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I strongly believe that every country or place you visit can give you different kinds of feelings (or ‘vibes’ if you want to sound like the cool kids). I’ve always connected with all the places I’ve been to on a deep level. Sometimes I love to simply walk through the streets, randomly exploring while breathing in the air and listening to the sounds of a city or area. This is yet another thing that I find amazing about traveling. You get to ‘feel’ the place you’re in; take in either its humble wonders or the fantasy-novel-like history that makes it unique. You don’t really get that from pictures of a place.
So here are some things that carved Croatia a special place in my heart.
The vibe of the country as a whole: The amazing carefree feeling and relaxing atmosphere infused in this wonderful country are two reasons I would always return to Croatia. During my one week in Croatia, I felt happy and excited every time I would visit a new location. Every city gave me a different vibe: Rovinj is romantic and chic; Split is exotic, with its palm trees and amazing ice cream, and Dubrovnik has that old and full of history space vibe. Also, I was able to be close to nature, while visiting the Plitvice and Krka Parks.
The colors: Croatia seems to be showered in color – the streets, the houses, the sea, and, of course, nature itself. You’ll be amazed at how colorful this country gets. For example, Rovinj, Zagreb, and Split featured wonderfully colorful buildings that were a perfect match for their stunning architecture. On the other hand, the marriage between the terracotta rooftops and the clear turquoise waters of Dubrovnik made me feel like I was in a renaissance painting.
The beaches: that crystal water and stunning wild beaches, make for a perfect day to bathe in the sun. Most of Croatia’s beaches are rocky, but there are some sandy ones as well. Some of the more popular ones are: Zlatni Rat (Brac Island), Dubrovnik Beach (in Dubrovnik), Nin Beach (near Zadar, 30-minute drive). Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to visit all the famous ones, but we did find a small, secluded, beach in Split that was unexpectedly beautiful. You can find the link below with the location.
The eclecticism: a potpourri of modern buildings, tropical palm trees, and rich historical landmarks and symbols. Explore the cities on foot and you will see exactly what I mean. Each one has a unique history, and you can imagine all the unspoken stories just by roaming the streets.
The sunsets: The famous director Alfred Hitchcock once said that Zadar is the city with the most beautiful sunsets he’d ever seen. Even though I didn’t personally experience one there, I completely understand what he means. With a massive seafront that offers a stunning overview of the sea, along with the city’s iconic Sea Organ (which makes some truly surreal sounds), experiencing Zadar sunsets must be something extraordinary. I did catch some amazing sunsets in Rovinj, Split, Dubrovnik, and Skradin. The one that I absolutely fell in love with was in Skradin. Allow me to paint you the perfect picture: small boats, crystal blue waters, gorgeous swans, streetlights and the magical blend of golden red sunset colors.
The waterfalls: Oh, if you love waterfalls, Croatia may be the perfect place for you. The famous Plitvice Park alone has dozens of waterfalls. While exploring it, you will find yourself feeling as if you’re in a magical land. On that note, I also recommend visiting Krka National Park 😋. This one is smaller than Plitvice, but it’s definitely worth seeing. If you plan to visit Krka, don’t forget to pack your swimsuit, because you have a chance to swim where the waterfall meets the lake.
The phenomenal views: every city I’ve been to has at least one point from where you’re able to see Croatia’s gorgeous landscape. I found some amazing spots in every location, where you can get an amazing overview of the entire landscape.
The food: if you like seafood, I think you’ll love Croatia. Every dish was fresh, simple and really tasty. And if you’re not a fan of seafood, you’ll definitely find something amazing and to your liking anywhere you go. For example, Zagreb has some amazing bakeries with pies so delicious that you’ll have a hard time choosing just one (believe me, I’ve tried). In Split, there are some good thai and vegan restaurants. Oh, and I fell in love with their vegan ice-cream! I found it completely by accident while roaming the streets.
The nature and diversity: Croatia has it all: beaches, forests, natural parks, waterfalls, and vast lucious, rich, nature. I’m a nature lover at heart. Obviously, I enjoy exploring cities, admiring various architectural styles, but the middle of nature is my special place. When I find myself in a bad mood, a walk through a forest is the perfect cure to clear my head. So, of course, I appreciate a country that is rich in greenery and Croatia is that country. It has a stunning mix of vibrant cities, gorgeous beaches and heavenly natural parks.
I’ve been there and I totally agree with you!!