Dalmatia

History

Until Roman expansion in early years of A.D. (Anno Domini), on the eastern coast of Adriatic sea lived Illyrian tribe called the Dalmatae. Romans successfully conquered Illyrian lands of Dalmatia and Panonia as well as most of the Europe. Dalmatia had just become yet another Roman province for many centuries, or until collapse of Roman Empire.

Since then many rulers claimed Dalmatia, Byzantine empire right after Romans, Croats settled at that same time and ruled from there with it’s Kingdom, just to be followed by expansion of Hungarian crown, then Venetian Republic, even under Napoleon rule had been for few years, to be replaced by Austrian crown and that lasted until 1918. Of course, twentieth century was not any different.

Rulers (and dreamers) were changing but Croats endured and modern day Dalmatia is located in the Republic of Croatia, Central-Europe. Dalmatia stretches from island of Rab and southern part of Velebit mountain range, located on the northwest coastline, to the most southeastern part of Croatia (map), Prevlaka, overlooking the Bay of Kotor. More inland, behind all the coastal marinas, ports, towns, cities and their beaches is the hinterland called the Dalmatian Zagora, place of unique natural beauty (also featured on our photographs and videos).

How to get there?

For us, entry point to Croatia (a vacation destination) is Zagreb airport, well connected with most of the European cities. In your case you may want to skip the continental part of the country and choose a direct flight to the coastal airports in Pula or Rijeka, located in Istria and Kvarner, or airports in Dalmatia – Split, Zadar and Dubrovnik. Another option preferred by millions of European tourists, because close proximity to most of the Europeans, is drive by car to Adriatic coast, also bus and train. Croatia is crisscrossed by net of modern highways, in part featured on our video. * Did you know that speed limit on the Croatian highways is set at 130km/h (80mi).

Cities like Split have ferry connection to many of Islands as well as to the city of Ancona in Italy, located on the west coast of the Adriatic sea. Dioklecian’s Palace in Split photo gallery…

Our short intro to Dalmatia and it’s more then a 1000 Islands along the Croatian (map) coastline we’ll present with few travel notes, a lot of photos and few videos shoot since 1997. Non of our posts content is ever final and that goes for this one too, new material is added frequently.

Intro to Dalmatia photo gallery (more photos from Dalmatia…):

After landing in Zagreb (video) we do spend week or two in and around the city rediscovering it’s old and discovering it’s new, while in the same time enjoying delicious continental dishes or Mediterranean specialties available in the restaurants, or found in the local food markets or on a store shelf’s. In the same time we are also exploring surrounding towns, like Samobor (travel notes), and Zagroje region before we get on the road for the coast.

Dalmatia and Islands

Largest cities on the Dalmatian coast are Split, Zadar, Sibenik and Dubrovnik. All of them are marvelous historic jewels just as countless smaller towns, to mention few, Nin, Biograd na moru, Pakostane, Pirovac, Skradin, Trogir, Omis, Brela, Baska Voda, Makarska, Ploce, Cavtat, etc.

Among the numerous islands along the coast, most of them are not inhabited, with Kornati islands (one of the Croatian national parks) being sailors dream come true. Island of Pag, via bridge connected to the mainland with it’s Moon like landscape may just surprise you with it’s world over know cheese. Other Islands, including Rab, Brac, Hvar, Korcula, Vis and peninsula Peljesac will also offer you a gift created by Sun, scarce earth covered by white stone and generations of hands who created some of the greatest grape-varieties on Earth.

On the road

As already mentioned, 380km of highway cutting through extraordinary nature (watch video; Split – Zagreb, 2005 highway drive) brings us just under four hours to Split and since our final destination was Brela on Makarska riviera we added additional 1/2 hour to our trip.

Dobro došli / Welcome!

Right there, in between crystal clear sea and Biokovo mountain is seated beautiful Makarska riviera (video). Town Makarska is the biggest on riviera among tens of smaller tourist places that are very popular among European tourists. Some other larger towns on riviera are Baska Voda, Brela – photos and video, Podgora, Tucepi, Zivogosce, etc.

Almost every town has its own marina, numerous hotels and private accommodations, villas for rent, many restaurants, which will serve you with well-known sea food specialties as well as with regional cuisine like prosciutto and delicious local cheese served with great local wines (once you are at it you may also try some of the south-European specialties like burek and ćevapčići (close relative to Kebab).

Some of the islands are just a stone trow away from the coast, with many local tour operators offering a day trip to explore Islands of Brac, Hvar and others (photos). On some of the boats grilled fish is prepared and served for lunch with local wine and just before the meal drink called rakia – snaps or grappa (fragrant grape brandy with around 40% of alcohol).

Any location you choose you will most likely find it relaxing and enjoy your stay on the beach (see our Brela travel notes and photo gallery), but there is plenty of opportunities to explore and be active. If claiming Mount Biokovo would be to much of an effort then you may be for some white water rafting on the Cetina river, rent-a-boat, jet-ski, maybe boat paragliding etc. If you wake up to a cloudy day and northern wind called Bura then you should definitely visit some of the neighboring towns, try new local dish maybe or visit a museum. If ancient Romans could conquer it all 2000 years ago then visit to Split shouldn’t be that hard from Makarska riviera in our case. It’s well worth it to park your car on the Riva and walk the streets of Roman emperor Diocletian who had retired in to a newly build for this purpose palace few kilometers from, then Roman settlement of Solona.

Just outside of Split you can travel in to Middle Ages by visiting fortification of Klis. No matter where you choose to spend you vacation, every city or town could be pleasant surprise, so do not be afraid to pick a guide or ask locals where to go and explore.

Never enough…

Once we have reached Makarska riviera how could we resist and not to continue all the way to Dubrovnik, on the same Magistrala road with even more spectacular view (also featured on our Dubrovnik video) passing through river Neretva delta and its numerous fruit plantations that include oranges.

Dubrovnik (photos) has been called many times Mediterranean jewel and there are thousands of years of history that will confirm this statement. Cultural events are held on open air throughout the summer months. We were impressed as many before us with the beauty and hospitality of the city and it’s citizens.

Since 19th century Istria, Dalmatian coast and the Adriatic Islands have been one of the favorite destinations for European tourists, and today are visited by millions of tourists every year including those from Germany, Austria, Italy, Czech Republic, France, Poland, Slovenia, Hungary, Switzerland, Sweden, Holland & others.

If you decide to see more than Croatia and take some of many Mediterranean cruises you’ll most likely stop for a day visit in Dubrovnik, or Island of Korcula, maybe Split or some other pleasant surprise for first time visitor.

Hope you’ll enjoy it as much we did, and if you wonder what’s cooking in the Croatian kitchen…

All the regions of Croatia will introduce you to a blend of Central-European and Mediterranean culture, cuisine and hospitality.