Croatia 2013/06

c pital: Zagreb

currency: Kuna (1 Euro = 7.5Kn = 1.7 PLN)

population: 4.4mln

Croatia is one of the most popular summer destinations and now we know why - good weather, clean warm Adriatic, white houses with brown roofs so typical to Mediterranean region are very appealing. Pity that the beaches are very rocky and smallish but guess you can't have everything. Our 6 car days trip relayed in full on the recommendations we got from the friends who been there before. We've covered a lot of miles and got the taste of Croatia but didn't have enough time to soak the atmosphere.

Croatia after II World War was part of the Yugoslavia until announcing independence in 1991, which resulted in 4 years war, which lasted until 1995. Previous Yugoslavia has been divided into:

• Croatia - capital Zagreb
• Macedonia - capital Skopje
• Bosnia i Herzegovina - capital arajewo
• Slovenia - capital Lubjana
• Serbia - capital Belgrad
• Montenegro - capital Podgorica (previouslyTitograd)

After 10 hours drive we've arrived in early evening to Split camping, put the tent out and headed to nearby town Trogir for a supper. This is well preserved medieval town under UNESCO protection. The town centrum is on the small island linked by the bridge with the mainland full of narrow streets, almost like being in Venice.  That was very pleasant introduction to the Croatia but we didn't take any photos as we were too tired and not in the mood.

Next on our agenda was small island Hvar (Hvar is the name of the island and the main town on the island), which can be reached after 2hrs by car ferry or 1.30hr by catamaran (which is selling up quickly).
Hvar is hilly island full of violet lavender fields, green vineyards and picturesque small villages. This is ideal place for relaxing day out.
In XV and XVI Venecians brought prosperity to the island using it as a base for their Adriatic fleet until Turkish troops destroyed the city in 1571. The building seen today were merely erected after Turks invasion.

Split is the second largest of Croatia's city with the fascinating history spanning over 1700 years. IN 295AD the Romans Emperor built the palace in the city. During the Middle Ages there were many buildings erected within city walls. Then for over 400 years under authority of Venice it was well prospering trading port.
Total you can still walk through the impressive mazes of impressive narrow alleys but outside the old town it's a bit run down concrete jungle.
 

Dubrownik is probably the best known Croatian destination with the flight prices reaching astronomical figure in the summer. Unlike Split and Hvar, Dubrovnik was independent city with a huge fleet of merchant ships carring the goods to Western Europe. The decline begin after the earthquake in 1667, which destroyed most of the building and killed over 5k people. The old city is pedestrianised and it's very joyful to stroll along.

 View from Mount Srd, 412m above Dubrovnik, that can be reached via the cable car or walking. The cable car has been badly damaged during the war and it took over 20 years to make it working again. The journey up takes less than 2 min but the views are spectacular.

 Dubrovnik is surrounded by 2km long walls (high 25m, 4 to 6m wide). 
The walk along the walls at the sunset is quite a memorable experience. 

 The main alley of the Dubrovnik - Stradun
The cobbles are so shiny as a result of thousands of tourist visiting each day

 One of the menu restaurants in Dubrovnik - all the squares and many alleys are home to small restaurants

Korcula is a long and narrow island, in the old time heavy covered by the pine forests, can be reached by 10min ferry from Obrevic. The Korcula town is often described as a mini-Dubrovnik because of the location on the peninsula, white houses with the terracotta roofs and surrounding walls. One of the legend says that this is the birthplace of Marco Polo.

 

 Korcula - on the walls there is many cafes overlooking water

 View from the ferry

Sibernik is probably the least touristy place from the one described above but that was very positive surprise. It's not as well restored as other places but because of that it feels more real and atmospheric.

 

 definitely one of the best snacks we had - freshly made sardines and calamari in the small cafe at the sunset in the port - that was delicious 

Pliwicki National Park  was established after II World War, located 160km from Zagreb. The main attraction is 16 lakes joined by many waterfalls and cascades. In the park there is many walking tracks from 2 to 8 hours, opportunity to take a boat tour on the lake or have a train ride (all incl in the ticket price)

In Zagreb we hardly spent any time, just few hours stroll through the centre. There is no sign of the war destruction and we found Zagreb and pleasant and peaceful place.

In teh cetre there is status of Nikolaj Tesli - Serb who was born in Smiljan, which currently is part of Croatia. He work with the Thomas Edison on the bulb invention but they had a big disagreement - according to Tesla he was promised $50k for the improvements which he did while according to Edison this was just a joke. They were apparently rewarded Noble price but both declined it.

Bled in Slovenia near the German boarder is sometimes called the 'alpine pearl'. Set against the backdrop of the forested slopes of Alps it sits around the emerald-green lake with the small island in the middle. On the island is XVII century chuerch. The island can be reached by gondola or there is a lot of small boats for rent. There is lovely 6km cycling/walking path along the lake. It was lovely finish of our holiday.

Croatia is picturesque and good holiday destination but for us there was something missing - Mediterranean atmosphere was not there. It could be to do with the fact that this time we only visited touristy places and they all felt like the places made for tourist and didn't really show the true Croatian culture. The exception was Sibernik, which we enjoyed very much.