Croatia is a gorgeous, sunny coastline country with delicious food and fun adventures to explore. I remember clearly the first time I stumbled across a photo of a Croatian beach, years ago, and I knew that someday I would visit. For now, the visit is only virtual, but I am excited to dig in, just the same. Thanks for tagging along - Hope you enjoy!
Mapwork by @Slalice_Draws
TRAVEL & ACCOMODATIONS
This week, we will be virtually staying in four regions within this country: Zagreb (the capital city); Dubrovnik; Split/Zadar; Istria Peninsula; as most of the attractions we are visiting can be reached from these four locations. At the end, I will share a handful of attractions that are further afield, in case we are interested in adding another stop to our itinerary of accommodations.
From Berlin, Germany, travel is not too difficult. Many airlines can get us there, and I found at least one with just one layover - taking about 3.5 hours, obtainable currently for about 150 Euros.
When we arrive in the capital city of Zagreb, we will stay in the luxurious Palace Hotel Zagreb.
When we travel to Southern and coastal Dubrovnik, we will stay at the Hotel Dubrovnik Palace, which has rooms available currently starting at around 100 Euros / night.
We are also staying along the coast in Split, and there we will stay at the beautiul boutique Marmont Hotel, which has rooms currently averaging at 100 Euros per night.
Finally, we will be staying in the luxurious resort town of Opativa in the Istria Peninsula at the Remisens Premium Hotel Ambasador, which has rooms available at 150 Euros per night.
ITINERARY
ZAGREB
One of the first attractions we will see when we arrive in Zagreb will be the beautiful Art Pavillion:
The Croatia area was historically home to the largest Neanderthal community. In that light, we can visit the Krapina Neanderthal Museum.
The Gric Tunnel was built around the second World War and has since become a tourist attraction and a home for rave parties and art installations.
We will next visit the Museum of Naïve Art - a fine art museum that showcases creations from self-taught, amateur artists.
Next, we will visit the Museum of Broken Relationships - a crowd sourced project that takes us into broken hearts around the world.
The solar system is installed as a metal monument in Zagreb, with the sun and different planets scattered around the city. It will be a fun scavenger hunt for us!
Monument to the Revolution
Just outside of Zagreb, in Podgaric, is an interesting World War II memorial sculpture:
In the woods, not too far from Zagreb, we can check out this abandoned monument, which is slowly being disassembled by locals.
Stone Flower Monument
Our next stop will not be a happy one, but will be an important moment along our travels. The Stone Flower Memorial sits where the Jesenovac concentration and extermination camp was located during the Second World War. We must never forget the atrocities that this somber monument commemorates.
Following such a moving experience, we will be ready for some relaxing reflection, and a visit to experience the waterfalls and waterways of Plavice Lakes National Park will be a perfect fit! I can watch this soothing video forever!
If we are fortunate, we will be in Zagreb when the annual International Folklore Festival is happening, and we will be sure to check it out:
Zagreb's Christmas Market was voted the best in Europe during three recent years in a row! If we happen to be in Zagreb during that time of year, we will be sure to enjoy the festivities:
ISTRIA PENINSULA
Opatija
One of the most renowned resort areas in the world is Opatija - beautiful architecture; amazing restaurants and breathtaking views.
Next we will head to the ancient Roman Amphiteatre in Pula. Today, it is not only a beautiful old arena (one of the only preserved in the world) and tourist attraction, where Roman gladiators used to fight, but also now used as a concert hall:
Haludovo was built in 1971. Bob Guccione, the founder of Penthouse magazine, invested $45 million US dollars in the project and officially opened the Penthouse Adriatic Club casino located in the hotel in 1972. However, the casino went bankrupt the following year and was closed. During the Yugoslav Wars the hotel became a shelter for refugees. In 1995, the hotel was privatized and went through a number of owners. It hosted its last guests in 2001. Today the hotel resort is abandoned with the interior effectively destroyed while the buildings remain intact. Exploring the ruins of abandoned architecture in formerly Communist controlled countries seems to be a popular and fascinating past-time for tourists and locals alike.
Not too far away we will find the Peek and Poke Computer Museum. My family and I love visiting these types of museums to see what type of technology we shared with other cultures as we were growing up and what type of technology was culture and country specific.
SPLIT / ZADAR
Dalmatian Coast
As we continue down the coast of Croatia, we will find 1.246 isles and inlets to sail between and enjoy!
We will want to check out the 'Old Town' in Split while we are there:
Diocletian Palace
This incredible palace also is home to an authentic Egyptian Sphinx, which was a gift from Egypt.
Sea Organ and Salute to the Sun
In the town of Zadar, there are a couple of very cool installations that we will certainly want to experience. Watch this video (be sure to turn your sound on!) to listen to the (world's only) Sea Organ; and to see the solar 'Salute to the Sun.'
This very unique and beautiful beach is constantly changing shape due to wind and sea currents:
Heart Shaped "Lovers Island"
This privately owned island - Galesnjak - is perfectly heart shaped.
Blue Cave of Bisevo
We can now take a tour into the Blue Cave of Bisevo:
Gregory's Big Toe
Perhaps we need some good luck (and who doesn't?). We will next visit this famous statue of Medieval Croatian Bishop Gregory Nin and rub his toe. Don't forget to make a wish!
Pag Triangle
Speaking also of the mysterious, we will also head to Pag Triangle, a very small area that has been linked to UFO sightings over the years.
Nikola Tesla's Birthplace Museum
In addition to wish making and UFO sighting, we will visit a famous scientific landmark - the birthplace and early home of Nikola Tesla.
Tito's Cave - Vis Island
We can then check out the abandoned remains of WWII hideout, Tito's Cave, on the island of Vis.
Next, we will visit one of the more unusual stops along our visit this week: Froggyland. This is a museum featuring 21 scenes of 507 taxidermy frogs arranged in a variety of 'human' scenarios.
St. Nicholas Fortress
This fortress, located at the entrance to St. Anthony Channel, was included in the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites.
Jablanac Shipwreck
There is a sunken military ship underwater off the coast of Jablanac that we can check out with our scuba gear.
We won't want to miss this exciting annual knight tournament called Sinjska Alka in a nearby town called Sinj.
Zeljava Airbase
I had never even heard of the concept of an underground airbase. This military structure from the old Yugoslavia days is situation on the border between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina and is now abandoned. This is a fascinating and chilling piece of history and would be very interesting to see in person.
Diocletian Days Festival
While we are in the Split area, we can take in some exciting history at the annual Diocletian Days Festival, which looks like lots of fun!
DUBROVNIK
Game of Thrones Tour
Our first stop in Dubrovnik is, of course, a tour of the filming locations for the iconic TV show, Game of Thrones.
Dubrovnik Gargoyle of Love
Once again this week, we are going to rub something for good luck! If we can balance on this gargoyle and at the same time remove our shirt, luck in love will follow us throughout our lives.
Walls of Ston
Not exactly the Great Wall of China, but the Walls of Ston are a must-see ancient defensive wall system.
Abandoned Hotels of Kupari
This once exclusive holiday resort saw its demise at the hands of the Yugoslavian army during the wars of the 1990s. Today, just the shells remain and it is an interesting reminder of what once was.
The Relic of St. Silvan
In the Catholic faith, an 'incorruptible saint' is a saint whose body does not decompose after death. St. Silvan, a martyr from the 4th century is considered by many Catholics to be such a saint. Many around the world are also very skeptical as to whether or not this is a miracle. Let's see for ourselves.
Dubrovnik Winter Festival
If we are fortunate enough to be in town at the right time, we will round out our stop at the popular Dubrovnik Winter Festival.
Should we find ourselves with an extra day available in our itinerary and willingness to leave the four areas where we are staying to further explore, we can check out one of the following really cool attractions:
Vinkovci - The Oldest Inhabited City in Europe
Vinkovci was also a key location in the story of the "Murder on the Orient Express."
Liberland - A tiny micronation on the border between Croatia and Serbia
The Brave Red Fico Monument
Ruzica Grad
Phew! Such a full and busy virtual trip! What did you enjoy the most?
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