1. The Galapagos Islands, Chile. I'm not going to talk all about the Galapagos, because that's at least one entire in-depth blog. I just want to let you know that you don't have to take a cruise. Cruises to the Galapagos are great if you don't like to spend a lot of time researching and planning for yourself, but you will pay for someone else to do it. The difference between a cruise and a self planned vacation to the Galapagos can be thousands of dollars.
When you go on a cruise there are a lot of pros. You don't have to do all the research and planning. That's always huge, but if you have a budget research can be worth it. If you worry about missing out on any little thing, cruising is a way to get the most thorough experience. If you just want to see the place and the animals that call it home, you can easily do this yourself.
You can book flights through Quito, Ecuador to Saint Cristobal Island. From there you can visit other islands by ferry or short flight. You will pay up to a $200 fee to enter the National Park, but you will be charged that as part of your cruise if you go that way. You can take some day tours if you like. If you aren't a cruise person, which I'm not, this will give you a great visit as well. You'll still hang out with sea lions and lizards. You'll still get to go snorkeling and see sea turtles and sea life in general. It's a great trip.
Here's the thing. You'll meet more locals and learn the feel of the islands if you stay on one. That's a fact. Cruising rarely gives you the time to get to know a place. This method of visiting the Galapagos is normally cheaper. Just a fact. If you get seasick, this is your method of travel. All things to consider and then make up your mind about how you wish to visit this world famous iconic location and see all the Darwinian wildlife that calls it home.
2. The Metelkova Mesto Alternative Culture Center, Ljubljana, Slovenia. This is taking street art to a whole new level. This used to be a military barracks, and it's now one of the most popular places to visit in the city. Slovenia used to be part of Yugoslavia. As we all know, that didn't end well, but in 1991 they became independent. I won't bore you with the whole history, because most of us have heard a lot of it.
Slovenia is known for beauty and has a distinct culture. Because of all that, it's slowly but surely becoming a tourist destination. Over the years, street art developed into an organized culture and this art center is the zenith of it.
The outdoor art is open to the public all day free of charge. There are numerous events throughout the year on the premises, so you may have to pay for some of those, but I hear they're well worth it. Long explanation short, Ljubljana has taken street art, organized it and made it popular with everyone including tourists. They've made something for all to enjoy 24 hours a day.
3. Vintgar Gorge, Triglav National Park, Bled, Slovenia. Most of us have heard of Lake Bled. It's a beautiful scenic gigantic lake in Slovenia with a photographic island in the middle of it. But, did you know that in the same area, there was an amazing gorge with one of a kind views that you can hike through? That's Vintgar Gorge.
The gorge runs along the Radovna River between the carved walls of Hom and Borst Hills. It's approximately 1.6 KM long so it's very walkable, and there are boardwalks all along the way. It's lined with beautiful waterfalls and is just really something to take a look at.
This once again is not a destination for travel. This is something that you should check out when visiting Lake Bled and the area. Slovenia is one of the more scenic Eastern European countries and all of this makes for a great trip when you put it together.
4. Krka National Park, near Knin, Croatia. No, this isn't Plitvice, but it is beautiful and will remind you a bit of it. Located on the River Krka this park has it all for visitors. There're waterfalls, caves, hiking, biking, great views, swimming, dramatic scenery and even a lake with a monastery on an island. That's right, there's a lot to see and do.
The thing is, in my early life no one went to these countries. They were behind the iron curtain, then they were controversial, then there was a war, and we just didn't go there. Now Croatia and many other countries are independent and making the most of what they've got. And what Croatia has is beautiful outdoor water areas. This is something to add to your Plitvice vacation and it has all the amenities you can think of. They have activities, nature, accommodations and so much more.
5. The Uvac River, Lake, and Nature Reserve, Serbia. This area is amazing and in the southwestern part of the country. It's remote, and you might want to make tour arrangements to see it. The winding river cuts through a stunning gorge with several sharp bends creating a thing of beauty. There's hiking with viewpoints, and there are places to stay, especially along the lake at the North End.
One of the best ways to see this area, is on a local boat tour. The river boats glide through the canyon showing some of the best views of this natural wonder. I wasn't able to get a definitive distance for the hike, but it does go up and down over several meters of elevation change and it goes across an amazing pedestrian bridge. I've read that it takes at least two hours to complete the hike and I'm not sure if that's round trip or one way. Better allow a day for that adventure.
As far as the popular way to see the reserve, which is by boat; there are several ways to go. You can book a boat tour at the reserve for anywhere from 12 Euros up. You can spend any amount of money to do it as a guided tour from Belgrade and spend a long day visiting. The boat tours themselves take roughly 5 hours with stops at vistas along the way.
So, no matter how you do it, the Uvac Nature Reserve is a river journey with a lot of views to see and a great addition to any trip to Serbia.
There you have it. A fast five with a lot of outdoors to wander. There are so many places that don't make the list of a lot of tourists. I enjoy some of the out of the way yet stunning locations when I travel. Remember, there's a whole world out there to see, so get a little off the beaten path and enjoy!
