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The Dalmatian coast of Croatia is the country’s most beautiful region, stretching from Dubrovnik, close to the Montenegrin border, all the way to Split, in the middle of the coastline. Dubrovnik is the best-known city in all of Croatia and it is indeed exquisite, especially when the crowds of cruise ship passengers are not in port (October through April). The walled Old Town is pedestrian-only with narrow cobblestone lanes running between Renaissance buildings.
Croatia’s coastline includes more than a thousand islands and two of the most popular are Hvar (known for its international jetset) and Brac (known for its local flavor and unspoiled charm). Split’s historic heart is dominated by the Diocletian Palace, built by the ancient Roman emperor, who was a native from this area and spent the last 20 years of his life here as he thought that the bay of Split was one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
The Istrian Peninsula, with its olive groves and vineyards, is very different from the Dalmatian coast. Riding through the rugged and hilly terrain one discovers Roman ruins, medieval fortified towns, and quaint coastal villages. Motovun is an excellent example of the ancient townships which once dotted the peninsula and the small village of Livade is famous for being one of the best-known truffle regions in Europe. White Istrian truffles are among of the most expensive mushrooms in the world, and truffle harvesting is a local tradition.
While Zagreb has only been the political capital of Croatia since 1991, when the country separated from Yugoslavia, the city has long offered a cultural and artistic blend of Eastern and Western influences- especially Hapsburg. Ljubljana, a delightful city full of Austro-Hungarian architecture and old-world charm, is the perfect stopover en route to the villages of Bled and Bohinj in the stunning lake district at the foot of the Julian Alps.
In Depth
Explore the beautiful Bohinj region to see some twenty typical Alpine villages in the region's two valleys. In the Upper Valley by Lake Bohinj, you can visit the gothic St. John the Baptist Church, which has well-preserved frescoes from the 15th and the 16th centuries. The journey continues with a cable car ride to the mountain Vogel (5,000 ft), from where there is a wonderful view of the lake and the surrounding Julian Alps.
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