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Croatia
With its crystal clear waters, lush countryside and terracotta-topped towns, it's little wonder Croatia is rapidly rising to the top of the holiday charts.
Thomson Destinations
reviews Video tour & customer on.co.uk thoms
Let us tell you a secret. Croatia is hot. And we don't mean the temperature - although that's great too. Billed as the next Italy', Croatia is hot on the trendy heels of its Mediterranean neighbours. So if you're ready to take a break from the norm and explore the less trodden tourist trail, this is the holiday getaway for you. Cue historic terracotta-topped towns. Harbours filled with bobbing yachts. And green get-away-from-it-all islands. All along the coast, clear seas rush to meet cliffs, secluded coves and smooth pebble beaches. Perfect for sunshine breaks. Inland, Croatia is a jumble of picture-postcard towns - think cobblestone alleys, pastel-washed houses and cafe culture aplenty. But it's not all old-world charm and rural splendour here. There's a handful of nightclubs that are hot to trot. Boutiques that will send your credit card to melt-down central. And chic restaurants serving the finest foods these shores have to offer. With all this on offer it's hardly surprising that Croatia is loved by the likes of Jack Nicholson, Gwyneth Paltrow and other celebs in the know. So make like the stars and get Croatia before word gets out. Things to see and do Dubrovnik Without a doubt the ancient walled city of Dubrovnik is Croatia's crowning jewel. Its old quarter juts out into the azure sea criss-crossed with steep, cobbled streets that buzz with colourful markets. Explore the Medieval city walls and fortresses at dusk. Don't miss the world-renowned Dubrovnik Summer Festival. With music, theatre and dances - it's a performance art extravaganza. And the city's International Film Festival, running for three days at the end of May, is a tempting prospect for summer fun too. Pula For a real glimpse of Croatia's ancient past, head to Pula. There's no hiding the city's main attraction - an enormous Roman amphitheatre. Reminiscent of the Colosseum in Rome, it's still used today as a venue for concerts and opera. Vodnjan Here's a trip to send chills up and down your spine. Lying inside St Blaise's Church are real mummies - the bandage wrapped variety. Their bodies have mysteriously failed to decompose, fuelling the age-old belief they have magical powers. Spooky! Mljet The island of Mljet seduces all who land on its sandy shores. Cloaked in emerald green forests, the rest is sprinkled with fields, vineyards and tranquil villages. This island dream is a real off-the-beaten track treasure. The western half of the island has been declared a national park, so the verdant greenery and sweeping coves remain untouched. Saplunara lies at the southernmost point of the island and is home to the island's most beautiful beach - where shimmering sands melt into a sparkling sea abuzz with brightlycoloured fish. Soak up this magical spot where the only sound likely to pierce the silence is the lazy buzzing of the forest bees. Korcula Perched on a peninsula, this historical place is full of sights. Inside the town's walls you'll find a slice of traditional Croatia that's all red-roofed tiles and cobbled streets. Do a bit of exploring and you'll be rewarded with sights like the Ornate Cathedral of St. Mark and the house where Marco Polo was born. But this is just one third of the place. The other parts are a nature lover's dream. Masses of evergreen and fragrant pine forests cover the land - a must for hikers and walkers. And let's not forget the beaches. Lumbarda's home to sandy shores that definitely take some beating. St. Amastasia's Cathedral This Romanesque cathedral was built during the 12th century. All of the original design's intact and just as impressive as it was all those years ago. As with many Dalmatian churches, the belfry's separate, but still climbable for an amazing view of the surrounding scenery. Inside the cathedral itself there's no end of visual treats - skilled stone work, frescoes, and an intricately carved choir and early Christmas mosaic.
ZAGREB Umag Portoroz Ruzici Karlovac Brtonigla Opatija Rijeka Novigrad 1533 Porec Lovran Bijelolasica Lanterna Rabac Rovinj Senj Ravni
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Baska Voda Bol Makarska Podgora Hvar Orebic Gradac Korcula Loviste Trsteno Trpanj Slano Mljet Town Dubrovnik
Mljet Lopud Island
Beaches While it's not a completely sand-free zone, most of Croatia's Adriatic coast is dotted with pebbled bays and shingle coves. Astonishingly clear waters and smooth rocks ensure there's no sand in your suntan lotion. And many of the beaches have man-made bathing platforms. Not only are the crystal waves ideal for cooling you off from the sun, but they wonderful for watersports too. So swimming, snorkelling and sailing are all on the menu. On Lopud Island, however, you can kick off your shoes and sink your toes into one of the Croatia's few sandy beaches. It's wide, gorgeous and only accessible on foot or by boat. So make the effort and you'll enjoy some blissfully secluded beach days here. The beaches on the Makarska Riviera are probably the most beautiful in Croatia. And of them all the famous Zlatni Rat or Golden Horn' beach on Brac Island is the fairest. A triangle of shingle stretching out into the
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sea which changes shape with the tides - it's a beach-tastic slice of Croatian paradise.
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