Two weeks in and we have a routine going. It is a well oiled machine and we are a team. Breakfast is a simple cup of coffee. We have our small suitcases to pack, supplied by the larger suitcase from the boot of our rental car. Google maps directs us (most of the time) with Suzanne as co pilot monitoring the maps especially in the bigger cities. She has quickly learned to ignore my anxious curses when maps refuses to tell me which fork to take and I need to take a punt. She helps me by getting out and directing me in the tighter European city spots. We both involve ourselves in the planning for ongoing accommodation and we have regular “duelling banjo” contests, me with AirBnB and her with Booking .com. To date Air BnB has delivered in spades with great apartments often less than $100 per day.
The drive from Novi Sad to Plitvice is one of our longer ones but most is on motorway. We arrive at a quirky complex with multiple chalets clearly designed for winter ski season tourists. The national park is a 5 minute drive from our chalet and we are blessed with soe lovely mid autumn sunshine and warmth.
All around is the sound of cascading water. It is if the earth below is bursting with the water pressure and all around the earth erupts with flowing water ranging from large waterfalls to bubbling cascades. Geologically the upper lakes system is formed by a series of cascading lakes resulting from collapsed limestone caves which also accounts for the emerald blue coloured waters.
The park has 8 walk circuits. The entry tickets include a boat ride across the top lake and a train trip between the two main gates but there is no one circuit that incorporates all of this including the distinctive upper and lower lakes areas. With Suzannes foot issues I have opted for the lower lakes 2-3 hours circuit. Amazingly, halfway through we were both cruising and happy to continue beyond our track to the boat trip. Beyond that we easily progressed through the pretty upper lakes and then I spot a short cut up to the train back to our entrance. In just over 3 hours we have serendipitously cobbled together a “best of” route for the park. The views and pictures are amazing. Hope you enjoy.
Upper Lakes