Croatia: Calais to Split

Lake Bled, Slovenia Member photo by Colin Williams

Croatia: Calais to Split

Explore a Mediterranean treasure with a tour of Croatia. From natural wonders like Plitvice Lakes and Krka National Park to fascinating historical cities including Dubrovnik, Split and Zagreb, Croatia also boasts some of the most idyllic beaches you'll ever see. With over 1700km of coast on the mainland and over 4000km on the 1246 islands, there are numerous coves and inlets to discover.

We have compiled two route suggestions from Calais in France down to Split in Croatia. One for those who want to explore at a leisurely pace and another for those who wish to get there quick, a shorter, more direct route.

Stopover 1: Camping de Strasbourg, Grand-Est (Club ref: J10)

Calais - Reims - Strasbourg

Stay at: Camping de Strasbourg, Grand-Est (Club ref: J10)

  • Close to the delightful city of Strasbourg, reachable on foot in 30 minutes, Camping de Strasbourg is a popular campsite with facilities including a heated pool, a restaurant and a bar.
  • Enroute from Calais to Strasbourg, stop off in Reims and go on a guided tour of the Veuve Clicquot champagne vineyards. 
  • Explore the Northern Vosges Regional Nature Park with its wealth of attractions.
  • Head to the centre of Strasbourg, thought to be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and see the uniquely painted houses, take a walk along the canal of Petite France and visit the Cathedral with its intricate carvings.

Visit Camping de Strasbourg campsite

Stopover 2: Camping Erlach, Switzerland (Club ref: S17)

Strasbourg - Bassel - Lucerne

Stay at: Camping Erlach, Switzerland (Club ref: S17)

  • Located at Lake Biel with direct access to the lake, Camping Erlach is a peaceful campsite where you can enjoy evening sunsets from the lakefront.
  • All the pitches have electric hook-up and there is one on-site restaurant with views of the lake, that serves regional dishes using local produce.
  • The charming village of Erlach is close by and has plenty of historic sites and landmarks to visit.
  • Spend the day on a scenic walk on the circular route St. Petersinsel Walk, which is surrounded by the idyllic Bielersee lake.

Visit Camping Erlach campsite

Stopover 3: Baia Verde, Italy (Club ref: Y19)

Como - Milan - Salo

Stay at: Baia Verde, Italy (Club ref: Y19)

  • Set on the edge of Lake Garda, Baia Verde campsite has direct access to the beach infront.
  • The campsite boasts excellent facilities including a restaurant and bar, a delightful swimming pool as well as a whirlpool and solarium.
  • Experience the wonders of Lake Garda with a boat cruise excursion.
  • Head to the wonderful city of Verona, just over a hour from the campsite, and visit the 3000 year old infamous Arena di Verona, the Roman amphitheatre in Piazza Bra.

Visit Baia Verde campsite

Stopover 4: Ca'Savio, Italy (Club ref: Y02)

Salo - Verona - Venice

Stay at: Ca'Savio, Italy (Club ref: Y02)

  • Ca'Savio is a large, family-run campsite set on a stunning Blue Flag beach. 
  • Enjoy an abundance of facilities including two separate swimming pool complexes with snack bars, two restaurants, a well-stocked supermarket and an ice cream bar.
  • A day trip across the lagoon to the city of Venice is a must, where you can experience the famous gondala boat rides.
  • Rent a traditional, hand-crafted Venetian boat and travel in style to visit some of the local swimming spots on the Laguna Veneta.
  • Head to Padua, the oldest city in Northern Italy, 90 minutes drive from the campsite. There you can visit the world's first Botanical Garden that was created in 1545 as well as viewing all beautiful and well-preserved architecture within in the city.

Visit Ca'Savio campsite

Stopover 5: Park Umag, Croatia (Club ref: X11)

Venice - Trieste - Umag

Stay at: Park Umag, Croatia (Club ref: X11)

  • The large resort style campsite of Park Umag is situated on the Istrian peninsula that is famous for its wines and olive oil.
  • The campsite has its own private beach where you can swim and snorkel amongst the rocks or take a stroll along the main beach path to Canova Bay.
  • There are plenty of facilities on-site including a number of bars and restaurants, as well as food trucks serving national and international dishes to suit all tastes.
  • Enjoy a pleasant stroll into the centre of Umag, with its narrow, cobbled streets of the old town. Here you can see the remains of the old town walls which originally stems from the 10th century.
  • Head south from the campsite to the town of Fažana, known as Istria's little jewel. From here you take a boat trip out to visit the Brijuni Islands, a collection of 14 islands and islets.

Visit Park Umag campsite

Stopover 6: Galeb, Croatia (Club ref: X02)

Rijeka - Zadar - Split

Stay at: Galeb, Croatia (Club ref: X02)

  • With the stunning, rocky backdrop, Galeb campsite is situated where the River Cetina and the Adriatic sea meet, making it a perfect location for water sport activities.
  • The campsite itself has a swimming pool and direct access to the beach. There's also a restaurant and a pizzeria onsite, or venture into the town of Omiš, just 800m away where there is a selection of restaurants and bars to try.
  • Located on Croatia's Dalmatian coast, Omiš was once a famous pirate town in the Middle Ages and is well worth a visit.
  • A regular bus service runs from outside the campsite to Split, the second largest city. Here you can explore the fortress-like complex of Diocletian's Palace, see the stunning Krka Waterfalls or tour the 'Game of Thrones' filming locations.

Visit Galeb campsite

Stopover 1: Camping de Strasbourg, Grand-Est (Club ref: J10)

Calais - Reims - Strasbourg

Stay at: Camping de Strasbourg, Grand-Est (Club ref: J10)

  • Just 30 minutes' walk from the charming city of Strabourg, Camping de Strasbourg is a sought-after campsite featuring a heated swimming pool, a restaurant and a bar.
  • Take a guided tour of the Veuve Clicquot champagne vineyards as you pass through Reims on your way from Calais to Strasbourg.
  • Discover all the attractions at the Northern Vosges Regional Nature Park.
  • Explore Strasbourg's city centre, regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Take in the distinctively painted houses, stroll along the canal of Petite France and view the exquisite carvings in the Cathedral.

Visit Camping de Strasbourg campsite

Stopover 2: Lech Camping, Germany (Club ref: G19)

Karlsruhe - Stuttgart - Augsburg

Stay at: Lech Camping, Germany (Club ref: G19)

  • Lech is a modern, pristinely kept, family-run campsite, where guests can enjoy the private swimming lake and take advantage of free surfboards and boats to use during their stay.
  • Located just 5km away is the ancient city of Augsburg, the largest on the Romantic Road. Visit many historical buildings and palaces as well as the popular Mozarthaus Augsburg, a museum dedicated to the life and work of Mozart.
  • Children of all ages will be enthralled with a visit to Legoland in Günzburg, just 40 minutes from the campsite.
  • Head to Bavaria's capital, Munich, approximately 75 minutes drive. Known for its annual Oktoberfest celebration and its beer halls, Munich also boasts one of the country's most beautiful squares, Marienplatz.

Visit Lech Camping campsite

Stopover 3: Pivka Jama, Slovenia (Club ref: X09)

Munich - Salzburg - Ljubljana

Stay at: Pivka Jama, Slovenia (Club ref: X09)

  • Located in a forest, the peaceful campsite of Pivka Jama has carefully maintained pitches, dotted between the trees to manage guests privacy.
  • Depending on the time of year you visit, there is a swimming pool available in peak months and a restaurant that offers traditional dishes.
  • The Postojna area is renowned for its limestone caves and Pivka James contains its own cave network. Staff can even help organise day trips to the nearby Postojna Caves. 
  • Sitting atop of a 123m high cliff, just 5km from the campsite, is the ancient Predjama Castle, one of the world's largest cave-based fortresses.
  • Just over an hour away is the stunningly beautiful Lake Bled, with its calm waters where you can swim or hire a rowboat.

Visit Pivka Jama campsite

Stopover 4: Zaton Holiday Resort, Croatia (Club ref: X14)

Rijeka - Slunj - Zadar

Stay at: Zaton Holiday Resort, Croatia (Club ref: X14)

  • Located on the Dalmatian Coast, Zaton Holiday Resort is a stunning campsite with a wonderful swimming pool complex and a beautiful sandy beach, perfect for a wide range of activities including parasailing, water skiing, windsurfing, jet-skiing and a dive centre.
  • Just 2km from the campsite is Nin, the oldest city in Croatia. Not only is it known for having one of the most beautiful beaches, it is also home to the smallest cathedral in the world.
  • Less than 30 minutes from the campsites is the quirky seaside city of Zadar. With its fascinating historic centre, enviable dining choices and sprawling national parks within easy reach, it is definitely worth a day trip or two.

Visit Zaton Holiday Resort campsite

Stopover 5: Galeb, Croatia (Club ref: X02)

Zadar - Split

Stay at: Galeb, Croatia (Club ref: X02)

  • Galeb campsite, with its striking, rocky backdrop, is the ideal location for water sport activities as its located where the River Cetina and the Adriatic sea meet.
  • Boasting a swimming pool and direct access to the beach, the campsite also has a restaurant and a pizzeria onsite. Alternatively, head into the town of Omiš, which is only 800m away and explore its array of restaurants and bars.
  • Located on the Dalmatian coast, Omiš was once known as a famous medieval pirate town.
  • Regular buses to Split, the second largest city in Croatia, leave from outside the campsite. Discover the imposing Diocletian's Palace, take in the breathtaking Krka Waterfalls or tour the 'Game of Thrones' filming locations.

Visit Galeb campsite

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