Croatia – An Alternative Destination for Backpackers

It’s getting towards the end of another academic year and the long summer holidays are stretching broadly into the sunny future, presenting their usual myriad of travel opportunities and the recurring classic student summer dilemma: how to make the most of traveling with no student loan coming in? Despair not, there are many effective answers to the problem which don’t necessarily involve selling your soul back to the office job you had for two months last summer in order to afford the epic trip to Thailand you’d always dreamed of. The trick to a successful summer is in choosing the appropriate destination for your means and your desires, and travel in Croatia offers one particularly tempting solution.

If culture and history is your priority, Croatian cities such as Split, Dubrovnik, Nin, Pula and Omis are rich in historical monuments, museums and churches born from a fascinating mixture of cultural influences. Both the ancient Greek and Roman occupations have left fragments of their monumental histories scattered throughout the country, along with plentiful examples of stunning medieval architecture. The diverse range of influences from other countries makes Croatia a fascinating cultural destination for those who relish the opportunity to discover cultures and communities refreshingly different from their own.

Housing a pleasant mix of both the old and the new, Zagreb is also an important destination for all culture vultures, with over thirty museums and galleries offering cultural enlightenment not only on Croatia itself but also on many aspects of wider European culture. One particularly special example is the Moderna Galerija Zagreb which pays homage to over 200 years of Croatian art and is a cultural jewel in the so called ‘city of museums’.

Zagreb is also the perfect place to enjoy the best of Croatian nightlife, with a plentitude of excellent restaurants presenting the best of Croatian cuisine and several nightclubs guaranteeing good times for all. Of course, the best thing about living the highlife in Croatia is the price. Food and drink alike are both incredibly good value here but the tourist industry is growing exponentially right now, so get in fast.

For those who prefer to enjoy the quieter peace of the countryside or some spectacular coastlines, Croatia will not disappoint here either. With seven stunning national parks scattered around the country, Croatia offers some of the most beautiful landscapes Europe has to offer, and its coastlines are equally staggering. The larger Croatian islands are ideal sun traps and are easy to reach from the mainland by boat. Krk, Cres, Brac, Hvar, Pag and Korcula are six of the best for enjoying the tranquility of island life.

With all this available in one small country it is easy to see why Croatia is the perfect destination this summer, but it’s most impressive feature yet is one of economic viablity. Croatia is one of the cheapest countries to travel in, with Interail passes available at incredibly competitive prices. For as little as €45 it is possible to get a young person pass (including those up to the age of 25) for three day’s worth of travel to be used within a month long period, offering both good value and plenty of flexibility. Accommodation is also available at budget prices and is easy to find on the internet and make the most of one of Europe’s most versatile and affordable summer holiday destinations. For more on Croatia, take a look at ASDA’s travel website for a further guide.