• Most significant national park in 8 of Croatia’s.
• One of 5 fascinating waterfalls in the world.
• First natural place as part of UNESCO World Heritage

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia by 29cm

There are approximately 200 beautiful waterfalls in this national park that spreads to some 200 km sq area. What’s more are about twenty lakes that add the magnificence and breathtaking views of this park.

Things to do

If you are planning to travel to Croatia, then you should definitely spend a day or two at Plitvice Lakes National Park. Here is a list of what to do:
A shuttle bus called Panoramic Train follows a specific route that you can take up. Simply walk through the beautiful wooden paths above water. If you wish to trek, then mountains offer wondrous lakes views. You can take up a climb. Once you decide to end it, hop into the bus and you can easily reach back to the entrance.
Otherwise, if you wish to, you can ride a boat. Smaller boats are available for rent and larger boats take travelers on pleasure ride. However, no other water activity or swimming is allowed in the park.

Wooden paths in Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia by Jimmy Harris

Accommodation

You can rent apartment in villages that are situated closer to the national park. These places are designed to make sure your stay is pleasurable and comfortable too. If not, you can check out hotel accommodation and pre-book accordingly. Do plan to stay for at least a day and a night minimum.

Food

Local restaurants located in closer by villages offer wonderful Croatian delicacies. If you want to eat in the park, Licka Kuca is there in the park itself where you can enjoy traditional Lika food.

Boat in Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia by ornello_pics

Flora and fauna

Some wildlife worth checking includes rare bird species, deer, boars, wolves and bears.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is open all year round, from 7:00 to 20:00 in summer, or from 8:00 to 16:00 in winter, when you can see the lakes covered by ice and snow. The basic admission for adults is 80Kn (€10) in winter and 110Kn (€15) in summer. For further information you can visit https://en.np-plitvicka-jezera.hr/

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It is a system of 16 lakes covering an area of ​​19.5 hectares. The lakes are interconnected by the rivers, cascades and waterfalls – these are around 90. Plitvice lakes are one of the most visited tourist attractions in Croatia.

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia by 29cm

The lakes are surrounded by forested hills of the mountain massifs of Mala Kapela, Medvjedak and Lička Plješevica. The lakes are divided into two parts.

The upper part consists of 12 lakes and are situated in the Dolomite valley and are fed by the rivers of Bijela and Crna Rijeka. It is here where you can find one of the largest lakes of the park, Prošćansko lake, with an area of ​​68 hectares. It is also the highest situated lake, as we can find it at an altitude of 639 meters. The largest lake is that of Lake Kozjak covering an area of ​​81.5 hectares which is, with its depth of 46 meters, also the deepest one. The lakes are connected by beautiful waterfalls, from which the best are the cascade of Sastavci, that are 49 metres high.

The second part of the Plitvice Lakes consists of four lakes that are formed by water dropping into underground caves. There are 20 karst caves that can be found in this part of the lake system. The water of these lakes is rich in various shades of blue and green colors.

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia by Silviapef

Forest around the national park is one of the best preserved of its kind in Europe. Since there is rare flora, there are several places that are protected and inaccessible to visitors of the park at all. There is also a number of endemic species, very interesting is a meadow with 42 species of orchids and 16 species of lilies. Forest have become a home to big predators such as wolves, lynx and bears. You can also meet wild boars, hares, foxes, weasels, martens, kingfishers and storks.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is changing persistently. The current appearance of the park may be a history in the few years. For example, in the last 35 years the water level of the lakes rose by 0.5 meters, which changed the contours and shape of the cascades. The total area of ​​the park is almost 300 square kilometers and thus lakes and waterfalls are just a tiny fraction of this unique area.

Plitvice Lakes, Croatia by René Krečmer

Currently, visitors can access just a part of the park. It is possible to see the lakes by following the trail which is 18 km long. You cannot leave the marked trails. Also swimming is prohibited in the lakes. The park is open all year round and the admission fee is about 10EUR in low season (November 1 – March 31) and about 15EUR in high season (April 1 – October 31). There is a mild climate in the park, temperature in July is around 23 °C, in January around 3°C when the park is usually covered with snow. The park is open daily from 7:00 to 20:00 in summer or from 08:00 to 16:00 in winter.

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It’s a beautiful part of the country. Gorgeous views, ancient woodland and vast open spaces all help you feel like you’re away from the busyness of city life, even though the modern cities of Southampton and Bournemouth are both within easy reach. There are plenty of activities to do in the Forest, or you can simply wander and take it all in.

New Forest National Park, England, UK by Jim Champion

For people who do like active days out, there are lots of options. You can hire bikes and cycle on the miles of off-road cycle paths, stopping at a 17^th century pub along the way. Or you can go orienteering or geocaching. There’s even kayaking in the Forest along the Beaulieu River, allowing you the chance to see rare plants from the water.

The Beaulieu estate is well worth visiting as well. There’s the Abbey, dating from 1203, which was partly destroyed during the Reformation, but much of it still remains. Just watch out for the smell of incense – it’s a sign that the Abbey’s resident ghost is about! Also at Beaulieu, there’s the famous motor museum, with a simulator and monorail as well as the Top Gear Enormodrome, home to some of the bizarre creations from the TV show.  There’s also archery on the estate, if you want to feel connected to the ghosts of the past.

There are lots of other towns to visit in the New Forest as well. Lymington has an attractive marina and narrow streets lined with interesting independent shops, while Lyndhurst is home to the New Forest Visitor Centre, as well as some nice cafes and pubs. Or you can visit the beach, at the village of Barton-on-Sea or the working tide mill at Eling.

Beaulieu River, New Forest National Park, England, UK by Jim Champion

If you want to get back to nature, however, you can follow a trail through the Forest itself, looking out for some of the unusual wildlife and famous trees contained there. One tree is known as the Eagle Oak, as the last known sea eagle in Britain was shot from its branches. Another is called the Knightwood Oak but appeared on Victorian maps as the “Queen of the Forest”. If you’re more interested in animals, then you can go on a deer safari, where the deer come and nibble fruit from the trailer you’re riding in. Or you can just walk through the woods, looking for the snakes that live there!

So, there’s lots to do and it’s set against a spectacular backdrop. It’s close to both the coast and the M3, as well as the mainline from London Waterloo so it’s well-connected. Come and take a look and soak up the nature and history!

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• Lake District
• Loch Lomond
• Dartmoor
• New Forest

There are plenty of different destinations for you to choose from and some of the national parks maybe very close to where you love. For more information, you can check out the website of the national park you are interested in visiting.

The Lake District

The Lake District is a massive national park which has lots of things for you and the family to do and enjoy when you visit. Throughout the year, there are lots of different events and shows on throughout the area where you can visit and also join in. From the Black Combe Walking Festival n May to the various agricultural shows throughout the summer, there is something to keep everyone interested. You can even take your bicycles with you and go out for a ride with the whole family. There are also various hiking trails that you can follows as well. There is a wide range of accommodation available from Self Catering Chalets, B&B’s to static Caravan parks as well.

Lake District National Park, UK by Chris Perriman

Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond is a beautiful location in Scotland, boasting the largest inland stretch of water in the UK. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy such as hiking, cycling and kayaking as well. Windsurfing, water skiing and also fishing are in offer as well as the more traditional swimming. Also in 2013 Europe’s biggest open water swim series is coming to Loch Lomond so you may wish to time your visit with this. Although it is bound to be very busy as over 2000 people are expected to take part. There is a lot of different type of accommodation available within the area, and you will be amazed at some of the jaw dropping natural beauty available in Loch Lomond.

Loch Lomond, Scotland, UK by baaker2009

Dartmoor

If you are looking to try and get the best weather when you go away, you may wish to think about Dartmoor. Being located in Devon, so being quite far south, you are more likely to get better weather than some of the other national parks around. There are plenty of things to do just the same as other national parks, so plenty of walking, cycling, and animal watching as well as local events and festivals. A famous landmark is White Horse Hill in Uffington which is a prehistoric white figure in the hillside and is about 110 meters long. Being so far south you do tend to see a lot more people visiting in the summer months so you may need to book accommodation in advance, even if you are just pitching your tent or pulling your caravan up.

Dartmoor National Park, Devon, UK by Miles Wolstenholme

The New Forest

The New Forest is a little further north than Dartmoor and is very popular with an estimated 10 million people a year visiting the forest for just the day. There are plenty of activities to do as well as some awesome scenery to take in as well. The forest was first set up about 1000 years ago by William the Conqueror in 1079. It was set up for the sole purpose of hunting, and lots of different species of deer and also wild pigs were kept in the area, so there were plenty of animals to hunt. There is an awful lot of history on show in the New Forest ad you will be able to explore this by visiting the many sites throughout the forest and getting the information available from the various information points dotted about the park. You can also visit the information centre where there is a lot of information for visitors. One thing is for sure that when you visit out national parks in Britain, you will be able to appreciate the natural beauty of the area and also explore some of our history as well. You may just have your best holiday yet and want to come back again!

New Forest National Park, England, UK by Hardo Müller

Ted Hunter wrote this article for Travel Republic. Ted is a keen history buff and enjoys exploring local history and sharing his finds in the articles that he writes. He loves reading reviews too about cheap holidays from Travel Republic.

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Hamburg Wadden Sea National Park, Germany by Vincent van Zeijst

The group of islands is located in northern Germany which is in Elbe estuary and it is the protectant of thousands of coastal mudflats. Tourists and visitors often have a wonderful time exploring this unique destination which has a variety of different attractions. The tern colonies are of a huge variation including Common, sandwich, Artic, and little. There are areas where guides will take visitors on walks throughout the terrain so that people can have a better opportunity to explore the lands. There are several natural features at this destination that are very much appreciated by the tourists. Many of these features have a historical story line to them since they have been around for so long.

Neuwerk’s affiliation with Hamburg is a very interesting one. Their affiliation reaches all the way back to the year 1299. There are paths that are located along the island of Hamburg which lead to the countryside all the way to a tower at the front of Elbe. The tower was used to fight off those that would commit piracy which occurred during the Hanseatic era. Those that visit are able to take walks in between Scharhorn and Neuwerk on the mudflats. The mudflats seem as though they are endless so the tourists are able to walk as far as they desire.

One of the main attractions that people enjoy when they visit Hamburg Wadden Sea National Park is the Seabirds. There are several colonies which were created for the seabirds to reside.

The sandbank is an area that is untouched but people can view it from afar. The bird colony that is there is closed off to those that visit there but they can take a glimpse of the colony when passing by.

Summary of Highlights

• Visitors can take carriage rides across the mudflats starting in Sahlenburg and ending at Neuwerk
• Take boat rides in Cuxhaven; they end in Neuwerk
• Tour guides lead walks across the mudflats
• Tours to view the birds, mudflats, salt marshes; in Neuwerk
• Tour guides to Scharhorn
• Visitors can go on a search for Amber on the island of Kleiner Vogelsand
• View the Amber exhibition on the Neuwerk island

Other Things to Do

Walking along the main dyke is one suggestion that many people enjoy doing while visiting Wadden Sea National Park. While you are on this walk you can see the foreshore; there is a great view of it. The bird colonies are very popular, and many people love exploring them.

There are not vehicles allowed on the island. Tourists can either walk or ride in a horse carriage to the different locations.

If you are looking for some accommodation in or around the national park, then try trivago’s comparison tool and find the best hotels.

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1. Tour the lakes on foot, bike, or boat

Killarney National Park has the famous Lakes of Killarney, along with mountains, islands, waterfalls and more. This beautiful landscape is fabulous for walking or biking, giving you time to discover the area, enjoy the scenery, and savor the serenity of the park. Depending on your energy level and preferences, you can walk to your heart’s content on the quiet paths around the lakes, or you can rent a bike in town so you can cover more distance. The extensive trail network gives you a lot of options, and you can pick up a trail map at the park information center. There are also boat tours that leave from Ross Castle, so you can get views of the park from the water.

Ross Castle, Killarney National Park, Kerry, Ireland by Jim Linwood

2. See how Irish chieftains lived at Ross Castle

During the Middle Ages, a number of Irish Chieftains ruled different pieces of Ireland, warring between themselves. One such chieftain, O’Donoghue, built Ross Castle as his stronghold. This chunky castle with its strong, fortified tower was built for warfare. Everything in the castle was designed to aid the defenders in battle. The entryway, the spiral staircase, the parapets, and much more had special design characteristics for protection under attack. Be sure to take the castle tour – it’s hugely interesting. Not only will you learn about these interesting castle design details, but you’ll learn a lot about how the Irish lords and their households lived in the Middle Ages.

3. Picnic amid the ruins of an early monastery

In the middle of the lake is Innisfallen Island, with a set of evocative ruins to explore. A monastery was founded here in the year 640, that operated for over 800 years. This was also a center for education, and the lake was nicknamed the “Lake of Learning”. The famous Irish king Brian Boru was educated here, and other wealthy families sent their princes here to be taught by the monks. Today, the buildings are in ruins, with stone walls giving it an eerie sense of majesty and spirituality. You can take a small boat out to the island from Ross Castle, and spend some time exploring the ruins and the island. This is also a fabulous place for a picnic lunch. It’s quiet and secluded – you may even have the place to yourselves.

Ruins of monastery on Innisfallen Island, Ireland by Bkwillwm

4. Visit stately Muckross House and farms

Fast forward a few centuries to the 1800s, when the luxurious and imposing Muckross House was built. The owners spent lavishly, preparing the house and its gardens for a visit by Queen Victoria. You can tour the house (furnished in authentic period style), and find out about their elegant lifestyle. After touring the house, see how the other half lived, at the Muckross traditional farms. History comes alive as these working farms recreate the typical life of an Irish farmer – a simple and hardworking way of life. There are also artisan shops that practice traditional methods of spinning, weaving and pottery making. Of course, they sell some of the products right there, too.

5. Ride in an Irish jaunting car

A jaunting car is a type of horse drawn carriage, and this is the perfect way to get back to Killarney town at the end of your national park visit. You’ll see drivers and their horses in the park, who are happy to give you the scenic drive back to town. Your driver can point out sights of interest along the way, tell silly jokes, or answer any questions you may have. While the horse carries you along through this peaceful park, it’s easy to imagine being back in the old days, when this was a normal way of traveling. What a fitting end to a lovely day!

Horse drawn carriage in Killarney National Park, Ireland by Deanna Keahey

Deanna Keahey is a lifelong traveler, who ran an international travel company for years. Today, you’ll find her out traveling, hiking, and exploring. Deanna writes about travel clothes and accessories at Best-Travel-Clothes.com, and you can find her on Facebook, Twitter or Google+.

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Exmoor is the ideal place for explorers and wanderers with its sweeping valleys, heather-covered misty moorland, cliffs, caves, waterfalls and sparkling lakes. It has the highest precipitation levels in England, making it verdant and bursting with animal and plant life.

Exmoor National Park, England, UK by Thierry Gregorius

Bird watchers will be in their element with scores of species to look out for including raptors, buzzards, peregrines, and kingfishers. The area is also home to England’s largest herds of wild red deer and the unique race of Exmoor ponies. There are plenty of areas that are ideal for freshwater or seawater fishing, and some beautiful locations perfect for fly fishing. Among the most common fish to catch are wild brown trout, rainbow and grayling stocked trout and salmon.

The most common activity is, of course , tramping and trudging through the wilderness. Exmoor has more than six hundred miles of rights of way with coastal paths, open rugged moorland, valleys and river paths to choose from. Don’t be surprised to spend a whole day of exploring without meeting another soul. There are 55 kilometres of coastline trails to follow, including along the highest sea cliffs in England at Culbone Hill.

Some of the best horse-riding bridleways in the country are in Exmoor. There are more than four hundred miles of meticulously maintained trails. Cyclists and mountain bikers are also well served by the minimal traffic, array of trails, and spectacular countryside. There are also some challenging golf courses with dazzling views, such as the Minehead course which goes through both farm and beach land.

Explorers of all sorts should bring along plenty of water and a picnic. The area is also dotted with charming old pubs and is well known for the quality of food produced locally. Beef and lamb has a lovely unique flavour due to the animals grazing on the particular wild herbs and grasses in the upland areas. The dairy products are also distinctive, with lovely creamy ice creams, cheeses, and cream teas. Pheasant, rabbit, venison, fish, and seafood are all fresh and local as well. Beer enthusiasts will want to try some of the Exmoor ales such as Stag, Beast, Gold, or Fox, or the Exmas during Christmas season, and farmhouse ciders.

The Exmoor coastline near the Valley of the Rocks, UK by Exmoorwalker

Lovers of the great outdoors will be swept away by the skies over Exmoor on clear nights. It was the first European area designated as an International Dark Sky Reserve thanks to its unique combination of frequently clear skies and the absence of light pollution. The panorama of stars never fails to impress.

Exmoor has been occupied since the Mesolithic era. Its ancient history can be seen the sites such as the Neolithic hinge in Parracombe, the Iron Age fort known as Cow Castle, the Norman Castle in Parracombe, and the impressive Tarr Steps- huge stone slabs formed into a clapper bridge dating back to 1000 BC. Exmoor was established as a Royal Hunting Ground in the 13th century and was eventually made a National Park in 1954.

There are plenty of lovely villages and hamlets to explore, such as Dunster which has over 120 listed buildings and the Norman era Dunster Castle, or charming Porlock Weir with its five-mile long cliff walk. There are markets and independent shops aplenty. Families can keep busy with trips on the steam-powered trains, zoos, amusement parks, beaches, and pony spotting.

Exmoor is certainly one of the rarest, most beautiful and wild of regions to visit and there is an abundance of places to explore and enjoy for couples or families, which is why so many people holiday in this area year after year.

Author: Karen Orson has worked in the tourism and accommodation industry since she was a little girl. Playing on the Devon sands soon became frolicking in San Francisco, which gave rise to safaris across the Serengetti and then quickly returned to those English beaches again! Having travelled widely, Karen now works for Highcliffe House; a luxury guest house in North Devon.

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Norfolk Broads, UK by Russell Smith

But of course, this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Millions of travellers prefer to find locations which offer a more tranquil way of life, surrounded by beautiful scenery and with plenty of peace and quiet thrown in. For them, one of the most welcoming destinations of all is located in Eastern England, and it remains one of those places in which time appears to have, if not stood still, been meandering along in a sedate manner for many decades.

The Norfolk Broads isn’t a hidden gem or a closely-guarded secret, it’s a vibrant and extremely popular tourist destination that attracts visitors from all over the world. It’s a location that is something of a rarity in the modern world; somewhere which offers tourists all the up to date facilities that contribute to a wonderful holiday, but in a quiet and understated way that underlines something that East Anglian people have known for centuries – that life is not a race.

Smell the flowers, taste the coffee, enjoy the scenery

Dotted throughout the area are picturesque villages and hamlets that would not look out of place on a chocolate box, and which have changed little over the passing years. The Broads themselves are waterways that provide boat-users with a golden opportunity to soak up some truly spectacular scenery at a pleasantly slow place. Locations such as Horning and Ranworth are stunning, and have become popular bases for tourists from across the globe.

The local pubs and restaurants offer visitors an old-fashioned warm welcome from the moment they arrive. There are plenty to choose from, providing a wonderful selection of Norfolk beers and of course a superb choice of freshly-cooked food. Cromer, a town that’s on the coast to the north of the region, is famous all over the world for the quality of its crab, so be sure to give it a try.

As you might expect from an area that’s well-known for its slow pace, driving around the Norfolk Broads isn’t suitable for boy racers. The roads are fine and allow for easy passage between locations, but you should expect to take it at a leisurely rate. After all, there is some wonderful scenery to take in along the way and, of course, it really isn’t a race!

David Showell is a regular visitor to the Norfolk Broads. He works for www.carhiredirect.co.uk

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“Dove Cottage”, home of William Wordsworth, near Grasmere, England by Strobilomyces

Slate

As you wander around Ambleside and Keswick, two of the most popular towns with visitors, you will notice that a large number of the buildings are constructed from slate and many more have slate roofs. Indeed the slate cottage is one of the characteristic Lakeland dwellings, featuring on many postcards and is a sought after place to stay – you will notice many bed and breakfasts and holiday lets housed in slate buildings. It is of no coincidence that these slate houses occur so frequently in Lakeland towns and villages; within the surrounding mountains there are deposits of slate, which were mined extensively in days gone by. While there may not be many slate mines still open in the Lake District, you are able to visit that at Honister Pass where you are able to take a guided underground tour and can purchase various slate mementos from the shop there.

Stone

Another typical style of Lakeland house is that of stone, again quarried locally, which has had its walls white limewashed to prevent damp – it does rain considerably in the Lake District, so be prepared when you visit. A good example of this type of home is Dove Cottage in Grasmere (a short drive from Ambleside), which was home to William Wordsworth, one of England’s finest poets. As with many properties, including those let to buy, you will notice that slate also makes an appearance on the roof and chimney stack of this cottage, as well as on the floor of the downstairs rooms. A guided tour of the cottage, including what was Wordsworth’s study, provides details of features in each room and is well recommended.

Times gone by

Following your trip to Grasmere, you might like to drive on to Near Sawrey, to visit the home of another famous literary person from Lakeland, Beatrix Potter. The 17th century farmhouse of Hill Top was bought by Beatrix with some of the money she made from the sale of her first books. Holidays to the Lake District as a child inspired her work and she went on to write many more tales of animals after purchasing Hill Top Farm. The site is now owned by the National Trust and visitors can see the interior, complete with the same furniture and possessions, as when Beatrix lived there until 1943. It is worth spending some time in the grounds, as the cottage garden is full of flowers, herbs and fruits typical of its time. The house and gardens can be considered to be a time capsule of the era.

In harmony

There are many more towns, villages and properties with historical interest that you might wish to visit while in the Lake District, each with its own character and style; those discussed here are merely a selection to get you started. Wherever you choose to go, your journey through Lakeland will demonstrate how well the buildings here blend into the surrounding countryside and this factor certainly contributes to the beauty of the area. Features such as dry stone walls, hedgerows and narrow lanes help with the continuum between settlements and the natural environment, but tight building regulations within the National Park have helped to preserve the landscape.

Claire Harrow regularly travels throughout England visiting the many beautiful historic towns and villages where local buildings often reflect locally available stone and construction techniques and styles that go back generations giving them a truly unique appeal.

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Photo by Mike Sowden

Walking. There are quite a few long distance paths which cross the country up here. The main one being the Pennine way.  It runs for some 400 kms from North Derbyshire, into Northumberland and along the Border Line of the Cheviot Hills to end in Kirk Yetholm just into Scotland.

In addition to this you have Hadrian’s Wall footpath which is very popular with charity raising events. At just over kms long the walk is traditionally done east to west. Starting at Newcastle the Wall follows the valley of the River Tyne but generally keeping to the higher ground of the Whin Sill. The Wall has recently found itself being used in popular films such as King Arthur and the Eagle of the Ninth. St Cuthberts Way which has a strongly religious basis runs from Melrose across the Cheviot Hills to end at the Tidal Island of Lindisfarne.

The Cheviot Hills. Based around the core of a long extinct volcano the gently rounded slopes of the Cheviot offer days of walking and wonderful views. Arguably the best parts are within the College Valley. Here you have over 12,000 acres of private wilderness. With vehicle restrictions in place you know that you won’t have some of the traffic problems which plague places like the English Lake District.

Redesdale. The Valley of the North Tyne runs down from Scotland into the heart of Northumberland. Down this valley came the Scottish raiders during the days of the Border Reivers. Here walked William Wallace and his army followed behind. Here you will find fortified farm houses now called Bastle houses. The northern part of the Valley was requisitioned by Sir William Churchill as a military testing range some eighty years ago. This has naturally restricted development and the whole area looks unchanged for at least one hundred years.

Hadrian’s Wall. Some 80 kms the Wall ran from coast to coast and was built in 122 AD by the Roman Emperor Hadrian. It is now a Unesco world heritage site and very popular with walkers. Some of the exposed sections are very dramatic and the archaeological sites and museums can offer a great day out. The main attractions are found at Vindolanda and Housesteads.

Travelling around the National Park

Most of the National Park is only really accessible by car. However there are sections, particularly around Hadrian’s Wall where a combination of train (Newcastle to Carlisle line) and the Hadrian’s Wall 122 bus can get you around quite well. For the more adventurous there is also good cycling up here. Whether you chose to take a mountain bike across the many miles of paths on the Cheviot Hills or maybe a touring bike along the quiet green lanes you can be sure of a lovely holiday.

Article written by Colin Corlett for Northumbria-byways who have been welcoming visitors to Northumberland for over 15 years.

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