Wondering what time of year you should choose when planning a trip to Croatia? It's a great place to travel to at any time from the spring through the fall. Summer is the most popular time to explore Croatia—the daytime average temperatures are around 80F in July and August.

If cooler temperatures are more appealing to you, the off-season (from mid-March through May and late September through November) is also a nice time to join tours around Croatia. No matter which season you choose to travel in, you'll find something to love about this country. The best time to visit Croatia depends on your preferences.

Guided tours of Croatia are the best way to get to know the country. You'll have a mix of planned sightseeing activities with local guides, plus free time to explore at your own pace.

Croatia is set on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeastern Europe. It offers a little bit of everything: seaside towns, sprawling national parks, and urban hubs. Some must-visit spots in Croatia are the old city walls of Dubrovnik, Diocletian's Palace in Split, the Sea Organ in Zadar, and Mirogoj Cemetery in Zagreb. Nature lovers can't miss Plitvice Lakes National Park, where sixteen lakes are joined by interconnected waterfalls and lush forests. See all these sites on our Croatia & Slovenia: The Old-World Adriatic tour which takes you through the best of the country, from the coast up to the capital city. Another way to get to Dubrovnik? By boat, on an Italy, the Adriatic & Greek Islands Cruise.

Part of the fun of being on Croatia group tours is tasting new things with your fellow travelers! When you join in on our Croatia vacation packages, rest easy knowing that select meals are included. That means you'll have the chance to sample traditional Balkan dishes—perhaps even ones you've never heard of before. You never know what will become your new favorite meal.

Some dishes to try include:

• Grilled seafood, especially along the coast
• Ćevapi, grilled sausages served with pita bread and ajvar, a red pepper and garlic relish
• Duvec, vegetables and meat
• Moussaka, eggplant and minced meat
• Sarma, cabbage rolls stuffed with spiced minced meat and rice

Our biggest piece of advice for traveling is to pack light. Check the weather forecast to see what the temperature will be like before heading out on one of our Croatia tours. We recommend packing one suitcase and one carry-on bag per traveler for Croatia escorted tours so you can get around with ease.

Some must-haves to be sure to bring in your bag? Lightweight clothing, a good pair of comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and sunglasses are all key items. Bring a camera too! Once you've reserved one of our Croatia tour packages, we'll send you details about what to expect on tour and what to bring with you. You can also download the Go Ahead Tour Companion app before you take off, so you’ll have all the info you need about your trip right in your pocket.