Croatia is one of the most pleasant travel destinations for groups. It's easy to rent a minibus for the group and head to the Adriatic country, where both well-known tourist attractions and several undiscovered gems are worth exploring.
The unique beauty of national parks
A visit to Plitvice National Park, located in a mountainous karst area, is almost a must. Sixteen lakes form a fairy-tale cascade of lakes with numerous waterfalls and karst caves. More than a million people visit the national park every year, so you shouldn't expect complete solitude. There are two tips to make your visit enjoyable. First, you should arrive at the park as early as possible - before the tourist buses arriving on day trips arrive. Second, the national park has two entrances, and the second entrance is much less crowded.
However, if you want to skip Plitvice National Park because of the large number of tourists or if that wasn't enough, there is another beautiful option in Croatia. Krka National Park is located a little further south and closer to the coast. Although slightly smaller than Plitvice National Park, it is just as beautiful. Another advantage of Krka is that, unlike Plitvice, you can also swim under waterfalls in the Skradinski buk area.
Port cities of Split and Rijeka
Croatia's most important port city is Rijeka, located in the north of the country. Many tourists drive through the city without stopping to continue south, but if you make a longer stop, you will not regret it. The magnificent 13th-century Trsat Castle still awaits visitors today. Stroll along Korzo Street, buy dinner at the fish market and visit the Peek & Poke computer museum. Rijeka is also an ideal destination if your trip is limited to northern Croatia.
If you have more time and plan to visit the southern part of the country, a wonderful 300km drive along the Adriatic coast awaits you, with the destination being Split, with its mighty harbor and magnificent promenade. Split is also important for another reason – from there you can take a ferry to one of Croatia’s many islands or enjoy a short boat ride and a view of the city’s panorama. Split is also a city for combining two types of entertainment: during the day you can visit museums and get to know the culture, while in the evening you can enjoy the lively nightlife.
Choose from over a thousand islands
Very often, when visiting Croatia, people only stay on the mainland, but among the country's more than a thousand islands, you will definitely find an interesting destination. Swapping your car for a boat for a day is a nice change. As a rule, boat trips also include a few stops for swimming, both offshore and near the islands.
But there are also options if you don't want to leave your car behind. You just have to choose an island that you can reach by car ferry. For example, the ferry ride from Split to the island of Hvar takes only two hours, but takes you to a completely different world. Although Hvar is becoming a party island, there is more to discover there than just partying: lavender fields stretching to the horizon, the best Croatian wines and the oldest city of the country, Stari Grad. Of course, the most convenient way to do this is with your own car.
Croatia's second largest island, Krk, located off Rijeka, can be visited without a boat trip, as the northern part of the island is connected to mainland Croatia by a bridge over a kilometer long. Krk has many secluded beaches that can only be reached by foot or boat, good restaurants and, of course, plenty of outdoor activities. The second island with easy access by bridge is Pag. The island, with its unique rocky landscape, is also famous for its lace, wine and cheese.
Hidden gems
If you want to discover places that not everyone has yet reached, Zadar is one option. Like other Croatian cities, it has no shortage of historical buildings and culture, but there are many fewer tourists. Two things that make the city famous are the Greeting to the Sun and the Sea Organ. The Greeting to the Sun is a sculptural light installation where solar panels collect solar energy during the day, using it to provide a light show when darkness falls. The Sea Organ is an instrument played by the sea itself, offering the listener an almost dreamlike experience.
The easternmost region of Croatia, Slavonia, is completely untouched by mass tourism. Slavonia values local culture and offers travelers a unique opportunity to experience local music, traditions and food. The Dakovo Cathedral, the world-famous Lipizzaner horse breeding stable, some of the many wineries and the glorious history of Požega are just a few of the destinations worth visiting.
And finally, don't forget that when driving in Croatia, you have to take into account the motorway tolls. Although they are easy to overlook, the fines are high. Another option is to use smaller roads if possible, which are usually more scenic and you don't have to worry about motorway tolls.
You can rent a minibus for your trip. www.rendibuss.ee