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EYEWITNESS CROATIA
zagreb 48 hours O
Central European elegance meets a relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, says Jeannine Williamson
FACTFILE
General Info Getting there: Year-round direct flights from Heathrow and Gatwick with Croatia Airlines and from Luton with Wizz Air. Climate: Croatia has average high season temperatures of 30C with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The coldest months are December and January when it can dip to below freezing
Contact
Croatian National Tourist Office 020 8563 7979,
www.croatia.hr www.croatiaairlines.com www.wizzair.com
Where to Book it Regent Holidays 0845 277 3317
www.regent-holidays.co.uk A three-night B&B break at the four-star Arcotel Allegra costs from £465pp, including flights from Heathrow or Gatwick with Croatia Airlines. The stylish 155-room hotel is close to the old town and has a wellness centre. Private transfers cost £53 per car one-way
ften overlooked by travellers heading to the Dalmatian coast, and not on the same radar as
destinations served by multiple low-cost airlines, Zagreb deserves to step out of the city break shadows. Between the slopes of the Medvednica
mountain and Sava river, the city centre is surprisingly small, making it easy to see all the main sights in two or three days. Walking between the so-called upper and lower towns is easy, but it is fun to take the funicular railway to Gradec, the oldest part, and then stroll around the churches, museums and cobbled streets. As well as the cathedral that dominates the skyline, another of Zagreb’s most iconic buildings is 13th century St Mark’s Church, with its intricate and colourful-tiled rooftops decorated with coats of arms. A daily institution is the bustling Dolac open-air market, in the square in front of the cathedral. It’s a great place to stock up on food and wine for a picnic, and pick up souvenirs such as lace, wooden toys, woven baskets and local olive oils.
Zagreb is a good place to pick up a tie or two – after all, Croatia invented the tie and cravat back in the 17th century when Croatian soldiers were noted for elegant scarves tied elaborately around their necks. A flagship store for local
designers Martina Vrdoljak Ranilovic and Natasa Mihaljcisin, who have a cult following in the city, is I-GLE at 4 Dezmanov Prolaz. Segway tours enable
visitors to explore Zagreb on
electric scooters, whilst two novel tours were recently launched by local tourist guides.
One looks at the female side of Zagreb
and how women, and witches, shaped the city’s history. The other sheds light on living like a local – in Zagreb drinking coffee is a passion and the lengthy Saturday morning coffee and socialising ritual is called ‘spica’. When it’s time for some peace and
quiet Zagreb has plenty of green spaces and parks. The Botanical Gardens, near the railway station, is a pretty oasis with more than 10,000 plants, lakes and ponds. The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA),
opened in autumn 2009, replacing the old museum of the same name, where many of the 6,000 plus exhibits had to be kept in storage due to space restrictions. The city has a year-round entertainment programme, which spills out into the streets and squares in the summer months, with events such as June’s C’est De Best, showcasing top international street entertainment acts and the Summer Evenings’ programme held throughout July. After dark Zagreb has something to
appeal to all tastes, from a night of classical music or drama in the baroque opera house that’s home to the country’s national theatre to live jazz. One of the liveliest spots is the Tkalciceva strip in the upper town. The Cica bar, known for its fruit brandies, has washing machines, spin dryers and other household objects for tables. The city has a good range of
accommodation, particularly at the top end of the market. Still popular is the five- star Regent Esplanade that in the 1920s welcomed visitors off the Orient Express.
Don’t Miss • The new Museum of Contemporary Art:
www.msu.hr
• Museum Mimara with priceless art and archaeological finds:
www.mimara.hr
• The landmark twin-spired cathedral on Kaptol
• Mestrovic Atelier, the 17th century former home of one of Croatia’s most famous sculptors:
www.mdc.hr/mestrovic • Climbing Lotrscak Tower for city views
Top Selling Tips • Just a two-hour flight from London • Good value for money • The old quarters of Gradec and Kaptol are among the most beautiful and best preserved in Europe
• Something new for clients looking for a different city break
• The Zagreb Card, starting at £7 for 24 hours, provides unlimited free travel and discounts at museums, shops and restaurants
• A cosmopolitan cafe society vibe • Good choice of hotels including new and recently renovated properties • Atmospheric street markets
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