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Europe, Travel Blogging

5 Best Croatian Seaside Cities

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Croatia is a country that is among the top tourist destination with the main attraction being the rich cultural, history and wonderful beaches. One of the most unique features of this country is that it is home to many islands with the mainland and touring these islands give a person a lifetimeadventure. Majority of visitors to Croatia chose to tour the big cities however the beauty and culture rich places lies in small towns. The beaches in these towns are smartly marked with first-rate hospitality from local people and boat charter make the exploration to these places unforgettable and easy. The following are some of the best Croatian seaside cities.

1. Dubrovnik

This is one of the big city in Croatia and is characterized by rocky beaches and steep cliffs which make this town one of its kind. The city wall gives the locals a spectacular place to dive into the rocky water which is near the old town. There are several top class hotels that offer that chance for a person to enjoy the luxurious beach experience.

2.Brela

Brela is a municipality town with the best beaches and it is located northwest of Makarska and one of its beaches Punta Rata was named top ten beaches in the world in 2004. The landmark of this town which appears on a postcard as a unique feature of this place is the Brela stone covered beautiful pine tree. Another unique attraction of this town is Biokovo Nature Park locate about twenty minutes drive from Brela and offers a perfect day walk.

3. Omis

Omis is a small town located southeast of Split and it is well known for its rich traditional culture which is a key attraction to the visitors in this area. The town host many outdoor activities like rafting, Zipline and Kayaking. There are also two distinguishing monuments Fortica and Mirabella fortresses which give visitors a chance to view the town all around.

4. Hvar island

Hvar is located at the cost of Split and its beaches are lovely which are rocky and sandy with many people preferring rocky beaches. What makes the rocky beaches favourite to many people is due to their clear water and people walking there cannot have sand on their body. There are wonderful beach clubs which offers a brilliant chance to relax and enjoy the beautiful view of the area.

5. Primosten

Primosten is a small town with a small population and it is famous for rural tourism due to its beauty. The Dalmatian tradition is a key attraction with its music, music instrument and also the tradition of domestic animals in the area. This town attracts especially young people due to its night activity like parties and live concerts. The traditional Folklore concert which is held in the main town square is a significant Attraction in the area.

There is many more seaside town in Croatia with attractive beaches and many visitors all over the world visit these places for their holidays and vacation. Many people visit during the summer season and it is, therefore, advisable for a person planning to visit a different part of Croatia to make an early arrangement. The bottom line is Croatia is indeed among the best place to visit.

Destinations, Editor's Picks, Europe

Würzburg has that winning combination

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Words: Len Rutledge  Images: Phensri Rutledge

Three Irish missionary monks visited Würzburg in A.D. 686 to Christianize the local ‘barbarians’. The inhospitable locals beheaded them. Fortunately, we find the citizens are much friendlier today, and we also discover there are many things to do, great places to see, and excellent wine and food to enjoy.

Würzburg, at the northern end of Germany’s Romantic Road, has much history, culture, rich cuisine, religious landmarks, and idyllic scenery. It is a great place to visit and the bonus is you can walk between most sites.

Residenz

We start our sightseeing at the majestic UNESCO World Heritage listed 400-room Residenz, one of the most important Baroque palaces in Europe. Unlike many other huge buildings, it was built in a short period of time and was completed in 1780. The building includes a much-acclaimed staircase and awe-inspiring frescos.

We are told that Napoleon Bonaparte slept here for one night in 1812 en route to his unsuccessful invasion of Russia. It is a place we must see. We visit by a self-guided walking tour but there is also a guided tour which allows access to some of the rooms you can’t visit by yourself.

Don’t miss the on-site church. After the walls were completed, a group of court artists created what is one of the most decorative churches you will ever see.

The palace grounds are considered some of the most impressive Rococo gardens in Germany. There is an artificial lake including fountains and some beautifully carved sculptures. There’s a wonderful symmetry that can be appreciated from the higher ground.

Old Town

It is not far from here to the Old Town. Our first stop is at the scenic Market Square, where a daily bustling food and flower market is in full swing. Overlooking the square stands St Mary’s Chapel (Marienkapelle) with its spire 70 metres into the sky. The striking red-and-white facade of the Gothic church is considered the most important building from that era in the city.

Most of Würzburg’s old city is a pedestrian zone so it’s a great place to walk. When you have done enough of that, pull up a chair at a sidewalk café for some people and tram watching.

The construction of Würzburg Cathedral with its twin towers began in 1040 and went on for nearly 200 years. Today, it is the fourth largest Romanesque church in Germany. It is one of the city’s most important landmarks and can be seen from almost everywhere. The interior is fresh after a renovation and is well worth a visit.

The old Würzburg Town Hall sits on Domstrasse between the old bridge and the cathedral. It is a complex of buildings of different periods. The tower dates from the early 1200s and another part of the building is the only surviving secular building in Würzburg that was built in the Romanesque style.

Marienberg Fortress

The old Main Bridge from 1120 spans the river of the same name and is considered the oldest stone bridge in Germany. It connects the old town with the nearby Marienberg Fortress. In 1730, the bridge was further decorated with twelve statues of saints and emperors.

The Fortress, towering over the city and surrounded by vineyards, was began in 704 AD. It was originally a church then the building was expanded in the Renaissance and Baroque periods with the addition of fortifications. For nearly five centuries it served as a home to the local prince-bishops.

Today, the Marienberg Fortress houses the Franconian Museum. You can visit the museum and see the rooms with their period furniture, tapestries and paintings but most people come for the views. Würzburg is surrounded by vineyards cascading down the slopes on both sides of the river and it’s easy to see why this is a good wine producing area. Perched on top of a nearby hill sits the Kappele Church with its onion-domed towers.

Sleeping, eating, and drinking

Don’t miss the opportunity of having a hearty Franconian meal and tasting some of the local wines. A good place to indulge in German regional specialties is The Bürgerspital wine estate restaurant. You can also take a tour through the estate’s famous wine cellar. The best city restaurant is probably the one-Michelin-starred KUNO 1408. It has created its own particular variation on the Franconian theme.

Germany appears to have no restrictions against drinking in public, so apart from drinking in bars you can buy your own bottle of wine or beer and sit on the old bridge enjoying the view.

Würzburg is a great stop either before or after your Romantic Road tour because it has many hotels, inns and B&Bs, including a number of excellent hotels in the Old Town.

www.LenRutledge.com