©2019 | Ruben Cress - rubencress.nl
Plitvička Jezera, one of the most beautiful places to be discovered in Europe. The National Park can be found in Croatia, it is that kind of nature that you have to see with your own eyes. The lake is famous for its crystal clear- and azure-colored water.
Country: Croatia
Acreage: 300km²
Visitors per year: 1,000,000+
Prices: 26 USD (varies during season)
©2019 | Ruben Cress - rubencress.nl
©2019 | Ruben Cress - rubencress.nl
©2019 | Ruben Cress - rubencress.nl
©2019 | Ruben Cress - rubencress.nl
©2019 | Ruben Cress - rubencress.nl
A combination of limestone and algae
The reason why the lakes are so clear and azure blue colored has to do with two components: Limestone and the algae that grow and decomposes below the surface.
The reaction of gases that the algae, mosses and other plants releases react with the water. That same water has changed the limestone for centuries, creating a very pretty sight. It's a continuous cycle of nature doing its thing. The scenery changes over time, where the stream of water will create new lakes, and desiccate previous lakes. This is a process that can take up for many years. Paths that have been created will be absorbed by nature, as if it never existed.
When it was discovered that both the limestone and algae have such an impact on this magnificent eco-system, swimming in the lakes is highly forbidden.
©2019 | Ruben Cress - rubencress.nl
©2019 | Ruben Cress - rubencress.nl
©2019 | Ruben Cress - rubencress.nl
©2019 | Ruben Cress - rubencress.nl
©2019 | Ruben Cress - rubencress.nl
©2019 | Ruben Cress - rubencress.nl
Planning a trip? This is what you should know
If you're planning a trip to Croatia and you wish to visit the Plitvice Lakes, this is what you should know:
1) Can you swim here?
No, you can't swim in the water, the eco-system of the lakes is fully dependable on the limestone and natural gases the algae and moss releases. All plants, trees, mosses, and other surroundings have an effect on the entire process. With over one million visitors every year, it is hard keeping up to sustain its magnificent eco-system.
If you do want to swim in those kinds of waters, there is a similar lake located just two hours away from it (Krka National Park) where you can get splash yourself in azure blue water.
©2019 | Ruben Cress - rubencress.nl
2) Plan your trip
While the National Park is about 300km², you better plan your visit beforehand. There are several spots marked as P1, P2, and P3. While most places are accessible by foot, those hikes getting you from A to B can take up hours. Those hours hiking, however, will be rewarded with beautiful scenery all around you.
To get the most out of your visit, plan your trip and make sure you are staying on track... it is easy to get lost and walk the same path twice (I am a master in getting lost and sidetracked).
3) 1,000,000 visitors every year
It's getting packed, pretty damn fast. If you want to get the most out of your visit, go as early as possible. Even though the park is 300km², the paths are limited and it will get packed. My advice would be to go as soon as possible, take the boat between P1 and P3, continue the flow of your path and hike the rest.
©2019 | Ruben Cress - rubencress.nl
4) Stay hydrated and dress-up
Bring enough beverages and food, make sure to not leave or deposit your waste in the park other than the designated places. Also, check the weather forecast before you go and dress accordingly. Hikes can take up to 8 hours, you don't want to forget your umbrella when it is raining, or some sunscreen while its 30 degrees during these hikes.
You can buy food in the National Park as well, but to travel there can cost you a few hours of waiting time.
5) Sleep, eat and repeat?
There are several camping sites nearby, the closest one is about 20 minutes away from it. There are also plenty of hotels at the very center of the protected area.
Thank you for reading, I hope that you learned something and that you have enjoyed the photographs!
Ruben
Phenomenal pictures as always! The place looks heavenly to hike in.
Thank you Celestal, I bet you would love to get lost there! It was a great experience overall.
These are stunning Ruben! Definitely putting this on my travel wish list... and still trying to figure out how you take such ridiculous photos.
Thank you so much Justine. And that's a great call; adding it to your list. The only thing that bothered me were the crazy amounts of people being there as well... haha.
Oh well... you know how, I just push the button ;-). I saw your "failed" selfies, they look great! Certainly no failures, missy!
👀 and somehow you made it look secluded in your photos...
Or maybe... hahah
You managed to catch The Flash too . :)
Haha, good spotting!
Only the best comes out of Croatia. 😉
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Oh yeah? I’ve yet to see that 😉😜
Damn Ruben what a gorgeous place and gorgeous photos! The water is so amazingly blue! Nice format on the travel info here but the photos steal the show
Thank you Carl! If you ever plan to visit Croatia, make sure to bring your hiking shoes with you, this place is absolutely amazing. And man... I had 30 more photographs to choose from xD
I am sure they are all awesome as well - but part of why I love this post so much is that you showed some restraint and didn't dump every single photo here. The shots you did choose really compliment the text perfectly and the length of post is perfect as is. Pretty much a perfect travel post IMO :)
Haha, good spotting! I was planning to add more text as well, but I realized that the post would be too long.
But... I could always throw in some bonus pics for you Carl ;-) <3
This looks like such a cool place to visit. I would love to go there one day and check it out. I have never really toured Europe before, but this would definitely be on the list of stops when we do.
Yes! Maybe SF10 in Croatia @roelandp? Dat zou wel supernice zijn ;-).
This is really a heaven on earth
It absolutely is, thank you for checking it out, much appreciated :)
Ill be very suprised and it would be a shame if one Steemfest doesnt go to Croatia.
Great post and beautiful photos. Its been a few years since ive visited Plitvice so thx for reminding me. 😉
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That would be cool, you're from Croatia, right? You have magnificent nature all around you, you're lucky! Here in the Netherlands, we mostly have flat area's. Cheers!
Yeah. I live in Split. On the Adriatic coast. 200 km south of Plitvice.
Its nice seeing posts like this. Wer bad at self promotion. 😊
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Nice, that's like a 2 1/2 hr drive? Haha, well... somebody gotta share the beautiful things in this world, right?
Absolutely amazing and spectacular shots. Thanks for your sharing your experience Ruben. Very beautiful country.
Thanks for checking it out, glad you liked it. It was such a wonderful experience :)
In 2018 I was there too, it was like a dream! Beautiful and the soul could gather anew. Croatia has very beautiful corners.
shoot by myself
That's awesome @cryptogainer :) Great shot, thank you for sharing.
OMG @rubencress your photography is out of this world.
Thank you for your kind words @adetorrent, appreciate your visit! :) Have a nice Weekend.
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Ahh those colors! Great long exposures- just beautiful.
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beautiful landscapes I fell more in love with nature through this post that visual delight ..
Thank you for checking it out, it's beautiful :)
owwoo the place like a haven...
Yes, it is indeed, a miraculous place :)
Breathtaking!!
I fully agree!
This is beautiful indeed.
Thank you @oluwatobiloba :)
The pleasure is mine @rubencress.
its really amazing, thanks for sharing❤️😊!
Thank you, appreciate that :)
pleasure is all mine friend❤️!
its really amazing❤️,thanks for sharing❤️😊
Thanks for stopping by :)
Its all my pleasure fellow!😊
This post has been manually curated by PhotoStream: The Photography Tribe!
Thanks Tribe!
That looks really beautiful, I love the color of the water.
It's insane, isn't it? Very beautiful to see.
Curated by the HoboDAO!
Cool! Thank you for dropping by
Amando tu arte. Felicitaciones por este material, excelentes fotos.
Thanks :)
Amazing post with incredible photos!
This post would fit perfect under the #Travelfeed tag :)) - We are always looking for high quality content (250 word requirement). You also can post your travels through Travelfeed.io - Check it out! :))
Cheers!
Thank you
@rubencress wow what a artistic photographs that you took, I definitely want to go visit that place. thank you for sharing 📸
Thank you, appreciate your genuine comment :)
The photo's in this post are amazing.
Thanks!
Woow, what a beautiful photos, now i need to visit Croatia 😊
Thank you! You should, and when you do, make sure to visit Plitvice :D
wow... beautiful saludos desde Venezuelan
Thank you :)
Quite an amazing place, is on my to-do list.
Thanks Scot, great choice, you def should go!
Waooo beautiful
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Thank you for this post now I have an idea to the country
You should def go! Worth the waiting times and it is something you really have to see with your own eyes. Thanks