Croatia

Our Travel Companions

Fellow tour members on a Plitvice boardwalk

Elizabeth, assistant guide Levente and Dave during the Plitvice boat ride

Carol, Carol and Arlita at the Big Waterfall.

Kathy, Jim and a Chicago Cub after visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park

David and Nancy relaxing outside our hotel in Rab

Bonnie enjoying the scenery surrounding the Rab harbor

Elizabeth and John from their hotel room in Rab

Cousins Carol (left) and Kay testing the Adriatic Sea in Rab

Two of our three Davids lookin' for the Rab ferry from atop a barren hill

Three Nights and Dazed in Croatia

Oct. 11-13, 2007

Dobar dan, Hrvatska!

Population: 4.5 million (similar to Louisiana). Area: 22,000 square miles (similar to West Virginia). Capital: Zagreb. Government: parliamentary democracy. Latitude: 45 degrees north (similar to Portland, Oregon, and Venice, Italy). Mostly part of the former Yugoslavia from 1929-1991. Famous for neckties (the original cravate), sunny coastal beaches, explorer Marco Polo, former Yugoslav leader Marshal Tito, tragic wars.

Plitvice | Otocac/Jablanac | Rab

Natural Wonders of Croatia

"PLEET-veet-seh"

Oct. 11: Today we had a scenic bus ride into Croatia for an overnight, back-to-nature stay at Plitvice Lakes National Park, about two hours south of Zagreb. The park is on the UNESCO World Heritage list for the unique geological, biological evolution of its ever-changing lakes and waterfalls.

The park's trails and boardwalks (also in column at left) lead to 16 terraced ponds and reflective lakes, colorful fall flora, a short, serene boat ride across Lake Kozjak (also at left), winding, mineral-rich streams, and countless waterfalls, more waterfalls, and the 250-foot Big Waterfall (also at left).

Gary's Photo Album of Plitvice Lakes National Park

Donna's Photo Album of Plitvice Lakes National Park

From the Forest to the Sea

Population: Otocac, 4,354; Jablanac, 118

Oct. 12: After leaving the park, we stopped in the town of Otocac. Bullet-hole memories (also below) remain there of the bitter war between Croat and Serbian neighbors in the early '90s. But friendly shopkeepers and children (also below) move on in peace, and we drove across the Dinaric Mountains to the Adriatic Sea (also at right). In the tiny, pastel harbor village of Jablanac (also at right), we boarded a ferry to our enchanting island retreat.

Gary's Photo Album of Croatia Villages

Donna's Photo Album of Croatia Villages

A Free Day on Croatia's Island of Rab

Population: 9,000

Oct. 13: Today we had a "vacation from our vacation" on the Adriatic Sea in the Gulf of Kvarner. In the town of Rab, we spent a day strolling the pedestrian-only, cobblestone alleyways (also at right) and enjoying the sun, beach promenade, Komrcar Park, gelato and pizza. We were enchanted by the town's fishing boats and boat harbor (also below), red-tile roofs, remainders of ancient churches, and four Venetian bell towers (at right and below).

And we ended one afternoon with a friendly, funny happy hour with all our travel buddies--complete with a close shave for tour guide Ben, a new-scarf contest and other raucous behavior! That evening: a wonderful Adriatic sunset.

Gary's Photo Album of the island of Rab

Donna's Photo Album of the island of Rab

Do videnija, Croatia. Hvala for a magnificent time!