One last trip! The second to last week of the semester there was a holiday on Thursday. And being the rebellious students we are, 90% of the students skipped class on Friday for one last trip around Europe. A group of friends and I, nine in total, rented two cars and road tripped down to Croatia!
Thursday morning, we picked up our rental cars and started on a six hour journey. In six hours, we drove through almost all of Austria, south through all of Slovenia, and to our Airbnb villa we rented in Croatia. Our goal for the trip was to have a relaxing, sunny, last trip. Since there were so many of us, we could afford to rent an Airbnb with lots of space and even a pool! I do have to say that we were in a VERY small city in Croatia that was very run down (but average for Croatia). Our Airbnb guy told us that the house was behind the soccer field. To get to the soccer field, we had to drive on a dirt road and we almost missed the field because it was actually a patch of overgrown grass and two poles with no nets. Nevertheless, we still had a great time and it was perfect for all of us.
Thursday morning, we picked up our rental cars and started on a six hour journey. In six hours, we drove through almost all of Austria, south through all of Slovenia, and to our Airbnb villa we rented in Croatia. Our goal for the trip was to have a relaxing, sunny, last trip. Since there were so many of us, we could afford to rent an Airbnb with lots of space and even a pool! I do have to say that we were in a VERY small city in Croatia that was very run down (but average for Croatia). Our Airbnb guy told us that the house was behind the soccer field. To get to the soccer field, we had to drive on a dirt road and we almost missed the field because it was actually a patch of overgrown grass and two poles with no nets. Nevertheless, we still had a great time and it was perfect for all of us.
Our plans for the next day were to rent a boat and driver to go around the coasts of Croatia. However, I got sick. Probably the worst I have ever felt in my entire life, honestly. I will spare you details but needless to say, I ended up not going on the boat ride. Everyone felt bad for me because I had to be home alone but you know what, I got this WHOLE place to myself. I had a grand ol' time lying around outside and watching Netflix.
On Saturday, we got back in our beloved manual cars and drove three more hours down Croatia to the Plitvice Lakes National Park, the most concentrated amounts of waterfalls in the world. On our drive there, we took a bit of a wrong turn and Google rerouted us through the back roads. Although I am very glad I was not driving, it was incredible to see so many parts of the country. I am almost positive that the few houses we saw actually live off their small backyard garden. But because these Croatian houses we passed by were so modest, the rolling green hills were unbelievable. By far the most beautiful place I went while I was abroad.
On Saturday, we got back in our beloved manual cars and drove three more hours down Croatia to the Plitvice Lakes National Park, the most concentrated amounts of waterfalls in the world. On our drive there, we took a bit of a wrong turn and Google rerouted us through the back roads. Although I am very glad I was not driving, it was incredible to see so many parts of the country. I am almost positive that the few houses we saw actually live off their small backyard garden. But because these Croatian houses we passed by were so modest, the rolling green hills were unbelievable. By far the most beautiful place I went while I was abroad.
Many MANY twisting, one lane roads later, we made it to Plitvice. When we got there, we discovered that the trails to the waterfalls were closed! We could only see the waterfalls from the high mountain top we were on. From this angle, it reminded me strongly of Paradise Falls from Up.
We were there to see the waterfalls and so was everyone in the park so people were still hiking down. What we discovered was a measly little gate that was blocking the trails which could be easily walked around. The trails were now an "at your risk" kind of deal but we decided to go for it. Turns out, the trails actually were flooded! But only for a small stretch of it. We had to take our shoes and socks off in order to walk through the water. It was actually a bit of an adventure because the water was freezing and the rocks really dug into your feet. Being the weakling I am, I was walking extremely slow and Jess offered to give me a piggie back ride because she brought flip flops with her. Even though the waterfalls were the only thing I really saw in Croatia, I am positive it would have been my favorite thing during this trip.
And that's it! The next day, we walked around the town a little bit and drove back home. That is the end of my travels in Europe. Of course there is much more I have to say about my home: Vienna! A place I have neglected to mention in these posts. But watch out because I still have a little more to say until my blog winds down a little bit.
To be continued...
Brittany
P.S. I have attached a video Claudia made below!
To be continued...
Brittany
P.S. I have attached a video Claudia made below!
Croatian Vacation 2016 from Claudia Williams on Vimeo.