European Road Trip! (Croatia and Austria)

Road Trip Holiday to Croatia

 

“You nearly ready?” Richard asks as he lumbers past the bedroom door with a number of bags piled up in his arms. No, I’m not, I think to myself. I’m still choosing which shoes to bring and in the end Richard gives up and tells me to bring the lot. “There’s still loads of room in the boot, it’s the beauty of a road trip!” He says happily.

After a few hours from setting off on our road trip holiday to Croatia, we arrive at the Port of Dover. We were aiming to get an earlier ferry (which you can do free of charge, or get the later one), but we have just missed it so we drive back through the town to find a good traditional fish and chip shop. Ahhh, the softest, most crispy-on-the-outside, tasty chips ever, they went down a treat!

With the whole twelve days ahead of us, we head back to the ferry port to sail across to the continent and begin our journey South-East through Germany and past Munich, through Austria, through Slovenia and past Ljubljiana, and into Croatia through the back door (not in a shady sense – just in through some minor roads in the hills!)    

~ Villach ~

Huge and cheap apartment we luckily stumbled across at night, looking for a place to stay. Some of the best value chalets in Austria are found just by looking for the the signs saying 'zimmer' (room). In peak season it's probably best to book though. Interhome is a very good website for choice and value.  

 

~ Plitvice National Park ~

Tall graceful waterfalls and clear green pools at Eden-like Plitvicka Lakes (Plitvice), and standing in the sunlight on board a boat trip across one of the turquoise lakes. There are a number of tours you can take on the Plitvice lakes and falls, each varying in length. Some are more walking and some involve more boat trips. The tourist office is very helpful.

 

~Novigrad~ 

The lagoon and mountains of the Paklenica national park in the mist, and the Impressive rural and rocky landscape on the way to Novigrad. We stayed in a lovely family-run hotel in Novigrad and didn't want to leave!

 

~ Asseria ~

Tiny unmanned Roman remains site, Asseria, on the way to Split from Zadar

~ Skradinski Buk / Krka Falls ~

Magnificent Krka falls - a spectactular half-hour boat trip from Skradin village. You can swim in these shallow waters, but access to the actual falls is roped off - it's a powerful force of nature! Tickets for the boat trip to the falls can be bought from the tourist office in Skradin - an impressive glass building.

~ Split ~

Narrow stone and marble streets of ancient Roman Split city centre, and Split Harbourfront from a side steet at dusk before the ferry to Vis. Split has wonderful little shops in the centre and the streets are a stroller's paradise.

~ Vis ~

Panoramic views of Vis Town marina from the car window, spectacular scenry around Vis town, and in a rowing boat inside the Blue Cave of Bisevo island (organised tour). In Vis we stayed in a 'Sobe' - rooms that Croatians rent out to holiday-makers. We booked online but you see these advertised everywhere on roadsides.

 

~ Austria – Spittal An Der Drau ~

  Too long in the car on the way back into Austria, pretty gardens in Spittal An Der Drau, stunning architecture in the pretty town centre




Text and Images Copyright © Lise Griffiths, 2012
All Rights Reserved

Travel to Croatia, Austria and Vis on a road trip holiday, sights, things to do and hotels.