30 activitati in Zagreb, CROATIA

A dreamlike area settled amongst wheat fields, picturesque places and enchanting rivers Spend a full day exploring one of the most beautiful regions of Croatia. Our first stop is a charming village Karanac, settled in the heart of Baranja region. Here you will be served with warm bread and domestic meat delicacies that will give you enough energy for further adventures. After a short break, we will head to the village museum of old crafts, where you will get to know more about Baranja traditional crafts. After lessons from history have a fun and relaxing time watching the cooking show of traditional meal prepared on open fire. While lunch is cooking, we will explore the region's oldest wine cellar and taste three sorts of exquisite wines. After lunch, it's time to visit regions hotspot, Nature Park Kopački rit known as European Amazon. Last stop before returning to Zagreb is Osijek, the region's administrative centre, where we will visit the magnificent 18th-century fortress known simply as Tvrđa. Highlights • Experience Croatia's rural life • Learn more about traditional Baranja crafts • Visit Nature park Kopački rit • Enjoy dining & wining Language English

To make the most of your Zagreb experience take the tour with a knowledgeable guide who will drive you around the capital. The guide will drive you to all well-known sights ;Cathedral of Zagreb, church of St.Mark ,Stone gate… and some more, for example well-known commentary Mirogoj which is one of the most beautiful park cemeteries in Europe that is also one of the biggest Croatians sculpture galleries in the open since it contains works of the best Croatian sculptors. This tour will make your memories of this beautiful city even more unforgettable.

It takes only an hour to get from busy Zagreb to the green and peaceful villages of Zagorje. We go to Gornja Stubica where we visit the Peasants’ Revolt Museum situated in a baroque castle that used to belong to the family Oršić. The museum displays the life of the peasants and aristocracy in the times of feudalism, from the 15th until the mid-19th century, and tells us about the 16th century peasants’ revolts and their legendary leader Matije Gubec. An impressive monument dedicated to those events, designed by the famous sculptor Augustinčić, is situated next to the Museum, overlooking the enchanting hills. After a lunchbreak at one of the local restaurants, we continue the trip to Marija Bistrica, the most popular pilgrimage site of NW Croatia since the 17th century. There we visit the church of Saint Mary of Bistrica, see the statue of the Virgin Mary, which is believed to be miraculous and walk around the Stations of the Cross. It’s a great destination to learn about the traditional manufacture of wooden toys and gingerbread souvenir cookies, which were both added to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. After trying some traditional sweet gingerbread, we leave the picturesque Zagorje and return to Zagreb.

Just an hour away from Zagreb, the mesmerizing green hills of Zagorje offer not only a magical sight to see, but also give us a very educational and fun day trip. The Krapina Neanderthal Museum, an award winning institution that, in a very contemporary way, displays the stages of human evolution, focusing on the life of Neanderthal men whose remains were found in a nearby cave. A very interesting, interactive and unique exhibition that you simply cannot miss! After visiting the Museum, we take a lunch break and try the local cuisine. We continue the trip to the beautiful Trakošćan castle, a castle set on a hill and surrounded by woods and a lake. The collection inside shows the lifestyle of Croatian nobility and the castle’s exterior makes a perfect setting for a romantic walk.

Only an hour away from Zagreb, the largest traditional preserved village provides visitors with insights on life of the peasants at the beginning of 20th century. The village in Kumrovec shows customs and daily life of peasants and their families, as well as the various traditional crafts. But we can learn much more about the history of Croatia there because in one of those small houses Josip Broz Tito (ex Yugoslav president and politician) was born and raised. After sightseeing we take a break and try the specialties of the region in a local restaurant. The trip continues to Veliki Tabor, a well preserved medieval castle that tells a tragic story of a forbidden love between the count and a village girl. After the visit to the castle, we return to Zagreb.

Hidden in the mountains of the region Lika, the magical Plitvice Lakes have been inspiring legends and fairy tales for hundreds of years. Declared a National Park in 1949 and a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 1979, the lakes have been attracting visitors in all seasons. Discover yourself the enchanting waterfalls in spring and summer, colourful forest around them in autumn and frozen winter wonderland! A walk along the lakes, feeling the drops of water spraying off the highest waterfall and taking a ride on a boat across the biggest lake Kozjak will make you see why so many people come to admire this nature’s gem. On the way from the Plitvice Lakes National Park we stop at the small village Rastoke for a lunchbreak. The village is known for its traditional architecture – small houses of stone and wood with watermills, standing over cascading waterfalls! The tour guide will accompany guests during the entire tour.

This journey would take you through turbulent history of Croatia up north of the country called Croatian Zagorje. From feudal, dark and mysterious castles of medieval lords (like castle Trakoscan) to the small picaresque village of Kumrovec- birth house and museum of one of the most charismatic and controversial communist leader Josip Broz Tito -.He was president of Yugoslavia who put this part of the word on the map and led Non-Aligned Movement. Within short distance among ancient forests, green fields and beautiful rivers you will also visit place called Gornja Stubica and museum dedicated to peasant uprising called ”Gubec’s rebellion”. This rebellion have taken place here in 1573. Where the leader Matija Gubec met horrific end. This site is worth visiting since, one might say, that is the place where beginning of the end of the Feudalism started. Taking part in this outing will certainly enrich you knowledge about this fraught times in Croatian and European history.

Reading fairy tales and being able to walk around those fairy castles would be the treat to those who day dream about kings, knights,warriors and princess. Apart from dreaming, reality of castle Trakoscan from 13th century, castle Veliki Tabor from 15th century and ethno museum Staro selo Kumrovac will give you an insight in Croatian medieval life in north of the country, enrich your knowledge, memories and probably exceed your expectations.

Departure at 08:30 from your accommodation in Zagreb, driving direction Karlovac – city on 4 rivers: Korana , Mreznica, Kupa and Dobra. It is one of the rare cities we know the exact foundation day: July 13th 1579. The city was founded as a large fortress for protection against the Otomans. Around 09:15am arriving to city of Turanj – known for its Open-Air Croatian Homeland War Museum, (optional visit). Further on driving to next stop: City of Slunj and its idyllic water mill village of Rastoke, which has similar natural phenomena occurring as do the Plitvice Lakes, thus it is often referred to as “the Small Lakes of Plitvice”. You will see the unique structure of well-preserved wooden watermills on the waterfalls of river Slunjcica. Approximately at 11:30am we will be arriving Plitvice Lakes National park, world’s natural heritage that is on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979. Inside the park, you will walk along the majestic string of sixteen cascaded lakes connected with beautiful waterfalls. Your walk of the National Park will take approximately 3 hours and will include hiking along both upper and lower lakes, a boat ride over the big lake and a train ride through park area at the end. The Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia’s most popular tourist attraction is located roughly halfway between capital city Zagreb and Zadar on the coast, the lakes are a definite must-see in Croatia. The beauty of the National Park lies in its sixteen lakes, inter-connected by a series of waterfalls, and set in deep woodland populated by deer, bears, wolves, boars and rare bird species. The National Park covers a total area of 300 square kilometers, whilst the lakes join together over a distance of eight kilometers. There’s also quite an altitude difference – the highest point is at 1,280m, the lowest at 380m – although the total height difference between the lakes themselves is only 135m (Veliki Slap, the largest waterfall, is 70m tall). About 15:00pm you will meet again your driver – guide for return back to Zagreb, which will take about 2 hours.

Take a private tour to the most famous village on Earth, Kumrovec the village that is known since 1463. It is surrounded by the ruins of Cesar grad. In the center of the village, you can find the museum Old Village (Staro Selo) which is a significant ethnic and cultural point of Kumrovec. Kumrovec has preserved original rural homes from the 19th and 20th century and it is one of a kind open-air museums. At the beginning of the museum, you can find the birthplace of Josip Broz Tito, his bronze statue and the elementary school which he attended. In addition to the birthplace of Tito, you can visit the arboretum where Tito hosted many famous now historical public figures. In the village, there are antique homes, called 'hize' which represent the history of our ancestors. Each house has its own story and is part of peasant life and their craft skills such as potters, wheelwrights, blacksmiths and most significant craftsmen toy which is protected cultural heritage. Such a little village that offers so many interesting things to see. After the sightseeing of Kumrovec, we suggest taking traditional lunch/dinner at Gresna Gorica where you will be able to hear more about the legend of tragic and forbidden love, from which this place gets its name 'The Hill of Sin'. Languages English speaking driver/guide

Let us take you to the gems of Istra, little-hidden places Hum, Pazin, Motovun, and Zavrsje. Pazin is home of the medieval fortress known as Kastel which due to its position inspired Jules Vern to set part of his novel 'Mathias Sandorf' in this area. In honor of him, local hold a festival 'Days of Jules Vern'. But this wonderful town also hold other sights to see such as the church of St. Nicolas, Franciscan Church of Visitation. The most famous Istrian medieval city is of course Motovun. Well known film festival takes place there every year, but the popularity of this place is also due to its architecture. From the church of St. Stephen with a separate bell tower, serrated battlements, gates, and walls to the enchanting streets and squares make this place magical to wander around. We should not forget to mention the amazing offer of food and wine especially truffles specialties that are taken from nearby Motovun forest. Definitely don’t forget to ask about the legend of Veli Joze, benign giant that lived in the vicinity of the town. And finally the last but still significant little place called Zavrsje. This town was surrounded by walls and had two entrances. Today the city core of Zavrsje it is protected urban unit entered in the Register of Croatian cultural monuments. Among preserved buildings, three churches, castle and south entrance gates stand out. Feel free to choose how much you wish to stay in each of the locations in the itinerary! Languages English speaking driver/guide

Book a private day trip that will leave you breathless and take you to an atmosphere of undeniable natural beauty: National Park Plitvice Lakes. You will have a sightseeing tour with a local guide. This is the first and the largest national park in Croatia which was founded in 1949 and is on the list of UNESCO's world heritage since 1979. Plitvice lakes are a unique natural phenomenon, 16 picturesque lakes which are connected by a number of cascading waterfalls. Travertine barriers, which were made in a period of about ten thousand years, are one of the fundamental features of the park. The lakes are renowned for their distinctive colors ranging from azure to green, grey, or blue, depending on the number of minerals or organisms in the water and the angle of sunlight. The National Park covers an area of 29,482 hectares. High forests, which in some places seem almost primeval, contain a wealth and variety of animal and plant life. There are deer, bears, wolves, wild boar, wild cats, small game and many kinds of birds. About eight kilometers of pathways and wooden walking trails around the lakes are accessible to there is a possibility to see all of the 16 lakes and waterfalls by boat, train or on foot. Languages English speaking driver/guide

Take this opportunity to go on a day trip from Zagreb to Postojna Cave in Slovenia, a 24,340 m long karst cave system. Postojna is definitely one of the most interesting destinations in Europe. It is the most famous due to its aquatic salamander, only exclusively cave-dwelling chordate, olm. The cave in Postojna is a cultural and tourist attraction for more than 200 years and is breathtaking with its uniqueness, complexity, and beauty. It is the only cave in Europe with two-way railway which is set up for sightseeing of cave. Naturally designed galleries, halls, corridors that are interwoven will take you breathless and respect the natural strength and beauty. Just 9 kilometers from Postojna Cave in little village Predjama you can visit Predjama castle. It is part of the Guinness book of records as the biggest cave town in the world. This magnificent beauty that carries mystery was built in the vertical cliff 123 meters high where it proudly stands more than 700 years. Learn and the history of the castle and all about its previous owner by visiting the museum inside the castle. Also, learn more about the multiple movies this beauty was used in. Languages English speaking driver/guide

Explore the natural paradise of the National Park Krka on this day trip from Zagreb. Drive towards beautiful Krka waterfalls, while enjoying a great view of the coast and the islands you will listen to stories about history. Krka was proclaimed in 1985 as the seventh national park in Croatia. National Park Krka covers the area along the flow of river Krka, whose source is three kilometers northeast of Knin and which passes through a deep and vivid 75 km long canyon forming deafening falls. Explore this paradise on earth listen to rare birds singing and visit hundred years old water mills that are still active. Enjoy the magnificent Skradinski Buk – (waterfall), have free time for lunch and swimming and paddling under a little waterfall. Languages English speaking driver/guide