Steve's post about combining Italy and Croatia in one trip got me thinking about the differences between traveling in the two countries.
The missus and I had this discussion over a glass of wine the other night and we both agree; it is much less of a hassle to travel with young children in Croatia, then in Italy.
Don't get me wrong - we love bella Italia, and dream of returning in the not-too-distant-future.
But after a family trip to Italy in 2004, followed by two family trips to Croatia in 05/06, we've decided Croatia was undoubtedly the easier place to vacation.
It's easier to eat out: most restaurants open at 11 and stay open straight through dinner-time. None of this trying to thread-the-needle with the opening/closing hours of Italian restaurants. Want lunch at 11:30 and dinner at 5:30? No problem finding a Croatian restaurant that will greet you, seat you, and feed you well. And there's no pressure - blatant or subtle - to order several courses.
It's easier to shop: again, most shops stay open "non-stop." None of this "closed on Tuesdays, open 9:15 to 11:15, then 7:00 to 9:30, except on Fridays, etc" that you get in Italy.
It's easier to feel "dressed": the Italian concept of "bella figura" is a beautiful thing, but there's something to be said for the relaxed attitude in Croatia, where in many places getting "dressed" means putting on a clean tee-shirt. In Dubrovnik and Hvar we shined up a bit before going out, but everywhere else we felt comfortable taking a very relaxed and casual approach in our dress.
The first time we visited Croatia, my wife and I packed as we would have for two weeks in Italy, and didn't wear half of what we brought. This year we each cut back by a third or so and *still* overpacked.
It's easier to hit the beach: as much as we get a kick out of the Italian beach club scene, we really love the wide-open (and free) beach access you find on the Dalmatian coast. It's a former Socialist nation, so there's very little "private" beach anywhere in Croatia.
Please don't read this as an argument that Italy should become more like Croatia; I don't feel that way in the slightest. I admire the lifestyle in Italy, and I think it's wonderful the country holds on to its Italianismo-way of doing things.
But I think sometimes it even gets to the Italians! Case in point - we stopped at 6:30 one night in Hvar to eat at Gastionica Junior. As we enjoyed our meal al fresco - two Italian families totaling eight people stopped by to ask the owner about dinner that night. Could they have these two tables at 8:15? No? How about those two tables at 8:30? Fine, but could she move that plant? Everyone will want mussels alla buzzara - then did she recommend the dentex or breem? And did the pasta con gamberetti come with linguini or spaghetti? Etc etc etc to the point a teenage girl in the group let out a loud sigh and said "can't we just show up and order off the menu?"
Italy and Croatia - both wonderful in different ways. Croatia is "more wonderful" for us, at this point in our lives.
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