Croatia Holidays: when, what, where

Despite the hype, Croatia's treasures are more eternal than trendy. down its thousand-mile coast a glistening sea winds around gravel coves, lap at pine-fringed bays. Istrian ports bustle with fishermen while kids dive into the sparkling water. In Dalmatia, cities beat with nightlife amid olden Roman ruins. So, it is time  togo for a long holiday in Croatia

Yachts fly up the coast, movie stars discreetly make plans to buy one of Croatia's 1185 islands and no Mediterranean journey is complete without a stop in Dubrovnik. The inner landscape is as beguiling, yet though less visited. bathe in a thermal spa at Istarske Toplice in Istria. walk through untouched forests watered by mountain brooks in the west. Let the waterfalls of Plitvice dampen your face. And then there's the traditions. The people that endured Roman, Venetian, Italian and Austro-Hungarian regime has a exceptional and slightly odd individuality. You'll find a strong central European flavour in the elaborate design of Zagreb, and Italian devotion to the good life percolates up from the coast, permeating Croatian food and style. During holidays and festivals the country's Slavic heart appears as brightly costumed dancers twirl about to a traditional folk melody.

Croatians retain a strong connection to the land and habits that fed the wish of sovereignty for so long.