Zadar
(pop 78,200)
Dalmatia
Republic of Croatia
May 28, 2015
Zadar attracts a vibrant mixture of local residents and international tourists.
No cruise ship passengers here. Just a lively assemblage of individual travelers, local teenagers, and moms and dads out with the kids on an ordinary yet sparkling Thursday afternoon.
In the bright afternoon sun, everyone enjoys the sights and sounds of this historic city by the sea:
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Zadar Region
Croatia
May 27, 2015
Plitvice Lakes lies midway between Zagreb and Zadar.
A pocket guide published by the Zagreb Tourist Board, Zagreb and Surroundings posts this description of the Park:
The Plitvice Lakes National Park, a magical world of lakes, forests, waterfalls, moss, water and sunlight is a true natural monument, a unique phenomenon under the protection of UNESCO.
My guidebook has more detail:
Split
Croatia
May 30 2015
I adopt three distinct strategies to avoid the teeming hordes streaming through the streets of the Old City of Split.
The first strategy is to avoid them altogether by wandering towards the port and then up the cobbled streets and stairways to the hills above the city. Great scenery…well worth the climb....
Gjirokastër
Albania
May 14, 2015
In Tirana I met a young man who bragged that he had taken a swim in the Blue Eye. Since I was heading in that direction, I decided to visit the Blue Eye and see what the fuss is all about. Maybe I’d be able to make the same boast as my young friend.
Berat
Republic of Albania
May 12, 2015
Mirëmëngjesi – Good morning,
“I wish I had planned to stay here longer.”
Haven’t we all have expressed that sentiment at one time or another?
That’s exactly how I feel in Berati. I’m here on a day trip from Tirana, but I wish I can stay longer.
Athens
Greece
April 24, 2015
My friends,
I suppose that when you think of Athens you think of Greek temples and marble columns and sculpture from centuries ago. And I am sure that very soon I will see those unique features of the city.
But on this first morning I head out from my hotel to Victoria Square. From the square I can take the subway to the Acropolis stop. But instead I decide to walk in that direction. I eventually arrived at the station but not at the temple.
