Umag campsite at Ladin Gaj is excellent and although it is huge, it still has quite a family feel. With plenty green space between camping sections for Mac n Tosh to run crazy. Playing ball or chasing lizards. The coast line is rocky and the beach is stone/pebble with pristine clear waters. We found a lovely little cove on the far north of the campsite, perfect for a doggy paddle with the dudes.
So whats our plans for this trip? Well as usual they are a bit vague and subject to change. The only plan is to go in search of the lost Noah’s Ark. Apparently last seen on Mount Ararat, a snow capped and dormant volcano in the extreme east of Turkey. Its about 3200 mile (5200 km) from UK direct to the base of Ararat, so heck of road trip. Hence the fast track to Croatia!
Campsite check out was reasonably quick considering. Only two queue jumping Germans managed to sneak before me. The third got a stern look. On top of the standard camping fee you pay a tourist tax of €1 pp per night. Now time to move on and go shopping.
The road heading south was closed due to repairs, so we had two choices. Head on to the motorway (toll) or the old coastal path. We chose the coastal road (D75) not because of the price but the opportunity to see a bit of Croatia, and it did not disappoint. Although most of the way was dotted with road works and closures. The red sand shore runs along the jagged coast line. In sections you can see how the gentle turquoise waters have washed away the crumbling rock. We admire the natural landscape from a small wild camping spot in a tiny secluded bay.
The D75 hugged the coast most of the way just turning inland for a short period. The sandstone cliffs and pebble beaches are the rich red shade that contrasts perfectly with green pastures. As the coastal views fade, low rise villages take their place. All stone and delicate pastel shades buildings, adorned with baskets upon baskets of summer flowers.
After a 5 minute Lidl shop, which took over an hour! Craig got giddy looking at all the different foods combined with head scratching moments trying to sus out the prices. No matter how many times your head says 8 kone to the pound, 40 kone still feels a lot. The Lidl store is just outside the town of Porec and with lunch time fast approaching we decide to stop off.
As you enter the town their are a number of large car parks. The first one you come to has no height barrier and shows a clear sign ‘no campers’. To the very far side is a few dozen campers? We ignore and ride around looking for a camper car park. But have no luck and retrace our steps to join the rest of the disobedient motorhomers.
In 1997 the town of Porec was declared a UNESCO world heritage site and rightly so. This old historic town is beautiful and interesting. Tiny alley ways and cobbled streets with shops and cafes line our way. Its not long and we reach the Euphrasius Basilica. Dating from the 6th Century, it is one of the most interesting monuments in Porec. Craig went inside (entrance fee 45 kone) whilst I went for a toot with the dudes.
Porec is built on a tiny peninsula. The Northern Tower, as well as several other stone towers stand out amid the town. As do the Gothic, Neo-Gothic and Baroque palaces.
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- The bell tower
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- Roof Tops
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- View from Tower
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- Bells
Walking around the sea front of the peninsula with a cool breeze was great for Mac n Tosh. Today is scorching and the dogs are still shedding their winter coats. We sat on a bench and cooled down. Flanked on one side by the historic old town and the clear blue Mediterranean Sea on the other. Boats bob up and down on their moorings and shoals of tiny fish dart by. Just a short distance out to sea, the densely wooded Fortuna Island.
Mid afternoon and we were on our way to our second ASCI campsite. We headed for, Camp Amarin just north of Rovinj. However, the campsite did nothing for us. It felt unloved and over grown, so we moved on to Camp Polaris, which is just 4km south of Rovinj. A much better ASCI campsite with well tendered lawns, pool area, cafes, shops and right on the beach. Time to put our feet up, again!
Our Bumble paid camping spot N046.776205, E011.628905
Our top 10 initial thoughts on Croatia
- Very clean and tidy
- No litter
- Friendly people
- Can’t get our head around currency, Kone
- They have Lidl’s..yeah
- Supermarket prices similar to UK
- Eating out, a lot cheaper than UK
- Good roads
- Architecture blend of Italy and Greece
- Croatian in a Lancashire accent, gets a laugh ever time!
Another great post, I’m playing catch up having only just found your blog last week. Following your current travels and back tracking randomly it’s amazing following your travels. I love your descriptions and the photographs are just wow. Croatia looks amazing now on our ever growing list of places to visit.
Afternoon guys, thanks for your comments and yip..Croatia is one amazing place.
I’ve just caught up with your recent posts. I’ve been thinking about heading east and your descriptions and information are both excellent and useful. I may see you on the road one day!
That would be good Ken…we will keep the beer chilled!
Thanks for another interesting post guys. Avidly consumed with great interest. We’re hoping to tour Croatia with friends next year, it looks fabulous.
Thanks guys, you are in for a real treat, amazing
Good morning another interesting post from you guys and sitting in Iraq reading this helps my day become more normal. can I ask you if you are full time traveling? reason why I am asking is that I am planning on selling up and spending my time along with my wife traveling to as many places as possible. Sorry if you have already been asked this before.
Good morning, it’s comments like yours Paul that inspire us to keep writing.
We are not full time in the Motorhome. We spend between 6-12 months per year travelling and it all depends on destination, health and family. Our original plan was to go full time but my mum developed dementia and so I like to see her as often as possible. It probably fair to say I miss my family and friends. Craig would happily travel full time but I know I would struggle.
Thats the problem that we are facing is family, but saying that I am away most of the time working and have missed out on so much which cant be replaced, if I do manage to change my life then hopefully even though I would be in a camper I could travel back for the special occasions. My father suffered from that illness so I know what its like, please pass on my regards to her. For the time being I will enjoy your posts and close my eyes and pretend its me writing it 🙂
Somethings you just have to try Paul. We always think it is better to have a go than not have a go at all.
We were travelling the other day and we were taking about you. It feels rather sereal that someone in working in Iraq is reading our blog 😀
Hi Both, Your posts keep me going and I know that there is a better life just around the corner. But dont come here in the camper its not recommended 🙂
Another great blog. Super photos x
Thanks Linda…following in your footsteps x
We look forward to receiving your blog and pictures. We just wished you posted everyday x
Aww thank you John & Irene. We would certainly post every day but sometimes it takes too long…and sometimes we have not much to say. Especially when it rains and we are stuck inside x
Are you heading to Pula? Lovely town, well worth a visit. And at the tip of the peninsula is a great little place called the Safari Bar, set amongst reeds and trees!
We certainly are Tanya, looking forward to seeing all the old ruins.
We struggled with the Kuna! I must have asked Dave every day, so how many Kuna to the pound? So what’s ten pound in Kunas then !!!!
Cathy
I am so glad its not just me Cathy, you make me feel so much better! I am not alone x
I loved Porec and meant to say head there on your quest for ideas… I was there back in 1979, when still Yugoslavia and Porec was a stunning undiscovered gem! Enjoy reading your reports of places to see and visit, so am saving everything for when we retire and go on our travels! xx
I can imagine 40 years ago it would have been rather special. There is something rather appealing about a place just before the mass tourist arrive. However, it is still very beautiful. Hopefully not long before you retire and then you can visit the little gem.
for supermarkets we found the Konzums very good one too and found Lidl very disappointing but then I find them disappointing Inthe UK too!
Not sure we’ve seen any Konzums, plenty of Plodines. Will keep an eye out for them although we do love our Lidl’s UK and in Europe.
Are you going to stop at Jahudri
We couldn’t get to Vizinada from Umag Ali due to road blocks and repairs.