Sleeping in Croatia on a budget and in a favorable position to visit the beauties of this country. We take you to Petrcane and Hvar Island.
Croatia Island of Hvar
Everyone knows it. If you say: I go in holiday in Croatia, the first place one thinks of is Hvar. It can be reached from Split, Drvenik and Bol (Island of Brac). Hvar is the name of the island but also of the famous town. Arrived we immediately realize that it is large, rich, clean, and very popular.
As you turn it, taste the Burek: savory pies, made with ricotta or with ricotta and meat, you can find them everywhere.
If you want to get around the town, I suggest you dedicate at least 3 hours to it and get lost in the most distant alleys, without a name. In Hvar many spend their entire holiday there, it is an island well known to tourism and there is the possibility of easily reaching many other places.
Arrived, if you put your nose up you will see the majestic Spanish fortress, climbing a hundred meters high hill from which there is a breathtaking view of the Pakleni islands. From the main square where there is the Sveti Stjiepan cathedral you will soon realize that everything seems to recall Venice, it is no coincidence that the maritime republic dominated it for almost 4 centuries. The lions and the bell tower of San Marco, combined with the troublesome pigeons, will make you feel right at home.
Tip: before arriving in Hvar book a boat or taxi boat that can take you around the most suggestive coves. There are also small dinghies that can be rented for a whole day with a skipper on board who accompanies you where, when and for as long as you want. You will find places to take a swim almost everywhere, even near the marina the water is clear, imagine. The second is Petrcane, which in addition to being strategic is very economical because hardly anyone knows it.
Petrcane
We decided to find a place close but not too close to Zadar, a quiet place to sleep without the city noise that was on the sea. In our case it was Petrcane. Only 14 km away from Zadar. A very small village inhabited by many Croats. Small alleys between white houses overlooking a small port. Recommended beaches all around, but don't get too close to the Falkensteiner hotel complex. Giant glass buildings, luxurious, surrounded by an English lawn that has nothing to do with the surrounding landscape. We paid for the entrance to the beach, something that had never happened to us anywhere else and after seeing the sand we left, we preferred the usual rock where the water best expresses all its blue.
There is not much to see in Petrcane but it is in one strategic and above all quiet position. If you want to completely detach yourself from tourism and see what life is like in Croatia, this is the place.
Where and what to eat in Petrcane
If there isn't much to see, there is certainly plenty to eat! Along the provincial road you will see huge metal barbecues that housed whole pigs skewered in a tube that spins them for slow and continuous cooking.
Depending on the season in addition to the pig in these huge ovens / spit called Peka roast sheep and lamb. Cooking begins in the morning and in the evening the meat becomes soft and delicate, often accompanied by a spicy sauce (made with ground red peppers) and tender and sweet chard.
For the wines, take those of the house, they have always pleasantly surprised us. Prices will be slightly lower than bottled prices. And finally theirs typical Maraskino, sour cherry liqueur.
