CROATIA

Voted "Most Beautiful Country in the World" by National Geographic Magazine in 2005, Croatia has plenty to offer her Adriatic adventurers in the way of things to do and see throughout their journey. It's 1177 km of coastline, 1185 islands, and mild mediterranean climate however are just the tip of what this ancient and historical corner of the mediterranean has to offer, from picturesque medieval villages teaming with roman architectural ruins, to the Natural wonders of its 8 National Parks, which together make up over 7.5% of the country. 

It's 994 sq km of thundering waterfalls, craggy mountaintops, crystal clear lakes and lavish mediterranean vegetation provide an ample environment for an endless array of activities from biking, hiking & climbing to snorkeling, deep sea diving and even white water rafting. Curious traveller or colossal thrill seeker, Croatia caters to the needs of every active tourist in search of a break from the commercially packaged and over populated norm. 

SPLIT

Split is an ancient roman port city situated on the eastern shores of Adriatic sea.  It is the vital link between the mainland and the surrounding islands, and is furthermore home to central Dalmatia's largest international airport. Dated at over 1700 years old, the city is in itself an attraction of epic proportion, with an endless array of ancient architectural gems from the Roman and Byzantine eras, and some even earlier. 

Sunset Recommends:

• Split Summer Festival (July & August)                                                                                                        Plays, music, concerts, ballets and operas are performed on open-air stages throughout the city all summer long in this venerable theatrical festival. Popular venues include the Peristyle and the Basement Halls of Diocletian's Palace.

• Diocletian's Palace                                                                                                                                           In 295 AD the Roman emperor Diocletian ordered a residence be built for his retirement. What resulted was a magnificent palace that took over ten years to build, the ruins of which maintain their defiant grandiosity to to this day. The emperor did in fact live out the rest of his life there right up to his death in 313 AD and the centuries that followed would see many more such roman emperors take temporary residence there repeatedly throughout their respective rules. When the Roman colony of Salona was abandoned in the 7th century AD, many of its inhabitants sought sanctuary behind the palace's high walls, the descendants of which still live there to this present day.

TROGIR

28 km north west of Split, lies the historical and popular tourist town of Trogir. Founded by Greek colonists in the 3rd century BC, this impressively preserved medieval town is centrally enclosed by the dominating walls of Trogir's medieval castle and tower.  A recognized world heritage site, Trogir is also under protection from UNESCO and boasts a captivating combination of palaces and cathedrals from the Renaissance and Venetian periods, including the church of St. Lawrence, whose main west portal is highly regarded as the most remarkable Romanesque piece in the country. Trogir is 15 mins from Split Airport, and is connected by bridge to the Adriatic island of Ciovo.

LOCAL BEACHES

Slightly south of Okrug Gornji and just below the Villa Alana Apartments featured on this site lies the bay of Mavarscica which boasts a magnificent cove, characterized by it's beautifully pebbled beach and temperate turquoise waters.  

If you are looking for a little more action, try Saldun Bay. Saldun is located in Okrug Gornji and is the most popular of Ciovo's sandy beaches. Rise with the sun and engage in a wide range of activities from swimming and snorkelling to various other water sports then later browse the surrounding beach bars and restaurants and bask in some local entertainment whilst sampling in an exquisite array of tantalizing local cuisine.

If it's something different you're after, why not explore the island's more secluded areas, or better yet rent a small boat and make your way out to some of the smaller uninhabited islands that surround Ciovo. Here you'll find a nice secluded spot to picnic and bathe in what feels like your own private cove for the day. Recommended Islands include Drvenik Veli, Drevnik Mali, and the cove of Vela Rina.

Sunset Recommends:

• Brela Beach                                                                                                                                                     Rated "Best Beach in Europe" and "6th Best Beach in the World" by Forbes magazine, Brela beach is 6 secluded kms of round white pebbles and sandy beaches. Roughly 40km south of Split and the same distance north of Makarska, Brela beach is invisible to all but those who know where it is,  hidden behind hilly coves and mountainous pine trees. It is not easily accessed by road or even by foot, rendering it the perfect hideaway for those who know how to get to it, and only those willing to make the extra effort will be the ones to reap the extra-ordinary rewards. Sunset recommends you abandon land for a small motor boat and sail off into the sun in search of your own private nook or cranny in any of the many crooked coves that crop the rocky coast of this less crowded Croatian hideaway. This area is also a popular spot for naturists, as is much of greater Croatia, so for those daring enough to dabble in a bit of skinny dipping this more desolate destination is the perfect place to get in some pre-unveiling practice. As for those a little more bashful, consider yourself told.

NATIONAL PARKS

Croatia is famed for it's 8 national parks together encompassing almost 1000km2. The oldest and most famous of these are the Plitvice Lakes, National Geographic's proclaimed 'must visit' destination of 2005. Amazingly, 90 waterfalls lie awaiting discovery within the park's dense forests, concealing it's numerous caves and opening out into large flower meadows all teaming with magnificent mediterranean flora and and fauna. Native animals include brown bear, deer and wild boar to name but a few, and all roam the 266km of land with its 16 lakes protected by UNESCO freely.

Sunset recommends: 

• Krka National Park                                                                                                                                         Located near Sibenik, the country's oldest native town and one of Dalmatia's quieter lesser developed regions, Krka national park is just 40 km north of Trogir. Dozens of Adriatic islands form into intricate clusters that set themselves against a breathtaking backdrop of rugged limestone mountain, home to over 200 species of bird including the great Golden Eagle. Through this flows the Krka river, which drops over 220 meters in just 50km, all whilst gushing through a dramatic limestone gorge.  The 8 sets of exhilarating white water rapids therein created mark this park as a major hotspot for thrill seekers, rafters and kayaking enthusiasts, as well as any adventurous tourist in search of an break from the conventional and run of the mill.                                                                                                                                                                     If adrenaline fueled thrill rides are not your thing, the park has plenty in the way of scenic strolls and hikes on offer. In contrast to Plitvice this park boasts but two waterfalls, though what it lacks in quantity it certainly makes up for in quality, with the 50m drop of the Skradinski buk branding it the most magnificent of all the waterfalls in Croatia. At Krka visitors can swim and splash around underneath these wonders of nature, an amazing experience not permitted at Plitvice due to the fact it supplies drinking water to the local community there. Furthermore the nearby town of Sibenik is nothing short of an outdoor museum of medieval architecture, from it's eclectic mix of castles and fortresses to it's ecclesiastic collection of monasteries and cathedrals, the most renowned of which is the Gothic styled 15th century cathedral of St. James.