Page 10 - Explore Magazine Winter 2018

CROATIA – FROM
8

COAST TO COUNTRY

Desa Posa from Croatia Times Travel discusses her most recent visit to Croatia where she self-drove and
experienced its sensational Adriatic coastline on a small-ship cruise.

Have you ever thought about visiting Rastoke, an easy one hour and 30-minute terraced lakes connected by 92 cascading
Croatia? If not, after reading about my most drive along the motorway (110 kilometres). waterfalls that extend into a breathtaking
recent travel experience I am certain you will This small, 300-year-old watermill village is limestone canyon. Walkways and hiking
be enticed to visit this stunning destination located at a natural phenomenon where the trails wind around and across the water and
and even some of its surrounding countries. Slunjčica River splits into several branches, an electric boat links the 12 upper and four
flowing via a series of cascades into the lower lakes. The natural wonders of Plitvice
After landing in Zagreb, we headed straight
to our hotel for a much-needed shower and Korana River. The village has grown around exceeded all expectations!
a quick rest before setting off to explore the river and its many small waterfalls and is Spending the night in Plitvice gave us more
well worth the stop en route.
this fascinating city. Zagreb is home to a time to explore both the upper and lower
mix of 18th- and 19th-century buildings with Zagreb is home to a mix lakes. You don’t have to be super fit, but
many charming parks, squares and city with all the amazing scenery you do want to
markets. We found a lovely local restaurant of 18th- and 19th-century explore the natural phenomena at leisure
in the city centre for a few quiet drinks and and take plenty of photos. I recommend that
an evening meal. buildings with many you take a pair of sensible walking shoes.
charming parks, squares
The following morning we set off on our
adventures following the tailored self-drive and city markets. Day trips in Istria are the
itinerary that Croatia Times Travel had perfect way to visit various
prepared for us. We opted for our rental car After sightseeing and a coffee we made our
to be delivered to our hotel and after setting way to our accommodation at the UNESCO wineries, enjoy the local
the GPS we were off! Leaving the city behind, World Heritage-protected Plitvice Lakes charm and partake in a
we headed towards the Plitvice Lakes National Park. This 295sq-km forest reserve
National Park. Along the way we stopped at in central Croatia is known for its chain of 16 wine or two!

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