Saint Augustine captured the adventurer's spirit in a single sentence: "The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." After studying abroad in Croatia, I found this quote especially fitting — I had journaled over 30 pages of thoughts and observations over a two-week period. For those of you wondering, Croatia is a small, boomerang-shaped country along the Adriatic coast. It prides itself on being the European Union's newest member, having joined in 2013 after undergoing a series of political and economic reforms. What these facts and statistics fail to express is the sheer beauty and cultural presence that has earned Croatia its title as the hidden gem of Europe. Here, I fondly present my ode to this fascinating country as told through several of my favorite photographs from the trip. My wish is that they inspire the adventurer inside each of you to explore another page of this limitless volume we call Earth:
1. The café culture.
In true Mediterranean style, it is socially acceptable
to spend one’s leisure time hopping between cafes throughout the day, sampling
coffee, tea and other exquisitely crafted beverages. Of course, this kind of
setting is especially conducive to all sorts of pleasant conversations, all of
which I remember dearly — from the American school system to wedding dresses,
and from celebrity crushes to street art.
2. Local food.
Croatians take great pride in their local cuisine, and for
good reason. Meat (mainly ham and beef), cheese and flaky pastries made for
hearty meals to fuel our expeditions. And the best part? It is all locally
sourced, resulting in green eating at a fairly low price.
3. The stunning Game of Thrones aesthetic.
Scenes taking place in King’s Landing and Qarth were filmed
in the city of Dubrovnik, and there exist several Game of Thrones-themed tours
for fantasy enthusiasts. But there’s more to this fortress town than meets the
eye ….
4. Dubrovnik.
The view of the Old City from atop the mountain is
breathtaking and reveals its distinct shape. It was always an
adventure navigating through the labyrinthine streets, which we miraculously
memorized before our departure.
5. Istria.
Nicknamed the “Little Italy” of Croatia, the region of
Istria seeps with Old World charm. We toured several quaint towns, each
situated atop a hill and surrounded by a verdant, misty landscape. And did I
mention that the truffle cheese alone is worth the drive?
6. Coastal towns.
The warm weather combined with a light ocean spray made for
very pleasant walks —rewarded by fresh calamari afterward, of course.
7. The national parks.
Towering waterfalls and limitless forest evoked a
Tolkien-esque vibe of adventure and wonder. Miles of trails, some more worn
than others, crisscrossed this wilderness; and at every chance we got, we chose
instead to trailblaze. A few bruises and scratches resulted.
8. The flowers.
Summer is the peak season for flowers, and we were greeted
by delightfully vibrant blooms at every corner.
9. Mountain vistas.
With cool air and a faint woodsy smell, these were the
perfect places to process all the trip’s happenings.
10. The history.
Right at the crossroads of Western and Eastern Europe, Croatia
has had a complicated but fascinating history. Over the past 1000 years, it has
been ruled by a number of empires — such as the Romans and the
Austro-Hungarians — and each has made its mark on the country’s cultural identity.
11. The people.
Everywhere we went, we were greeted by hospitable, helpful
people with a zest for life. It is admirable, really — Croatians have experienced
much hardship in the past few decades. But it is their unbreakable spirit and
eagerness to move forward that will set the country on a course to peace and prosperity.
