[Ep 112] Hello and welcome to the Beach Travel Wine podcast where Lyle and I are taking you from the lush green part of Croatia to the famous Dalmatian Coast area on the Adriatic Sea. Today’s episode is about Zadar – now this coastal city isn’t as famous or popular as some other parts of Croatia – but it should be. Zadar has the history, the beaches, the islands, the day trips, the food and wine, city walls, old town, cathedrals and so much more – plus it is cheaper and there are a lot less people – so a perfect spot to explore in Croatia. Also Zadar is known for the famous sea organ, the Greeting to the Sun solar light show, on the stunning promenade which is one of the best spots to enjoy a sunset anywhere in Croatia. We tell you all about the history, some hidden gems, where to find the best swimming spots, which day trips to do and a really fun experience that completely surprised us. If you want to see the pictures that we took around Zadar – and all the places we talk about then click the link here www.beachtravelwine.com/podcast/112/zadar

Please enjoy this episode all about Zadar

[Ep 111] I have been waiting to do this podcast episode for weeks – and I'm so excited and happy to be sharing all the information about Plitvice Lakes National Park with you. Imagine stepping into a fairytale where 16 crystal-clear, turquoise lakes cascade into each other, surrounded by lush, green forests and over 90 breathtaking waterfalls welcome to Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia. As one of the most stunning natural wonders in the world, this UNESCO World Heritage site offers an unforgettable experience for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. We take you Wandering along wooden walkways, exploring tranquil lakes, and marveling at the park’s tallest waterfall, Veliki Slap. Stay listening to the end of the podcast to learn all the information on which entrances and tracks to take for the best experience, where to stay and some other great helpful information like how to visit for half price! Please enjoy episode 111 and as usual I have a one page summary and stunning pictures of the lakes and waterfalls and the secret view point and you can see them by clicking here www.beachtravelwine.com/podcast/111/plitvice

[110] Today we are taking you on a wonderful private, boutique wine tour that we did out of Zagreb. We visited the Plesivica wine region and in particular one of the most famous wineries in Croatia, Jagunic winery. The views down over the rolling hills covered in vineyards, with small churches and stone houses perched on the hillsides were incredible. The mountains were lush and green and made the perfect backdrop for our day trip. We tell you about the wine regions, what wines you should try and also about a little town we visited that is the entrepreneurial capital of Croatia and is famous for its cakes but also making the fastest electric cars in the world. Stay listening to the end when we tell you about our guides, how they made the rest of our Croation trip even better, but also how you can plan the perfect Croatian adventure that caters for just you and the things you want to see and do. We wish we had known about this service before we left Australia. Please enjoy episode 110 and if you want to see the Croatian travel website we talk about or all the pictures we took of our luxury wine tour, then click here www.beachtravelwine.com/podcast/110/zagrebwine

[109] Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia is where we are taking you in this week's episode. If you want to know all about what to do when you go to Zagreb then this is the episode for you. You will learn about the fascinating history, the upper and lower towns in the city centre. We take you on a fantastic walking tour through markets, bloody bridges and religious pilgrim sites as well as to the well-known cathedrals and buildings in the city. You will also learn about the oldest park in Zagreb that is as big as New York’s central park, the biggest and oldest cemetery in Croatia (because of course you should always visit cemeteries when you are on holidays). Discover what the "green horse shoe” is and well as why there is a very grand old hotel called The Esplanade near the train station. Listen to the end to hear what crowds gather for every day that has been happening at the same time each day for 100’s of years. Trust me this podcast goes off with a bang. Of course, we share the best spots to eat and drink and some other great tips and highlights when visiting Zagreb – which has now become one of our favourite cities. Click here to see all the pictures and one page guide to Zagreb www.beachtravelwine.com/podcast/109/zagreb

[Ep 108] Imagine being in a medieval hilltop village that was recently a ghost town – but now is a thriving village full of art galleries, cafes and artisan shops? Well that is only one of the incredible places we are taking you today on our day trip through the Istrian Peninsular. We will weave our way from the popular seaside town of Poreč with its famous cathedral full of intricate mosaics, to Groznjan the special village full of colour, art and classical music and finally to the most famous hilltop village in Croatia with its truffles and a wine with a very – let’s say - unusual name. Once again you can see all the pictures, one page written guide with links to the tours and places we mention in the podcast by clicking here www.beachtravelwine.com/podcast/108/motovun

[107] Rovinj on the Istrian Peninsular in Croatia is one of those places that leaves a lasting impression. From the very first moment you arrive, you realise this place is special. In this episode we take you all around the stunning 2,000 year old narrow cobblestone streets, past pastel coloured buildings, art galleries, artisan shops, cafes and restaurants up to the highest point – Saint Eufemia church – with the most spectacular 360 degree views. Next, we guide you around the harbour full of fishing boats and surrounded by pretty restaurants all selling the fresh catch of the day. There is a glamorous modern side to Rovinj as well, and we tell you about the Grand Hotel Park, the fancy marina plus the stunning beaches all within in an easy walk of the old town. We share a couple of surprisingly expensive things you can hire in Rovinj, including a super yacht as well as the best place to enjoy the famous sunset that Rovinj is known for. I really hope you enjoy this episode all about Rovinj, Croatia – and if you want to see all the pictures from this episode just click here www.beachtravelwine.com/podcast/107/rovinj

[Ep 106] Our visit to Lake Bled was so much better than I had hoped. It is a truly spectacular part of the world. We just couldn’t believe how beautiful it was. The turquoise colour of the water, the gorgeous green trees, the snow capped mountains, the wooden boats, the boardwalks – just everything. We will give you advice about the best things to do and where to go, the best day trips and also where to stay –There is one experience that everyone does, but really is a bit overrated and you can totally miss if you are short on time. Then, omg, if you think Lake Bled is stunning – then you wait to you hear about our visit to Vintgar Gorge. This is a 1.6km wooden boardwalk that clings to the edge of 50 to 100m sheer cliffs and takes you over the rapids and water holes all the way to the biggest waterfall in Slovenia. I have to say this is one of my favourite things that I have ever done. I’m trying not to exaggerate – but it was absolutely incredible. I want you to do me a favour please, click here to see all the amazing sights of Lake Bled and Vintgar Gorge. www.beachtravelwine.com/podcast/106/bled

Please enjoy episode 106 all about the stunning Lake Bled in Slovenia.

[Ep 105] This is exciting – we are taking you on the most spectacular daytrip from Ljubljana. We are going to guide you around a five storey castle, built in an enormous cave over 800 years ago. You won’t believe some of the things we saw and the history we share about Predjama Castle. As if that isn’t awesome enough – we then are going to take you with us to the most well known caves in the world. Postojna Caves. Now these caves have been operating as a tourist destination for over 200 years. Can you imagine being 5km in the side of a mountain, 240 meters underground with no electricity? Well thankfully they now have electricity and a train system that takes you deep inside. You can then walk around the absolutely spectacular caves system. You will see all sorts of formations, from 1000’s of tiny spaghetti like stalactites on the roof, to giant columns of pure white that just glow, plus a whole lot more. If you would like to see all the pictures of these two amazing places that we visited – and to be honest you really have to see them – then click on the link here www.beachtravelwine.com/podcast/105/sloveniacaves