THIS
IS
CROATIA
Croatia is on many travel wish lists, and for good reason. Gorgeous cities built during iconic empires, incredible cuisine, stunning scenery, a lifestyle that beckons you to savor the moment, and that unbelievable water of the Adriatic Sea, guaranteed to captivate you with its incredible beauty - This is Croatia.
Croatia Highlights
The Islands of Dalmatia
Sustainable Cuisine & Winemaking
Split & Diocletian’s Palace
Active adventures
CROATIA
With 1777 kilometers of coastline on the Adriatic Sea, a fertile interior of rivers and parkland nesting between the karst mountains and the Dinaric Alps, the space that Croatia occupies has for millennia been a coveted land. At a crossroads of empires from the Ancient Greeks to the Hapsburgs of Austria, Croatia’s fertile land, ample access to the sea, and strategic location has imprinted its culture and carved its place in history.
The modern borders of Croatia are marked by the Adriatic Sea to its west, Slovenia and Italy to the North, with Bosnia and Hungary to the east, its easternmost border marked by the Sava, Drava and Danube rivers.
Croatia Itinerary
Croatia is an ideal destination for small groups. So gather up your family and friends and get ready to bond over your newfound love for this stunning land, that exudes warmth, fun, and life well lived!
Our favorite way to design your trip includes locally-focused, absolutely stunning, and culturally rich places. We encourage you to travel slowly, allow time to savor and take it all in, in true Croatian style!
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Walk the ancient stones of a former Roman Emperors palace.
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Take a swim in the crystal clean Adriatic Sea.
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Sip small batch local wines from unique varietals.
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Go for an early morning walk in a nature preserves.
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Hear tales from the seafaring days of the Venetian Republic.
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Kayak in between stunning islands.
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Glam it up with a elegant night on the town.
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Learn how the Istrians prepare their own olive oil.
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Visit one of the many hyper-niche museums of the Capital.
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Lounge at a beach club and maybe dance the day away.
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Prepare regional dishes with a local chef.
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Visit the magical hilltowns of Istria, and take a walk in the past.
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Witness folklore dance performed for centuries.
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Island hop the Dalmatian coast.
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Walk the fortified walls that have protected Dubrovnik since the 13th century!
Private Charter in Croatia
About Croatia
Croatia is home to over 1100 islands, which is a perfect place to spend a couple days living the glorious Adriatic island life! Sustainable travelers will LOVE that the local island public transportation means taking a catamaran - can you feel the warm sea air yet?
Prefer dry land, then spend time strolling the ancient streets of the oh-so-dreamy seaside towns of Dubrovnik and Split. You might already be familiar with the awe-inspiring, walled, seaside city of Dubrovnik (or for Game of Thrones fans, “Kings Landing”). But you might not be familiar with the UNESCO site, and the former Roman complex that is Split - Vibrant, stunning, well-preserved - Split is one of those rare places that is easy and central for visitors, but home to a community of locals. This is the place to casually stroll, admire the surroundings, then make a few local friends to enjoy the vibe with - eat, drink wine, listen to stories and take it slow!
For Croatian culture at its finest, head inland to the literal and figurative capital of Croatian culture. The Croatian Capital Zagreb was once a stop for the most glamorous passengers in the world, on the Orient Express, a fact that won't escape your attention visiting its central city as it still retains opulent architecture and style from this period. Very much a young and modern city, Zagreb is a place that embraces artists of all stripes. It claims to have more museums per capita than anywhere else in the world, and its emerging street art scene speaks to the young population that call Zagreb home. And better yet, we love it in all seasons! Its Christmas markets continue to be a stand out in Europe!
Conscious travelers and foodies alike will be excited to know that the local food movement in Croatia is not a movement at all, but just how things are done. It’s common to find a restaurant with a little garden for their fresh herbs, or rolling their homemade pasta each morning. ​
Food, farming and cooking is a big part of enjoying the culture and we’ll be seamlessly integrating local food into each day you spend in Croatia!
We invite you to dream while we take care of everything to bring your dreams to life!
ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS
What is the best airport for flying into Croatia?
This depends on your general itinerary. Croatia has several large international airports, and a few regional airports with access to European cities. When we design your itinerary, we will start with your home airport in mind to find the route that is most suitable for you!
If often makes the most sense to arrive in one airport and depart from another to reduce time spent going back to the starting point. Just reach out to a travel designer to begin your trip, and we will handle all the logistics.
What currency is used in Croatia?
Croatia's official currency is the Euro (€). ATMs are widely available to withdraw cash (euros), and credit cards are widely accepted, but some places may only accept cash, especially in rural areas or for small purchases.
Do I need a Visa to travel to Croatia?
The country is an EU member and part of the Schengen Area. EU citizens do not need a visa to enter Croatia. Others may be able to enter Visa free, depending on their passport.
Is the water safe to drink in Croatia?
Yes, tap water is very safe! We recommend using the many public fountains to refill your bottles, the water is very fresh and clean. Bottled water is also readily available to purchase if you prefer.
What language is spoken in Croatia?
The official language is Croatian, yet many Croatians speak fluent English. A recent study found English fluency rates in major cities like Zagreb, are as high as 90%.
Learning a few key Croatian phrases or attempting to speak the language is generally appreciated by locals when visiting Croatia.
I don't speak Croatian, will I be able to communicate with just English?
English is widely spoken, especially in cities, or towns popular with tourists. We recommend giving a few phrases a try, as a little goes a long way in connecting with locals.
Is Croatia welcoming to same sex couples?
According to the LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index, Croatia ranks #27 of the 203 countries on the index (The US rank's #25). Croatia is predominantly Catholic, and traditional minded Croatian's may view homosexuality as taboo. However, both sexual orientation and gender identity are protected by numerous Croatian laws.
Travelers can expect to receive a warm welcome in the well touristed cities; however, they may face judgmental or unwelcoming attitudes in some rural areas.
Croatia is not known for a big party scene for gay travelers, or massive pride festivals like those hosted in other European cities. Although, Zagreb hosts its own annual pride parade, and even smaller cities are hosting their won events to celebrate the LGBTQ communities.
How much time should I plan for a trip to Croatia?
It really depends on how much time you have, what places you wish to see and what is a comfortable pace for you to move about. We usually advise from 8-10 nights if you will visit only 1-2 regions, and up to two weeks for a trip that includes several areas. For example, in two weeks you would be able to include visiting parts of Dalmatia, the Plitvice National Park, the Capital Zagreb, and parts of Istria.
Much of this recommendation will depend upon the pace you like to travel, and what you are interested in doing with your time. For example, if you want to visit more remote places, more time may be required to get there, and then to return to a main transportation hub. That said, we always encourage travel that is slow, and intentional to allow travelers to have a more meaningful experience.
What kind of traveler does CTC work with?
We welcome all travelers, this means solo, couples, trios, groups - you name it! Our clients are often traveling with just one or two other people. We have lots of expertise in travel design for just 1-2 travelers and know how to capture the essence of immersive travel for travel groups of every size!
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We also work with travel agents, and small group trip leaders to design something really customized and special for their travelers. Travel agents know their clients, and are deeply in touch with what they will enjoy, and we are deeply connected to the destination, so this makes for a dream team!
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We also love to design for groups, but really encourage folks to keep their groups small, no more than 14 people. Group travel because it's a great way to have a private, fully curated experience at a great value, plus the immersive experiences work beautifully when sharing with a group.
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For more on our design process, click here
