Aug 15, 2017 - Zagreb 2

Today we spent time in the upper old town as well as in the city center. It's a holiday and like Ljubljana, the museums are all closed except for the Museum of Broken Relationships. We went in. It consists of short stories about peoples' unsuccessful relationships and a small item that reminds them of their lost loves. Different. Most stores and restaurants were closed for a national holiday but open in tourist areas. Zagreb is a beautiful old city. At one time Croatia was a powerful kingdom. The old frescoed buildings show its former...

Aug 14, 2017 - Vukovar, Croatia

Our only stop in Croatia was at Vukovar, located at the country’s easter border with Serbia. As such, the town was a ground zero for the war between Croatia and Serbia for seven years, from 1991 until 1998. Eighty-five percent of the town was blown up and destroyed, the worst destruction of a European city since WWII. The civilian population fled, unexpectedly so because of the suddenness and intensity of warfare, to wherever they could shelter, e.g., to the nearby Croatian city of Osijek or farther away to relatives in Europe, America, or...

Aug 14, 2017 - Zagreb Croatia

This a.m. we walked back down to the Old City and found a little kiosk outside the Monday Market. Here we drank yogurt and tried a slice of borek.....a spinach and ricotta cheese filled pastry. Delicious. After we walked through the vegetable and fruit market eating samples of fruits offered to us. Soon with a 1/2 kilo of figs of all sizes and shapes and 3 delicious peaches tucked under our arm, we went looking for coffee. We must try what looked like a cake....a local specialty sold only here. What a sales pitch! So we ordered 2...

Jun 9, 2017 - Split, Croatia

Our apartment in Split was in a residential section of the city way up a hill. We had a beautiful view of the old city as well as the port. Split is definitely more expensive than the other Croatian towns I visited but still very reasonable. We took the Jadrolinja ferry to Supetar which was only about a 40 minute trip. It was 30 kn each way per person which is about $5. Supetar is a town on the closest island and it's very beautiful with nice beach areas and waterfront cafes. My guess is that it is packed full of people escaping the inland...

Jun 7, 2017 - Zadar, Croatia

After leaving Plitvice Lakes we drive to Zadar which is on the coast. We had a lovely apartment right in the center near the water with terrific views. We went down to the water for sunset which is a community event. The interesting part was the "sea organ" which are the organ sounds made by the wakes lapping up against the sea wall. It was like nothing I've ever heard. We walked around and and settled on a restaurant called Cazonon. An outdoor restaurant we quickly realized it was very similar in name and accessories as the little Italian...

Jun 7, 2017 - Back in Split

Pack my bags head down for breakfast then check out of the hotel Load up the car and a few last pictures from the harbor before heading to the Castle built by Maximilian, wow what a nice place I could live there LOL. Then it is out of Italy back across the border into Slovenia for a short way then back into Croatia, head south to split a drive of some 450 km taking about 5 hours with some stops, turn in the car and off to my hotel for the night it is a early bus to Kotor in the morning, A last walk around the harbor stopping for some dinner...

Jun 5, 2017 - Zagreb, Croatia and Plitvice Lakes National Park

Let's see. Where did I leave off? Oh yeah. So I picked up Matt and Hayley at the airport Saturday evening and got the rental car. It's a brand new Ford Focus station wagon. I like it and we've driven over five hours and not even used a half tank of gas. There was no argument as to who would drive as Matt's license is expired. Face with teeth showing in smile. We had a very spacious apartment in a residential area of the city center. Bright and airy with a huge living room with three couches. We got home late so tried the little neighborhood...

Jun 3, 2017 - Split

A good night sleep now it is off to breakfast saw a couple of people from the group most are heading back home today, Robert has one more day and night before leaving and I am getting ready to do the last part of my trip. I am off exploring more of the city before it gets to hot out and have to be back at our hotel by 11 to check out, and meet the landlord of the new hotel which is right across the street nice, get checked into new room is a small one room apartment, with small stove, refrigerator, dishes, then Robert is off to the beach...

Jun 2, 2017 - Rijeka, Croatia

After a white coffee and coco burek I took the bus up to Trsat which is about 20 minutes up the hill. There is a monastery, the old castle and some very nice gardens in Trsat. There's also a library which is always a good source of information when you don't know which way to go. It's a librarian's job to be helpful and this one did not disappoint. We had a nice chat and we discussed the tipping policy in cafes and restaurants, among other things, and she pointed me in the right direction and I was on my way. The castle was pretty damn old...

Jun 2, 2017 - Ferry ride to Split

This morning is a early start so we get breakfast at the hotel a little earlier, pack our bags and off to the harbor at 7:15 to get our 8:00 am ferry to Split the trip is only a hour got into Split at 9:00 a short walk to hotel and had to leave our bags in the lobby as our rooms were not ready yet. It was then off to meet our local city guide for a walking tour of the old part of Split, was a nice tour about 2 hours but by the end was getting very warm, back to hotel and check into our rooms, a bit of rest with the ac on. Then out for a...

Jun 1, 2017 - Hvar

after breakfast I head off to the Fort Tvrdava which sets on the hill over looking the town of Hvar, was a nice hike to the top before it got too hot, a great view from the top over looking the town and could see lots of smaller island near by, back down to the town and just checked out the some of the streets. A stop for lunch then walked back up the hill to the hotel kicked back a bit relaxing by the pool, tomorrow we will be leaving the hotel early and getting another ferry boat to Split, this is our last stop for this part of the trip,...

May 31, 2017 - Pula

Pula seems to be a place where Croatians come for a day trip to enjoy cool weather. The city center is complete with many outdoor cafes where tourists and locals alike stop for a cafe, water, or beer. The green market appears to be daily and is complete with beautiful looking produce and fruit. Cherries appear to be in season so I stopped for a 1/2 kilo and two bananas. I like the Mlinar Caffe which is a bakery with outdoor seating and good people watching. I get a Burek (think a puff pastry but thicker) filled with spinach and cheese (6...