Jane Cody, author of the Croatia Cruising Companion and prolific blogger on all things Croatian, discovers some very special places where you can get back to nature in Croatia, without compromising on comfort and style.

In the previous article the topic of glamping on the coast of Croatia was discussed. Here Jane continues with a breakdown of some of the best glamping sites of inland Croatia.

Paklenica

Inland Croatia arguably lends itself even better to Glamping than the coastal region, not least because there are fewer tourists and the scenery is wilder and more dramatic. Whilst there are very few traditional campsites inland, the lower volume of tourists does make “boutique” style accommodation relatively more widespread and Glamping is growing fast, particularly in Lika which counts the Velebit Mountains and Paklenica National Park amongst its bountiful natural assets and neighbours.

For those that really want to connect with nature, it’s difficult to find a better example of enterprise and style than Linden Tree Retreat and Ranch, located within Velebit Nature Park, in a valley at the base of the Velebit Mountains. Spread over 50 acres it specialises in western horseback riding but offers much more besides including, in the summer, canoeing, hiking, mountain biking and caving. After a hard day’s summer adventuring there’s the shade of the Secret Garden or the peace of the library, and in winter you can enjoy a heated Jacuzzi and light the wood stove in your mountain lodge, while you relax in the luxury of your thick feather bed.

And whilst you might think you are in the middle of nowhere, Nikola Tesla’s birthplace and museum is an easy bike ride from the ranch, and Zadar, Plitvice Lakes and Zagreb are all within a couple of hours drive or less.

For accommodation you can choose from a true Glamping experience, in a genuine American Indian Tipi, or cheat a little and go for a more permanent structure like a lodge, cabin, Casita or en-suite room. To add to the Glamping authenticity, the tipis are made by the same people who made the tipis for Kevin Costner’s movie “Dances With Wolves” and are just as cosy when it is cold and/or wet. Guests staying in tipis have their own detached private bathrooms close by, fully equipped with hot water shower, toilet, bathrobes, slippers and toiletries.

The other facilities are pretty special too – apart from the horses, and all that goes with that, there’s a saloon for indoor dining, The Square for outdoor dining, and a Studio Hall for Yoga, films and other entertainment. Most of all though you’ll be buying into the philosophy of the Yercovich family and team – the sustainability and authenticity of an ‘old west’ ranch that offers a soulful retreat to its visitors and is in complete harmony with its surroundings, so much so that it is often used as a location for filming.

The Lakota Tepis’ accommodate up to 3 people and will cost €106 per night plus tourist tax. That includes access to the hot tub, private cinema, library (books, CDs and DVDs), board games, riding helmets, cowboy hats, rain coats, Wellington boots, hiking poles and free satellite Wi-Fi. All you can eat breakfasts and four course dinners are around 100 and 200 kunas per person respectively. There’s a separate price list for activities and excursions, and also some special packages.

Wherever you are in Croatia, you can be pretty sure there’s already a great Glamping option nearby and, if the current speed of Glamping growth is anything to go by, there will be plenty more Glampsites to come.

More from Jane Cody on www.croatiaonline.blogspot.co.uk and www.croatiacruisingcompanion.blogspot.co.uk