Mostar: A Dubrovnik Day Trip

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It may be hard to tear yourself away from the Croatian islands and coast but a trip inland to Mostar is highly recommended. The most famous Mostar sight is the  Old Bridge, built in 1556 and then, famously, blown up in 1993 during the last Balkan war. The bridge has been reconstructed and is as beautiful as ever, spanning the azur Neretva river with a mountainous backdrop. The bridge has tremendous symbolic value as it links the Croat and Muslim communities each located on opposite sides of the river. Its destruction and reconstruction comprise one of the rare happy endings … Continue reading →

Swine Flu Cases in Croatia

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For a while it seemed that the swine flu bug was going to bypass Croatia. After a scare last month in which a patient falsely tested positive for the virus, it’s now been confirmed that there are three swine flu cases in Croatia. The first case was announced last week and involved a Croatian woman from Split who had recently returned from Australia. Now there’s another Australian in Karlovac and a Brit in Zagreb that have come down with the malady. All three cases are mild and all are under treatment. The Health Minister claims to be fully prepared in … Continue reading →

Swimming in Plitvice Lakes: An Alternative

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Plitvice National Park’s 16 turquoise lakes are so clean and luminous that you want to jump right in. Alas. Swimming is forbidden in Plitvice Lakes National Park. As a tour guide once explained to me, “The lakes are also a resevoir for drinking water! We just can’t allow swimming”. I assumed that the only alternative for swimming in a Croatian National Park was Krka Waterfalls where a swimming area is roped off right next to the crashing waterfalls. Now, The Guardian has set me straight. A reader’s suggestion yesterday pointed out that you can swim just a few kilometers north … Continue reading →