Dalmatia

Dalmatia represents the southern region of Croatia — a region situated on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea spreading between Karlobag and Boka Kotorska. Remarkable cities are Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar and Å ibenik. There are also some small cities such as Makarska, KaÅ¡tela, Solin, Knin, Ploče, Metković... All of them representing popular destinations with lots of things to see and remember. If you prefer being surrounded by sea, choose one of Dalmatia's islands such as Hvar, the sunniest island around, Brač, Å olta, Vis, Korčula, Mljet, which is also Croatia's national park, and so on.

Croatia's favorable well indented coast represents a bait for all adventurers who enjoy exploring the sea bed, mysterious caves and other areas. It seems that the numerous islands, suitable temperature and nice people always call out to tourists and everybody who is willing to spend some time in Dalmatia's paradise, to absorb the beauty of it.

The climate around the coastline is typically Mediterranean — hot and dry summers and warm rainy winters. The temperature in the inner Dalmatia is a bit different — summers are also hot but winters can be snowy. There are 4 of Croatia's national parks situated in Dalmatia — Mljet, river Krka, karst area of Paklenica and the numerous islands called Kornati.

With its distinctive karst area, Dalmatia is "protected" by a few mountains  — Kozjak, Dinara, Mosor, Svilaja, Moseć and Bikovo. The most remarkable rivers are the Cetina, the beauty of which cannot be missed, Krka also representing a national park, Zrmanja and Neretva. That area around Neretva is very popular due to tasty tangerines that grow there.

Dalmatian language is frequently referred to as Čakavian-ikavian dialect. And each city has developed its own. Every region of Croatia speaks one of Croatia's dialects and as soon as somebody starts speaking, you can immediately tell what region they come from.

Along with archaeological notabilities, the cultural treasure, pure sea and favorable climate, Dalmatia is also known for picigin (pizzighin). Picigin presents a game played all around the beaches of Croatia but somehow it seems to be the most popular in Split, played on the Split's sandy beach called Bačvice. That is the place where picigin originates from. Rules are very simple — a crowd gathers in shallow water, passing a small ball around, trying to keep it in the air for as long as possible. The ball is small, a tennis ball look-alike but without its green cover — a peeled tennis ball. The game can last for hours,  and includes splashing, running and doing other things trying to pass the ball around. The most devoted picigin fans tend to gather on the Bačvice beach and play it on New Year no matter how cold it is. They always seem to say that it is impossible to play picigin anywhere else but on Bačvice. It is their place and Splićani are known for being the masters in creating the atmosphere.

All in all, these are just words, just the guidelines. Visiting Dalmatia is something unforgettable that you must experience for yourself.