The Plitvice lakes: The Plitvice lakes are Croatia's most famous national park and are among the most beautiful sights in Europe. Due to their natural diversity, they are part of the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Plitvice lakes consist of 16 connected lakes and numerous waterfalls, surrounded by dense forests. Many trails and small, wooden bridges, built just above the calm water, await you in Plitvice. Besides on foot, you can explore the National Park by tourist train or boat throughout the whole year. Read what others are saying about Croatia’s Romantic Lakes destinations: |
| Romantic lakes - Untouched Beauty...Must Experience Yourself! - by jungbuggy from NYC - Jan.6.2008 The caves and waterfalls and colors of Plitvice is quite breathtaking by day and we spent a day and a half walking the trails and riding the ferries and chatting with tourists from all over the world. The landscape is as untouched as you can get, and you feel very very small amidst it all. Stunning - by andih311 from Fort Collins Colorado - Jan.6.2008 One of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. I highly suggest walking the various trails to experience the variety of views. There are amazing photo opportunities everywhere you look. There is one trail that takes you above the water - it looks a bit off the beaten path. It is a great idea and you will get some solice from the hoards of tourists below. Further, walking along the higher part gives you an excellent view of the lakes. You can walk along the water level on the way back. Naboo on Earth! - by mikewonders from Los Angeles - Dec.11.2007 Driving into the National Park was one of the most picturesque experiences of my life. I haven't seen so much lush, beautiful landscape in my entire life. But that was just the tip of the iceberg. We checked into our hotel, which overlooked a waterfall that day - excited for what was to come.
The next day, we got on a bus that drove us up a winding road to the top of a mountain. We were directed to a trail path to start our adventure. At first, nothing too spectacular... a parking lot and a trail. But when you round the corner, you're hit with it........ Romantic lakes - History and Nature all rolled together! - by Travelyen from Ancramdale, NY - June.2.2007 After a few days in the heat of Split, I took off for Plitvice, in the Krajina region of Croatia, near Bosnia-Herzegovina. The park itself is made up of a series of tiered lakes joined by cataracts, waterfalls and streams. At points it felt as if I was walking through a rain forest. Yes, it was raining off and on, but that kept the tourists away, accentuated the greens and blues of the foliage and water, and cooled off my Dalmatian baked psyche.
I stayed in the Hotel Plitvice-Bellevue, which has not been reviewed so well, but I was pleasantly surprised. I have always loved Croatia, and this was no exception. The staff were very helpful (bus schedules, fixing my mobile, etc...) and the rooms were very simple, but clean and neat. The food was so-so, but if you eat in the Restaurant Poljana and skip the self-serve, you will have a decent meal. Down the road a few km is Lička Cuča, a national restaurant that serves up great, filling, portions of the local country cuisine.
Getting there and away is easy, but you need to tell the bus driver that you are stopping at a specific hotel. Leaving is the reverse process, and the Zagreb bus goes both ways through the park. Easy-peasey! So grab your hiking shoes, your rain hat and your camera and go! top page |
| Krka national park!  One of the most fascinating romantic lakes destinations is a nearby Krka River National Park. Established in 1985, the 142 sq km Krka National Park follows the line of the Krka river, from its source in the foothills of the Dinaric mountains on its short journey through the dramatic karst landscape to its finish in the Adriatic sea near Sibenik town.
The river flows through a limestone gorge, dropping over 220m in 50km, with eight sets of rapids. Only two falls – Skradinski buk and Roski slap – are in the park itself, although the former is the most impressive of all with a 46m drop over seventeen limestone steps.
After the noise and rush of the falls, visitors are surprised to find the tranquillity of Visovac. This small island is the site of an old Franciscan monastery, established in the 16th century. Now home to a library of books and manuscripts, the monastery is the best place for contemplating the serenity of the park in perfect peace and quiet. top page |
