Croatia, star of the Balkans

Croatia has been the Med’s biggest success story, with the number of UK visitors up by 30 per cent to more than 250,000 last year. The star attractions are still the Adriatic islands and coast — which have the cleanest waters in the Mediterranean — but there has also been a move towards city breaks and outdoor adventures. Accommodation standards are rising to match those of neighbouring Italy and prices are rising, too, but Croatia still offers good value.



SINGLES







SAIL AWAY
Set sail on a traditional wooden Old Timer — a traditional vintage sailing ship — and cruise the Dalmatian islands of Brac, Hvar, Korcula, Mljet and Vis. Swim, snorkel, cycle or just chill out on the deck of the boat. It sleeps up to 20 in twin-bedded cabins. The cost is £704 for a week in June, or you can combine it with a week on land for £1,200 in August. Explore (0870 3334001, www.explore.co.uk).

WALKING HOLIDAY
A “Contrasts of Croatia” guided walking holiday begins in the Plitvice Lakes National Park and crosses the Velebit mountains before visiting the Kvarner Bay islands of Rab, Krk and Cres. You walk about seven miles a day on coast paths and forest trails, and stay in three-star hotels. The cost is £1,199 for ten nights in June and £1,278 in August, including all meals, plus £170 single supplement. Headwater (01606 720199, www.headwater.com).



PUSH THE BOAT OUT
Hire a yacht for a gentle cruise around the Adriatic, stopping off at a different port each night. Sail Croatia has a fleet of luxury yachts at its bases in Pula, Split and Dubrovnik, all equipped with internet access and cable TV. For experienced sailors, a one-week bareboat charter from Pula, sleeping six, costs £3,108 in June, excluding flights. Sail Croatia (020-7751 9988, www.sailcroatia.net).



COUPLES

CHILL OUT
Rent a one-bedroom apartment overlooking Zaglav Bay on the island of Korcula. The Vinko House apartments have shady terraces facing the sea, and you can swim straight from the shore. There are good walking and fishing trips near by, or you can explore Korcula Town, a medieval walled city. The cost is £485pp for one week in June and £862 for two weeks in August, based on two sharing and including flights, car hire and welcome hamper. Book your own flights and pay £200 less. Inntravel (01653 617788, www.inntravel.co.uk).







CULTURE VULTURE
Explore the Roman emperor Diocletian’s palace at Split, plus Roman remains at Salona and the Venetian town of Trogir, on an archaeological tour with Dr Ffiona Gilmore Eaves as your guide. Stay in a hotel within the walls of Diocletian’s palace. The trip is from May 7-14 and costs £895pp, or £735pp without flights. Andante Travels (01722 713800, www.andantetravels.co.uk).







LOVERS’ HIDEOUT
Hide away in Villa Klarici, a romantic hilltop cottage near Motovun, with views over the Istrian countryside from the first-floor living room and terrace. The house has beamed ceilings and exposed stone walls, as well as a microwave, dishwasher, CD and DVD players and private pool. Cost is £625 for a week in June and £1,790 for two weeks in August, excluding flights and car hire. Vintage Travel (0845 3440460, www.vintagetravel.co.uk).







TREAT YOURSELF
Istria is Croatia’s larder, producing wine, ham, cheese, olive oil, seafood, wild asparagus and truffles. On a Gourmet Istria tour, you visit Italian-style hill towns to taste wine and mistletoe brandy, and go truffle-hunting in the oak forests. Stay at Hotel San Rocco, a lovely old stone house near the Slovenian border. Cost is £1,303pp for a week, based on two sharing, including flights and car hire. Hidden Croatia (0871 2080075, www.hiddencroatia.com).

Page 2: Families ()

FAMILIES



TODDLER FRIENDLY
Croatia is not known for its beaches, but one of the best is at Baska on the island of Krk, with more than a mile of sand and pebbles shelving gently into the sea. Stay at the newly renovated Hotel Zvonimir, which is right on the beachfront and has indoor and outdoor children’s pools, and spacious family suites with interconnecting rooms. A week at May half-term costs £607pp in a family suite; two weeks in August is £1,075pp, including evening meals. Standard rooms are cheaper. Holiday Options (0870 4208372, www.holidayoptions.co.uk).







ACTION STATIONS
A new Active Croatia trip for families offers cycling, canoeing and walking among the waterfalls, lakes and rivers of the Plitvice Lakes National Park, with the option of spending a day white-water rafting in Bosnia. You stay in village houses inside the national park. This trip is suitable for over-5s. There is a special departure for single-parent families on August 12. The cost for May half-term or the summer holidays is £679 for adults, £649 for children, including flights and most meals. Adventure Company (0845 4505311, www.adventurecompany.co.uk).







EXTENDED FAMILIES
Villa Dalmatia is a stone house that sleeps 14 on the south coast of the island of Brac. It has flat-screen satellite TV, surround-sound music system, a spa overlooking the sea and steps to a private jetty. The beach is a short walk away. The house is not suitable for toddlers or people with walking difficulties. The cost is £5,600 a week in June and £7,070 a week in August; flights and car hire extra. Abercrombie & Kent (0845 0700618, www.abercrombiekent.co.uk).







ISLAND SAFARI
Stay on Tito’s private summer hideout of Brijuni, now a national park off the Istrian coast. The seaside Villa Primorka sleeps eight in four double bedrooms and has its own maid (a cook and waiter can also be hired on request). Bicycles and golf buggies are supplied, and you can visit the safari park, which is home to the descendants of animals given to Tito by visiting world leaders. The villa costs £720 a night in June and £950 in August. Book through Brijuni National Park (00 385 52 525807, www.brijuni.hr).



Tony Kelly is the author of Essential Croatia (AA, £5.99) and Spiral Croatia (AA, £9.99), due to be published this year.

Top tips