Croatia

In the days of the Yugoslavia Federation, Croatia was a highly valued region for its magnificent forests, clear water lakes, Adriatic beaches and the many islands of the Dalmatian archipelago. With the war ending many years ago, Croatia welcomes tourists with few visible signs of damage. The country is completely safe and journalists have christened Croatia the New Tuscany. New trends are aimed towards rural tourism and small family run hotels and cycling and horse riding are fast becoming popular tourist activities. Equestrian skills are shared and enjoyed throughout Croatia, as well as the breeding of horses for sport, hunting and work. Croatia has two climates. The coast enjoys a typically Mediterranean climate consisting of hot, dry, sunny weather during summer, and relatively mild, although sometimes wet, weather in winter. Further inland, expect a continental climate bringing cold winters with snow and very hot summer temperatures.

Croatia is home to eight national parks protecting the pristine wilderness in the form of mountains, forests and uninhabited islands. Whilst coastal resorts may be heaving in summer, it is always possible to escape to a deserted island or beach. Brown bears, wolves, lynx and wild boar inhabit Croatia’s national parks, particularly in the Gorski Kotar and Velebit mountain ranges and around the Plitvice Lakes. Whilst travelling on horseback through the plains and forests you will be able to see and learn about the habitats of birds, fish and game and the traditional and popular architecture of rural communities and homesteads. Trails are available in both the lush Istrian countryside as well as in the Dalmatia county. The historic town of Split is very local to two of our Croatian destinations and certainly well worth a visit.