Croatia Archives - Top Spot Travel

September 12, 2014 by jfalbelda

Top Tourist Attractions In Croatia

Picturesque sceneries and ancient landmarks, the top tourist attractions in Croatia are a great addition to anyone’s bucket list. Officially the Republic of Croatia, this country in the Balkans and in Central Europe boasts of some of the most beautiful coasts in Europe.

Here are some of the top tourist attractions in Croatia:

Euphrasian Basilica

The 6^th century Basilica is the highlight of the town of Porec, a 2000 year old town in the Istria district. The interior and the architecture of the Basilica feature early Byzantine architecture. While the basilica has gone through earthquakes, fires and accidents, it has still maintained its shape and glory, with only a few repairs here and there.

Mljet

One of the top tourist attractions in Croatia, the Mljet is an island off the southern coast of Croatia. 72% of the island is still covered in thick forests and lush vegetation, while flecks of fields, vineyards and small villages dot the Mljet landscape. Mljet has two salt lakes: Veliko and Malo Jezero. Veliko Jezero has a small island in the middle with an old Benedictine Monastery, which is worth a visit. The easiest way to get here is to check for flights to Dubrovnik and then take the ferry from the mainland to the island.

Diocletian’s Palace

The palace was built by the Roman Emperor Diocletian for his retirement. The Roman Emperor spent his last days in the palace, tending on his vegetable garden.

After the Roman’s abandon of Croatia, the palace remained empty for centuries. But in the 7^th century, the Diocletian Palace became the nearby residents’ refuge against invading barbarians. Since then, the walls of the palace have been home to these residents.

Today, shops and restaurants (as well as some of the old homes) can be found inside the walls of Diocletian’s Palace.

Plitvice Lakes

Breathtaking and impressive, the Plitvice Lakes are one of the most beautiful destinations in the whole of Europe. The system of 16, interlinked lakes with unique colors such as azure, green, blue and gray and the surrounding forest is home to a plethora of animal and plant life, including the European brown bear and lynx. The lakes and the surrounding forest were set aside as a national park in 1949, with efforts to preserve its pristine beauty.

Do you have any other recommendations for the top tourist attractions in Croatia?

October 5, 2013 by jfalbelda

Authentic Ireland Escapes: Autumn in Limerick

While the summer has passed us by in a jiffy, you shouldn’t be disheartened. Autumn is an incredibly good time to go off in search of adventure and Limerick would be an ideal place to go. With warm hues of orange and red all around you and crispness in the air, it’s a perfect time to explore somewhere you’ve not seen before. The Republic of Ireland is full of wonderful cities and rural areas begging to be discovered and as far as cities are concerned, Limerick is a little less known by tourists and provides plenty to see and do to keep your days occupied.

Affordable Travelodge hotels in Limerick mean that you won’t have to delve too deeply into your pre-Xmas purse to afford a trip. Whether you choose to stay in Limerick for the duration of your visit or you’d prefer to explore a little further afield as well, the mid-west region of Ireland as plenty in store for you.

The city of Limerick spans the banks of the River Shannon, and holds a whole host of local cultural attractions and some great shopping opportunities, too. Perfect if you’d like to pick up a few goodies for the Christmas list, you will be able to find some wonderful stocking fillers and more substantial gifts in the various shops that scatter the city streets.

Take an afternoon to explore the 13th century King John’s Castle in the English Town, or join one of the Angela’s Ashes walking tours to see the Frank McCourt memoir come to life. The Hunt Museum is also a great place to stop by, which is home to a vast private collection of all manner of exhibits collected by John and Gertrude Hunt.

St Johns Castle during autumn in Limerick, Ireland

As we say hello to October, the Limerick Racecourse is the place to be, with several races planned during the month and beyond. Have a little flutter on the horses and enjoy the experience if you’ve never been before. You never know, your luck could be in!

The county of Limerick is also ringed with mountains and countryside that is begging to be savoured. If you love a little adventure, a day or two in the rural areas are a must. Whatever you decide to do on your visit, Limerick is a great alternative from the more buzzing Irish cities – take a look for yourself this autumn in Limerick.

July 11, 2013 by jfalbelda

Bagging a bargain with cheap package holidays

It’s never been easier for enthusiastic travellers to hit the road or take to the skies. Thanks to increased competition in the market, improved transport links and the internet, it’s now possible for holidaymakers to take advantage of superb deals to a plethora of destinations. However, for the best results, people need to think carefully about what sort of deals they are after.

Anyone who wants to completely relax and cast their money worries aside while they’re taking trips to traditional holiday destination can make the most of cheap package holidays. As a general rule, packages like this tend to work out cheaper for seven, ten or 14-day trips to traditional holiday destinations. However, it’s worth noting that holidays of different lengths or to less visited spots can be cheaper on a DIY basis, meaning consumers can sometimes save themselves cash by booking transport and accommodation separately themselves.

On the other hand, it’s definitely worth bearing in mind that certain all-inclusive package deals that include food, drink and entertainment can represent a real bargain and are the ultimate in stress-free vacationing. Once holidaymakers arrive at their destinations of choice, they can forget all about finances and simply enjoy themselves.

Package holidays can be ideal for anyone who wants to catch some winter sun and places like the Caribbean have long been a favourite among travel lovers. Its turquoise waters and white sands provide the perfect backdrop to a relaxing break and no matter what sort of holiday people are looking for, they can find it among these islands. OK, so it’s possible for people to spend a fortune on luxurious breaks to this part of the world, but by choosing their location and travel provider carefully, individuals can benefit from surprisingly low-cost packages. Other winter travel options for budget-conscious consumers include Tunisia, the Canary Islands and North Cyprus.

Certain European destinations also offer low-cost package deals. Those after some sunshine should make sure they travel in late spring, summer and the early fall period. Northern Spain can be inexpensive and it is less crowded than the south of the country. With plenty of wide, empty beaches, picturesque mountains and friendly resorts, these areas are ideal if you want to discover a different side of Spain.

Moving East, Croatia has also been a destination to watch as of recently. With its blend of rustic authenticity and stylish glamour, it offers stunning and unspoiled inland areas, which might just be the ideal alternative to some of the more visited coastal areas and their heftier price tags during the summer.

Finally, bargain hunters can also cast their sights east of Croatia to Bulgaria. With its sandy beaches, lush forests, magnificent mountains and cosmopolitan cities, it’s no surprise that this country is a hit among holidaymakers. That said, it still offers excellent value for money.

January 28, 2013 by jfalbelda

The Best Waterfalls in Europe!

Waterfalls are a force of nature that is truly awe-inspiring to see. North America and Africa have some famous waterfalls (Niagra, Victoria Falls, etc.), but Europe has some truly spectacular ones that shouldn’t be missed ontours in Europe. With a melange of mountains and forest, you can expect to see some real jaw-droppers! Here are some of the best waterfalls in Europe.

Croatia is appearing on the lists of the best tours in Europe, and this country boasts one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. Skradinsky Buk is part of a waterfall network in Krka National Park.These waterfalls have many segments and tiers of cascades and are surrounded by clear, aquamarine ponds and beautiful vegetation. Visitors can walk along boardwalks, overlooks and land spurs to see the whole area and several waterfalls.

Scotland has a charming cave with an elegant little waterfall on its north coast near the village of Durness. Smoo Cave is inside the cliff along a gorge on the beach. The gorge is entered from the beach, and this area is beautiful in its own right, but the cave adds another dimension with a glorious play of light and shadow. The waterfall adds the magic.

France offers a majestic setting for La Cascade de Gavarnie. It is on the border of Spain and France in the Upper Pyrenees. Situated on a glacial bowl, it falls down the rugged rocks to add another facet to the already spectacular natural beauty. Visitors can walk to the base of the falls and experience the grandeur of the whole area.

Switzerland has more than 72 waterfalls in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, but the Staubbach Falls stands out among the rest. The water falls over the cliffs above the town and offers a spectacular backdrop to the charming Swiss village.

Switzerland also has one of the largest waterfalls in Europe. Rhine Falls is located on a rugged area with rocks, slopes and drops in the Rhine River. There are boat tours that will take visitors to some of the tiny islands in the middle of the falls. Near the main middle island is a natural stone arch.

Iceland, located in the far west of what is considered Europe and has some of the largest waterfalls in the world. The natural surroundings are untouched wilderness and the waterfalls are seriously powerful, driven by melting glaciers and snow. Near the capital city of Reykjavik are many waterfalls and in the eastern part of the country are many more. Many have not even been named. Gullfoss is a popular site for visitors. It is a two tiered waterfall that spans the whole width of the Hvita River and is framed with rainbows and mists. A great option is to search for renting a camper in Iceland and wake up with the most amazing vistas the world has to offer.

The Westfjords of Iceland have more beautiful waterfalls including Dynjandi. It is a wide cascade with many tiers. It is actually seven waterfalls combined to make one spectacular sight.

Germany has the Berchtesgaden National Park in Bavaria, Southern Germany. Lake Konigssee is an emerald green glacial lake and the base for Konigsbach Falls. The falls tumble in several tiers down a forested mountain side into the lake. In a smaller lake nearby is the tallest waterfall in Germany, the Rothbach waterfall, which free falls down the mountain.