Friday 19th June

Orebic was another lovely place that we lingered longer than initially intended. Our site was neatly arranged under the pine trees on terraces so from a very short walk we had access to the swimming pool overlooking the beach and sea.

Sue at Orebic campsite

A short walk into the village of Orebic brought you a charmingly unspoilt seafront that we could only find three touristy type shops. I hope it takes a long time to change.

Busy main street Orebic

We had to drag ourselves away from here after two nights as we had to head for Zadar to meet Carly. We left with plenty of time to catch the ferry from Trpanj to Ploce and it was as well we did due to serious roadwork on the way where part of the road had crumbled and fallen into the river. Interesting way that traffic lights are obeyed in Croatia.

Our ferry awaits at Trpanj

After a bit of a wait in Trpanj our ferry arrived and in very quick tome left again after unloading and loading vehicle and passengers. An hour later we were off in Ploce and heading for Split. We stopped at a site at Stobrec, just south of Split but an easy bus ride in. It dropped us right by the Bazaar next to the old city with its Roman walls and buildings. Browsing the Bazaar stalls was fun especially seeing the huge piles of cherries for sale. We loved Split and would happily return.

Cherries for sale at Split Bazar

Onwards the following day to Zadar to meet up with Carly who was flying out.

Arriving at our selected site we took a walk round and both decided ‘no, I don’t think so’ and quickly left. We drove along the route we had taken into Zadar from Ploce and at random picked a site on the side of the road and what a lovely find it was. The owner was happy to take us to Zadar airport that night to meet Carly and couldn’t have been more helpful. Seaviews from our pitch, immaculate facilities and only about 50yds to have a swim in the sea.

Sea not far from our pitch here

A bus from the end of the road took us into Zadar the following day and after exploring the old centre we spent some time experiencing the Sea Organ which has to be unique.

Roman Forum Zadar

Next day saw us heading to Zagreb and a site that we were not too sure about but which turned out to be quite nice.

Ornate church in Zagreb

Zagreb itself was a lovely capital city, quite compact and with a charm all of it’s own. Not as historic and as old as some cities we have visited but in its own way lovely. From Zagreb we headed off towards Plitvice National Park which we were going to the next day. Arriving at our intended site we were told they were full with no space for us. However, they relented and said we could stay in the parking area with electric hook up nearby. It was one of the best pitches on the site if you didn’t mind the lack of grass on it.

Plitvice cannot be described as it is somewhere like we have never encountered before, simply stunning!

Plitvice National Park

Plitvice National Park

All too soon it was time for Carly to fly home and after a couple of days to ourselves at the site at Starigrad Paklenica we are heading on to Ljubljana and Bled tomorrow.

Sunset at Starigrad Paklenica

Dubrovnik 3rd June 2015

We arrived in Dubrovnik on our ferry at 08.00 after a very peaceful crossing. We had boarded at Bari in the usual chaotic Italian manour but once on board when collecting our cabin key we were shown to our cabin by a charming crew member. No hunting for you cabin here. We unpacked then went and found the bar for a drink. Very pleasant staff again and a charmingly old fashioned feel to the bar area even down to partitions on the double seats to stop you sliding. The tables reminded us both of being back on board one of our own boats as well. Breakfast was included in our ticket so we both got off the next morning to a very good start. We arrived at our campsite by 08.30 and were welcomed by the owner and showed the pitches available. We chose one surrounded by olive trees and also the odd Carob tree.

After catching a bus from just outside the site at Oresac (a 150 Kuna fare, about £1.50) we arrived in Dubrovnik and walked down the many steps to get to the town. We, like many others I am sure gravitated to the harbour where an old twin masted working boat was giving trips around the bay and an island just offshore. Too much of a bargain not to at 10euros each. It lasted about an hour and was thoroughly enjoyable. Back into the town where we enjoyed whitetail (described as little fish on the menu) and a beer for a very reasonable £24. Good for the main square of a tourist centre, they were very good too.

Dubrovnik is lovely and we were thoroughly taken by the Old Town. For our visit the weather was too hot but otherwise perfect.

Tomorrow we are heading on to Orebic for a night then catching the ferry from Trpanj to Ploce to avoid driving through Bosnia as our insurance does not cover us for that. After that on to Split for a night or two. 

Croatia is all we hoped it would be so far and more.

Monday 1st June 2015

Since my last post we have had a thoroughly enjoyable but hectic time.

After Florence we spent a day with a guide in Siena and in San Gimignano, the later being particularly lovely. This was followed by a day visiting a Roman church and Rural Heritage museum which was fascinating. After this we had a buffet lunch at a local winery where we sampled the bottled produce.

View from San Gimignano enhanced by Sue

Olive press at Rural Museum

Pisa was lovely despite the rain

On the following day we visited Pisa and Lucca, again amazing places and another fantastic guide. After a free day we moved on to a site just to the North of Rome where we had two full days visiting the many Roman sites and spending much time in The Vatican City. 

Pantheon in Rome, still standing after 1800 years

Once Rome was seen we had a memorable couple of days taken by coach to Sorrento where we visited Pompeii (wonderful) before an overnight stay in a hotel. Following this we were treated to a spectacular drive along the Amalfi coast and lunch at a hotel overlooking Amalfi itself. All too soon we had to return to Rome and complete our tour.

Pompeii street

Amalfi coast, where do you start !

Once this was finished with another multi course dinner we headed off on our own and spent a couple of nights on a site just on the edge of Pinto, just North of Pescara. Although a lovely site it was quite noisy with a railway line not far away so we moved on to a site near Manfredonia further South. This was much quieter and had a beautiful white sandy beach that just went on and on. Three nights here saw us ready to move on however and today we arrived at Giovinazzo, just North of Bari where we get the ferry tomorrow to Dubrovnik to start our tour of Croatia.