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CROATIA CALLING

Why this Adriatic gem always steals the limelight

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Croatia's national parks are a bounty of jaw-dropping scenery

Have your own island odyssey by ferry-hopping between Hvar, Brac, Korcula, Solta and Vis. They’re all easily connected by boat from Split and, with Korcula and Brac, to the mainland itself. In the Kvarner Gulf, use Rijeka as your jumping-off point for visits to Krk, Cres, Rab and Losinj.

What not to miss on a summer holiday to Croatia

Croatia is the star of the Adriatic. Think of all those TV shows and movies that were filmed here – Mamma Mia!’s sequel, Game of Thrones, Succession, Star Wars – and see how effortlessly Croatia steals the scene every time. Its glittering coastline meanders for more than 1,100 miles, its 1,244 islands adding to the extraordinary beauty of this glorious place. You want the wow factor? You’ll find it in Croatia.

Croatia’s dazzling coastline and islands are home to more beaches than you could possibly count – everything from tiny sheltered coves fringed by pine trees to long expanses of sand. There are romantic little bays, family-friendly beaches along the Makarska Riviera and Pag’s late-night party zones. The first image that usually springs to mind when you think of Croatia’s beaches is the V-shaped Zlatni Rat on Brac, made up of tiny white pebbles and flanked by the most incredible shades of turquoise. Just across the water are the gorgeous beaches of Hvar and the swish beach clubs of Hvar Town. Head further southwest and you reach Vis, which did a superb job standing in for Greece in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Vis’s Stiniva beach on the southern coast is an impossibly romantic sight, its curving protective cliffs almost meeting in the middle.

You can also connect with the local community by visiting local islands and spend a day with the fishermen whose fresh catches are cooked to perfection in Olhuveli’s 11 restaurants and bars. Highlights include the overwater Siyam Orchid with classic Asian dishes, the romantic beachside Indian Namaste, and the intimate Maghrib Grill for the best in seafood and grill dishes. Deals are available that include a complimentary snorkelling or windsurfing lesson, or an excursion to a local island. Despite the vast array of activities available across two islands, Olhuveli can guarantee you the space and privacy you crave for complete relaxation.

Overwater villas at Sun Siyam Olhuveli can sleep up to six

Exquisitely remote in South Nilandhe Atoll, Vilu Reef is a haven for couples, and has an incredible repeat visitor rate of more than 70 per cent. The secluded location is a thrilling 35-minute seaplane ride from the main airport. As well as providing a sense of space and privacy, Vilu Reef is home to one of the Maldives’ most magnificent house reefs, with its own accredited Scuba Schools International (SSI) dive centre offering taster dives and certification, as well as freediving. Other adventures available include visits to local fishing villages, dolphin-spotting tours, blissful cruises in a traditional wooden dhoni and even picnics on secluded islands.

Sun Siyam Vilu Reef

A five-star getaway offering value for money, Vilu Reef is the grande dame of Sun Siyam Resorts, having been the first hotel in the group to open in 1998. Its luxurious but laid-back accommodation, decorated in bright island hues, includes overwater villas that enjoy gorgeous twilight views, while others come with private sun decks, private pools and direct access into the lagoon. Even if you don’t stay here, there’s the chance to experience its delights on a day trip from Sun Siyam Iru Veli, just 10 minutes away by speedboat.

For that ultimate castaway feeling, this five-star resort can’t be beaten. Its dreamy location in the Noonu Atoll is a 45-minute seaplane journey from the capital, Malé. A brilliant choice for foodies, its 14 restaurants and bars include Italian cuisine under the stars and Islander's Grill with its open kitchen serving an abundance of locally caught seafood, including Maldivian lobster. Iru Fushi offers an uplifting wellness retreat, with award-winning The Spa by Thalgo France combining holistic treatments with contemporary techniques. You can book consultations with its resident Ayurvedic doctor and benefit from the hydrotherapy pools, steam rooms and saunas.

But Iru Fushi is also another perfect all-rounder, offering a choice of stylish beach and overwater villas suited to couples, friends and families, with butler service and up to three bedrooms – perfect for multigenerational reunions. Unusually, under-15s are all counted as children and go free with two paying adults in the same room. Other child-friendly features include a family pool, an underwater park in the lagoon and an engaging kids’ club for pre-teens, allowing grown-ups the option of escaping to the adults-only infinity pool with Indian Ocean views. This is a 52-acre island, so you’re assured space and seclusion alongside the fantastic facilities. And the Indian Ocean itself offers a magical playground. There’s the chance to snorkel and dive on both the house reef and nearby sites – don’t miss Nemo’s Reef with its clownfish and turtles. There are also snorkel safaris, dolphin-spotting cruises and fishing trips, as well as the chance to join locals as they prepare the day’s catch.

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi

Stylish beach and overwater villas at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi

Beach perfect … Zlatni Rat on the island of Brac and, below, the cliffs at Stiniva

Catch some down time at an uplifting wellness retreat on Iru Fushi

Your Life, Your Time, Your Experience

Southall Travel sells holidays to all five resorts with prices from £1,499 per person at Olhuveli on full board and £1,679 per person at Iru Fushi on half board. Both packages are based on two sharing, include international flights and transfers.

Vilu Reef in the South Nilandhe Atoll is a secluded spot to relax or have an adventure

Explore the magnificent reefs, or beginners can take a lesson and learn to dive at the SSI accredited scuba centre

Dine in style at Vilu Reef

Croatia is the king of summer festivals. Join the fun as dance festivals transform beaches into massive open-air party zones. Come in July for Ultra Europe in Split and Hideout on the island of Pag, or Dimensions Festival in Tisno in September. Indie fans head to Zagreb in June for the INmusic festival.

Wine lovers are in for a treat. Try beautiful reds from the Peljesac peninsula – plavac mali and dingac – and gorgeous white grk and posip from Korcula, just for starters. Carnivores can feast on grilled meat rissoles called cevapcici and spit-roasted lamb, while grilled prawns, squid and sea bream give you a classic taste of Dalmatia.

Ferry-hopping

Festival fun

FOODIES' DREAM

If you want sand between your toes (most of Croatia’s beaches are pebbly or rocky, so bring swimming shoes), head to the island of Korcula. Here, on its eastern side around Lumbarda, you’ll find a couple of lovely sandy stretches. Korcula was one of the settings for the latest series of Succession, whose cast had the tough task of sailing around the Adriatic and visiting the pretty port of Cavtat near Dubrovnik and the sleepy island of Sipan.

Croatia’s eight national parks and 12 nature parks all add up to a bounty of jaw-dropping scenery. The oldest, Plitvice Lakes National Park, is truly a place of wonder – 16 lakes and countless waterfalls and rivers all tumbling together in vivid shades of blue and green. Follow the raised wooden walkways and footpaths and lose yourself in this mind-blowing limestone landscape. If you’re near Split or Sibenik, don’t miss the chance to marvel at the waterfalls of Krka National Park. They’re about as impressive as Plitvice, and you can swim in one area around the mighty Roski Slap waterfalls. Take the boat from Skradin past the thundering cascades of Skradinski Buk before stopping on the tiny island of Visovac for a wander round the Franciscan monastery. Hikers can tackle the soaring peaks of Paklenica and Northern Velebit national parks, where your reward will be heavenly views of the Adriatic. And if you want to get closer to those sparkling waters, take a boat trip through the scattered islands of Kornati National Park, where sheep outnumber people and life is lived off-grid. Here you’ll be very close to Telascica Nature Park, whose claw-like bay harbours 25 coves and six islets and is a dream to explore by boat, stopping now and then for a swim in those clear waters.

Wild wanderer

Water sight … take in the spectacular falls at Plitvice Lakes and Krka (below) National Parks

BEACH beauties

If you’ve seen Game of Thrones, you’ll instantly recognise so many of Dubrovnik’s landmarks – the huge 16th-century Fort Lovrijenac, the sweeping Jesuit Stairs, the Minceta Tower that forms part of an enthralling walk along the medieval and Renaissance city walls. The whole of the car-free Old Town is one of Croatia’s ten Unesco World Heritage Sites, for reasons that are immediately obvious when you walk along the glistening marble Stradun thoroughfare. When you visit Split’s Old Town, you might be surprised to discover you’re living and breathing history – standing in the middle of an ancient Roman palace built by Diocletian at the end of the 3rd century. There’s more history in store just north of the city, where the hilltop 2nd-century Klis Fortress offers panoramic views of the Adriatic. Like Diocletian’s Palace, Klis – in all its ancient glory – is another Game of Thrones setting. From Split it’s easy to reach the medieval jewel that is Trogir, with its walled town and typical Venetian architecture you’ll find all along the Dalmatian coast. Carry on north along the coast to see how centuries of history mingle wonderfully in exquisite Zadar – ancient Roman, Byzantine, Renaissance and Venetian, plus cutting-edge modern art in the form of the Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun art installations.

Rock stars … Fort Lovrijenac was a Game of Thrones location. The town of Trogir, below, is a medieval gem

LIVING LEGEND

Between its mountains, lakes, rivers and coastline, Croatia is one giant adventure playground. Go rafting in the dramatic setting of the Cetina River canyon, followed by an exhilarating swoosh across the canyon on a zipline. If you want to take things at a gentler pace, take a sunset kayak around the walls of Dubrovnik, perhaps making your way across to the island of Lokrum – another setting for Game of Thrones. The rock climbing in Paklenica National Park is some of the best in Europe, and from there you’re not far from the Zrmanja River canyon and the promise of more rafting and kayaking. Cyclists who want a bit of a challenge can explore the hilltop towns, vineyards and olive groves of Istria. The peninsula is also home to one of Croatia’s most fascinating dive sites, the wreck of the Baron Gautsch near the captivating Venetian-style town of Rovinj. Families in search of madcap fun have plenty of theme parks to choose from. If you’re in Istria, head to the massive Aquapark Istralandia, Aquapark Aquacolors and Dinopark Funtana near Porec.

Rapids response … thrill seekers should head for Cetina River canyon or the Aquapark Aquacolours (below)

Energetic escapades

Photo: Julien Duval

Photo: Ivo Biocina

Photo: Zoran Jelaca

Photo: Luka Esenko

Photo: Ivo Biocina

Photo: Denis Peros

Photo: Ivo Biocina

Photo: Damir Kvajo

Photo: Luka Esenko

Photo: Ivo Biocina