Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for croatia
A Symbol of Defiance in Croatia
By Linda Tancs
In 1991, tanks from the Yugoslav People’s Army rolled through Osijek, Croatia. Undeterred, a local resident parked his red Fiat (also called a Fićo) on the street in front of the approaching tanks, blocking the road as an act of defiance. He exited the vehicle before a tank rammed into the car and dragged it along the street before crushing it. A monument was later unveiled to commemorate the event. Known as The Red Fićo, the installation shows a Fiat climbing a tank, symbolizing resistance, and in the end, victory, in the war for independence.
Share this:
A Historical Gem in Croatia
By Linda Tancs
Brač is a Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea. The oldest inhabited village on the island is Škrip, a sparsely populated hamlet where olive oil is produced. Not surprisingly, you’ll find a Museum of Olive Oil there offering tastings and sales. The medieval center boasts a tower that contains the Island of Brač Museum as well as a Roman mausoleum said to contain the remains of the daughter and wife of Emperor Diocletian, who ordered the quarry of local stone for the construction of his palace. A ferry service runs between Split and Brač.
Share this:
Croatia’s Green Island
By Linda Tancs
It’s high season at Mljet National Park, Croatia’s southernmost national park. Its lush, green vegetation has earned it the nickname, “the Green Island.” The majority of the park is covered by forest and, among its many charms, you’ll find two saltwater lakes, the Great Lake and the Small Lake. The Isle of Saint Mary sits within the Great Lake and includes a Benedictine monastery. Park admission includes a visit to it by boat. The villages of Polače and Pomena are connected to the lakes by hiking trails, one of the most popular activities in the park. Get there via ferry from Dubrovnik.
Share this:
A Walk by the Sea in Croatia
By Linda Tancs
A landmark of Opatija, Croatia, Lungomare is a seafront promenade connecting the picturesque fishing village of Volosko with Opatija and further on with Ičići, Ika and Lovran. A popular path for locals and visitors alike, some of the scenes you’ll encounter include beautiful beaches and coves, the magnificent Villa Angiolina (housing the Croatian Museum of Tourism) and the iconic Maiden With The Seagull sculpture near the boat harbor.
Share this:
The Brela Stone
By Linda Tancs
Croatia’s Makarska Riviera is a quiet enclave under an hour by bus from Split. The first town you’ll encounter is Brela, ringed by the Biokovo mountain range, the second-highest in the country. It’s known for its pebble beach and the postcard-worthy Brela Stone (Kamen Brela). An icon of the Dalmatian coastline, Kamen Brela is a large, tree-covered rock off of Punta Rata Beach. Be sure to take a walk along the town’s seaside promenade, blessed with shady, scented pines, for even more incredible views.
Share this:
Croatia’s Long Island
By Linda Tancs
Dugi Otok is, literally, Croatia’s long island. Long and stringy, it’s aptly named. A hotspot for scuba diving and instruction, the island is also known for its nature park in the southeastern part of the island. Telašćica Nature Park is a study in contrast: peaceful beaches on one side and imposing cliffs on the other. Its status as a protected park owes to some 400 plant species as well as numerous rare and endemic plants that have been recorded as well as an underwater world that is home to about 250 plants and 300 animal organisms. You might also spot one of the 14 island donkeys. The simplest route there is from Sali, the main town on the island.
*************
To limit the spread of COVID-19, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
Share this:
Winging It on Cres
By Linda Tancs
The Eurasian griffon vulture is one of Europe’s largest birds, sporting a wingspan anywhere from over seven feet to nearly 10 feet. It’s one of the prized features of Cres, a Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea. You’ll find them nesting in the cliffs near the village of Beli, one of the oldest places on the island. The main resort is Cres Town, where the Venetian Tower serves as a reminder of Venetian rule in the 16th century. Ferry service to the island is available via Krk or Istria.
*************
To limit the spread of COVID-19, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
Share this:
A View of Slovenia
By Linda Tancs
With views stretching as far as Slovenia, the castle fortress known as Veliki Tabor in northwestern Croatia has a storied past. Some of its parts date to the 12th century. Later, it was remodeled by a family that ruled for three centuries. It would undergo several transformations since then, including use as a prison, a nunnery and a warehouse. Now a museum, a guided tour includes a walk through the fort center and the courtyard gallery, highlighting the castle’s architectural elements, from Late Gothic to Renaissance and Baroque.
Share this:
Capitals of Culture in 2020
By Linda Tancs
Happy New Year! And you know what that means—another set of European Capitals of Culture! This year’s honorees are Rijeka (Croatia) and Galway (Ireland). Croatia’s third-largest city, Rijeka is its principal seaport, with an attractive promenade along the city center (Korzo). Given its seafaring heritage, a visit to the Maritime and History Museum is a must. Housed in the former Governor’s Palace, it includes artifacts like a Titanic life jacket, picked up by a worker on the Carpathia, the ship that saved over 700 passengers. In Galway, the offerings for its celebratory year will be classically Irish yet seen through a European lens. It’s a perfect opportunity for the Galway International Arts Festival team to collaborate on a year of arts programming. Don’t miss the chance to stroll along the city’s canals, following the River Coribb, where the locale is perched.
Share this:
Seeing the Light in Pula
By Linda Tancs
Pula, Croatia, is situated at the southern tip of the Istrian peninsula and is the area’s largest city. Known in ancient times as Polensium, the town is rife with Roman architecture. The Roman amphitheater, in particular, is a well-preserved spectacle in the heart of the city, retaining its complete circuit of walls. Used as a concert venue (especially in the summer), it boasts great harbor views through the ancient arena walls. This time of year, though, the main event is the Visualia Festival, Croatia’s first festival of light. This year’s celebration, taking place today through September 21, represents a first-time partnership with the ILA (International Light Association), bringing together lighting professionals worldwide.
Travelrific® Travel Journal 