Explore the Hidden Gems of Croatia: 8-Day Itinerary

Enjoy an intriguing and bitter-sweet visit to a unique museum focused on heartbreak.

One of Zagreb's most quirky museums is the Museum of Broken Relationships. At first a temporary exhibition only, it struck such a chord with the public that it became a permanent museum in 2010, displaying objects connected with all aspects of human relationships and break-ups. A compelling and sometimes visceral monument to wistful memory and raw emotion, visitors are invited to overcome a difficult separation by donating memories and thus recognizing the end of a relationship.

Be sure to stop by the picturesque square and church at the heart of Old Zagreb.

Markov trg at the center of Gradec hosts the surprisingly modest Sabor or national parliament and the rather squat but nonetheless attractive St Mark's Church, with its famously multi-colored roof tiles displaying the coat of arms of Zagreb and Croatia. The interior has been ravaged over time by earthquake, fire, and 19th-century "restorers", but some parts, like the south portal, are original. The building on the other side is the Banski dvor, or Ban's Palace, originally the seat of the Hapsburg-appointed governor and now the seat of Croatia's government.

Historic lookout tower

A tower that once protected the southern city gate from danger. A spiral staircase inside leads to a small wooden terrace offering superb views of Zagreb's roofscape. 

Enjoy an intriguing and bitter-sweet visit to a unique museum focused on heartbreak.

One of Zagreb's most quirky museums is the Museum of Broken Relationships. At first a temporary exhibition only, it struck such a chord with the public that it became a permanent museum in 2010, displaying objects connected with all aspects of human relationships and break-ups. A compelling and sometimes visceral monument to wistful memory and raw emotion, visitors are invited to overcome a difficult separation by donating memories and thus recognizing the end of a relationship.

See the beautiful courtyard which was once the center of the palace, and is now the heart of Split.

The Peristyle was the central courtyard of the palace complex and the crossing point of its main streets. The columns around the courtyard were pillaged from Egypt, though the officer in charge of the operation must have forgotten to get some extras as four of the columns are clearly different from the others. There's also a black granite Egyptian sphinx on one side dating from 1500 BC which originally flanked the entrance to Diocletian's mausoleum (other sphinxes around the palace were decapitated by Diocletian to allay his superstition that they posed a threat to his rule). If you sit on one of the red cushions scattered around the Peristyle you'll be approached by a waiter with a menu of very expensive drinks, but it may be worth it just to sit and lap up the history and watch people go by. At the southern end of the Peristyle, steps lead up to a cone-shaped, roofless chamber which once served as the palace vestibule. Visitors would wait here before being summoned before the ex-emperor into his private apartments.

Enter this ancient gateway to discover palace cellars used as film sets for Game of Thrones.

While today about 200 feet (60m) from the water, the Bronze Gate originally sat directly on the sea, allowing boats to pull directly up to the palace. As you enter the gate you will find a mass of souvenir and arts & crafts stalls, but just inside the entrance on either side are the substructures, or cellars of the palace. After the palace fell into disrepair, the cellars were used as rubbish pits. Families occupying the apartments above would simply create holes in the floor and voila, they had an instant trash dump with a seemingly unending supply of space. Of course centuries of trash did eventually them fill up and they were only rediscovered in 1956; the excavations continue to this very day. While entrance to the cellar is not free, it provides an excellent idea of what the palace must originally have looked like, as they're an exact mirror image of the imperial living quarters above. Game of Thrones fans will also be happy to learn that the cellar was used as a filming set, including as Daenerys Targaryen's grand Meereen throne room.

See the beautiful courtyard which was once the center of the palace, and is now the heart of Split.

The Peristyle was the central courtyard of the palace complex and the crossing point of its main streets. The columns around the courtyard were pillaged from Egypt, though the officer in charge of the operation must have forgotten to get some extras as four of the columns are clearly different from the others. There's also a black granite Egyptian sphinx on one side dating from 1500 BC which originally flanked the entrance to Diocletian's mausoleum (other sphinxes around the palace were decapitated by Diocletian to allay his superstition that they posed a threat to his rule). If you sit on one of the red cushions scattered around the Peristyle you'll be approached by a waiter with a menu of very expensive drinks, but it may be worth it just to sit and lap up the history and watch people go by. At the southern end of the Peristyle, steps lead up to a cone-shaped, roofless chamber which once served as the palace vestibule. Visitors would wait here before being summoned before the ex-emperor into his private apartments.

Enter this ancient gateway to discover palace cellars used as film sets for Game of Thrones.

While today about 200 feet (60m) from the water, the Bronze Gate originally sat directly on the sea, allowing boats to pull directly up to the palace. As you enter the gate you will find a mass of souvenir and arts & crafts stalls, but just inside the entrance on either side are the substructures, or cellars of the palace. After the palace fell into disrepair, the cellars were used as rubbish pits. Families occupying the apartments above would simply create holes in the floor and voila, they had an instant trash dump with a seemingly unending supply of space. Of course centuries of trash did eventually them fill up and they were only rediscovered in 1956; the excavations continue to this very day. While entrance to the cellar is not free, it provides an excellent idea of what the palace must originally have looked like, as they're an exact mirror image of the imperial living quarters above. Game of Thrones fans will also be happy to learn that the cellar was used as a filming set, including as Daenerys Targaryen's grand Meereen throne room.

Stroll the atmospheric narrow streets of this small town nestled at the end of a clear blue bay.

Stari Grad is more laid back and family-oriented than Hvar Town but is becoming more popular with younger crowds and the jet-set as time goes by. Its streets are lined by stone houses decorated with bright window boxes, and there are plenty of small squares to explore that suddenly open up at the end of shoulder-rubbing alleyways. The fertile plain stretching south and west of Stari Grad is one of the few places in Europe where the ancient Greek system of field division has been preserved almost untouched. With olive groves and vineyards divided by a grid of dry stone walls and country lanes, it is easily explored on foot or by bike. A highlight within the town is the summer house and walled garden of the 16th-century poet and aristocrat Petar Hektorović called the Tvrdalj. This simple stone structure purpose-built for quiet contemplation and as a refuge for the locals in time of the attack is built around a central cloister with a turquoise pond packed with mullet. Almost immediately adjacent to the Tvrdalj is the Biankini Palace, an impressively restored Renaissance building that now houses the Town Museum

Hop over to these rocky islands to swim and snorkel in their picturesque little coves and lagoons.

If weather permits, Hvar can be a splendid place for swimming as the sea conditions are truly exceptional, with crystal clear water. If you are hoping for soft sand beaches though, you will be disappointed. Beaches range from "pebbly" to "rocky ledge". A great option is to catch a water taxi (about 50 Kuna per person roundtrip) from the town of Hvar to the forested Pakleni Island, where the best beaches are to be found. The contorted, crooked shorelines of the islands create numerous little coves and lagoons that are nice spots for swimming and relaxing. Sveti Klement is the largest of the islands and hence has the best facilities, but there are restaurants, bars, snack stands, and toilets located near most of the beaches. Snorkeling is also possible at the Pakleni Islands, although generally there are no reefs, as is the case along most of the Croatian coastline. However, visibility is amazing and there are plenty of interesting rock formations. The best option if you are serious about snorkeling is to go with an organized boat tour.

Check out where war galleys were once repaired on Hvar's main square.

There's plenty to see in Hvar Town beginning at the main square, Trg svetog Stjepana (St Stephen Square) where you'll find the 17th century Venetian arsenal in which war galleys were once hauled for repair. The upper story was adapted in 1612 to house the town theatre, one of the oldest Baroque playhouses in Europe. St Stephen's Cathedral at the eastern end of the square is a 16th-century building with a fragile looking four-story campanile. Some of the artwork inside might be worth your time popping in to see. The Bishop's treasury next door contains a small but fine selection of religious.

Climb to this stone fortress above the town of Hvar for the perfect photo.

Resting atop of the hill with breathtaking views of Hvar Town and the nearby Pakleni Islands is the Citadel, built by the Venetians in the 1550s but with the help of Spanish engineers, hence it is another name: the Spanish Fortress. It is the perfect spot for a photo of yourself standing on the turrets and overlooking the town and harbor. During the season it is open to visitors for a 40 Kuna entry fee. To reach the citadel just walk up the stairs located next to the Loggia, which is the colonnaded white building located just in front of the port. Once you reach the gardens above the town, then follow a zig-zagging path through the gardens. When you reach a gate in the garden, go through it, instead of taking the other path which is helpfully spray-painted with the word "stop". This will take you to the entrance of the citadel.