Dubrovnik & Istria on New York Times’ 52 Places to Go in 2017 List

by croatiaweek
January 4, 2017
in Travel

Dubrovnik (photo credit: Joseph Kukets)

Last year it was the southern Dalmatian island of Korčula, now this year Dubrovnik and Istria have made its way on the prestigious list.

The New York Times, which is one of the world’s most read publications, have recommend readers to visit Dubrovnik and Istria on its annual list of 52 Places to Go in 2017.

Ranked in 6th spot on the list, Dubrovnik is described to readers as a gem on the Dalmatian Coast.

Dubrovnik (photo credit: Bracodbk under CC)

“With its limestone-paved streets and 80-foot-high walls surrounding Old Town, this star of the Dalmatian Coast has long been able to rest on its aesthetic laurels — you might recognize it as King’s Landing on “Game of Thrones.” In recent years, though, it has been adding to the luster”, David Farley for the New York Times writes before adding.

“This summer, the city is starting an electric-scooter sharing program, allowing for locals and visitors to zip up and down the coast to more private beaches. The four-star beachside Hotel Kompas is a comfy addition to the scene, and the long-awaited renovation of the grande dame Hotel Excelsior will be finished in June. The new restaurant Portrait is serving elevated takes on Dalmatian fare in Old Town.”

Game of Thrones filming in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik was in the TOP 6 with the likes of Canada, Atacama Desert in Chile, Agra in India, Zermatt in Switzerland and Botswana.

In 41st spot on the list was Istria.

“Long overshadowed by Dalmatia to the south, Croatia’s Istria region is gaining new attention thanks to developments like Family Hotel Amarin, a child-friendly, 280-room beach resort that opened last year, and the Valamar Isabella, which opened on tiny Sveti Nikola island in 2015. Boutique lodgings have popped up in charming fishing towns like Novigrad, home to the 13-room Rivalmare. Thankfully, Istria’s other attractions — Roman ruins, fresh truffles, great wines and incredible seafood — are timeless”, Evan Rail writes.

Rovinj in Istria (photo: Rovinj Tourist Board)

So how did the New York Times select its list?

“We discuss the merits and drawbacks of each suggested destination in a marathon-length meeting (or two) before cutting down the list. Our main goal is to have a variety of regions and interests, with some surprises mixed in. We also try for a mix of scale, including cities, regions and even entire countries.”