Europe Up Close

24 Hours in Zagreb

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When I first arrived in Zagreb, Croatia, I immediately felt as though I’d stumbled onto something entirely new: a medium-sized city that had been hidden behind the closed walls of Yugoslavia until its dissolution, and then the following war for independence. I took a deep breath of the fall air and found the aroma of paprika mixed with micro-roaster coffee, and it was enough to awaken all five ... Read Full Article

Where to Stay in Zagreb, Croatia

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The capital of Croatia, Zagreb is an inviting city of moderate size that offers a small selection of hotels in the popular neighborhoods of Donji grad (Downtown) and Gornji Grad (Upper Town). When deciding where to stay in Zagreb, it’s useful to note that the majority of the most important sights are within walking distance of Jelacic Square. These ‘where to stay’ options are near or on ... Read Full Article

First-Time Visitor’s Guide to Split, Croatia

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An amazing feeling creeps up when you visit the coastal city of Split for the first time. You see an entire city that grew out of the ruins of an ancient Roman palace, much as a walnut tree might grow out of a walnut shell. The modern main streets are the same streets built by Emperor Diocletian; the 1700-year-old stonewalls, columns, and sphinxes jump out at every turn. This guide will help ... Read Full Article

Guide to Wine Tasting in the Istrian Peninsula

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The Istrian peninsula, which contains portions of Slovenia, Croatia, and Italy, has loads of wine tasting opportunities, and they come at a good value. The best way to taste Istrian wine is to visit the source. Because most winemakers produce only small amounts of high quality wine, it is impossible for them to sell to large markets, such as the United States. The Istrian peninsula is a gentle ... Read Full Article

Where to Eat in Dubrovnik

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The Best Restaurants in Dubrovnik - Where to Eat in Dubrovnik Dubrovnik teems with restaurants, but the city’s culinary reputation isn’t very good. Investors have opened sub-par restaurants beside classic restaurants, and, between the menu and the decor, it can be tough for the visitor to tell the two apart when deciding where to eat in Dubrovnik. To help weed out the bad from the good, I ... Read Full Article

Where to Stay in Dubrovnik

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  Where to Stay in Dubrovnik Some of Dubrovnik’s best hotels and accommodations are located in neighborhoods outside of the Old Town. Dubrovnik’s Old Town neighborhood, with its imposing City Walls and beautiful monasteries, is home to amazing sights and shopping, but it doesn’t necessarily have the best hotel selection. Instead, I recommend you stay in Dubrovnik, but in quieter ... Read Full Article

Eating the Adriatic – Continental Cooking in Zagreb, Croatia

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For better or worse, Croatia invites comparisons. The coastal towns and the cuisine of the Dalmatian Coast and the Istrian Peninsula remind me of Italy, and Zagreb, the metropolitan capital of Croatia whose restaurants feature a Continental cooking style, reminds me of a mini-Vienna. Croatia is a young country, fully established in 1995, and perhaps this is why it’s so tempting to make ... Read Full Article

Daytripping Dubrovnik’s Islands and Beaches

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  Croatia has over 1200 islands, and a day trip from Dubrovnik to the nearby islands or beaches is a great way to get a taste of Croatia’s island culture.  Here’s a guide to Dubrovnik’s islands and beaches: Dubrovnik's Islands There are plenty of tour companies that offer a variety of packages that include many different islands. You can, however, create your own list and visit the ... Read Full Article

Top Sites in Dubrovnik

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The ancient walled city of Dubrovnik is small in size but makes a big impact. Some travelers choose to breeze in and out in a short afternoon (which is possible), but I spent a delightful springtime week here visiting its memorable sights while also exploring hidden alleyways, and climbing every set of stairs I could find. I was then drawn back each night, retracing my footsteps, to see just how ... Read Full Article

Falling for Historic Dubrovnik

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  While the islands bask in their sunny, lavender-scented glory, Dubrovnik waits at the southernmost tip of Croatia, like a matching bookend to the region’s other main city, Split. But Dubrovnik is much more than the final stop on a typical Dalmatian sailing trip: it is the most historical, charming, and beautiful destination in a region full of highlights. Dubrovnik could be ... Read Full Article