Nov 4, 2019 - Last afternoon in Zagreb

Lois writing After John & I visited the Museum of Broken Relationships, we walked out into the rain and then found a small restaurant for lunch. Portions here are quite large, and when my veggie pizza came, I ate only the insides (no crust), and even then, I couldn't finish it. John had a humongous chicken sandwich. Then I showed him the inside of a department store I had scouted out yesterday. Lots of toys on the top floor, and more candy and cookies than should be allowed in one place. People on the street are always eating, but perhaps...

Nov 4, 2019 - On our own in Zagreb

Lois writing It's been kind of nice to be on our own for the past two days here in Zagreb. On Sunday morning John & I slept in a bit, and after breakfast, took a city tram out to a huge public park called Maksimir. We walked in about 1/4 mile until we reached the entrance to the zoo. It was apparent that we were the only non-Croatians there, and that's what we wanted. Enough of the locals speak English that we are never totally lost. The zoo isn't large and it isn't particularly lavish, but the animals seem to be well taken care of. We did...

Nov 2, 2019 - Overnight In Zagreb

@@@@@@@ KAPOORS ON THE ROAD We spent a week in Zagreb during our travels through Eastern Europe in November 2012, and enjoyed the city very much. This time we just stayed at a hotel near the airport for the one night we were enroute to Delhi, after changing our travel plans because of the unexpected death of our sister in law Neeta Kapoor. @@@@@@@

Nov 2, 2019 - Spending time in Zagreb

Lois writing We arrived in the capital of Croatia, Zagreb, on Friday afternoon November 1, and after our city walking tour with Road Scholar, there were no other organized activities, other than our final dinner together on Saturday night. Everyone else heads back to the States on Sunday morning, but John & I have two extra days here on our own before flying out (to Athens via Belgrade) on Tuesday Nov. 5. Zagreb is the most walkable city we have ever seen. For at least 1/2 mile (or more in all directions) in the area surrounding our hotel...

Nov 2, 2019 - Time To Split?

@@@@@@@ KAPOORS ON THE ROAD Before coming to Split, the weather forecast had been for several days of rain, but we’d had nothing but warm sunshine during our stay. However, the day we were scheduled to leave for Zagreb, the capital, we woke to drizzling skies and wet stone streets. We just had to laugh because we’ve lost count of how many times that it’s happened that it’s raining on the day we are leaving a place where we’ve had near perfect weather. As I explained in the captions for my photos, Anil thinks that he will dissolve if it...

Nov 1, 2019 - Split's Beaches

@@@@@@@ BACKGROUND Here’s some of what the Lonely Planet – Croatia chapter Split and Central Dalmatia has to say about Split’s beaches: “Bačvice Beach A flourishing beach life gives Split its aura of insouciance in summer, and sandy Bačvice is Split’s most popular beach. Locals come here during the day to swim, sunbathe, drink coffee and play picigin (a local water sport). The younger crowd returns in the evening for the bars and clubs. Dalmatian pašticada (beef stewed in wine and spices and served with gnocchi) appears on menus on the...

Nov 1, 2019 - Smiljan & Plitvice Lakes

Lois writing now On Thursday October 31 our group shrank considerably, since the main Road Scholar program was over and the majority of the group was heading back home. Eight of us, plus our guide Juge, continued on with the extension of the trip, heading inland to the northeast. We have a small bus with 20 seats, so there is plenty of room. As usual, when we left the city of Split (second largest in the country after the capital Zagreb), the weather was fine for tee shirts and lightweight pants. The bus climbed inland, and crossed over the...

Oct 30, 2019 - Split & Sibenik

John writing 10-30 On Monday October 28, we sailed from Trogir southeast to Split, where we spent one night aboard ship. After we left the ship on Tuesday morning, we checked into a gorgeous hotel (Cornaro) right across from the north wall of the Diocletian Palace. When Diocletian retired as emperor of Rome (around 300 AD), he and his family moved into his retirement home that he had built for the purpose. We only have photos of the basement, since the main floor has been re-purposed over the centuries to include homes, shops and several...

Oct 29, 2019 - Diocletian's Palace

@@@@@@@ BACKGROUND Here’s some of what the Lonely Planet – Croatia chapter Split and Central Dalmatia has to say about Diocletian’s Palace: “Experience life as it’s been lived for thousands of years in Diocletian’s Palace, one of the world’s most imposing Roman remains. The mazelike streets of this buzzing quarter, the living heart and soul of Split, are chock-full of bars, shops and restaurants. Getting lost in the labyrinth of narrow streets, passageways and courtyards is one of Croatia’s most enchanting experiences - and it’s small...

Oct 28, 2019 - Trogir

John writing Today started with some excitement as we left Stari Grad on the island of Hvar. A number of the guests don’t pay close attention when the guide makes her announcements. They just continue with their conversations when she starts to talk. This morning we pulled away from the dock with one of the passengers still on shore! Last night our guide said that if you are going for a walk in the morning to be sure and be back on the ship by 7 AM. She also said that the ship would leave port between 7:30 and 8 AM depending on what the...

Oct 28, 2019 - Split, Croatia

@@@@@@@ BACKGROUND Here’s some of what the Lonely Planet – Croatia chapter Split and Central Dalmatia has to say about Split: “Croatia’s second-largest city, Split (Spalato in Italian) is a great place to see Dalmatian life as it’s really lived. Always buzzing, this exuberant city has just the right balance of tradition and modernity. Step inside Diocletian’s Palace (a Unesco World Heritage site and one of the world’s most impressive Roman monuments) and you’ll see dozens of bars, restaurants and shops thriving amid the atmospheric old...

Oct 27, 2019 - By Taxi to Split

@@@@@@@ BACKGROUND Here’s some of what the Lonely Planet – Croatia chapter Split and Central Dalmatia has to say about the region: “Central Dalmatia is the most action-packed, sight-rich and diverse part of Croatia, with pretty islands, quiet ports, rugged mountains, dozens of castles and an emerging culinary scene, as well as two Unesco World Heritage sites: Diocletian’s Palace in Split and the medieval walled town of Trogir. Throughout it all, the rugged 1500m-high Dinaric Range provides a dramatic background. Hot spots include the...