Croatia is a traveller’s paradise with its ancient, red-roofed towns, long stretches of sun-kissed beaches and azure lakes dotted through verdant forests. If you scratch the surface, however, the country is even more intriguing than it might first appear!
Here are 5 reasons Croatia is a travel "unicorn" when it comes to history, innovation and intrigue. Plus, save 10% when you book a trip to the Eastern European destination with Sure Travel in 2019, and enter to win a Netflix voucher valid for two months (in case you needed to catch up on some series during the festive season)!
Did you know the tiny Croatian village of Smiljan produced one of history’s greatest-ever scientists? Nikola Tesla was born there in 1856 and later moved to New York. It was in the United States that he made countless discoveries in the field of electricity, which have changed the ways we live today.
The 14th-century walls of Ston come second only to the Great Wall of China as the world’s longest surviving fortification. Fortunately for today’s visitors, the walls can now be passed without hindrance to sample Ston's famous oysters — some of the best in the world.
Hate sharpening pencils? Thank the Croatians for inventing an alternative! In 1900, Slovakia-born Slavoljub Penkala moved to Zagreb (Croatia's capital city) and took on the country's citizenship. It was here just six years later that he crafted the world’s first mechanical pencil and — a few years later — the fountain pen.
Hum in northwest Croatia is the world’s smallest town, according to The Guinness Book of World Records. This darling hilltop settlement has all the amenities you’d expect — a museum, restaurant, church, post office, central square – but just 21 inhabitants (as per the last census)!
The Ancient Greeks brought the art of winemaking to Croatia about 2,500 years ago. Today, oenophiles can find some of these original vineyards still in use on Hvar’s Stari Grad Plain. The country has four wine regions and more than 800 wineries to explore. Yum!
. . .
Visit Croatia and Slovenia with Trafalgar's newest 11-day itinerary. Save 10% when you book and pay before 31 January 2019.
Highlights:
Contact your nearest Sure Travel Agency to enquire or book, or call +27 (0)861 47 48 49.
. . .
Another fun fact about modern-day Croatia is that its streets feature prominently in the hit television series Game of Thrones! Catch up on all the series you've missed this festive season by entering to win a 2-month voucher for Netflix!
...And then read this blog about how travelling to Croatia can break said binge-watching addiction!
Here's how to enter:
1. Read our blog: "Croatia: the unicorn of European travel".
2. Tell us how many people reportedly live in the world's smallest town, Hum, according to the most recent census.
3. If you're entering on Facebook, put your answer in the comment section of the competition post and share the competition post on your own Facebook page – and tag a friend for an extra entry. If you're entering on Instagram, put your answer in the comment section of the competition post.
That's it! Contest ends 22 December at 23h59. Winner will be announced 23 December 2018 on social media.
. . .
The promoters of this promotion are Trafalgar and Sure Travel.
1. Employees or agencies of the Promoters, affiliated companies or family members, or anyone else connected with the Prize Draw may not enter the Prize Draw.
2. Entrants into the Prize Draw shall be deemed to have accepted these Terms and Conditions.
3. The closing date for entries into the Prize Draw is 23h59 on 22 December 2018. Entries received outside this time period will not be considered.
4. One winner will be chosen from of entries received in accordance with these Terms and Conditions. The judges’ decision is final and no further correspondence will be entered in to.
5. The promoters accept no responsibility for any costs associated with the prize and not specifically included in the prize.
6. By submitting your entry, you agree to receive Facebook communication from the Promoters and the winner will be contacted via Facebook.
7. If the winner does not respond to the promoters by 31 December 2018, then the winner's prize will be forfeited. If a winner rejects their prize or the entry is invalid or in breach of these Terms and Conditions, the winner's prize will be forfeited and the promoters shall be entitled to select another winner.
8. The prize is non-exchangeable, non-transferable, and is not redeemable for cash or other prizes.
9. The Promoters retain the right to substitute the prize with another prize of similar value in the event the original prize offered is not available.
10. The winner may be required to take part in promotional activity related to the Prize Draw and the winner shall participate in such activity on the Promoters reasonable request. The winner consents to the use by the Promoters, both before and after the closing date of the Prize Draw for an unlimited time, of the winner's name for publicity purposes, in any medium, on the internet, including any websites hosted by the Promoters and its related companies and in advertising, marketing or promotional material without additional compensation or prior notice and, in entering the Prize Draw, all entrants consent to the same.
11. The Promoters accept no responsibility for any damage, loss, liabilities, injury or disappointment incurred or suffered by you as a result of entering the Prize Draw or accepting the prize.
12. Sure Travel’s standard terms and conditions apply. View full Ts and Cs here.