In 600 AD, this place rocked. At the time Split became the capital of Dalmatia, it was wealthy and one of the most important cities on the Adriatic. While it has gone through some ups and downs in the past 2,000 years, it clearly rocks today . . . at least as far as tourism …
Author Archives: janie.weeks
Istria
Just a few months ago, places with exotic-sounding names like Zagreb, Rovinj, and Istria never crossed my mind but fortunately, we are getting to know them well. Most people visit Dubrovnik. We will close our Croatian visit there and look forward to seeing what we hear is one of the most beautiful cities on earth, …
Joyful Visit
One of the most enjoyable times in our travels is when we have a visit with one or both of our daughters or with Tessa. And, of course, with our friends we have met along the way. The last four days have been so happy for us! Cody met us in Zagreb, late on a …
Zagreb, Oh, Zagreb
Croatia seems to be among the top European countries to visit. Australians, fellow Europeans, and busloads of Asian folk come here. Many USA tourists are here now too. Why? It is gorgeous . . . and Stan and I haven’t even set eyes on the coastline which is said to be some of the most …
Slovenia
Some trips from place to place are easy, some are a bear! Although our travel plans fell into place nearly perfectly, the day was very long. Two days ago, we arrived in our new apartment exhausted and hungry at about midnight after having made a 2-hour train ride from Brasov to Bucharest, another train to the …
Romanian Countrysides
I wish we had more time here. Ten whole days allowed only a glimpse of this young but old country. What I will miss most is seeing more villages and the countryside that rolls in all corners of Romania. In the 12th century, the King of Hungary invited Germans to settle and defend the Transylvanian …
Romania’s Elegant Peles Castle
No, there was no King Pele. It is not Pele’s Castle; it is Peles Castle. The royal castle was built during Romania’s golden age when the country was rich in oil, minerals, agriculture, and newly opened international trade that developed when Romania gained independence from the Ottoman Empire. Wealth was accumulated. King Carol I, the …
Transylvania’s Bran Castle
When in Romania a visit to Transylvania, the country’s most iconic region, is obligatory; non-negotiable. Some come to this place for the scenic lush green valley and nearby colorful farm fields. Some seek the awesome majesty of the great line of rugged Carpathian Mountains, and many seek the ski slopes of Transylvania in winter. But Romania’s …
Romantic Brasov
Brasov, Romania. Romantic is a wonderful word for describing this beautiful town cradled by the Southern Carpathian Mountains. Just saying the name in the Romanian accent, “Brah-shauv,” sounds romantic, sounds sublime. I fell in love with this place at first glance. Brasov is not found on any list of the world’s most beautiful cities list …
Grand Bucharest
Bucharest has many parks, but Herastrau Park also called King Michael I Park of Romania is the most celebrated. With 463 acres of land on the shores of Herastrau Lake it is not only the most varied and largest park in the capital city, but also the largest park inside any European city. Its ample …