Our Favorite
Hop Over Spots
Extend your Croatian Adventure by exploring some of Europe's most incredible cities.
Whether it's a quick overnight stay or just a few days, these places pair perfectly with your trip to Croatia.
Vienna, Austria
Elegant, Grand & Worth More Than a Day
Vienna absolutely stunned us. It's grand, elegant, and filled with so much history that everywhere you turn there seems to be something else to take in.
We stayed in the heart of the city, where cobblestone pedestrian streets lead to magnificent architecture, incredible shopping, cafés, restaurants, and reminders of Vienna's extraordinary cultural past.
And then there's the food. We couldn't visit Vienna without trying bratwurst and sauerkraut from a street vendor, followed later by an unforgettable Wiener schnitzel at a restaurant tucked away from the busiest streets.
There are plenty of fun ways to explore, too. Horse-drawn carriages travel through the historic center, but we chose a chauffeur-driven vintage car tour—a memorable way to see the city.
Our only mistake? Thinking one day would be enough. Vienna is already on our list for a return visit.
Highlights:
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History, Culture
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St. Stephen's Cathedral
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Food, Shopping
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Architecture
Graz, Austria
Charming city with so much to see
Graz was one of those places we didn't expect to love as much as we did. Quaint streets filled with shops, cafés, and restaurants made simply wandering through the city part of the experience—and deciding where to eat surprisingly difficult.
There's something almost magical about Graz. We loved strolling the streets, browsing the shops, and simply taking in the atmosphere without feeling the need to rush from one attraction to another.
Why we loved it: Graz was an unexpected discovery—charming, walkable, and the perfect place to simply wander and enjoy.
Highlights:
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Historic Old Town
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Local Shops
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Cozy Cafes & Local cuisine
Venice, Italy
A Place Everyone Should Experience Once
Venice hardly needs an introduction. We spent four days here with our family, and even though it wasn't originally on our bucket list, it became an experience we'll never forget.
There are no cars—life moves along the canals and through winding pedestrian streets filled with endless places to shop, dine, and explore. And while a gondola ride may be one of those quintessential Venice experiences, we recommend saving it for after dark. Gliding through the quiet canals at night, listening to our gondolier sing as we passed beneath the Rialto Bridge and alongside centuries-old palaces was pure magic.
Even if Venice isn't on your bucket list, it's one of those places we believe everyone should experience at least once.
Another reason we love it as a Hop Over Spot: Venice pairs beautifully with Croatia and can even be visited by ferry from Rovinj.
Highlights:
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Gondola ride through canals
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St. Mark's Square
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Rialto Bridge
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Local Markets
Budapest, Hungary
Grand, Beautiful & Deeply Connected to Croatia
Budapest is a grand city with magnificent architecture and a history you can feel as you explore it. From the Danube and its beautiful bridges to the historic buildings lining both Buda and Pest, there is so much to take in.
One of the things we enjoyed most was the food. Hungary's culinary traditions had a strong influence on inland Croatian cooking during centuries of shared history, so many of the flavors felt surprisingly familiar. Hearty dishes, paprika, meats, stews, and pastries offered another interesting connection between our Hop Over destination and Croatia.
For us, Budapest wasn't simply another European capital—it gave us a chance to experience some of the history and flavors that helped shape parts of Croatia itself.
Why we loved it: Beautiful architecture, fascinating history, incredible food, and an unexpected Croatian connection.
Highlights:
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History, Architecture
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Food
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Culture
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Danube Views
Brugge, Belgium
A Storybook Town with a Seaside Surprise
Bruges feels like stepping into a storybook. Just about an hour by train from Brussels, its cobblestone streets, picturesque canals, charming shops, and historic architecture make simply wandering through town part of the experience.
And then there's the chocolate. Spend the afternoon popping into local chocolatiers, browsing the shops, and stopping for lunch or a drink at one of the restaurants along the canals. Even the train ride from Brussels gives you a chance to see more of the Belgian countryside.
If you're feeling adventurous, stay on the train a little longer and continue to Blankenberge, a seaside town along the North Sea. The wide beach, boardwalk, and North Sea are quite a contrast to Croatia's Adriatic—and exactly the kind of unexpected side adventure we love adding to our travels.
Why we loved it: Storybook charm, chocolate, canals, and an easy opportunity to turn one day trip into two completely different experiences.
Highlights:
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Markt Square & Belfry Tower
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Canal boat tour
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Belgian chocolate & waffles
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Local breweries
Croatian Adventurers Travel Tips:
Best to stay at a Hotel in the city your visiting for convenience.
Don't rent a car. Rely on UBER, Public Transportation or hotel transfer service.
Why We Love Adding Hop Over Spots
Whether you spend two days wandering Venice before sailing Croatia's coast, enjoy Vienna's coffee houses after your cruise, or explore Prague before flying home, a Hop Stop transforms one vacation into two unforgettable adventures.
It's one of our favorite ways to experience more of Europe—and we'd love to help you plan the perfect Hop-Spot as part of your Croatian adventure.
