An overview of Croatia's rich culture and beliefs – EU helpers

Croatia travel stands out with its diverse mainland, extensive archipelago, and crystal clear, blue seas. Croatia extends from the furthest eastern edges of the Alps in the northwest to the Pannonian lowlands and the banks of the Danube in the east; its central region is covered by the Dinara mountain range, and its southern parts extend to the coast of the Adriatic Sea. The country resembles a crescent of horseshoe shape and borders Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia and Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Italy is found just across the Adriatic Sea.

The terrain of Croatia is varied with plains, lakes and rolling hills in the continental areas; densely wooded mountains in Lika and Gorski Kotar, which are part of the Dinaric Alps; and in the Adriatic region there is a narrow coastal belt with rocky coastlines. The Croatian Adriatic coast is one of the most indented in the world, with over 1200 islands and islets. A Croatia cruise allows a chance to discover the country’s famous national parks. The celebrated eight parks include Kornati, Mljet, Plitvicka Jezera, Risnjak, Krka, Brijuni, Paklenica, and Velebit. Statistics show that more endangered species (on a European level) breed in Croatia than any other small or medium-sized European country.

The culture of Croatia is unique and has developed to be so because of the many different ethnicities that have encompassed the area as well as the assimilations that have taken place among various cultures. Croatia is mainly made up of Croats, with national minorities that include Serbs, Slovenes, Hungarians, Bosnians, Italians and Czechs.

Croatia’s Climate: Find the Best Travel Season

Before you begin your Croatia travel, learn a little more about the local climate and the best seasons to visit. There are two main climate zones in Croatia – a temperate continental climate (or a mountainous climate) prevails in the interior and an enjoyable Mediterranean climate exists along the coast. In the interior temperatures tend to range from being 0 to 2°C in January to 19 to 23°C in August. As for the coastal areas, temperatures range from being 6 to 11°C in January to 21 to 27 °C in August, where temperatures for the winter season average to be 12°C and in the summer season, 25°C. Along the coast, there are an overwhelming number of sunny days, dry and hot summers, and mild and humid winters.

Croatia Cuisine:

The Cuisine of Regions Croatian cuisine is known as "the cuisine of regions.” Forms of cooking are most notable between those on the mainland and those in coastal regions. Mainland cuisine resembles Hungarian, Viennese and Turkish - while the coastal region bears the influences of the Greek, Roman and Illyrian, as well as Italian and French.

In the region of Slavonia, a spicy cuisine is prevalent with many Hungarian influences and multiple meat and game dishes. In Hrvatsko Zagorje and Međimurje they make famous sweets as well as dumplings. In Middle Croatia or Croatian heartland, homemade cheeses, heavy roast dishes, and food with Osman influences are popular. In Istria, there tends to be lighter foods with many herbs, truffle dishes and cuisine with Italian influences. Dalmatia has more of a Mediterranean cuisine with many Italian influences. It is a great place for fish lovers to tour and sample the local delicacies.

for beverages, Croatia is a country of coffee drinkers. During a Croatia cruise you will find traditional coffee houses similar to those in Vienna everywhere in Croatia. There is a great abundance of imported international beers like Heineken, Tuborg, Gösser, and Stella Artois in the country as well as some tasty home-brewed beers. Croatia is also famous for its excellent wines, which are a result of long held winery traditions in the region. The most famous white wines are Malvazija’ Pinot, Pošip, Kujundžuša, and Muskat. Famous red wines include Merlot, Cabernet, Zinfandel, Teran, Opolo, Plavac, Dingač, and Postup – all of which typically come from the coastal regions. In mainland Croatia, Grauer Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Burgundy are most noted.

Croatia’s Cultures and Customs

Travelers will enjoy the unique Croatia culture. The culture has developed from many different ethnicities that have encompassed the area as well as the assimilations that have taken place among various cultures. Croatia is mainly made up of Croats, with national minorities that include Serbs, Slovenes, Hungarians, Bosnians, Italians and Czechs.

Croatian culture is based on a long history, dating nearly thirteen centuries back. The country has many monuments and cities, brilliant individuals, as well as six World Heritage sites. Most Croats are Roman Catholic – the majority of Serbs belong to the Serbian branch of the Eastern Orthodox Church. There are also small Muslim and other religious minorities.

The country has a long artistic, literary and musical tradition. On a Croatia cruise, enjoy the celebrated local music. The music of Croatia has three main influences – Mediterranean (predominate in coastal areas), the Balkans (popular in the continental and mountainous regions) and central Europe (most excepted in the central and northern parts of the country). Folk and pop are well-liked music genres, but a combination of both tend to be the most excepted in the country.

Wildlife and Environment of Croatia

Croatia stands out with its diverse mainland, extensive archipelago, and crystal clear, blue seas. Visitors on a Croatia tour will enjoy the country’s eight famous national parks, Kornati, Mljet, Plitvicka Jezera, Risnjak, Krka, Brijuni, Paklenica, and Velebit.

The terrain of Croatia is varied with plains, lakes and rolling hills in the continental areas of Pannonian and Peri-Pannonian. These regions comprise the lowland and hilly parts of eastern and northwestern Croatia. Here mountains higher than 500 meters are rare, and much of the land permits for farming and livestock breading establishments.

There are densely wooded mountains in Lika and Gorski Kotar, which are part of the Dinaric Alps. These areas are hilly and mountainous, less developed and serve as a divider between Pannonian Croatia and the coast. In these continental regions, the dominant forests are hornbeam, beech, English oak, and fir.

In the Adriatic region there is a narrow coastal belt that is separated from the rest of the country by high mountains. Karst features distinguish this area, there are few streams, and summers tend to be quite dry. Rocky coastlines stand out along the Adriatic seaside especially in the areas of Istria, Northern Seacoast and Dalmatia. The Croatian Adriatic coast is one of the most indented in the world, with over 1200 islands and islets to explore during travel to this region. The coastal belt and islands are characterized by downy oak, alpine pine, white and dark hornbeam and dense evergreen underbrush.

Wildlife in Croatia includes hare, fox, lynx, weasel, otter, bear, deer, marten, boar, wildcat, wolf, and mouflon (wild sheep). As for birds, Croatia’s favorable location is unique in many ways. The great diversity of bird life and habitats – the remote, high and sometimes very rough mountain ridges, the immense forests, and jagged seacoast, make it one of the best birding destinations in the continent. Both the novice and experienced birder will enjoy the birding opportunities available on a Croatia tour. Statistics show that more endangered species (on a European level) breed in Croatia than any other small or medium-sized European country.

Red-and-white checkered everything

If there is one thing that is synonymous with Croatia, it is the distinct red-and-white checkerboard design that is ubiquitous here. Whether it is adorning the jerseys of national sports teams, the faces of supporters or practically every flag in the country, there is nothing more Croatian than what the local people call the šahovnica (chessboard). The šahovnica has been the symbol of Croatia since the 10th century, although its use by the violently fascist Ustaše organisation in World War II means it is viewed with fear and suspicion by others in the region

Soccer is life

Many fans were surprised by the Croatian national team’s run to the final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, but not the Croats. The beautiful game is king in Croatia and has long been a source of inspiration to ordinary people from Osijek all the way down to Dubrovnik. The love and passion are shown in how vociferously the fans protest against the ruling body and the corruption that holds back this already overachieving team.

Independence is everything

Few nations have been as feisty as the Croats when it comes to demanding independence over the centuries. Croatia was a part of the Habsburg Empire for hundreds of years, many of which were punctuated by protests and riots demanding more autonomy for the people of Zagreb and beyond. These demands continued with the establishment of Yugoslavia following World War I (originally called the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes), and it was the Croats who protested the most. Croatia was also the first republic to formally declare independence from Yugoslavia, doing so in June 1991. Croats take their independence very seriously, so don’t make the mistake of questioning it.

Croats and Serbs are different, very different

The languages are about as different as British and American English, and you might not be able to tell a Croat from a Serb just by looking at the two, but don’t err in assuming the two nations are one and the same. There are similarities for sure, but you wouldn’t barge into a pub in Glasgow and tell the local people how fabulously English they are. Croatia and Serbia have separate histories, religions, influences and desires. Learning to respect this is the key to a good time in the company of Croats

Dress to impress

The Croats are very style conscious. Call it the influence of nearby Italy or maybe even another part of a longstanding desire to be a part of the European elite, but the streets of Croatia are chock-a-block with people looking their best and fully aware of that. You can certainly travel around the country in your tatty shirt and jeans, but why not embrace a little bit of class? As the saying goes, when in Croatia…

Confidence, not arrogance

When you finally find yourself deep in your first major discussion in Croatia, don’t be surprised if you feel like you are under attack. Croats can be extremely assertive and abrupt when talking, but don’t mistake it for arrogance or rudeness. It is little more than the style of conversation here. There is little in the way of wasted words and even less small talk. Get to the meat of your point, and don’t be afraid to speak up.

Eat, eat, eat

Croatians are very proud of their food, and so they should be. The regional influences are embraced instead of being resisted, with little dabs of Croatian class added to great effect. The traditions of Central Europe and the Mediterranean are very much alive in the kitchens of Croatia. It might also seem like there is a never-ending supply of the stuff, and don’t be surprised to come home from Croatia with a bit of extra padding around the waistline

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