Hidden gem travels in the Adriatic: A paradise on earth in the eyes of literary masters

Croatia was once<<>ranked as the “No. 1 country worth visiting,” while Slovenia has been hailed as the “Emerald of Europe.” These two countries on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, known as the Kex Shuangguo (a colloquial term referring to Croatia and Slovenia), boast uniquely diverse terrains and breathtakingly beautiful scenery that have captivated both ancient and modern celebrities.

Nobel Prize-winning playwright George Bernard Shaw once said, “To see heaven on earth, come to Dubrovnik.” Here, you’ll find the azure seas of Greece, with people lounging in the sun along the shore, small boats lazily docked in the serene bay, and the coastline dotted with grey fortresses, red-brick houses, white-painted walls, and the age-old city walls. The traces of history and the elegance of art and culture fill this “King’s Landing” from Game of Thrones. Fully experiencing the prosperity of the ancient city and the desolation of past civil wars, every corner is a picturesque scene — this is the charm of this World Heritage city.

When you visit Zadar, be sure to stay overnight to fully immerse yourself in the trilogy woven together by the Sea Organ, sunset, and the city’s light corridor. By the harbor, you’ll see children diving and relaxed crowds, while the sound of the Sea Organ — created by waves pushing air through special pipes embedded under the stone steps, producing organ-like music — fills your ears. It has even won the top European Design Award. The sunset that everyone eagerly awaits is what the master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock called the most beautiful sunset in the world. When night falls, the solar panels of the city’s light corridor have stored up energy and are ready to begin their dazzling light show.

Whenever you visit Plitvice Lakes National Park (also known as the Sixteen Lakes National Park), the breathtaking scenery will always hold your gaze. In spring, the waterfalls are at their fullest; in summer, the lush greenery thrives; in autumn, the intoxicating reds of the beech trees glow; and in winter, the snow-covered landscapes glisten. Each season offers its own unique and captivating charm. 

If you’re wondering what Lake Bled is like, the term “fairy-tale wonderland” fits perfectly. Surrounded by verdant mountains and embraced by azure waters, with a majestic thousand-year-old castle standing atop the cliffs, the scenery is always a magnet for shutters — no matter if you’re admiring it from afar or up close.