You can never exhaust Europe’s surprises – Plitvice Lakes National Park travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises, spa and resorts

Located in a deep mysterious ancient forest known as the “Devil’s Garden” between Zagreb and Zadar, Plitvice Lakes National Park, composed of 19.5 hectares of woods, lakes and waterfalls. Imagine Niagara Falls diced and sprinkled over a heavily forested Grand Canyon. This lush valley of terraced lakes is laced together by waterfalls and miles of pleasant wooden-plank walks. One of Croatia’s top sights, it’s the oldest national park in Europe, deservedly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979. Countless cascades and strangely clear and colorful water make the Plitvice Lakes National Park a misty natural wonderland.

The National Park covers a total area of 300 square kilometers, whilst the lakes join together over a distance of eight kilometers. Here lies a string of sixteen beautiful lakes and tarns of crystal blue-green color, one below another. The colors change constantly depending on the quantity of minerals or organisms in the water and the angle of sunlight.

Visitors can get a close-up view from boardwalks that carry them across marshes and along the lakeshores. You will experience this enchanting world of cascading lakes, subterranean caverns and breathtaking waterfalls which is home to deer, bears, wolves, boars and rare bird species.

Put on your best walking shoes—Plitvice’s system of trails and boardwalks makes it easy for you to get close to the park’s beauty. The lakes, waterfalls, forest, hiking trails and boat rides in the park are what defined the word breathtaking. There’s no wrong season to visit Plitvice Lakes. In winter the frozen falls are magnificent; in summer the lush greenery is relaxing; in spring and fall the water volume is highest. No stay in Croatia is complete without at least a day spent rambling through the thousands of shades of green.

Entrance Fee: 6 Euro in November – April, 10 Euro in May, June, September and October, 12 Euro in July and August.

I hope you enjoy!