Plitvice Lakes National Park...Croatia

Believe it or not, even people that travel full time enjoy taking a vacation from time to time.  Recently we took a side trip in Croatia to Plitvice Lakes.  It is a beautiful national park known for its 16 terraced lakes and numerous waterfalls.  It also has a series of boardwalks that criss cross the park which made hiking all the more fun.  We spent 2 nights and three days there enjoying the pleasant fall weather and the beautiful scenery.      

The path we took from the mountain village where we were staying to the park entrance.

One of the electric boats you can take to cross the lake.  

A little friend I picked up along the way.  She joined us as we hiked around the largest lake in the park.

One of the restaurants that can be found inside the park.  

Split, Croatia...and...Krka National Park

As I begin to write this new post, we will have been in Split for a little over one week.  We love our new home...and enjoy discovering all the scenic areas in this beautiful part of the world.  We arrived at the Split airport late at night...so instead of going directly to our AirBnB, we decided to book a night in a hotel in the small city of Kastela and hang out there until it was time to check in at our new place.  During our stay, we hopped the city bus and traveled to the historic mid-evil town of Trogir.  It is located on a small island between the Croatian mainland and the island of Ciovo.  Here, we enjoyed a nice lunch and toured the town.   

The Kamerlengo Castle in Trogir.

Inside the castle.

Later in the afternoon, we hopped the same city bus and took it to Split.  

There are plenty of restaurants located along the promenade near the Adriatic Sea.

During our first week of living in Split we took a guided tour of the historic city center.  Much of the old town is located inside the Palace of Diocletian.  

Our tour guide standing near the statue of Gregory of Nin.

The Golden Gate is one of several entrances into the Palace.  

The central square within the Palace.

The vestibule to Emperor Diocletian's apartments located in the Palace of Diocletian.

Below is a video of performers using the klapa style of singing.  

Another view of the vestibule

The Bell Tower of St. Domnius...we can see it from our apartment window.

The substructures found within the Palace.
It is one of the best preserved ancient complexes of their kind in the world.

One of many pretty buildings found near the city center.

The National Theater...where we got tickets to see the ballet for $12.50.

Inside the National Theater

Our favorite activity in Split is to take a daily walk in Marjan Park.  It provides a great view of the city, and good exercise.     

Just one of the more than 1,000 islands found on the coast in this area.  

There always seems to be a cross at the top of a hill.

One day we were excited to take the bus to Krka National Park.  Once there, we boarded a boat and took it up the river to the entrance of the park.  

Krka is known for it's many waterfalls.  In the summer, thousands of people travel here to go swimming near the falls.  

Lance looking very daper.

Me, getting in my daily workout.  

Lance hiking on the boardwalk that runs throughout a portion of the park.

In the park you can also visit a small ethnic village where you can see a loom used for weaving, a blacksmith shop, and a traditional kitchen.    

At the end of the day we decided to hike back to town instead of taking the boat.  It was a beautiful walk on a nice sunny day.