Split

After lots of getting lost, Cal and I zipped down the Croatian coast to Split, one of the country's largest cities. We stopped off in Sibenik and reveled in the picture-perfectness of the seaside historic town (and got lost yet again trying to find Krka National Park, which should have been impossible to miss). We spent a day bumming around the pool at Le Meridien Split Lav (along with Leonard from Big Bang Theory--Cal and I like to vacation with the stars), which ended up being one of our favorite days of the trip. The ocean's water is crystal clear with varying shades of impossible blue and green, and the weather was pretty perfect. 

After turning in our rental car, we spent our second evening in Split strolling through the Diocletian Palace maze. The Diocletian Palace was constructed by the Romans in 305 AD, and now it houses cobblestone sidewalk restaurants (with lots of surprisingly expensive but undeniably delicious seafood) and our lovely hotel, the Hotel Vestibul Palace. The entire city consists of white stone buildings and walkways that are lined with kelly green-shuttered windows. Not bad for a port city.

St. James Cathedral in Sibenik

Podstrana, Croatia

While the water is super beautiful, the sea floor is pretty rocky

Infinity pools are generally a good idea

The Hotel Vestibul Palace, smack in the middle of the Diocletian Palace

Plitvice Lakes

We jetted from Istanbul to Zagreb, Croatia on Turkish Airlines (which is an awesome airline--fresh-squeezed orange juice, a full meal, and free full-length features for a two-hour flight), rented a car, and headed south to Plitvice. Plitvice is a national park wedged in between Croatia's karst mountains, and is comprised of a series of ultra-green lakes and dozens of waterfalls. When Cal and I were deciding where to travel, pictures of Plitvice were the deciding factor in determining our travel destination. And it was so beautiful. 

The real highlight, of course, was the park. We explored the pathways that wind around the lakes, and we hiked to the top of the park and took in the equally spectacular views from afar. We arrived in the late afternoon and felt a bit squashed by the crush of tourists, so the next morning, we woke up early and traipsed around shortly after the sun rose. We had the park to ourselves, and it was one of those truly great life moments. My only regret for this portion of the trip is that I wished we had left ourselves at least 7-8 hours to fully explore both the upper and lower lakes. 

We stayed at the Ethno Houses Plitvica Selo, which is a new lodge perched on top of the national park. We got hopelessly lost trying to find the lodge--it was not near anything. Except, as it turns out, a huge waterfall with a pathway down to the park (which we realized after we paid $30 each to get in through the tourist entrance). The Ethno Houses were mostly great--piney smell, rustic, quiet, peaceful, delicious (but expensive) local food, ceramic farmhouse-style appliances. Like ritzy lodging. I wish we had stayed a couple days.

Even the rest stops in northern Croatia are beautiful!

Hiking near our hotel 

Not often that I wish I had my fly rod with me . . .

Early morning hike

This picture doesn't look scary, but trust me, I'm about 3 feet away from a drastic cliff. Of course Cal strutted right up to the edge and gave me a heart attack.

The moment we realized that our lodge was right next to the park, and we had paid $60 we didn't have to. (Minus one for our hotel, which should have told us about our proximity to the waterfalls.)

Cherry mousse goodness.

Waterfalls!!!!!