September 28, 2019 - A Day in Zadar with Travelin' Tanya AND 5 Facts about Krka National Park in Croatia and Essential Items for Your Hiking Backpack

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Elisa's Daily Scoop 
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NEXT TRIP IN 13 DAYS: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

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A Day in Zadar with Travelin' Tanya

GREETINGS my dear ones!

I've managed to upload pics before getting too tired.
But alas I am here now and getting sleepy before being able to fill you in on the scoop.

Please enjoy the pics of Zadar:

Zadar, Croatia (c)travelincousins.com

Bell Tower, Zadar (c)travelincousins.com

Well look who it is?! (c)travelincousins.com

Ancient Structures everywhere (c)travelincousins.com

Only the freshest (c)travelincousins.com

Tomatoes (c)travelincousins.com

Taking a short break in the room (c)travelincousins.com

Outdoor seating (c)travelincousins.com

From the Bell Tower (c)travelincousins.com

The old walls (c)travelincousins.com

Sailing (c)travelincousins.com

By the sea (c)travelincousins.com

Starburst sunset (c)travelincousins.com

My silhouette (c)travelincousins.com

Close to sundown (c)travelincousins.com

Time for me to get some zzz's.

Ciao 4 now,
=Travelin' Tanya

​5 Facts About Krka National Park in Croatia and Essential Items for Your Hiking Backpack 

Greetings to you!!! Another lovely Saturday here on Long Island and I'm starting the day bright and early.

We have an open house at one of the two Catholic high schools that Kelsey is considering to attend next September.  Following this excitement, I'll be heading off to the laundromat for even great excitement! (joiking).

Today, Tanya is visiting Krka National Park in Croatia.  I'm totally enjoying living vicariously through her trip adventures this past week!!!

Let's take a look at what makes this National Park worth visiting!

Krka National Park (c)travelincousins.com

5 Facts about Krka National Park

1. Named for a River

Krka (c)travelincousins.com

One of the Croatian national parks, Krka National Park is named after the river Krka that it encloses. The park is located along the middle-lower course of the Krka River in central Dalmatia, in Šibenik-Knin county, which is  a few kilometers northeast of the city of the historic city of Šibenik.


2. Created to Protect the Krka River

Make a wish (c)travelincousins.com

Proclaimed a national park in 1985 formed with the purpose of protecting the Krka River andfor scientific, cultural, educational, recreational, and tourism activities. 


3. Exceptional Flora and Fauna

Beautiful purple flowers blooming (c)travelincousins.com

If you love viewing plant species, Krka national park is going to be a wonderland for you!  Because of its geographical location, the park contains some eight hundred and sixty species and subspecies of plants, which include several endemic Illyrian-Adriatic species.


3. Home to Birds of Prey, Sea Life and Bats Galore  

Schools of fish & crowds of humans (c)travelincousins.com

The Perfect destination for spotting birds of prey, Krka is home to osprey, short-toed eagle, golden eagle, Bonelli's eagle, lanner falcon and the peregrine falcon, Eurasian eagle-owl, European bee-eater and griffon vulture. 

The river is filled with eighteen species of fish, ten of which are endemic. Brown trout and Dalmatian barbelgudgeon are a couple of fish that can be found in the ecosystem.

And lest we forget to mention that there are 18 species of bats, which are generally endangered or near extinction in the rest of Europe, including the long-fingered bat, the Daubenton's bat, and the threatened European otter.

4. Magnificent Waterfalls

Magnificent Waterfalls (c)travelincousins.com

The top attraction of the Park are its magnificent waterfalls​!
If you love waterfalls, than Krka National Park is for you. With seven waterfalls, two of which are featured below and include Skradinski buk and Roški Slap. Incidentally, Slap is Croatian for waterfall.
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5. Three Must-See Park Sites 

Dried figs, fruits and nuts for sale (c)travelincousins.com

In addition to footpaths, sightseeing tours and presentations, boat trips, souvenir shops, a museum, restaurants within this park there are also several sites not to be missed.

• Skradinski buk is a massive, clear, natural pool with high waterfalls at one end and cascades at the other. It is the lowest of the three sets of waterfalls formed along the Krka river. Considered one of the most beautiful calcium carbonate waterfalls in Europe, Skradinski buk because of the variety and number of geomorphological forms, vegetation, and the various effects caused by the play of light on the whirlpools.
• Roški Slap is the second most popular attraction of Krka National Park based on the number of visitors.  A series of 12 waterfalls in a space of 450 metres, the largest is just over 22 metres in height and 60 metres in width. Wonderful views can be enjoyed from  the walking trail.
• Visovac is a tiny island in the Krka river was settled by Franciscan monks in 1445, who originally built a monastery in that year (later demolished, then rebuilt in the 18th century) and a church in 1576. The monastery contains a number of well-preserved artifacts and a library. It is also also called Mother of God Island because of the centuries-long devotion to the Mother of God.

With all this talk about communing with nature, I thought it was a great time to talk about the best things to pack when traversing the great outdoors!

(Olympic National Park) (c) travelincousins.com

Before embarking on your next adventure in the great outdoors, take some time to make sure that you have packed all the essentials. 
When it comes to planning a fun and safe hike, preparation is key. As part of your pre-hike prep, it’s important to invest a good bit of your time on packing. Considering that you’ll be carrying your bag for hours or even days at a time, the way you organise your backpack can be the factor that makes or breaks your time on the trails. 

Know Your Need-to-Have Items
As you gather items, you will have to be careful not to overpack your bag. A heavy bag is not only uncomfortable, but it can also heighten the risk of injury or accident. Before you go, write a list of all the items you intend to bring with you. Then gather the items and lay them out on a flat surface – this will help you to (a) identify any missing items, and (b) visualise how everything will fit into your bag. The infographic below includes a handy list of essential items to help get you started. 

Packing Tips & Tricks
The strategic placement of items within your backpack will help you to minimise bulk. The less you use an item, the further down the backpack it should be. Pack the heaviest items closest to your back so that you’ll maintain your centre of gravity when hiking. Keep smaller, frequently used items like a compass, torch and snacks in the topmost zipped pocket of the backpack for quick, easy access. If space is at a premium, consider using compression sacks. These are excellent for economy of space and minimising gaps, allowing you to fit more into your backpack. They are also waterproof and useful for grouping items that you want to keep together.

Pack Like A Pro

If you are preparing for a hike and would like to learn more packing tips, then you should take a look at the below infographic which comes from the team at Ireland Walk Hike Bike. Read this guide to discover the top essentials you need to bring with you to stay safe during your trip.

Well folks, here's to a great Saturday!!

-Travelin' Elisa
xoxo