Hey, all!
I know it has been a few months since I updated the blog. BUT for good reason! I have been traveling a decent amount the past month, which is good news for my travel blog. This first update is about one of my new favorite places in Croatia: Plitvice Lakes.
What are the Plitvice Lakes?
Croatia has many natural parks throughout the country, which makes connecting with nature, getting a good workout and seeing new places very easy for expats like us. Plitvice is a national park about an hour southwest of Zagreb (between Zagreb and Zadar). We tacked it onto our trip to Split with Bret's folks, and I am so glad we got off the beaten path for a bit.
The Plitvice Lakes National Park is built around beautiful lakes and waterfalls, and since its discovery there have efforts of preservation, science and tourism, which make it a must-see attraction for visitors and residents alike. There are a few ways to experience the park: hiking the upper lakes, hiking the lower lakes or taking a boat tour on the lower lakes. We chose the upper lake hike, which was an hour and a half hike up and a bus ride back down. We were intimidated by the time at first (light hikers here), but the beautiful scenery made the time fly by.
Rain flooded a few of the trails, so we had to hike up the road for the last stretch, but overall the experience was amazing. Ticket prices vary by season - July and August are about $26 per person, April through October are about $16 and November through March are only $8 per adult. We were there in May, and we thought the ticket price was well worth it.
"Why go in the Winter," you ask. The waterfalls freeze in place - WHOA. We went in the Spring season, but I have heard the winter tour is insane in January. No matter which time of year you visit, though, you are sure to be amazed. I am sure the Autumn tour is insane, too, with some of the trees' leaves changing color.
There is a restaurant and cafe at the entrance of the park, so you can grab a coffee before your hike and food afterward. Near the park are also several hotels if you want to make a day of it. Like I said, this was an easy addition to an already planned trip.
What's Next
The Plitvice Lakes speak for themselves, so sadly this post is not long. But coming up I'll write posts about Budapest, Bratislava and more Croatian must-see places. By the end of our post next year, I hope to give you all a map of must-see places if you have a week in Croatia. Stay tuned!
Love to all,
Morg
