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Read To Travel

Why Croatia Needs to Be Your Next Destination

After living in Ireland for a month, I began a solo backpack adventure into Eastern Europe.  Crafting the perfect itinerary took weeks of drafting, researching and rewriting until, finally, my perfect trip was planned (roughly).  My first three days alone were to be spent in Pula, Croatia.  At the time, I really knew nothing about Croatia except for beautiful photos I had seen on Pinterest, which in my opinion is plenty enough of a reason to travel somewhere.  I chose to travel to Pula because of the cheap flight route there from Dublin.

With a mild climate, gorgeous coast, and great people, Croatia absolutely needs to be your next travel destination.  It is super affordable for those looking for an inexpensive trip.  The country is full of potential adventures and you can spend anywhere from three days to several weeks here.

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Rather than stay in the city, I opted for accommodation in a residential area apartment just a short walk from the beach.  This appeared to be quite common as the entire neighborhood was full of families on vacation.  I stayed in Mamich Apartments, which was the perfect size for a couple or solo traveler like myself.  Each night that I spent alone I returned to my balcony after dinner time to enjoy the cool evening air.

 

Why does Croatia need to be the next destination added to your bucket list?

The coastline

I have never seen such a beautiful coastline in my life (until I moved to New Zealand)!  With ample flat rocks perfect for climbing or sunbathing, Croatia’s rocky edges are full of life.  In addition to the beachy atmosphere, there are many private spots. The water is heaven.

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The food

Imagine Mediterranean food with splashes of Italian and a whole lot of seafood. Croatian food is two of my favorite things: delicious and inexpensive.  On my trip, I ate one meal out a day and utilized the grocery store for the rest.

The people

Everyone that I met in Pula was incredibly kind to me.  In fact, I met a young girl my age who offered to show me around to all of her favorite beaches, take me into the city to see the sites, and to her favorite pizza place (the true way to my heart)!  Without her friendliness I would not have even realized how much of the city there was to explore.  Read more about this story here.

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The Roman architecture

The Romans conquered the peninsula in 177 BC and during the Romanization, Croatian cities were filled with distinct architecture.  Pula’s  recognizable amphitheater and forum are both used regularly for concerts.  The stunning Roman amphitheater, pictured below, is a much smaller version of the colosseum in Rome.  Walking the city streets feels like taking a stroll through history.

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If you have more than three days…

Visit the capital city, Zagreb, and venture out to one of several stunning national parks such as Plitvice Lakes National Park, Krka National Park, or Kornati National Park.

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You should visit Croatia if…

You are looking for a relaxing beach getaway OR if you enjoy searching for adventure outdoors.

For solo travelers: I felt very safe in Pula and highly recommend adding this city to any European adventure.  If possible, try to set up your own transportation to and from the airport because cab drivers overcharge tourists.

Have you been to Croatia?

Tara Higgins

Tara Higgins

Tara loves all things London and wants to spend the rest of her life reading books in beautiful places. She can often be found nestled up in a bookshop, drinking a pint at the pub, or searching for the best pizza slice in town.

2 Comments

  • Maddy

    I’ve never even heard of Pula, but it looks amazing! And I agree with you, is there any better way to choose new destinations than by seeing photos on Pinterest?!

    Thanks for sharing! 🙂

    October 27, 2015 at 4:26 PM
    • Tara Higgins
      Tara Higgins

      Thanks so much! I hadn’t heard of Pula either. I really only chose it because it’s convenient from Dublin and it looked so so beautiful. A true gem.

      October 28, 2015 at 9:20 AM

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