EUROTRIP 2016 - Part 2: Amazing National Park UNA

“Magical waterfalls, forest, medieval castles, crystal clear rivers... Mesmerizing!” 

That is what I thought first when I saw Una. I mean, where to begin? Colours! Yes, when wild green forests meet the turquoise waters of rivers Una, Krka and Unac. These white foamy formations caused by the rapids and waterfalls, such as Strbacki Buk, Martin Brod and Troslap, just make your eyes shine of the excitement. Your scents are wide open to the beautiful smell of flowers, green moist grass and the sounds coming from the wind and birds standing on the top of the big green trees.

Terrestrial habitats in the area of Una National Park are the meadows, pastures and forests, which all form a pretty important and rich ecosystem and habitats for many species found at the area. You can enjoy the Unac Canyon and drink the water from the spring of the river Krka or Bastasi or just have a picnic while watching the fish playing under the surface. History lovers have to hear the stories about Iapydes -an ancient people who inhabited the wider area of Una river valley and many historical remains of the old cities and forts to visit. Kulen Vakuf, Orasac, Rmanj, Havala and Klisevic tower are there to amaze but the burg of Ostrovica, which consists of at least three recognizable historical layers is for my opinion one of the best ones preserved. 

There are also many hiking, rafting, fishing and biking opportunities. In fact, for kayakers there is this very special event called The Una Regata, which is organized every year during the summer. Rich flora and fauna, canyons, mountains and rivers and history make this park special. You can also experience Yugoslavian spirit by taking a tour with Tito's Blue Train (a "luxury train", once used by Josip Broz Tito, while president of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) through the park! Worth of visiting for a day or for longer! I am absolutely going to visit the NP again, this time I hope to spend a night somewhere surrounded by the nature, with no other tourists around. The park can be easily reached if you are planning to visit Natural Parks Krka and Plitvice, since it is located between them! However, you have to cross the boarded between BiH and Croatia, since the NP UNA is located on the territory of BiH.

We stopped also in Cazin to see The Castle of Ostrozac and ate a lunch in Kostelski Buk, sipped some coffee in the old town of Bosanska Krupa while continuing our journey from Bihac and NP UNA towards our home in Prijedor and NP Kozara. However, by camera battery died at some point and I have photos only from Kostelski Buk. This was a lethal error, which must be corrected next time, because the places really were worth seeing! Since I do not have any material to support my claims, you can either just believe my words or google the places for additional proof!

I hope you dare to adventure!

EUROTRIP 2016 - Part 1: Trogir, a historic town and harbour on the Adriatic coast

Trogir - a small little city with a harbour,

Lying there next to the airport,

tightly in the armpit of the city called Split...

Trogir was our choice for a weekend, since I flew directly to Split Airport (the airport is really close to Trogir, a smaller city next to Split). My parents and sister Sabina were waiting for me there when I arrived. It meant that I did not have to relay on the airport-city buses and their timetables at all this time. However, if you need them, they are ok to use. But be prepared that the bus station in Split is small and over-crowded and waiting in hot climate can be rather exhausting...!

We decided to stay at Trogir for few days just to see one additional little city with rich history. The old town of Trogir has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites for its Venetian architecture. It is also the best-preserved Romanesque-Gothic complex not only in the Adriatic, but in all of Central Europe. The Fortress Kamerlengo, The Duke's Palace and city gates and walls are just few of the unique places worth seeing.

Trogir has a really cute little old town, but the good beaches are not close. You usually have to take a taxi-boat to them and avoid driving a car (it is really time consuming to drive between old town and this little island because there is so much traffick). The beaches were clean but the water was not as clear as it usually is in Adriatic sea. I think that the construction work of the huge harbour for yachts (there are two yacht marinas) is mixing the water so much at some points and that's why the beautiful beaches are the ones far away. It was good place to see, great if you need a place for short time and close to the airport.

I loved the views seen from the Fortress, especially during the sunset. However, the food and other activities in Trogir can be experienced also in other cities. I have travelled around the former Yugoslavia every year starting from the year 1997 (I was 6 years old, it was my first visit to this area after we fled the war. I was born in former Yugoslavia in 1991) and have seen so many places that have even more to offer. That is why I would not stay there longer than 1 to 2 days personally. Of course, Trogir is cheaper than Split and can serve as a great over-night spot very well for those who like to rent a car and drive around to be able to explore more. That is also what we did with our car (yes we aways drive our car from our home in Finland to southern home and back to the North again). However, my sister Sabina was a bit sick so she had to stay in bed while my parents and I buzzed around. As soon as Sabina was feeling well enough to continue our travels, we headed towards amazing National Park UNA and city of Bihac (both in Bosnia-Heregovina).

- Herminica