From Dubrovnik to Zagreb (via Split)
If you visit Croatia, there is a way to go across the country, from south to north (or the other way around), in less than two weeks and visiting its three most interesting cities:
Dubrovnik (south), Zagreb (north) y Split (in the middle).
Dubrovnik
To get downtown from the airport, take a taxi (30-40€) or the buses from ATLAS company which drive regularly through the 20 km. from the airport to the city centre.
In the old town, do not miss the wall, the Franciscan Monastery with a pharmacy from 14th century, Lovrijencac Fountaine, Onofrio Fountain or Luza Square, and its surroundings. If you need more information or maps, the nearest Tourism Office is on Brsalje Street.
From the city, go and visit the Korcula island, the National Park of Mjle island or the Elafit islansi. The city of Ston and its Chinese wall or the medieval city Cavtat are other destinations near Dubrovnik. You can get to all these islands and cities by ferries or bus.
To get to the next destination, Split, there are buses mostly every hour, doing 223km. between both cities.
Split
Walking around the old town or the Palace of Diocletian, UNESCO heritage, is the first thing you should do when you arrive to the city. After the palace, take a walk in the seafront by the Adriatic sea. From Split you can visit Brac islands, Hvar or Vis, accesible by ferry, sailboat or fast boats.
Roman ruins from old Salona (Solin nowadays) are only 10 km. away from Split and are one of the most important archaeological sites in the country. Trogir, 28 km north, is also UNESCO heritage. To get there, there are buses and boats from the seafront. Finally, by the end of Cetina river, you can find a pinturesque village, Omis, 24 km. south and connected by bus to the city.
Before the final destination, Zagreb, Sibenik is 88 km. away and you can get there by bus or train. Do not miss its streets and the Santiago Cathedral, a UNESCO heritage. The Plitvice National Park is also near and the most known in Croatia. 16 lakes connected by waterfalls, you can sped from 3 to 8 hors walking around the spot. In the park there are hotels and two camping areas. It’s convenient to book previously.
Zagreb
Just arrived to Zagreb, a city with more than 40 museums, including Broken relationships Museum, Mimara Museumor Naif Art Museum.
“Uptown” you can visit Ban Josip Jelacic Square, Dolac Market, Katarina square or the J.J. Strossmayer Avenue.”Downtown” there are squares dedicated to Nikola Subic Zrinski, to the king Tomislav, or to Mariscal Tito. Finally, in the city centre, there are Contemporary Art Museum, el Bundek park, Jarun lake, Mirogoj cementery or Maksimir Park.
To get to Zagreb airport, 17 km. from the city centre, take the bus for 4,10€ or taxi for 30-40€.
Photos by Stewart Morris, Elena and Delaina Haslam. Thanks to the Croatian Tourism Office for the information.
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more infoGirona and Dali's Figueres
Girona with its rich history, is one of the most interesting cities in Catalunya. Walking all along its medieval walls and the Força Vella (Roman Foundation) you will be immersed in its more than 2000 years of History. You can’t miss the Jewish district, el Call, a labyrinth of narrow streets still in perfect condition, that will bring you remains of the past.
Figueres is at 40km from Girona. Well-known ciy thanks to Salvador Dali and his Theater –Museum, built in XIX and considered the bigger Surrealist object. Same artist, Salvador Dali, was in charge of the construction. He lived his last days in the buiding and ordered to be buried in there.
If you want to enjoy this route, you can do it with Catalunya Bus Turistic, one visit around Girona and the Surrealistic Universe of Salvador Dali in Figueres.
On Catalunya Bus Turístic you will be informed in different languages. Also you will get brochure with detailed information about places to visit, maps and several discounts for places of interest, restaurants and shops.
Departures from Barcelona.Prices: Adult: 73 €/ Child (0-7 years old): 0 €
Picture from Luidger
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La Maison Radieuse
During the reconstruction of the city of Nantes in the ’50s, after World War II, and having the idea of relieving the housing shortage at that time, Le Corbursier conceived La Maison Radieuse, one of the unité d’habitation (unit room) that have become a landmark in the twentieth century’s civil architecture which later, served as inspiration for many European cities.
The first of these Unité d’habitation was built in Marseilles. Later on, in 1955, was built a very similar version but slightly refined in Rezé, just 3 or 4 miles from Nantes.
At first sight, it is surprising that this building with symmetrical structure and vivid coloured windows in contrast to the gray of its structure was so revolutionary at that time. The idea was that the 294-duplex-apartments building would work formally and functionally independent as a boat. For that purpose, he included games communal areas and gardens.
Nowadays, most of the apartments are inhabited, but a few can be visited in this sort of original House-Museum.
Imagen de Pymouss44
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more infoEricsson Globe: Sweden’s “London Eye”
Many cities would love to have an iconic structure that can even by identified by just its silhouette: the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Sagrada Familia, the Empire State Building… the list could go on!
Another of these iconic buildings has sprung up in Stockholm. The Ericsson Globe is the largest spherical building in the world: 16,000 spectators, 110 metres in diameter and an internal height of 85 metres.
On top of this impressive building, the Swedes wanted to build an “eye” that would let locals and tourists appreciate the Stockholm skyline from 130 metres above street level. Thus was born the Skyview, consisting of gondolas that travel up two sets of rails on the outside of the Ericsson Globe all the way to the top.
The two gondolas can carry up to 16 people at the same time and in 20 minutes visitors will be able to see all 14 of the islands that comprise the Swedish capital.
By Eddy Lara Brito from DestinosActuales.com
Do you fancy visiting the Ericsson Globe? Book your flights here!
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