Slunj is located in central Croatia and is situated on the banks of the river Slunjčica. Slunj is particularly famous for two attractions: Rastoke and Plitvice Lakes National Park.
What did we do?
Rastoke Village. It is a charming village nestled within Slunj and often referred to as the "Plitvice of the Small." The village showcases traditional Croatian architecture, charming wooden houses built on water, all connected by small bridges. Many of these houses have been converted into mills, taverns, and small shops. We took the scenic route 😎 and turned a 10 minute walk into about a 40 minute walk to get to the village.
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| We had the trail to ourselves |
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| The beginning of exploring Rastoke |
Slovln Unique
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| Spoon Mills |
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Don't raise the damn
I wonder 🤔 😏 how many have |
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| Rainbow 🌈 Garden Waterfalls |
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| Traditional washer |
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| Spoon mill from below |
The River Slunjčica (locally also called Slušnica) is a river, which flows through the Kordun region in central Croatia. It partly flows underground through porous karst (limestone soil) and surfaces in the vicinity of the city of Slunj. The city of Slunj bears its name from this river. Due to its underground course the Slunjčica river has a quite cold temperature even during summer and the nearby situated towns use it as drinking water.
At Rastoke the Slunjčica leads into the river Korana, which reaches this point after passing the Plitvice Lakes National Park.
Hotel For Bugs - due to the increasing use of pesticides, the population of insects is reduced in nature. Useful insects are especially important, because they reduce the number of parasites and diseases, natural pollinators who increase gains and in this way return natural balance and preserve biodiversity.
In order to attract useful bugs in the garden: ladybugs, Mason or solitary bees, common green lacewing and others shelters are built from low temperatures, hotels from natural materials (leaves, weeds, wood, grass) in which they will gladly move in during the winter months. In the Rastoke area you can also find fireflies, dragonflies and butterflies.
The last section of Slovin Unique was the Fairy Garden. As you can see by all the pictures 📸 Sharon enjoyed walking through.
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| Enter The World of Fairies and Elves |
Koje Je Vaše Vilinsko Ime? What is your Croatan Fairy name?
Birthday fairies, I can't believe she didn't get all 12.
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| Siječanj (January) - Morana |
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| Veljača (February) - Slava |
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| Ožujak (March) - Vesna |
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| Travanj (APRIL) - Lada |
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| Svibanj (May) - Lela |
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| Lipanj (June) - Vida |
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| Srpanj (July) - Zora |
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| Kolovoz (August) - Jelena |
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| Rujan (September) - Danica |
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Listopad (October) - Bojan
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Studeni (October) - Vlasta Prosinac (December) - Živa
A few more fairies.
Plitvice Lakes National Park. We had read that this is the most beautiful place in Croatia. After seeing miles of beautiful coast, we were skeptical. Well... it is! It is undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking natural wonders we have ever seen. As one of the oldest and largest national parks in Croatia, Plitvice Lakes is a UNESCO World Heritage site that attracts millions of visitors each year. Thankfully, they stagger ticket sales so it doesn't get too crowded. It was still an exercise in patience at times with 'that guy' stopping in the middle of the boardwalk for the 'perfect picture'. The park is loaded with stunning turquoise lakes, interconnected by a series of cascading waterfalls and surrounded by lush forests.
We wandered along well-maintained wooden boardwalks, footbridges and hiking trails and were amazed at the stunning natural landscapes. The crystal-clear waters of the lakes were unbelievable.
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| Veliki Slap Big Waterfall |
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| Boat ride |
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| Vidra II |
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| Please stop taking pictures |
Travel Tip: We entered via "Entrance 1" and took the "C" route. This is the best direction because the majority of the waterfalls are in front of you vs having to turn around and see them walking the other way. BUT this is also the most popular and heavily traveled so take your pick. It is not a loop! It ends at ST3 and you take a shuttle to ST1 (closest to Entrance 1) after stopping at ST2.
Where did we eat?
We stopped at the local pekara (bakery) in Buzet to pick up lunch before heading out.
Dinner at Bistro Centar nothing fancy good service and great prices.
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Pastrva Na Žaru
Grilled trout with new potatoes 🥔
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Situated in the heart of Rastoke, Petro Restaurant is renowned for its authentic Croatian cuisine so we chose here to celebrate my birthday 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 dinner. We had made reservaions and had seats righ next to the river. They offered a wide array of local delicacies, including fresh river fish, grilled meats, and homemade pastries, all prepared with the finest local ingredients. We enjoyed so much we came back again and were greeted, "Hello Rob" both nights.
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Pradajz salata
Tomato Salad |
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| Bread 🍞 |
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Gulaš od medvjeda i zapečena rastočka
palenta (Bear goulash and grilled polenta) |
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| Pastrva s roštilja (Grilled trout) |
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Me patiently waiting for the pictures
to end so I can enjoy my birthday dinner! |
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| Trout can't get any fresher |
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| Trout |
Our second night we walked in and the hostess says "Rob" she remembered me from the night before.
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Bear, deer and boar sausage with
baked beans. |
Our homemade sammies. The best thing about having our sandwiches is not just saving money but we get to choose our lunch view.
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We tried Hot Corn Doritos
Not Bad |
Where did we stay? An AirBnB, Apartman Višnja Slunj. Our host, Milka, was super sweet.
How did we get here? We enjoyed a leisurely drive from Buzet.
When did we go? 20 - 23 June 2023
Slunj was an unforgettable experience. So glad we stopped here!
"Every time a seed is planted, a flower fairy is born."
