A selection of travel articles on Croatia from 2002.
In an article about the ‘must-go’ holiday destinations for 2003: The Aztecs, of course, are history, and so is the war in what used to be Yugoslavia. You’ll look in vain for a mention of it on the Dubrovnik section of the Croatian tourist board’s website. It has been as smoothly erased as the signs of age on late photographs of Tito.
Michael Kerr, The Daily Telegraph, 28th December 2002
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You’d be forgiven for thinking that they’ve been mixing Persil Colour Care in with the rain around here. Arriving in Split from smeary, waterlogged London, it feels like I am stepping into a different, paintbox-bright universe: the houses are red-roofed and white-walled, the trees sweeping down to the waterline are green as spinach, the sky is as blue as the sea and the sea is as blue as you dreamt it would be.
Sarah Crown, The Guardian, 18th October 2002
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In an article about solo’s holidays, Sue Webster from London recounts her holiday in Croatia, having visited Turkey for the previous two years: ‘This summer I went on a island-hopping holiday to Croatia, sailing with 20 people, which was even better. The trip produced three new couples, with one girl getting it together with the captain. I met someone on the holiday. We’re still seeing each other, although I don’t think he’s “the one”.’
How to book it: Explore Worldwide (01252 760 000; www.explore.co.uk) is offering an eight-day cruise in the Dalmatian islands, departing next month. It costs £615 per person, which includes flights from Gatwick, transport and seven nights’ half-board on the yacht.
Friendship rating (out of a possible 5): 4
Romance rating: 4
The Observer, 25th August 2002
Farther down, days later, to Byzantium – to Porec, where the glittering sixth-century Basilica of Euphrasius huddled from harbourside touristics down baking stone backstreets. In from the glare, its dark apse clammied you like a cold flannel until your eyes adjusted, whereupon it shimmered with mosaics to compare with Constantinople. They shone brighter when Zagreb Philharmonic played Elgar’s Enigma Variations after dark, for £4 a ticket.
Nick Redman, Evening Standard, 21st August 2002
Dubrovnik is a gem and was once known as the jewel of the Adriatic. It was more important than Venice as a trading post. Its former wealth is evident in the intricate water features and magnificent buildings. The absence of cars within the walls makes for a safe, pleasant experience. There are not many other European cities whose pavement cafes are fume-free and where children have the run of a medieval theme park late into the evening.
Sarah Ryle, The Observer, 11th August 2002
The article: My blue heaven
Opatija is perched on the sea’s edge, a jumble of graceful nineteenth-century villas and the occasional modern house. Small cafés spill out onto the streets and the people seem relaxed and relatively affluent. An elegant promenade 12 kilometres long makes it possible to stroll along the water’s edge to the neighbouring towns of Volosko and Lovran. The climate is temperate for much of the year.
Jacqui MacDermott, The Observer, 7th July 2002
The article: Where the Viennese whirled
The medieval and Renaissance beauty of seaside towns like Rovinj (Rovigno) and Pula (Pola) is stunning…
Tim Bentinck, Mail on Sunday, 7th July 2002
The article: A Venetian Adventure
With hundreds of islands to choose from, you can drop anchor in deserted coves, dive into the clear waters of the Adriatic or sail into port and visit historic towns, vineyards and pine forests. With its reliable winds, good marina facilities and sheltered harbours, the Dalmatian coast is fast becoming one of Europe’s most popular sailing-holiday destinations.
Marcus Tanner, The Independent, 23rd June 2002
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In an article on green holidays entitled “Natural Selections”:
Best of the Med
On the small Croatian island of Lopud, 7km by boat from the historic town of Dubrovnik, there are no cars, just little coves with turquoise waters. Dine on grilled fish with a glass of Croatian wine. You can stay with villagers in their homes.
Paul Miles, The Guardian, 9th March 2002
The doodling coastline of the Makarska Riviera in central Dalmatia offers delicate inlets and pretty islands overlooked by the dramatic peaks of the Dinaric Alps, which provide a 1,500m barrier between Dalmatia and Bosnia. Choose one of the plentiful sea-centred towns as your base, then hire a car and pootle up and down the coastal highway, exploring from Dubrovnik in the east to Split – home town of Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic – in the west.
Libby Brooks, The Guardian, 16th February 2002
The article: Back from the edge