Travel

The 1246 islands and islets dotting Croatia’s Adriatic coastline come in various shapes, sizes, and topographies, each boasting a unique vibe. Some have long been part of the tourist circuit, while others remain less-visited, offering a peaceful retreat. With increasing tourist numbers, many islands are catering to luxury travelers, offering boutique experiences, while others remain delightfully low-key with a more authentic atmosphere.

There’s certainly plenty to entice visitors: picturesque pebble and sandy beaches lapped by transparent turquoise waters, fascinating historical towns, and rustic villages. Additionally, the opportunities for sailing, miles of walking and cycling trails, and exquisite local cuisine featuring wine and olive oil are noteworthy.

The challenging journey to these islands is part of the allure; since most Croatian islands can only be reached by boat or ferry, there’s that adventurous Robinson Crusoe feeling. If you’re unsure which island to visit, here are the top ten islands to explore in Croatia.

If you have a few extra days to spare while you’re in Thailand, or are living here and looking for an interesting place to explore for 2–3 days, consider one of these great side trips.

Greek plumbing has seemingly gone downhill since Minoan times, when flush toilets were developed in about 2000 b.c.e. and employed at the Palace of Knossos. There’s no record of what the Minoans used in terms of toilet wipes, but the modern Greek plumbing system is – or believes itself to be – incapable of handling toilet paper. Yes, you read that right. The Greek method is to do your business in the toilet but to put the paper in the wastebasket located nearby. This sounds far worse than it is in practice, but it is still unnerving for many travelers used to flushing toilet paper down, um, the toilet. If you forget, don’t fish it out; for the sake of your hotel keeper or restaurateur, try to remember to throw it in the wastebasket.