Once part of the old Yugoslavia, Croatia is now a vibrant and rapidly developing eastern European country with an identity and culture all of its own. Independent for nearly 25 years now, its reputation as a must-see destination for UK tourists is growing year on year and it’s not hard to see why.

Stunning coastlines, beaches and picturesque old harbour towns are in abundance, and unlike a holiday experience in, say, Spain or Greece, Croatia remains largely unspoiled by the effects of decades of tourism. It also represents fantastic value in comparison to more familiar destinations, with many a bargain to be found when it comes to booking your accommodation (especially in the late season when prices can drop significantly).

Dubrovnik

One of the best places to stay in Croatia, Dubrovnik is a beautiful city that overlooks the tranquil water of the Adriatic Sea. The ancient Old Town is one of its top attractions, complete with city walls which you can walk along. It’s also famous for Stradun (or Placa), the main thoroughfare where you can have a drink in one of the many cafes and watch the world go by.

If visiting in the summer, be sure to attend the Dubrovnik Summer Festival for music, theatre and dance performances. And no trip is complete without a dip in the Adriatic; still warm enough to enjoy in autumn when the weather is less humid than during the summer months.

Croatia’s Scenic Highway

The best place to start your road trip is from Dubrovnik’s Old Town. This is where the truly breath-taking views are. Travel along the E65, Croatia’s Costal Road, which runs between the Montenegrin border and the capital city, Split.

Heading in that direction, a plethora of stunning views of islands, rivers, lakes and luscious valleys will reveal themselves to you. It’s fair to say the three-and-a-half-hour journey to Split is a unique experience. On top of that, the road’s bends and varying ascents and declines provide a fun and challenging drive to all motoring enthusiasts who like to show off their skills. But keep an eye on your speed as the roads are monitored day and night by the police!

Excess cover considerations

If you have an accident in your hire car, more often than not, you will have to pay an excess (the first part of an insurance claim) to your hire car company. For this reason, your car hire company will likely try and sell you their excess waiver insurance (EWI), which will either reduce or remove your excess.

However, purchasing EWI over the desk of your car hire company is expensive. Instead, you should consider the advice of publications such as The Guardian and buy excess insurance for a fraction of the price from a standalone provider before you travel.

Car hire insurance, the alternative option sold by iCarhireinsurance.com, is up to 70% cheaper than EWI policies sold over the desk by car hire companies. For more information about car hire excess insurance and to get a quote that will provide you with peace of mind on your last-minute road trip, click here now.