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The natural wonderland of Plitvice Lakes . |
© BAS / ADOBESTOCK |
Q TRAVEL PLANNER
WHERE TO GO : “ If you want to see heaven on earth , come to Dubrovnik . Because the beauty there will leave anyone breathless .” We have to agree with playwright George Bernard Shaw about this ancient coastal town that has become the darling of the Dalmatian coastline with its medieval walls and Game of Thrones pedigree .
Not as postcard perfect , but equally beguiling is the city of Split . Here you ’ ll find culture and heritage in the Unesco-listed Diocletian ’ s Palace and the Cathedral of St Domnius , but also wonderful walks in the nearby Marjan Forest Park . From either town boat cruises hop between the idyllic islands of Dalmatia : stop in at Mljet National Park for a dose of untouched natural beauty , Hvar for boisterous nightclubs and bars , or Brač for idyllic beaches . But there ’ s more to Croatia than its coast : Zagreb boasts a lively café culture and creative arts scene , while Plitvice Lakes National Park offers scenic beauty alongside rafting , kayaking and mountain biking .
WAR AND PEACE : Dubrovnik ’ s city walls may throng with tourists today , but as recently as 1991 the city was under siege during Croatia ’ s bitter war of independence from Yugoslavia . Discover more at the excellent Museum of Croatian War of Independence in the hilltop Fort Imperial .
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Above : The party capital of Hvar . Below : Kaštel Gomilica in the city of Split .
RAISE A GLASS : Wine has been made in Croatia for more than 2 500 years . Though you may not recognise the names , try a glass of local Bogdanuša , Grk , Pošip or Maraština during your stay .
WHEN TO GO : In Dalmatia the July-August peak season brings searing heat and enormous crowds ; May-June is a better time to visit . The Plitvice Lakes are best in spring , when they flow with snowmelt and the paths aren ’ t too busy .
BOOK IT : Trafalgar Tours visits Croatia in its 14 Day Highlights of Austria , Slovenia and Croatia tour , or cruise there on one of Inspirations Travel & Tours ’ seven-night Dalmatian Island Hopping speedboat tours . Your Sure Travel consultant has all the details , or visit www . suretravel . co . za / call 0861 47 48 49 .
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witnessed earlier , and which we will have an opportunity to learn how to perform ourselves – good thing I ’ m wearing black .
I steel myself for the dizzying twirling and whirling that ’ s about to ensue – two glasses of red and a generous portion of
Baka – the Muhoberac ’ s homemade cake with apples and sour cherries – firmly under my belt .
My saving grace is that , once again like the animal world , it ’ s the males that have to do most of the work . What ’ s that ? Would I like to sample the Muhoberacs ’ prize homemade liqueur ? Oh , go on … Trafalgar ’ s driving .
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© ADOBESTOCK |
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56 // MAKE MEMORIES FOR LIFE |