A dog naps in the afternoon light on the Sarajevo street corner where Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, were assassinated 100 years ago today. Special events in Sarajevo will commemorate the 28 June 1914 shooting, which is said to have been the spark that started World War One. There are differing opinions about the event, withContinue reading “A Peaceful Nap in Sarajevo, 100 Years Later”
Tag Archives: Balkans
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 hadContinue reading “Escaping to Marjan Hill, the ‘Lungs of Split’ Croatia”
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, ourContinue reading “Paddleboating & Promenading at Lake Palić, Serbia”
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 viewingContinue reading “Photo du Jour: Role Reversal – Petrovaradin Fortress, Novi Sad, Serbia”
Strolling Through Šibenik, Croatia
A bit of a diamond in the rough, Šibenik is a city that quietly invited us to stroll in a pleasantly-aimless fashion. Situated near Croatia’s stunning Dalmatian Coast and Krka National Park, we didn’t find an abundance of things to do in Šibenik, but that just added to its charm. Instead, our afternoon was filled mingling with locals and a friendly feline, and people-watching moments fromContinue reading “Strolling Through Šibenik, Croatia”
Delicious History: Zinfandel Wine & Octopus Peka in Kaštela, Croatia
As our friend’s car propelled us up the jagged slopes of Kozjak Mountain in Croatia’s Dalmatia region, we struggled to steady our cameras enough to document the increasingly-magnificent view. Simultaneously fearing for the health of my friend’s tires which risked being ruptured on the rocky dirt road, I marveled at the panorama along this stretch ofContinue reading “Delicious History: Zinfandel Wine & Octopus Peka in Kaštela, Croatia”
Shades of Blue: Krka National Park, Skradin & Primošten, Croatia
During an excursion along Croatia’s twinkling Adriatic Coast one winter afternoon, I concurred with astronauts who’ve professed Croatia to be the bluest place on earth. Along with our friend, Damir, we’d left our home away from home within Diocletian’s Palace in seaside Split, and headed northwest on a day trip. We had plans to stop at Krka National Park, the risotto and yachting townContinue reading “Shades of Blue: Krka National Park, Skradin & Primošten, Croatia”
A Journey Through the Millennia: The Split Archaeological Museum in Croatia
As we perused the holdings at the Split Archaeological Museum along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, I found myself most drawn to the stone headstones bearing family portraits of citizens from the Roman Empire – some more than 2,000 years-old. Though the subjects’ faces were often weathered and lacking facial extremities, I enjoyed pondering how the family’s likenesses came to beContinue reading “A Journey Through the Millennia: The Split Archaeological Museum in Croatia”
Travels With Tricia 