Europe is littered with plenty of attractions and when your mind wonders across this endearing content you instantly think of Greece for picture-perfect beaches and sumptuous seafood, France for intriguing, rich wine, Italy for enthralling ruins of yesteryears, England for cookie-cutter architectural delights and Austria for limitless outdoor escapades. However, in Croatia, you get a share of all these pleasures and much more all assembled into a single gorgeous package lying somberly in the Balkans. Without further ado, here are a couple of reasons why you should start packing your bags as soon as possible:
1) Beautiful, secluded beaches
Do gorgeous, pristine sandy beaches and crystal-clear mesmerizing waters sound appealing to you? Does the idea of embracing the warm, inviting waters of the Adriatic with mid-summer swims put a smile on your face? If that’s the case, then you are bound to get your fill in this lovely country whose beaches, and waters, are regarded among the continent’s finest treasures.
2) Enchanting ruins
You can get your very own slice of Rome in Croatia with Split’s Diocletian’s palace- encompassing a maze of traditional temples, cellars and columns- spearheading the Roman heritage evident throughout the towns. Dubrovnik’s walls will certainly remind you of empires gone by while the amphitheater in Pula that traces its root back to the first century gives the Colosseum in Rome a run for its money from a preservation and aesthetic point of view.
3) Seafood like no other
With a famous Adriatic reputation it comes naturally that this nation is a seafood haven that’s almost impossible to match. You can find glorious risotto and seafood pasta in Northern Croatia where the menu looks in on neighboring Italy while in the Southern region, you can savor trademark Balkan-Style fish where every part of the sea creature forms a delicious grilled treat complimented to great effect by striking seasoning.
4) Island treats
Islands, islands and more islands are what you’ll find across the stretches of the extensive sea that boasts an assortment of more than 1000 land masses. Whether you’re looking for a beautiful place to explore, a bewitching landscape to set up camp in or an endearing stretch to feast your eyes upon, you’ll find it all within Croatia’s vicinity.
5) Ravishing towns
Artistic towns and cities are located along the coastline and further inland with the capital Zagreb providing a colorful masterpiece that is on show throughout the country. Southern towns are forged in the famed Mediterranean image while those in the East are styled in an Austria-Hungary theme and those in northwest Croatia and Istra to be specific, are fashioned in the Italian blueprint.
6) Scintillating waterfalls and lakes
Krka National Park and the more famous Plitvice National Park have got you covered when it comes to alluring lakes and waterfalls with both offering a nice symmetry of nonchalant, overflowing waters dotted by radiant water bodies surrounded by jocular vegetation and blithe contours.
7) The native language is simple
Letters such as Dž, Lj and Č feature prominently in the Croatian vocabulary which can be a little intimidating at first though you’ll quickly realize that the native language is one of the simplest to learn. After familiarizing with common phrases, you’ll feel right at home within and without the borders as the language extends into surrounding nations such as Serbia, Montenegro, Slovakia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
What else?
Buzzing farmers’ markets brimming with exotic meats, fruits and vegetables and famous distilleries producing incomparable wine treats- such as the popular Malvazija Istarska- are also some of the many other things to look forward to in Croatia. The country is a combination of architectural wonders, invigorating ancient structures, beautiful sceneries, rich culture, wondrous marvels and mesmerizing landscapes making it the perfect place to call home. And with Croatia being EU member, buying property have never been easier.