CASTLES OF HRVATSKO ZAGORJE
Croatia, Zagreb and surrounding, Zagreb
Duration
Transportation
Route
8 days / 7 nights
Itinerary
ZAGREB
Arrival in Zagreb, transfer to the hotel, check-in and overnight.
ZAGREB
Breakfast. Town sightseeing in the morning; main town square - Ban Josip Jelačić square, Kaptol, cathedral, Gornji grad (Upper Town), Kamenita vrata (the Stone gate), St. Mark’s church, Croatian parliament, Klović Palace Museum, Lotršćak tower, Nikola Šubić Zrinski square, J.J.Strossmayer square (Art pavillion), King Tomislav square, Marshal Tito Square (Croatian National Theatre, Mimara museum). Lunch in national restaurant (not included in the price). Free time for individual sightseeing and shopping. Overnight stay.
GORNJA STUBICA
Breakfast. Departure to Museum of “SELJAČKA BUNA” (Peasant revolt) - Gornja Stubica (www.mdc.hr/msb/index.htm). Here is famous Stubica valley, memorial place of legendary Big Peasant revolt from 1573 year. The monument of revolt leader Matija Gubec, made by sculptor Antun Augustinčić, watches over the battle field from the picturesque hill above Gornja Stubica, next to Oršić castle. After the visit to Oršić castle accompanied by the custodian, the departure to rural household... Visit to the vineyards and wine cellars. Tasting of few types of local wines. Check-in at the hotel in Stubičke Toplice. Overnight stay.
KUMROVEC
Breakfast. Drive to Kumrovec - birth place of Josip Broz Tito, today ethno village made from 18 houses, each one showing one of the aspects of peasants’ life in Croatian Zagorje in 18th and 19th century (www.mdc.hr/kumrovec/ index.htm). Visit to castles Gjalski and Veliki Tabor. Short break in rural household “Grešna Gorica” chance to taste homemade ecological products. Lunch (www.gresna-gorica.com). Check-in at a spa hotel. Overnight stay.
KRAPINA
Breakfast. Departure to Krapina Neanderthal Museum which is situated in the centre of Krapina (www.mhz.hr/krapina.html). Krapina Neanderthal Museum is known as one of the most modern and most sophisticated museums in the world. Rich in newest technological achievements, with many visual and other sensations, brings the fascinating world of Neanderthals. Enjoyment in reconstruction of cosmic evolution. Sightseeing of museum accompanied by expert lead. Return to the spa. Free time for personal activities. Bathing in Spa pools or stay at the wellness centre. A possibility of organization of a closed party for a group. Overnight stay.
VARAŽDIN-ČAKOVEC
Breakfast. Departure towards Varaždin. Sightseeing of old baroque town. Shorter free time for personal needs. Departure to Trakošćan castle situated in north-west part of Croatian Zagorje (www.trakoscan.hr). The castle was built in 13th century as a smaller fortress for the oversight of road from Ptuj to Bednjanska valley. Sightseeing accompanied by an expert lead. Departure to Čakovec and visit of Zrinski castle - culturally historical monument ( www.mdc.hr/cakovec ). Return to the hotel for overnight.
SPA
Breakfast. Free time. Possibility of bathing in pools or usage of wellness spa services. Overnight stay.
ZAGREB
Breakfast. Transfer to Zagreb airport.
Terms of travel
Price includes
- private transfers with english speaking driver
- accommodation in hotels 4* or 5* in double rooms, single rooms
- breakfast
- stay tax
- private city tour with English speaking guide
Price excludes
- meals in local restaurants
- tickets to museums and castles
- everything that is not included under the price includes
Zagreb
Zagreb-An Old City with a Young Soul
Zagreb is the Croatian capital, and largest city in Croatia by population. Historically, the city of Zagreb has grown from two neighboring settlements, Gradec and Kaptol, which form the core of todays Zagreb, its historical center. According to the legend, Zagreb got its name when an old ancient ban, tired and thirsty, makes the girl Manda to bring water from the spring. Ban said: "Mando, dear, zagrabi!“ (zagrabi – grabs)
Zagreb is an administrative, economic, cultural, and scientific center of Croatia. By its position, Zagreb belongs to the cities of Central Europe. Zagreb is situated in continental central Croatia, on the southern slopes of Medvednica and on the banks of the Sava River. Its favorable geographic position in the southwestern corner of the Pannonian Basin, between Alpine, Dinaric, Adriatic and Pannonian regions, the cause is the fact that Zagreb is the transport hub between Central and Southeastern Europe and the Adriatic Sea. Due to its history and significance, Zagreb is rich in monuments and architecture. The center of Zagreb are considered historic district Upper Town and Kaptol, and Donji Grad, which has an exceptional diversity of architecture from Baroque to the present day. The center is surrounded on the north side with residential neighborhoods with higher levels of housing, and to the south of the former working-class neighborhoods that are experiencing strong reurbanisation. Appearance and arrangement, Zagreb is a typical Central European city.
Zagreb is the largest cultural center of the Croatia. The town has several institutions that traditionally have great prestige. In music, it is the Lisinski Concert Hall, in the world of theater, ballet and opera Croatian National Theatre, among libraries National and University Library. Among many quality museums and galleries, the cultural echo exhibitions maybe the most prominent Klović Palace. Zagreb also hosts several significant festivals, such as Animafest - World Festival of Animated Film, which takes place every even year, INmusic - one of the largest open-air festivals in Croatia, International Folklore Festival, theater festival Eurokaz, and Festival of contemporary dance. Zagreb has a film festival „Zagreb Film Festival“, and is particularly interesting ZagrebDox, documentary film festival.
From important exhibitions of recent visual expression, there is Zagreb Salon. From music festivals, there is Zagrebfest, one of the oldest events of Croatian pop music, avant-garde music festival then Music Biennale Zagreb every odd year and the Festival of the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra. Since 1996, the streets of downtown Zagreb maintains Cest is dBest, an international multimedia festival of street performers. In the summer, there are also open-air concerts, mostly in the Upper Town (Summer in the Upper Town).
Zagreb Michelin Restaurants
This year Zagreb has received its first prestigious Michelin star, which was awarded to Noel Restaurant. Noel Restaurant has amazed by its superb modern European cuisine and the perfect harmony of delicious creative dishes with Croatian, French and Italian wines.
13 Zagreb restaurants with the Michelin Plate label
Among the 50 restaurants in Croatia that carry the Michelin plate label for the top dishes made with fresh ingredients there are 13 Zagreb restaurants: Pod Zidom, Time, Boban, Dubravkin Put, Apetit, Takenoko, ManO, Zinfandel's, Le Bistro Esplanade, Bistro Apetit by Marin Rendic, Tekka, Mon Ami and Mundoaka which is unfortunately closed.
The famous luxury Esplanade Hotel Zagreb takes two places on this list: Le Bistro Esplanade and Zinfandel's. Le Bistro Esplanade opened in 1986, modeled after small French restaurants. A blend of traditional cuisine and French chic, as well as pleasant ambience attract many local and world famous celebrities.
Bib Gourmand Recommendations
The Michelin Bib Gourmand label has been given to two Zagreb restaurants that stand out for their good quality and affordable menus: restaurants Agava and Tač. In the heart of Zagreb there is a classic Italian Agava restaurant whose large windows offer a magnificent view of Tkalciceva Street. Italian cuisine with a Mediterranean twist combined with a cozy atmosphere makes this restaurant one of the most desirable Croatian restaurants.
A popular family Tač restaurant located at the top of the hill outside the center of Zagreb is known for its Mediterranean menu where you can find many Istrian specialties and simple fresh seasonal food.
