Fodor’s Croatia and Slovenia
A Travel Guidebook on Two Balkan Countries
Croatia is hitting the must-see list in Europe, and its smaller neighbour Slovenia can't be far behind - so check if the Fodor's guide to these Balkan nations suits you.
Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast is becoming a major tourist destination, and other parts of Croatia and its neighbour Slovenia are also full of great towns and sights to see. In 2006 the first Fodor’s guide to Croatia and Slovenia was published, recognising the growing demand for travel information on the area.
Features of Fodor’s Croatia and Slovenia
Following the patterns of tourist visits at the moment, about three quarters of Fodor’s guide is devoted to Croatia, with the smaller “back section” given over to Slovenia. In the first fifty pages, a lot of planning information is provided. This includes an interesting section named “Quintessential Croatia and Slovenia” and three different one week itineraries: Slovenia and Istria, Zagreb and the interior, and the Dalmatian Coast.
After these introductory pages, some two hundred more are devoted to Croatia. These are divided into seven chapters by region, including Zagreb, Slavonia, Istria, Kvarner, Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik, and the areas surrounding them. The first page of each chapter features quotes from “real travellers” as drawn from the Fodor’s web forum, with tips on what shouldn’t be missed in each area of the country. Each chapter also offers itineraries for the region, usually of 3, 5 or 7 days in length. Then there are sightseeing tips, walks, shopping, nightlife and where to stay, along with so-called CloseUp boxes which describe interesting cultural and historical stories about different parts of Croatia.
The chapter on Slovenia is arranged in a very similar way, starting out in the capital Ljubljana and then describing the country regions of the country. The problem here, of course, is that just one chapter devoted to an entire country – especially one as beautiful as Slovenia – is just not enough.
Is the Fodor’s Guide to Croatia and Slovenia For You?
The first question to ask is – are you really only visiting Croatia or do you want to experience Slovenia too? For a Croatian itinerary, with perhaps a day or two in Ljubljana or at Lake Bled, then this guide will give you enough coverage. But if you plan to spend any significant amount of time in Slovenia, you’ll need something more. Also, considering how much this area featured in the headlines in recent decades, the history section tends to skim over the involvement of Croatia in the conflict.
Otherwise, it’s generally a well-written and information guide book, with suggestions for people travelling on different budgets and with various interests. There are also quite a lot of nice snapshot articles that make interesting reading if you’re waiting for a train or relaxing in your hotel.
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