Travel Day
Hey there, fellow travelers I’m quite thrilled to kick off this brand-new blog series chronicling our epic journey through Croatia and Slovenia. If you enjoy nature, delicious eats, and unforgettable experiences, you’re in the right place. Today’s post is all about our travel day – that magical (and sometimes marathon-like) stretch from Huntsville, Alabama, USA, all the way to the vibrant heart of Zagreb, Croatia. Buckle up, because even with a few twists, it turned out to be a good travel day full of yummy surprises and cozy comforts. Let’s dive in!
Our adventure started in Huntsville. Our first flight was set to take us away at 2 pm to Atlanta, Georgia. The original flight got moved earlier, landing us with a whopping 6-hour layover in ATL. Though this extra time allowed us to chill and fuel up! We headed straight to Fresh to Order and devoured some tasty paninis. Crispy on the outside, flavorful on the inside – pure bliss. With bellies full, strolled around the airport to help our food digest, racking up those steps. It was the perfect prep for our upcoming 8-hour flight.
Now dark outside, with the sunsetting an hour earlier, we boarded our 10 pm flight from Atlanta to Amsterdam. Happy to be on the plane and ready get the long haul flight started we were treated to a premium plane. Each seat boasting its own personal screen loaded with movies and shows. We were pampered with a delicious dinner, hearty breakfast, and plenty of snacks in between – delicious in terms of airplane food!
After munching and watching a few episodes, I slipped on my trusty Manta Sleep Mask and popped in my ear plugs. I was out like a light – five decent hours of shut-eye. I was ready for a real bed but this would do for this travel day.
Touching down in Amsterdam (AMS), we had a quick layover that kept things exciting. Just enough time to get to our next gate, especially since our flight had a tiny delay. Between terminals, we zipped through immigration, passports in hand. The line was long, but it moved pretty quickly and much faster than other immigration lines I have been in! Pro tip: If your connection is tight, look for the special short-layover line; it could be a lifesaver for making your next flight.
The last leg was a 2 pm flight from AMS to Zagreb, Croatia. This hour and a half flight was like smooth sailing, with complimentary drinks and a scrumptious sandwich that hit the spot. We started with Delta for the first leg, then seamlessly switched to KLM for the rest – both airlines made the journey feel like a breeze. Landing in Zagreb really started to make the trip feel real and the true adventure was about to start.
We headed out side and called the friendly folks from Goldcar, our car rental company, and they scooped us up right at the airport. No need for an International Driving Permit – paperwork was a snap, and we were on the road to downtown Zagreb in no time.
Into Zagreb
Though tired and hungry, we were craving something quick and comforting after our travel day trek, we stumbled upon Gablaona, a charming spot with burgers and local specialties. I went for the BBQ burger loaded with crispy bacon and sweet caramelized onions! Sara opted for the Cevapi Gablaona Fresh, and we shared a side of golden fries. The whole feast was about 26 Euros – affordable and quite delicious.
Our cozy apartment didn’t have on-site parking, so we smartly parked in a nearby garage and prepaid for 24 hours to snag a better rate than hourly. Genius move by Sara for figuring this out! With full stomachs, we took a little evening walk through downtown Zagreb. I was quite surprised by the energy of this place – crowds buzzing at outdoor cafes, shops buzzing with customers, and quite the nightlife vibe. If you’re hunting for a lively evening scene, Zagreb is your spot you will want to check out.
After nearly 20 hours of jet-setting, we were ready to crash. What a journey to start to our Croatian and Slovenia adventure! Stay tuned for the next post, where we explore downtown Zagreb by day, enjoy some mouthwatering meals, and some hiking adventures await ahead. What’s your favorite travel dayhack? Drop it in the comments – I’d love to hear! Until next time, keep exploring.
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