May 10, 2013 - Northern Croatia

Week 3 We have now left Slovenia – all good things come to an end – and have left with fond memories. I know there is a fear that we have done the best first, misplaced I suspect. Slovenia was special but I am sure the same will be true of many of the other of our destinations over the coming months. We left Bled on Monday 5th and decided to go against our normal policy and take the autoroute down to Croatia. Trundled along for an hour or so when a voice beside me says ‘did you know we had to have a vinjeta for the auto route?’ Clearly no...

Apr 28, 2013 - Day 6 - Vukover & Osijek, Croatia

This morning we woke up to a big “RE” out our window (the first few letters of RESTAURANT) which was newly painted on the floating barge that we were tied up to on the shore of the Danube at Vukover, Croatia. It is the biggest river port in Croatia – and just across the river from Serbia – but seemed to be rather small in comparison to some of the other towns we have been to. It was severely damaged during “the War” with Serbia as was the town of Osijek (where we were going for lunch) and both were very depressed with very high unemployment...

Nov 15, 2012 - Zagreb

@@@@@@@ BACKGROUND I won’t go into the history of Croatia here, but will tell you a little about the history of the capital Zagreb because this is where we spent our week in the country. During medieval times, two towns emerged on neighbouring hills; one called Kaptol and the other Gradec. During the 16th century, the two towns became one, and Zagreb was chosen as the new name. The trade fairs and market stalls were located on the relatively flat land just south of Kaptol, and as the economy blossomed, so did the buildings around the edges...

Nov 2, 2012 - 2nd Nov - Dubrovnik

Hello again Well we set off for the day in the old city! Beautiful day with the sun shining all day! It is still as beautiful and as amazing as it was the first time we visited! Walked around the ancient wall after having a great lunch in one of the many restaurants there. The views while walking around the wall are magnificent! It takes your breath away sometimes! I just love to visit here.We think how lucky the Croatians are to live here. But talking to the locals who have lived in Australia, they miss it and wish they were back there....

Nov 1, 2012 - Thursday 1st November- left Makarska for Dubrovnik

Hello again, Sadly we left Makarska- our favourite place so far - and headed for Dubrovnik. How's this for value in Makarska! For $400 for me and Mick - 2 nights accommodation in a beautiful hotel by the water, all of our laundry done, 2 dinners with drinks and 2 breakfasts! Incredible! And the food was so delicious! Anyway, the scenery along the coast was incredible! You turn a bend and it's Wow! We couldn't stop for many photos along the way. Dropped our car off - Mick can now relax- and settled in at the hotel - it's ok, but nithing...

Nov 1, 2012 - Tuesday 30th October to Wednesday 31st October-Off to Makarska!

Hello again, After leaving Zadar we were on the road again - off to Makarska! And what a beautiful place it is! Our hotel was quite luxurious - hotel Osejava- in such a beautiful location - walking distance to everything! The photos just don't do justice to how beautiful this place is! The view from our room was something to behold - the Adriatic in front and the mountains behind are just so spectacular! I just couldn't get enough of that view! We loved everything about Makarska! On Wednesday we took a drive to Medugorje over the border...

Nov 1, 2012 - Monday 29th October - off to Zadar for the night!

Hi everyone! Last morning in Rijeka and after our sad farewells to family, we were on our way once again this time to Zadar! The coastline of the Adriatic is something to behold! Such beautiful scenery! A very cold day though with snow on the mountains! After taking a wrong turn along the way, we got up close and personal with that white fluffy stuff! We went up a mountain instead of a road along the coast, but it was worth it! The snow was so beautiful! The first fall of snow for the season! Getting back on track, we finally reached...

Oct 31, 2012 - 27-28th October - Last days with relos...

Hi everyone, Well it was our last 2 full days in Rijeka! Lots of rain, thunder and lightning through the night and Saturday! Went for a walk to a shopping centre - they don't have any serious shopping centres like we do! Then we walked into the city centre and had another look around before climbing those bloody stairs again - all 537 of them - to go back to uncle's. Great workout! Raining again! Sunday we woke to an icy day! It was snowing in the mountains overnight and boy was it bloody cold! Didn't do that much just sat around and ate...

Oct 29, 2012 - 26th October - Mrkopalj

Friday 26th October and we were off to the little village where Mick was born, Mirkopalj. Such a quaint little place it is too. Met Mick's 2nd cousin, Josip, who took us into his home and was very welcoming! 2 rakijas, 2 glasses of wine for me, 4 rakijas for Anna and we were then driven around the town by Josip, Jack Brabham style! He obviously knows the mountain roads very well- at least we hoped so! Met another of Mick's 2nd cousins just by chance! Saw a lady walking along the road and stopped to say hello - Josip knew her. Turns out she...

Oct 27, 2012 - 25th October - Plitvice

Hi One and All Thursday 25th and we decided to take a trip to the lake district of Croatia which is called Plitvice. After getting lost on a trip that should have taken 2 or so hours, after 4 hours we finally arrived! For a main tourist attraction, not many Croatians can give accurate directions! But what an amazing place this is! So many lakes, waterfalls, cascading streams! Absolutely incredible! What a great time of year to see it too! Nature in autumn and the different colours of the trees on the mountains and the surrounding lakes is...

Oct 24, 2012 - Zagreb, Croatia

After breakfast and packing we attempted to get driving directions for our hotel in Zagreb. The hotel desk clerk pointed us in the direction of the hotel computer, we had to return to get the password, then google maps was all in Slovenian! So off we go to the business center to ask the young man for help...he was quite helpful although he had never used google maps..."I always use my GPS when I go to Zagreb"! With printed map and directions we take off for the one and a half hour trip to Zagreb, piece of cake! Ha-ha!! We had already...

Oct 24, 2012 - Sunday 21st to Wednesday 24th October

Hi Everyone Sunday was spent nearly all day travelling! Said a sad goodbye to Florence and caught a train to Venice then another train from there to Trieste! Anna kept us amused on the train to Trieste- finishing off her bottle of Cointreau! Very funny! After a couple of hours wait, we finally caught the bus to Rijeka. A delay of an hour through border controls - one for Slovenia and the other Croatia and everyone growing impatient - and finally arriving at Rijeka then catching a taxi to uncle and auntie's! Relief to finally get there and...