Preface: As France returns to the top of football after 20 years, the 2018 World Cup, which excited countless people all night long, has also come to an end. On the night of the final, runner-up Croatia won the respect of the world despite its defeat and became the biggest dark horse of this World Cup.

Let’s learn about their cultural landscape during non-football time

Flag of Croatia*** and the Republic of China

? Introduction and geographical location of Croatia

The Republic of Croatia (Croatian: Republika Hrvatska, English: Republic of Croatia), referred to as Croatia, is a Republic of Croatia located in southeastern Europe, at the junction of the Mediterranean Sea and the Pannonian Plain of the Balkan Peninsula. The capital is Zagreb.

From the end of the 8th century to the beginning of the 9th century, the Croats established an early feudal state, and in the 10th century they established a powerful Croatian state. In December 1918, Croatia and other South Slavs jointly established the Kingdom of Serbo-Croat-Slovenia ( Renamed the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929), it became a confederate republic of the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia in 1945. In June 1991, it declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and joined NATO in 2009. , joined the EU on July 1, 2013.

Croatia is a developed capitalist country. The economy is dominated by the tertiary industry, with the secondary industry as a subsidiary. Tourism is an important part of the national economy. Croatia has a good economic foundation, and the development level of tourism, construction, shipbuilding and pharmaceutical industries is relatively high. Football and tennis are tied as the number one sport in Croatia.

From the map we can see that Croatia borders Slovenia and Hungary in the north and Italy in the west across the sea. Croatia is the country with the most developed tourism industry in the entire Balkan Peninsula except Greece, and nearly 90% of the population is Croatian. Because Croatia was planned as a tourism center during the Yugoslavia period, even after the war, Croatia's tourism industry is still a pillar industry of the entire country. The unique advantages brought by the long and narrow coastline attract a large number of tourists for vacation and leisure every year. Therefore, the price level of Dubrovnik is not inferior to that of tourist cities in developed countries, while in other places in Croatia, the price level has been significantly reduced by more than half. , there are also many fewer tourists, and the infrastructure construction is also much worse.

The most beautiful season in Croatia

The coastal climate of Croatia is Mediterranean, and the inland is gradually transitioning to a temperate continental climate. Therefore, throughout the year, from April to September , is a particularly suitable season for travel; starting in April, the weather has gradually warmed up, and there are some interesting cultural programs starting in various parts of Croatia, such as the Biennial Contemporary Music Festival and the QueerZagrebFM Festival. Hotels at this time are also cheaper than during the peak season; May-June is very suitable for outdoor sports, and there will be more tourists from Europe. This period is also the spring outing season for local students; July-August is the peak tourist season. With the increase in tourists, transportation and housing costs have increased, but there are also Additional shipping and organized adventure routes to the islands are required; September is the best time to travel. The weather is neither hot nor cold, there are fewer tourists, and housing prices have dropped. It is also a very suitable time.

The most unmissable attractions in Croatia

1. A city that will make you forget to leave: Dubrovnik is a port city at the southern tip of Croatia, known as "Asia" Pearl of the Aria". Dubrovnik’s sunshine, red roofs, and blue waves all highlight the charm of a seaside town. The place closest to the sea in Dubrovnik is the famous Old City Wall, which surrounds the old city and is well-preserved. Take a walking tour on the circular walkway on top of the old city wall. As far as you can see, you can see castles, monasteries, and Baroque-style domed churches. , Orlando Stone Column, extremely exquisite. There is a harbor under the city wall on the east side of the old city. There are a row of benches neatly placed in its aisle, facing the ocean, under the morning light or sunset, listening to the sea breeze and waves, letting the time flow, and being comfortable and comfortable .

With the popularity of "Game of Thrones", Dubrovnik's popularity as a filming location has skyrocketed, and its charm has swept the world. "Visiting King's Landing" has become a new activity in Dubrovnik, and even the locals love to follow you Shouting "Welcome to the king's landing!". In fact, as depicted in the play, the town itself is an unfolding epic.

2. Zagreb is the capital of Croatia, located in the northern interior. Zagreb is a city with clear divisions between old and new. It is not large in area and you can measure this land with just one step. The upper town to the west is imprinted with history, with an altitude slightly higher than the surrounding area. Climbing up the steps of the city wall, the city's context gradually becomes clear before your eyes, including medieval towers, nineteenth-century palaces, open-air markets, and ancient St. Paul. The churches are staggered and mixed, and the Gothic Zagreb Cathedral stands out among the red roofs and white walls. In the city of Zagreb, there is also a "Museum of Lost Love". Unlike other museums that focus on culture, history, art or commemorative events, this museum focuses on individual emotions, making it unique. The museum collects souvenirs left here by people from all over the world due to broken love. They may seem inconspicuous, but behind each piece there is a heartbreaking story. It will bring you a travel mood that is hard to find anywhere else, and may also leave you with an exclusive memory.

3. Trogir is an ancient city in Croatia and a port on the Adriatic Sea. The ancient city of Trogir is located on a small island between the Croatian mainland and the island of ?iovo. It is located 27 kilometers west of Split. In 1997, the historical center of Trogir was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

4. Rovinj is a city located in northern Croatia, on the Adriatic coast. Rovinj is located on the western coast of the Istria Peninsula. Rovinj was once part of the Byzantine Empire. Before World War I, Rovinj was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. After World War I, it became part of Italy. After World War II, the city became part of Yugoslavia. During this period, many Italians left the city. Rovinj belongs to the Mediterranean region and is also a famous tourist city.

5. Hvar is a town located on the south coast of Hvar Island in southern Croatia. It has a Venetian-style bell tower and window decorations. Within the medieval city walls of Hvar built in the 13th century, there are ancient Gothic palaces and marble-paved pedestrian streets. A long promontory is dotted with many small, rocky beaches. There are some very flavorful bars and cafes along the harbor, making it an ideal place for people to relax and watch the scenery. Hvar Island is increasingly becoming a tourist resort for fashionable people from all over the world. As the sunniest and greenest of the many islands in Croatia, Hvar Island truly deserves its reputation. The island enjoys 2,724 hours of brilliant sunshine throughout the year. Lavender-covered fields, peaceful villages and pine-shaded slopes create a beautiful panorama for visitors.

6. Sibenik is a historic city in southeastern Croatia. It is located in central Dalmatia, on the Adriatic coast, about 40 kilometers southeast from the port of Split. Sibenik is the capital of Sibenik-Knin County. It is also one of the most famous tourist destinations in Southeast Europe.

7. Split is the second largest city in Croatia, located on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. This is a noisy and vibrant ancient city with clean streets, thousands of years of ancient buildings, and beautiful seaside suitable for vacation. The ancient Diocletian's Palace is the heart of the city, and local people's lives depend on it. When you are here, you will see many modern bars, shops and restaurants located within the ancient city walls with a unique cultural atmosphere. among. The palace is no longer something to be seen from a distance, but a part of the city. Imagine what a wonderful experience it would be to walk through and live in an ancient palace city that has been thousands of years old. When you take a ferry to admire Split from a distance, it's a different scene: the majestic coastal mountains, like the eternal scenery behind the blue-green Adriatic Sea; the rows of red houses, no matter the sky is clear or the twilight. It looks particularly bright when it sinks; parties, nightclubs and restaurants along the bay on the east side, and lush trees on the foothills on the west end, sometimes mixed with pristine beaches. Whether it’s city life or nature, Split won’t let you down.

8. Zadar is located at the end of a small peninsula in southern Croatia. It is a unique point on Croatia’s long and broken coastline. Although it is the fifth largest city in Croatia, Zadar is more like a lazy and comfortable town. The old town retains medieval monasteries and churches. You can get a bird's eye view of the entire town by climbing to the top of the church tower. Walking on the path between the sea and the old town, the sun casts mottled light and shadow through the shade of the trees on the seaside. Street painters often appear on the roadside, waiting for you to stop your hurried pace and chat with them. In Zadar in summer, the daylight is still strong until after six o'clock in the afternoon. Lovers sitting on the coast are waiting for the sunset. At the end of the road is the famous Sea Organ. Under the white stone steps are carefully designed organ pipes. People from all over the world. People sit together calmly and listen to the music of the sea, waiting for the sunset, the tide, and a big wave to come over. The sea organ will play a low tune, and the lovers will lower their heads to exchange a kiss, and the huge sunset will slowly begin to shine. Dive deep into the sea. If you stay in Zadar long enough, you might as well take a boat to the surrounding Ugljan and Otok, cliff diving, diving, parachuting and wild driving. As long as you are brave enough, this is a place for you to "go to heaven and earth".

In addition to the cultural landscape, what attracts us is the local natural landscape Plitvice Lakes National Park. Located in the mountain valleys of western Croatia, the Plitvice Lakes area is the most beautiful and most beautiful place in Croatia. The famous national park was included in the World Natural Heritage List in 1979. It is close to the main road connecting Zagreb and Dalmatia and consists of sixteen lakes connected by countless waterfalls. The park covers a total area of ??19,462 hectares, of which forest area accounts for more than 70%. There are 16 connected mountain lakes with a total length of 10 kilometers. The altitude difference from the First Lake to the Sixteenth Lake is 133 meters. There are winding wooden bridges connecting the lakes, which is not only convenient for viewing, but also provides a shortcut for sightseeing. Plitvice Lakes is located in a karst landform area. The water contains a large amount of minerals and chemical elements, which gives the lake a special color. Especially on the trees in the water, calcium has formed a layer of bronze material, making the bark of the trees smoother. Lovely and immortal, it forms a rare wonder of underwater jade trees. Therefore, people often compare Plitvice Lakes with Jiuzhaigou Valley because both are lakes surrounded by travertine and have the same brilliant colors. Which one is better in terms of scenery between Plitvice Lakes and Jiuzhaigou Valley? Perhaps each has his own preference. But there are no roads or motor vehicles in Plitvice Lakes, there are no canteens with exaggerated prices, and there are no locals selling souvenirs everywhere. The scenery here may be more pure.

Mljet is one of the southernmost islands in Croatia, and the national park named after this island will make a trip worthwhile. The endless green shade is dotted with sparkling saltwater lakes. The dense pine forests and lakes under the shade make this place a paradise for lovers. Here, you can follow the footsteps of countless predecessors on foot or bicycle, or take a canoe to wander the lake, or explore the mysterious Odysseus Cave, or go diving at the seaside. These are all good choices.

The Kornati Islands are a collective name for the large and small islands scattered along the Adriatic coast. The best place for diving here is the Kornati National Park, which is dotted with 140 islands. Rocky islands, stretches of uninhabited land, colorful reefs and schools of colorful tropical fish will leave you intoxicated and never know where to go.

Krka National Park Krka National Park is also called Kalka or Koka National Park. The national park covers an area of ??142 square kilometers, about half of the Plitvice Lakes. A nearly 200-meter-deep canyon is formed between the Krka Panland and the Croatian karst region. The beautiful Krka River flows through it, and the calcified dams formed by cutting layers of limestone fall down layer by layer, forming beautiful and spectacular lines. waterfall. Its geological structure, morphological landscape and many other characteristics are very similar to those of Plitvice Lakes, but anyone who has been to Krka National Park will feel that Krka is more soft, charming and beautiful than Plitvice Lakes. Krka National Park is famous for its ecological environment and biodiversity. The park is rich in animal and plant resources, with more than 220 animal species, and is listed as one of the largest bird sanctuaries in Europe.

Croatian Cuisine

Croatian continental cuisine is mainly based on meat, vegetables, and freshwater fish.

Beef stew with potatoes: It is almost the national dish of Croatia. It is a must-try in restaurants and every household can make it. At first glance, it looks similar to the Chinese version, but the taste is very different. It turns out that the secret sauce is added to the dish, which is slightly sweet and slightly spicy. No one will refuse this taste.

Some people say that Croatian goulash and potato goulash are similar to Hungarian goulash. In fact, they are completely different. The taste of chili powder in goulash can still be easily distinguished, which is far inferior to Croatian goulash. This beef and potato stew is more hearty.

Turkey with baked noodles: Another Croatian specialty, more popular during the winter Christmas season. The highlight is that the turkey is fed with barley, chestnuts, and walnuts. It is cleaned and stuffed with cornbread, onions, apples, celery, garlic, chicken livers and other stuffings before cooking. The remaining turkey soup is large. Useful, dipped in Mlinci grilled pasta and paired with turkey, it's truly mouth-watering!

Croatia has most of the ancient cities on the right bank of the Adriatic Sea. The long coast and numerous islands provide excellent conditions for rich food. Slow down and taste carefully, and feel the fun brought by the subtle differences.

Grilled fish: The freshest delicacy on the right coast of the Adriatic Sea is fish. In fact, there are more than 400 kinds of edible marine life in this area! The general method is to clean, cut, soak the fish in juice, skewer it with a fork, put it on the grill and grill it over a low fire for several hours. When the fish is grilled until golden, it can be eaten and the juice is fragrant.

Croatians believe that grilled fish must be paired with wine. This comes from its long history of wine making, among which the white wine produced in Slavonia is of the best quality.

Seafood and cuttlefish rice: Stir-fry seafood soaked in red wine with cuttlefish juice and rice, then put it on a baking sheet and bake it for a short time, then pour lemon juice on it. The cuttlefish rice looks dark, but it does not affect people's love for it at all. Many tourists from other places come here to taste it, and Yu Hei Sanri is even more interesting.

The sea is salty, so don’t ignore the sweet taste when you come to Croatia.

Skradin cake: The gorgeous appearance makes Croatians very proud. The creation is inspired by the distant ancient recipes, and they have made bold attempts and modifications, using honey instead of jam, and adding a lot of Walnuts, barely floured, covered in chocolate glaze. This luxurious taste was favored by the Pope at the time.

Gingerbread: The ancient food that Croatians are most proud of, its production tradition began in the Middle Ages. In Croatia’s unique gingerbread culture, gingerbread is a gift that expresses love. It is said that Croatian boys give gingerbread to girls to express their intention to marry her, which can make girls more excited than giving roses. A few years ago, the craft of making gingerbread in Croatia was listed as a World Intangible Cultural Heritage.

People who have been to Croatia are even more moved by the food here. Celebrities such as Bill Gates and Tom Cruise are all fans of Croatian food. In fact, the above are only a small part of Croatian cuisine, and there are many flavors that attract people to embark on a journey of taste.

? Croatia visa information and attention

The visa allows transit through Croatia*** and the country or entering the country of Croatia*** and the country, or staying in Croatia for no more than 90 days within every 180 days.

Visa covers one, two or more transits, tourism, business, personal reasons and other reasons.

The validity period of the visa depends on the specific circumstances and may not exceed 5 years.

Having a visa does not necessarily mean that you can enter Croatia*** and the country. Other legal requirements must also be met. Foreigners cannot work in Croatia by holding a short-term visa. Visa applicants need to carefully read and comply with the basic visa requirements before submitting their application. The embassy may require applicants to provide supplementary materials based on their specific circumstances.

Visa application form: Applicants must fill out and sign. For minors, both parents or legal guardians must fill out and sign.

The visa application form can also be filled out online at https://crovisa. mvep.hr/ . After filling in and submitting, please print out the complete application form and sign in the corresponding position.

Passport: must be valid for 3 months after leaving Croatia, have at least 2 blank pages, and be issued within the past 10 years.

Please provide copies of all valid or expired visas in your passport and copies of the used pages in your passport.

One passport size photo: bareheaded within 6 months , 35 mm x 45 mm

A valid travel medical insurance: covers the entire stay in Croatia, with a minimum coverage of €30,000. The insurance must cover the cost of emergency medical treatment and emergency hospitalization due to the body and the repatriation of the remains.

Applicants applying for a multiple-entry visa must provide insurance that meets the above requirements during their first stay in Croatia.

Citizens of other nationalities living in China must provide proof of long-term residence permit in China.

Chinese citizens must provide the original copy of the household registration book and copies of all pages.

Proof of transportation and guarantee to return to the country of residence: round-trip air ticket reservation, bus or boat ticket; if traveling by renting a car, please provide the driver’s driver’s license and rental certificate. If the applicant travels to a third country, an itinerary (travel tickets, etc.) must be provided

Proof of purpose of stay in Croatia:

Confirmation letter signed by an authorized travel agency, travel plan and travel members Name

Proof of tour group payment

Hotel reservation or other proof of accommodation

Proof of private accommodation

Attached to the hotel reservation for each day in Croatia Detailed itinerary

Proof of boat/speed boat rental, etc.

Proof of sufficient funds during the stay in Croatia and proof of return to the country of residence or travel to a third country

EUR 70 per day during the stay in Croatia

If the applicant is a third-country nationality and provides proof of a paid tourist product or similar material, the fee is EUR 30 per day during the stay in Croatia.

Required materials may include: statements for the past three months, retirement pay stubs, scholarship certificates, etc.

Your bank statements for the past three months must have balance and transaction records.

Proof of employment or proof of study

Employees - A copy of the business license of the company in which they are employed must be stamped with the official seal.

Original letter of certification from the company’s employer (in English or Chinese with English translation). The certification letter must be written on official paper, signed by the relevant leader, dated and stamped with the official seal. The content must include:

The detailed address, telephone number and fax number of the applicant's workplace

2) The name and position of the signatory of the certification letter

3) Application Name, position, salary and working years

4) Certificate of leave permission

Students: Student ID card and original certificate of enrollment issued by the school, stamped and signed, must include: < /p>

School address, phone number

Allowed leave time

Name and position of the school leader who signed the letter

Retirees - retirement certificate and Proof of normal income.

Unemployed

If married, please provide proof of employment and financial income of your spouse, and a notarized marriage certificate certified by the local Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Single/divorced/widowed: other proof of regular income.

Minors and persons without civil capacity: visa applications can be submitted by parents or legal representatives.

The minor’s birth certificate (parents are legal guardians) must be submitted by the diplomatic Certification by the Ministry

The document issued by the competent authority proving the legal guardian must be certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

If the applicant is a minor and is traveling alone or with one parent***, the other parent/legal guardian must provide a notarized consent to travel stating that the parent or guardian personal information, duration of stay in Croatia, agreed time to travel, signature of parent/legal guardian and certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The validity period of the above-mentioned materials cannot exceed three months.

The Croatian Embassy may require you to submit materials other than the above-mentioned materials during the visa application process. International certification materials must be accompanied by translations.

Regarding notarized and certified documents submitted when submitting a visa application, we only accept original materials that have been certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing. Since the authenticity of the relevant documents cannot be verified, if the certification is made by the Provincial Foreign Affairs Office or a certified copy, it will not be accepted. Usually the visa review time is 15 calendar days, starting from the time you apply to enter the embassy.

When applying for a Croatian visa, please consider your itinerary. Although Croatia is in Europe, it is not a Schengen country. If you want to enter Croatia multiple times, you must consider whether to apply for a multiple or single visa. ; If you need to play together with Schengen countries, you should also pay attention to whether you should apply for a single or multiple visa.

Self-driving and transportation in Croatia

When you come to Croatia, of course, the first thing you should do is take a self-driving tour on Croatian Route 8. The thrilling road, the beautiful Adriatic Sea, and the old cities along the coast? , everything is so harmonious, this section of road has been promoted as a popular road by CCTV 9, and it is also a rare experience; in addition, the cost performance of self-driving is also higher, the time cost is reduced, and the route The flexibility will also bring you a more unique experience. You can drive in Croatia with a Chinese driver's license. You must first notarize and translate the driver's license. However, please note that it is best to confirm with the car dealer you want to rent a car in advance the documents for picking up the car; and what is included in the car rental fee. It also needs to be determined in advance. It’s not a big problem when driving locally. It’s just that you need to do a little homework when it comes to parking.

Friends who can’t drive or have concerns don’t have to worry. Croatia’s bus transportation is relatively convenient, and routes, ferries, railways and highways basically cover all scenic spots across the country. There are also neighboring countries. If you have enough time, taking public transport to travel through Croatia is also a good choice.

? Recommended Croatia itinerary

1. Recommended itinerary 1: Follow the "Game of Thrones" to explore the mysterious Croatian route: Domestic-Bled-Zagreb-Plitvice Lakes National Park - Zadar - Sibenik - Trogir - Split - Hvar - Dubrovnik

Recommendation: 13-15 days

Budget : 17,000-22,000/person

Route features: This is a pilgrimage for fans of historical dramas. Returning to the scenes in the drama in real scenes, it is like the reappearance of history and time and space. The intersection, do you still remember the stairs of the Great Sept of Baelor? Do you remember the port where Myrcella of House Lannis Tarne was sent to Dorne? Or maybe it was when Tyrion and Varys discussed how to resist Stannis' attack on the city walls of King's Landing. When you go to these places, the plot jumps out like a magical elf and takes you back to the scene at that time. . And this trip will visit Slovenia and Croatia, two countries full of charm. This route is very niche, but it offers unique scenery and cultural experiences. The itinerary combines natural scenery with history and culture, making the entire trip relaxing.

2. Croatian Rhapsody - Blue Dream Route on the Adriatic Coast: Budapest-Zagreb-Plitvice Lakes National Park-Zadar-Sibenik-Spli Hvar-Dubrovnik

Recommendation: 15-17 days

Budget: 14,000-17,000/person

Itinerary features: "If Your Mediterranean dream is warm weather and sapphire-like waters under the ancient city, then Croatia is the place to make your dream come true." Dubrovnik's perfect ancient city wall deep into the Adriatic Sea, Rovinj at night The peninsula scenery below and the refreshing and refreshing colors in the national park are not enough to make you want to play Croatian Rhapsody? This trip will be an in-depth exploration of Hungary and Croatia. Hungary has arranged three and a half days, so you can basically visit the more famous attractions in the city at your leisure. Croatia has included the most beautiful places, the scenery of Plitvice Lakes, the culture of Split, the beaches of Hvar Island, the old town of Dubrovnik, all the way south. This is a journey full of history and humanity.

After seeing this, do you want to take this journey impulsively like me? Be well prepared and bring this guide with you.

The body and soul are always on the road, and they meet the most beautiful self during the journey. Recently, Lan Feng will publish a brief travel guide for small countries in Eastern and Central Europe every 1 to 2 days. I hope you will like it when you are on the road.