November 29, 2018 — Are you an American looking to get off the beaten track, but not willing to live in a yurt for three weeks?
Do you need free Wifi to ‘Gram hard-to-pronounce-yet-delish meals, but don’t want anyone to comment “Been there”?
Do sneaky waiters offering homemade booze not available on the menu make you feel special?
Does getting lost in a village where almost no one speaks English make you happy?
Then you’ve probably considered Croatia, which PricewaterhouseCoopers labeled one of the top five “Off the Beaten Track” travel destinations for Americans.
It’s a good choice… if you know your way around.
Have you already booked your direct flight to Dubrovnik from Philly? Well shred it, because everyone around here knows Dubrovnik’s for fanny-packed suckers who willfully ignore the embarrassment one feels while waiting in a massive line to walk along a wall where Game of Thrones is filmed.
Hell no! You want off the beaten track. The places no one has augmented to the needs of dads in khaki shorts, running sneakers with knee-high white socks and bucket hats. The “destinations” that gave up updating their official web sites in 1998.
Towns and secret spots the Croatian tourism industry hasn’t had a chance to spoil yet.
Here’s five places you (probably) won’t find on other “Top 5” lists… yet
Silba
Ever heard of it? No, no you haven’t.
With Hvar, Vis and Brač competing for the limelight, it’s easy to lose sight of the dozens of inhabited islands Croatia boasts. Each has its own charms, identity and micro-culture built over centuries of inhabitation.
Silba, a 15 square kilometer little gem in the northern Adriatic, never gets mentioned as one of Croatia’s go-to islands. Mostly because it’s incredibly difficult to reach. But if you’re looking for “Off the beaten track,” this is a good place to start.
Because on Silba… there literally are no tracks. The island has no roads for cars, trucks or motorcycles. You may encounter the occassional tractor putting along, however.
This has kept development to minimum. No shorelines jammed with megalomaniacal half-empty beach homes seeking guests. No car ferries dispensing tourists lugging a carful of their belongings.
Bring your backpack and enjoy the unspoiled charm. Silba provides the rest.
Peljesac
This too-often overlooked peninsula offers an astounding gastro and agricultural experience.
Anyone gushing about Croatian wine is most likely talking about wine from this area. If you’re more of an oyster lover, check out nearby Ston.
If you’re there during the summer months, be sure to check out the beaches, which are some of the best in Croatia.
Vukovar
This town on the border with Serbia has unfortunately endured a tragic history as the epicenter of one of most bloody battles during the breakup of the former Yugoslavia.
Don’t shy away from this history during your visit, but also be aware that locals mostly want to put that all behind them.
And for good reason: the town has a riverside beauty and unique identity rarely seen in the region. Its a place built for the Danube, with a deep, proud connection to the river and a gastronomic history to match.
TCN’s founder Paul took a long time to finally see it, and shame on him. Many others will soon be following suit. Be among the first.
Hum
If you have a moment while driving from Istria to Dalmatia, stop at Hum (pronounced “hoom”). Just a moment. That’s all it takes.
Hum proudly claims to be the smallest town in the world, and after a two-minute visit, you’ll be hard pressed to challenge the notion.
Yet it manages to have a large concentration of artistic souls, with nearly all of its 21 (yes, 21) residents boasting some sort of crafts or artwork.
Šibenik
Wedged between Split and Zadar, this seaside town is the first city actually founded by Croats and just on the brink of mass discovery.
Its tight cobblestone streets and winding passageways have all the architectural charm of its bigger-named brethren, with a fraction of the crowds.
While there, enjoy a meal at Pelegrini, the preeminent “Best Restaurant in Croatia.”
It’s also centrally located, putting all the destinations you’ve read about such as Plitvice Lakes, Kornati National Park within reach.
Read more about travel in Croatia on our dedicated page.
