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| Croatia's Plitvice Lakes National Park where 16 lakes converge into a waterfall paradise (wikipedia) |
What
happens when 16 inter-connected lakes are formed by the confluence of multiple
rivers and natural dams into irregular tiers of breathtaking aquatic artistry? The
answer: you get the Plitvice Lakes , the oldest national park in Southeastern
Europe and the largest in Croatia
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| Water, water everywhere at Plitvice Lakes (wikipedia) |
With
more than a million visitors each year, Plitvice Lakes Bosnia and Herzegovina
All
of that is changing now, and Croatia
Plitvice
is one of those delicious places that must experienced to be fully appreciated.
It is impossible to describe because every turn of the head offers a different
panoramic vista that is a visual feast. This is Mother Nature at the peak of
her creativity where water cascades from every direction into a kaleidoscope of
ever-changing colors and liquid mosaics.
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| Pools of rushing water converge to create liquid mosaics (wikipedia) |
Starting
with a basic palette of azure, green, gray and blue, colors constantly change
according to the time of day, the angle of the sunlight, cloud cover and the
amount of minerals flowing in the water at any given time. No two lakes are
ever the same color, making the natural phenomenon of this aquatic wonderland
seem like a perpetual stained glass window on water.
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| The cascading magic of the Plitvice waterfalls (wikipedia) |
Divided
into an upper level of 12 lakes and four more in the lower cluster, the lakes
are formed by runoff from several small surface and subterranean rivers. The
name Plitvice Lakes
Situated
within dense woodlands populated by deer, bears, wolves, rare birds and an
abundant variety of unique vegetation, Plitvice has a primeval quality that
creates sensations of being at the birthplace of nature.
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| Gateway to one of Mother Nature's greatest aquatic displays (wikipedia) |
Each
of the 16 lakes has its own legends and folklore, most of which are based upon
actual events. Among the traditions is an annual gathering when thousands of
simultaneous weddings are conducted near a series of majestic waterfalls.
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| An abundance of fish at Plitvice National Park (wikipedia) |
The
park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage register in 1979, making it one of
the first natural UNESCO sites in the world. It is open daily throughout the
year, with longer hours during summer. Entrance fees are used for the upkeep of
the park and the protection of wildlife. Ticket prices are seasonal with adult
tickets averaging approximately $18. Children ages seven to 18 receive a
discount, while children under seven are admitted at no charge. Group rates are
available for a minimum of 15 people. Two day tickets can also be purchased.
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| Accommodations are rustic, but comfortable (wikipedia) |
There are 19 small villages within the
region of the park, and there are also excellent accommodations available
inside the part itself.
Hotel Bellevue and Hotel Plitvice are
two star properties inside the park. Don’t be misled by the stars, the
accommodations are clean, comfortable and reasonable ranging from about $100 to
$125 a night.
Hotel Jezero is the only three star
property at Plitvice, but most visitors prefer Hotel Plitvice if given a
choice.
Just outside the park in Rakovica,
which is two miles from the entrance, you will find rooms at the three star
Hotel Degenija. Slightly further down the road, six miles away, is Hotel
Mazola, another three star property located in Korenika.
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| Age old trees create a natural canopy as they lean over the waters of the Plitvice Lakes (wikipedia) |
There are also 86 acres of camp
grounds four miles away in Korana.
Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia is a majestic explosion of waterfalls that must be witnessed to comprehend its true magnitude.
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