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Escaping to Marjan Hill, the ‘Lungs of Split’ Croatia
Marjan Forest Park is often referred to as the “lungs of Split, Croatia.” The park’s pine forest exhales fresh oxygen into the nearby city — which is removed, but within walking distance. Marjan (or Marjan-Park Šuma, in Croatian) has been a popular recreation spot since at least the 3rd century. Back then, Roman Emperor Diocletian (who had…
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Paddleboating & Promenading at Lake Palić, Serbia
Passing through Palić’s Great Park entrance, a heavily-carved wooden arch that resembled reddish-brown lacework, I couldn’t help but imagine who had strolled through the gates a century earlier when this part of northern Serbia was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. We continued along on a sidewalk that was covered by a thick canopy of handsome old trees, our…
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The Art Nouveau Treasures of Subotica, Serbia
Situated in northern Serbia, the city of Subotica is like a treasure box overflowing with Art Nouveau gems. Most of the buildings were constructed in the early 20th Century, when Serbia and neighboring Hungary were part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. Designers incorporated whimsical details, colorful flourishes, and folk art into Subotica’s City Hall, Synagogue, private homes,…
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Amore for Amarone: A Springtime Wine Tasting in Valpolicella, Italy
Among the verdant, rolling hills of Italy’s Valpolicella region near Verona, winemakers have been turning out wine since ancient Greek times. Once we’d soaked up Verona’s architectural splendor, and had seen Verona’s Arena and Juliet’s Balcony, we traded city life in fair Verona for a wine-tasting excursion in the countryside, replete with the region’s famed Amarone and Valpolicella wine. Our escape took us to the…
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Photo du Jour: Role Reversal – Petrovaradin Fortress, Novi Sad, Serbia
Known as the “reversed clock” because of its swapped hour and minute hands, the clock tower of the Petrovaradin Fortress overlooks the city of Novi Sad, Serbia. The fortress sits on the right bank of the Danube River. The clock was designed in such a fashion so that fishermen could more easily tell time when viewing…
