Three Castles Near Zagreb, Croatia
(and Why They Stole My Heart)

Croatia is a land shaped by history, borders, and resilience—and nowhere is that more visible than in its castles. Scattered across the countryside are hundreds of fortresses, strongholds, and noble residences, each one carrying centuries of stories in its stone walls.

During my time near Zagreb, I had the opportunity to visit three very different castles—each unforgettable in its own way.

Trakošćan Castle

Often called the most visited castle in Croatia, Trakošćan feels like it was lifted straight from a fairy tale. Originally built in the 13th century, it began as part of a medieval defensive system before gradually transforming into a noble residence.

What makes Trakošćan especially fascinating is that, while its roots are medieval, much of the castle as we see it today was romantically restored in the 19th century, giving it that storybook silhouette so many people fall in love with. Surrounded by forest and a tranquil lake, it’s not hard to understand why this castle has become one of Croatia’s most beloved landmarks.

Veliki Tabor Castle

Veliki Tabor—whose name translates to “Big Camp”—sits high above the rolling hills of Hrvatsko Zagorje and looks like something imagined rather than built. Dating back to the 15th century, the castle blends Gothic and Renaissance architecture and has served both defensive and residential roles over the centuries.

This visit held a bit of unexpected magic for me: while filming, I discovered a bride and groom taking their wedding photos within the castle walls. It felt like a beautiful reminder that these ancient places are still part of living, breathing stories—still witnesses to joy, love, and new beginnings.

Ozalj Castle

Ozalj Castle stands dramatically on a cliff overlooking the Kupa River, and it’s one of the oldest castles in the country, first mentioned in 1244. Over time, it passed through the hands of some of Croatia’s most powerful noble families, including the Frankopans and the Zrinskis.

This castle marked a personal milestone for me—I filmed my first-ever night drone flight here. Watching the illuminated stone walls rise above the dark ribbon of river below was nothing short of mesmerizing, and it gave me a completely new perspective on how these fortresses were positioned to command both land and water.

Each of these castles tells a different story, yet together they paint a vivid picture of Croatia’s layered past—one shaped by defense, beauty, ambition, and survival.

I hope this little castle journey inspires you to look more closely at the places you visit… because sometimes, the walls really do talk—if we slow down enough to listen.

✨🏰✨

I live in Colorado Springs—but after missing the total eclipse in 2017, I promised myself I wouldn’t let this one pass me by.

So I booked a same-day flight to Dallas–Fort Worth, touching down the morning of April 8, 2024, with one singular goal: to stand in the path of totality and witness this celestial spectacle with my own eyes.

And wow.
When the sky dimmed, the temperature shifted, and the sun slipped completely into shadow… time seemed to pause. The world went quiet. Collective gasps rippled through the crowd. It was fleeting—just minutes—but utterly unforgettable.

I flew back home that very night and crawled into my own bed by 2am… exhausted, buzzing, and completely unable to sleep. My mind was still up in the sky, replaying that moment of awe again and again.

Some experiences stay with you for a long while.
This one? I think it always will. ✨

Grab a box of tissues… this one goes straight for the heart.

Our journey began aboard the Star, winding our way through vibrant port cities along the eastern coast of South America and down into Patagonia—a land so vast and wild it already feels like another planet. Around Cape Horn, the views stretch the imagination and quiet the mind, preparing you (without you realizing it) for what’s still to come.

Then there’s the crossing of the Drake Passage—a rite of passage in every sense. And finally… Antarctica.

No photos, no videos, no words truly prepare you for that first moment. The scale. The silence. The untouched beauty. It overwhelms the human spirit in the most humbling way. All you can do is stand still, breathe it in… and yes—cry. Tears of awe. Tears of gratitude. Tears for a world so pure it rearranges something deep inside you.

This journey changed me. I hope it moves you, too.

Dates of travel: January 21 – February 4, 2024
Enjoy the adventure 🩵

From October 14th to November 1st, 2022, I traveled through Spain, Andorra, and France—three countries that unfolded like chapters in a beautifully layered story.

In Spain, my journey moved between vibrant city life and quiet coastal beauty. I wandered the streets of Barcelona, taking in architectural wonders like La Sagrada Família and Park Güell while walking through the Eixample to admire more of Gaudí’s extraordinary vision.

But it was La Sagrada Familia that moved me most deeply.

My guide, Montse, who showed me around that cathedral, sensed my reaction immediately—my chin trembling, tears quietly falling without effort or restraint. I stood in complete awe, overwhelmed by its beauty.

It remains, without question, my favorite church on Earth.

Just north of Barcelona, I soaked in the coastal charm of Calella de Palafrugell and Cadaqués, and visited Port Lligat, where I stepped inside the wonderfully surreal world of Salvador Dalí’s home. I also wandered the medieval streets of Besalú, letting each place leave its own lasting imprint on my heart.

From there, I drove north into the Pyrenees to Andorra la Vella, where I spent three nights surrounded by mountains, star-filled skies, and the gentle music of cowbells echoing across the hillsides. It’s true what they say—the altitude brings vivid dreams, a slowed sense of time, and a deep, quiet calm.

I then made a brief stop for 2 nights in Bordeaux before returning my rental car and hopping on a high-speed train to Paris. I spent five unforgettable days in the 13th arrondissement, with a view of the Eiffel Tower from my fifth-floor balcony. I wandered to the base of that tower...then walked all the way to the First Arrondissement to wander around the Louvre, crossed the famous bridges over the Seine, admired Notre-Dame Cathedral, spotted the Statue of Liberty replica on Île aux Cygnes, strolled along the Champs-Élysées, and made my way to the Arc de Triomphe—taking in all the beauty along the way.

Before this journey, my only glimpses of Europe had been Iceland and Amsterdam. This trip opened the map a little wider for me—deepening my love for the continent and stirred that ever-present travel bug I’ve carried with me for as long as I can remember.

It’s my pleasure to share a few of these special moments with you in this video. I hope you enjoy traveling alongside me—and thank you so much for watching 🤗

Aotearoa is the Māori name for New Zealand, most commonly translated as “The Land of the Long White Cloud.” 

What a fantastic trip this was. I would go back in a heartbeat—though it definitely takes longer than a heartbeat to get there from here!

My time in New Zealand left me feeling deeply inspired and wonderfully rejuvenated, utterly amazed by the vast beauty of our world. After having traveled to places like Iceland and Amsterdam, and now the South Pacific, I can feel a global map slowly forming in my mind—each journey adding another layer of understanding to just how expansive this planet truly is…

And how absolutely, miraculously beautiful it is.