As I peered down from the top of the Plitvace Lakes viewing point, I inhaled and I thought to myself, “Wow, I was just in there!” From the viewpoint above, or when scrolling online for photos of this magnificent wonderland of turquoise blue lakes and toppling waterfalls, one can only see certain vantage points. As with travel photos, you imagine what it would be like, but with places like this you need to do more than imagine. With beautiful destinations such as this- a visit, an inhale, and a “Wow, I was just in there!” is what undoubtedly should happen.
I was on a two month trip through Eastern Europe, and the Balkans with a few days in Croatia. I decided that this was not only going to be my first trip, but it would not be my last trip to this country. Instead of visiting the popular coastal towns, which I figured I would do later, I stayed inland. I booked a place in the capital of Zagreb, with a day trip to the Plitvice Lakes.
Getting to the lakes was easy as there are daily buses that leave the central bus station from Zagreb. I had purchased my round trip bus tickets online weeks before my trip, which guaranteed me a seat. The bus was entirely full, and since Plitvice Lakes is a popular tourist spot, I suggest that you book in advance. Do not chance “day of” bus tickets.
Once you are at the Plitvice Lakes, you are there. I suppose what I mean is that once you have finished that long journey from where ever you came from, as for me it was Las Vegas, you have arrived. Plitvice was just part of a long adventure for me, but I made a special detour in order to be here. The azure and turquoise lakes, the cascading waterfalls, the wooden walkways all drew me in.
It was like walking with water. The uneven wooden walkways were carefully planned to bring you close to rushing streams, underneath waterfalls, and to walk above aqua colored lakes. There is a lot of walking, especially if you want to see the best of this national park. There are boats that will bring you across the lakes, but you still have to trek and climb steps to get the best vantage points.
Describing Plitvice Lake National Park can only be described as “You should go!” It makes for a long day experience, which made the experience for me. I am not one for going to a natural wonder, and take a couple of photos to show that I was there. Plitvice Lakes is not one of those locations to show off ‘look at me and go’ snapshots. It is a place to walk with the water, to listen to the water, and to breathe the energy around you.
It was a very long journey into the magnificent country of Croatia, but every moment was worth it. I am looking forward to my long journey back one day.
UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE
Plitvice Lakes National Park was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. If you follow me, then you know I have set importance in visiting these preserved and protected sites while traveling. This national park is one of Earth’s beautiful natural landscapes within Eastern Europe; it needs protection and to be preserved for its picturesque connected lakes (16 in total), caves and waterfalls.
For travel information, please visit the official website – Plitvice Lakes National Park
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Trixie Navarre 
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