Travel Russia Today

One of the most adorable cities in Croatia is also one that is often overlooked. Located along the Dalmatian coast, the town of Trogir is absolutely fascinating, with a culture that was created under Greek, Roman and Venetian influence. When visiting, you may notice that pretty much every window and every doorway in Trogir is a piece of art.

Trogir is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and can easily be done as a day trip from Split. One of my absolute favorite sites was the Cathedral of St. Lawrence, a Roman Catholic cathedral that is the most imposing monument of Trogir. Bearing a Romanesque façade, the cathedral was built between the 12th and 17th century and is part of the town’s history.

Our group was lucky enough to have Ivo for a guide in Split; and wow, did he treat us nicely! After showing us around this exquisite Cathedral, he excused himself and basically vanished through a door in the back. We were all still busy looking around and admiring the cathedral when we looked up… and there was our guide playing the church’s huge pipe organ – which is centuries old! It was absolutely beautiful and I have to confess, it brought tears to my eyes.

In addition to admiring the town’s beauty, when you do make it to Trogir, please make sure to take a leisure walk around the city streets and buy one of their super cheap, yet delicious ice cream cones. I recommend you try the Kinder Egg flavor – yum!

Slovenia seems to slide under the radar for most people traveling to central Europe. If you ask anyone brave enough to guess they will usually assume it is one of the previously war torn countries of the Balkans but most people will have no clue as to its whereabouts or its existence.

But Slovenia is an absolute gem. Hidden between Austria and Croatia it offers some of the most gorgeous scenery to be found and is worth a stop in any itinerary. A short 35 minute flight from Vienna (or 90 minute drive from Zagreb) takes you to Ljubljana the capital of Slovenia. But the brightest point in the gem is Lake Bled.

A dreary day will provide dramatic views as the clouds form a table cloth over the mountains but on a clear sunny day you are surely in for a treat. This is the stuff of postcards! The Julian Alps loom high over the lake and when conditions are right the lake traps them and reflects the majestic image on the calm surface.

While summer is more likely to guarantee better weather, the spring and fall mean less crowds. Strolling along the lake side with this magnificent backdrop will forever be remembered.

And there is more to do than just stroll and gaze at the breathing scenery. A medieval castle, complete with drawbridge and moat and that dates back to 1004, keeps watch from the top of the cliffs on the north shore and is worth a visit. In the courtyard you will find Dickensian stores with artists who still practice traditional manual printing techniques with a wooden press. Warm summer nights often feature classical concerts under perfect star lit skies.

The other main attraction here sits in the middle of the lake on Slovenia’s only natural island – the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Mary. A Pletna carries you across the lake and 99 stone steps (or a more gentle rampway) take you up to the church. It is traditional for grooms to carry their new brides up the 99 steps to ensure a happy marriage and fun to watch them try. Once inside the church ringing the bell will fulfill one of your wishes – only one wish per ring please!

End the day with a delicious sundae or ice cold Zlatorog (the local beer) at one of the local sidewalk cafes and as you watch the world go by you will understand how you happened upon one of the lesser known but remarkable sites of central Europe.

Everyone always wants to go to St. Petersburg during the White Nights Festival (May 15- July 15th), Munich during Oktoberfest, and Croatia during the summer months but I am here to tell you that I have done it and if you do not like crowds (like the one you see here of people waiting hours to enter the Hermitage Museum), you will not want to be in these places at these times! I have been to St. Petersburg over 10 times and I must say that some of my most enjoyable times have been during the winter months. Mind you, I live in Florida so Russia in the winter is a BIG step out of my comfort zone but well worth it.

We always think that we have to be part of an epic moment to have a memory but I can assure you that whether you see Catherine Palace July 1st or January 1st, you will still be impressed. Better yet, don't you want to be able to walk through the Old Town of Dubrovnik on your own- not with 10,000 of your not-so-close friends? Europe, as do most places, has its high season (when airfare and hotel rates are through the roof) during the summer months (May- September).

If you want to save some money, not have to fight with crowds and ultimately have an island such as Hvar to yourself then I suggest booking your trips during the less peak times, such as October- April.

While in Croatia last month I had the opportunity to take the ferry over to Hvar. The island is known as the “sunniest spot in Europe” but as my luck would have it, it began to rain cats and dogs as soon as we set foot on the island. We attempted to do some sightseeing but gave up after visiting the Franciscan Monastery and tucked into the Adriana for a delicious lunch of tomato soup. After drying off, warming up and refueling we decided to brave the elements once again.

Mother Nature was not on our side as we attempted to see the Arsenal. It began to rain so hard the steps to the entrance became flooded as a river gushed down the stairs. We would have turned back except we had been promised there was a woman inside who was selling lavender knick knacks. Money had been burning a whole in our pockets all day and we could not take it any longer. All of us determined women joined hands and formed a human chain slowly ascending the treacherous waterfall. Our efforts were rewarded when we not only found the woman but also discovered a small bar serving great Croatian wine! This poor Croatian woman didn’t know what hit her as we stormed her display and scooped up everything in sight; lavender oils, lavender sachets, lavender doted chocolate and dried lavender.

After drying off a little again and enjoying our drinks, it was time to head back to the ferry. And although I cannot agree Hvar is the sunniest spot, I can agree it is a charming island and I now have the best scented sheets around.

Croatia is truly one of my favorite destinations – such a relaxing country, with delicious food and breathtaking natural beauty. When Jade, Leigh and I were there last November, we originally arrived in Zagreb and, afterwards, we drove down to Split. Although flying between the two cities is an option, I definitely recommend driving – mostly because you will have a chance to make a stop at the Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is totally worth all the fuss about it.

The park consists of 16 lakes inter-connected by several waterfalls, covering an area of over 70,000 acres! If you are a nature and scenery lover, you can easily spend an entire day there. I cannot tell you how many absolutely magnificent pictures I took – and I still think they do not do the park justice.

We were lucky to have such a GORGEOUS day with no rain or clouds. I say that not only because of my obsession with taking pictures, but the walking path – while very pleasant – would not have been so effortless under rain. Some of the paths are a little uneven, get slippery when wet and for the most part there are no handrails. In addition to that, some of the footbridges are made of logs - so make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes!

Our enjoyable walk ended by a lake and a boat ride followed – such an incredible view! At the end of the ride, we had to go up a lot of steps – so make sure you are prepared to get a workout! Oh, and do not forget to take some water with you.

I was fortunate to be traveling down the southern coast of Croatia last week between Split and Dubrovnik. The main road runs parallel to the coast with its dramatic cliffs dropping down to the Adriatic Sea below. The drive normally takes about four hours but I highly recommend taking a detour, if time allows.

About half way down there is a town just to the east, Narona. Here you will find a fantastic museum of the former ancient city ruled by the Romans in the 2nd century BC. The museum is built over the exact site of the excavations. A temple was discovered in 1995 which included 12 statues. Many other artifacts have also been recovered from the site. You walk over metal grids at times to look down into the original dwellings. Only about five percent of the site has been unearthed. The remaining 95 percent is still covered by homes of residents not ready to pack up their bags!

Next door is a charming little restaurant with a wood burning oven turning out delicious breads and slow cooked meats. Be sure to try the homemade walnut brandy; it will surely give a jolt if you are feeling sluggish after your meal.

As I continue down the coast I was surprised to discover I would have to go through Bosnia to reach Dubrovnik. Prices are much cheaper in Bosnia, so the be sure to make a stop at the market along the way to stock up on wine and chocolates.

I am your typical American and everyone who knows me will agree with that 100%. I drive a gigantic SUV, watch Sunday football (American football!) and most of all love that I can buy all my groceries at one place- my gigantic Publix! This is not to say that when I travel, I do not indulge in some different activities, such as visiting the local market. For those of you that have not traveled outside the US borders, you are really missing out.

In nearly every foreign city, especially those in Europe, you can find a local market (typically in the town square) that sells everything from fruit to shoes. I was just in Croatia last week and we decided to visit the fruit and yummy cheese market in Split (they sell sheep cheese that is to die for). Before I go on, I want to tell you that the market is beautiful, the fruit is ripe and delicious and the shoes are Nine West- this is really a must see!

So, we entered the market, thinking this would be a leisurely stroll- boy were we wrong. One of my first encounters with a local lead to a smush and grind into my foot (OUCH!). The people shopping here mean business! The market is an everyday occurrence for the locals and just as we lose our patience and get annoyed with lines and crowds at our stores, so do they.

This beautiful novelty, so I thought, turned out to be a survival of the fittest. I was run into, stepped on and repeatedly pushed out of the way for I was only walking (not sprinting through the market). I was starting to think I took on some sort of super power that made me invisible (boy would my nephew think I was the coolest person ever). Since I am a pretty laid back person, I have to tell you that I thought this was all pretty amusing- in a painful kind of way. The day ended and fortunately I did not have to visit the Croatian hospital so all in all, it was a fun and interesting (to say the least) experience.

Do not let this deter you from the markets, they are great. I just want you to go prepared and warn you to bring your closed toed shoes and some heavy duty shoulder pads, you will need them.