Cultural tours in Croatia

Island culture in Croatia traditionally revolves around fishing, farming and grape growing; but you wouldn’t think it if you’d arrived at a heaving ferry terminal during July and August.

“Croatia’s island culture hasn’t changed much over the years” explains Una Ivanić from our Croatia sailing specialists Huck Finn Adventures. “Although some places are very touristy, it hasn’t taken over the traditional village way of life. Island villages, in the main, have kept their cultural identity. They’re agricultural, fishing and wine producing communities. In fact, the entire coastline of Croatia – the sun and the mountain slopes – is very suitable for growing grapes.”

Croatia has some exceptional cultural sites to visit, including Dubrovnik and the Old Town of Trogir near Split. It’s much more geared up for tourism than other Balkan nations – which means that the more popular places often get very busy, especially during the summer.

To really uncover the culture of Croatia, you’ll need to think about when you’re going to travel. Dubrovnik, for example, while subject to a relentless stream of cruise ships in summer, is a different place in winter.

In summer Croatia’s islands such as Korcula, Hvar and Pag have a never-ending flow of visitors, which can bring its own problems. Restaurants and hotels hike up their prices and souvenir stalls sell everything and anything, not all of which is made in Croatia. Sailing allows you to venture to quieter areas and gives you the freedom to move on if somewhere is busier than expected. This is where the knowledge of someone like Una Ivanić at Huck Finn Adventures is invaluable.

“When we visit Mljet in summer, we sail to the other end of the island, away from the big souvenir shops and fancy restaurants in places like Prapratno and Sobra” Una explains. “There’s a very small village called Soline. Not many tourists know about it and you wouldn’t find it unless you wandered there by accident. That’s where Ana and her family live. Their makeshift restaurant is a fantastic place to eat and they serve the best cooked fish on the island at the best price.”

Not only does sailing give you a chance to discover real life on the islands, but you’ll also get to learn more about the region’s cultural heritage. Local authorities have done very little to promote the history of Croatia’s islands. A Dubrovnik and islands activity vacation lets you discover traditional culture both on and offshore.

You don’t have to look very far inland to get a taste of the past: “A unique feature of the Croatian countryside is the dry stone walls” says Una. “This is where moderate-sized stones are placed on top of each other without any cement to hold them together. People still do this today in Croatia; it’s quite unique for the Mediterranean and part of our original culture. Not everything is done by machines.”

Crossing borders as you travel between the Balkan nations of Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia is a great way to compare and contrast the culture of each country.

One clear cultural difference that you’ll find on a Balkans cultural vacation is religion, unfortunately at the root of many of the region’s all too recent conflicts. A tour of the Balkans as part of a small group will inevitably include visits to places of worship, such as the 12th-century Church of the Holy Spirit in Slovenia or one of Sarajevo’s many churches, mosques and synagogues.

From Catholicism in Croatia to Islam in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Eastern Orthodox Christianity in Montenegro – finding out more before you go is an important part of traveling respectfully. Ask your guide what to wear and how to act when visiting a cathedral or mosque. Even if you’re not religious, visiting a place of worship always provides a fascinating insight into a country’s cultural heritage.