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European Holiday
  • Elvin Brooking
  • Elvin Brooking

European Holiday

Three years on our 'wish list' and the 12 months in the planning stage during some trying times Read more
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  • Elvin BrookingEuropean HolidayTraveler
    Game of Thrones - King of the East Coast
    Catamaran ferryWaiting for our ferryIsland of Hvar - Tvrdava Fortress more commonly known as Fortica town fortressSt Stephen's CathedralThe Catholic Church are very wealthy here, hence the very elaborate interiorsCentral HvarOur first night dinner at family owned restaurant Posteni. YummFlowers bloom with fragrance gracing walkways throughout the townAll the homes are very similar in construction and colourHvar Town & Harbour

    Dubrovnik - Hvar

    May 25–27, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    We say farewell to Dubrovnik with the last walk into Old Town (finally find the Iron Throne) and then catch ferry to Hvar, our home for 2 nights only!

  • Elvin BrookingEuropean HolidayTraveler
    Thank goodness we had brought our light wet weather gear
    Thankfully, we didn't need wets for longChurches everywhere, even very small ones....Maa wanted a pic with this Lada, as was one of her families carBig baby....Zarace, one of two swimming spots suggested, but was only 17 degrees todayZarace, water only 17 degrees. We getting spoiled....LOL'NOOK' restaurant in Stari Grad. The marinated raw tuna was sublimeFamily crypts found around the IslandOld wall terraces which they have begun to save as historical sitesOverlooking Hvar Harbour from Fortress Fortica, which dates back to 1500'sMaarama loved this colourSun finally came out in all its glory, so sunbathing it isBack to 21 degrees water temperature it is, so let's hit the water....

    ATV Quad Self drive Tour

    May 26, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    It had to happen, and after 25 days of sunshine, we had our first rainy day
    Thankfully, it was only a light drizzle and lasted for only the morning.
    Given a brief and directions of what to see and visit, we are off!
    Finished off with 2hrs of lying on the beach sunbathing....    Read more

  • Elvin BrookingEuropean HolidayTraveler
    Split Riva - Promenade in Split, bustling waterfront featuring an expansive boardwalk
    Marjan Hill - affectionately known as 'the lungs of the city' and declared a national parkBeautiful back dropThe bell tower attached to the Cathedrsl of St DomniusTown clockGreat street food tonightDinner on the promenadeBacvice Beach - Central City BeachConsidered a town beachTime for more sunbathingGetting our black on, again!The water here in Croatia is amazing, warm and the water so clearIs that a six pack starting to show....🤣😂Great weather and healthy food returns positive results1A local game called 'picigin' protected as a culture heritage

    Split Riva & Bacvice Beach

    May 28, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Beautiful dinner with the Love of my Life on our 1st night here
    Then another day of lying on the beach is on the agenda for Day 2
    Closet city beach, and only a 10 minute walk from our Air BnB.
    Watch the locals playing a handball game much like hacky sack
    Day finished with street food from a small diner that the locals eat at    Read more

  • Elvin BrookingEuropean HolidayTraveler
    Skradinski buk - Amazing falls
    Again, not that crowded but German people very pushy and rudeA wonderful day to have visitedA boardwalk encircles this nature walk that took just over an hour, with plenty of stops for photosThe fauna and wildlife aboundsAmazing clear water all thru Croatia we have foundPhoto OpSome of these falls came straight out of the rock faces from natural springsThe views were literally breathtakingA lovely Dutchman took this pic for usA full view of this waterfallEuropean Year of the TreeSkradinski buk, seventh, final n longest tufa barrier on the Krka River.Beautiful colourful marble columns grace this church tooMuch of monastery was destroyed by Yugkslavian army 1991-92, Croatia sought Independence1On final walk back to bus we saw 4 viper snakes basking in the sun with full belliesWe're unable to capture a picture of the other two as they slithered off into the undergrowthReally enjoyed this, next National Park will be Plitvice Lakes

    Krka National Park

    May 30, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Saying farewell to Split, we pick up our rental car from the airport and make our way to our next stop for three nights, Bibinje.
    Driving on the equivalent of the German autobahn, with a speed limit of 130kms, car racing past and before we know it, opps, did someway say 150km's....😗😗
    On the way, we take in the incredible Krka National Park, with amazing waterfalls, and Vistovac Island, the site of Franciscan Monastery of Our Lady of Mercy and the Church of Our Lady of Visovac, among the most important natural and cultural values of the Republic of Croatia    Read more

  • Elvin BrookingEuropean HolidayTraveler
    This lovely mosaic tiled bench seat is sitting on the waterfront
    Our studio apartment right on the sea with it's own steps and handrail down into the seaOur neighbours made sure that they 'reserved' the large area, that they wanted lolA stunning sunset 🌇Well, we've had more then a taste, we've literally have had a gourmet feast....Local swimming beach, looking across to Zadar in the far distanceJust about back to my rugby playing days weightThe Sphinx was commissioned by a grieving widow after her husband diedBuilt on her estate, upon her death, the estate was gifted to the County and turned into a ParkOne of the entrances into the Old Town of Zadar"Land Gate" was the entrance into Old Town, and was wide enough to fit two chariotsCathedral of St. Anastasia and bell towerRoman Forum ruinsMuch of the Old Town was destroyed in WW II and again during Croatia Independence from YugoslaviaMain entrance into the CathedralAltar depicting many SaintsBaptismal fontWalked the waterfront promenadeThis Sea Organ sounds created by sea waves and sea air are emitted hereMusic/Sound created by the sea waves and wind funneled thru various shaped holes into this Sea OrganPublic holiday today - Croatian State Day

    Bibinje

    May 30, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    Named after Vibius, a Roman Patrician who owned land in the village.
    Located southeast of Zadar between the Adriatic tourist road and the sea.
    Our second to last stop here in Croatia
    A visit to Zadar, but otherwise sunbathing and floating in the sea, our only agendaRead more

  • Elvin BrookingEuropean HolidayTraveler
    King Tomislav Square, founder of the Croation United State
    The Royal Palace now a MuseumPalace front entrance, now Zagreb Art PavillionIncredible architectureBan Josip Jelačič SquareMonument of the First Governor or Viceroy of Croatia 1800's - Ban Josip JelačičSt Francis of Assisi Church. This is a very religious country and churches are found everywherePortions of the Old City fortress walls and battlement towers still stand todayZagreb Cathedral undergoing major refurbishmentHoly Mary Monument stands opposite Zagreb CathedralSt Marks ChapelPorta di Pietra (Kamenita Vrata) Stone Wall City GateA place of quiet, solitude and reverenceStatue of St George who had just slain a DragonFound this fountain a right hoot. Boy peeing in a pond.Palace of The First Croatian Savings Bank 1898This was an extraordinary bronze scale of the layout of modern upper and lower Zagreb

    Zagreb - Croatian Capital

    June 2, 2024 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    After a fantastic day at Plitvice Lakes National Park, we arrived into Zagreb early evening, just in time for a quick bite to eat for our dinner.
    Today, we visited some of the main attractions to see here in Zagreb, a Capital city steeped in history, and overshadowed with a violent past.Read more

  • Elvin BrookingEuropean HolidayTraveler
    2Prater Amusement Park in Leopoldstadt the 2nd District in Austria's Capital Vienna
    The largest and most well known and visited park in ViennaWithin Stradtpark are Roman ruins that were the blueprint for much of Vienna's current architectureWater fountains like this are found throughout the ParkThis District of Vienna had a height limit of 5 stories, so every building had a similar heightGrand architecture of 4 floors with the fifth floor Penthouse apartmentsViennesse State Opera HouseThis Moulin Rouge unfortunately was only a restaurant with no Burlesque ShowVienna's Big Bus Hop On Hop Off City Tour2Hunderwasser House named after its renowned artist architect Friedensreich Hunderwasser2State Housing - Vienna's Govt owns approx 250,000 apartments housing approx 500,000 peopleThis Platz (Square) in memory of the founder of the Jewish Zionist MovementClose to the Main Railway Station is this more modern shopping mall1Church of St Francis of Assisi2Protestant Church

    Vienna - Austria

    Jun 5–8, 2024 in Austria ⋅ 🌩️ 26 °C
  • Elvin BrookingEuropean HolidayTraveler
    Riding arena in the baroque Winter Riding School
    2One and only picture captured at the end of the performanceRiders entering the Arena doff their hats to the large portrait of Charles VIThis was Maarama's dream to watch these horses 🐎 performEmpress Elisabeth the wife of Emperor Franz Joseph I3Emperor Franz Joseph hangs in the Kaiserapartments, once the official living quartersA marble bust of the Empress3Palace ball roomSitting room with it's chandelier lit opulenceEmperor Franz Joseph large salonEmpress Elisabeth's large salonSisi loved to exercise to keep her petite figure which was frowned upon by Palace officialsEmperor Franz Joseph main drawing roomMain Dining roomIncredible gold plated candlestick beneath a large gilded mirror

    Sisi Museum

    June 7, 2024 in Austria ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Today, we attended a performance of the International renowned Spanish Riding School, with the world famous Lipizzan horses located in the heart of Vienna's Hofburg Imperial Palace
    Unfortunately, no photography was permitted while the horses were performing, only at the very end.
    Next, we visited Sisi Museum - in honour of Empress Elisabeth of Austria and Queen of Hungary (known affectionatelyby her family members as Sisi,) who was betrothed to Emperor Franz Joseph I at 15 years of age until her death by assassination in 1898    Read more

  • Elvin BrookingEuropean HolidayTraveler
    1Hosting Pride Week on the grounds of Vienna's RingstraBe: Votivkerche Church
    Pallas Athena the God of Wisdom stands proudly outside the portico, alongside ancient historiansBronze statue 'Young Athlete' by Josef Müllner in front of a reduced Greek copy of Theseus TempleCarriage gateways from Imperial Palace across to what were the Imperial stables3The feats of HerculesMozart statue2Johan Strauss statue Apparently this is the most sought after, and photographed statue in Vienna2Little 'golden' musicianLooking towards Karlskirche Church, as seen from strolling Vienna's streets

    Vienna - Day 3

    June 7, 2024 in Austria ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
  • Elvin BrookingEuropean HolidayTraveler
    Picture compliments of Prague Tourism, shows the four main bridges now spanning the Vltava River
    Old Town Bridge Tower is one of the most impressive Gothic buildings in the worldThe bridge side of the Old Town Bridge TowerChurch of St Francis of AssisiChurch of St Francis of Assisi with the statue of King George IV in front stands near the entranceThe beautiful Princess MaaramaSt Salvator Church forms part of Klenemtinum, largest most historic complex of buildings in Old Town2Religious statues are found all along Georges BridgeDistinctive orange coloured tiles adorn the home roofs here in both Old Town and New TownVltava is the longest river in Czech Republic, commonly referred to as Czech National RiverPrague has astounding Political history during the reign of different ruling entitiesThese wooden structures placed in front of the bridge to prevent debris damaging bridge during floodThe boat moored is among one of the very earliest tourist boats that sailed on the Vltava RiverLooking towards Prague Castle in the backgroundStarocktalická církev v ČR , The Old Church in Czech Republic, an early Catholic movementThe steeple of St Nicholas Church viewed from the street walk near our accommodation plus city tramKafka's Statue - Rotating head of Franz Kafka a famous Czech writer2Many beaver seen along the waterways that make up the Vltara River

    Georges Bridge

    June 9, 2024 in Czech Republic ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    A medieval stone arch bridge that crosses the Vltava River in Prague.
    Construction began in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV and was completed in the early 15th century
    Was originally known as the Stone Bridge or Prague Bridge but has been referred to as 'George Bridge' since 1870Read more

  • Elvin BrookingEuropean HolidayTraveler
    Czechs believe that this Castle was used as the inspiration for Disneylands Magical Kingdom
    2Early morning before the crowds got hereChurches are everywhere hereJewish QuarterAmazing architecture everywhereRoof tiles show half with cross and half without The influence of two rulers during constructionOur guide informed us that this uniform was only produced in 1980 for the touristsCathedralIsn't She Lovely2Astronomical Clock2

    Prague Castle

    June 9, 2024 in Czech Republic ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Prague Walking Tour
    Old Town (Upper) & New Town (Lower) devastated by major 1000yr flood in 2002
    Prague Castle founded sometime around 880 by Prince Bořivoj from the Přemyslov family, with both UNESCO & Czech Heritage StatusRead more

  • Elvin BrookingEuropean HolidayTraveler

    Prague continued

    June 10, 2024 in Czech Republic ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    After our Best of Prague Walking Tour yesterday, we decided to catch the tram back up to Prague Castle and venture into much of what we passed on the outside only!
    Inside the incredible St Vitus Cathedral with its amazing stained glass windows, then to the Old Palace with the Coat of Arms of highest officials of the Bohemian Kingdom
    Then we visit St George Basilica (the oldest building in Prague Castle) and finally Golden Lane, with the original period homes of early attempts to create gold and a vast array of period Armour and Weapons.    Read more

  • Elvin BrookingEuropean HolidayTraveler

    Desert Safari

    June 12, 2024 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ 🌬 39 °C

    Desert Safari with ATV Quad bike ride, Camel Ride, Falcon Pic and BBQ Dinner
    What a fantastic last day/night experience

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