Tag: Vacation

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Croatian summer, yet again

Departure from Graz was not an easy one. Mr. Heinz, one of our neighbours, has crashed to the garage door and disabled anyone from leaving. So, I had to pick a hammer, a piece of wood and straighten the gate a bit. Then, with another neighbour we finally managed to pull it up and sneeze with the car underneath.     

This time it was Miska’s choice purely, although I was looking for a windsurfing destination as well.

The usual issue with week cycles in Croatia means, that it’s almost impossible to book a place for whole 2 weeks, so we needed to find 2 places and be able to jump from one to another…

Olive Garden in Jadrija surprised us a lot from the very beginning… Lush vegetation, peaceful atmosphere, lot of flowers mixed in olive alley. It did not look very traditional. The reason behind is very prosaic tough. Mr. Vinko, the owner of the park has married a Thai wife, and brought a couple of Thai people to Croatia. Thai massage, esoteric music and scent everywhere.

Honestly the beach was not very special, but having a windsurfing school, the spot has proved to be good. As the wind came with some waves, it was a bit harder to practise or to improve on a new – much smaller board. But then, not much more we wanted. Peace, relax and calm.

The only trip we have done, was a short visit to Sibenik. Short, as the town and its historical centre was really crowded and somehow stinky too.

On Saturday we moved only some 30km to north west to reach the island Murter and our second destination, called Cigrada bay. Lovely bay on the west side of the island having 2 restaurants and “our” beautiful little Sunset Villa.

This was an extraordinary place, due to its numerous large terraces, stretching from the top of the coast to its waters. So many possibilities to relax on the offer. So many places to run and hide for Berry! The lovely pine trees, which separated our house from the bay – being busy during days – was great and the view on the Sunset truly magnificent!

We did not need to go and see any other places, which says it all… Actually the only exception was a short break in our kitchen, on which we visited a restaurant in Betina.

All the other days and nights we spent in Cigrada and our wonderful gardens. Ahh, yeah I managed to fix the guy’s camera.

The last day of our summer vacation, before we hit the highway for the return, we spent on the supposingly most beautiful beach of the whole Murter island – Plaza Podvrske.

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Early hiking in Turracherhöhe

This time we knew very well, why we are coming to Turracher. Since our visit a month ago, we wanted to spend here some more days and explore the area much deeper.

Being happy that we could take Miska’s mother and Jarko with us, we arrived to Little badger (rounded wooded chalet) on 1st of May. Originally, we were eager to bring our bikes, but as the weather got colder in the meantime, we targeted hiking instead.

First days, getting to know the place a bit better, we were walking around Schwarzsee and Grünsee in the beautiful pine tree forest. Actually, it’s a forest with highest density of pine trees in East Alps overall. Next days we visited Bad Kleinkirchheim (Kleinkirchheim Sonnenweg, Kirchheimer Talrunde) too. Afterwards, when the weather got bit better (unfortunately it was lightly raining most of the time), we plan a proper tour.  This was a 22km track from Barbarasiedlung via Schwarzsee to Engele Riegeland (1976 m) (it seemed we were the first ones this year, at least according to the noticebook. Then, due to snow conditions, we had to continue off the track to Kaser Höhe (2318 m) and to Gruft (2232 m). Afterwards we descended to Shönebennock (2002 m) and took some rest at Vastlhutte am Sam. The rest of the track was an easy part then via Grünsee back to Barbarasiedlung. Altogether, being away for more than 6 hours, hiking 989 uphill meters, this was the longest track we have done so far.💪😎

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Dream skiing in Cortina d’Ampezzo

It might be from when I first saw the FIS races years ago, but I remember, I was instantly amazed with Dolomite mountains. Since then, it was just a dream to see the beauty of the rocky nature in person.

Back in October 2023 we were talking about the next skiing vacation and the dream started to materialize slowly. Going alone, without our friends, Dolomites with its proximity to Graz, where also reasonable choice. And where exactly in Dolomites? For sure to Cortina d’Ampezzo – the most famous skiing resort in Italy and well known worldwide.

In fact It’s also a very busy place during the winter times, so we actually decided for a wonderful apartment in Chalet Alpenrose by Lake Misurina, just few minutes drive away from Cortina.

On the24th of February we were stunned by the volume of fresh snow while approaching Dolomites. And just to remember, it was heavily snowing also couple of the following days. We were told, the biggest amount of snow was recorded during our stay 😊

First days we were exploring the slopes under Monte Cristallo and Faloria as well as Tofana tracks. For a midweek break we did some snow hiking from Lago Antorno via Strada Tre Cime (covered with at least 1m of snow). Later we went for a day on Tre Cime slopes from Sexten and then got a great wellness treatment in Caravan Park Sexten. This is the most naturally beautiful wellness we have seen so far. Just by an accident we got a “Solo Per Due”private wellness for free 😃

For the rest of the week we stayed around Cortina, visited the town several times (it is really full of fashion boutiques – what a surprise 🙂 and enjoyed the slopes until our stay.

Overall until 2nd of March we managed to ride down more than 140 slope km! But it was definitely that Italian flair combined by old fashioned houses with a dash of prominent atmosphere and the wonderful rocky scenery, which made our vacation great. Dream came true.

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Sunny days under Schneeberg – very late report

Well, sometimes it just doesn’t go the way you plan. Upon our arrival from the yachting adventure, we suddenly had a bunch of troubles to be solved, with the puppy… As she was barely walking, not very into running anymore, we took her to a hospital. Unfortunately, the little dog was diagnosed a very rare (less than 2%) patella luxation a needed a surgery asap.

We on the other hand, have our second half of the vacation cancelled and were seeking for a reliable pet doctor. The first knee was successfully operated on 1st of September and the quarantine regime has begun. With the first week isolated in a playpen, we all needed a rehabilitation in the land. There we found this lovely place under the Schneeberg, called Rohrbach im Graben.

Even though we had to split the activities, one took guard on Berry – the other one was free, we still quite liked our stay. Paddleboarding alone on the lake, running round and round the lake, hiking towards the peaks, plus Miska’s trip to Schneeberg are our nice memories. But more important this time, was to keep the puppy curing safe.

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Kornati Yachting with Friends

Ready for another great adventure!? The dates were settled, destination and yacht chosen and Tomas prepared a wonderful Itinerary booklet!

At half past one, on 19th of August we all (Tomas+Lenka, Igor+Andrejka, captain Senko and us 2) met up in Sukosan – Marina Dalmacija – the greatest marina in Croatia.

Finishing the shopping procedures, checking in and on the boat, we were about to leave the place. However, as the marina was fully occupied and Senko needed to refresh his driving skills, we slightly hit a catamaran parked on the opposite pier 😱… Hopefully nothing got damaged!😇

Obviously, it took us some time to shake off the tense situation, but leaving the land in distance we just hop in the yachting joy.⛵ Saturday’s ride was reasonably a shorter one, but included a free program evening for the crew.😊

On Sunday we arrived to the snorkelling spot (potonuli brod S Michale) and then parked on a buoy near Veli Rat marina. For Monday we had the highest peak set for a goal. Although there is no track, not even a trace, we still managed to get some amazing views from the top of otok Katina. Later on, we visited the Telasica national park and its peaceful lake Mir.

On Tuesday we were up and sailing pretty early. Our first stop was Fort Tureta on otok Kornat with it’s ruins and picturesque little church. Then we managed to get a buoy in pretty crowded Levrnaka bay, just next to the fabulous Lojena beach, which we also enjoyed a bit. Afterwards, there was a party!!!  📣💃🎵

The next day we headed first to see the otok Lavsa and had a break in Konoba Larus. There, we decided to go and buy some more stuff in Piskera marina. For the evening we parked by uvala Korobacna, not the calmest one.

Sixth day on the sea we sailed along the east side of otok Kornat to the north. There we stopped for a lunch in a tiny bay, but continued further to ACI Marina Zut. Here I drank some water from the shower rooms and went off for the rest 🤢…  Unfortunately, cause Friday was a lovely day too. The highlight surely was otok Vrgada with its truly real sandy beaches. But the next stop was the unpopular one – petrol station. After an hour or so, we finally got what we needed and despite it was close, we did not crash. Furthermore, we came back to Dalmacija marina and parked the yacht in some great manners!

However, this was the last part of our great Kornati adventure. Thanks God! We all survived and even returned the yacht completely. Thank you, captains and the crew!🤗👍 Let’s repeat soon!

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Vacation in Opatija

Vacation in Opatija

Although our first vacation as a married couple was not meant to be a honeymoon, we realize, there is no reason to call it so special as it’s a sweet joy anyway 😊

And what else could have been our destination, other than the beloved seaside of Croatia?

This time we headed as close as the famous town of Opatija. We stayed in fabulous hotel of Amadria Park, offering stunning views from its rooms. Especially from Villa Royal, which was offered to us upon our stay prolongation.

Even though we did not need to go for any trip out of Opatija, on the only occasion and a visit to Moscanicka Draga, our little Husky got slapped ☹ Luckily it was not that serious and we could somehow finish our vacation and return safely home.

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Saalbach – Hinterglemm

It’s been long 3 years which broke our favourite winter tradition of spending the skiing vacation with friends. As the pandemic situation ease a bit we could finally find a way to renew the habits.

Five of us; Tomas, Lenka, Senko, Andrej and me landed in Viehoffen on Sunday afternoon 6th of February. The chalet we booked, was just great for us! It had its own sauna plus a hot tube as a valuable bonus. After some heavy snowfalls on Monday, day and night, we were out for the action on Tuesday. Exploring the slopes, we soon understood how large the resort is. On Wednesday afternoon Miska joined us, driving all the way from Graz. The dream team was complete😊

Watching the winter Olympics in the evening we got eager to take on some of circus circuits. The conditions were great, slopes perfect and so some of us managed to ride for more than 120 downhill kms.

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Vacation in Cala d’Or, Mallorca

Lately we were very satisfied with our choices of Mallorca. This year, in between 18th and 26th of August we decided for Cala d’Or and a hotel carrying on the same name. While the place was interesting, with its deep bays (Cala) it offers nice walks and has a variety of restaurant concentrated in the centre, for the hotel we better skip the comments.

Having get used to Cala d’Or and the popular biting fishes of it, we borrowed a great Seat Ateca to visit some neighbouring places.

First trip we made, was to Platja de Cala Agulla – nice natural beach near by Es Pelats (Capdepera), where we got some tasty pizza and continued further to Cala Torta. That’s quite remote beautiful beach with lovely views. For the evening walk, we stopped by in old town called Arta.

The next day we completely devoted to Parc Mondrago a beautiful natural park. On the 3rd day, we went for Calo del Moro, but unfortunately didn’t get any swimming there, as the queue waiting for it was considerably long. Instead, we end up on very long white sandy beach called Platja des Trenc.

Additionally, we manged to visit Platja S’Armarador, Parc Mondrago again and the town of Santanyi (+ Cala Santanyi) before leaving the island.

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Vacation in Santa Ponsa, Mallorca

After those sporty days and adventure in Premantura, we simply deserved few more days, just to lay down and relax in peace. And the town of Santa Ponsa has such a place, which meets these requirements pretty well.

In between 11th and 18th of August we were guests to the wonderful Punta Del Mar hotel. The personnel took care of us, so we took care very little, almost not at all. After having a full range of tasty breakfast and some glass of champagne, we needed to take a rest before approaching the pool facilities. By playing some games of domino and having few more drinks, we relaxed changing between the sea and pool water throughout the day.

Few times we did even go to the great public beach. And not to forget, we did also manage to walk down the Santa Ponsa streets on few occasions. But mainly, we did focus on pure relax and delightful joy.

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Premantura, Istria

As a yearly tradition of our summer holidays, we went to Croatian coast again. Looking for a good windsurfing spot in a convenient distance from home, the selection fall on Istrian treasure Kamenjak. For our 10 nights stay ( from 29.7th until 8.8th) we found an apartment in Premantura, which is a gate to nature park Kamenjak, at the very south piece = the end of Istrian Peninsula.

The nature park offers variety of beaches in small bays different west to east. While the east side has wider, shallower beaches (e.g. our windsurfing spot Uvala Skokovica 🙂 the opposite coast is rocky with hush pine-tree vegetation, featuring beautiful sea sunsets places like Uvala Toreta and Uvala Radovica. Being there, we could not miss the great Safari Bar with its hidden corners and fun attractions.

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Sölden

As a nice tradition within our group of friends, we go year by year for a winter skiing vacation. At the very first years, several times in row, we enjoyed Slovakian Jasná. Later on, not only due to climate changes, we moved a bit higher and visited Austrian resorts like Kitzbühel, Kaprun and Schladming. Suddenly there was this idea. Why not to go to Sölden? Yes, Tirol, yes faaar away… But, what could follow all those wonderful places?! Sölden. The truth is, it is somehow special. Not just because of Spectre and agent Bond, but surely because of those slopes. Amazing! To be there, one feels privileged. Thank you Sölden!

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Vacation in Paguera, Mallorca

And the long awaited days are finally here. From 31.7. to 7.8. we decided to go for a vacation on Mallorca. Of course, these days everyone goes there, why shouldn’t we? But that was certainly not the reason. On the other hand with so many tourists heading there, we paid special attention to pick up the right place. And we found it! Small town of Paguera without the rush of Palma suburbs, gave us all long restful days full of happiness and joy. In a combination with excellent services of the hotel Coronada, we couldn’t dream more!