Škoda Auto On the Road / Filip Dolejs

With a First-Generation Škoda Octavia to the Adriatic

"Last year I bought a first-generation Škoda Octavia and started planning a trip to Croatia in these cars with friends," says Filip Dolejš from the ET/A – Emissions Homologation department. "We wanted to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its market launch," he continues. In the end, 12 people in five cars set off on a 2,400 km journey through Austria and Slovenia to Croatia for a week-long trip. "We avoided motorways and everything worked out thanks to the reliability of the cars. We took two petrol and three diesel cars on the trip, one of which had 4×4 drive," says Filip.

The expedition set off from Prague through České Budějovice and then continued through Dolní Dvořiště into Austria. They drove through the night as far as Graz. "We stopped there for a short sleep and set off for Slovenia the next day. We explored the lovely centre of Maribor and continued through Ljubljana into Croatia," adds Filip. They then joined the famous Adriatic Highway and drove along the coast all the way to Karlobag. From there, they continued through Rizvanuša to Zadar and headed back home along a similar route.

And how did the trip go? "The cars ran reliably and everyone enjoyed the whole trip. We're already looking forward to where we'll go next year," says Filip.

Tip

Adventure according to Filip

Urbex enthusiasts should not miss the former Željava Air Base, with its abandoned runways and underground tunnels. If you prefer something more classic, however, head to Zadar, whose historic centre offers Roman monuments, narrow streets and the famous Sea Organ. If you are travelling through Slovenia, make a stop in the small town of Pivka. A photo by the sign with its name (with a properly chilled beer in hand, of course) should be almost compulsory for any true Czech.