North Velebit National Park is covered with numerous hiking trails. It is forbidden to go beyond these trails, but you probably won’t want to. The steep slippery rocks can be quite dangerous, especially during rainy periods. In addition to the beautiful views and pristine forests, North Velebit National Park contains several natural underground karst formations. Some of the most famous caves are Hajducki Kukovi (Hajducki kukovi), Rozanski Kukovi (Rozanski kukovi) and Liukina Kukovi, the eighth longest cave in the world (1392 meters long). In addition, the botanical garden contains a complete collection of all the plants that grow in the area of the Severno Velebit National Park.

There are “summer houses” scattered all over the area of Northern Velebit. These dwellings have a cone on top. They are made of stones without mortar and hold only under the weight of their own vea. Some of these huts date back thousands of years. They served shepherds and hunters as temporary shelters in the mountains. Now bees and wasps live here, so you have to watch where you stick your fingers. Bears are also quite common in North Velebit National Park. Take things that bang, rattle, and generally make a sound. Animals usually run away at the sound of a person.

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The park is located in the valley of the Korana River, in the basin of the Dinaric Highlands. The main objective of the reserve is to preserve the fauna, unique landscape and vegetation. Every year Plitvice Lakes are visited by 1.2 million people.

According to scientists, Plitvice Lakes are more than 4000 years old. But the area was discovered and described only 400 years ago. The Plitvice Lakes region received the status of the National Park in 1949, and in 1979 it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Plitvice Lakes are divided into two groups – upper and lower. The upper ones lie in a dolomite valley surrounded by dense forests. Roe deer, bears, wild cats, lynxes, wolves, etc. live here. The lower lakes are located on a limestone cliff and are small in size. The water in the reservoirs strikes with its bright emerald-blue color. This color is due to the presence of bacteria and algae, as well as a high content of calcium carbonate.

Upper:

• Koziak.
• Prošće;
• Ciginovac;
• Mali Jovinovac;
• Okrugljak;
• Golovac;
• Veliki Jovinovac;
• Milino Lake;
• Vir;
• Gradinsko;
• Batinovac;
• Veliki Burget;

Lower:

• Milanovac;
• Kaludjerovac,
• Havanovac;
• Novakovića Brod.

The lakes are arranged down one after another and extend for 5460 meters. The largest and deepest lake is Kozjak, which is about 3 km long and 47.6 m deep. The second largest and the highest lake is Prošće, located at an altitude of 636 meters above sea level. This lake is fed by two rivers – Bijela and Crna. The lowest lake is called Novakovica Brod, and it lies at 503 meters above sea level. The end of the chain of lakes ends with the Sastavci waterfall, which spews a stream of water from a height of 72 meters into the Plitvica and Korana rivers.

In addition to waterfalls and lakes, there are 36 other caves in the National Park. The most famous are Golubnjaca and Mrazna. The cave fauna is represented by bats, crustaceans and insects.

Climate and weather in Plitvice Lakes

This area has a special microclimate, as the lakes are located at the junction of two climatic zones: maritime and continental. The air temperature here is 3-4 degrees lower than on the Adriatic coast. Precipitation and cloudy weather are often observed here. During rains, the temperature difference can be 15 degrees. In winter, Plitvice Lakes freeze, there is a lot of snowfall. Therefore, for visiting it is better to choose the time from April to November.

How to get to Plitvice Lakes

You can get to the National Park from any resort town by shuttle bus, cab, rented car or excursion, which are provided by all agencies and many resort hotels in Croatia. Check the cost of bus tickets on the websites of bus stations. By the way, you should buy them in advance, otherwise, when you arrive at the bus station, you are unlikely to leave – tickets are sold out very quickly.

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The Amphitheater is shaped like an oval, 130 meters long and 100 meters wide. In the very center there was an arena where the main action took place, and the spectators were placed on stone benches or gallery. At that time the arena was intended for gladiatorial battles and later for knights’ competitions.

In the 15th century, stones from the Amphitheater began to be dismantled for other buildings under construction in Pula, including the construction of the Castle. Therefore, it required constant restoration work, and today it can accommodate about 5,000 people. In the summer season, the theater arena turns into a venue for various festivals and concerts: Opera, Equestrian and Film Festival. You can stay in a hotel in Pula, which overlooks the amphitheater.

Underneath the arena are underground corridors used by the gladiators, and today, there are many archaeological finds and various exhibits that tell visitors about ancient wine production and olive tree cultivation. Many of the finds can be viewed in the Historical Museum. And here you can see special crushers, vessels and presses, as well as amphorae for storing and transporting the products.

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So, the Vranjaca Cave or Spilja Vranjaca in Croatian is a rather unusual place that gives travelers a lot of unforgettable sensations. Its entrance is located near the village of Kotlenice, on the northwestern slope of Mount Mosor. Don’t be surprised, but the cave is not state property, but part of the property of a local resident – a representative of the Punda family, who today acts as its caretaker. By the way, it was his grandfather who discovered this underground natural formation. Almost immediately the cave became the property of the family, members of the family brought light there, strengthened the passages, made comfortable steps and for more than a hundred years the maintenance of the underground kingdom is the main family business Punda.

Back in 1929, the Vranjaca Cave was opened to tourists. According to modern geologists, it is at least three thousand years old. The cave is beautiful and bottomless, mesmerizing with its vaults, which resemble a large ancient temple. Its two spacious halls are decorated with sculptures, to which a talented master, whose name is Nature, had a hand. The point is that once very long ago an underground river was slowly carrying its waters here. An earthquake provoked a change in the earth’s crust, and the river went away, revealing to people the incredible beauty of stalagmites and stalactites. These are not just underground formations, they are true works of art. Looking at the bizarre sculptures and distinguishing in them images of people, animals, birds, unseen monsters, flowers and trees, and can not fully believe that they are all non-man-made works. But it is true: time and water have made the dull vaults of the cave turn into a dwelling of truly fabulous characters.

Memo for tourists with children: you do not have to sit with your baby in a hotel room – the cave can be visited by the whole family, as it is very well landscaped and completely safe. But it is worth stocking up on warm clothes in advance, because the temperature inside this underground kingdom does not rise above 15 degrees Celsius.

Since a large number of spotlights installed in the cave constitute a rather energy-consuming lighting system, it is not profitable for the owners to launch 1-2 people into its bowels. Usually there is a tour for groups of 5 to 8 people. In high season it is not a problem, as there are always enough people who want to go down into the realm of stalactites and stalagmites. Remember that it is not recommended to stay in the cave for more than an hour.

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The mountain slopes of the Biokovo Park are mainly made of sandstone and are covered with grass and shrubs. Not so long ago the mountain slopes were dotted with forests, but due to the development of the Croatian agricultural complex, a large area of the park was burned for fields, but this did not destroy the local flora and fauna. The snake eagle is considered the king of the local mountains, you can also meet the Dalmatian dormouse, and there is no limit to the variety of plants. If you look closely at the nearby shrubs, you will notice dwarf bells and other endemic plants.

Climbing the highest mountain, you will be delighted by the panorama: on one side is a scattering of Croatian islands, on the other – endless fields and mountains.

Don’t miss to visit the local Botanical Garden, where you can observe the life of rare birds, plants and animals. You will especially enjoy the so-called “vrtache” – natural depressions in the ground, similar to wells, which are up to 80 meters deep and 150 meters in diameter. At the bottom of such wells there are often spruce trees and local wildlife hiding.

The Makarska Riviera is famous not only for its historical monuments and temple architecture, like the Franciscan Monastery, but also for its beautiful nature, as evidenced by the
Before going to see the Biokovo Nature Park, there are a few things to know:

• Take warm clothes, a hat, a camera.
• Dress as comfortably and simply as possible, shoes should be only on a low walk.
• Independent visit to the park is not recommended.
• Excursions can be booked in any city on the coast or hotels in Makarska, transfer and lunch are included in the cost of the hike, duration – half a day. Prices vary depending on the season and remoteness of the departure point.

An unforgettable adventure on the slopes of the Biokovo Nature Park, which takes only half a day, will leave a vivid trace in your memory, and photos of stunning nature and panoramas will warm you even on the harshest winter evening.

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Why you should visit Trogir

You will visit both the mainland of Croatia and the island at the same time. Further towards the island, there are campsites for travelers with tents, various water activities, hotels, and bars.

One day will be enough to see all the sights, as they are located on a single square, Trg Ivana Pavla II.

The Cathedral of St. Lawrence, the City Hall, the Church of St. Sebastian and the Church of St. John the Baptist. Many other temples, churches, towers and ancient buildings formed the charming historic center of the city. One day is enough to see them all. But most likely you will want to stay longer to enjoy the atmosphere.

A little further from the center is the Camerlengo Fortress, which is worth seeing no less than other historical buildings in the city. On the other hand, there is a large park, and water transport runs from the piers to many nearby islands.

In general, the city’s location is ideal to stay in during your vacation. And already on the spot, plan day trips to different destinations: to the islands, to Sibenik or Split.

What places are worth visiting in Trogir

1. Restaurant & Bar Calebotta at Gradska Ulica 23. European restaurant with exquisite design, quality service and an extensive menu. There are fish and seafood on the grill.
2. Konoba Pizzeria Arma at Setaliste Stjepana Radica 51. An inexpensive place with an open space and sea views. Large menu, cooked from fresh local products. The restaurant is located further from the center, on the island, but is ideal for lunch during a beach vacation.
3. Restaurant Bocel at Put Brodograditelja 16 is the closest to the center and has good reviews. There are tables overlooking the sea or in the middle of the atmospheric restaurant. It serves local wine, cocktails, seafood and fish.

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In 2004, Davor Preis came up with an idea to expand the idea, he designed and produced the installation Nine Views: 9 planets of the solar system were made of stainless steel in scale to the size of the Sun and installed around the city at a distance proportional to the distance between the Sun and the planets of the solar system.

The scale of the system is 1: 680,000,000,000

Under each sculpture is a metal plate with information about the name of the planet, its diameter and average distance from the Sun.

As a result, Zagreb got its own miniature of the solar system from 9 separate installations of Nine Views planets together with Ivan Kozarić’s “terrestrial sun”.

The planets are scattered around the city: the closest planet to the sun, Mercury, is located 75 meters away from The Grounded Sun, while the most distant Pluto is almost 8 km away from the Sun.

Location of the sun and planets in Zagreb, Croatia:

• Sun – Bogovićeva ulica 1B
• Mercury – Margaretska ulica 3 – 75 meters from the Zagreb Sun
• Venus – Trg bana Josipa Jelačića 3 – 141.1 meters from the Sun
• Earth – Varšavska ulica 9 – 193.7 meters from the Sun
• Mars – Tkalčićeva ulica 21 – 295.2 meters from the Sun
• Juriter – Voćarska ulica 71 – 1176 meters from the Sun
• Saturn – Račićeva ulica 1 – 1851.2 meters from the Sun
• Uranus – Siget 9 – 3718.2 meters from the Sun
• Neptune – Kozari 17 – 5833.5 meters from the Sun
• Pluto – Aleja Bologne – 7658.6 meters from the Sun

Another monument to the sun and planets is located in the city of Zadar, but on a much smaller scale – this place is called Greetings to the Sun and one of the favorite places in Zadar

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Where to relax in Podgorica

The small town, known as the most cozy place to relax, is located near the settlements of Makarska and Tucepa. Tourists confidently call Podgora the pearl of the Makarska Riviera, which enchants with its pine forests, olive tree plantations, incredible sea and beach. This settlement is part of the community along with such towns as Drasnice, Igrane, Gornji Igrane, and Živogosce. They are also popular resorts and therefore easy to reach. The town is located at the foot of the majestic Biokovo mountain range, which is impressive in its scale. Podgorje is a fairly small settlement, but it is long, as it continues along the coastline. Thanks to the Adriatic Highway, which passes through the resort, the town is connected by modern, comfortable roads to almost all towns in the province of Dalmatia. It is also interesting that the locals have long been engaged in fishing and winemaking. However, when travelers began to take an interest in such an impressive city, tourism became Podgorica’s main income. Nowadays, there are only five hotels here, but there are also apartments and private houses for rent.

The historical heritage of the resort is quite small. In the 16th century, Podgorica was first mentioned in a written document. One of the most famous Croatian politicians, writers and priests, namely Mihovil Pavlinović, was born in this small town. He played a significant role in the revival of the country. The resort is also known for the fact that it was here that the Croatian partisan fleet began in 1942.

What to see in Podgorica

There are only a few historical monuments in the resort itself. One of them is the monument “Wings of the Seagull”, which was erected 20 years later by the city authorities in gratitude to the navy. There is also a statue of the Siren. If you walk to the seashore, you can see several towers that were built to protect the city from Turkish pirates. A part of the chapel that used to be on the territory of the residence of a wealthy family has been preserved since 1804.
There are 6-7 national parks around Podgorica that are worth visiting. For example, the Biokov Nature Park, which is spectacular for its sunsets. It is here that the highest point of Podgorica is located. The cities of Dubrovnik and Split are also worth visiting.

Beaches worth visiting

Due to the fact that Podgorica is a small town, all the beaches are located just a few minutes from each other. As a rule, tourists prefer the coast that is opposite the apartments. That is why the largest number of people rest in the center. The best reviews about the beach behind the Sirena Hotel. It is ideal for families with children, because there is a fairly steep slope to the sea, and the pebbles are very small, so you don’t need special shoes. You can also rent sunbeds. The beach is located among a large number of pine trees that create a pleasant shade. There are no pine trees on Aurora Beach, so you should visit it in the evening. If you want to take a lot of beautiful photos, then you should go to Chakle beach. There are a lot of palm trees, small waves, but few people swim here. If you are bored with the beaches of Podgorica, you can go to Tucepi or Makarska.

Entertainment in Podgorica

The main entertainment for tourists during the day is relaxing by the sea. For older children there is a playground on the water, which includes several slides and mazes. You can also ride a catamaran, a water scooter, make a parachute jump, or go on various excursions. The main routes are to the Balchyn Lakes, the Neretva Delta, and the monastery in Zaostrig. The towns of Promajna, Šibenik, Trogir, Split, and Dubrovnik are especially worthy of your attention.

There are also several nightclubs and restaurants on the waterfront that are open late. The nightlife of Podgorica ends there. We can safely characterize this resort as a family resort.

Where to eat

There are three restaurants worth visiting in Podgoro: Bistro Pizzeria Centrum, Tavern Nota Bene, and Roko Restaurant. All of them are known for their hospitable owners, quality service, and convenient location. These restaurants offer seafood and vegetarian dishes. In general, they are known for their European and Mediterranean cuisine.

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Where to stay in Omish

Omis is a small town wonderfully located near the Cetina River, which flows into the sea. It is protected by high mountains that stop a large flow of wind. Since ancient times, this settlement was considered home to pirates who often robbed ships or neighboring towns. History says that this city was once called Oneon and was known back in the heyday of Rome. In the 7th century, the Slavs came to these territories. Omish was also at the center of a conflict between two powerful empires: Ottoman and Venetian. Since 1797, the town has been part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and now it is a jewel of independent Croatia.

What to see in Omis

Like most cities in Croatia, Omis has two parts – old and new. Some of the monuments have an incredible history, but over the years they began to deteriorate. Now, two architectural buildings are considered the pearls of the city.

It is a monument from the time when the city was ruled by pirates. It is located in a rather inaccessible place, at the very top of the mountain. The ascents to it are steep and strewn with small stones, which makes the road much more difficult. Once upon a time, pirates, having plundered neighboring towns, would return here by river and gather all their loot in one place. For years, they were considered unruly. In the 16th century, people from the settlement began to complain, and the Crusaders from the Venetian Republic were able to calm the robbers down. It is from this place that you can take incredible panoramic photos of Omis. Unfortunately, this tour is quite difficult, so the elderly and children are not recommended to visit it.

The second symbol of the city is also associated with pirates. The fortress is located on one of the cliffs above the city and offers a fascinating view. The climb to this architectural landmark is not difficult, and the tower offers a view for several kilometers in different directions.

Beaches worth visiting

One of the reasons for vacationing in Omis is the variety of beaches. Here you can find beaches with sand or pebbles, or wild beaches with lots of vegetation. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages. The beaches of Nemira and Duce are ideal for families with children. Due to the large number of trees, a cozy shadow is created here. The coast is quite gentle and very clean.

The big advantage of these beaches is sand, not pebbles in the sea. There is another sandy beach a little outside the city – Lokva Rogoznitsa. All of them have a wide range of cafes, water activities, etc. on their territory. There is also the Ruskamen beach. It is popular among yachting enthusiasts or those who like water sports, diving, and surfing. Ruskamen has one of the oldest nudist beaches in the country. Other beaches worth visiting are Stanychi, Chelina, Mimice, and Marušići. All of them are located along the coast and fascinate with their diversity.

Entertainment

Most of the entertainment in Omiska is related to the sea. Almost every beach offers a variety of equipment for water sports, diving or surfing. For those who like extreme sports, there are interesting offers: rock climbing or cycling.

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Major resorts in Croatia: Pula, Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar

To combine a seaside resort with a cultural vacation, you can choose one of these cities. The advantages include a large number of establishments of various formats. Discos and other entertainment for young people. Transport links to the islands and a choice of accommodation for any amount: from cheap rooms to luxury apartments.

Zadar is worth a trip to hear and see the sea organ. The city is worth visiting and enjoying the music of the sea. In Pula, you will see the famous amphitheater, as majestic as the Colosseum in Rome.

Dubrovnik and Split are ancient cities with incredible architecture and history. You can see the places where the famous Game of Thrones series was filmed and visit many architectural monuments. Book excursions to islands, national parks, and vineyards.

Baska Voda: sea and mountains

If you want to escape to a small town, this is the perfect option. It is located at the foot of the Biokovo mountain. An extremely clean resort, fresh air, and stylish parties. There are entertainment formats for both young people and relaxing family vacations.

Resorts in Croatia on the islands: Brac, Pag, Hvar

Among the many islands of the country, these three popular destinations should be considered for your vacation:

Brac is a famous resort that is in demand among European tourists. It is known for its clear water, sandy beaches, and convenient location right next to the big city of Split.

Hvar – is characterized by architectural diversity, the historical center should be visited in its entirety, as it has preserved the monuments of both Ancient Rome and medieval Venice. And even Hollywood celebrities love the beaches of this island. So hurry up and book your accommodation near the coast you prefer: rocky, stony or sandy.

Pag is an island that is just made for gourmets. You can combine a seaside vacation with a local cheese tasting and a tour of a cheese factory. You can also taste the local cuisine in all its diversity. Not only seafood or fish, but also dairy products, red meat dishes, and young wine.

The Istrian Peninsula: Porec, Umag, Rovinj

These three resort towns are located in the western part of the Istrian peninsula. They are located very close to each other, and among the advantages are: affordable housing, location near Italy, cozy atmosphere of the towns. All of them are located right on the seashore and in a day you can get around all the most interesting things in the city to go on a beach vacation.

Rovinj is one of the largest cities on the peninsula. Here you can find cheap accommodation and taste fresh fish dishes. The city is multinational – Croats, Italians, Slovenes, and Albanians live here.

Umag is the closest to the border with Slovenia and the Italian city of Trieste. It takes less than an hour to get to this beautiful city by car.

Porec is a beautiful city with a historic center surrounded by the sea. This resort is ideal for those who are going on a camping vacation. After all, there are several campsites nearby.

Where is the best place to live during your vacation?

In big cities, it will be easier to find cheap hotels, as competition has a good effect on pricing. In small towns, it’s more convenient to vacation in groups – cozy apartments will cost no more than a hotel, but all the housing will be completely yours.

Those who travel by car and with tents have a chance to reach the most remote small resorts and enjoy nature. In this case, you should focus not on rental prices, but on the availability of comfortable campsites.

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