Croatia-Dubrovnik

 Europe-Croatia-Dubrovnik Back for my second time for a wedding. It has changed quite a lot since 2005. Now very very busy and prices even higher then Dublin, so expensive for food and accommodation. However, there is much to see here and certainly a great vibe. Stayed in the old town the first night. Certainly a stand out city to visit. 

I could not remember where the Post Office was, but sorted it due to Google maps. It turned out that was the same exact Post Office I visited the last time. The memory must be going lol. Not too many stamps to choose from . Still a very friendly bunch in the office to chat to. 

Zagreb - Croatia

Europe-Croatia-Zagreb This was my last capital to visit in Europe . Zagreb is divided into the old and new town. My hotel was right in the centre in the main square in the middle of this postcard. For those eagle eyed , I have no postcard  yet from Warsaw ( I was not sending postcards at that time) and Chisinau as my postcard got lost in the mail.   

Did not realise until this card arrived home that the stamps were not straight. So on like me. The philatelic section of the main Post office in town is superb. A full display of stamps for the last 5  years . Even more important the lady behind the counter was enthusiastic and very knowledgeable.  I dont often ask for the name but her name is Drazenka. It certainly is up there with Crimea - Russia which had the best philatelic counter I had seen . 

Balkans

Europe-Croatia-Dubrovnik  The Old city is a World Heritage Site.  Walking the walls of the old town was a highlight. This postcard has a great selection of the views of the town. It some ways it reminded me of old Italy. Visited  the museum with images of how Dubrovnik looked like during the Yugoslavia war. 

The Post office here was quite small in the old town. Not a great place to try and ask for a selection of stamps.

Europe-Bosnia Herzegovina-Mostar-Croatian    Mostar is a divided city . This Postcard shows a large part of the town with the famous bridge in the centre. Mostar is the unofficial capitol of Herzegovina.  The city was quite damaged  from the war when I visited. 

There are 3 Postal Administrations in Bosnia Herzegovina . This is the Croatian Post Mostar.  In Mostar itself there are 2 Post offices, 2 Telephone and 2 Electricity companies. All state run. So these stamps can only be used in Mostar.

Europe-Bosnia Herzegovina-Mostar-Bosnian   The Mostar Bridge. It had been reconstructed  after the war.  A very special place to visit . Around the Bridge and the old town. All Bosnian. Certainly my favourite part of Mostar. This area is a World Heritage Site. 

This is the Post Office from  Bosnia Herzegovina that is in use through out the BH.  This Post Office is the nearest to the Bridge as the Bridge is surrounded by the Bosnia Side .

Europe-Bosnia Herzegovina-Sarajevo  Certainly a famous city for many reasons.  Driving into Sarajevo was sort of strange. There is one very long straight road into the main city . There is much to see here. The Old town , and just hanging around. One of my highlights of this trip. 

The Capitol of Bosnia Herzegovina. The Old main Post Office here is very large and right on the river front. 

Europe-Bosnia Herzegovina-Travnik   In central BH. Stopped for lunch here but not the most exciting place to visit. 

These stamps reminded me of the special desert you get served in BH. Is is very nice. I think it is called Baklava. Very good and I had that here in Travnik. So what a surprise to find the Post office had stamps with the very same desert.! 

Europe

Europe-Italy-Cividale Del Friuli  What a great name . This town hall was very prominent as I walked around the town. On this trip plenty of good food was had. The Italian food was to die for, a reason to visit Italy, you can't beat the real local food. 

One of my favourite postmarks in all my collection. So many countries now just send the mail to the sorting office and no local postmark any more. The Post office here went to a bit of trouble to get me a selection of stamps.They were all locked up inside in a press but the key was retrieved and hey presto stamps appeared. I like the old fashioned suitcase on the stamp. 

Europe-Slovenia-Piran  See that circular area in the postcard? It is  known as Tartini  Square. Not sure I would call it a square. Lots of good places to people watch and a very interesting town as you can see. 

Piran is one of three major towns on the Slovenian Istria. 

Europe-Croatia-Porec  Well what a nice town this is.  Very picturesque. Walking around by the harbour. It was my first time in Croatia and I have since gone back. One of the best countries to visit in Europe. I was having lunch with a colleague. There was a clear sign outside saying "no credit cards ".   As we were having lunch my colleague mentioned how were we going to pay as no credit cards accepted. I said I had Euro. We had eaten half the dinner at that stage. Well no problem they took the Euro. When going across into Croatia by car, I had to ask the border guard for a passport stamp as they were just waving every one on.  

I was here in the late afternoon, so I purchased the stamp at a shop. I had no local money but they accepted Euro. 

Europe-Italy-Trieste  I do remember the Piazza Unita de Italia the main square in Trieste. 

It was late November, so I like the Christmas stamp. As it happens the stamp on the right is the 50th anniversary  of  Trieste being back to Italy. 

Europe-France-Nantes  Situated on the banks of the Loire. I did not get a chance to see the river as  working somewhat inland.  I do remember my  business lunch though.  Brought to a speciality restaurant featuring Escargots (cooked snails ). They say there is a first time for everything. The first one was fine and when I started to eat the second one I thought it moved! So I don't think I had any more after that. 

A clear postmark from the Loire region in France. The stamp features the definitive issue of France with Marianne. I note it says RF on the bottom left for the Republic of France or French Republic.