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European Christmas
  • Rae Dyer
  • Rae Dyer

European Christmas

A 15-day adventure by Rae. Read more
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  • Trip start
    December 21, 2022
    Rae DyerEuropean ChristmasTraveler

    Hello my old friend Europe

    December 22, 2022 in Croatia ☁️ 3 °C

    There is always an interesting feeling I get in those first seconds of leaving an airport. When the doors open and you feel for the first time, the natural air and you truly know you’ve arrived. Sometimes it’s a blanket of tropical warmth, others just a fresh breeze on your face, or a reminder you are home but arriving in Zagreb was exhilarating. Mainly because I was wearing nothing more than a t shirt and vest but also because it was zero degrees and covered in fog. I stepped out of the airport and into a deep freezer, Zagreb did not reveal itself immediately. It was not obvious what lay ahead but it wasn’t long before I was able take my first step into cobblestone streets and the years stolen by a virus were returned. The world was again my oyster or for the non oyster lovers, my lobster.

    Zagreb is not always the first place that comes to mind when you think of a European holiday, or even when planning to visit Croatia, but if the last 24 hours is anything to go by, I would say it’s a well kept secret and surely can’t stay that way for long.

    When I was growing up in the 80’s we used to watch the 6 o’clock news. From our lounge rooms in safe and laid back Redcliffe we would see images of war in a far away place called Yugoslavia. It looked cold, dark, and the people were sad. It was not a place you would want to go and definitely not a place I could have ever imagined spending Christmas 2022. The war ended in 1992 and Yugoslavia disintegrated into many new countries.

    Croatia was free to be whoever she wanted. So Zagreb chose to be friendly (humanly and environmentally), respectful of tradition while cutting the edge with modern touches, obsessed by coffee and just generous. If a city can be gendered in any way, it feels feminine. But she is comfortable in her own skin and doesn’t see the need for excessive glitz and glamour. Instead, she makes you feel like you have sat down in the lounge at an old friends house and she has the kettle on.

    Thanks Zagreb for inviting me in, today I am going out there to enjoy the cuppa.    Read more

  • Rae DyerEuropean ChristmasTraveler

    The Museum of Museums

    December 25, 2022 in Croatia ☁️ 10 °C

    Zagreb is a relatively small city, you can walk all the highlights easily in day, but for such a small city it punches way above its weight in one thing others don’t, Museums. In fact, it has 34 (that I know of).

    It’s my rustic guess that there is one museum for every 10 permanent residents so I wonder if the locals actually manage to see them all? Now that was an exaggeration but it’s not just the volume that is interesting but the subject matter of each one that puts it on a whole new level.

    A day of Museums could go a little like this …. Starting at the Cannabis Museum which is conveniently close to the Chocolate Museum, then the Mushroom Museum, leads you gently to the Museum of Illusions. Topping off the museum rave is the 80’s Museum. Nothing screams a good dance party like the synthetic sound of Ah Ha.

    The Police Museum has distanced itself and lives by the theory of what happens in Zagreb stays in Zagreb and there is nothing to see here.

    Unless you want to see yourself, then the Selfie Museum is right up your ally. Go ahead and snap like no one is looking. After all you have just spent the afternoon at the Museum of Broken Relationships and self care across social media is great therapy.

    What about history I hear you say? That’s covered too. The Jewish Museum will be a reminder of what we should never do again as this inevitably takes you to the War Photography Museum, a close cousin of the Railway Museum as I am told the rail system here hasn’t been upgraded since it was used in the Balkans War. I wonder whether the Mini train Museum can offer a glimpse of the future?

    There are also all the usual suspects that other cities can roll out around archeology and modern history but if you want to know about modern electricity pop into the Nikola Tesla Museum. He amped up the game after Thomas Edison.

    So in considering all this, I think there is a need for one more. A one stop shop for those of us just passing through. I propose to you Zagreb that your next Museum be the Museum of Museums where you have a little bit of each all in one place. Now that would be a game changer that even Tesla would tilt his Boater Hat to.

    My advice to the modern day visitor, pack some comfy shoes and keep your eyes open, it’s 34 now but who knows what is going to pop up next and that’s half the fun.    Read more

  • Rae DyerEuropean ChristmasTraveler
    1

    #sLOVEnia

    December 29, 2022 in Slovenia ☁️ 5 °C

    If Zagreb was an old friend, then Slovenia is an influencer.

    Perfectly set up for an incredible shot around every corner. Every part of the country can be accessed within a 2 hour drive and it’s even possible to be snow shoeing in the morning and relaxing on an Adriatic beach in the afternoon. On my trip though, I had limited time so I spent most of it in Ljubljana (Loo-Blah-Na) and Lake Bled. And the photos don’t disappoint.

    I can’t help but think though, if Slovenia was invited to a party, she would arrive late, breeze through the door looking stunning, stop everyone in their tracks, take a selfie and just as promptly turn around and walk out the door. The bewildered crowd would be left asking “who was that”? With a chorus of “I have no idea” ringing out before the party returns to whatever it was doing before that moment.

    For me to have formed a more concrete bond with Slovenia we both probably needed to put a bit more effort in, stick around a bit longer perhaps. I respect the beauty and ease of walking around Europes smallest capital city and Lake Bled with its snow capped mountain backdrop was like walking in a postcard.

    Perhaps in the fullness of time, I’ll see her as more than a hash tag, I do hope so. In the mean time, I head to Austria tomorrow to see what that cranky old rich bastard has in store for me. Hit me with it Salzburg, I’m ready for ya.    Read more

    Trip end
    January 4, 2023