Details
During this unforgettable week we tried to make the best of your time, so check out the schedule, view the places you’ll be visiting on the map or read about some of those places!
Zagreb
Zagreb is an old Central European city and the capital city of the Republic of Croatia. For centuries it has been a focal point of culture and science, and now of commerce and industry as well. It lies on the intersection of important routes between the Adriatic coast and Central Europe.
When the Croatian people achieved their independence in 1991, Zagreb became a capital - a political and administrative center for the Republic of Croatia. Zagreb is also the hub of the business, academic, cultural, artistic and sporting worlds in Croatia. Many famed scientists, artists and athletes come from the city, or work in it. Zagreb can offer its visitors the Baroque atmosphere of the Upper Town, picturesque open-air markets, diverse shopping facilities, an abundant selection of crafts and a choice vernacular cuisine. Zagreb is a city of green parks and walks, with many places to visit in the beautiful surroundings. The city will enter into the third millennium with a population of one million. In spite of the rapid development of the economy and transportation, it has retained its charm, and a relaxed feeling that makes it a genuinely human city.
Plitvice Lakes
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia’s most popular tourist attraction, was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1979. Located roughly halfway between capital city Zagreb and Zadar on the coast, the lakes are definitely a must-see (as confirmed by many emails we’ve received). 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.)
Istria
Istria (Istra) is the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea. It is located at the head of the Adriatic between the Gulf of Trieste and the Bay of Kvarner. Istria is indeed a feast for the eyes. Its streams flow to the sea through deep valleys and gullies which bring to mind the ancient local myths about giants. Rolling hills overlook the fields and valleys with little towns perched on the peaks, recalling some old paintings. The view is splendid: white-topped mountains, lush wheat fields, plateaux, valleys, vineyards and olive groves on hillsides, and, finally the sea.
As you get to know Istria you will notice more and more enchanting details: church facades and portals, tiny village alleyways with their specific architectural touches, the babble of a stream, the blossoming cherries. Everything is warm–hearted and friendly here: nature, towns and people.
Pula
On the southern part of the Istrian peninsula, at the end of the Gulf of Pula, a town of antiquity, of parks, and of summer festivals dominates. Pula, the largest city and port in Istria, a communication economic and administrative center, is an attractive place to spend a holiday for many tourists, with some 2,350 hours of sunshine a year. The history of the town is etched in every stone, which is indicated by the large number of cultural historic monuments from almost all periods of its past, of which many are an integral part of the fabric of the city. The best known and most valuable ancient monument is to be sure the Arena, the majestic Colosseum dating from the second century, the sixth largest in the world.
Moslavina
Moslavina is one of the regions of the central part of Croatia. It borders the Zagreb region on the west and the Slavonia region on the east. It is famous for it’s beautiful scenery and especially fine vines which come from the famed Moslavina vineyards which are situated on the slopes of the mountain called Moslavacka Gora. All around Moslavacka Gora there are the remains of medieval hill-forts together with the most interesting remains of Garic grad. It was mentioned first in 1256 as Garig. It was destroyed by Ottomans in the 16th century. Another important part of Moslavina region is Lonjsko polje Nature Park which is one of the largest wetland area of this part of Europe. The mosaic landscape formed by nature and man such as we find in Lonjsko Polje represents a unique phenomenon in Europe.
The wetland habitats in the Sava River basin represent a typical Central European river valley landscape as it existed 150 years ago. The state of preservation of nature, endangered and rare plant and animal species as well as cultural identity of this area, the traditional way of life and work of its population represents a unique heterogeneous area of protected natural and cultural heritage.