June 1 2013 Plitvice National Park

We arrived at Plitvice National park and staying just outside the park at Camp Koruna.The day we decided to go to the park was a Sunday and they were having a marathon so it was very crowded and and the upper lake was closed off.This is a Unesco site and it surpasses everything we have seen this far.If you ever get to Croatia this is a must see.There are 16 terraced lakes with waterfalls everywhere.You walk on slippery wood planks so you have to be careful when wet.They have small electric boats to get you to the upper lakes and lower lakes.There are many trails to hike up and down to see all the beauty of this park.The photos I'm posting will never show you how beautiful it really is.

May 30,2013 Pula

Our next stop on our journey is Pula.We stopped here to see the large roman amphitheater.The one in Pula is the 6th largest and supposedly one of the best preserved. After seeing the one in Rome it wasn't what we expected.We walked around the old town and saw the forum and cathedral.We didn't spend much time here and continued on to Plitvice National Park.

May 29,2013 Rovinj,Croatia

Today we crossed the border into Croatia and had to have our passports checked and stamped.This country isn't part of the Schegen treaty so they have a border crossing.Our first stop was in a city called Rovinj.We are staying in a campground on the Adriatic Sea called Amarin.They have a lot of rv spots here but some are not real level.The town is about 4 km from the campground and no bus service.They do have a water taxi to take you to Rovinj but it wasn't running this morning when we got ready to go into town so we walked and walked and walked.Rovinj is just across the water from Italy so there is a strong Italian influence here.Rovinj's old town has lots of narrow and twisting cobblestone streets and sits on a hillside down to the water.They have a nice market and nice looking vegetables,fruits and lots of olive oil.On top of the town sits a church dating from 1754 called St.Euphermia it's a replica of the bell tower from St. Mark's square in Venice.We had a nice lunch on the water and was able to return to the camp by the water taxi which was now running.

May 28 2013 Postojna Caves,Predjama Castle

Our next stop on the road was Postojna Caves.It's the biggest caves in Slovenia with 12 miles of explored caves.When you enter the caves you board a small train which takes you into the caves 2 miles.You then get off and walk about 1 mile before getting back on the train to take you back to the beginning.One of the formations is called the Organ and one that looks like a giant ice cream.It was interesting but on the expensive side.I think it was 33 Euros for the caves and the castle.The next stop was to Predjama castle.The castle is one of Europes most scenic castles burrowed into the side of the mountain.If you would like to find more history of the castle you can do a web search.Tomorrow we should be entering Croatia.

 

May 27,2013 Ljubljana

Today we took the bus into Ljubljama and started with a free 2 1/2 hour walking tour of the city.We started out in front of the pink landmark Franciscan church of St. Mary's in Preseren Square.A statue of Preseren Slovenia's greatest poet stands in the square.There are many bridges that cross the Ljubljama river and one is called the Triple Bridge.At one time it was a single bridge but later was made into 3.In the old town they have a nice market with lots of fresh vegetables and fruits.We stopped for lunch and had a bowl of soup which was very good.We came to the cathedral of St Nicholas with a interior of Italian Baroque.Very beautiful inside.Ljubljama also has a castle above the town and we took the funicular up to the top.The view from the top was very nice.There is a tower you can pay to go inside and see but we didn't seem to interested so we skipped it.It was a nice walking town and we enjoyed Ljubljama.

May 26,2013 Vintgar Gorge

When we left Lake Bled we went a few miles out of town to the Vintgar Gorge.The river Radovna has carved this mile long picturesque gorge into the mountainside.There are boardwalks and bridges that you cross along this trail and you will marvel at the clarity of the water.

We left Vintgar Gorge and proceeded to the capital city of Slovenia,Ljubjlana.When we arrived at the campground it had rained a lot and the sites were pretty muddy.We got into a space and got stuck so several men pushed us out and then we found a little better spot.Tomorrow we will tour Ljubjlana.

May 25,2013 Lake Bled

Above the far end of the lake are the Julian Alps covered in snow and standing over Lake Bled.

In the middle of the lake sits a small island which has a small church you can visit.The only way to the island is by the plentna boats.You also can rent a row boat and row your self across if the weather is good,which it wasn't.The church also has a romantic twist as many brides and grooms venture over there where the tradition is for the groom to carry the bride up the 99 steps to the church.

Bled also has a castle that sits on the edge of a cliff.it's over 1000 years old and at one time was the seat of the Austrian Bishops who controlled Bled in the middle ages.

We loved this area of Slovenia with all it's beauty.If the weather had been better it would of made it even more enjoyable.