Slovenia’s central European location allows you to visit 4 different countries with just a couple hour drive. I biked through Rovinj, Croatia last summer and only spent 1 afternoon there. I thought it was a must re-visit kinda place back then. Natasa got 2 days off work combined with the weekend, 4 days of vacation. We put a 3 hour maximum of “willing” to drive to our vacation spot, Rovinj was perfect, 2.5 hrs.
We got an Air B&B apartment for 3 nights $150. While driving down the street looking for our place, we noticed nearly every house had an apartment for rent. We probably didn’t need to book ahead. We unpack the car and bike into the old town (photos).
We decide to bike north along the coast, to see what we see.
Natasa wants to visit Brijuni National Park (photos), I don’t know anything about the Park. It’s only a 30 minute drive, 15 minute boat ride and tourist train ride around the island, I can do that.
Tito spent 6 months a year on the Brijuni island, there’s a museum dedicated to him. While walking through the museum and looking and reading everything, I became infatuated with Josip Broz Tito. (if you’ve got the time read the link, he’s amazing). He had many visitors to the island including Castro and Stalin.
After our miniature train tour of the Island, we decide to rent bikes. The train took us by some places that, with a bike, we can spend more time visiting.
Tito had a collection of animals given by heads of states from other countries.
The train acknowledged, but didn’t stop at the Dinosaur Exhibit, so by bike, we stop
Right next to the footprints is this
The ferry leaves in 15 minutes and were way north on the island. We race back, return the bikes, hop on board, the sun sets as we reach the mainland. Were beat, it was a long day.
Yesterday back in Rovinj they were setting up an elementary grade school “art” exhibit, of “what they wanted in the city” and today it’s up.
When I biked through Croatia last year, it was with two vegetarians, Carolyn and Tyler of Two Wheel Travel Blog. We kept passing roadside BBQ’s, I kept requesting we stop for the BBQ Pig, it wasn’t going happen. So I told Natasa, I really want to have the BBQ pig, when we go out.
The Rovinj Farmers market was run like a Mafia market. There were maybe 15 vendors who all had nearly the same products at the same prices. I wanted to buy the Lavender Soap, but not at the fixed Mafia price. I made an offer to one vendor then another, both refused my deal. I finally found a willing seller and paid a price I felt was closer to what I felt the soap was worth.
We had a good time in Croatia, it’s so great being so close to so many different countries all with there own cultures and foods.
NEXT: As promised “WHERE THE HELL IS SKOFJA LOKA?” It’s gonna be BIG!
Thanks for reading.
Jeff
It looks so beautiful. I want to go there!! Hope all is well
mary