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1 Family Highlights of

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2 1 Family Highlights of Croatia B THE BESTOF for-money. re-established intheholidaymainstream –itstilloffersterrificvalue- it can’t becalledanundiscovered gem–Croatia isnow firmly advantages toclimbuptheladderofinternationaltourism.Although knocking attheEUdoor, butalsoexploitingitsstunningnatural Union, andinamatteroftwoorthree years, Croatia isnotonly The Balkans are atpeace,Slovenia isalready oftheEuropean part became anarea thatwasn’t goodtovisit,especiallywithchildren. arrived, thesmokeofwardriftedacross theBalkans, andCroatia a dilapidatedcarandtrailertentcombination. Then the1990s Italian motorcaravan; andfinallyinthe1980switholderchildren in down inCologne;the1970swithwifeandinfantsaboard atiny in abattered oldvan, thenonhoneymoonby trainafterthecarbroke times priortothat:inthe1960sasoneofabandcarefree students ITALYI ITALY T 25km 0 0 A Pula P Pula

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N A SarajevoS Sarajevo StonS a t o r a n j e v 1 o 10 DubrovnikD Dubrovnik u 12 b r o v n i k The Best of Croatia 3 The Volta and eating ice-cream. It makes for a lovely atmosphere, and eating ice-cream. In common with most north Mediterranean countries, Croatians go – going out as a family in Sunday call the ‘Volta’ in for what the Greeks to neighbours and chatting best, and walking up and down the front, acquaintances, a diamond opportunity for youngsters to become better and provides acquainted. Make no mistake; Croatia has bagged the most beautiful bits of has bagged the most Croatia no mistake; Make diversity has such a rich thing – Croatia The attraction is a cultural oddest-shaped countries in the world. must be one of the Croatia an envi- shares countries, Croatia Along with other Mediterranean interven- into positive really is not yet said that, Croatia Having the rural the Zagorje Peninsula, Istria – the lovely Yugoslavia former coast Dalmation breathtaking the with Slovenia, the border up against city. capital has a vibrant European it And in Zagreb and its islands. to the country a lot more face – there’s just a pretty isn’t Croatia But than that. (in fact, most of could be in Italy you parts of Istria, of influences. In northern and eastern borders, Croatia’s Along once was in Italy). Istria (and, of course, Hungary and of Austria uncannily reminded you’re Along the Empire). was once in the Austro-Hungarian Croatia – and the coast, the feeling is totally Mediterranean Dalmatian Sea. a branch of the Mediterranean is, of course, Adriatic That’s wings. with elegant, elongated butterfly, a swallowtail Imagine – and its hinterland The inland wing is made up of Zagreb Croatia. The capital itself to the north, flat to the south. and Austrian pretty and a flourishing open-air architecture combines imposing European is of this part (and weather) of Croatia culture The society. pavement south all the way to coastal wing, which sweeps The continental. and climate with a culture Mediterranean, is and beyond, Dubrovnik views include gorgeous Postcard or Italy. that of that rivals little harbours, limpid, wake- stone-walled towns, pantile-roofed seas and jewel-like islands. scored accepted, are attitude to the next generation. Children ably relaxed complimented on their children’s are indulged, smiled at. Parents seem to be made to feel never You brains, and good behaviour. beauty, when they are. even a nuisance, are children that your put a lot of thought into what might hotels and restaurants tion. Few to take their have or occupied. Families interested keep children put the seem to have chances. Likewise, many tourist attractions don’t as the best of as child-friendly same thought into making themselves then, positive Until sure. come, I’m It’ll those in the UK or US have. 04_055304 ch01.qxp 1/29/07 10:35 AM Page 3 Page AM 10:35 1/29/07 ch01.qxp 04_055304 04_055304 ch01.qxp1/29/0710:35AMPage4

4 1 Family Highlights of Croatia become asource, notarecipient, ofadviceonCroatia’s ‘must-see’ and born-againenthusiastforthisbeautifulcountry, you’ll eventually a the mostofyour timeinCroatia asafamily. If you become,asIdid, bestplacestovisitandthemostenjoyable activitiestohelpmake the precious ofall. This bookaimstogive you insiderknowledge into And that’s whatyou getinCroatia. loons andcoloured pencilsforanounceofgenuinechild-friendliness. attitudes goalongway. I’d personallytradeatonofinstitutionalbal- EXPERIENCES BEST FAMILY ‘must-do’ sightsandattractions. Swimming atLapad,Dubrovnik Swimming off therocks walls. See p.66. the foundationsofcity’s ber dinghyandpaddlingaround rience by hiring akayakorrub- then you canget asimilarexpe- you can’t swimwell enough, if them orswimfrom them.And so thatit’s easytosunbatheon intotherock, have beencarved these places,stepsandplatforms Dubrovnik isbuilt.In someof to therocks upon which places where you cangetaccess There are many Dubrovnik. If leisure timeisprecious, leisure timewithourchildren isthemost in See p.68. as well, orfillyour waterbottle. for hours. You canhave adrink hot day, andit’ll keepyou cool your head.It feelslovely ona emptying it,thenputtingiton inside Dubrovnik’s Pile Gate, Onofrio’s LargeFountain, just walk ifit’s toohot.See p.66. cafés, anddon’t dothewhole to grabadrinkatoneofthe Take your time,stopontheway the orangerooftops ofthecity. sea ormountain,inwards across outwards views, towardsderful takes intwokilometres ofwon- Walking Dubrovnik’s walls Filling yourhatwithwater at Best Family Experience 5 just in Split – in Split this was just the basement of old Roman that 2000-year building, so just imagine how enormous the whole palace was. pleasantly And on hot days it’s p.106. cool. See allow the youngsters to let off a the youngsters allow p.83. little steam. See the vaults of Wandering Palace Diocletian’s Rubbing the big toe of the statue of Grgur Ninsky in Gate outside the Golden and making a wish. See Split, p.110. Walkway on the walls, Dubrovnik Walkway in from Trpanj to Trpanj from in the Sponza the reliquary con- e. You get the choice of a You e. c Plo respite from the car with full- from respite back, time access to toilets. Sit look at the beautiful scenery and hot, sheltered deck area, an air- deck area, hot, sheltered conditioned saloon that sells drinks and snacks, or a breezy a short It’s forward gantry. Dubrovnik: take it in turns, time take it in Dubrovnik: and each member of the family, the see who can stay up there p.70. longest. See Defenders of Dubrovnik’. It of Dubrovnik’. Defenders brings home that the 300 who not died defending the city were statistics, but people – portrait photographs of each one line the p.71. See walls of the room. the ferry Taking Balancing on the gargoyle Smiling at Feeling sombre of the Room ‘Memorial Palace’s Balancing on the gargoyle in Dubrovnik Stradun in Dubrovnik Balancing on the gargoyle taining Jesus’s nappy, in nappy, taining Jesus’s Treasury. Cathedral Dubrovnik’s p.73. See 04_055304 ch01.qxp 1/29/07 10:35 AM Page 5 Page AM 10:35 1/29/07 ch01.qxp 04_055304 04_055304 ch01.qxp1/29/0710:35AMPage6

6 1 Family Highlights of Croatia beside thetorrent. See p.147. climbing uptheshadedpaths Park atSkradinski Buk, then oftheKrka Nationalwaterfalls Chugging uptheriverby Croatian music Listening totraditional the pavement. See p.111. shaped receptacle attheedgeof on awallintobronze funnel- water arches from afisthighup on Marmontova inSplit where Scuttling underthefountain Amphitheatre afterdark Coming across Pula’s in Zadar Being lulledbytheSeaOrgan boat from Skradin music. See p.106. ing andsellingCDsoftheir often musicianssingingorplay- Split’s Cathedral–there are ethereal floodlitwallsrearing out p.139. tiful, andutterlyunique.See cealed pipes.It’s absolutelybeau- forcing airthrough thecon- the organ,activated by wavelets tening tothethroaty flutingsof sea, andnottalking. They’re lis- ting reflectively, lookingoutto to find–justlookforpeoplesit- cut inthem.But theorgan’s easy water, somewithholesorslots broad stepsleading down tothe not muchtosee–justsome neer andanorganmaker, there’s designer, aseahydraulics engi- will entrancechildren. Built by a sea organisoneofthebestand projects, andZadar’sdisciplinary Croatians knackformulti- exemplifies the in front of to the its Gagolitic script.See p.187. own (sadlynow defunct) inCroatia’sCroatian history resentational statuescelebrating lined periodicallyby various rep- then, withyour earsstillringing, windows oftheBurglar’s Tower, fired outofonethetopfloor the deafeningreport ofthegun arriving intime(noon)tohear Riding thefunicularinZagreb Alley’ Driving down‘Gagolitic at Uliks Sitting nexttoJamesJoyce between Ro telling skills.See p.165. dren willalsotestyour story- to explainJoyce’s novels tochil- sense outofhim,though. Trying Ulysses. You won’t getmuch and discussingthemeaningof unearthly beauty.unearthly See p.166. of thesurrounding trees with Monument atGagoliticAlley, Istria , the lovely road country in Pula, havingadrink c and Hum, whichis Best Children’s Playgrounds 7 On Bounded ibenik, ) S you’ll be there for hours. If they for hours. If be there you’ll after such need refreshing swimming lake the endeavours, p.221. See away. is 50 metres Trg ValdiboraTrg (Rovinj, Istria) with its This little playground colourful climbing frame, nets, is and tube-slide, rope-ladders some perfectly placed to allow family-members to slip into the play. while the children market too. Town, view of the Old Nice p.174. See Obala Palih Omladinaca ( Lapad Beach (Dubrovnik) castles and so on – enough to castles and so on – for hours, if keep them occupied got it (and have can afford you The beach is two min- change). p.78. See utes walk away. the road up from Lapad beach up from the road are there of town, into the centre rides, bouncy loads of children’s by the boats moored to the quay the boats moored by on one side and the Cathedral has this playground on the other, swings, slides, see-saws, climbing ladders and those frames, rope up to Without a Without Sljeme, the highest peak on Sljeme, p.222. See Medvednica. Mount Bundek’s Playground Bundek’s See p.208. See the cable car Taking BEST CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUNDS Bundek (Zagreb) Zagreb funicular railway funicular Zagreb for the view. climbing the tower you’ll come across in Croatia. If in Croatia. come across you’ll spend 10 minutes the children on each type of equipment, shadow of a doubt, the biggest shadow playground and best children’s 04_055304 ch01.qxp 1/29/07 10:35 AM Page 7 Page AM 10:35 1/29/07 ch01.qxp 04_055304 04_055304 ch01.qxp1/29/0710:35AMPage8

8 1 Family Highlights of Croatia the Old Town. Just walkdown See p.119. ant walkrightaround theisland. have. It ofapleas- couldbepart expend anyexcess energythey polines where thechildren can which Trogir sits,there are tram- the western endoftheislandon called Marmont’s Gloriette, at ue (Istria) Buzet happy. See p.146. might beabletokeepeverybody teenagers (seebelow), soyou also nexttothecoolestplacefor with benchesfortheadults.It’s all inanicecleangravelled area dren love bouncingaround on, little animalsonspringsthechil- Dubrovnik FOR TEENS TOP ATTRACTIONS Dalmatia) (Trogir, Marmont’s Gloriette (Istria) Pazin with benchesfortheadultsunder ing frame,allclustered together swings, arideandbitofclimb- ground –aslide, acoupleof race, thisisjustasmallplay- while atleast.See p.185. drive backdown thathill,fora ting themplayputsoffhavingto the trees. But Andlet- theviews! the localrestaurants. See p.184. picnic ratherthaneatinginoneof good spotifyou’ve optedfora benchestorelax on.It isa are shade undertrees, andthere play equipmentlocatedinthe centre oftown hasalotof the Next tothebuilding Almost anywhere in The park in On thetown ter- the town tohave itsfans,by far of part enough foralmostevery p.161. the area around themarket. See the Arch oftheSergians, andin seen are alongGiardini down to the mostpopularplacestobe bour-side TrgMar definitely theRiva. See p.104. more fortourists–localsit’s the Palace, buttheytendtobe nice placesinsidewhatwasonce Diocletian’s Palace. There are fringed Riva at the front of restaurants alongthepalm- and Pula Zadar S Split Rovinj Kre along Obala kraljaPetra trg. – The southernwaterfront sit inthecentralsquare Narodni but that’s where the road. It’s justonetabledeep, of tablesbetween thewaterand Palih Omladinaca, there’s astring dockside oftheRiver Krka Obala alongthe the road thatruns See p.66. and forice-cream it’s Dolce Vita. that Mea Culpa’s theplacetobe, you’re afterpizza,theword’s out Stradun andgowiththeflow. If teenagers takeiteasy. See p.141. club. See p.132. finding favour with ateenagefan as well as‘ on onesideby thesea,it’s cool place tobe.Andbeingbounded ibenik s imira IV–isincreasingly The wholerow ofcafés Although Pula’s small You can’t dobetterthan No question–thehar- At the northern endof At thenorthern cool ’! See p.171. S ibenik’s s ala Tita isthe Top Attractions for Teens 9 ) and the ) in Zadar ), also out ). Pick of the island ven- The capital is big 091-113-32-21 b ), which is on the lakeside at ibenik (thought by some to be enough to boast a number of the There’s places to hang out. ‘in’ Zagreb S ), a 2,000 capacity outdoor main- ten on the Split coast and Hacienda www.thegardenzadar.com s www.carpe-diem-hvar.com ) near the Pile Gate in Dubrovnik, Aurora ) near the Pile Gate in Dubrovnik, ) are both pretty well thought of. Also, on the pretty both ) are 021-635-410 www.rabacfestival.com www.aquarius.hr ibenik being particularly well-provided for. ibenik being particularly well-provided b ) and the Monvi Entertainment Centre in Rovinj ) and the Monvi Entertainment Centre ( S ) near Primo Clubbing In Croatia drummer James Brown and has a spectacular set- drummer James Brown ) at Vodice, near ) at Vodice, c UB40 a 5 i c The best places are along The best places are Some of the best bets for clubbers are: Latino Club Fuego Latino Some of the best bets for clubbers are: c www.hacienda.hr www.clubuljanik.hr www.fuego-dubrovnik.com www.monvicenter.com www.auroraclub.hr ( ues are Carpe Diem on Hvar ( Carpe Diem on Hvar ues are ( ( Although clubbing is unlikely to form a major part of a familyAlthough clubbing is unlikely to form a major holiday, to visit a club. The favourite it may be that older teenagers might want Dalmatia between and the strip of coastal Zagreb for clubbing are areas with Split and Zadar, ( ting, high on the fortifications of the city. In Istria, Club Uljanik in Pula ting, high on the fortifications of the city. ( Faces Club on Bra has, since independ- in Zagreb of the tree club near Bol. Top stream ence, been Aquarius ( at Jarun, which has star DJs, tight ticket control and a strict dress code. a strict dress and at Jarun, which has star DJs, tight ticket control is owned by east coast, the Rabac Summer Festival, a week-long DJ festival on the east coast, the Rabac Summer Festival, a beach, is worth a look ( Gallery ( Jarun, but it is under challenge from Croatia’s best club). The Garden ( best club). The Garden Croatia’s Pore Trg Bana Jela Bana Trg the harbour, and at the town the harbour, p.176. See Slobode. Trg side of 04_055304 ch01.qxp 1/29/07 10:35 AM Page 9 Page AM 10:35 1/29/07 ch01.qxp 04_055304 04_055304 ch01.qxp1/29/0710:35AMPage10

10 1 Family Highlights of Croatia Tkal sible. North ofit,pedestrianised of tramroutes makeseasilyacces- and Preradovi Technology Museum, The Treasury ofDubrovnik BEST MUSEUMS Jela the centralsquare Trg Bana silver. See p.73. andallthatgold parts, be impressed by allthosebody the square (Gajeva, Bogovi the wholearea southandwest of city centre. See p.191. to getawayfrom theheatof scene ingeneralmoves outthere a visit–localdiscosandthe the summer, Jarun isalso worth lively from earlyevening.very In of cafés,barsandrestaurants, and c i c 5 i a, whichtheconvergence 5 eva is very popular,eva isvery while Children can’t fail to c eva trg)isamass c eva House ofBatana,Rovinj many children’s It hearts. includes This onewillwarmthecocklesof (Zagreb) Technical Museum See p.144. water vaults, and hasagoodcafé. town’s underground 15thcentury this museumissituatedinthe gual, anddesignedforchildren, Interactive, multimedia,multilin- Bunari Museum( S ibenik) Best Museums 11 An excel- Gallery, More of an More 5 i c Another of Zagreb’s lent outdoor museum of the buildings and lifestyle. region’s the house in which Includes Yugoslavian the former Tito, up. was born and brought leader, p.225. See Klanjec (Zagorje) (Zagreb) Antun Augustin Kumrovec (Zagorje) Natural History Museum art gallery than a museum, but statues (the lots of impressive buried sculptor and his wife are under one of them) in a beauti- p.224. ful setting. See old fashioned yet interesting old fashioned yet and museums. Lots of exhibits, have some, though not all, p.212. translations. See English The Outdoor Museum, Kumrovec A This Although a lot of the little fusty, but guaranteed to get little fusty, talking and assessing youngsters educational experi- their own p.217. ences. See museum also has a reconstructed museum also has a was the coal mine (the town coal-mining heart of Croatia’s as not as ambitious It’s area). Museum, but Technical Zagreb’s worthnevertheless is well a visit. p.188. See Natural History Museum, Zagreb The House of the Batana (Rovinj) relating to the Croatian scientist to the Croatian relating p.218. See Tesla. Nikola Museum (Labin) Town School Museum (Zagreb) a mock-up of a coal mine, a plan- a mock-up severaletarium, and exhibits See p.173. See exhibits are labelled only in exhibits are an excellent there’s Croatian, short language guide, English and the museum itself – devoted to the local flat-bottomed boat – is modern, called the Batana and veryinteractive interesting. 04_055304 ch01.qxp 1/29/07 10:35 AM Page 11 Page AM 10:35 1/29/07 ch01.qxp 04_055304 04_055304 ch01.qxp1/29/0710:35AMPage12

12 1 Family Highlights of Croatia island. See p.55. theOld Citywasoncean that way toCavtat,you cansee from thetopofhillon you lookdown onthetown Ragusa from themainland.If in, separatedtheoldcityof channel that,untilitwasfilled the mainstreet, follows the onceanisland–Stradun, was Dubrovnik Trogir Dubrovnik and myths. to children lookingforstories appealing a feeloflivinghistory buildings andfeatures. There’s alotoforiginal and preserved many Croatian coastaltowns the development sprawlof reasons, butithasalsolimited nally agoodthingfordefensive surrounded, by waterwasorigi- Being surrounded, oralmost TOWNS BEST COASTAL but alsoattachedby bridgesto is notonlystillanisland, Yes, Dubrovnik t perimeter. See p.149. its of mud bathsatvarious parts extraction pansandmedicinal bay by bridges, and hassalt the oppositeheadlandsof middle ofabay. It’s attachedto a tiny, flatlittleislandinthe from adistance(andmuchloved unspoiled –it’s notonlylovely the Old Town itselfistotally what wasoncethemainland,so development hasbeenkeptto marked withasign.Modern separated itfrom themainlandis tion ofthechannelthatonce its originalisland,buttheposi- Nin Rovinj footbridge. See p.116. the road bridge andasnazzy boat widths,andiscrossed by land isonlythree orsorowing- between Trogir andthemain- must have started. The channel can begintoseehow island. Lookingat Trogir, you the mainlandandtoanother The town ofNin isbuilton has spread well beyond Best Hill Towns 13 attempt was so no Right up in the moun- onalist feeling, feeling, onalist limited by the size of their hill- the size limited by surrounds water whereas So top. and cities island towns Croatia’s effect), farmland, (to delightful sur- and vineyards groves olive its equally delightful hill round both In (mostly in Istria). towns cases, the effect is often stunning. Imotski tains near the border with Bosnia- tains near the border draws in Imotski , two spectac- visitors because of its – the ular geological features the Lakes. But and the Red Blue is actually verytown pleasant in right – aits own cool mountain settlement of parallel, contour- pleasant cafés hugging streets, and a sense that and restaurants, just getting on with people are p.124. See lives. their own Renovation is, despite c Another once-but-no- c made to celebrate Croatia’s national heritage – indeed, it was discour- made to celebrate Croatia’s on its feet economically aged. The country is only slowly getting back a long been done, it’s Although a huge amount has already after the war. with other have to compete for resources projects job. So renovation places, you’ll find is that, in many equally important initiatives. The result closed to the public squares or swathed in scaffolding, churches all in a good cause and finds. Be patient – it’s because of archaeological much to celebrate. there’s In Croatia you’ll soon become aware that, all over the country, reno- that, all over the country, you’ll soon become aware In Croatia for reasons several interrelated are There underway. are vation projects the manifestation only dates from in its present this. Although Croatia than a thousand years. Pride in early 1990s, its history goes back more are all over the land, efforts and therefore, this history is widespread heritage. This is espe- the country’s and preserve being made to repair the Communist independence, cially so because, during the period before government nati down keen to play was its huge holiday industry, remark- its huge holiday industry, Town, Old ably untouched in the plan its Roman and has retained of as some bits and pieces as well p.176. See masonry. Roman BEST HILL TOWNS as the sea has limited devel- Just hill opment of island towns, they are again built where towns, similarly are reasons, for defensive Pore by photographers and the photographers by who Board, Tourist Croatian Town use of the Old make much material), but is in promotional around. also delightful to walk p.171. See longer-an-island, Pore 04_055304 ch01.qxp 1/29/07 10:35 AM Page 13 Page AM 10:35 1/29/07 ch01.qxp 04_055304 04_055304 ch01.qxp1/29/0710:35AMPage14

14 1 Family Highlights of Croatia steep hill,park, andenjoy a Labin stands.So drive upthe tom ofthehilluponwhich still there), theywere atthebot- open (thehead-gearofoneis closed, andeven whentheywere For thepitsare astart, now village you’ve ever seenbefore. section. But Labinislikenopit town isbeingincludedinthis understand whyacoal-mining Motovun Buje Labin Buzet See p.182. are andcraftsshops. lotsofarts the hotelisadelight,andthere tree-shaded square infront of once itsramparts. The chestnut- fenced walkalongwhatwere tions, butalsoapaved and inalldirec-only terrificviews littletown,wonderful withnot Motovun stilla isnevertheless See p.181. the characterandatmosphere. tochange agri-tourists, started and localswithartists departing admirable attemptstoreplace tourism, andlocalgovernment’s must have beenlikebefore what Istria’s otherhilltowns touristy. So you getafeelfor strength isthatittotallyun- churches instead ofone,Buje’s towns inbeingcrowned by two there. See p.185. find hardly anybodyelseup your teethfor, andyou might grinding ous drivers, butworth Town onthehill.Not fornerv- and drive upinto thequietOld Differing from mosthill You mightfindithard to Ignore themoderntown, A littlecommercial, hotels justsouthof See p.94. a widechoiceofexcursions. Dubrovnik’s Old Town, and are alsofrequent busesinto diversions, tennis courts). There games, bouncy-castle-type a goodselectionofrides,arcade immediate vicinity(asafebeach, ming poolwithtoys) andinthe chairs, children’s menu,swim- ing rooms, extra beds,cots,high both insidethehotel(connect- free holidaywithyoungsters, you needforastress-everything modernhotelwith comfortable ( Solaris HolidayResort (Dubrovnik) Hotel Kompas BEST HOTELS p.187. see thatit’s fightingback.See were pretty recent, butyou can town intransition:itshard times ming pools,barsandrestaurants, the familyhappy–beach,swim- you needtokeep allmembersof Solaris Holiday Resort hasall Watersports S ibenik) A complexoffive S ibenik, the A Best Restaurants 15 (Dubrovnik) (just outside (Split) Another eta c harbour. It’s part of a It’s harbour. z eta has nice views out c (Trogir) Down one of Down (Trogir) ike offers a complete s ike s designed for families with chil- designed for p.232. See dren. Gruda, south of Dubrovnik) Gruda, food, superb setting with Lovely rushing two water all around, tank full of water wheels and a – the fish awaiting their fate p.96. it. See will love children Dalmatian experience – top- Dalmatian food, servednotch Dalmatian by cos- regional staff in Dalmatian live tume, often accompanied by folk music. See Dalmatian p.121. popular local choice, the larger- a provides Varos than-it-looks comfortable setting in which to its wide menu of Croatian enjoy wider wine- dishes and its even p.116. list. See small shopping mall, just around a large shopping the corner from from the road and down centre, playground. a pleasant children’s Lots to keep all members of the p.98. See family happy. Pa Café Bar Min Konoba Varos BEST RESTAURANTS Konavoski Dvori stunning Trogir’s narrow alleys, narrow Trogir’s stunning the Pa A no-nonsense Italian restaurant A no-nonsense Italian the locals by heavily patronised (always a good sign), the Café Min Bar across Gru across On an On One of a One Within walking Within ibenik and the spectacular Krka ibenik and the spectacular distance of all the attractions of Westin, the the city centre, whilst having the appearance of a hotel that caters for business- family- men, is in fact extremely with a range of facilities friendly, Westin Zagreb Westin Hotel Katarina (Rovinj) S Funimation (Zadar) a wellness centre, a bowling alley, a bowling centre, a wellness tennis courts. though you’d And the actually need to leave never few within a it’s hotel complex, of town minutes of the lovely group of hotels in Borik, a sub- of hotels in Borik, group has the Funimation urb of Zadar, bells and all the child-friendly wish whistles any child could for – sport, water activities, be won’t The problem games. keeping them amused, but rather winkling them out of the hotel to do other things. Choosing just the right suite for the family a whole should be easy – there’s will appreci- range – and parents baby-sitting ate the professional p.140. See on offer. island just off the beautiful Hotel the of Rovinj, town Istrian Katarina consists of an early 20th century villa with modern The island both sides. annexes boasts a huge range of things for to do, and because the children no bridge or causeway, there’s both loca- no traffic! In there’s tion and facilities, this has got to be one of the most child-friendly p.175. See hotels in Europe. National Park. See p.145. See Park. National 04_055304 ch01.qxp 1/29/07 10:35 AM Page 15 Page AM 10:35 1/29/07 ch01.qxp 04_055304 04_055304 ch01.qxp1/29/0710:35AMPage16

16 1 Family Highlights of Croatia p.78. across toDubrovnik.view See the pathsandenjoy thesuperb clearwaters,walk in thecrystal Botanical Garden, have aswim exploreisland ofLokrum, the the 10minutehopacross tothe Catch aboatintheOld Port for p.84. walks beyond the harbour. See to retain interest, andpleasant town –there’s justenoughtosee around thisdelightful seaside and unspoiled.See p.124. swim. The town itselfispleasant the water, where you canhave a has stepsandpathwaysdown to and oneofthem(theBlue Lake) have tobeseen tobebelieved, colossal holes-in-the-ground Lokrum BEST DAYS OUT Scaletta Imotski Cavtat happy. See p.168. games tokeepthelittleones ‘children’s corner’ oftoys and light andspacioussetting,plusa fo urvi)Potter (from Dubrovnik) (from Split) The two (from Dubrovnik) (Pula) Good foodina upper falls.See p.147. lower falls,orLozovac forthe up theriver from Skradin forthe accessed viaahalfhourboattrip and cascadesontheKrka river, churches. See p.149. and several nationallyimportant history. It now offerstranquillity inCroatianmajor importance island-town, whichwasonceof The Zagorje tre. See p.222. within anhourofthecitycen- hiking trailsandskilifts,all offering nature, openspaces, ational area forthecapitalcity– Medvednica isahugerecre- tram andcablecar, Mount Accessible by caror Zagreb) Mount Medvednica Nin S Krka NationalPark a lotlongerthere. See p.224. may findthatyou wanttospend the area inaday, althoughyou tour cangive you aflavour of andtradition.Acircular tory castles, theZagorje isrichinhis- hills anddales,vineyards and ibenik) Wonderfulwaterfalls (from Zadar) Apeaceful (from Zagreb) All (from (from