The Most Incredible Historical Sites in Croatia

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Peterjon Cresswell

Settled in by Ancient Greeks and Romans and subsequently defended against Venetians and Ottomans, Croatia displays more than 2,000 years of history, from Istria to Dalmatia. Some is locked up in museums but much is left as it was built, open to the elements and accessible to visitors today.

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Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Diocletian’s Palace, Split

2BW0ADM Peristyle, central square within Diocletian Palace in Old Town of Split, the second largest city of Croatia in the morning

The most accessible and the most frequented of Croatia’s historic ruins is the Diocletian’s Palace in Split. Every day, thousands walk through its main square of Peristil, perhaps not realising that they’re brushing past a near intact Ancient Egyptian sphinx from Luxor. Diocletian’s Palace still houses a living community of residents, shopkeepers, restaurateurs, hoteliers and bar owners. Built in the early 300s, it is essentially the retirement home of the Emperor Diocletian and a surrounding garrison. Still clearly visible are its gates, the Temple of Jupiter and Diocletian’s mausoleum, later transformed into Split Cathedral.

Dubrovnik City Walls

Walking the City Walls is a must on a trip to Dubrovnik

Think of Croatia and you think of the City Walls of Dubrovnik, shining pristine white against the blue of sky and sea, and containing within them the Jewel of the Adriatic. Instigated after liberation from the Venetians in the mid 1300s, the Walls gained their elegant, rounded shape thanks to Florentine architect Michelozzo, of Medici Palace fame, brought over in the mid 1400s. Sturdy as well as beautiful, withstanding the terrible earthquake of 1667, the City Walls can be strolled around as part of a walking tour that starts from the Pile Gate.

Poreč, Euphrasian Basilica

A sumptuous example of Byzantine art and architecture, the 6th-century Euphrasian Basilica is found in the coastal resort of Poreč halfway up the west coast of Istria. It stands on the site of a former Roman villa whose floor mosaic is displayed in the Basilica garden. The centre piece of his episcopal complex, the Basilica was commissioned by the Bishop Euphrasius from the 550s onwards. The most striking features are its golden mosaics, particularly the one above the apse depicting Christ and the Apostles. Bishop Euphrasius himself makes frequent decorative appearances.

Pula Amphitheatre

Pula, Croatia

Located right in the centre of Pula, the Roman Amphitheatre is one of the finest of its kind still remaining. With a complete ring of outer wall still intact, it is the best preserved of Croatia’s ancient monuments and very much in use today. Overlooking the Adriatic, it provides the atmospheric setting for the annual Pula Film Festival and a summer series of live shows by big-name opera singers and mainstream pop stars. You can also wander in by day and walk along the same corridors where gladiators and lions were led out to the crowd.

Salona Roman ruins

Roman ruins, Solin

One of the largest Roman settlements in the region, Salona was the provincial capital of Dalmatia in the time of Diocletian. A community of 60,000 used its baths, went to its amphitheatre and crossed its forum. The sacking of the city by Avar and Slav tribes in the sixth and seventh centuries saw citizens flee to take up home in what was the Diocletian’s retirement palace in nearby Split. What you see of Salona today, now called Solin, are the base of the amphitheatre, trunks of columns and gravestone carvings scattered around an extensive archaeological park.

Trogir Cathedral

If you’re going to see one church in Croatia, Trogir Cathedral would be a fine choice. Its bell tower rises up over the tiled roofs of the pretty town of Trogir close to Split airport, with the Cathedral dating back to the early 1200s and taking more than 400 years to build. As such, it serves as a history of ecclesiastical architecture in Dalmatia, beginning with Romanesque and moving through various stages of Gothic. The portal is a work of art in itself, signed off and dated by its creator, Master Radovan, in the year 1240.

Walls of Ston

Stretching out like the Great Wall of China, the Walls of Ston were created to defend the Republic of Ragusa, today’s Dubrovnik. From the 1300s onwards, a fortification some 7 kilometres (4.5 miles) in length was built and painstakingly maintained. Interspersed by some 40 towers, it also protected the precious salt pans nearby. Raided by the Habsburgs in the 19th century for their own constructions, the walls were also significantly damaged by a terrible earthquake in 1996. As a result, the walls now run for 5.5 kilometres (3.5 miles). At the mainland end of the Pelješac peninsula, they connect the twin settlements of Mali Ston and Ston town.

Zadar, Roman forum

The main town of northern Dalmatia, Zadarwas a Roman colony for 500 years. The Romans built city walls, baths, an amphitheatre, an aqueduct and streets in orderly straight lines, centrepieced by a main square: the Forum. More than 1,000 years later, remains of these Roman landmarks were used to construct Zadar’s present-day fortifications by the Venetians in the Middle Ages. What’s left is the outline of the forum, the main square alongside the Church of St Donatus and a scattering of columns and chunks of former temples on Zeleni trg behind it towards the Adriatic.

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Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

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HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

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Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

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KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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