Itinerary

Arrival to Zagreb, short drive to Zagorje, accommodation in one of the spa-hotels, dinner and  night in the hotel.

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After breakfast, departure to Krapina, the central town of Zagorje County. A tour of the picturesque old town center and churches and introduction to the history and the stories of the area. A visit to a nearby archaeological site, Hušnjakovo, where the early (Neanderthal, Stone Age) people of Krapina were found, and now there is the very interesting and newly reopened Museum of Krapina’s Neanderthal Man. After lunch, departure to Oršić Castle which contains the Museum of the Peasants’ Revolt, depicting the life of Croatian nobility from the 16th to the 19th centuries when serfdom was abolished. After the tour, you will have an opportunity to enjoy watching a sword fight by knights in costume in the castle courtyard. Afterwards, a short visit to a nearby hill where the Gubec linden tree is located, and under which, according to the legend, peasant revolutionary Matija Gubec led the peasants into the revolt in 1573. Next, a visit to Marija Bistrica, the largest shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Croatia. A tour of the shrine and the beautiful Church of St. Mary of the Snows which was designed in 1883 by the well-known architect Hermann Bolle. After dinner, return to the hotel for the night.

Departure to the village of Klanjec, and a visit to The Gallery of Antun Augustinčić. Antun Augustinčić (1900-1979) was a famous Croatian artist who studied sculpting in Zagreb and Paris, held exhibitions all over Europe, and later worked on public monuments world-wide. The artist gave the sculptures he created during the 50 years of his art-life to his home village. A drive to the village of Kumrovec and a tour of “Staro Selo Kumrovec” (Old Village), the biggest open-air ethnology museum in Croatia which, with more than 30 houses, depicts the lifestyle, customs and crafts of a typical village in Zagorje at the end of the 19th century, and also boasts the birth-house of Josip Broz Tito. After a guided tour of the village, you will have an opportunity to watch a traditional potter at work. A short drive to the castle-fortification, Veliki Tabor. This first-class monument from the 15th century, that is on the National Heritage list, is one of the most well-preserved medieval towns in Croatia. (The fortification is under reconstruction, so it is only possible to sightsee around the outside). Next is a visit to the local wine-road and one of the wine-cellars, with wine-tasting. Return to the hotel, dinner.

A visit to Varaždin, a wonderful Baroque town that used to be the seat of the Croatian “Ban” – governor or viceroy – (1755-1776) and parliament, and is one of the oldest towns in continental Croatia. A tour of the town: sightseeing of a castle-fortification; followed by a walk in the center – a peek at the aristocrat palaces, a tour of beautiful Baroque churches, and a visit to a street with the crafts characteristic of Varaždin – pottery, blacksmith and notary. After lunch in one of the restaurants, a visit to the town cemetery which is an exquisite example of park-like design for a cemetery from the end of the 19th century, designed after Versailles and Schönbrunn. Departure to Trakošćan, the most romantic castle in Croatia dating from the 13th century; it became the property of the well-known Croatian Drašković family in 1584. In the 19th century, the owners renovated the castle in a Neo-Gothic style, and the surrounding lake and park in a Romantic style. After a tour of the complex and museum, return to the spa-hotel, free time until dinner for enjoying the pools or individual wellness programs.

A day for the most northern part of Croatia, called Međimurje. Čakovec, a leading town in the area, has rich cultural and culinary offerings. In Roman times, it was Aquama, and from the 16th century, the town was the residence of Prince Zrinski who built the beautiful fortress that is still preserved today. After sightseeing, lunch in one of the restaurants. Next, a visit to the “Road of Traditions” which connects revived traditional crafts of the area, all of which are presented in the Gallery and Educational center where you will also have an opportunity to see how wicker is weaved in the traditional way. Further north, the Mura River turns the impressive wheel of an old wooden water mill from 1902. That is also where the “Miller’s educational road” is, which presents interesting facts about the natural and cultural heritage of the county. After sightseeing, a visit to one of the well-known wine cellars in the area on the wine-road of Međimurje, wine-tasting. Dinner in a restaurant, return to the hotel.

After breakfast, a visit to Zagreb. Sightseeing of the old parts of Zagreb – Gradec and Kaptol, that developed as two separate settlements in the Middle Ages, and from which the current city of Zagreb has emerged. Kaptol was proclaimed a Bishop’s residence in 1094, and Gradec was awarded the title of a free royal city in 1242. In the 17th and 18th centuries, this part of the town was built in the Baroque style, and today each palace and church is a witness to their rich and turbulent history. The walk continues downtown, across the main square – Trg Bana Jelačića, to the part of the city that was built in the 19th century in an Art Nouveau style, through Zrinjevac park, to Marshal Tito Square where the buildings of the Croatian National Theatre, the Faculty of Law, and the Museum of Arts and Crafts are located, then on to Roosevelt Square with the Mimara Museum, etc. Return to the spa-hotel, free time until dinner for pools or wellness. Dinner at a traditional restaurant with a live folk music performance.

Departure after breakfast.