Croatian Vacation

We're booked! The day after the wedding the Hermit Crabs will be heading off for nearly two weeks in Croatia!

This is the moment when I'm telling people about our honeymoon that they start looking confused. But why Croatia, they ask. Why not? we say in return.

When picking a honeymoon destination, we had a few criteria.

• Neither of us had been there
• Safe for tourism
• Affordable (excluding airfare)
• Not a resort, tour, cruise, etc.
• Preferably cities and histories, though beaches wouldn't bother us
• Good weather in June
• Not too far (24 hours of traveling was out)

The first criteria knocked a lot of places off the list for us since we have both done a lot of world traveling, both separately and together. Some of our original considerations: South of France driving tour, Morocco, Argentina and Chile, Croatia, Greece, driving tour of Germany.

When we first started dating years ago, I talked about my desire to visit Croatia. While Mr. Hermit Crab wasn't originally totally sold, we started looking it up, and over the last few years, we've gotten really excited about visiting. When it came time to book, we knew that's where we wanted to be. Let me take you on a little tour of our proposed itinerary of Croatia - Zagreb to Dubrovnik and back: There and back again, a Newlyweds Tale (sorry for the Lord of the Rings reference!)

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We will be flying into Zagreb, and working our way down to Dubrovnik and back again in about 10 or 11 days. It is 11 hours from Zagreb to Dubrovnik in one trip, to give you an idea of the size of the country. We can travel through most of the country by land and water.

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We'll start in the city of Zagreb - exploring 17th century architecture and museums from art to natural history and everything in between

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In Pula, we'll see Roman architecture and eat in seaside cafes

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Described by a friend of mine as "the most beautiful place she has ever seen," we'll take in the Plitvice Lakes State Park

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We'll stop in Split and explore the Diocletian Palace and from what I hear, lots of lively nightlife and great food, all with splendid views

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We'll weave in and out of the islands on the Dalmation coast, visiting small islands and beautiful architecture

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At the south most end of the country, we'll spend a few days in Dubrovnik. Another friend of mine claims it to be his favorite place in the world - unparalleled beauty, delicious food, interesting history and museums and so much more.

We'll travel down and then back up again, hitting different cities and islands in each direction.

How did Croatia meet our criteria?

• Neither of us had been there easy - check
  
• Safe for tourism as far as I know, and I haven't heard otherwise
  
• Affordable (excluding airfare) not on the Euro yet, the dollar is still strong
  
• Not a resort, tour, cruise, etc. we're planning our own way, check
  
• Preferably cities and histories, though beaches wouldn't bother us hey, a little of both!
  
• Good weather in June should be beautiful!
  
• Not too far (24 hours of traveling was out) 10 hours, not too shabby
  

I am so looking forward to getting away and spending our first few weeks as Mr. and Mrs. Hermit Crab in Croatia!

What criteria did you use to determine your honeymoon destination? Where are you going? Have you ever been to Croatia - have any tips for us?