Croatia is a land of natural beauty and enjoys a varied landscape with different cultural traditions. Croatian property styles vary across the country, from Istria with its Italian influence, often referred to as “the new Tuscany”, down to Split, a town built in a Roman palace, and further south to Dubrovnik, a one time maritime and cultural rival to Venice, preserved in its pristine renaissance beauty.
Hvar with its lavender and its “A” list celebrities contrast with the traditional cultural attractions of Korcula. Each of the many Croatian islands offer something different. The islands also offer ideal opportunities for Croatian property investments and development.
Buying a holiday home on the Croatian coast has become increasingly popular with both Croatians and non-Croatians alike. Strict government planning regulations ensure that Croatia will maintain its natural beauty and of course with limited supply, property prices continue to appreciate.
For sailors of all types of boat, Croatia and its islands offer a perfect environment for a holiday afloat with well equipped mooring and easy access to towns and villages, sailing in Croatian waters is an experience which cannot be surpassed.
Croatia offers abundant choices for those looking to invest in property developments and, or existing properties. Winkworth, with its extensive knowledge of Croatia is the natural partner of choice for holiday home owners, smaller and larger investors; investment funds and developers looking for sites of differing sizes.
Travelling to and within Croatia
Over the last 10 years Croatia has built a first class motorway systems linking Zagreb with Rijeka, Slovenia, Slavonia, Split and the Dalmatian coast. The next section of major motorway will be from Split to Dubrovnik and is due to open in 2010.
The tunnel outside Split has just been names by the EU as the safest tunnel in Europe.
Flights to Zagreb are frequent and come directly from UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, France, Hungary, Czech Republic, and most major European countries.
Croatia Airlines operate a full internal air service linking all the major cities with frequent flights daily.
From London Heathrow and Gatwick both British Airways and Croatia Airlines fly to numerous Croatian destinations. From Stansted, Easy Jet, WizzAir and RyanAir fly to several popular holiday destinations.
Croatia is linked by a ferry service from Dubrovnik to Bari in Italy and a daily ferry service operates between Rijeka and Dubrovnik. Most Croatian islands are easily accessible by regular air or ferry services.
Culture, Cuisine and Wines
Croatia is rich in culture and culinary heritage with a range of unique organic produce that include truffels from Istria, cheese from the island of Pag and Dalmatian smoked ham. Most Croatian produce is organic and Croatia enjoys an organic farming heritage as opposed to western European industrial scale farming traditions, reliant on pesticides and fertilizers. Each region offers different delicacies from Štrukli pasta dishes in the north west, Slubica pork from the central region, Fuži soup from Istria and Rožata dessert from the south.
Croatia also has a long history of wine making with several hundred different types of wine ranging from Riesling type whites produced in Slavonia to classic ruby reds from the Dalmatian coast, as well as fine dry white wine from Korcula. There are also sparking wines from Istria and various specialist liqueurs such as Grappa and local fruit brandies. Fresh fish is a staple of the Dalmatian coastal diet and Croatia produces excellent olive oils and fine herbs that add to the extensive range of foods and wine that visitors can enjoy.