting the Dalmatian coast, seafood is a must, as hardworking restaurants seem to abide by the local creed: Eating meat is food; eating fish, that’s pleasure. One waiter reminds me that a fish should swim three times: first in the sea, then in olive oil, and finally in wine. Red wines, which Croatians call “black wine” (crno vino), are a specialty along the southern coast.

With succulent seafood, sunny beaches, and a carefree attitude, Croatia’s coast offers Eastern Europe’s own twist on la dolce vita.|"  by: The Vancouver Sun 

So true

Love Croatia 

So beautiful!!!! Only one visit is enough to fall in love in Croatia!!!!


 

CROATIA

We had a few posts before how Croatia is becoming a more and more popular tourist destination! Here is more evidence, check out what the Huffington post has to say!!

xo

SOUTH-BOUND

After visiting Bibinje, Zadar, and Split we are now heading further south in Croatia!

Driving from Split 12 km south, you enter a small town named Podstrana. Podstrana is  right on the Adriatic as the city shape is fully coastal, houses curving on the left and right, and a ways up the mountain.  Podstrana is full of beautiful beaches, restaurants, bars, night life and is growing in popularity during the busy summer months!  Every year there are a number of concerts with both local traditional Klape & popular artists.

Its a great destination for a relaxing vacation; its a town that has everything you need and want! Its thriving with hotels, apartments & suite rentals, dive shops, boat rentals, restaurants with fantastic seafood (most of it freshly caught in the Adriatic that same morning!), popular bars, welcoming and friendly people, nice beaches with clean water, and the newest shopping center only minutes away.  And of course the Mediterranean climate of warm temperatures and beautiful sunny days can't be beat!  This is the most important part of a beach vacation!

While some of us are swimming in the rainy and cold confused June Vancouver days, some are spending their vacations with sunny skies and beautiful beaches!

If you continue further south, the next biggest town is Omis. Omis is a popular destination for river rafting as the river Cetina flows right through its town's center.  Because this is where the river meets the sea, the water is a bit colder than in the other places (which is a refreshing change after weeks in 40C weather!).

When entering the town of Omis you cross a small bridge over the river Cetina.  If you turn left right after the bridge and continue driving along the river for ~20km you'll find one of our favourite places to go for a good traditional meal & drink - "Kremenko"!  The drive is stunning, varying quite a bit from the coast as it takes you into a more lush & green setting than the rock mountainsides along the coast.  Just gorgeous.

Omis, being a coastal town, also of course has beautiful beaches.  It's town center is full of great family-owned(for generations upon generations!) cafes and restaurants serving traditional meals, with traditional Croatian service in hidden stone alleyways.  Any one you pick you can't go wrong, we've tried them all at least once and have yet to find one to complain about! :)Make sure to try one of Croatia's beers - Ozujsko or Karlovacko - when in Omis, do as the locals do (or is that Rome?...)

Now a few pictures to help you imagine these two towns we've shared with you today! 

For future questions or help continue to write to us via email or leave us a comment!

Podstrana Croatia

Podstrana beach

Omis

Heart of town Omis

Omis

  xo

MORE PICTURES FROM ZADAR

Kalelarga ( in Italian Calle Larga which means Long Street) & Sv. Donat

So beautiful (this old street and apartments with shutter windows)

CROATIA IN DIFFERENT VIEWS & DIFFERENT PLACES

Here are a few pictures of Dalmatia in Croatia with views of a few different places...

View of Stari Grad on island of Hvar

View of Split from Gornja Podstrana - Split is preparing for sleep - When Split is going to sleep - Vancouver is waking up :) - you see, they are like brothers, they are taking care of each other :) - Let's Split Vancouver

Ivan's grandfather's car!  VW Bug (Buba) 
- this car will drive forever - has over 800,000 km!

Beautiful stone house in Gornja Podstrana

City of Omis - 30 km from Split

Opatija, a small city at the northern tip of the Adriatic Sea in Istra, Croatia

City of Supetar on the island of Brac

Omis - a road cutting through a cliff, this is the route to the city of Radmanove Mlinice

Podstrana - #1 place in the world :)

Popular beach Ovcice in city of Split - beautiful!

View of island Brac from the island of Hvar

Supetar Riva (promenade) - island of Brac

The beach Zlatni Rat in the city of Bol on the island of Brac

:) such a classic car

xo

LET'S MEET MENTALITET

Why do people love Europe so much?

The idea to write about a country and it's mentality came about this week. Each country has its own mentality, which people either like or they don't! When you go traveling, how do you pick your destination? Why do you go?  Because you like visiting a new city, meeting new people, experiencing a new culture, relaxing and taking a break from the daily grind & work, or some other reason! Why do you like a country?  What makes it appeal to you more than another?

Everyone in this world is different; some live for their job & working 12h per day, some like winter sports, some like water and water activities like swimming, sailing & fishing, some like traveling for fun, or traveling for business....each of us is different!

But there is one thing that connects us all!  PASSION & EMOTION!  With these two words we are all connected! Some of us have a passion for sailing, some of us have a passion for working, some of us have a passion for sports, for winter, for summer, some of us have a passion for traveling, and some of us have a passion for partying!

Everyone has passion for something! But its emotions, that connects us all! Connecting us because each passion can be different, depending on each person's likes & dislikes, but the presence of an emotional experience is the same!

Europe has a past. A long & colourful past. A past that has created a certain culture. A culture that breeds passion and emotion. Passion and emotions that you can't see, but that you can feel! Who experiences emotions? People! People have emotions and feelings! People learn how to express their emotions & feelings! This is such an important part of life. In relationships between friends, in sports, a love for a city or place in the world! Why? Its simple, because the emotions are so authentic & passionate! 

That's why people love Europe so much. Because Europe has a past, a culture, a heart and a spirit! People visit Europe because they want to be a part of the buzz, to experience first-hand the passion & emotion that haunts every cafe, every street corner, every major attraction and always, every bus, train & railway station!

Split, the Croatian coastal city in Dalmatia (and a lot of people who have been there, even for only one day, will agree with me!) has a PAST. a CULTURE. a SPIRIT. and a HEART. Each corner of Split is full of locals & tourists all buzzing with passion, with anger, with excitement, with amusement, with joy. All of the feelings co-exist amongst and within each other, and just walking down the promenade or touring the market you can't help get swept up by the authenticity and passion of it all! 

Here is just one example of Split's mentality. The past & culture of this city! Maybe a lot of people will not understand the words in the song, but take a second to watch the video.  Just see the emotion in everyone's faces, the devotion, the love and the passion for Hajduk.

The song is about Hajduk, Split's soccer team, and in the end it is not important how this club will play in the future or how its playing now, it is more about the tradition.  A tradition started and passed on by our elders, our grandfathers, grandmothers, our fathers! And this devotion and tradition to Hajduk is not just about winning, it is more about people who we love and who we respect!

These moments & feelings are the reason we are happy! 

And this is one of the reasons why everybody loves Europe.  All of Europe has a spirit and a heart.  It varies drastically amongst countries, amongst cities, even between small towns. But it is a heart, and this heart is what people like, its authenticity, innocence and presence!

You can check out the song here.

In the video you might notice a donkey!  The donkey is the symbol of Dalmatia.  Dalmatians are famous for their stubbornness & their determination....what was a joke has become a standing symbol of the coastal region.  Sidenote: Donkey's also played an important role in transportation on the coast before cars were invented.  It is these traits that make the Dalmatians unique, entertaining and authentic.  They carve a path and follow it relentlessly, listening to nothing but their heart (this is a key to success). If you want be happy, tune out the noise around you and listen only to your heart but remember to always respect the others around you! :)   

  

By the way: Good luck to the Croatian soccer team at EURO 2012!!!!

xo

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS.

Let's Split Stories

 

 You must be wondering what is written above??

"I still remember the words

my father always use to say

don't go anywhere my son,

your home is...

....but always love Dalmacija!"

WHERE IS YOUR HOME?

People are always in a rush, buying and then selling houses, moving to a new city for THE job, running away, trying to figure out where might suit them, what they like or don't like!

 But sometimes it is enough to stop, take a minute, breathe in, think and just to ask yourself  'What do I really need, and what makes me happy?' 

And how to figure that out?? To answer such a hard and BIG question?? Likely starting from the past and reflecting on things you've accomplished, things you've tried, places you've visited, people that have made you smile no-matter the situation!

I know sometimes it is hard to find the answer.  The right answer.  The true answer.  Any answer. Some people search for it their entire life. Home. Where you belong.  Whether it be a house, a place in the world, or for some, a person.  Doesn't matter if, when and how you come to it, but finding that answer is important!

Some say "Home sweet Home" , or "Everywhere is nice, but at home is the best!" We say 

"Home is where your heart is".

WHAT DOES YOUR HEART SAY? WHERE DO YOU BELONG?

Split with us your stories! We are listening!

xo

CLEANEST WATER - CROATIA

Reminder:

For everybody who has already decided to go and spend their vacation in Croatia, on the Adriatic coast, one more confirmation that you have made a great decision!  :)

Some more European statistics about how the Adriatic Sea has been rated one of cleanest waters in Europe!

You can take a look here!!!

What do you think?? Is it blue enough? :)

SPRING DAYS in ZADAR

Weekends in the spring are full of vibrant colours, succulent tastes & active weekends!

Here how Zadar welcomes June....

Blooming flowers & striking Palm Trees welcoming the June sun in Zadar.

Boat Rides & Fishing Trips in Zadar's center.

Colourful markets offering fresh, local vegetables & fruits in Zadar's old town.

The sun illuminating the pedestrian-only bridge over the Adriatic Sea in Zadar.

 xo

TRAVELLING REMINDER.

We've updated our Accommodations page with another fantastic rental.  Remember that we carefully screen anything and everything we recommend and provide here at Lets Split, so you can rest assured that you get what you see! 

We also provide any information you might need to make your trip to Croatia an unforgettable one.  Even if you're already in Croatia and have some questions or need a hand continuing on your journey, just leave us a comment or send us email and we will respond you back as soon as possible!

Street singer & his puppy learning new tricks from a bigger friend

This is the life, sitting on Split Riva (promenade) and enjoying in each moment

xo

CLEANEST SEA.

LetsSplit Information
Did you know? The Adriatic Sea has been ranked in the top 4 cleanest seas in Europe!!!! 

If you've visited the Croatian coast and had a chance to see the Adriatic - to go on a boat ride, dive or spend a day swimming - you'll know how it got this ranking.  But for those who have not had a chance to experience it for themselves...YET....Yes Croatia has one of the cleanest seas in the world.  Not to mention the coast is one of the most beautiful, with over 1,500 islands, big and small, both inhabited and some waiting to be explored- PERFECT FOR SAILING.  The high  temperatures and sunny days are just the icing on the vacation cake. 

When you head down to Croatia to check it out for yourself, just know that we want only one thing from you, to share your experience with us here at LetsSplit! And if you think we're just tooting our own horn, here's the link with the review, and other news about the Adriatic.

Hvar - crystalclear right to the bottom.  

xo

ADRIA AIR RACE - ZADAR

     On the coastal town of Zadar,

there are a full range of events during the summer - including the Adria air race! 

                                           ACROBATIC AIRPLANE RACING


Flown by pilots with 20+ yrs of experience, these little 2 person planes are all about the acrobatics!  We've said it before and in this case its truer than ever...a picture's worth a 1000 words! Cruise through the shots below and you'll get exactly what we're talking about!

Vote on your favourite shot in the comments below and the picture with the most votes will be our next LetsSplit postcard.



#1 - Nose Dive



#2 - Upside down!



Not included in the vote, just another shot of the gorgeous Adriatic Sea



#3 - A patriotic parachuter displaying Croatian flag



Ruins in Zadar's old city




Spectators watching the planes



Just another stone street in Zadar's center

Ruins in Zadar's center

Zadar Promenade (Riva) -  famous for the sun saluation & sea organ

There is nothing better than a cruise the air and sail through the sea

#4 - Waving hello!

#5 - Family shot!

#6 - Variety



#7 - Peekaboo, I see you

#8 - Another group shot!

#9 - Showing off!

#10 - Getting low!

#11 - Patterns



#12 - All together now!





#13 - Configurations.




#14 - Too close for comfort.



Sv Donat and famous street Kallelarga (A famous Dalmatian song written about this historic street, a reminder to Ivan of younger days)



We've got our favourite and are looking forward to seeing what you guys think!! 

Can't wait to get it on our Postcards page, remember to check it out with a quick click at the top of our homepage.

xo