Most of my summer travel plans occur in the late throes of winter, when I’m snowbound in my apartment or simply tired of the wet, dreary weather. This past year was no exception. I began vigorously researching in early March, needing a distraction from the seasonal doldrums. It was then that I stumbled upon Croatia.

Beautiful beaches. Islands galore. Mountains. Fantastic waterfalls. Yummy food. Relatively inexpensive.

I became hooked and decided that it was high-time I took my road trip expertise to another continent. Why not rent a tiny Fiat and cruise around the Balkan peninsula and the Italian Dolomites?

BEST

DECISION

EVER.

I made this dream a reality and just returned from more than two weeks of intrepid cruising around Croatia and Italy (with a little dip into Austria and Slovenia). I became immersed in both the natural world and the culture, enjoying the phenomenal landscape as well as the rich history within this area of Europe. True to my dauntless spirit, I packed each day full of wonderful sights and adventurous activities. It will take weeks, dear reader, to relay each of the stunning experiences I had, yet I am dedicated to faithfully sharing the highlights of my recent journeys.

Here’s a few pictures to whet your appetite.

Be excited!