ZAGREB


where free summer concerts are staged. The Botanical Gardens make for


Enjoy the outdoor lifestyle: “Autumn is a lovely time to visit Zagreb.


It’s still warm in September and October – great for outdoor events and walks” JOHN DIXON, CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR PRESTIGE HOLIDAYS


Time your visit… “Zagreb Time Machine runs from mid-April


to late autumn every year. It includes folk music and dancing in traditional costume in the Upper Town every Saturday morning and promenade concerts in Zrinjevak.” ANDREA GODFREY, GENERAL MANAGER, REGENT HOLIDAYS


Tip from the top: “For foodies, recommend Tip Top, a seafood


restaurant where the staff wear old socialist uniforms” ANDREA GODFREY, GENERAL MANAGER, REGENT HOLIDAYS


Watch the world go by: “Enjoy a coffee on Tkalciceva Street,


which is packed with cosy cafes, good restaurants, hip bars and clubs.” RUPERT DIGGINS, SALES AND MARKETING MANAGER BALKAN HOLIDAYS


Head for the hills: “Zagreb’s castle country is less than an hour’s


drive from the city. Visit hilltop castles and historic mansions” JOHN DIXON, CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, PRESTIGE HOLIDAYS


another peaceful oasis, with lakes, ponds and more than 10,000 plants. Keen shoppers should head for the


area around Zagreb’s main square, Trg bana Jelacica. The Dolac open- air market, held every morning on a terrace overlooking the square, features colourful stalls piled high with fresh produce from throughout Croatia. Ilica, the city’s main shopping street,


leads off the square and is home to a number of major international chains and designer boutiques. A burgeoning club scene is helping


the capital to build a strong following among young travellers, with venues specialising in a wide variety of music from jazz to garage. Other lively nightspots include the


pedestrianised Tkalciceva Street, whose pavement cafes and cosy bars make it an ideal place for people-watching. The new, 15,000-seat Zagreb Arena


plays host to many of the world’s top entertainers: upcoming concerts include Britney Spears on October 1 and Lenny Kravitz on November 11. A year-round programme of special


events in Zagreb ensures a wide variety of entertainment for visitors. Top dates include Queer Zagreb


in April, the Cest is d’Best street entertainers’ festival in June and the Zagreb Film Festival and World Theatre Festival in the autumn. Much of Croatia’s recent tourism development in resorts such as


Dubrovnik has concentrated on the top end of the market.


Zagreb, however, has set out to make


itself more affordable, with most of its new hotels in the mid-range. Among the latest properties to open


over the last couple of years are the 33-room Hotel Jarun, set by a lake two miles from the city centre, and the boutique-style President Pantovcak, located in a quiet area of the city centre. Luxury options include the elegant Regent Esplanade, which once catered for passengers crossing Europe on the Orient Express, and The Westin, whose latest facility is a sophisticated spa. EasyJet has helped to boost Zagreb’s


city-breaks profi le, with the launch earlier this year of fi ve fl ights a week from Gatwick to the Croatian capital.


Zagreb Must Dos


Below is a list of some of the not-to-be- missed things to include on your clients' Zagreb itineraries:


• The impressive tombs and memorial at Mirogoj Cemetery (www.gradskagroblja.hr).


• The paintings and sculptures of the Mimara Museum.


• The eclectic collection at the Museum of Arts and Crafts (www.muo.hr).


• Strukli, a cottage-cheese strudel that is a Croatian speciality, at one of the city’s many ambient coffee shops.


• Woodland walks on the slopes of Mount Medvednica, that start on the outskirts of the city.


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FACTFILE


Where To Book It Cox & Kings


020 7873 5000 www.coxandkings.co.uk Three nights’ bed and breakfast at the Best Western Premier Hotel Astoria costs from £450pp and includes Croatia Airlines fl ights from Heathrow or Gatwick and transfers. The newly refurbished hotel in the city centre is within easy walking distance of several major attractions.


Who Flies There Zagreb is served by Croatia Airlines from Heathrow and Gatwick and by easyJet from Gatwick. Flying time is about two hours 15 minutes. www.croatiaairlines.com www.easyjet.com


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More Information Time Zone: GMT +1 in


winter, BST +1 in summer. 23


Visa: Not required for UK passport holders.


Climate: Hot summers and cold winters. Average temperatures range from 0C in January to 22C in July.


Contact: Croatian National Tourist Offi ce, 020 8563 7979; www.croatia.hr


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