my feet don't want to go to sleep

A road trip in a foreign country is a different level of adventure. You can make spontaneous decisions on where to eat and what to see based on advice you get along the way. My parents and I went on a road trip from Split to Zadar including a day trip to the Plitvice Lakes. Here if your journeys take you that way.

For a one day road trip follow me from Split up to Zagreb, the capital.

We got a 9 passenger van to take us all up and inland. JJ was our captain, as he was for the whole week island hopping on a yacht. If your journeys take you that way, here. Since I had visited Plitvice already I had all the details and snuck in a couple stops I didn’t have time for.

Stop 1: Krka Waterfalls & Roski waterfall

Waterfalls in Croatian is Slap, which is endlessly funny. We kept making jokes about slapping each other like teenagers. This one is an easy walk up from the carpark. It is flat and the water more rolls down than falls. There is another section a further walk down. There is a lake you can swim in with deep blue water. The waterfall sits poetically in the distance.

Stop 2: Manojlovački slapovi

From there they provide you a map of national parks in the area. Another waterfall hike was just a short drive away. We headed there next. From the carpark down it is about 20 minutes until you see the waterfall. The walk back up is a challenge, it is basically vertical the entire way.

Stop 3: Plitvice Lakes

Worth it once, twice, honestly as many times as you can see these it is worth a stop. We hustled down as we still had a long ride left to Zagreb. This was the main reason to drive over fly. We went down to the lakes and went right instead of left like my parents and I did. This brought us to the tallest waterfall within the lakes. There is always something new to see.

Stop 4: Grocery store

When you are on the road, stopping for a long lunch isn’t really in the cards. Enter the best activity while traveling: exploring the local grocery stores. We went in, getting fresh bread and sliced meats and cheeses for sandwiches. With local chips and dips we took over the back of a cafe next door. I grabbed an espresso from inside so it did not feel as weird that we were eating outside food. None of them spoke English and frankly seemed shocked that we were even there. 4 of them stared at us when we came inside for the bathroom.

Stop 5: Zagreb

It was the eve of my 35th birthday. We had a reservation at a gorgeous restaurant in the woods. We quickly ditched our bags at the hotel, showered, and ran to dinner. Dubravkin put was highly recommended and a lovely place to congratulate ourselves on a beautiful trip.

My friends had 1 day in Zagreb before leaving Croatia. We celebrated my birthday while exploring the capital. Here is the quick and dirty of how to visit. As my present, JJ downloaded a self guided walk tour and took us around the city. He knows how I love a walking tour.

To Stay:

Amadria Park Hotel Capital is the place to stay. This hotel was location right in the middle of everything, had the most beautiful restaurant, gorgeous architecture, and was reasonably priced.

To Eat:

Stari Fijaker – for traditional Croatian dinner, and my birthday celebration

La Štruk – for a Croatian delicacy (go hungry)

Filteraj specialty coffee & shop – for delicious coffees and sustainable items

Dubravkin put – reservations required but worth it for a more formal fancy dinner

For the drinks: Oranž Bistro & Wine Bar, Roots Bar, & The Swanky Bar

To Explore:

Museum of Broken Relationships / Muzej prekinutih veza – I cannot believe how much fun we had in here. Wifi code was just friends. There are exhibits from all over the world of people submitting art about their ended romantic, friendly, or familial relationships.

Cvjetni trg / Town square – there was a traditional dance contest the first day we were there, always something happening and great for people watching

Trg bana Josipa Jelačića – great road to walk along when exploring the city

Ul. Ivana Tkalčića – full of bars, restaurants, and little shops for souviners

Mirogoj cemetery – outside of the city but extremely easy to reach by bus, peaceful and beautifully designed cemetery

Lotrščak Tower – beautiful view of the city and the point to take the funicular down

Most people come to Croatia for the Game of Thrones vibes, island hopping, or clubbing in Split. I was glad to see the Capital and think if you can fly out of there it is worth the road trip.