AROUND ZAGREB |
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RECOMMENDED EXCURSIONS ČIGOČ-STORK PARADISE - hour and a half from Zagreb, towards Sisak Five hundred square kilometres of forests, pastures and meadows offer a unique insight into the past of European riverine landscapes. Nowhere has so much diversity been preserved along the rivers of Central Europe. These are typical flood plain areas, on which old breeds of animals like the Turopolje pig and the Posavina horse graze. White storks, spoonbills, various kinds of egret, white-tailed and spotted eagles and many migrating species of birds use the pastures in their search for food. There are altogether 236 bird species in this area. Deer, wild cats, otters and jackals are typical mammals of the lowland. In the Lonjsko polje Nature Park one walks along the marked paths. All the dykes are good for walking, bike-riding and looking around. From them you can have a superb view of the Sava and the flood plains. The villages are surrounded by beautiful orchards, dominated by plums of different kinds, that villlagers use to make a well-known plum brandy called šljivovica. Čigoč, a small village of Lonjsko polje with its beautiful, authentic wooden houses, has been declared a European village of storks in 1994. There are 8 more villages in Europe holding that title, but only Čigoč can boast with more storks than inhabitants. About fifty pairs of white storks nest in the village inhabited with only 124 inhabitants. Each pair of storks has on average 3 youngsters per year. The white stork (Ciconia ciconia) is a very rare bird that lives free in nature and is, at the same time, closely connected to people. It belongs to the Eastern European population that spends 5 months in Croatia (from March to September) and then goes south, via Turkey, eastern shores of the Mediterranean and the river Nile, towards its final destination – South African Republic. The nests, some weighing over a ton, are built on top of the houses, which makes them easy to observe and admire. The domestic atmosphere of the family Rastovac's household offers enjoyable moments in the vicinity of these beautiful birds as well as delicious domestic delicacies such as carp grilled on a forked branch, pig or lamb on a spit, gulaš (meat stew), roasted duck or goose with mlinci (pastry first baked and then cooked) and many other types of freshwater fish. Everything you eat here was bred or caught in this area. The delicious corn bread and beautiful fruit cake are also home-made. You will have an opportunity to ride the indigenous horse or go for a ride in the old carriage or a fishing boat. Bikes can also be rented. Interesting museum of the old crafts and tools which is situated 50 meters down the road is also a must. It is owned by Mr and Mrs Sučić who will be more than pleased to personally introduce you to the secrets of the old crafts. Souvenirs can also be bought here. Čigoč is a great destination for one-day excursions. No other place offers such wonderful combination of pleasures on one spot: close observing of the storks, mingling with domestic animals, enjoying beautiful home-made delicacies and learning about the past!
SAMOBOR is the most famous carnival city in the Northern Croatia, only 20 minutes drive from Zagreb. It will captivate you with its charming architecture and wonderful surroundings of Samobor hills. It is well-known for its delicious "kremšnite" (cream cakes) and two unique gourmet loures: a high-quality beverage called bermet and a spicy mustard called muštarda.
PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARK UNESCO World heritage list – a magical world of 16 interlinked lakes – a unique phenomenon of waterfalls, lakes, forests, moss and limestone – boat and train ride + walk
ZAGORJE Kumrovec – ethnic village with a preserved architecture of rural Croatia – houses from the 19th century Veliki Tabor - Renaissance fortress from the fifteenth century Krapina - archeological site with the remains of an early human settlement 30 to 40 thousand years old Trakošćan – this fairy-tale castle is the most visited castle in Croatia Marija Bistrica – central Croatian pilgrimage with a church of Blessed Virgin of Bistrica
VARAŽDIN known as the Baroque city with a preserved fort-museum and the Old Town
KUTEREVO – BROWN BEAR SANCTUARY The beautiful little village of Kuterevo, situated in the lush green countryside of Lika, is known for the first Croatian Sanctuary for young orphaned brown bears, the largest European beast, brought to the verge of extinction.
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