ZAGREB TOURS

Day 1 ZAGREB

Welcome to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia and one of the oldest central European cities. Your guide will meet you at the Zagreb Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Zagreb. After you accommodate in your hotel in the city centre, we suggest that you relax yourself in an evening walk through the center of Zagreb and enjoy your first evening in one of Zagreb's many cafes and restaurants. Overnight in Zagreb.

Day 2 ZAGREB

After breakfast we'll take you to discover Zagreb, a city with a human scale. The city grew between the Medvednica Mountain and the river Sava, from the 11th century all the way till the present days.

Old medieval settlements of the Upper town, Gradec and Kaptol, remarkable architecture of the Lower town, numerous museums and art galleries, squares, fountains, monuments and green parks. That's Zagreb and all of that makes our city a pleasant place to walk through and attracts its visitors with the vivid street atmosphere. Spend your afternoon in one of many interesting museums, take a walk in the Botanical garden or Maksimir Park or just enjoy in a friendly atmosphere which Zagreb offers you. Overnight in Zagreb.

Day 3 ZAGREB – PLITVICE LAKES – OPATIJA

Today we leave Zagreb and head to Plitvice lakes where we will reveal you why almost a million people a year visit this jewel of the world natural heritage which is under the UNESCO protection since the 1979. This open gallery of water, babble and waterfalls and this green oasis made of sixteen lakes will definitely thrill you.

After the Lakes and the continental part of Croatia, we continue our journey towards the coast of the blue Adriatic and the coastal resort Opatija. First we will check into the hotel and then we are going for a walk along the famous Opatija promenade. We can say that Opatija is really a true lady of the Adriatic Sea, with many luxury hotels and old villas thread along the Riviera like a pearls on the necklace, connected with green and splendid parks and gardens. If we stop for a moment and close our eyes, we could still feel the breath of the old times, the steps of the Austrian nobles, the empire Franz Joseph himself and many other distinguished persons who have chosen this jewel of Adriatic for their vacation. Overnight in Opatija.

Day 4 OPATIJA – HUM – MOTOVUN – ROVINJ

After breakfast we will leave Opatija and drive to Istria – the green oasis with many picturesque hills, old towns, castles and mystical stories. We will visit the "smallest town in the world" – Hum and introduce you to the first Croatian script – glagolitic script. We will see the medieval town Motovun, which rises as a symbol of Istria on a hill above the river Mirna valley and find out why it is called "the Mistress of the valley". We'll end this day on the coast again, in Rovinj, which is the most romantic coastal town in Istria. A town surrounded by sea cherished by its protector saint Euphemia from a high church bell tower. After we check into a hotel, we are going to stroll along the old stone lanes of the Old city and look for traces of the Rovinj's rich history. Overnight in Rovinj.

Day 5 ROVINJ – POSTOJNA – LAKE BLED

Today we are driving across northern part of Istria and slowly leaving Croatia towards neighboring Slovenia. Our first Slovenian stop will be Postojna, little town famous for the Postojna Cave. This natural wonder, the underground world of caves is filled with spectacular limestone stalactites and stalagmites which form pillars and take on fantastic shapes and forms. We will take a train ride into the heart of the underground fairyland and admire the greatness of the geological history of the Earth. Then we will set off from the dark depths of the Earth's interior towards the pure whiteness of the Alps and the clear blue skies which wait for us at the Lake Bled. On arrival we will checki into a hotel near the lake. We suggest that you spend your afternoon enjoying the amazing views on the high peaks of the Alps. Whether you take a walk around the Lake or visit the old castle above the Lake or enjoy "pletna" boat ride to St. Mary's Island, you will definitely feel like the time has stopped and you are a part of wonderful fairytale. Overnight at Lake Bled.

Day 6 LAKE BLED - LJUBLJANA

Spend a little bit of this morning relaxing some more on a fresh air and then we head to the capital of Slovenia – Ljubljana, a town where culture is not just a phrase but the way of life. After we check into a hotel, we'll take a walk along this charming city. Strolling through the Old Town district we will explore many baroque buildings, the colorful farmer's market, the cathedral of St. Nicholas and up the hill, above the city we'll see the old medieval fortress which stands up there like an old guardian of the city. In the evening you should definitely relax and enjoy in one of many cafes and restaurants in the city centre, along the river Ljubljanica. Overnight in Ljubljana.

Day 7 LJUBLJANA – Departure

Today is the last day of our tour. After breakfast, your guide will drive you the Ljubljana Airport (Brnik) where you are expecting your flight back home. We wish you a safe journey and we hope that you will always gladly remember these seven days spent with us. Goodbye!

Zagreb

Zagreb has a rich cultural heritage dating from prehistoric ages. The very first findings of human habitants in the area date all the way to the Stone Age, around 35000 B.C. Zagreb arise from two settlements Gradec i Kaptol. Kaptol developed as a spiritual centre, where clergymen were given land to live on, and where they built curies. Somewhat later than the Kaptol settlement, the settlement called Gradec was established on the west side of the Medvescak creek. In 1242 king Bela IV, in order to thank for the shelter and to strengthen the country's defense, gave the habitants of Gradec the Golden Bull. The Golden Bull was the privilege which excludes Gradec from the governor's rule and obliges them only to army duty for the king. Simultaneously, under the influence of the Cistercians, restoration and fortification of Kaptol commenced. The city of Zagreb, with its cultural and historical legacy and significance, is one of the most vital cities in Europe.

NP Plitvice Lakes

National Park Plitvice Lakes is a special geological and hydrological phenomenon. It consists of 16 lakes, which gradually blend into one another in a long series of more than 5000 m. The vast forest areas of exceptional natural beauty, lakes and waterfalls, flora and fauna, mountain air, contrasting colors of autumn or spring, forest trails and wooden bridges are protected by the UNESCO World Natural Heritage. According to legend the Plitvice lakes formed after the terrible long drought. People, animals and plants have yearned and prayed for a drop of water. Then in the valley appeared mysterious Black Queen with her magnificent retinue and mercy to the people. With strong wind and thunder rain came to the ground. It was raining so long and strong, until the water level has not grown enough to create lakes.

Rovinj

Rovinj is located on the west coast of the Istria peninsula and is one of the most beautiful destinations in the Adriatic. Rovinj was inhabited in the prehistoric period - the Bronze and Iron Age. At that time Histria tribe lived there and their culture flourished while they traded with the Greeks and Etruscans. Since the mysterious dawn (13th July 800) when miraculously sailed marble sarcophagus containing the body of St. Euphemia on the Rovinj coast, Rovinj has become associated with this martyr, whose church is nowadays a symbol of the city. In the 18th century the Church of St. Euphemia was built based on the designs of the Venetian architect Giovanni Dozzija. Rovinj is a city you will never forget.

Opatija

Opatija is one of the first touristic towns in Croatia. It’s located on the east coast of Istria peninsula and at the foot of the mountain Ucka, Nature Park. Impressively decorated parks and gardens, long promenades, remarkable centuries-old Austrian villas, beautiful beaches and the warm climate are the reasons why tourists come to Opatija, last several centuries. The Austrian emperor Franz Joseph I used to spend in Opatija several months during the winter, because of its incredibly mild micro climate. Opatija is well known for its sculpture Minden with a seagull, which is positioned on a promontory close to the Juraj Sporer art pavilion. Maiden with a seagull is today a symbol of Opatija.

Hum

Hum is included in the Guinness book of Record as the smallest city in the world. It has only 23 inhabitants and is situated on the Istria peninsula. Within the city walls this medieval town has two small streets, Church of Mary’s Ascension from 1802 and the Romanesque church of St. Jerome from the 12^th century. Hum is famous for its Alley of Glagolitic that includes early monuments of Croatian literacy. Hum’s city gate, through which you enter into the city, is one of the features of the mentioned Alley. If you find yourself in Hum, do not miss the homemade honey brandy.

Motovun

Motovun is the best preserved medieval fortress of Istria peninsula. It is located on top of the very steep hill and in the foot of the hill flows river Mirna. The town's name is of Celtic origin, derived from the word Montona meaning city in the mountains. The city was built between the 14th and 17th century and it is a typical representative of the Venetian colonial architecture. In Croatia, Motovun is best known for its Motovun Film Festival, held each year at the end of July.

Ljubljana

Ljubljana is the capital and largest city of Slovenia. It lies on the river Ljubljanica and was built in the Roman settlement Emona in 15 year AD. After the earthquake that destroyed the city in the 16th century, Ljubljana was rebuilt in Renaissance style and after a catastrophic earthquake in the 19th century in neo-classical and art nouveau style. Ljubljana architecture between the two world wars was enriched by the well-known architect Joža Plečnik. The symbol of the city is the dragon, which represents the strength and courage. According to the Greek legend, the Argonauts on their way home after having taken the Golden Fleece found a lake surrounded by a marsh somewhere on the present-day city of Ljubljana. It is there that Jason, main Argonaut, allegedly killed a dragon which then became the symbol of the city.

Bled

Bled is a town located on Lake Bled, a few kilometers south of the Austrian border and 50 km northwest of Ljubljana. Its location by the lake and at the foot of the Julian Alps provides excellent opportunities for the summer and winter holidays. Bled amazing position, healthy mountain air and a long swimming season is what attracts many tourists during the whole year. Irresistibly beautiful, clear lake, thousand castle and church are places that are definitely worth the visit.

Postojna

Postojna is a town and a municipality 35 kilometers from Trieste, in southwestern Slovenia. The area is known to have been populated since the Paleolithic era due to the finding of a cave settlement near the town of Postojna, called "Betalov spodmol". One of Slovenia's major tourist attractions is the Postojna Cave that is a home to the endemic animal olm, the largest troglodytic amphibian in the world. The cave was first described in the 17th century by Janez Vajkard Valvasor. Very close to Postojna is Predjama Castle built in 16th century in the mouth of another Karst cave.

All prices are expressed in euro and all specified prices are based per person.

If you would like to customize your Croatian tour (eg. add new places, extend your stay), please feel free to contact us at igor@zagrebtours.com so we can make an offer that fits your wishes.

Additionally, we also offer transfers from Venice, Budapest and Wien airports.