Amsterdam, Croatia AND South Africa

[meggiedarlin]

I just booked my 4+ week long trip. I'll fly to Amsterdam, then on to Croatia where I'll spend 6 days with my host family from when I was an exchange student.

Then, it's back to Amsterdam where I'll have about 23 hours to see all that I can of the city and then I meet up with my sister when we go onto Johannesburg for 21 days! I have cousins there, so that will help with not having to pay for hotels. We'll go to Sun City and Cape Town as well as to a nature reserve while we are there.

I'm soooo excited. April can't come fast enough!

[framboise]

Oh my gosh! What a great trip! Croatia is at the top of my list of places to see. My dad's family is Croatian so I would love to see where they're from. I hope you post pics of that fab trip! Lucky you!

[boilermaker]

Oh, that sounds like a great trip. You must be so excited!
A friend of mine is Croatian and I saw pics from her latest trip home. It is just gorgeous! Be sure to come back and give us a recap.

[wander_woman]

Sounds like a fantastic trip! I've never been to Croatia but would love to go. Amsterdam is one of my favorite cities. DH and I leave for South Africa in a few days!! We're very excited!

I'm sure you'll have a great trip!

[meggiedarlin]

framboise: I consider myself a Croatian by choice rather than birth! This will be my first time along the coast.

boilermaker: Croatia is starting to get lots of press about being a #1 travel destination. I just hope all of the tourists don't spoil it!

wander_woman: Ohhhh, I'll want details of your trip to SA!!

I'm going to start to post links here that I've found in my research. The first is on Novalja, which is on the Island of Pag (famous for it's lace and sheep cheese). My host sisters work at a new hotel there and that's where I plan to spend my visit. Novalja has a bit of a reputation as a party destination.

http://www.croatia.hr/destinations/destinations.aspx?id_destination=315

[framboise]

I'm French by choice rather than by birth so I know *exactly* what you're talking about!

Please keep posting the links you find because I would love to push Croatia higher on FH & my list of upcoming trips!

[keska]

I spent 5 days in Dubrovnik a couple of years ago. I envy you. The Croatian coast is so beautiful.

[meggiedarlin]

framboise: This will really be my first time at the coast, so I'm getting excited.

keska: One day I'll get to Dubrovnik too, just not right now. My dream is to buy/build a house on the coast. My host sisters can live in it when I'm not around and then I'll have a vacation place!

I think this is the hotel where my host sisters work: (sorry, I can't get the English version, if there is one, to work)
http://www.plaza-croatia.com/

And this website is wonderful! It from the woman who wrote Lonely Planet's guide to Croatia. Tons of great information: http://www.croatiatraveller.com/index.htm