CROATIA BLOG

Contemporary Croatian Villas with Spectacular Sea Views by Helen Lease, 29th January 2021 Probably the phrase most used about Croatia is that it’s the “Mediterranean as it once was” and indeed the Croatian coastline is so charming that each old stone town is a new favourite.
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Soar Away to the Sun with UK Croatia Holiday Flights

By Helen Lease, 22nd July 2020 Check out how you can fly from the UK & Ireland to your fabulous Croatia holiday villa with this run-down of Croatia holiday flights now operating from UK & Ireland airports (please do check flight availability before booking your Croatia villa or apartment): Belfast to Split – Saturdays e.g.
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Sail the Adriatic then Soak Up the Delights of a Croatia Villa

by Saron Lease 12th February 2020

Combine a Sailing & Villa Holiday in Croatia – Joining a flotilla or hiring a boat to explore the islands off Croatia’s coast is increasingly popular, but you may want to chill a while before you start the tiring journey back home.

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Fancy Spending Easter In Croatia?

by Saron Lease 12th February 2020

With flight times averaging at about 2 hours 30 minutes, Croatia is an easy destination for a short break, with airports within easy transfer time of the main tourist spots in the country.

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Find Great Prices for Flights to Croatia

by Saron Lease  7th February 2020

There are some good deals on flights to Croatia this year if you know where to look – Croatia Gems has done the footwork for you. 

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Top Tip on How to Avoid Those Expensive Weekend Flights to Croatia

by Saron Lease  26th June 2019

Weekend flight costs can be exorbitant, so how can you get around paying them?

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From Toddlers to Teens – Top Locations for Family Holidays in Croatia

by Saron Lease  20th March 2019

Easy Locations with Teenagers & Little Ones make all the Difference to your Summer Holiday

One thing is for sure, a Croatia holiday is a brilliant option if you have children of any age.
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Finding a Spot of All Important Alone Time on that Large Group Holiday

by Saron Lease 17th February 2019

Family and friends time is precious but what about when you all descend on a holiday villa together?

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Best Dubrovnik Villas and Locations for Croatia Holidays with the Whole Family

by Saron Lease 17th February 2019

Croatia is a location in demand and given its close proximity to the Uk and Europe it’s easy to get to from the Uk and further afield.

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Peljesac Bridge a Boost to Croatia Property Sales and Holidays

By Saron Lease, 28th January 2018 According to Croatia Week, work on the Peljesac Bridge in Croatia has begun with the first test pile being installed.
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Inspiring Locations on the Croatian Coast for a Spring Villa Holiday

by Saron Lease, Croatia Gems Company Founder & Director, 17th February 2018,

Chasing the Sun – Sublime Croatia holiday locations for May Half Term Sunshine – Summer comes early to the Croatian coast – We are often out in Croatia during the Spring-time doing photo-shoots of new villas in Croatia which is certainly a fantastic perk of the job!

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Croatian Delicacy Takes Pork Scratchings To a New Level

by Saron Lease of Croatia Gems, 26th November 2018,

In Croatia this is usually made at home during the annual pig ‘Kolinje’ which usually takes part at the end of November, beginning of December when the weather is cold & dry every family has it’s own recipe.

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Reasons You Should Never Go To Croatia on Holidays

by Saron Lease of Croatia Gems, 21st November 2018,

Croatia is one of the most popular destinations in the world right now and it is well known for its unspoilt coastline and beautiful locations for your holiday….With

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The Best Croatian family villas on the Dubrovnik and Split Riviera

by Saron Lease of Croatia Gems, 17th November 2018,

Croatia Gems gives the lowdown on what Dubrovnik and Split Riviera has to offer…

If you are planning a Croatia holiday for an extended family group or a group of friends, there are some fantastic large villas in Croatia.

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Where to Escape the Summer Crowds on your Croatian Holiday

by Saron Lease of Croatia Gems, 10th November 2018,

With its stunning 3,625-mile-long Adriatic coastline and one thousand-plus islands to explore, Croatia is becoming the go to destination for those weary of overdeveloped and commercialised resorts , and those keen to escape to something a little different whether it be mountain biking through the wilds of the Dalmatian Hinterland, discovering hidden bays on tiny uninhabited islands , or bonding with the kids as you sea kayak back to the shore just as the sun sets ( and not a smart phone in site !

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Croatian Islands – Some Amazing Places to Stay

by Saron Lease of Croatia Gems, 23th October 2018,

An insider’s guide to the best villas for Croatian Island holidays, including the luxury villas on Islands Brac, Hvar , Korcula and Lastovo.

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The Most Romantic and Secluded Places for Dinner in Dubrovnik

by Saron Lease of Croatia Gems, 15th October 2018,

As the winter draws in, there aren’t many places better placed for a cosy weekend away than Dubrovnik – just two and a half hours away from the UK – lovely lamp lit streets and beautiful views out to the islands at sunset- it has to be top of your list so where are the most romantic and secluded places to while away the hours with the love of your life?

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Dominican Monastery – Dubrovnik

by Saron Lease of Croatia Gems, 18th September 2018,

Dubrovnik is home to a number of historical and cultural monuments – It’s most famous is of course the city walls, which draw thousands and thousands of visitors every year.

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Croatia Holiday – The Best Shopping in Dubrovnik Old Town

by Saron Lease of Croatia Gems, 3rd September 2018,

Dubrovnik  old town has many small streets filled with quaint little shops for quirky gifts and hand-crafted ones.

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Croatian  Magic – Yachting in Croatia

by Saron Lease of Croatia Gems, 20th August 2018,

Bored of the usual holidays –  Why not try your hand at sailing, whether you are a complete novice or have enjoyed previous sailing experiences, the Adriatic Sea is very special because it encompasses over one thousand islands – each unique .

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Zoom in on Croatia: Best Croatia family villa holiday spots on the Brac island – Sumartin

by Saron Lease, Croatia Gems Company Founder & Director, 18th August 2018,

Brac is an easy ferry-hop from Split old town, making it an accessible island destination for those not wanting a long ferry journey after a tiring flight.

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Zoom in on Croatia: Best Croatia family villa holiday spots on the Dubrovnik Riviera – Mlini Bay

by Saron Lease, Croatia Gems Company Founder & Director, 12th August 2018,

The Dubrovnik Riviera is easy to get to with good flights from the UK and Europe and makes a great base for family summer holidays to Croatia – the area close to Dubrovnik is the best place for a villa holiday with many pretty little bays and beaches and lots to visit nearby.

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Zoom in on Croatia: Best Croatia family villa holiday spots on the Split Riviera – Arbanija and Slatine Bay

by Saron Lease, Croatia Gems Company Founder & Director, 10th August 2018,

The Split Riviera is easy to get to with good flights from the UK and Europe and makes a great base for family summer holidays to Croatia – the area close to Trogir is the best place for a villa holiday with many pretty little bays and beaches and lots to visit nearby

Saron Lease of Croatia Gems gives the lowdown on what the Split Riviera has to offer…

Arbanija and Slatine Bay

These areas are located on well-connected little Ciovo Island which is linked to the mainland by two bridges making access to the stunning UNESCO World Heritage sites of Trogir Old Town and Split Old Town and transfers from the airport really easy. 
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Romantic Beaches on Croatia Holiday

by Saron Lease, Croatia Gems Company Founder & Director, 16th August 2018,

 Beautiful secluded beaches, far from the noise and the crowds of the city, hidden away in small coves with beautiful views and a crystal clear sea, are the ideal choice for you Romantic’s.

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The Best Dubrovnik Restaurants

by Saron Lease, Croatia Gems Company Founder & Director, 31st July 2018,

Dubrovnik restaurants are beginning to offer the culinary quality and variety that should be expected of such a luxury destination.

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How To Become a Dubrovnik Local

by Saron Lease, Croatia Gems Company Founder & Director, 28th July 2018,

With Dubrovnik its always about  the culture – Culture is a very wide term and sometimes it’s  hard to identify every aspect of it but follow these steps and by the end of this article you  will start thinking like a local too.

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Traditional Croatian Jewellery – Dubrovnik Treasures

by Saron Lease, Croatia Gems Company Founder & Director, 28th July 2018,

What once began as a hobby, led to a brother and sister duo establishing ‘Dubrovnik Treasures’ in 2009 -A small boutique where jewellery is designed, handmade, and treasured by many customers all over the world.

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Mama Mia ! Here we go again – on Vis, Croatia

by Saron Lease, Croatia Gems Company Founder & Director, 13th July 2018,

Our guide to the island with a starring role in the new Abba jukebox movie.

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 Coffee Drinking in Croatia

by Saron Lease, Croatia Gems Company Founder & Director, 5th July 2018,

“Jednu kavu, molim” (yaednooh kahwooh, mauleem) is Croatian for “may I have a cup of coffee, please”, and is probably one of the most commonly used phrases in our everyday lives.

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Out & About in Mostar Town – Socialising Day and Night

by Saron Lease, Croatia Gems Company Founder & Director, 29th May 2018,

Mostar is a young town and very vibrant, its people are very social – There’s quite a cafe/bar culture here – you will never see an empty coffee shop!

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Hints For A Great Croatian Holiday Without Breaking The Bank

by Saron Lease, Croatia Gems Company Founder & Director, 29th May 2018,

If you’re looking to spend some time in Croatia, while watching the purse strings, look at just outside the main season when the beaches and main attractions are not so crowded and accommodation and flights are cheaper. 

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Croatian Delicacies

by Saron Lease, Croatia Gems Company Founder & Director, 14th May 2018,

For those of you who are lucky to come to Croatia this year, and are a little confused about what the local cuisine is like, prepare for a feast.

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Mostar is Essential Viewing if you’re planning a Croatia Holiday Excursion

by Saron Lease, Croatia Gems Company Founder & Director, 10th May 2018,

If you’re going on holiday to Croatia, we’d recommend that Mostar should be high on your list for a day trip excursion – or even for a longer stay if you have time – The famous old bridge is  ‘must-see’ but there is so much else to soak in and discover about this area and town…

 

Where is Mostar?

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Summer is Coming & Croatia Gems Looks at The Best Places For a Holiday in Croatia

by Saron Lease, Croatia Gems Company Founder & Director, 3rd May 2018,

While the rain is threatening for the May bank holiday weekend, we turn our thoughts to warmer skies.

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The Best Seafood in Croatia? A Lunch Stop at Kapentanova Kuca Restaurant, Ston, Peljesac Peninsula

Restaurant Review by Saron Lease, Croatia Gems Company Founder & Director, 14th April 2018,

Driving down from Split to Dubrovnik a couple of days ago, it would be rude not to stop for lunch at Kapentanova Kuca Restaurant in Ston at the start of the Peljesac Peninsula – 2 words – seafood and wine!

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Argh! Fish with the heads still on!

By Bozidar Jukic, Croatia Gems Local Rep for Dubrovnik, qualified Tour Guide & Sommelier, 15th March 2018

Fish with the heads still on – An amusing look at tourist reactions to eating out on the Croatian coast.

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Quick Guide to Choosing Wine on Your Dubrovnik Holiday

By Bozidar Jukic, Croatia Gems Local Rep for Dubrovnik, qualified Tour Guide & Sommelier, 10th March 2018,

For many of those who enjoy exploring the enchanting world of wine, Croatian wines have pretty much flown below the radar until recently.

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The Archipelago of Islands just off the Dubrovnik Coast & why you need to explore them in 2018

By Bozidar Jukic, Croatia Gems Local Rep for Dubrovnik, qualified Tour Guide & Sommelier, 25th February 2018,

Dubrovnik Island Escapism – Sublime Island Hops for 2018… Croatia may be a relatively small country with its 4-4,5 million inhabitants, but it has an incredibly interesting coastline with numerous islands.

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Inspiring Locations on the Croatian Coast for a Spring Villa Holiday

by Saron Lease, Croatia Gems Company Founder & Director, 17th February 2018,

Chasing the Sun – Sublime Croatia holiday locations for May Half Term Sunshine – Summer comes early to the Croatian coast – We are often out in Croatia during the Spring-time doing photo-shoots of new villas in Croatia which is certainly a fantastic perk of the job!

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Dubrovnik is at the Top of the Bucket List for Romance

by Saron Lease, Croatia Gems Company Founder & Director, 14th February 2018,

There aren’t many things more romantic than a cozy weekend in Dubrovnik.

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Sought After Villa Floranneve Available Again Due to Cancellation

by Saron Lease, Croatia Gems Company Founder & Director, 7th June 2017,

Villa Floranneve is one of our most populat villas and usally books up at least a year in advance but this year several prime school holiday dates have come free again due to an unforseen cancellation.

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City Tours – A Perfect Start to Your Croatia Holiday

By Bozidar Jukic, Croatia Gems Local Rep for Dubrovnik, qualified Tour Guide & Sommelier, 14th May 2017,

Croatia is one of those countries in Europe that boasts not only breath-taking sceneries, but also historical cities full of period architecture and traces of turbulent past.

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Croatia Villa Holiday Hunting this Easter – Lowdown on the Best Locations

by Saron Lease, Croatia Gems Company Founder & Director, 15th April 2017,

While the weather has turned a bit cooler for the Easter bank holiday, the sun is heating up in Croatia where it’s been in the mid 20’s this week!

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Korcula Island – Authentic Croatia Villa Holidays

by Saron Lease, Croatia Gems Company Founder & Director

Korcula Island – the new Starlet of the Croatian Coast & one of our favourite islands, Croatia Gems takes a look around Korcula Island, a top location for authentic Croatia villa holidays.

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Why not hire a chef for a special evening on your Croatia villa holiday

by Saron Lease, Croatia Gems Company Founder & Director, 12th March 2017,

Special occasion – Surprise birthday meal – Or just so that you can relax with family and friends – Hiring a chef for the evening is a wonderful way to enjoy your holiday in Croatia and sample fine local produce and cuisine in the comfort of your own villa.

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Zoom in on Croatia: Best Croatia family villa holiday spots on the Split Riviera – Seget Vranjica & Seget Donji

by Saron Lease, Croatia Gems Company Founder & Director, 11th March 2017,

The Split Riviera is easy to get to with good flights from the UK and Europe and makes a great base for family summer holidays to Croatia – The area close to Trogir is the best place for a villa holiday with many pretty little bays and beaches and lots to visit nearby

Saron Lease of Croatia Gems gives the lowdown on what the the Split Riviera has to offer…

The Split Riviera makes for a great place to base as there are many places to visit and activities to fill up the holiday hours.
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Croatia Beaches – Mlini Bay has some of the most Idyllic beaches on the Dubrovnik Riviera for Family Holidays

by Saron Lease, Croatia Gems Company Founder & Director, 6th March 2018,

As a coastline, they don’t get much more beautiful than the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia and there are many many beaches to lay down your towel for an afternoon of pure zen.

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A Taste of Bosnian Cuisine in the heart of Dubrovnik – The Taj Mahal Restaurant

by Saron Lease, Croatia Gems Company Founder & Director, 6th March 2017,

The Taj Mahal Restaurant in Dubrovnik Old Town, Croatia is Something a Bit Special and one of our favourites when we’re in town.

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Follow the Sun this May Half Term – The Best Croatia Villa Holiday Locations & Offers

by Saron Lease, Croatia Gems Company Founder & Director, 5th March 2017,

While the weather is cold and dreary in the UK, the summer season is fast approaching in Croatia!

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Zoom in on Croatia: Best Croatia family villa holiday spots on the Split Riviera – Slatine Bay

by Saron Lease, Croatia Gems Company Founder & Director, 5th March 2017,

With great flights to Split and an Easy Jet sale now on, what better time to check out holidays to the Split Riviera in, Croatia – With a vertiable smorgasbord of beaches, little bays, historic towns and fishing villages, not to mention turquoise bays a plenty, Split is an ideal family holiday destination Saron Lease of Croatia Gems gives the lowdown on what the the Split Riviera has to offer…

The Split Riviera makes for a great place to base as there are many places to visit and activities to fill up the holiday hours.
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