Dubrovnik only the start of a Croatia holiday adventure

The city of Dubrovnik may come highly recommended by Traveller’s Choice magazine, but anyone opting for a sailing holiday in Croatia will unlock a whole lot more this summer.

A recent poll of over 210,000 holidaymakers, conducted by Traveller’s Choice, saw Dubrovnik come third in list of Best European Destinations for 2012.

This position placed the city above the more established destinations of Prague, Berlin, Budapest and Lisbon.

However, ask anyone who has embarked on a Croatia holiday to the region and they will tell you a little know truth: Dubrovnik has been Europe’s best kept secret for years.

The impressive architecture and fascinating history of the city make for one explanation behind this popularity, but Dubrovnik also boosts a vivid culture that comes to life during the warm summer months.

More importantly, it serves as the ideal starting point for all kinds of Balkan holiday adventures, with many of the surrounding towns and cities set to play host to an impressive variety of music festivals this summer.

Soundwave festival, for example, is easily accessible from Dubrovnik and with a range of low-cost flights from the UK to the popular city, it makes for the ideal stop-off point.
According to the organisers while “flight prices do vary massively, don’t be put off if the first ones you see are expensive, there are cheap ways to travel out there” with Dubrovnik chief among them.

This summer’s Soundwave event is promising to be a good one, with De La Soul, DJ Yoda and even BBC 6 Music favourite Craig Charles confirmed on the bill.

However, while festivals offer a chance to explore the region, it is not the only option for travellers with a sense of adventure.

Sail Croatia offer a range of Croatia tours by road that could see you explore this fascinating corner of the world in the company of good mates and similarly-minded partygoers.

Failing that, the proximity of the stunning Adriatic sea means that the option of a Croatia cruise up the Dalmatian coastline could unlock yet more of the treasures on offer.

With temperatures likely to be in the 30s too, this could prove the perfect way to cool off, meet new people and enjoy all that there is to offer in Dubrovnik and beyond this summer.