Heritage? Check!

Where to begin? Croatia is an open-air museum that recounts the stories of the various civilizations that settled in the territory throughout the centuries. Starting with Dubrovnik, known as the 'Pearl of the Adriatic': the preservation of the city's architectural heritage - with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque examples - has faced multiple challenges throughout history - such as the 1667 earthquake and the armed conflicts of the 1990s - but it has rightfully earned UNESCO World Heritage status.

It is also worth visiting the religious monuments of Porec, which date back to the 4th century CE and are considered some of the oldest buildings of its kind in the entire world, as well as the city of Trogir and the Historical Complex of Split, which includes (among many others) the ruins of the palace built for the Roman emperor Diocletian, and which is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage.

And because nature is also heritage, and tourists are increasingly interested in heritage, don't forget to visit the beautiful Plitvice Lakes National Park. Lakes, streams, waterfalls, trees stretching as far as the eye can see, hues and sparkles will be recorded forever as part of your personal history.

Cuisine? Check!

You just have to look at the map to infer that Croatian cuisine includes influences, features and even ingredients from some of the most delicious traditions in the world. But that doesn't make it any less distinctive, and there are plenty of specialties to choose from.

With many dishes created to feed a lot of people - groups of friends, families, communities - the menu is diverse and offers delicious portraits of the country and its various regions.

Čobanac, for instance, is a dish that used to be prepared by and for shepherds from the Slavonia region; it's a meat stew that takes many hours to cook, which of course enhances all its flavors.

Another example is Šporki Makaruli, a traditional pasta dish from Dubrovnik that tells the story of the people from this city. Zagorje's Štruklis are so popular in Croatia and closely associated with the country's traditions that they have been listed - along with the recipe, which involves pasta, cheese and an oven! - - as Croatia's Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Be sure to explore the rich Croatian cuisine. You will find a wide variety of cheeses and wines, seafood, delicious meat, and an incredible plethora of desserts. This entire trip will delight all your senses.