Bus from PLITVICE LAKES to FRANKFURT

Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of the oldest national parks in Southeast Europe and the largest national park in Croatia. The national park is world-famous for its lakes arranged in cascades, and 16 lakes can be seen from the surface.

The national park was founded in 1949 and is situated in the mountainous karst area of central Croatia.

The Plitvice Lakes originate in the south of the park area at the confluence of Bijela Rijeka (English White River) and Crna Rijeka (English Black River). These rivers originate south of the municipality of Plitvički Ljeskovac and unite at one of the bridges in this village.

In 1979, Plitvice Lakes National Park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage register.

The protected area extends over 296.85 square kilometres (73,350 acres). About 90% of this area is part of Lika-Senj County, while the remaining 10% is part of Karlovac County. The lakes are separated into an upper and lower cluster formed by runoff from the mountains, descending from an altitude of 636 to 503 m (2,087 to 1,650 ft) over a distance of some eight km, aligned in a south-north direction. The lakes collectively cover an area of about two square kilometres (0.77 square miles), with the water exiting from the lowest lake forming the Korana River.

The name Plitvice was first mentioned in a written document in 1777 by Dominik Vukasović, the priest of Otočac. This name was designated due to natural phenomena that have created the lakes. Nature formed shallow basins (Croatian pličina or plitvak, plitko means shallow), which have been filled with water. For centuries, water has changed the limestone and thus the landscape of this area.

The overall water body area of the national park is about 2 km2 (0.77 sq mi). The two largest lakes, Prošćansko jezero and Kozjak, cover about 80 percent of the overall water body area. These lakes are also the deepest, with a depth of 37 and 47 metres (121 and 154 ft) respectively. On Lake Kozjak, low-noise and ecologically-friendly electric boats are being used. None of the other lakes in the park exceeds 25 metres (82 feet) in depth. The altitude drop from the first lake to the last is 133 metres (436 feet).

The 16 lakes that can be seen from the surface are grouped into the 12 Upper Lakes (Gornja jezera) and the four Lower Lakes (Donja jezera).

The Plitvice Lakes national park is heavily forested, mainly with beech, spruce, and fir trees, and features a mixture of Alpine and Mediterranean vegetation. It has a notably wide variety of plant communities, due to its range of microclimates, differing soils and varying levels of altitude.

Scientists have so far listed 1,267 different plants out of 109 species that can be found within the area of the national park. 75 plants are endemic, which means that they have first been defined and classified in this area of the world or not far from it.

For reasons of the poor industrial development of this region and early introduced protection measures, a nearly untouched landscape has been preserved. In the partially primeval beech and fir forests various rare species, such as the brown bear have survived. At the Plitvice Lakes, all species continue to exist that have already existed before the coming of man. This is a rare case worldwide.

Frankfurt, the fifth largest city in Germany, has plenty to offer. A cosmopolitan city with historical and modern sights is waiting for you. The city is located southwest Germany in the most important economic area. Frankfurt is located at the northern end of the Upper Rhine Deep Plateau, one of the warmest regions in Germany.

If you want to visit Frankfurt, you should do the following:

Take a look at the city from the Main Tower - If you are coming to Frankfurt for the first time and want to orient yourself in the foreign city, than the Main Tower is the most highest place where you should start. The two observation platforms of the skyscraper make it possible to get an overview of all the districts and the surrounding area around Frankfurt.

Watch the colorful hustle and bustle at the Römerberg - The Römerberg as well as the city hall of Frankfurt, the Römer, are the most famous landmarks of the Mainmetropolis. Just because of the staircase-shaped three-peaked front of the Römer, countless tourists are flooding the historic town square. Located directly in the center of the old town, the Römerberg is the ideal starting point to start an exploration tour through Frankfurt.

Visit the Paulskirche in Frankfurt - German history comes to life in the Frankfurt's Paulskirche: on 18 May 1848 the first freely elected National Assembly met in the Paulskirche during the German Revolution. Today it represents  the foundation stone for democracy in Germany. Nowadays a permanent exhibition provides interesting information on the beginnings of democracy up to the development of German unity.

Relax in the exotic Palm garden - In order to escape the hustle and bustle for a few hours, a trip to the Palmengarten is an option. In the largest botanical garden in Germany everyone finds a quiet place. Surrounded by rare flowers and colorful plants, it is easy to come to rest and leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind.

Enjoy a delicious "Ebbelwoi" - This hessian national drink is, of course, also served in Frankfurt. If you want to taste the delicious specialty, you should make your way to Sachsenhausen. Many old restaurants and traditional cider vine stores are lined up in old Sachsenhausen. With cold "Ebbelwoi" Frankfurter usually order substantial amount of food, such as ribs with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes.

Climb on the Goethe Tower (Goetheturm) - After climbing 196 staircases, you have reached the observation tower built entirely of wood. Next to the view of the famous Frankfurt skyline from a height of 43 meters, an adjacent forest playground attracts families with children to the Goethe Tower.

Discover Frankfurt from the water - With a boat trip on the River Main you can experience Frankfurt from its most beautiful side. In a relaxed atmosphere, the ships sail along historic landmarks and pass through secluded landscapes or urban architecture. Even if you have already walked the sights on foot, you discover the Mainmetropole from a completely new perspective on the water.

Frankfurt is versatile – with business, trade fairs, shopping on one side, and culture, cosiness and traditions on the other, Frankfurt offers something for everyone.