Europe Archives - Travel The Four Corners

Lost in Scotland: Castles, Whisky, and the Art of the Roundabout

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0000

In July 2023, Chris and I bid farewell to sunny Prague (where the beer is cheaper than water and the sun always shines… at least it did for us) and swapped it for Scotland, renowned for its whisky, castles, and complete lack of sunshine. We joined our Californian friends, Molly and Kevin, for a week […]

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Czech, Please! 6 Fun Days in Prague

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 01:16:16 +0000

Prague was the perfect spot to get together with my husband’s Australian cousins and their spouses. This beautiful city in the Czech Republic (formerly part of Czechoslovakia until its peaceful split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1992, and officially renamed Czechia in 2016—a name that hasn’t quite caught on) offers something for everyone. […]

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Dubrovnik’s Timeless Beauty

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 17:14:04 +0000

If you can squeeze in only two seaside overnights in Croatia, make them the breathtaking coastal cities of Dubrovnik and Split in the southern historical region of Dalmatia. A mere 127 miles apart, each offers stunning vistas with time capsule-like “Old Cities.” And, if you can overlook the hordes of tourists, which lately seems to […]

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Overtourism: Tourists Go Home!

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 17:15:50 +0000

How much would you pay for a selfie in front of an erupting Icelandic volcano? Do you enjoy navigating through crowded Roman passageways in Europe? What would you do if a resident squirted water from a toy gun at you while you relaxed in a Barcelona cafe? Unfortunately, we live in the Age of Overtourism, […]

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Stonehenge Sprayed Orange in Activist Attack

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Sat, 22 Jun 2024 00:37:51 +0000

Two protestors with the British Just Stop Oil organization made headlines again this week when they used fire extinguishers to spray orange powder on England’s venerable Stonehenge monoliths. Fortunately, this recent attack did not cause lasting damage to Stonehenge. But British Indie rockstar Liam Gallagher said it best: “Don’t f**k with the stones man, they […]

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Perast and Kotor: Exploring Montenegro In One Day

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 22:09:25 +0000

Nestled along the Bay of Kotor, the charming towns of Perast and Kotor in Montenegro offer a perfect blend of history, culture, and stunning natural beauty. Just a short drive from Dubrovnik, this day trip will take you through picturesque medieval streets, past Venetian baroque palaces, and to a legendary islet chapel that draws pilgrims […]

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Ston, Croatia: Medieval Walls, Salt Pans and Oysters

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Tue, 21 May 2024 21:58:42 +0000

We weren’t planning to stop in Ston, Croatia, but we stumbled upon this hidden gem thanks to Ivo, our thoughtful driver. He suggested a quick detour when we were leaving Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina en route to our final destination, Dubrovnik. The detour turned into an hour of delightful exploration, and here’s why you […]

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A Bridge Between Worlds: Unveiling Bosnia’s Allure in One Day

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 02:21:27 +0000

Bosnia & Herzegovina, a fascinating Balkan nation, beckons. This mountainous country shares a sliver of the Adriatic Sea with Croatia, but the real beauty lies inland. Chris and I journeyed to the charming town of Mostar, a few hours by car from the touristy beachfront cities of Split and Dubrovnik on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast. Bosnia […]

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Game of Thrones in Real Life? Split’s Secrets Revealed

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 23:15:54 +0000

While Croatia’s Dubrovnik steals the spotlight with its Game of Thrones grandeur, Split is where a Roman emperor lounged in an opulent palace, a medieval bishop preached defiance, and gladiatorial roars once echoed in a nearby arena. Wander cobbled streets where history hums from beneath your feet, from the whispers of Diocletian’s mausoleum to the […]

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ETIAS Travel Authorization for US, UK, and AU Citizens: What You Need to Know

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 00:26:48 +0000

This article was updated March 16, 2025 Europe’s ETIAS Travel Restrictions were postponed until late 2026. When the regulation goes into effect, travelers from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States, and 55 other countries that currently don’t need visas to visit France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and 26 different European countries will be required to […]

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Croatia’s Hvar Island: A James Bond Vibe

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 22:39:51 +0000

Hvar island is well worth the 50-minute ferry ride from Split. There are two main ports of entry: Hvar town and Stari Grad. Date of Visit: September 24, 2022 As my husband, Chris, and I pulled into Hvar town’s sun-baked harbor, my mind flashed back to the first time I glimpsed a jet-setting lifestyle. It […]

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Zadar, Croatia: A Dance of Time and Tide

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 20:45:30 +0000

Were Zadar’s city planners chasing the “Bilbao Effect” when they hired Nikola Bašić to build two contemporary art installations near the historical old town? Most likely. But there’s more to these works of art than meets the eye. The Croatian-born architect completed The Sea Organ and The Monument to the Sun nearly 20 years ago. […]

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Lost in Plitvice Lakes National Park

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 21:54:17 +0000

There’s one thing you should never do in Croatia’s stunning Plitvice Lakes National Park. And no, it’s not refraining from feeding the wildlife. However, it would be best if you didn’t do that either. The correct answer, or perhaps the most important if you value life and limb, is to stay on the well-marked trails […]

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I Had a Fling in Croatia

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 00:54:00 +0000

Did my title pull you in? Sorry to disappoint if you thought I meant an extra-marital fling—in fact, I was literally thrown by a panicking Haflinger pony during a horseback ride in Croatia. That unexpected tumble was my wake-up call to the importance of travel insurance. My travel fairy godmother was watching over me that […]

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Opatija: Pearl of The Northern Adriatic

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 16:18:30 +0000

On the way to Plitvice Lakes, a beautiful thing happened: We took a detour to Opatija. Pastel-colored villas built by Austro-Hungarian royals and nobility still dot the surrounding hills. The Opatija Riviera has captivated many more hearts since those privileged few enjoyed its charms. Date of Visit: September 22, 2022 Our Destination Rating 4.8 Read More […]

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Croatia’s Truffle “Tails:” Stinky Potatoes

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Fri, 26 May 2023 02:29:24 +0000

A tip from a city tour guide and a little digging uncovered Italy’s long-ago barter deal for the unheralded Croatian truffle. It all began when someone in Istria unearthed the first of many white truffles in the 1960s. They looked like potatoes but had a pungent odor, so the Croatians called them “Stinky Potatoes.” The […]

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Pula: A Living Museum of Istria’s Past

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Wed, 03 May 2023 05:23:51 +0000

The vibrant seaport city of Pula, the largest city in Croatia’s Istria region, is a mix of well-preserved Roman ruins, Gothic, Baroque, and Venetian architecture. And (sigh) industry too. But don’t let a few old naval shipyards and factories stop you from visiting. You’ve got to see Pula, even if it’s just for a day. […]

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Rovinj: A Romantic Getaway in Istria

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 18:55:09 +0000

Our discovery of Rovinj, the seaside town known as “Little Venice” in Croatia’s Istria region, began with a stay at Villa Dobravac, a bucolic family-run B&B and winery. Later we walked through the Old Town’s Venetian streets, little changed in 700 years. Our visit ended with a fungus-sprinkled, grappa-fueled meal at Scuba, a most tolerant […]

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Racing Through Motovun

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Sun, 26 Feb 2023 03:08:40 +0000

Istria, often called “Croatia’s Pantry,” is gaining recognition for its delicious truffle-infused cuisines, prosciutto charcuteries, exquisite olive oil, and wineries. Istria fills an arrowhead-shaped peninsula in northern Croatia. It juts out into the Adriatic Sea, opposite Italy, and often draws comparisons to a less-touristy Tuscany. We took a southern route leading us to Motovun’s hilltop […]

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The Dancing White Horses of Lipica

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 22:23:59 +0000

We spent an afternoon with the famous Lipizzaner horses at the Lipica Stud Farm in Slovenia. We did it by skipping Postojna Cave, Predjama Castle, and truffle hunting in Croatia. It was worth it! Date of Visit: September 21, 2022—Lipica, Slovenia A herd of white horses came into view as we drove alongside a green […]

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Lake Bled: An Alpine Fairy Tale

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Wed, 18 Jan 2023 00:13:22 +0000

Slovenia's enchanting Lake Bled looks like it fell from the pages of a Grimm's Fairy Tale. There's even a legend of a lake monster.

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Ljubljana’s Laid-Back Charm

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 16:16:08 +0000

Ljubljana sits on the Ljubljanica River that winds through the Old Town.

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Arrival in Rainy Zagreb

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 19:56:40 +0000

Zagreb, with its socialist-era architecture and big city vibe, was not on our bucket list, but it was where our tour began. It's a city most Americans don't even know exists.

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Road Tripping on the Balkan Peninsula

Julia@travelthefourcorners — Sat, 05 Nov 2022 18:57:14 +0000

Come with us (virtually) on our road trip to Croatia and Slovenia with day trips to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. Hiring a private driver was hands down the best way to travel. In this post, you’ll learn how we planned our trip to the Balkan Peninsula and saved valuable time and money. Most importantly, […]

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