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Itinerary: Interior Croatia
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TWO WEEKS / ZAGREB TO OSIJEK
Allergic to sun, sea and crowds? This 660km itinerary takes you through Croatia’s unspoiled interior, from the gentle hills of Zagorje to the wide-open landscape of Slavonia. Along the way there are castles, spas, villages, an unusual park and a refreshing absence of crowds.
Start off in Croatia’s dynamic capital, Zagreb. Enjoy the museums, art and nightlife, then head to charming little Samobor for small-town pleasures and good regional food. Then it’s time to explore the relatively untouristed region of Zagorje, a bucolic landscape of forests, pastures and farms. Head north to Klanjec and admire the work of sculptor Antun Augustincic in the town’s fine little museum. Of course, you’ll want to see Tito’s birthplace at Kumrovec, a fascinating examination of traditional village life. Trakošcan Castle has all the mysterious aroma of times past that you could want. From there, it’s on to a beautifully restored castle-fortress at Varaždin. Soak up the baroque architecture and then take to the waters at the Varaždinske Toplice. On the way south, stop at the pilgrimage site of Marija Bistrica for heady views of the surrounding region. The green rolling hills of Zagorje flatten out as you head east to Slavonia. On the edge of Croatia is the Hungarian-influenced town of Osijek on the Drava River. Enjoy Osijek’s unique architecture and take day trips to the Kopacki Rit Nature Park, with its profusion of bird life, to war-torn Vukovar, and to see the majestic Lipizzaner horses of Ðakovo. All through the region you can feast on spicy food, washed down with fine local wine.
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