CROATIA

The most prominent feature of Croatia's tourist industry is its Dalmatian coastline, which is indented with rocky cliffs, peninsulas and small inlets. Numerous good quality hotels and marinas have been resurrected or constructed in the past few years, and the Croatian province is once again beginning to enjoy a tourist boom reminiscent of its heyday in the 1930s. There is a special atmosphere to Croatian towns and villages, many of which are built on the sites of ancient Greek settlements dating from the 4th century BC. This, coupled with a welcoming and determined population, Mediterranean climate, scenic beauty and lush vegetation, is aiding Croatia's rise from the ashes of war into one of the world's tourist hotspots.

CLIMATE IN CROATIA

The coastal region enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild winters. Minimum winter temperatures are around 39°F (4°C) and summers average around 79°F (26°C). Inland a continental climate is predominant with hot summers and cold winters.

VISA INFORMATION FOR TOURISTS

All visitors require documents and tickets for onward or return destinations and sufficient funds (at least EUR100 or equivalent per day, or EUR50 if in possession of a tourist voucher or confirmed invitation, unless a national of an EU country).

Americans: US citizens must present a passport (it may be expired up to six months). Visas are not required for stays of up to 90 days.
UK nationals: UK citizens must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay. A visa is not required for British Citizens for tourist or business stays of up to 90 days. Other UK passport holders should check with the embassy whether a visa is required for travel.
Canadians: Canadian citizens must have a passport valid for period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.
Australians: Australian citizens must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.
South Africans: South African nationals must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay and a visa is required.
Irish nationals: Irish nationals must have a passport or ID card valid for the period of intended stay. No visas are required for stays of up to 90 days.

New Zealanders: New Zealanders must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.

ATTRACTIONS AND THINGS TO DO IN CROATIA

The most fascinating place to visit in croatia is Zegreb.

Why go to Zagreb, Croatia?

• It's time for you to discover and learn more about Eastern Europe
• As the city and country rebuild, see them while they're still not too touristed
• See the medieval city, and the modern cafes, shops and people
• Be on top of the world at Lotrscak Tower
• Also see the history and culture in cities such Dubrovnik, Split and Rovinj

In Zagreb, visit the Museum of Arts and Crafts,whichtraces Croatian craftsmanship through the centuries, and the Mimara Museum's rich collection of painting, sculpture and ceramics from abroad. Admire Mestrovic's dramatic sculptures at the Mestrovic Atelier.

Unearth Dubrovnik's turbulent history at the Rector's Palace, The Memorial Room to the Dubrovnik Defenders(locatedin the Sponza Palace), War Photos Unlimited and the Maritime Museum.
Old City of Dubrovnik

The Old City of Dubrovnik is known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic" and is situated on the Dalmation coastline. The old fortress walls remain and the views are breathtaking. Now an increasingly popular tourist spot, Dubrovnik was once known as one of the most powerful cities in the Adriatic. The Old City of Dubrovnik was added to the UNESCO World Heritage site list back in 1979 and extended in 1994. City walls In Dubrovnik. One of the best ways to get a feeling for Dubrovnik is to take a 2km walk around the city walls. Built in the 13th century and strengthened in the 14th and 15th century the walls are 25m high and up to 3m thick. As you look down at the town, notice the patchwork of colours formed by the red-roofs. Also , you are bound to see some war wounds as Dubrovnik was shelled in the Yugoslavian war in 1991.

• See fine examples of early Croatian religious art at the Museum ofCroatian Archaeological Monuments in Split. Appreciate more of Mestrovic's 20th-century sculptures in the city's Meštrovic Gallery.

• Enjoy Dubrovnik Summer Festival, which takes place each summer, from mid July to late August, featuring various cultural events plus open-air evening performances of theatre, jazz and classical music. Zagreb and Split also have summer festivals. 

• Dine in some of Croatia's best restaurants in the gastronomic enclave of Volosko, just outside Opatija, while soaking up attractive Adriatic sea views.

• Sunbathe on the golden sands of Zlatni Rat (Golden Cape); one of the few sandy beaches in Croatia is located just outside the tourist resort of Bol on the island of Brac.

• Escape the crowds on the Kvarner Gulf island ofCres, famous for its colony of Griffon Vultures, the historic settlement of Valun and laid-back Cres Town.

• Hike or climb inthe Risnjak National Park,located in the mountains of Gorski Kotar, or on the Velebit Massif of Northern Dalmatia's Paklenica National Park. 

• Tour the Kornati National Park, an archipelago of more than 90 islands scattered over an area of 300 sq km (116 sq miles). Virtually uninhabited, the islands display a harsh, rocky landscape practically devoid of vegetation. Several renovated stone cottages provide ‘Robinson Crusoe'-type holiday accommodation.

• Join the jet set on the increasingly exclusive island of Hvar, renowned for its rugged coastline, excellent wines and lavender fields. Drink coffee or sip cocktails in Hvar Town, a Venetian settlement, built around a picturesque harbour presided over by a hilltop fortress. 

• Dive in the ethereal Blue Grotto and explore the shipwrecks sunk off the island of Vis, Croatia's most remote inhabited island.

• Island hop between the largely traffic-free Elaphite Islands of Kolocep, Lopud and Sipan, with their secluded and sometimes sandy beaches and good-value restaurants. 

• Follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo (maybe) in Korcula Town, a marvel of medieval urban planning which has charmed foreign visitors since the first tourists arrived on the eponymous island in the 1920s.

•Cycle around Mljet National Park, located on the green and unspoiled island of the same name. The park boasts dense forests, two interconnected saltwater lakes and, in the centre of the larger lake, the exquisite St Mary's Island and Benedictine Monastery. 

•Watch the birds in Slavonia's Kopacki Rit Nature Park, a vast expanse of wetland frequented by myriad migrating birds and well away from the tourist crowds.