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Croatia — 2025
Mission log · 20 June – 8 July 2025
VIEWSCREEN // CROATIA 2025
ROVINJ, ISTRIA — 07/07/2025
Nineteen days of summer holiday, from 20 June to 8 July 2025 — a road trip through Germany, Austria and Slovenia to a base camp on the Istrian coast, with plenty of beach time, home-cooked meals and two full days in Rovinj, the last of which (7 July) spent a whole morning wandering the old town past the Batana museum and the harbour. Log below, day by day.
Day 1 — Friday, 20 June 2025
Packing up and setting off
The trip to Croatia begins with the car already parked on the street early in the morning, roof box open for the last few bags.
Day 2 — Saturday, 21 June 2025
Heading south
A long day of driving through Germany and Austria, with the dog behaving nicely on the back seat. Towards evening there's a stop at a green valley with a breathtaking view, followed by a simple meal and a stunning sunset.
Day 3 — Sunday, 22 June 2025
Arrival on the Istrian coast
Early in the morning the final leg begins, past golden grain fields with the mountains still in view. By midday the Istrian coast is finally reached, and a table by the beach is claimed right away — with pizza to round off a successful first day.
Morning light over the grain fields
06:49:36
Setting off early, the drive passes golden-yellow grain fields, with the morning sun just clearing the mountains.
One last look at the mountains
06:49:43
A second shot of the same field, with the mountain range in the morning haze behind it.
Arrived at the coast
12:21:17
Under a parasol, with the dog resting calmly under the table, the destination is finally reached.
Beach spot with a sea view
12:21:20
At a table by the beach, with sun loungers in the background, the first impression of the coast sinks in.
First cold drink
12:26:25
A cold beer on the table marks the official start of the holiday.
Another round
12:26:46
A second drink appears on the table, while beach life carries on in the background.
Fresh pizza to finish
17:36:36
A big pizza, half pepperoni and half mushroom, in the box makes for dinner after the long travel day — just what's needed after hours on the road.
Evening in the garden
20:17:43
A quiet moment in the garden at the holiday house, with a tree standing out nicely against the evening sky.
Day 4 — Monday, 23 June 2025
Groceries and a trip to the beach
The first full day at the sea starts with a grocery run for the rest of the week, before the group settles down at the beach. The dog happily dives into the water and comes back dripping wet.
Day 5 — Tuesday, 24 June 2025
Taking it easy by the water
A quiet day spent mostly filming — the evidence is in today's many videos. By late afternoon the dog lies sprawled out on the terrace, ready for a nap in the shade.
Day 6 — Wednesday, 25 June 2025
A day in Rovinj
Today it's a visit to Rovinj's famous skyline, with its distinctive church tower rising high above the rooftops. After a walk through the old centre, there's a lovely lunch at a café.
Day 7 — Thursday, 26 June 2025
Beach day with visitors
There are visitors today: the group grows with friends joining in on the beach life. Plenty of chatting, swimming, and cuddling the dog.
Day 8 — Friday, 27 June 2025
A lazy day
A lazy day spent mostly filming, with little else happening — the dog at least gets a nice bowl of water.
Day 9 — Saturday, 28 June 2025
Lunch with a view of a cruise ship
A large cruise ship unexpectedly lies at anchor in the harbour today — quite a sight among the fishing boats. After taking it in, there's an extensive lunch, with fresh bread, fried calamari and pasta.
Day 10 — Sunday, 29 June 2025
Groceries, fuel and a barbecue evening
A practical day: groceries at Interspar and a full tank, before the evening winds down quietly in the garden with the barbecue.
Day 11 — Monday, 30 June 2025
Steak off the grill
Tonight it's all about the meat: two thick ribeye steaks go on the grill and come off beautifully cooked, with a pat of butter melting on top.
Day 12 — Tuesday, 1 July 2025
Back to Rovinj
A second visit to Rovinj is on the programme. On the way through town, a funny detail on a parked van catches the eye, before a chic lunch at a café in the old town and a walk along the harbour, where an old wooden sailboat is moored.
Day 13 — Wednesday, 2 July 2025
A quiet evening
A quiet evening on the terrace, before sunrise, with only the garden lighting for company.
Day 14 — Thursday, 3 July 2025
Picnic in the grass
A simple picnic in the grass, with a big fresh salad as the main course.
Day 15 — Friday, 4 July 2025
Marina, lunch and a sunset
A day full of highlights: a morning walk along the marina, coffee in town, an extensive lunch with a delicious dessert, and late in the afternoon a trip to another beach, where the evening winds down with drinks at sunset.
Along the marina
09:30:41
Rows of white yachts lie moored side by side in the early morning sun.
Even more boats
09:30:52
The marina stretches on further, with dozens of boats glinting in the light.
Coffee in town
10:22:46
In an atmospheric café with tall windows, there's a short pause for a cup of coffee.
View over the harbour
11:28:38
From the quay, the town's silhouette with a harbour full of boats makes for a beautiful sight.
Cafés in the old town
11:28:44
The street along the harbour is lined with cafés and flower boxes, inviting a lunch stop.
A fresh salad for lunch
11:37:51
A colourful salad and a cola on the table mark the start of lunch.
Something from the sea
11:37:55
A plate with a creamy shellfish dish follows as the main course.
A delicious dessert
12:24:21
The dessert doesn't disappoint: a creamy pastry with red fruit, next to two scoops of chocolate.
On the way to the next beach
15:52:56
Through the windscreen the road stretches ahead, with an impressive stack of clouds on the horizon.
Exploring by the beach
17:36:42
Near the beach chairs the dog wanders around curiously, with the sea in the background.
A drink at sunset
18:50:38
Under a thatched roof, with the sea visible between the posts, a toast is made to the evening.
A moment to unwind
18:57:48
At the table the dogs rest against everyone's legs, while the day is enjoyed a little longer.
The sun dips away
19:15:23
The day's last light colours the sky above the beach bar gold.
Day 16 — Saturday, 5 July 2025
At the beach bar
A visit to an atmospheric beach bar, complete with its own price list behind the counter and a friendly chat with the bartender.
Day 17 — Sunday, 6 July 2025
A day without the camera
A quiet day with no photos — the camera stayed in the bag, though plenty of filming happened at the beach and around the house.
Day 18 — Monday, 7 July 2025
The great Rovinj exploration
The highlight day of the holiday: an entire morning in Rovinj, from the marina and a bite of breakfast to a walk with the dog along the sea, the Batana House museum, and endless wandering through the old town's narrow alleys past souvenir shops. On the square there's a toast with a fitting mug, followed by dessert and, in the afternoon, a drive through the green countryside.
The marina under a cloudy sky
10:24:26
Dozens of boats lie moored by the harbour, with Rovinj's skyline behind them under a brooding sky.
Breakfast with flatbread
10:55:28
A round loaf, cut into wedges, sits on the table next to a small dish of olive oil — a good start to the day.
A walk along the harbour
11:19:54
With the dog on its lead, there's a walk along the quay as the clouds slowly clear.
Sunny square by the harbour
11:23:05
The square by the harbour, lined with pale-yellow houses and terracotta pots, now basks in sunshine.
Boats in the harbour
11:24:33
Another view of the harbour, with the yachts moored close together.
The harbour from another angle
11:24:50
From the quay, the whole harbour full of little boats fits into one frame.
A selfie with the town behind
11:25:32
With a broad smile and Rovinj's coastline behind, a selfie is taken.
A view over the open sea
11:25:57
From the rocks, the view over the sea, with a few clouds on the horizon, is striking.
The town from the coastline
11:26:04
From another point along the coast, Rovinj's skyline, with its church tower, comes into clear view.
At the Batana House museum
11:28:26
The entrance to the Batana House museum, dedicated to Rovinj's traditional fishing boats, invites a visit.
An alley with flower boxes
11:32:52
A narrow alley between old façades, with flower pots on the steps, sums up the old town's atmosphere.
Cobblestones and old façades
11:33:49
The alley's cobblestones gleam in the light between the colourful houses.
Wandering the old town
11:34:39
Another alley, narrow and shaded, between the old stone houses.
A café tucked into a courtyard
11:36:14
Between the old walls, a small café with a couple of tables is tucked away.
Steps leading up
11:36:56
A stone staircase between the houses, covered in a climbing plant, leads further into town.
Miniature souvenirs
11:38:46
A display case holds small model houses and postcards.
A colourful jewellery shop
11:41:26
A display full of colourful, hand-painted magnets and stones catches the eye in one of the alleys.
Handmade magnets
11:42:35
A display of small, colourful artworks and magnets hangs on the wall.
A souvenir shop full of colour
11:46:16
A window packed with crafted souvenirs, from jewellery to little paintings.
The square with the clock tower
11:47:43
On Rovinj's main square stands its characteristic clock tower, with people strolling past.
A souvenir for home
11:50:04
Canvas bags printed with "Giro di Croazia", among other keepsakes, hang for sale in a small shop.
Drink long and prosper
12:00:21
A mug with a wink to Star Trek sits on the table — a perfect fit for this site's LCARS theme.
Dessert with chocolate sauce
12:28:50
A seared bite with a sesame crust and balsamic sauce, garnished with cherry tomatoes, makes for a surprising starter at lunch.
Back into the green
13:23:02
Through the windscreen a country lane stretches out between bright green fields — on to the next stop.
Day 19 — Tuesday, 8 July 2025
The journey home
The last day: the journey home starts early, and by midday Croatia lies far behind — rain and green fields in Austria signal the final stretch home.
