Alpinepalooza.

So uh, Instagram. Instagram. Instagram. I have one now.

My face when Instagram.  

When it comes to Instagram, I've really been behind the insta-curve as I just started using it.

Go and hide Maurice, she's breaking out the bad puns again.

A few posts ago I mentioned that I have an account on Shutterfly for all the photos I've been taking. But there's not much outside views in terms of traffic.

As many views as there are unbroken relationships here..

So Instagramming has been a new, gratifying experience as I've been able to cast out to a bigger pond. Saying this, I'm now pleased to offer yet another medium of my travels until I come up with another harebrained scheme to showcase the grand tour.

My Instagram.You can view it on your computer too... did I mention I was behind the times?

Oops, I'm supposed to writing about my last destination. Get back on track.

Even Instagram.

So after Budapest, it back to the Balkans. Now Croatia. You might know of this country. Perhaps. And assuming this, what's the first thing that comes to mind?

Croatia's famous coast!

So we didn't go anywhere near the coast.

But I did eat this tasty fisWAIT THAT' S A TROUT

Yeah, when initially mapping this whole GO EVERYWHERE AND SEE THE WORLD trip, Croatia was on my radar to see the coast. But going to the famous Dubrovnik (Google it) was way the hell off from Budapest to end up in Italy nicely, so....

Zagreb was answer.

And figured sure, I wouldn't see Dubrovnik (seriously, Google it) but certainly getting to the somewhere on the coast wouldn't be so hard as a day-trip or something?

Shoulda made a left at Alba-a-Turkey. I'll be here all night.

But it wasn't meant to be.

More like, because castle.

Zagreb is the Capital of Croatia, and well, it's a smaller city. Most people visit Zagreb on their way to the coast, so it's fairly touristed as a result. In my opinion, Zagreb was like Geneva: great for a day, but I would be bored more than that.

But it was a good day.

But what people don't get too often is into the area around Zagreb, aka Northern Croatia. Mostly (with exception of locals and savvy travelers) this is still under the radar, as in the summer everyone beelines for the coast, and in the wintertime, no one's here.

But not off the charts for long.

We visited the beautiful castle Trakoscan not 45 minutes outta the city-limits, and then it was all hello Alpine.

It was a castle on a lake. I mean come on. How is this missed at all.

This is the game where we try to find a bad angle.

And our local tour guide was very friendly too. He particularly took a shining to Mom.

Dances with cats.

He even escorted us most of the way.

Am I in a Hayao Miyazaki movie?

Another 45 minutes took us to nearby baroque town Varazdin, which has been restored over the years to maintain its Austro-Hungarian style. Small and charming come to mind to describe this town.

And you know, they say if it ain't baroque don't fix-Wait ...they did fix it.  

DARN IT I WAS SAVING THAT PUN.

Its northwestern neighbor, Ljubljana, Slovenia, rocked the baroque style as well.

I can't use that pun now. Help.

But Ljubljana was not to be outdone. It has its art nouveau- fetchingly showcased on what might be my favorite landmark....

DRAGON BRIDGE RARRRRRRRR!!!!

Despite Yugoslavia, World Wars, rulers from different Empires and states, Croatia and Slovenia both have a timeless quality to them. They come by it honestly. 

One example: In the US, farmer's markets have mostly been a  'move to green' movement. Now a farmer's market here isn't a movement. Nor is it 're-discovering their roots'. It's a way of life. It's not new or reinvented. It's always been here.

And it's also every day save Sunday. Get on it America.

Now timeless and preserved are both wonderful journalism words for the wonder that is nearby Castle Bled and Lake Bled, Slovenia. An icon of this country, and rightfully so. It's peaceful, picturesque, and crawling with buses and tourists in the summer.

Dear calendar thank you for being November.

                                                                                              Some day my prince ew dragon will come. 

And a traditional boat ride out to Bled Island? Well, yeah. Got to do it.

 The castle AUUGHHHH...our quest is at an end. Ok a Monty Python reference. My failed

 punning has been recovered.

Both of these locations were quiet and scarce of tourists (mind the few we bumped into around Bled) but this has been consistent since departing Budapest. Our hostels in both Zagreb and Ljubljana were empty. While the hostel scene could be improved (you know, cultural exchange, beyond borders, etc, etc), the travel portion has paid off dividends. No crowds and no heat. The weather has been clear, crisp, and for the most part, perfect, save the one or two rainy days.

The only reason I could see coming this region in the summer and braving the crowds would be to swim Lake Bled. 

Oh and to see the coast. 

.......

Meh.