CROATIA

September 19-28, 2017

Arrive late in Zagreb on Tuesday September 19

Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of Croatia. It is located in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain.

Visited Mirogoj Cemetary (photo below from web source)

The Mirogoj Cemetery is a cemetery park that is considered to be among the more noteworthy landmarks in the City of Zagreb. The cemetery inters members of all religious groups: Catholic, Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish, Protestant, Latter Day Saints; irreligious graves can all be found. In the arcades are the last resting places of many famous Croatians.

Wednesday September 20

On the road to Opatija

(unbelievable highway rest stop)

Opatija is a town in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County in western Croatia. The traditional seaside resort on the Kvarner Gulf is known for its Mediterranean climate and its historic buildings reminiscent of the Austrian Riviera.

Image on left from post card Lunch with Mary and Lucy (photo by Tom)

Town stroll…followed by seafood dinner

Thursday September 21

Time to visit old, old places in Pula and Rovinj (Istrea region)

The Pula Amphitheater or Arena is one of the six largest Roman amphitheaters in the world. Erected in the 1st century during the reign of Emperor Vespasian, it was primarily used for gladiator fights in front of 20,000 spectators.

Pula/ Roman Amphitheatre area on right cleaned to show original color (photo on left by Tom)

The Temple of Augustus (Croatian: Augustov hram) is a well-preserved Roman temple in the city of Pula, Croatia (known in Roman times as Pola).

Arch of the Sergii is an Ancient Roman triumphal arch located in Pula, Croatia. The arch commemorates three brothers of the Sergii family, specifically Lucius Sergius Lepidus, a tribune serving in the twenty-ninth legion that participated in the Battle of Actium and disbanded in 27 BC.

Coffee break at Café Diana

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

View of Rovinj ( next five images from web sources)

Image result for saint euphemia cathedral

Saint Euphemia Cathedral

St. Euphemia the All-Praised. The Holy Great Martyr Euphemia the All-Praised was the daughter of Senator Philophronos and Theodosia, both of whom were Christians. She suffered for Christ in 304 in the city of Chalcedon, on the banks of the Bosphorus opposite Constantinople.

Image result for saint euphemia cathedral

Friday September 22

Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of the oldest national parks in Southeast Europe and the largest national park in Croatia. In 1979, Plitvice Lakes National Park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage register.

Hearty “Arawjo” nomads

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Saturday September 23

Krka National Park is one of the Croatian national parks, named after the river Krka that it encloses. It is located along the middle-lower course of the Krka River in central Dalmatia, in Šibenik-Knin county, downstream Miljevci area, and just a few kilometers northeast of the city of Šibenik. It was formed to protect the Krka River and is intended primarily for scientific, cultural, educational, recreational, and tourism activities. It is the seventh national park in Croatia and was proclaimed a national park in 1985.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Sunday September 24

City tour of Split

Split is the second-largest city of Croatia and the largest city of the region of Dalmatia. It lies on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea and is spread over a central peninsula and its surroundings. An intraregional transport hub and popular tourist destination, the city is linked to the Adriatic islands and the Apennine peninsula.

Diocletian built the massive palace in preparation for his retirement on 1 May 305 AD. It lies in a bay on the south side of a short peninsula running out from the Dalmatian coast, four miles from Salona, the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia.

This image (via web) depicts the original structure. The water area is now covered by commercial structures.

Foundation level used for “Game of Thrones” filming; our nomad Richard poses with look-alike Diocletian

Cathedral and Bell Tower of St. Domnius Temple of Jupiter

+++++++++++++++++++

Touching the big toe of the bronze statue of Grgur Ninski, the Bishop and great advocate of the old Slavonic language and national script, tradition has it that good luck is guaranteed.

An evening of fine dining at DVOR (image on left from web)

Image result for photos dvor split

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Monday September 25

A day trip to Dubrovnik passing through Bosnia.

Dubrovnik is a Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea, in the region of Dalmatia. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the Mediterranean Sea, a seaport and the centre of Dubrovnik-Neretva County. Its total population is 42,615. In 1979, the city of Dubrovnik joined the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.