Positioned at the meeting point of several geographical regions, Zadar has a rich past represented by an intriguing trail of churches, temples and ancient forums. The Croatian city's car-free Old Town, covering more than 100 acres, is testament to its once-powerful position as a Roman municipium and stands in happy contrast to the uplifting signs of modernity scattered across the city such as big-brand shopping, a cosmopolitan cafe culture and a much hedonistic night-life than that offered by many of its larger Croatian cousins.
Krka National Park is home to more than 800 species of flora, fauna and reptiles, as well as at least 18 species of bat, the park can be explored on regular boat excursions that give ample time to gasp at its 3 biggest attractions: 2 series of waterfalls, including the Skradinski Buk (a cluster of 17 cascades that range in height and size) and the tiny island of Visovac, on which a 15th century monastery containing ancient artefacts and an original library still stands.
Forget the more famous Dubrovnik or Split. When it comes to urban stars along this stretch of Croatian coastline, Zadar, the ancient capital of Dalmatia, is reclaiming the crown it first cherished when the Romans, and later the Venetians, held sway on this slice of Italy on the other side of the Adriatic.
Bask in what Alfred Hitchcock eulogised as the world's finest sunsets, sample some of Europe's most buzzing nightlife and taste a local cuisine to rival anything in Italy, and you'll soon see why Zadar is picking up a reputation among in-the-know travellers.
Zadar has been inhabited since as early as the 9th century BC, before the Romans started to appreciate its manifold charms and muscle in. The heart of their old city lies on its own peninsula sparkling in the Adriatic, with low hills to one side and a brace of islands beckoning from off the palm-fringed shore on the other.
Over the centuries, Croats, Austrians and the French have all battled for control of this prized asset, but it has been the influence from just across the water that has been mostly keenly felt. The old town's arrow-straight streets re laid out just as they were when designed by planners from Rome.
Forget the more famous Dubrovnik or Split. When it comes to urban stars along this stretch of Croatian coastline, Zadar, the ancient capital of Dalmatia, is reclaiming the crown it first cherished when the Romans, and later the Venetians, held sway on this slice of Italy on the other side of the Adriatic.
Bask in what Alfred Hitchcock eulogised as the world's finest sunsets, sample some of Europe's most buzzing nightlife and taste a local cuisine to rival anything in Italy, and you'll soon see why Zadar is picking up a reputation among in-the-know travellers.
Zadar has been inhabited since as early as the 9th century BC, before the Romans started to appreciate its manifold charms and muscle in. The heart of their old city lies on its own peninsula sparkling in the Adriatic, with low hills to one side and a brace of islands beckoning from off the palm-fringed shore on the other.
Over the centuries, Croats, Austrians and the French have all battled for control of this prized asset, but it has been the influence from just across the water that has been mostly keenly felt. The old town's arrow-straight streets re laid out just as they were when designed by planners from Rome.
