A gap year in Croatia
Gap years in Croatia
When you can see the whole of Europe for £285, the hardest decision is choosing an itinerary. If you’re making a shortlist, we think Croatia deserves to be on it – why? Not only does it offer some of the most beautiful coast and countryside on the continent, it’s also one of our best-kept secrets. That means fewer tourists per square mile, quieter sunbathing, and better beer prices. Ready?
Gap Year Opportunities
Work opportunities in Croatia have dwindled in recent years. Because of the booming tourist industry, however, tour operators are often advertising for campsite staff – where you can choose from working in childcare, nature walking, site management, and even tent-erecting! Sports enthusiasts might also look out for instructor positions.
About Croatia
The emerald sea and glittering sand lures hundreds of tourists to Croatia. Its tourist industry started to gather momentum pre-war and has begun to pick up, with many leading holiday operators now running buffet-and-cabaret packages in the larger hotels. For the best experience, stay away from the over-popular resorts like Opatja, Bol and Porec.
Bordered by Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia’s coast gazes across the Adriatic towards Italy. Geologically diverse and climactically mild, Croatia is rich in natural beauty. It’s also a perfect starting-point for exploring eastern Europe, with good transport links between interesting cities.
Getting Around
Croatia is divided into regions, the most popular being Istria (for Italianate cuisine and day-trips to Slovenia), Kvarner (a gulf from which you can visit numerous islands), Dalmatia (avoid the coastal resorts in favour of its glamorous nature reserve), and Dubrovnik (with UNESCO-protected Old Town).
You may be tempted to catch another plane from Dubrovnik to northern Croatia, but you’d miss a lot along the way as well as bumping up your carbon toll. You can take a ferry up the coast to Rijeka, where you might want to connect with services for any of the gorgeous islands. The best way to travel is by bus: the towns and villages are connected by an excellent service, and you can also travel to Slovenia. Buses are well-kept, and very popular – don’t expect to sleep on an overnight service.
What to see in Croatia
Backpackers are universally agreed that Dubrovnik – the “jewel of the Adriatic” – is unmissable. Built up in the 13th century, when it was an important trade centre, the town is surrounded by stone walls, with just two entrances. You can walk right around the walls in about an hour, taking in views of the town’s monasteries and palaces, courtyards and synagogues.
Travelling north through the country, don’t miss Plitvice Lakes National Park, full of lakes and romantic waterfalls. Cobwebbed with walking trails and packed with wildlife (watch out for the bears), it’s been preserved for ecological and geological reasons since 1994, making it pleasingly bare of tourist paraphernalia.
Finally you will reach Istria, where the tourist industry has focused in recent years: Pula and Rijeka are good connection points for transport. There are two things you must do here – sample the Italian ice-cream, and visit some of the 14 islands that have National Park status. With so much to enjoy, how will you ever raise the determination to step on a train to Slovenia?