ZAGREB TOURS

Day 1 ZAGREB

Welcome to Zagreb. Your ZAGREBTOURS host will greet you at the Zagreb airport and drive you to your hotel. After you check into a Hotel and after a short rest, we’ll take you for a walk around the city center; where you'll be familiar to Zagreb, Croatian capital for the first time. Overnight in Zagreb.

Day 2 TRAKOŠĆAN & MARUŠEVEC CASTLE – VARAŽDIN – ZAGREB

Breakfast. Today we are taking you on a tour across the Northern Croatia. We’ll go back in medieval times when respectable gentlemen and nobles built their manors and castles on the carefully selected locations in search of beauty and comfort. We will visit the fairytale castle – Trakošćan, then Maruševec – another beautiful castle in Northern Croatia. At the end of the day we will walk around the town of Baroque, music and flowers – picturesque Varaždin, or as we like to call it - Little Vienna. In the evening we are driving back to Zagreb. Overnight in Zagreb.

Day 3 CROATIAN ZAGORJE - ZAGREB 

After breakfast, we head to the gree hills of Croatian Zagorje region, where we’ll feel a unique experience of warm welcome. We will visit the gallery of the famous sculptor Antun Augustinčić who was one of the most prominent Croatian sculptors of modern art and famous for his monumental works like A monument to peace, in front of the UN building in New York. We’ll visit the Old village Kumrovec - a unique open-air museum in this region and also the birth place of the once world-renowned statesman Josip Broz Tito. In Kumrovec you will experience the life and customs of an old village in Zagorje. We will find out what was eaten at Zagorje wedding, how the wooden toys are made and find out about the symbolism of gingerbread heart. At the end we'll try some of the local traditional dishes. Overnight in Zagreb.

Day 4 KARLOVAC – OLD TOWN NOVIGRAD – BOSILJEVO – OPATIJA

Breakfast. Today we leave Zagreb towards the shores of the northern Adriatic. We’ll drive through Gorski Kotar region, the Green heart of Croatia. Our first stops we'll be Karlovac, a city of four rivers and the Old Town Dubovac which was ruled by noble families Frankopan and Zrinski. Our journey continues along historic roads, Carolina and Louisiana, which were built at the time of the Habsburgs and they were conecting continental Croatia with the northern coastline. Louisiana, named after Napoleon's wife Marie Louise, built in the early 19th century and connecting Karlovac with Rijeka was in that time one of the most modern roads in the entire monarchy. These roads will take us through the area of large pastures, river valleys and mountain slopes to the coast of the Adriatic Sea. The old and forgotten castles Novigrad and Bosiljevo will reveal us the stories about some ancient and beautiful times. After arriving in Opatija, we’ll check into a hotel. Overnight in Opatija.

Day 5 PAZIN – MOTOVUN - HUM – OPATIJA

Breakfast. After breakfast we head towards the green inland of Istria, following the paths of the fortified medieval towns. We’ll discover why Hum is called the smallest town in the world; what inspired the famous writer Jules Verne to palce one of his novels in Pazin and find out how the Giants were building Motovun and other Istrian medieval towns. We’ll also taste some of the specialties of traditional Istrian cuisine. After we come back to Opatija, we will stroll along the famous promenade - Lungomare and see how the combination of beautiful nature, parks, old Austrian villas, seaside and the beach attracts many tourists from Europe and the rest of the world for more than 160 years. Overnight in Opatija.

Day 6 TRSAT – SENJ – PLITVICE LAKES

Breakfast. Today we continue to discover the hidden treasures of the Croatia. We’ll visit the Trsat Castle, old fortress rising over the largest Croatian port Rijeka. Then we will continue our drive along the picturesque Adriatic coast to Senj, a city known for Uskoks and strog wind – bura. We will visit the fortress Nehaj, from which Uskoks went to many battles against the Turkish and Venetian invaders. After Senj, we head to the Plitvice Lakes national park, where we will check into a hotel. Overnight in Plitvice Lakes.

Day 7 PLITVICE LAKES – LONJSKO POLJE NATURE PARK – OSIJEK

Breakfast. After breakfast we are taking you to discover this natural phenomenon. You will experience the unique World Natural Heritage Site where nature is revealed in its full splendor. After the tour, we drive to the Estern part of Croatia, to the region called Slavonija. Along the way we will visit the Lonjsko Polje Nature Park, where the largest Croatian river Sava overflows the meadows and forests. This is the area where we can find the rare combination of preserved nature and traditional architectural heritage and the gentle place where the white storks decided to build their homes. After a short break, we continue our journey to Osijek, the largest town in Slavonija, which is located on the river Drava. Overnight in Osijek.

Day 8 VALPOVO – DONJI MIHOLJAC – NAŠICE – OSIJEK

Breakfast. Today we are going to explore a rich cultural and historical heritage of Slavonija. We will visit some of the most beautiful castles in this area. In Valpovo we’ll visit one of the oldest and largest castles in the region, Prandau – Normann Castle, a place where medieval and baroque castles are combined into one unit. In Donji Miholjac, we will see the castle of Count Mailath, and then in the beautiful park in the center of Našice we’ll visit the castle of the noble family Pejačević, famous for the first Croatian woman composer Dora Pejačević. On the way back to Osijek, we will stop at one of the traditional rural households, where we will enjoy the dishes of Slavonian cuisine. Overnight in Osijek.

Day 9 KOPAČKI RIT NATURE PARK – ILOK – OSIJEK

Breakfast. Today we’ll drive along the golden plains of Slavonija and the way will lead us to the Kopački Rit Nature Park. This is an extremely nice flooded area which beauty was recognized even by the Habsburgs in the 18th century. Because of its exceptional natural values this area is loved by a large and diverse number of birds, mammals, reptiles and plant species. After this natural beauty, we head to Ilok, the most eastern town in Croatia, often called the Danube kingdom of wine and antiques, which lies under the hills of Fruška gora among the vineyards of Srijem and the great Danube River. We will walk along the medieval town and see the Odescalchi castle. We’ll peek into the famous wine cellars and get familiar with the nearly two thousand years old tradition of grape growing. In Ilok you can always enjoy good food and wine so we will do the same. We’ll try the local specialties and taste Ilok premium wines, which have been served on the English court during the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Overnight in Osijek.

Day 10 ĐAKOVO – ZAGREB

Breakfast. After the checkout, we leave the town on Drava River. On our way back to Zagreb, we will visit the world famous Lipizzaner stables in Đakovo which was founded back in 1506. and is among the oldest stud farms in Europe. Lipizzaner horses from Đakovo Stables and their performances are world famous. They were performing at the opening of the Olympic Games and even the Queen Elizabeth II, a good connoisseur of these precious animals, visited the Stables in 1972. In the afternoon, we are driving back to Zagreb. Overnight in Zagreb.

Day 11 ZAGREB

Breakfast. As we have promised you in the beginning, surely you've discovered some of the hidden treasures of our beautiful country, but the time has come to say goodbye. Your host and now definitely your new Croatian friend will drive you to the Zagreb airport and wish you a pleasant journey and 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.

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.

Trakošćan Castle

Trakošćan is one of the most attractive and most visited castles in Croatia, located on the hills of Croatian Zagorje. It was built in the 13th century and its distinctive architectural feature is Romanesque castles from the 12th and 13 century. In 16^th century the castle was taken over by Croatian Ban Juraj Draskovic for his personal use. He and his family remained its hereditary owners, with one brief interruption, until World War II.  Besides amazing faithful reconstruction of the castle which fully corresponds to 19th century, the castle Trakošćan contains valuable examples of baroque furniture, different weapons used from 15^th to 19^th century and other small items. Moreover, a beautiful romantic gardens, built on the model of English parks, and a large lake in front of the castle is something that should not be missed.

Baroque City Varaždin

Varaždin is a baroque city in northwestern Croatia, along the Drava River. According to archeological findings the city area was inhabited in Roman times. However, the first official mention of Varaždin was found in the document of King Bela III from 12th century. In 18th century Varaždin was the capital of Croatia and the Parliament and the Royal Council established by Queen Maria Theresa was held there. The most famous sights are fortresses, churches, town hall, monasteries, Baroque palaces in the Old Town, and  Croatian National Theater. Varaždin, along with Zagreb, is the most important cultural center of northwestern Croatian. Every year in Varaždin you can visit Spancir fest, a festival during which the city is ruled by artists, street entertainers and musicians. Festival visit more than 100,000 to enjoy the interesting performances, exhibitions and concerts.

Rijeka

Rijeka is the main Croatian port and third largest city in Croatia, situated in the northern Adriatic. Tarsatica - Roman settlement on the territory of today's Old Town was first mentioned in 180 BC after the Roman legions defeated the Illyrian pirates who were native to this region. Rijeka has many interesting sites such as factory "Torpedo" in which the first European prototype of self-propelled torpedo was produced; the Sanctuary of the Trsatian Madonna built 7 centuries ago; Old gate and Roman arch, City Tower, Palace Wohinz, Town Hall, Wassermann-Garbas Palace, St. Vida’s Cathedral and the Governor's Palace. Also, in Rijeka, you have to take a walk on Korzo and dine in a restaurant on a boat.

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.