European Cruises

While hotel and room prices are often listed in euros, some places to stay have stuck with the kuna. Fortunately, since you can usually pay in either currency, it should not be a problem. Accommodation along the Croatian coast is priced according to three seasons, October to May being usually the cheapest months, July and August the most expensive, and June and September somewhere in-between.

Hotels by Best European Cruises

There is a variety of hotels available in Croatia, ranking from one to five stars with the most in the two- and the three-star range. In August you may be charged additional fees for stays of less than four nights, so if you’re not planning to spend more than three days in Croatia I suggest you book a hotel during the rest of the year, when prices drop sharply. Hotel prices include breakfast.

Private rooms

Private rooms are the cheapest and most comfortable option in Croatia. They are clean and the service is excellent. Book through any of the indistinguishable agencies to ensure that the place you’re staying in is legally registered and has insurance. There’s a 30 % surcharge for stays of less than 4 nights and a 50 % to 100 % more for a one-night stay.

Activities

The Adriatic Sea, having been largely untouched by pollution thanks to the absence of heavy industry in Croatia, has a thriving underwater ecosystem and a flourishing dive industry along the Croatian coast. The most popular activity is cave diving, but night diving and wreck diving are also offered. You can also dive among coral reefs, but they are located in rather deep water. For boat diving, a permit is required: go to the harbor captain in any port with your passport, diving certification card, and 100 KN. A permit is valid for a year. See Diving Croatia (www.diving-hrs.hr) for contact information.

HIGHLIGHT

Dubrovnik

To many, Dubrovnik is Eastern Europe’s most beautiful city: Lord Byron called it “the pearl of the Adriatic” and Bernard Shaw knew it as “Paradise on Earth”. The luminous marble streets and nicely ornamented baroque buildings surrounded by the shiny Adriatic Sea are sure to inspire any visitor. A former war-zone, the walled Stari Grad (Old Town) has been home to a civilised, sophisticated republic for centuries. Take a sunset look into the sea from the city wall and you’ll understand why Dubrovnik is one of Croatia’s top destinations.

1- Orientation

The Jadronilija ferry and the bus station are located several kilometres northwest of Dubrovnik, which is closed to cars. The Old Town’s main street is Placa, or Stradun as it is often called. You’ll find accommodation on the Lapad peninsula, west of the bus station.

2- Where to stay

Apartmani Burum

A popular guesthouse, with clean, comfortable rooms and apartments. Kitchen available. April-May 100 kn; June-September 150-250 kn. Cash only.

Dubravnika 16, in Babin Kuk.
Tel: 020 43 54 67
www.burumaccommodation.com

Bergovic Boarding House

Spacious doubles and apartments in a cozy villa. If you call ahead, the owner will come to pick you up. Private bathrooms. Internet first 30 minutes free, 10kn per 30 minutes. Book ahead in July-August. June-September singles 150-200kn; doubles 240-300kn; triples 300-360kn. October-may 100-120kn, 200-240kn, 300-360kn. Cash.

Primorska 17
Tel: 020 43 51 91
www.begovic-boarding-house.com

3- Where to eat

Lokanda Peskarija

Lokanda Peskarija has tasty seafood at reasonable prices. Seafood at 35-60kn.

Na Ponti bb
Tel: 020 32 47 50
Open daily 8am-1am

Express

Located in the center of Old Town, this self-serving restaurant serves up excellent, affordable meals of pastas, soups, and salads. Entrées 25-50kn

Marojice Kaboge 1
Tel: 020 32 39 94
Open daily 10am-10pm

4- Sights

The 2km limestone City Walls has an entrance just inside the Pile Gate. These great walls are the finest in the world and the Old Town’s trademark. Take a look at the huge Onofrio Fountain, completed in 1438, and check the monastery museum’s collection of liturgical objects, paintings, and pharmacy equipment. The Franciscan monastery has a sumptuous cloister and the third-oldest function pharmacy, dating from 1391, in Europe.

When you’re done, walk along Dubrovnik’s main street, the Placa, and go all the way to the clock tower, at the eastern end of the street. In front of the clock, are the Orlando column, which dates from 1419, the 16th century Sponza Palace, and the St-Blaise’s church, an Italian baroque building. At the end of the Pred Dvorom Street, you’ll find the baroque Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin, built on the site of a Romanesque cathedral and 7th-century Byzantine cathedral, and, between the two churches, the gothic Rector’s Palace.

On your way to the clock tower, you might want to check the Museum of the Orthodox Church for its amazing collection on 15th- to 19th-century icons. You can also stop at the Dominican monastery for a look at a fascinating collection of paintings from Dubrovnik’s finest 15th- and 16th-century artists.

When you’ve seen everything, head to Banje Beach, outside Ploce Gate, or go to one of the hotel beaches on the Lapad Peninsula.

Split

The second largest city in Croatia, Split (or Spalato in Italian) is more a cultural center than a beach resort. This is a city where centuries of history collide with modernity, where hip bars, restaurants, and shops thrive amid medieval streets and old walls. Explore the Dicletian Palace and behold the world’s most spectacular Roman monuments. With a unique setting and an exuberant nature, Split is definitely one of the most amazing cities in Europe.

1- Orientation

The ferry terminals are on the eastern side of the ferry, a few steps away from the Old Town. The seafront pedestrian street, Obala hrvatskog narodnog preporoda (better known as Riva by the locals), is a good central reference point.

2- Where to stay

Tour de Croatia

You can book private rooms, exchange currency, and organize excursions at the small travel agency Tour de Croatia.

Obala kneza domagoja 1
Tel: 023 338 319
www.tourdecroatia.com

Turist Biro

Book private accommodation through the Turist Biro. A double room costs between 145 and 220kn.

Obala hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 12
Tel/Fax: 342 142
www.turistbiro-split.hr

Hostel Split Mediterranean House

A hospitable, family-run business set in a charming old stone building. Only ten minutes away from the Northern Gate. Two six-bed dormitories and some newer en suite three-bed dormitories.

Vukasoviceva 21
Tel: 098 987 1312
www.hotel-split.com
dorms from 100kn

Split Hostel booze & snooze

Run by friendly Australian Croats, the Split Hostel is the perfect place for revellers, with a nice terrace and 23 beds to sleep on. Free lockers and Wi-fi. Located right in the center of town.

Narodni Trg 8
Tel: 342 787
www.splithostel.com
dorms 180kn

3- Where to eat

Makrovega

Makrovega offers a meat-free menu that alternates between macrobiotic and vegetarian. The interior is spacious, and the buffet is simply delicious.

Lestina 2
Tel: 394 440
www.makrogeva.hr

Supermarket/delicatessen

This place has a wide array of meat and cheese for sandwiches.

Svaciceva 1

Konoba Varos

Konoba Varos serves delicious Croatian food. Entrées 60kn-80kn.

Ban Mladenova 7
Tel : 021 396 138

4- Sights

Facing the harbor, are the ruins of a luxurious open-air palace, where the Roman emperor Diocletian spent his summers when not persecuting Christians. Built as a strong rectangular fortress, Diocletian’s Palace is the most impressive Roman ruins in existence, with walls measuring 215m from east to west, and 181m wide at the southernmost point and reinforced by square corner towers. South of the main street, now called Kresimirova, are the palace’s main features, including Peristyle, a charming colonnaded square, the Temple of Jupiter, now a baptistery, and the Cathedral, built on the site of Diocletian’s mausoleum.

It was in this palace that the nobility and rich merchants built their homes during the Middle Ages. The Town Museum (formerly the Papalic Palace) presents a fascinating collection of artefacts, paintings, furniture and clothes from Split. When you pass through the North Palace Gate, take a look at Ivan Mestrovic’s powerful statue of Gregorius of Nin. Learn more about the history of Split, from Illyrian times to the Middle Ages, at the Archaeological Museum, north of town. The Mestrovic Gallery, the finest art museum at Split, houses a splendid, well-arranged collection of works from Ivan Mestrovic, Croatia’s most celebrated sculptor.

For more information, make sure to visit http://www.best-european-cruises.com/.