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| Korcula |
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| Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina |
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| Kotor, Montenegro |
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| Diocletian Palace, Split |
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| Rovinj |
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| Pula |
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| High-school friends |
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| Bill and I in Lake Bled, Slovenia |
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| Ljubljana, Slovenia |
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| Postojna Caves |
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| Bill and I in Zagreb |
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| Franciscan Monastery in Kosljun |
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| Opatija |
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| Opatija Promenade |
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| Wall City of Dubrovnik |
By Jose A. Gonzalez
My partner Bill Caruso and I took this trip with Grand Circle Travel company out of Boston. They specialized with small groups land tours around the world and also river cruises in Europe. We departed from Miami to Dubrovnik on May 21, 2012. Arriving the next day. Transport to the Hotel for a rest and ready for the next day adventures. Started with a city tour of Dubrovnik by a local guide will introduce you to the Stari Grad, the extraordinarily well-preserved Old City.
Still an exquisite walled city today, Dubrovnik’s character reflects its storied past as an independent city-state that rivaled Venice. Also known by its Latin name, Ragusa, this was a fortress city that served as the base for a fleet of ships that carried trace between much of Europe and the Middle East. The city-state period of autonomy extended from 1358 to 1808. In recent times, some of Dubrovnik’s historic sites sustained damages in the Balkan conflicts of the early 1990’s, but the city has been peaceful for more than 10 years and largely restored under UNESCO supervision.
Next day we leave the hotel to the island of Korcula--famous for the world traveler, writer and Venetian merchant, Marco Polo. Beautiful Island with a wall city too. had lunch and visited Croatian peninsula of Peljesac, where we had a taste of some of the famous wines the region is known for.
Next we went to the city of Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina, internationally know for it Old Town and Bridge, now a symbol of reconciliation, cooperation and the coexistence of diverse cultural, religious, and ethnic communities.
The following day we went to Montenegro (Black Mountain), republic whose roots go back to the eleventh century and which declared its independence in 2006, making it the world’s newest nation. About the size of Connecticut, Montenegro is set apart from it geopolitical neighbors by never having been conquered by the Ottoman Turks. The country is blessed with remarkable natural beauty, from rugged mountain ranges to long unbroken stretches of beach on the Adriatic. We went to Kotor Bay, Europe's southernmost fjord(and a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site). We took a city tour of Kotor. The city was part of the Venetian Republic and had four centuries of Venetian influence. We had lunch in a little town of Budva. By the beach with a beautiful Wall City that was damaged 1979 by an earthquake but has been faithfully restored and gives a vivid impression of the medieval period.
Today we will ride north to Split in the Croatian province of Dalmatia. A beautiful ride with constant views of island, beaches, and blue water ways. Arrive at our hotel for Lunch and in the afternoon for a tour of Split, an active port that is home to the ancient Roman Palace of Diocletian. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the greatest Roman ruins in Central Europe. Build in AD 305 by the Emperor Diocletian, this fortress-like palace was protected by walls 590 feet by 705 feet. As you stand in the peristyle (central court) of this grand structure, its scale is sure to impress you. The Medieval town of Split took shape within the palace walls; Diocletian’s Temple of Jupiter was converted in Christian baptistery and his mausoleum became a cathedral. The entire old section of Split, with the palace as its centerpiece, is a virtual open-air museum with the city contemporary life bustling through it.
After breakfast the next day we transferred to Opatija, a city whose lush green scenery and pleasant climate have made it a popular European vacation destination for two centuries.
Opatija city tour you will view the city’s Austro-Hungarian architectural presence in its beautiful villas and stroll along its famous seaside promenade, the Lungomare. In the afternoon We had a discussion on Croatia Today. This is part of a discovery series that Grand Circle Travel provides for us to learn more about the country we visit from local Universities. We also have Home hosted Dinners by local families to provide us with first hand knowledge of how the people live and to see their family life.
Today from Opatija we went to Istrian Peninsula. We visit Rovinj, a coastal town build on land that was once an island, but was connected to the mainland by a causeway in the 18th century. The town overlooks an island-dotted Adriatic seascape and lush pine forests on the mainland, with large areas protected as parkland for their scenic beauty. Presided over the Baroque Church of St. Euphemia, Rovinj served as a health resort for children in the days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and attracts active vacationers today for sports ranging from windsurfing to cycling. You are likely to hear some Italian spoken in Rovinj, which host a sizeable italian community as a result of the area's former rule by italy. After lunch at a family farm we continue to the large city of Pula, which has been a strategic port since the times of the ancient Romans. They built a 23,000-person amphitheater here, on a site overlooking the seacoast that is the sixth-largest of its kind to be preserved in the world. We returned to Opatija for the evening. The promenade walks were fabulous and beautiful restaurants all along.
After breakfast we went to Krk, the largest of Croatia's islands. We also visited the much smaller island of Kosljun, whose only inhabitants are monks living in a Renaissance-era Franciscan monastery. The monastery contains a rich collection of sacred art and objects, including many rare and invaluable manuscripts, charts, and parchments. Though only about 16 acres area, Kosljun is a little paradise rich in flora, with more than 400 species of plants and flowers, and 148 different types of mushrooms. We met a high-school class of local teenages that wanted to speak english with us and we had great fun with them. We had lunch in a beautiful town of Vrbnik known for its white wine Vrbnicka Zlahtina, and enjoy a presentation on wine’s production, as well as a wine-tasting with lunch. Back to Opatija for dinner and relaxation.
After breakfast we checked out of Opatija and begin our transfer to Lake Bled, Slovenia. In our way we visited the beautiful Postojna Caves, created by millions of years on water activity---drop by drop, year after year. We enjoy a train ride and walk down into the caves as your explore the ancient wonder beneath the surface. After we had lunch and continue to Lake Bled.
Slovenia resort area of Lake Bled is beautiful. It is blessed with natural hot springs regarded as having healing powers, and has been a popular fresh-air retreat since the mid-19th century. Near the hotel, forest paths designed by the 19th-century Swiss health advocate, Arnold Rikli, provided views, weather you walk them for exercise or ride in a one-horse carriage. Carriages also travel a lakeshore promenade lined with chestnut trees, and rides on the lake in a pletna, a local version of a gondola, can take you to the island church (in season). Two prominent features in Bled’s vistas date from earlier in it history; Bled Castle, which for 800 years was the seat of the bishop of Brixen (now South Tyrol); and 17th-century church located on an island in the lake.
We loved Lake Bled, the hotel was right on the lake and one morning early I heard a strange sound, got up and went to the balcony. Right in front of the room a hot air balloon was just crossing the lake on top of the castle,
It was breath taking view and a memory that we will not forget.
The next day we went to Ljubljana the capital of Slovenia.
A very nice city of 300,00 people. Much of the city was rebuilt after an 1895 earthquake, Slovenia’s capital has a unique architectural style that has integrated surviving historic structures with more modern designs. The work of Joze Plecnik, a 20th-century architect and Ljubljana native, is particularly remarkable for the way it incorporates Roman, medieval, Baroque, and Habsburg elements.
The Ljubljanica River flows through the heart of town, with dozens of shops and restaurants on its promenaded embankments . The city’s large market square sprawl along the river's south bank, between the Plecnik-designed Triple Bridge and the Dragon Bridge, near the Cathedral of St. Nicholas built in 1701. A lively student population swirls through all of these enticing public spaces because the city is home to Ljubljana University, Slovenia’s major institution of higher learning..
Returning to Lake Bled. The following day the tour ended for many of our group. Bill and I attended for three more day and traveled to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. Our hotel was in the city center, very convenient to all the place to see. We walked and took public transportation to museum, art galleries, botanical Gardens, restaurants etc. Zagreb is a very happening city. Croatians are very big fans of football. The National team was playing in Zagreb during our visit. Each evening in the city center we had free musical concerts and large beer gardens were set up all over the city for everyone to enjoy. Bill and I had a great time during this vacation and strongly recommend it for all of you to visit
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