The Nitty Gritty

Believe it or not, I am quite the driver. I was contemplating taking buses/trains for my Croatia trip, but they have a bad reputation and won't allow us to take side trips to the National Park or get from our hotel to Split.

I've been doing some research lately, and think our best bet is to rent a car from the city center in Zagreb on Saturday and return it Thursday night. We'll have to take public transportation between our hotel and airport, but this will save us from parking costs in the city when we aren't planning on using the car anyway.

Best option so far seems to be with Hertz. Lowest rate so far and about a 2 km walk from the Four Points. We'll be rocking this sporty Fiat:


As our trip nears, we need to start planning the nitty gritty details --

• Driving directions: this website looks good for routes with actual signage and toll information. Google maps wasn't cutting it. www.viamichelin.com
• Car ferry between Split and Hvar. Schedule, prices?
• Parking concerns -- cost, location in Split and Hvar Town

Until next time,
Cedric

My Past Adventures

Hello, friends!
I thought I'd take a moment to look back on my past adventures. Join me, won't you?

I spent New Year's Eve on a ski trip in Copper Mountain, Colorado.


I am quite the skier! I also tried my hand on the slopes of Camelback, Pennsylvania.


As if that wasn't enough time in the snow, I had quite the adventure during the blizzards of 2009-2010 in Washington, DC.



I also took a business trip to Atlanta, Georgia. I gave some advice to Dr. Sanjay Gupta on improving his on-camera persona.


Additionally, I checked out Centennial Olympic Park. I can't believe the IOC still won't recognize Gnomelandia as a country. Otherwise, that gold medal in beach volleyball would be mine.


My adventures next took me to Melbourne, Florida. I tell you what, it was nice to sun myself after the harsh winter. I loaded my suitcase with seashells!




My business duties next took me to New England, up near Concord, Massachusetts. I managed to find the tavern used by the Minutemen!


Where will I go next?! Ah, the life of a roaming gnome!

To Do List

1. Hotels - Zagreb, Split, Hvar - DONE
2. Airfare - Philadelphia to Zagreb - DONE
3. Rental car
4. Find passport (!)
5. Driving routes
6. Ferry schedule
   

Hvar You Doing?

Tuesday - Thursday: Hvar Island
This is the island of choice for the swanky international crowd, so Cedric will fit in perfectly. Hvar is a sunny island with brilliant patches of lavender and rosemary. It also boasts vineyards and watersports.

Hvar Town
This is a medieval town situated within 13th-century walls, ornamented with Gothic palaces and traffic-free marble streets. It has a seaside promenade and rocky beaches. Read more:
Hvar Tourist Office



Hotel Palace
As the oldest hotel in Hvar, The Palace is a grand dame framed by Gothic and renaissance architecture. History lovers will particularly enjoy its central location, which provides romantic views of the ancient piazza and neighboring buildings such as St. Stephen’s Cathedral.






Transportation:
Take the car ferry from Split to Stari Grad. Stari Grad port is a 10 minute drive to Hvar Town.

Hvar Town is car-free, but there is a town parking lot situated by the bus station. Hotel guests have parking organized by the hotels that they staying in.

Croatia Itinerary

Tentative Itinerary
Thursday: Zagreb

• Arrive in Zagreb at 2pm
• Check into hotel (Zagreb Sheraton Four Points - 2 nights)
  
• Wander around the Old Town (Gornji Grad & Upper Town)

Friday: Zagreb

• Explore Zagreb
• Visit nearby castle?

Saturday: Plitvice Lakes National Park

• Drive from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes National Park (70 km - 1 hour)
• Explore Plitvice Lakes (boat ride, hike)
  
• Drive to Split (250 km - 3 hours)
• Check into hotel (Le Meridien - 3 nights)

Sunday: Split

• Visit Palace of Diocletian
• Explore Split

Monday: Split

• Explore Split and surrounds
• Spa treatment at hotel (?)

Tuesday: Hvar Island

• Take the car ferry over to Hvar, drive to Hvar Town
• Check into lodging (TBD - 2 nights)
• Explore Hvar

Wednesday: Hvar Island

• Explore Hvar (winery, lavender fields)

Thursday: Zagreb

• Take car ferry to split, drive to Zagreb (400 km - 4 hours)
• Check into hotel (Sheraton Four Points - 1 night)

Friday: Philadelphia

• Fly home
  

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Time to find out if gnomes can swim...


Saturday: Pit Stop at Plitvice Lakes Park en route from Zagreb to Split
70 km from Zagreb is the Plitvice Lakes National Park – a set of sixteen lakes formed on a regenerative karstic basin. As stone and water interact, they create a visual spectacle: cascades and waterfalls, natural limestone barriers, pools, underground streams and caves.

The entire park, spread across two mountain ranges, is tied together with walkways and stairs, allowing visitors to explore the park in comfort.

The upper lakes lying in the dolomite valley are the most impressive, surrounded by dense forests and interlinked by several gushing waterfalls.

Entrance fee of 110 Kn per adult includes shuttle bus service, electric boat ride and hiking trail fees.

Shuttle Bus: "Panoramic Train", runs every 20 minutes and services 4 stops.
Electric Boat Ride: Crosses the Kozjak lake (30 minute ride)
Parking: 7 Kn

National Park Website

Driving Directions:
From Zagreb, take State Road D-1 (Zagreb-Karlovac-Slunj-Plitvice Lakes-Korenica)

Greetings from Cedric!

Welcome to my new blog! I will be posting information on my future travels, as well as reminiscing over my past trips.


My bags are packed and I'm ready for action!

- Cedric