Is This the Istrian Peninsula? Why Yes It Is!

 Driving north along the coast showed how beautiful the Dalmatian coast is and how important boating and sailing are to this region. Our tour guide explained that they learn to swim before they learn to walk because life is all about the water.

cute town near river

waterways heading north

for some reason, animals acting human at restaurant

A real bear was outside!

               

Then inland to Plitvice National Park, a beautiful park for hiking - not swimming.  The park has 16 lakes connected by waterfalls. This is because minerals have created walls within the lakes that form barriers for water to fall over to the next lower lake.  Water is a beautiful blue green.  We walked around several of the lakes to see the waterfalls.

looking over the edge!

refreshing!

Waterfalls everywhere!

crystal clear water

rapids

On to Opatija, a beautiful town on the Adriatic coast that has been known as a health resort since the 19th century. The promenade along the water was fun to walk with stalls selling trinkets, musicians and impressive old mansions.  They have an annual chocolate festival!

the view from our room

Maiden with a Seagull statue overlooking the town

chocolate fountain

Turk dips cookie in fountain

promenade

colorful buildings

 

On to Pula, yet another town representing the Roman, Venetian and Habsburg reigns. The sixth largest Roman arena is here as are other Roman ruins.  

Pula's arena is still in use

random temple

One of many Gates

More gates

 

Medieval town Rovinj, windy cobblestoned streets, Venetian influences

Venetian gate

looking out from cathedral

village street

town streets

needed beverages

too many warnings!

great sign-PAUSE

We Split for Split

 We ferried off our island back to the mainland to reach Split. Split is famous for the UNESCO site - 3rd century Diocletian Palace. Apparently this was used in some Game of Thrones scenes. It was big, old and its building materials had been used for housing over the centuries. My disappointment was that the famous Croatian chocolate maker shop was closed!  My glee was the hotel had a spa with different 'experience' rooms - Mediterranean sauna, regular sauna, rain forest shower, cooling shower, salt wall relaxation room, walking sauna tub.... and a couple of pools and jacuzzi!!

ferrying into Split - old city highlighted by Diocletian tower

parking seems to be a problem here

documented!

Diocletian's Palace where Diocletian retired after emperoring. He ticked off so many people that, after he dies and was buried, they removed him from his tomb, replacing him with the body of one of his Christian victims. How's that for the last say!

basement of palace

what is used to look like

cool ceiling

tower

lion, cat? on tower

exterior wall of palace facing inland

Happy in Hvar

 Think Monte Carlo and Tortola with a Croatian twist. High roller town with lots of yachts. 

welcome to Hvar...with a few rules and fines

original small port of town...not for the yachts

these go around the corner from original port

boats coming in at days end

sunset over Hvar from the castle

main square of Hvar

island hopping around Hvar..nudist island!

lots of places to relax-nude

finding a swimming spot-sitting spot for Turk

the disco island

 

Dubai based yacht can be yours and you 11 best friends for a week, with crew of 10 for $350k.

dinner sunset

dinner

dinner gang

Our room in Hvar was very special - was the tour guide's room that she kindly gave us. Bathtub at the foot of the bed and a living room. Bathroom had a rocking chair. 

windows were all skylights - we had attic room

Tub and TV at bed's end

view from one of our rooms - the castle