Croatia Archives - Pale Ale Travel

Croatia’s Legal Drinking Age as Explained by a Karlovačko-Loving Guy

May 13, 2024May 13, 2024Croatia, Europe, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

Moving to Croatia for three months in the dead of winter was completely unexpected for this Big Body. I hadn’t thoroughly thought out my then year in Europe and was, of course, required to leave the Schengen Region after 90 days (this was before Croatia joined the Schengen Area in January 2023). Either way, in the middle of winter in Zagreb and Split, Croatia, one of the only things I could do was drink. And drink I did (Karlovačkos for the win).

From hole-in-the-wall pašticada (a popular braised beef dish) haunts where I’d inevitably get talked into shots of rakija with the bartender, to cozy Zagreb wine bars with the woman I was (then) dating, honey-infused craft beers with cevapis (an absolute must if you travel to Croatia), and shots of slivovitz with one of my best friends when he somehow found himself crashing on my couch, I was more than pleasantly surprised by Croatia’s drinking Rolodex and scene.

Note: Unfortunately, I’m not cool enough to pop champagne bottles on any of those yachts in the Adriatic but I’d be remiss not to mention that is another storied Croatian booze pastime.

With Croatia having become almost the de facto Balkan destination for travelers and a digital nomad’s dream (thanks to the introduction of the digital nomad residence permit launched in 2021), a question that might pop up if you’re planning on doing a gap year there, from a country like me (the U.S.) where the drinking age is still the dreaded ‘21’, or heading over with family, is ‘What is the legal drinking age in Croatia?’.

Here’s a bit about Croatia’s drinking age and culture and what I loved about my time living in Split, Croatia.

Plac Kitchen & Grill: a Zagreb Meat & Beer Haven

November 10, 2020November 10, 2020Croatia, Europe, Food BigBody Leave a Comment

Coming hot off a smooth, comfortable, and quick bus ride from Budapest to Zagreb, I found myself in a new city and in dire need of meat. After some quick Googling, I settled on a small little cevapi joint located right near the Dolac Market in Zagreb’s city center.

If you’re reading this and unsure of what a cevapi is, I also had no idea upon first arriving in Zagreb. However, you are about to find out exactly what makes a cevapi all that is right in this turbulent world.

Little did I know that the cevapi and I would go on to have a passionate, addictive, and beautiful three month affair during my time in Split, Croatia (and a short stint in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina). For that, I have Plac Kitchen & Grill to thank.

Let’s get into exactly what a cevapi is and why Plac Kitchen & Grill should be on your radar when traveling to (or through) Zagreb, Croatia.

3 Must-Try Cafes & Coffee Shops in Split, Croatia

April 13, 2020October 10, 2020Coffee & Cafés, Croatia, Europe BigBody Leave a Comment

I originally moved to Croatia as it was one of the closest places I could enter for 3 months after my time in the Schengen Area had expired (90 days). I didn’t have any preconceptions before I first moved, and originally planned to spend my slotted three months in Zagreb. However, after taking a trip down to Split in the first week of December, 2019, I felt at home and shifted plans.

I ended up staying the next three months (just about), in Split, Croatia, and really made myself at home. The below three cafes were all a big part of my life and daily routine while there and absolutely worth checking out.

Renting a Luxury Apartment in Split, Croatia

March 21, 2020December 1, 2022Croatia, Europe, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

One of the biggest reasons I stayed in Split, Croatia for so long was because I absolutely loved my apartment. Split is hands down a seasonal city, with the bulk of visitors heading there every summer to hit the beach, check out the outlying islands, and scoot around the Adriatic Sea on a yacht – so I imagine renting a luxury apartment in Split in the summer can be extremely cutthroat, and potentially overpriced.

However, I’m going to walk you through a bit about the luxury apartment I stayed in, what made it the best apartment I’ve ever rented, and where you can look online to rent luxury apartments in Split, Croatia.

Let’s get started!

4-Star Canopy By Hilton Zagreb City Centre Croatia Hotel Review

March 14, 2020May 15, 2024Croatia, Europe, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

During my six month stint in Europe, I mainly stuck to Airbnbs (and found some great ones). But sometimes you just want to treat yourself for one or two nights. I did that during the last night of my near-three month stay in Croatia and booked the Canopy By Hilton Zagreb. I wasn’t disappointed.

Below, I’m going to take you through why you should definitely consider booking the Canopy By Hilton if you are passing through Zagreb or staying the week.

Split to Mostar Bus: What You Can Expect

March 14, 2020May 10, 2020Bosnia, Croatia, Europe, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

I’m on a bit of a roll with writing bus travel posts, so I might as well continue. It can help ease your mind when travelling, knowing exactly what you can expect when crossing into a new country. Mostar, Bosnia is one of the most underrated cities I have ever been to, so this trip is a must for anyone travelling through Croatia (or the Balkans in general). Luckily, the Split to Mostar bus (or Dubrovnik to Mostar bus) is extremely efficient, comfy, and clean, so there are no excuses for not seeing this incredible city.

Taking the bus from Split to Mostar (Bosnia) is extremely painless, and I’m disappointed in myself that I didn’t realize just how close Bosnia actually was (hint: very close).

Zagreb to Split Bus: Croatia Bus Travel

March 13, 2020March 13, 2020Croatia, Europe, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

Whenever I travel in a country, I always second guess myself and seek out a third-party breakdown of what I can expect when getting from Point A to Point B. Unfortunately, there aren’t many write-ups on what you can expect when taking the bus in Croatia…until now. As someone who took the train from Zagreb to Split, I can assure you that this is not the means of transportation that you want to use unless you (a) absolutely have to, or (b) enjoy an incredibly slow (yet scenic) journey. Other than renting a car, taking the bus is your only real (efficient) option.

Below is a quick breakdown of how to book your bus tickets from Zagreb to Split (and vice versa), what you can expect, and more.

Leaving the Schengen Area: Budapest to Zagreb Bus

December 26, 2019October 10, 2020Croatia, Europe, Hungary, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

If you’ve read my post on my visa run from Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam to Phnom Penh, Cambodia via the Giant Ibis bus, there’s a good chance you’re thinking I’m not a bus person. The truth is I didn’t think I was either. That was until I took FlixBus from Budapest, Hungary to Zagreb, Croatia.

When trying to find the best (and most efficient) route from Budapest to Zagreb, I really came up empty online. Everyone warned against the train (which I am usually quite fond of) due to its lengthy time, occasional train changes (sometimes requiring walking or having to hop on a bus), and interior conditions. I just wanted to get to Zagreb as quickly and smoothly as possible. FlixBus did the job.

If you’re curious as to why this was one of the smoothest bus rides I’ve ever taken and why I will definitely be using FlixBus again (already have), then continue on!