Surroundings

Zagreb

Capital of Croatia is a modern and dynamic city that evolved from the medieval town almost a thousand years old. Today it is the economic and political centre of the country, with endless possibilities for leisure, from sports events and concerts to great shopping.

Bustling with life, yet quiet enough for a pleasant stay, Zagreb offers its visitors many interesting places: museums, galleries, theatres, numerous bars and restaurants, city parks, the most famous one being Maksimir with a zoo in it.

Some of the most famous sights that one must visit are Gornji grad (the old medieval part of the city) where St. Marcus church, Lotrščak tower and cathedral are situated, and right below is the Ban Jelačić square, a perfect starting point for exploring the rest of the city.

www.zagreb-touristinfo.hr

Opatija

Opatia, an "old lady" of Kvarner and tourism champion on the Adriatic, is a place that attracts numerous visitors from around the world each year. Aristocratic atmosphere can be felt around every corner, with famous Opatija promenade, lungomare, that features many luxurious villas with beautiful gardens, modern hotels and neat house along its path. There are numerous café bars and restaurants near the sea that add extra charm to this already beautiful town.

The start of tourism in Opatija goes way back to 1884 when a merchant from Rijeka bought a simple house which he refurbished into a lavish summer house and named it Villa Angiolina after his late wife. Due to its beauty and owner's hospitality, many people from Rijeka as well as foreigners started visiting villa and spreading the news of great local climate and vegetation. Among visitors of Villa Angiolina were numerous leaders and famous people from all over the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and today it hosts Museum of Croatian Tourism.

www.opatija-tourism.hr

Plitvice Lakes

Plitvice Lakes are the most famous natural beauty of Croatia as well as its oldest and biggest National Park. Located at the Korana river's source and immersed in a thick green mountain forest, this string of 16 blue green lakes, cascades, waterfalls and streams, connected with numerous wooden bridges and forest paths, has been rightfully included in the UNESCO list.

www.tzplitvice.hr

Risnjak National Park

Situated in Gorski Kotar, this Park includes Risnjak mountain massif that dominates the green vastness of Gorski Kotar, with panoramic view of Kvarner bay, Istria, Julian Alps and Slovenia.

The Park features many attractions that make it a real paradise for all lovers of nature and its beauties. Versatile flora and fauna makes it especially attractive, and the name Risnjak has been derived from lynx (ris in Croatian), its most popular inhabitant. Many hiking paths make Risnjak an ideal destination for all of those that like a walk in the mountains.

www.np-risnjak.hr

Kupa River

One of the most beautiful rivers of Gorski Kotar has a source in Risnjak National Park near a small place Razloge and its crystal clear waters offer a great refreshment during hot summer days. The Kupa river's source is a real natural monument, a beautiful small turquoise lake of mesmerising beauty, and it is also one of the strongest and deepest springs in Croatia. Kupa's upper flow carves its path through a forested canyon, and one part of it forms the state border with Slovenia. The upper part of Kupa has been named The valley of butterflies because there are more than 500 registered species of those insects in the area. It is also very popular among the adrenaline lovers as it offers many possibilities for rafting and similar activities.

Kamačnik Canyon

Kamačnik is a picturesque canyon of a small river with the same name whose waters carved a narrow and rocky passage at its mouth to Dobra river, and today it features a footpath with small suspended bridges that make an exceptionally beautiful scene. With plenty of steps, waterfalls and bridges, it is a real inspiration for all the visitors.

At Kamačnik entrance there is a small inn where local specialty dishes can be tasted, with wonderful prospect of Kamačnik and Dobra river.

Čogrljevo Lake

Čogrljevo lake is situated at the pine wood edge at the bottom of a hill and it was formed one hundred years ago when a dam has been built at Studeno well, and five springs united into this lake. At the lake there is Vede waterfall which was used to operate a small mill and a sawmill. There is a footpath so the visitors can easily get to the springs and enjoy their beauty. The mill and the sawmill are no longer in function, but they make an interesting scenery with the surrounding nature.

The old legend says that the local people managed to beat cholera during the epidemic of that disease by following the advice of a woman that had a dream of drinking lake water and burning the needles of nearby pine trees. They did as she told them, and the disease vanished.

Orlove stijene (Eagle’s rock)

About 10 kilometres from Vrbovsko town there is a lookout called Orlove stijene with beautiful prospect of river Kupa and villages in nearby Slovenia. Orlove stijene outlook rises 600m above the sea level and it can be reached on foot, by bike or car.

Zeleni Vir, Vražji Prolaz and Muževa Hišica

Zeleni Vir spring (Green spring) was named after green colour of a small lake in the cave that is its source. 70 meters high cliffs rise above the cave where two mountain streams combine into a waterfall and create a water curtain that makes a breathtaking scene with dense green forest in the background.

In the vicinity there is a gorge of a scary name, Vražji prolaz, which means devil’s passage. It was formed when Jasle stream carved a narrow aisle in the rock, that stretches almost a kilometre. This place of astonishing beauty can be accessed on foot as small bridges and steps have been built above the canyon so it is easy to walk around and enjoy the view.

The final part of the walk is Muzeva hisica cave, about 200 meters long and with a constant air temperature of +8°C. There is a small lake in the cave, where the rare At the end of this tour there is a cave called Muževa hišica (Man’s house), another great sight at this interesting location. According to a legend, it was a refugee place for local people during the Ottoman invasion. This spacious cave is around 200 metres wide and there is a small lake inside whose animal inhabitant, the olm, is another attraction.