A castle day in Vinodol instead of the beach

When the beach is too busy, head a few kilometres inland to the Vinodol valley, where the Frankopans once held nine castles and signed the Vinodol Code in 1288. Drive a loop: start at the Turan tower in Bribir (1302) with its small Frankopan display and the tourist office next door, where you can book a visit to the Klović House museum on weekdays until 2 pm. Continue to Grižane, birthplace of Renaissance miniaturist Julije Klović, then finish at Drivenik, the best-preserved castle of the valley, high above Lake Tribalj. Opening times for the castles themselves are not published, so plan mainly for exteriors and views.

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