Why Croatia? Here are 10 Very Good Reasons Why!

WARNING: You could seriously fall in love :-)

#1: Beautiful nature. Sounds like a cliché, but really…

Croatia is a stunningly beautiful country to behold. It is a homeland of national, nature parks and other protected areas • clear blue sea • craggy cliffs • mighty mountains • hills • valleys • turquoise rivers • waterfalls  • all sorts of beaches: rock, sand or pebble; sea, river or lake; wild, public, thematic… • hundreds of hectares of vineyards • forests • endless fields • picturesque villages and cities… Furthermore, see for yourself:

Central Dalmatia

Slavonia

Cetina Canyon, Central Dalmatia

#2: Different regions, different experiences

Croatia offers a wealth of diversity in terrain, history, food and culture from continental part all the way down to the sea. Visiting each region is like exploring a new little country all together, with each region having its own unique story to offer. This blog is mostly about Slavonia and Dalmatia regions.

#3: Magical Cultural Heritage

Proportional to its size Croatia is among the countries with the most protected intangible assets in the world on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. National costumes, songs, dances, music, instruments, wedding traditions, dishes, handicrafts, customs, carnivals, festivals and events are part of the exceptional Croatian cultural heritage. 

Tamburaši (tamburitza players) - Slavonia

#4: Legends, Stories, Fortresses, Castles and Really Interesting History

Yes, yes.. The Game of Thrones scenes were filmed here, e.g. Klis Fortress, but you wouldn't believe how great past and the characters we have for real. Croatia is the country where Eastern, Western, Southern and Central European cultures have met and intertwined for the centuries. Castles and fortresses are existing witnesses where history, imagination and spirit of this nation have woven into amazing legends and stories.  

Omiš Pirates

Fortress of Klis

#5: Architectural Heritage

Beside the Old City of Dubrovnik, a historic complex in Split with Diocletian's Palace, the historic town of Trogir, the Cathedral of St. James in Šibenik and Euphrasius' basilica in Poreč, all protected as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, Croatia has 340 protected historical entities and a whole range of churches, chapels, manors and palaces, fortresses, castles, historic buildings and archaeological sites too.

Concatedral of St Peter & St Paul - Osijek

St. Peter Church - Omiš

#6: Food

Dear foodies, seek no more 'cause Croatia is homeland that you were looking for. Seriously, it has some great food and you will enjoy your time here. Gastronomic experience  will depend on the part of the country you are in. E.g. together with Slavonian Kulen, Soparnik from Omiš, Dalmatian region has been recognized as the genuine specialty with the geographical appellation and it has been listed as a protected non-material cultural good. Croatian cuisine is definitely something to write home, blog, status or to tweet about.

Kulen

Soparnik

 

#7: Wine and Spirits

Croatia’s wine making has a long, long history that began around 2200 B.C. It has 64 indigenous grape varieties, 17 000 registered wine growers with vineyards totaling over 59 000 hectares and growing grapes for more than 800 wineries. The wine-growing regions of Croatia are simply marvelous and you have no excuse but to explore and enjoy them. There is also a great number of local spirits definitely worth trying. You may start your introduction to the world of Croatian spirits with Orahovica, travarica or šljivovica which are folk belief to be a natural remedy for treating high temperature, stomach pains, disinfection…

 

#8: Activities

Or things to do. To make a long story short, I shall list a few of the things you can do here: rafting, sightseeing, zip line, wine tasting, canyoning, climbing, hiking, trekking, walking, cycling, cooking,swimming, birdwatching, educational tours, sailing, fishing, boat tours etc. etc. (as I promised to make a long story short)

Zip Line - Omiš

Rafting - Cetina River

Canyoning - Cetina Canyon

#9: Flora & Fauna

Croatia is also a home to protected species such as brown bear, dolphins and Mediterranean monk seal, the griffon vulture, white stork and even the herd of wild horses.

In terms of the number and variety of species of flora, Croatia is one of the richest countries in Europe. There is a huge diversity, which in some locations reaches up to 3000 plant varieties. This is extremely rare, especially on the surface area of such a small country like Croatia.

Nature Park Kopački Rit - Baranja

#10: People & Lifestyle

Croatians are merry people, friendly, generous and warm. They are always ready for gathering with friends and family, song, food, celebrations or just a cup of coffee that can last for hours. Croatians have a great sense of humor and love to tell jokes. They are proud and passionate with a strong cultural identity.

You might not even notice, but Croatians and their country will win your heart.

Boho Logo - Dragonfly

Let’s agree, some of the flying insects can be very annoying. Mosquitoes above them all, they buzz and bite, leaving itchy red welts. Bees and wasps sting painfully. Flies are … well, yuck. Dragonflies … there is something magical about dragonflies.
 

The dragonflies are a symbol of both water and air. They start their life in the water and then move into the air and fly. Because of its features and the way dragonfly can be comfortable on water, land as well as the air it symbolizes:

•       wisdom of transformation and adaptability in life,
•  change in the perspective of self realization,
•  living IN the moment and living life to the fullest

Things About Dragonfly You Might Not Know

·         Dragonflies are ancient beings. Long before the dinosaurs walked the Earth some 300 million years ago dragonflies were some of the first winged insects to evolve.

·         Dragonflies are expert fliers. They can fly backwards, straight up or down, they can stop and hover, make hairpin turns, at full speed, which can be amazing 45 miles an hour or in slow motion and move each of their four wings independently. The dragonfly flap its wings a mere only 30 times a minute while mosquitoes and houseflies need to flap their wings 600 and 1000 times a minute respectively.

·         Dragonfly vision is extraordinary. Dragonflies have huge, bulging eyes that occupy most of the head, giving some a field of vision approaching 360 degrees.

·         As nymphs, dragonflies live in the water.Young dragonflies, called larvae or sometimes nymphs or naiads, are aquatic and are as dedicated predators under the water as the adults are in the air.

·         Masters of the water and the air. After molting 9-17 times, the dragonfly crawls out of the water, then its exoskeleton cracks open and releases the insect’s abdomen, which had been packed in like a telescope. Its four wings come out, and they dry and harden over the next several hours to days before they become expert fliers.

·         Dragonflies are natural mosquito repellents. Dragonflies, which eat insects as adults, are a great control on the mosquito population. A single dragonfly can eat 30 to hundreds of mosquitoes per day.

·         Dragonflies are capable of thermoregulation. Dragonflies that patrol (fly back and forth, versus those that tend to perch) will fire up their wings, using a rapid whirring movement to warm up their bodies. Perching dragonflies rely on solar energy for warmth, but position their bodies skillfully to maximize the surface area exposed to the sun's rays. Some even use their wings as reflectors, tilting them to direct the solar radiation toward their bodies. Conversely, during hot spells some dragonflies will position their bodies to minimize sun exposure, and use their wings to deflect the sun.

 

       

  The word Dragonfly has its source in the myth that Dragonflies were once Dragons. In Croatian Dragonfly is called Vilin konjic, meaning Fairy horse