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The city of Knin is situated in the Dalmatian mainland, close to that source of the river Krka (Know from the National park Krka), do to it geographical position Knin is not a typical tourist, but for the Croatians the city is of great importance, mainly do to the following:

• In the beginning of the second millennium, the city capital and seat of the Croatian kings – which also so explains why the city is referred to as that kings city or Zvonimirov grad.
• During the Balkan war, the city was occupied by the Serbs and made capital of the republic of Serbia Krajina, the Croatian forces liberated the city under the Operation storm on the 5^th of August 1995, the 5^th of August has later been declared a national holiday – the Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day. And is celebrated each year with a 3 days event in Knin.

The city has one of the largest fortification in Dalmatia, (The largest I have seen down here), during the last decade large parts of it has been completely restored. For the entrance of 20 Kuna you can visit not only the fortress but also the museum inside the fortress. Be aware that there is limited parking available close to the entrance.

How to find Knin:

Knin is found on the road D1 from Zagreb to Split, if you are coming from National park Plitvice as we did, you have a 2-2.5 hour to get to Knin.

Another option is to take train from Zagreb to Split.

Here you can see all our pictures from the fortress in knin

Feel free to add usefull information about Knin in the comments. - Thanks.

One of our absolute favourite cities here in Croatia is Dubrovnik, we have visited the city numerous times, both privately as well as professionally, and every time we have had a great time in this historical pearl.

Historically Dubrovnik has always been very special, as the city was a republic it had a very interesting political system, the major / governor was elected for a period of only one month, this was done to avoid corruption and keep focus on working in the interest of the republic. – I am sure a few citizens around the world could benefit from a similar system in their country.

See more pictures from Dubrovnik here: Dubrovnik Pictures

Before the Balkan war Dubrovnik was the absolute top destination in Croatia, the war, where large parts of the old town was damaged, was of course a major set back for the city, but meanwhile the city has regained its position as one of the major tourist spots in Croatia. The old town of Dubrovnik has been completely rebuild, only visible evidence left from the Balkan war is the many new red roof tops in the old town.

When we go to Dubrovnik we normally take the coastal road from Split, which takes about 4 to 4.5 hours by car, the trips offers a magnificent view on the coast and the Dalmatian islands. If you follow the coastal road you will have to pass through Bosnia and Herzegovina about 60 km north of Dubrovnik, so please remember the following.

• Passport
• Not to bring any items, which are applicable to custom?
• It is wise not to speed in Bosnia, as you most likely will meet the police with a “laser pistol” checking your speed.

Alternative to going by car (or bus) is taking the local ferry line, which goes from Split, via Hvar and Korcula to Dubrovnik; we tried this once and can absolutely recommend it, although the trip takes around 9 hours.

Here is a fee tips which might be useful for a trip to Dubrovnik:

1. Parking

• Parking in Dubrovnik is relative expensive (1.5-2 Euro/hour) there are 3 parking spaces close to the wall, but before you decide to park on one of those you might read below where to find the no charge parking space, just 500 meters from Pile Gate.

This is how you find the no charge parking space:

• Follow the signs direction centre and later direction Hotel Hilton, when you pas Hilton on your right hand side, continue for about 150 meters, on your left hand you will see some green containers, here you have to turn left, follow the small road up hill and you are there (The best time to find a free space is early morning and late in the afternoon).

2. What to see or do while you are in Dubrovnik?

• The e wall which is the absolute highlight.
• The many churches inside the wall and the Cathedral.
• Visit the city part Gruz where you find the green market and lots of small streets with the most beautiful private gardens in Dubrovnik, (In this part of town you also find the largest supermarket – Konzum).
• Take a daytrip to National Park Mljet.
• Drive to Mline and Cavtat which is south of Dubrovnik.
• Rafting trip in Montenegro.

3. Prices and other useful stuff

• Dubrovnik is much more expensive then e.g. Split, but still 20-30% cheaper then e.g. Copenhagen
• The city beaches can be quite crowded, so get there early or go to the city part Babin Kuk instead.
• In main season June – September, you should book accommodation before you arrive, otherwise you risk ending up far away from the city centre.
• Ask your land lord for a pick up in the Airport, as it is quite expensive with a taxi.

Hope these few tips will be helpful on your trip, and I of course would be delighted of any feedback, which could be helpful for other travellers.

Here you can see a list of other interesting thinks we right about: Croatia Travel stories

And here you can see our 3000 pictures from Places we visited in Croatia: Pictures Croatia

Last week I visit Vukovar placed in Eastern Slavonic, with church choir.

To Vukovar we drive by bus and it takes around 7-8 hours of driving. We wanted to give some support to local people because of the  terrible experience they go trough during the Balkan War 1991-1995.

Like we say here ;Croatia was born in Vukovar. We visit hospital from where in that time Serbians take all wounded, kids older sick people to torture and death .

Ovčara is the name of that place and before war it was farm. But during the war it was terrible place where uniformed members of the Yugoslav Peoples Army(JNA) and paramilitary Chetnik’s formations who were drunk and out of control, commanded by the JNA officers(M.Mrkšić,V.Šljivančanin,M.Radič) and others, has beaten up prisoners from Vukovar with sticks, baseball bats, chains, rifle stocks, and various other objects. Even the mayor of Vukovar a Serb S.Dokmanović beat up his fellow-citizens.

At Ovčara the victims were mostly wounded people and medical personal from Vukovar hospital .They was all thrown in massive grave. In September 1996, 200 bodies were exhumed from there.

During aggressive attack on Vukovar thru Ovčara farm 3000-5000 people past thru.Today no one is punish for that crime. More about Vukovar battle and war see here.And you can also take a look movie Harrison’s Flowers from 2000 with Andy McDowell and Adrian Brody. Definitely a great movie!

Today in Croatia we all remained our self that we should not forget Vukovar because all people who die for Croatia and because all of them who lose their dearest.Croatia War is bigg tragedy and we should forgive but never forget!!! With those words of friar we left Vukovar.In bus you could touch the sorrow…and hope of better tomorrow.

More pictures from Vukovar