Let me take you to the virtual tour of Austria, Slovenia and mainly Croatia (with bit of Germany). This year due to Corona Crisis not many destinations were open to accept the Tourists but within Europe some countries who are mainly the tourist destinations were open for mostly European based tourists. So the plan was made last minute after a start of second wave of Corona in Belgium.
First plan was to go Norway again and this time do the Hiking of the famous Mountains but with changing Corona Situation first Denmark and later Norway was no go as they needed the Quarantine (14 days).
After careful consideration and alot of reading on Web, came up with idea to travel to South East with destination of Croatia. While for going to Croatia we need to pass via Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Slovenia and finally to Croatia.
With each chapter i will write down the story and how we travelled and crossed those borders as in these days Borders were been controlled and also having extra rules to avoid Corona Infections.
Also link from DailyMotion in case YouTube is not working prefectly
https://dai.ly/x7vo0ht
First night we have B&B booked in Wolfsberg, Austria so it was good opportunity to snap a couple of looks of the Wolfsberg Castle which was actually like couple of hundred meters from the B&B.
DAY01:
Our first destination was GrossGlockner High Alpine Road in Austria. Driving fun, hiking entertainment and experiences in nature around the Grossglockner
The high mountains and the Grossglockner, Much has changed since the opening of the Alpine Road in 1935. The road became wider, safer and more comfortable. Exhibitions and museums, huts and mountain inns, visitor centres and information points focus on the diverse mountain world with its fauna and flora in the middle of the Hohe Tauern National Park. The mountain road blends harmoniously into the landscape, offers a unique mountain experience - and for more than 80 years has provided 48 kilometres of incomparable driving pleasure.
You can take your bike, Moto, Car and this road will not disappoint you and also by going on top you still have the opportunity of hiking to the top to enjoy uninterrupted view of Highest Peak of Austria Großglockner or just Glockner at 3,798m.
The road is open for all kind of traffic from early May till Early Novemeber but still before leaving for the driving check online if the road is open for the traffic as in Late October Weather can take nasty turn and road can have good amount of Snow.
Road is enough wide but still there are hundreds of bikers (Moto and Normal Bikes) so keep good patience and drive very calmly and enjoy the view with nice food (Nice Resturants on top).
DAY 1 VLOG:
As Usual Travel Stories First and Last Day are always the toughest in any Trip, but this time we Cut the First Travel day into two halfs to enjoy some view while being on the way to Final Destination of Croatia.
We left Belgium around 21:00 and our first destination was set to GrossGlockner which was around 11hours of long drive, but we planned a couple of hours somewhere in Germany a nap break. But it doesn't came out to be that good for me as couldn't sleep while my friend was able to rest a bit, so Continued the travel till we found a McDonald which is open, as we checked couple of places to find some decent Coffee but couldn't find as Breakfast was only starting around 07:00.
We took our first break at McDonald and enjoyed the Yummy Breakfast with refreshing Coffee (much needed). After that refreshing stop it was time to change the Driving Duty and i took the passenger seat to talk to all, so recorded first chit chat.
On the way we found under test new BMW 4 Series Coupe as well as they were testing but it was in Traffic Jam on Border between Germany and Austria. Our Navigation found it will be too long to carry the journey on Highway so took us on Scenic Road through small towns of Germany and Austria but despite of Corona. Austria had alot of tourists especially German/Czech/Hungarian and some Polish. German Tourist were like 70% of all. And also it was with very nice and warm weather so we found almost half of Germany is going to Austria and in consequence Hotels were very expensive.
Finally after beautiful drive and winding roads and numerous amazing Churches of small towns, we reached the GrossGlocker Austria's Highest Alpine Road. We paid the Toll of 37€ on top of the Austria Vignette (9,40€ for 10 Days).
View on this road were so mesmerizing that we almost want to stop on each corner, but as from previous trips lesson learnt we first decided to reach the final destination and we may come back if needed (and this worked).
At the top the view was one of the best view and location on Mountains i have ever visited. View of Majestic GrossGlockner and those Glaciers just put us under spell and for intial few moments we were not able to believe our eyes. After spending some time on top we took our car down to allow other visitors enjoy the view as Parking Space was limited. This place continue to impress us on each turn. We spend some lovely time and enjoyed the Coffee with some Yummy Cake brought by Mouzzam.
We also had planned the Castle Hochosterwitz but as we spend alot time in GrossGlockner so we reached very late and couldn't enjoy some good views of the Castle. Finally we reached our Hotel in Wolfsberg B&B just about 5 minutes before the Check-in Counter Closure after 24 hours of being on road.
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Day 2 Vlog is Published now
After much deserved rest and sleep, which was bit difficult as it was Weekend and at the Hotel in Wolfsberg some German guests had no plan to sleep early as they were enjoying the amazing Summer Night and it was nicely warm as well.
Initially was bit issue to sleep without Fan but as we were so tired we fell asleep and couldn't notice much in surrounding while room was also full of many bugs and some spiders as windows were open and light attracted many insects.
We have paid 62 EUR for this room and with shared Bathroom which was the hgihest amount of per night Hotel we paid.
Good thing was the location of the Hotel just beside the Castle of Wolfsberg, whose brief history i have mentioned in the Video.
We left Wolfsberg, Austria and entered Slovenia around 11:30 after Fuel-up in Austria as Austria Fuel prices are very nice. In Slovenia we had 12 Hours window to transit. Initially we opt to take small roads and benefit maximum to see the country, in no time we have reached Bled and went to the Zipline Dolinka which is Europe's longest Zipline and its in 7 parts and there is small distance between each step. And very small hike as well and walking is in Nature so you will love the view from the Zipline and also during the Walk Guide are telling about the important landmarks and Geography.
This Zipline Experience costs 60 EUR per person and i think 50EUR in case someone is less then 18 Years Old.
Zipline Guide was very experienced also working with the Red Bull kind of adventure stuff especially during the Winter as he was Pro Ski- and Snow Boarding guy.
One important thing is keep a back pack with you as you may easily loose the content from pockets during flying over the Zipline, and also one strapped Action Cam can be very good idea or you have another person with Drone to take your video but with a moderate size group.
After the Zipline we enjoyed some performances from the Bled Castle Team and went to fly the Drone over the Bled Lake, please have a look about the Lake in the Video with English Subtitles and also in Urdu completely explained.
Day 3 Vlog
On day 3 we woke up near Plitvice Lake Region and it was very small 10-15 minutes drive to Plitivice Lake (Hotel owner was very nice lady)
Link for booking is http://www.booking.com/Share-Q4DOZ0
We drove to the Plitvice lakes National Park not so renowned side but the view of the Water falls was amazing, this side was recommended by very good Youtube Travel Vlogger @Wildlens by Abrar while he was on his trip from Germany to Pakistan on Bike.
We were enjoying the Waterfall View while Rangers came and we had no tickets/permits so we had to pay the fine of 50€. After paying more than actual entry fee we went and bought the tickets to actually visit the Lakes with the Wooden bridges and paths.
It was one of the most beautiful thing we have witnessed in our life, we enjoyed it to the full extent but time just fly away incase you are enjoying something. So we had to leave the Lakes as we had plan to visit the Zadar City as its famous for it fabulous evenings and beautiful old town square.
We decided to drive through small roads rather taking the Motorway to drive along the Coast, and decision was right on spot. Croatia got one of the world's best Coast and blue sea water just gives another dimension. We stopped for a small drone shot and drive through one village name Lukovo and it was amazing but couldn't find a parking spot as it was 100% and very narrow streets.
We reached Zadar and after the much needed Dinner we jumped to the City famous old town quarter which was just awesome, we loved the atmosphere and liveliness of this city. And found the ruins even dating 48 B.C. and City Old Roman Square is also a very nice attraction. We spent a good evening in Zadar and we got late so informed Hotel Owner in Split to leave our keys at the door of the room No 3 and he kindly accepted as we had already paid it. Hotel Link is
http://www.booking.com/Share-rzDf0u
It was also very nice peaceful place while we were only to sleep and rest if for the next Vlog.
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Day 4 Vlog
Krka National Park is situated along the Krka River in southern Croatia. It's known for a series of 7 waterfalls. In the south, Skradinski Buk waterfall is flanked by traditional watermills. To the north, a nature trail passes another striking cascade, Roški Slap, and the Krka Monastery, built above ancient Roman catacombs. Visovac Island is home to the 15th-century Franciscan Monastery. Which is only accessible with boat.
We have planned a full day for Krka National Park as we have heard amazing stories and also amazing photos and Drone Videos. To explore the Krka in best we booked the boat tour (the longest option) and luckily we were right on time for the first departure of boat. We grabbed the best seats (as we though) but still they have limited view.
On our first stop we reached the Island with Monastery called "Visovac Island", this Island was actually a white rock in the middle of the Lakes but it was created as Island by Monks and later as Monastery. So its still active Monastery and Monks are coming here for the religious practices and further. It also have a small Museum and very peaceful environment. I really wanted to sit down in these summer months and have nothing to do for whole day but the Boat Clock as ticking and we were actually late and boarded as last passengers.
We left for the last and longest stop of the boat journey and it was the Roški Slap side of the Krka National Park where hundreds of small but very unique fashioned cascading Waterfalls were going through in a very eye soothing and we said Subhan Allah for creating such a beauty and it was a jewel of beauty for Croatia.
We decided for 40 minute Walk which turned out to be longer then 40 minutes as we stopped at many placed for some photos and Videos. But it was well worth it. We also briefly touched the Small Natural Swimming Area, but we preferred to reach the boat first to secure the front Deck place for the return journey. After a small chat with the Captain of the boat we are allowed to take seats at the Front Deck and we set for sail. This was amazing experience and we have whole front view just for ourselves. But now we were anxiously waiting to reach the main Water Falls "Skradinski Buk". And it was like around 1 hour of walk around the National Park or 15 minutes to reach directly, we took the 1 hour option to explore more parts as we have different plans.
On the way we enjoyed the Ice Cream while our feet's dipped in the soothing Water from the small water streams passing through the wooden bridge paths. On the first glimpse of the Waterfalls we said Subhan Allah for this beauty and this was my first time to witness such beauty with my own eyes, we reached the Viewpoint of the Waterfalls and I think no words can really do the justice with actual beauty we saw.
After been on waterfalls as we already decided that we will spend all our afternoon in the water, so we have two solution to store our belongings (Mobile, Camera, Drone, Wallets) on secure place or go back to parking and come back here again. We searched for any available Lockers. But Lockers needed the Cash Security Deposit which we had but it was less then required. So we try to ask shops if they can give us money and charge us on our Credit Card but they refused finally the Girl on the Security Boxes asked the Boss if they can give us the Locker without the required Security but like half of total price as we already spent the cash on the Drinks/Ice Creams.
After storing our stuff we jumped into water and we stayed in that beautiful place for hours till the evening longer shadows were almost knocking the door and people started to move out. We said good bye, took our belongings back and move back to the Bus Station and it was a long queue of people waiting for bus to go back to Entrance as Private Cars were not allowed in the Krka National Park.
We came back and another big thing was waiting for us is the Car Battery went down as we left the Car portable refrigerator Connected and it consumed the battery. We asked help to a German guy and luckily he had the jumper cable to help us to jump start the car and we set off for the ride to Rijeka which was around 4 hours drive.
And again we were late for that and asked the Owner to leave the keys outside the door.
Day 6 + 7 : This is the day we decided to drive all the way from Croatia to Belgium, its alot of kms but what we did is we took the Hotel at the Border of the Croatia and Slovenia as ideally we should be in Slovenia or Austria but Slovenia is not allowing to stay for more than 12 hours and we still want to see one last attraction (Lake Bohinj).
So we left Croatia early in the Morning and still met some traffic of tourists at Slovenia Border entry as they are registering the people entering Slovenia and issued us the warning of leaving Slovenia in less than 12 hours and we followed the instructions. Only thing we did was visiting the Lake Bohinj and it was beautiful and we also saw the Lake Bled again as we need to pass Bled to reach Lake Bohinj and afterwards we kept going and crossed Austria without Break as Goal was to reach before sunset to Neuschwanstein Castle.
We reached Neuschwanstein Castle but rain was pouring as in my last 2 trips (i dont know why but whenever i visit this Castle its raining), we wait in the car for around 40 min and finally it was fine drizzle but still we sent the Drone in Air and it came back as well but bit humidified version.
We also did the small Hike of the Castle and reach the famous Maria Bridge and we and another German Photographers were only the ones on bridge but as it was very Windy and very low light so couldn't manage the much deserved Low Light Long Exposure as Bridge had alot of movement due to Wind.
After that we did and much needed Dinner at Burger King with amazing Vege Burger and new Frys with Jalapeno and Cheese.
After the dinner we drove to next McDonald for the Coffee and it was difficult drive as we were sleeping as since morning we were driving driving and driving. Anyhow we found the open McDonald after couple of ones already closed and took biggest coffee cups to make us reach to Belgium till morning and we did it.
We covered around 1400kms and Six Countries Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Luxembourg and finally Belgium.
It was great trip thanks to great company to Moazzam Hussain.
