Emily: I’ve wanted to go to Croatia for the last several years. I heard wonderful things about the country and how beautiful (and relatively affordable) it was compared to the rest of Europe. It’s located in Eastern Europe and is just a few hours from Italy.
Last year, my friends and I organized a group trip to visit Rovinj, a small coastal town on the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia. It’s a gorgeous town full of romance. Everything is stunning there, from the streets to the houses. The food is also excellent.
We went for a kizomba dance festival. Later in the trip report series, I will introduce you to kizomba and describe what an incredible dance it is! The dance festival was amazing and Croatia is definitely a place I want to return and spend more time exploring! The trip’s retail cost was ~$17,000 but I paid ~$900.
Ready for a Big Day at Plitvice Lakes National Park, the Largest National Park in Croatia
Captivating Croatia Trip Report Index:
- Part 1 – Introduction and Planning
- Part 2 – Admirals Club Lounge, New York (JFK)
- Part 3 – Air Berlin Flight to Croatia
- Part 4 – Getting to Venice
- Part 5 – A Night in Venice – Gritti Palace Hotel Overview
- Part 6 – A Night in Venice – Gritti Palace Hotel Room
- Part 7 – Apartment in Rovinj, Croatia
- Part 8 – Activities in Rovinj, Croatia – Discovering the Old Town
- Part 9 – Activities in Rovinj, Croatia – Exploring the Old Church
- Part 10 – Activities in Rovinj, Croatia – Day Trip to Plitvice Lakes
- Part 11 – Activities in Rovinj, Croatia – Dance Festival Review
- Part 12 – Eating in Rovinj, Croatia
- Part 13 – Shopping in Rovinj, Croatia
- Part 14 – Return Flight on Lufthansa
- Part 15 – Conclusion & Reader Giveaway
A Day Trip to Plitvice National Park
A trip to Croatia must include seeing 1 of the country’s most beautiful sites: Plitvice National Park. Although it was ~4 hours from Rovinj, it was worth the time to get there.
Plitvice is a valley comprised of 16 terraced lakes with gushing waterfalls and miles of trails. It’s a magical world with of lots of bright bluish green lakes and miles of trees. A true nature’s paradise that wasn’t overrun by tourists.
We started by going to the rental car dealer in town (right by the Concettino cafe) and reserving a car a day before our trip.
Wait – Will We All Fit in That Little Car?
We piled in the car and started our journey.
Our Trusty Captain and Navigator Ready for a Road Trip!
We had only had a few hours of sleep since we were up until ~6:00 am dancing the previous night.
Might Be Time for a Snooze! We Were Tired From the Previous Night’s Festivities
The Croatian countryside was beautiful!
Serene Valleys and Rolling Hills Along the Route to Plitvice Lakes
I wanted to sleep, but I didn’t want to miss out on all of the gorgeous views.
There Was So Much to See Along the Way!
The roads were in very good shape and were well marked.
The Route Is Safe and Easy to Navigate
We stopped once to eat lunch and fill up on gas at a huge roadside rest stop.
There was a large buffet and you could choose from many different foods!
I Wish Rest Stops Back Home Had Such Terrific Food Selections!
I had a beet salad, goulash with rice, pesto gnocchi, and a chocolate mousse dessert. Yum!
Everything Was Tasty, Fresh, and Cheap!
After another hour or 2 of driving, we had finally arrived!
Stretching Our Legs After a Long Journey and Ready to Go Hiking
Immediately after entering the park, we were greeted with amazing views.
Incredible Waterfalls Right as We Entered the Park
I laughed as my friends took selfies.
Pics or It Didn’t Happen, Right Guys?
It was the perfect getaway after so many nights of dancing.
It Was Good to Slow Down and Take It Easy After So Much Activity
The trails wound their way around the lakes and waterfalls.
There Was Beautiful Scenery at Every Turn, and I Loved the Blue-Green Colors of the Lakes
We even saw some local residents!
Even the Wildlife Posed for Photos!
Everyone was having a great time soaking it all in.
You Could Even Get up Close and Personal With Some of the Waterfalls
There were caves to explore…
More Adventurous Folks Can Hike Into the Many Caves Here
…and I loved how you got to experience all aspects of the park.
Plenty of Peaceful Spots to Find Your Zen and Reconnect With Nature
We even stopped to dance a little kizomba… (more to come on that later in the series!)
The Tranquil Surroundings Inspired Us to Get Our Dance Moves Going!
…and tried a kizomba caterpillar!
Not Exactly a Conga Line, but We Tried!
After exploring for a while, we rode the ferry to the other lake.
The Ferry Ride Was a Welcome Break From All the Hiking
While on the boat, we had a snack.
Not Exactly Health Food, but It Hit the Spot!
The colors of the lakes were beautiful.
Minerals and Organisms Give the Lakes a Pretty Blue-Green Color
We loved our visit to Plitvice!
One of the Most Unique Places I’ve Been – I Definitely Recommend Plitvice Lakes for a Day Trip
Soon, it was time to head back. We didn’t want to find lodging in the area, so we headed back to Rovinj at dusk. ~8 hours a day is a lot of driving, but it was well worth it! And the road trip was super fun!
Stretching Before the Long (and Cramped) Car Ride Back to Rovinj
A couple hours into our trip, we were hungry for dinner, so we stopped at the only place we saw open: a gas station.
Wait? What Happened to the Fresh Food Buffet?
We enjoyed our snacks, but really wanted some real food. Poor Jeff was exhausted after all of the driving. I think the gas station employee wanted to come with us on our road trip!
It’s Always Fun to Try the Local Candies, Chips (Paprika Flavor!), and Snacks
As soon as we got home, we helped each other make 1 of the best meals I’ve ever had: roast chicken with carrots and potatoes.
I Was Fortunate to Share the Trip With Such Talented Cooks!
Sharing a meal together at the end of the long day filled me up with not just delicious food, but lots of love, happiness, and good vibes. I am so thankful to have a great dance family!
The Best Meals Are Shared With Good Friends! I’m Grateful We Spent Such a Memorable Time Together
Bottom Line
Visiting Plitvice National Park was a great day trip from Rovinj! It was the perfect complement to our busy days (and nights!) of dancing.
Seeing the beautiful lakes, waterfalls, and forests helped me appreciate the little things in life. And finishing the day with a homemade meal with my dance family was the perfect ending!
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