Page 224 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Croatia

222  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

WHERE TO STAY

Croatia is one of the boom destinations of backpacker hostels is also on the rise,
European tourism and accommodation and there are plenty of well-equipped,
facilities are going through a dynamic idyllically situated campsites along the
period of expansion and improvement. coast. Numerous tour operators and travel
This means that there is a great deal of agencies offer package holidays to different
choice available to visitors. There are plenty resorts in Croatia, but it is not difficult to
of modern hotels, apartments and holiday make your own travel arrangements.
villages, especially along the coast. Rooms Accommodation is best booked in advance,
and apartments rented privately by their and planning ahead is a good idea if you
owners represent a particularly inexpensive are intending to visit in the peak summer
option. The number of B&Bs and boutique months of June, July and August.

Prices
All accommodation prices
in Croatia are seasonal, with
the cheapest rates occurring
in winter and the most
expensive coinciding with
the high summer season –
which used to mean July
and August, but which is
now spreading to June and
September as well.
During the high season
accommodation in Croatia
can be just as expensive as
(if not more than) anywhere
“Birdcage” balcony, Lešić-Dimitri Palace hotel, Korčula (see p229) else in the Mediterranean –
especially in fashionable
Hotels of larger luxury hotels, including destinations such as Dubrovnik,
Tourism first boomed in Croatia several belonging to well-known Hvar and Split. Bargains might
in the 1970s and 1980s and international hotel chains. There be found in the shoulder
most of the hotels, particularly are also a growing number of seasons of April, May and
those in the resorts along the boutique and design hotels in October; and winter is in
coast, date from this period. fashionable destinations such general a more inexpensive
Facilities are generally up to as Dubrovnik, Split and Hvar. time to travel – although
modern standards although The facilities and services be aware that many hotels
decor and furnishings can offered by these hotels are of situated on the coast close
seem rather anonymous. Recent a very high standard, which is their doors for at least a few
years have seen many hotels reflected in the prices. months out of season.
renovated and upgraded,
providing a growing stock of
4- and 5-star accommodation.
Grand hotels erected in the
late 19th and early 20th century
can be found in Zagreb, the
capital, and in Opatija, in the
Kvarner gulf. Opatija became
a popular seaside resort at the
time of the Austro-Hungarian
Empire, when the Habsburg
aristocracy were regular visitors,
and it still has several hotels
dating from this time. They offer
a somewhat faded elegance
not found in the more modern
multistorey buildings along
the coast. Both Zagreb and
Dubrovnik also have a number Fresh* Sheets Kathedral Dubrovnik, overlooking a pretty square in Dubrovnik (see p228)

222-225_EW_Croatia.indd 222 20/10/16 12:33 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.8)
Date 15th May 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm