TCN’s popular series, 25 Things to Know about Croatia, continues on June 1, 2016 with a look at what there is on offer for that growing tourism sector – millennials.
Millennials: a term so often heard thrown around in the conversations of today. Many of you are familiar, many of you aren’t, but one thing is for sure: millennials are dominating. Millennials are easily defined as “a person reaching young adulthood around the year 2000.” A big part of Generation Y, they have grown up on the cusp of the digital age, with technology as the focal point of their everyday lives. Millennials are progressive, religiously observant, and ethnically diverse. They are comfortable with disrupting the norm, are globally conscious and are independent consumers. They are foodies, photographers, travelers, entrepreneurs, and adventurers. They are passionate, social, and constantly soul searchering.
Topdeck Travel, a popular travel provider for 18-30 somethings, surveyed 31,000 people from 134 different countries. Of the group, 88% of them traveled overseas between 1-3 times a year; 94% of them were between the ages of 18-30; 30% traveled solo; and the majority traveled in Europe, North America and Australia/New Zealand. 76% said that friends’ recommendations were a main factor in where they traveled and what they did. Pretty interesting statistics, right?
Hoping that we have a trusting millennial audience, here are the top 25 things for millennials to do in Croatia.
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Dimensions and Outlook festival in Pula, because who wouldn’t want to party in Fort Punta Christo, a 19th century abandoned Roman fortress? And let’s not forget the DJ sets in abandoned tunnels and moats, wholly surrounded by the blue of the Adriatic sea. (Photo courtesy of Dimensions Festival)
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Go to a film festival (we have more than a few). Pula Film Festival is the world’s oldest national festival with the largest average number of visitors per screening. Plus, seeing a film premiere in the Pula Area, constructed in 27 BC – 68 AD and is the last remaining Roman arena with all four side towers fully intact and preserved, would be one for the books. Motovun Film Festival is our honorable mention. (Photo courtesy of Pula Film Festival)
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Spend a night or two in Motovun, Istria. You can find a 3 story home with incredible views in the summer for around €80 a night, within walking distance from the shops and restaurants in the center. Have dinner at Konoba Mondo (where Anthony Bourdain spent much of his time – and you know how much millennials love Bourdain) and order anything with truffles. You won’t be sorry. (Photo courtesy of croatia.hr)
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In Zagreb, go to the Museum of Broken Relationships. It’s heavy but inspiring. You’ll leave either liberated, sad, and most likely a mix of every emotion in between. Grab a Croatian craft beer Tolkien’s House (or any pub on Opatovina ulica – Zagreb’s beer street), a craft burger at Yellow Submarine, and see a concert at Tvornica Kulture. (Photo courtesy of idemvan.hr)
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Go to INmusic festival on Jarun Lake in Zagreb. The festival itself is small enough to not feel overwhelming but with a largely impressive line up. This year, they’re building a replica of the Nikola Tesla tower (in tribute to David Bowie, a massive Tesla fan). Tickets are affordable, campers are encouraged, and dancing is madatory. (Photo courtesy of INMusic)
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Spend a full day at Plitvice Lakes National Park. Don’t rush it, take a lot of photos (as it is the perfect place for a photo op, as millennials love to do), and remember to step back and take it all in. It’s usually crowded (so going in the off-season is encouraged), but you shouldn’t mind once you’re standing under the mighty waterfalls that surround you. Going in the spring or the fall is best to avoid extreme heat or frigid cold, but any opportunity to go is a good one. (Photo courtesy of president-zagreb.com)
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If you’re a bit of a party animal, go to the music festivals on Zrće/Novalija. Hideout and Sonus are thought to be some of the best. As you most likely have to get there from Zadar, have a drink at The Garden Lounge to get yourself in the best music-festival ready mood beforehand. (Photo courtesy of platform-online.net)
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Go to a music festival in Tisno. Whether it be Love International, Electric Elephant, or Soundwave, Tisno’s boutique summer festivals are just the right amount of party and smaller than the festivals on Zrće, with a more mature, millennial audience. (Photo courtesy of beyeah.net)
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Go to National Park Krka. Another national park filled with the perfect photo op’s, but with waterfalls you can swim under (perhaps one of the most Instagrammed moments in Croatia). (Photo courtesy of trippy.com)
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Obonjan festival, just 7 kilometers off the coast of Šibenik, will host its first edition this year. Obonjan is a two month long “festival” for the arts, ecology, wellness, music, and technology with workshops and organic food – a millennial’s dream. You can come and go as you please, and accommodation includes camping or lodging, but you may never end up leaving. (Photo courtesy of festival.hr)
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Here’s a no brainer: rent a car and drive down the Adriatic Coast with your friends, because we millennials love a good road trip. Whether it be from Zadar to Split or Split to Dubrovnik – put music on, roll the windows down, and always take the window seat. (Photo courtesy of visitcroatia.co.uk)
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When you’re in Split, hike up Marjan hill. Walk through Diocletian’s palace because you have to. Get lost in the ancient alleyways. Have a coffee on the Riva and people watch for hours. Enjoy the culinary scene, the various wine bars, and the busy and bustling nightlife Split has to offer. (Photo courtesy of planetware.com)
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Rent a boat from Split or Trogir and travel to the island of Šolta. Jump in the coves of Mali Drvenik and swim through the blue lagoons of Krknjaši. Grab your friends, some beers, cheese and proscuitto, and have lunch on Maslinica, a port village with only 208 inhabitants. (Photo courtesy of trogir-sailing.com)
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Sail Croatia Adventures boasts a navigator cruise that is perfect for the under 35’s! Sail the islands in Dalmatia from Split to Dubrovnik in a hostel like setting, with a full bar on deck (and really afforable, too). (Photo courtesy of sail-croatia.com)
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For all of you thrill seekers, take a trip to Omiš for adventure tourism in the Cetina River. Canyoning, zip lining, rafting, kayaking, and snorkeling are some of the many action packed activities offered. (Photo courtesy of omisriviera.com)
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In Hvar: Start your day at the beach and take a taxi boat to either Jerolim or Stipanska islands, or stay in Hvar town and spend your day at Hula Hula Beach Club. Go home, disco nap, shower, and head back out. When it’s time for dinner, and if you have the means, treat yourself to a fancy one (Hvar has some of the best restaurants in Dalmatia). If not, get fast food (it’s really good here). After dinner go to Kiva Bar, do a tequila boom shot with Saša, and sing at the top of your lungs. If you aren’t utterly destroyed and haven’t spent all your money, take the taxi boat to Carpe Diem Beach and party under the full moon until the sun comes up. Insider tip: Another great beach destination on the island is Milna. A short taxi or car ride away, have lunch at Mala Milna and enjoy some cliff jumping just a short hike over from the restaurant. (Photo courtesy of hvar-jagodna.com)
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If you’re staying in Hvar for a few days, hire a private boat (or take a taxi boat from the Hvar marina) to Sveti Klement. Swim in some of the clearest waters, and hike the island to have lunch at family run restaurant Konoba Dionis. This restaurant runs entirely on a single generator, and is surrounded by olive trees and vineyards. Get the zucchini pie, and let the waiter order everything else for you. Don’t sit in the chairs with a wet bathing suit and get ready for the full Dalmatian (and island) experience. Call ahead to be sure they have enough food for you and your party! (Photo courtesy of otok-hvar.hr)
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Go to the island of Vis. Uninhabited from the 1950s to 1989, the island is essentially untouched. Visit Komiža, a working class fishing town in the southwestern part of the island. Swim at Stiniva Bay, which was recently voted the best beach in Europe, and don’t miss out on Marshal Tito’s famous cave hideout! (Photo courtesy of vis-accommodation.com)
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Another national park on the list, Mljet National Park has several villages, two saltwater lakes, natural anchorages, fortifications and tombs preserved from the Illyrian period, and the Roman Palace, which is the largest after Diocletian’s Palace in Split and the Arena in Pula. Allow yourselves a few days for this one, there is a lot you will have to see. (Photo courtesy of discoveringcroatia.hr)
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If you’re driving down the coast to Dubrovnik, stop in the small oyster town of Mali Ston. Have lunch at Kapetanova kuća and only order seafood (their “Stonski risotto” is one for the books). The town itself is tiny, really relaxed, and seems as if no one lives there. You’ll also get to see the “Wall of Ston”, what is considered to be the “European Wall of China”. At 7 kilometers long, it is made entirely of limestone and was built in the 14th-15th century. For those of you in great shape, you can actually climb it! (Photo courtesy of ston.hr)
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Make a trip through Croatian wine country, our region known as Peljašac. From its connection point in Mali Ston to the tip of the Lovište cape, Pelješac extends parallel to the mainland in 77 km of length, making it the second largest peninsula in Croatia. Pelješac is filled with small towns, fisherman settlements, untouched nature and rich cultural and maritime history. One of the most stunning drives in the country, this is not something to miss. Insider tip: rent a villa in Dingač Borak and visit the wineries nearby! (Photo courtesy of dubrovnikshoretours.net)
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For Dubrovnik, an obvious thing to do is walk the walls. In the summer, however, it’s always usually too hot. Wake up early, walk it at night, but by all means please do this once in your lifetime (it is King’s Landing, after all). After you’ve walked the walls have a cliffside drink at Buza Bar. For dinner, go to D’Vino Wine Bar. Get an antipasto platter and a wine flight (of all Croatian wines, of course) and talk to the really hip bartenders. We bet you’ll end up staying for hours. Be sure to book a table in advance! (Photo courtesy of apartmentsradic.com)
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Mount Srdj in Dubrovnik is a definite must. Either hike or take the cable car up, as the views from the top cannot be beat. You can even venture around the mountain in dune buggies! (Photo courtesy of vidiworld.com)
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Do eat seafood, all kinds of seafood. Order lamb or octopus “ispod peke” (under the bell) at least once. When you see lamb on a spit – eat it. When you’re hungover get a burek, and when you’re drunk a ćevapčići sandwich. Indulge in our domestic prosciutto and cheeses and please try our homemade rakija. (Photo courtesy of maslinovo.hr)
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Lastly, and maybe most importantly, find a Croatian family to take you in. One thing travelers to Croatia have said they loved most was our Croatian hospitality. Whether it be your Airbnb or hostel host, restaurant owner or new Croatian pal, be sure to befriend them. Let them cook for you, have a glass of their homemade liquor and wine and listen to their stories. You may get the most out of this than anything else.
