Remarkable Sites and Excursion Ideas on Your Way to Villa Pascal

Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of Croatia’s most iconic destinations and arguably one of the most beautiful parks in Europe. Nestled in the Lika mountains, Plitvicka Jezera showcases an extraordinary variety of flora and fauna amid its stunning lakes and waterfalls.
Located in the central Lika-Senj region, between Zagreb and Zadar, Plitvice National Park (pronounced Plitvitsè) offers breathtaking walks and hiking trails year-round. As the most visited park in Croatia, it is also one of the most impressive. Accessible to everyone, visitors can explore it on foot, by boat, rowboat, or small tourist train.

The park’s well-marked trails range from 2.5 to 8 hours and guide you past 98 spectacular waterfalls of varying heights and 16 crystal-clear lakes. Formed by a unique geological phenomenon called travertine, these waterfalls cascade over the karst terrain, creating truly magical scenery.
In the park’s calm, mirror-like waters, you can watch fish swimming peacefully, almost oblivious to the crowds on boats and wooden walkways. Every turn offers a perfect photo opportunity and a moment to connect with nature.

Plitvice can be visited all year, but to experience its full beauty, we recommend visiting off-season. During summer, the park can become very crowded, so starting your visit early, around 7:00 a.m., is highly advised.
If you are staying at Villa Pascal, we recommend dedicating two days before or after your stay to explore the park fully. It is also possible to fly into Zadar for easier access.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not just a visit—it’s an unforgettable experience for families, nature lovers, and anyone enchanted by the beauty of Croatia.

On your way to Croatia, Slovenia is a natural choice for a stop.

Slovenia is a land of diverse landscapes: from rugged Alpine mountains to karst caves; from gentle hills to endless plains; from lakes and rivers to the spray of the sea; from woodlands to vast forests. Such diversity in a small country, something everyone will discover when they visit.

Ljubljana: The Slovenian capital is not to be missed, both for its heritage and its nightlife. Among the city’s highlights are the Tromostovje (the Three Bridges), the Dragon Bridge, the Castle, as well as numerous museums and curiosities scattered throughout the city. In summer, many music festivals take place, which you can enjoy almost every evening. Ljubljana can easily be explored over a weekend.

Bled: Located north of Ljubljana, this small spa town is famous for its lake and the island within it, as well as its castle. It is also a great starting point for hiking in Triglav National Park. Nearby are the Vintgar Gorge caves, and further west of the village lies Lake Bohinj.

The Soča Valley is one of the most beautiful natural sites in the country. The turquoise waters of its river are incredibly pure and are also known as the Smaragdna reka or Emerald River. The valley is also famous for its rapids, which delight adrenaline lovers and fans of water sports such as kayaking, rafting, and canyoning.

Škocjan and Postojna Caves: In the southwest of the country, in the Karst region, are the Škocjan Caves (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and Postojna Cave. These caves are stunning and very popular with visitors. Not to be missed!

Predjama Castle: This picturesque, imposing, intriguing, mysterious, and impregnable castle is built into a steep cliff 123 meters high, from which it has ruled its domain for over 800 years. Its romantic appearance is enhanced by the idyllic Lokva stream, which disappears into the earth beneath the castle.

Piran: Take advantage of being near the Adriatic Sea to visit Piran. Perched on a peninsula between the Italian and Croatian borders, Piran is a medieval port town. Portorož and Koper are very close by if you want to take a swim.

Otočec Castle in the south and Dobrovo Manor on the Italian border are definitely worth a visit. The town of Celje is also worth seeing.