One of Europe’s most relaxed and scenic road trips is undoubtedly the route down Croatia’s dramatic Dalmatian coastline between the cities of Zadar, Split, and Dubrovnik.
Hugging the golden sandy shores of the Adriatic, this pleasant driving itinerary offers families a fun-filled holiday with an extensive mix of unusual attractions and exhilarating leisure activities, all of which are quickly accessible by car. >p>
Booking a car hire in Croatia is both easy and affordable through some of the world’s top international sites such as Auto Europe, a company founded in 1954 that traditionally specialises in offering top-quality rentals at the very best rates, with a high standard of service to match.
With Auto Europe you can pick up the ideal vehicle for your journey at a wide selection of convenient collection points, with the added possibility of being able to drop the car off somewhere else by means of the company’s one-way car hire option.
When choosing your car, it’s essential to make sure that you’ll have enough space to fit everything in (don’t forget you’re travelling with kids!), like an estate or perhaps an SUV which is the ideal vehicle for getting off the beaten track.
There are several other aspects to consider when travelling with little ones, most notably the requirement of child and booster seats, plus you’ll need plenty of cold drinks and other refreshments for the trip because Croatia can get quite hot during the summer months. If you’re looking for an idea for a day trip out of the car, for those of you who are cycling enthusiasts, why not consider a Croatia bike tour.
The roads in Croatia are generally well-maintained and drivers have the choice of saving time by travelling on tolled motorways (the E65 runs along the Dalmatian Coast) or using the busier local roads for free.
Located midway along the Croatian coastline, the city of Zadar is a city bursting with interest for young and old visitors alike, making it the ideal starting point for an enjoyable road trip beside the Adriatic.
Zadar’s highlights include a puppet theatre (a must for the kids) and the fascinating ancient Forum built by the first Roman emperor, Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian, over 2,000 years ago. Don’t miss the magical Sea Organ on the waterfront where waves interact with large tubes to create naturally harmonic sounds.
Continuously inhabited for thousands of years, Split (located 160 kilometres down the coast south of Zadar) is a magnet for visitors looking for that quintessential example of a vibrant Croatian city.
Visually stunning with its picturesque waterfront and well-preserved historic quarter, Split is a place that invites its visitors to chill out for a while either in the sprawling Marjan Forest Park overlooking the city (the perfect spot for a family picnic) or on one of the many long sandy beaches situated a short drive from the centre.
With its labyrinth of old alleyways and narrow cobblestone streets, Dubrovnik (about three hours further south) is one of the world’s most photogenic cities and a place that provides a fitting finale to our family road trip along the Dalmatian coast.
Always a hit with the youngsters is a ride on the amazing Dubrovnik cable-car to a point high above the city where visitors can enjoy the most spectacular views of the city and coast as far as the eye can see.
Another firm favourite (after a delicious al fresco lunch at one of the many restaurants lining the sides of the city’s ancient harbour) is a Game of Thrones walking tour, because many of its most memorable scenes were shot in and around Dubrovnik’s magnificent historic centre.
So if you’re looking for something different to do with the kids this year, why not treat them to a Croatian-style motoring adventure along the Dalmatian Coast, an enchanting region that has all the right ingredients for a memorable family holiday.
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