Stop #5: Zagreb

Just to be a little confusing, in Zagreb we're staying at the Hotel Dubrovnik. That's it, the larger imposing square building on the right:

The rooms are European-semi-fancy. Our room will probably look like this:

Here's what seems to be a very flattering picture of Zagreb:

We're here for 2 nights and then we fly home. I'll place a bet now: I won't want to come home.

Stop #4: Split

Split is another ancient city (flickr slideshow here), and Diocletian's Palace (photos) is the heart of it. I'm going to see Diocletian's Palace. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site: "The ruins of Diocletian's Palace, built between the late 3rd and the early 4th centuries A.D., are found throughout the city. The cathedral was built in the Middle Ages, reusing materials from the ancient mausoleum. Twelfth- and 13th-century Romanesque churches, medieval fortifications, 15th-century Gothic palaces and other palaces in Renaissance and Baroque style make up the rest of the protected area." But it's not just a bunch of dusty ruins; it's really the heart of the city. Check this out:

That's a cafe in the ruins. That's how they roll.

Still, this too:

We'll be staying at Villa Varos:

Split

Three nights in Split, and then we drive back to Zagreb. We could take the same route we took at the beginning, or we could also drive through Bosnia-Hercegovina. I think I might want to do that.

Stop #3: Dubrovnik

Actually, we'll be staying just outside Dubrovnik at this beautiful family run boutique hotel situated at the beginning of the promenade in the old town of Cavtat, in a centuries old mansion. Twelve rooms. Sweet.

Apparently there are bells. Bells ringing 52 peals at 6 a.m and again at 6.30a.m. Shades of Enkhuisen. At least we know ahead of time. Cavtat is on a lovely harbor:

Cavtat sounds and looks absolutely gorgeous; click here for a slideshow of photos of the town. We'll explore Cavtat, I'm sure, but we're there for Dubrovnik. People go on and on about Dubrovnik, I cannot wait to see it (flickr slideshow here). It's an ancient walled city:

Four nights in Dubrovnik/Cavtat, and then we head up the coast to Split.

Stop #2: Rab Island

We drive to the coast, take a 15-minute car ferry to the island of Rab. Is it gorgeous? YES. (photos here!)

Gorgeous. Adriatic Sea, warm clear waters, seafood deluxe. We'll be staying at this really beautiful hotel, the Arbiana Hotel. We're springing for the fancy room with a private balcony, ocean view and a view of the park.

here's the hotel, overlooking the ocean

balconies

The kind of room we'll have. God I hope it's not this red.

We'll stay here for 3 nights, then we'll drive down the coast to Dubrovnik.

Stop #1: Plitvice Hotel, Plitvice Lakes National Park

We fly into Zagreb, and we're just going to rent a car and head out. We'll see Zagreb on the back side of the trip. First, we'll drive to Plitvice Lakes National Park, and stay in the hotel there. The reviews we find for the hotel say things like "go for the lakes, not the food!" The hotel is just fine, not more, but who cares? We're going for the scenery. Click here for a sample of images of the park. Can't be bothered to click through? They mostly all look like this:

So who cares if the hotel looks more like this:

Perfectly fine. We'll probably try to find someplace nearby for dinner, given the descriptions of both the food and the dining room, but breakfast the next morning should be just fine. One night here, then off for a short drive to the coast, and a ferry to the island called Rab.