A middle class, Midwestern family in search of meaning uproot themselves and move to their ancestral village in Croatia. "We can look at this in two ways," Jim wrote, always the pragmatist. "We can panic and scrap the whole idea. Or we can take this as a sign. They're saying the economy is going to get worse before it gets better. Maybe this is the kick in the pants we needed to do something completely different. There will always be an excuse not to go..." And that, friends, is how a typically sane middle-aged mother decided to drag her family back to a forlorn mountain village in the backwoods of Croatia. So begins author Jennifer Wilson's journey in Running Away to Home. Jen, her architect husband, Jim, and their two children had been living the typical soccer- and ballet-practice life in the most Middle American of places: Des Moines, Iowa. They overindulged themselves and their kids, and as a family they were losing one another in the rush of work, school, and activities. One day, Jen and her husband looked at each other–both holding their Starbucks coffee as they headed out to their SUV in the mall parking lot, while the kids complained about the inferiority of the toys they just got–and asked themselves: "Is this the American dream? Because if it is, it sort of sucks." Jim and Jen had always dreamed of taking a family sabbatical in another country, so when they lost half their savings in the stock-market crash, it seemed like just a crazy enough time to do it. High on wanderlust, they left the troubled landscape of contemporary America for the Croatian mountain village of Mrkopalj, the land of Jennifer's ancestors. It was a village that seemed hermetically sealed for the last one hundred years, with a population of eight hundred (mostly drunken) residents and a herd of sheep milling around the post office. For several months they lived like locals, from milking the neighbor's cows to eating roasted pig on a spit to desperately seeking the village recipe for bootleg liquor. As the Wilson-Hoff family struggled to stay sane (and warm), what they found was much deeper and bigger than themselves.

Stroll Dubrovnik's ancient walls, hike the idyllic Julian Alps, and set sail on the glimmering Adriatic: with Rick Steves on your side, Croatia and Slovenia can be yours! Inside Rick Steves Croatia & Slovenia you'll find: Comprehensive coverage for spending a week or more in Croatia and Slovenia, with side trips to Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites Top sights and hidden gems, from Roman ruins in the heart of bustling Split to stunning waterfalls and mountains in Slovenia How to connect with culture: Taste wines at a vineyard in Hvar, tour museums and Baroque churches in Zagreb, and sample seafood fresh from the Adriatic at an open-air market in Dubrovnik Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight The best places to eat, sleep, and relax with a glass of local wine Self-guided walking tours of lively towns and fascinating museums Detailed maps for exploring on the go Useful resources including a packing list, Slovenian and Croatian phrase books, a historical overview, and recommended reading Over 800 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you down Complete, up-to-date information on Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Istria, Split, Hvar, Korcula, Dubrovnik, the Bay of Kotor, Mostar, Sarajevo, Ljubljana, Lake Bled, the Julian Alps, Logarska Dolina and the Northern Valleys, Ptuj, Maribor, the Karst, Piran, and more Make the most of every day and every dollar with Rick Steves Croatia & Slovenia.

"The Complete Travel Guide Series" offers a comprehensive exploration of diverse destinations worldwide. Each book provides detailed insights into local culture, history, attractions, and practical travel tips, ensuring travellers are well-prepared to embark on memorable journeys. With vibrant illustrations, beautiful pictures and up to date information, this series is an essential companion for any type of traveller seeking enriching experiences.

Whether you want to explore Dubrovnik’s Old Town, go sailing in Split, or drink wine in Istria, the local Fodor’s travel experts in Croatia are here to help! Fodor’s Essential Croatia guidebook is packed with maps, carefully curated recommendations, and everything else you need to simplify your trip-planning process and make the most of your time. This new edition has been fully-redesigned with an easy-to-read layout, fresh information, and beautiful color photos. Fodor’s “Essential” guides have been named by Booklist as the Best Travel Guide Series of 2020! Fodor’s Croatia travel guide includes: AN ILLUSTRATED ULTIMATE EXPERIENCES GUIDE to the top things to see and do MULTIPLE ITINERARIES to effectively organize your days and maximize your time MORE THAN 20 DETAILED MAPS to help you navigate confidently COLOR PHOTOS throughout to spark your wanderlust! HONEST RECOMMENDATIONS FROM LOCALS on the best sights, restaurants, hotels, nightlife, shopping, performing arts, activities, and more PHOTO-FILLED “BEST OF” FEATURES on “Croatia’s Best Islands”, “Croatia’s Best Outdoor Adventures”, and more TRIP-PLANNING TOOLS AND PRACTICAL TIPS including when to go, getting around, beating the crowds, and saving time and money HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL INSIGHTS providing rich context on the local people, politics, cuisine, geography and more SPECIAL FEATURES on “Cruising and Sailing in Croatia”,” “What to Watch and Read Before You Visit,” and “What to Eat and Drink” LOCAL WRITERS to help you find the under-the-radar gems CROATIAN-LANGUAGE PRIMER with useful words and essential phrases UP-TO-DATE COVERAGE ON: Dubrovnik, Split, Istria, Hvar, Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Krk, Zadar, Montenegro, Slovenia, and more Planning on visiting the rest of Europe? Check out Fodor’s Essential Europe. *Important note for digital editions: The digital edition of this guide does not contain all the images or text included in the physical edition. ABOUT FODOR'S AUTHORS: Each Fodor's Travel Guide is researched and written by local experts. Fodor’s has been offering expert advice for all tastes and budgets for over 80 years. For more travel inspiration, you can sign up for our travel newsletter at fodors.com/newsletter/signup, or follow us @FodorsTravel on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We invite you to join our friendly community of travel experts at fodors.com/community to ask any other questions and share your experience with us!

Free companion podcast available... You'll never fall into tourist traps when you travel with Frommer's. It's like having a friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. Our expert authors have already gone everywhere you might go— they've done the legwork for you, and they're not afraid to tell it like it is, saving you time and money. No other series offers candid reviews of so many hotels and restaurants in all price ranges. Every Frommer's Travel Guide is up-to-date, with exact prices for everything, dozens of color maps, and exciting coverage of sports, shopping, and nightlife. You'd be lost without us! Frommer's Croatia offers detailed, complete coverage of this captivating, increasingly popular country. Author Karen Olson takes you inside the thriving cities of Zagreb, Dubrovnik and Split, with their spectacular Roman ruins, medieval old towns and nearby storybook castles. She recommends the best way to sail or drive the country's stunning Dalmatian Coast, with pristine beaches along more than 3,000 miles of coastline, and more than 1,000 offshore islands. She explores such natural wonders as Plitvice Lakes National Park, where pristine turquoise lakes tumble into waterfalls over deposits of travertine. And she ventures into inland Croatia for a visit to Hlebine, a colony of nearly 200 painters and sculptors that features the country's largest concentration of naive art. From the Turkish bazaar–like feel of Split's Pazarin market to the lowdown on Zagreb's see-and-be-seen cafe culture, Frommer's Croatia showcases the best of a country that has long been labeled Europe's best-kept secret.

The DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Thailand is your indispensable guide to this beautiful part of the world. This fully updated guide will lead you straight to the best attractions Thailand has to offer, whether you're traveling to major destinations such as Bangkok and Phuket or want to experience diving in Ko Tao, elephant riding in Chang Mai, or the monuments in Wat Si Chum. This guide includes unique cutaways, floor plans, and reconstructions of the must-see sites, plus street-by-street maps of all the fascinating cities and towns. This new-look guide is also packed with photographs and illustrations that lead you straight to the best attractions. This uniquely visual DK Eyewitness Travel Guide will help you discover everything region-by-region, from local festivals and markets to day trips around the countryside. Detailed listings will guide you to the best hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops for all budgets, while detailed practical information will help you to get around, whether by train, bus, or car. Plus, DK's excellent insider tips and essential local information will help you explore every corner of Thailand effortlessly.

For a limited time, receive a free Fodor's Guide to Safe and Healthy Travel e-book with the purchase of this guidebook! Go to fodors.com for details. Written by local experts, Fodor's travel guides have been offering advice and professionally vetted recommendations for all tastes and budgets for 80 years. Cypress-lined beaches, sunny islands, perfectly-preserved medieval towns—Croatia is the European hot spot for beach lovers, cultural explorers, and yachting revelers. From outstandingly well-preserved ancient structures like Dubrovnik's fortified bastions to the rolling vineyards of Istria, Croatia is loaded with interesting things to see and do, and Fodor’s Essential Croatia covers the best of them. This travel guide includes: ULTIMATE EXPERIENCES GUIDE and updated “Experience Croatia” chapter contains a brief introduction and spectacular color photos that capture the ultimate experiences and attractions throughout Croatia SPECIAL FEATURES: Features on Adriatic Sea cruises, Croatian wine, and an informative essay on the country’s history INDISPENSABLE TRIP PLANNING TOOLS: Each chapter opens with an orientation spread and planner that includes a map, short descriptions of each region, "Top Reasons to Go," and information on getting here and around USEFUL ITINERARIES make it easy for travelers to plan a vacation to Croatia. A section on sailing the Croatian coast aids travelers in planning the perfect boating itinerary DISCERNING RECOMMENDATIONS: Fodor's Croatia offers savvy advice and recommendations from local writers to help travelers make the most of their time. Fodor's Choice designates our best picks, from hotels to nightlife COVERS: Kvarner, Istria, Hvar, Zagreb, Slavonia, Zadar, Split, Diocletian's Palace, and Dubrovnik