Plitviče Lakes National Park

Today we left Zagreb and drove 3 hours to Croatia's oldest and most popular park. It is a chain of 16 terraced lakes, connected by waterfalls, surrounded by forest. We walked among the turquoise lakes on wooden boardwalks, which allowed us to get very close. We took an 8-mile mike, most of the time accompanied by a portion of the 1 million visitors the park gets each year--think some of Yosemite's popular trails.

From there we went to stay overnight at Korana Village, population 15. The entire village, which is in the boundaries of the national park, was destroyed in the war, but is now rebuilt. Our group is staying in two cabins on the banks of a clear, cool river--perfect for cooling off after another 95 degree day. We have our own cook who has prepared fantastic regional cuisine for our meals, which we eat on a covered porch next to her herb garden. The evening found us sitting creekside sampling the local beer, wine and their equivalent of grappa.Read more