Regent City and Lakes: Zagreb & Plitvice Lakes

• Spend days exploring Croatia’s quirky capital
• Stay in the newly-opened eco-friendly luxury Lyra Hotel
• Enjoy a half day tour of Plitvice Lakes with a local guide
• Immerse yourself in village life in Ličko Petrovo

• Return international flights between the UK and Zagreb
• All airport taxes & security charges
• Accommodation and meals as specified
• Transfers as specified
• Activities and excursions as specified
• All entrance fees on sightseeing tours as specified
• Car Hire including unlimited mileage, CDW and TP

Day 1: Fly to Zagreb

Fly to Zagreb and transfer to your hotel. Check in to the hotel for 3 nights.

Day 2: Zagreb

Today meet your guide for a half day city tour of Zagreb on foot. Explore the historical Upper Town, visit Zagreb Cathedral and stroll along the lively Tkalciceva Street. In the afternoon perhaps visit one of Zagreb’s quirkiest attractions: The Museum of Broken Relationships – a homage to all the detritus left over when relationships go south. From stuffed toys to an axe used to destroy a former lover’s furniture and even a prosthetic leg – there are some fascinating exhibits on show! (B)

Day 3: Zagreb

Today explore Zagreb’s refined Lower Town, which is very different to the medieval old town. This part of the city was laid out in the 1800s and unlike the twisting alleys of the medieval core it’s all wide avenues and grand neo-classical buildings. If you are a fan of markets, then make a morning visit to Zagreb’s daily farmers market – Dolac Market, which sells produce from regional farms and local artisans. (B)

Day 4: Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes

This morning pick up your car hire from the downtown office and drive to Plitvice Lakes ( 130km). En route stop for coffee and walk around the watermill village of Rastoke, near the city of Slunj. Hiding in the shadow of Plitvice Lakes, this small village had grown along the edge of a waterfall,  where the Korana and Slunjcica rivers meet. These waters flow around and into the village, creating numerous streams and pools. Known for its 18th-century flour mills and traditional houses, it’s a pleasant relaxing place to while away some time listening to the sound of the water gushing around the village.  Continue on to the village of Licko Petrovo Selo and check in to the hotel for 3 nights. (B)

Day 5: Plitvice Lakes

Today meet with your guide for a tour of Plitvice Lakes. The park is open from June to September from 7am so to beat the crowds we advise getting there early or arriving mid-afternoon for the late admissions. Tickets can be purchased for 1 or 2 days and include a trip on the electric boat and panorama train. There are a number of routes to follow in the park and these can be weather dependent. Walk B is one of our favourites and takes you through the limestone canyon of the lower lakes, on an electric-boat ride across the largest of the Plitvice lakes – Lake Kozjak, and a walk along the top of the canyon’s east side all the way back to starting point at Entrance 1. Tonight perhaps enjoy a Balkan tradition of a meal cooked “Under a Bell”, which is usually loads of succulent meat and vegetables cooked over a fire under a giant bell. (B)

Day 6: Licko Petrovo

Spend time exploring the local village. Ličko Petrovo was a flash point during the Balkan Conflicts. For many years, the village was used to shell the Muslim population over the border in Bihac, Bosnia. Nowadays, although the evidence of these awful times can still be seen in shelled buildings, the village is keen to rebuild and put these awful times behind them. There are some 220 inhabitants of whom almost three quarters are older than 70 years old, so the ladies of the village have formed a knitting cooperation selling all manner of knitted goods including some naughty willy warmers! Explore the abandoned Žejlava airbase, located outside the village. This was a Yugoslavian top secret military facility and was one of the largest underground military airports in Europe. Drive along its abandoned runways and explore deep tunnels carved into the hills, which housed Tito’s fighter planes. (Please note that this is an abandoned airfield so great care should be taken whilst exploring as the ground is very uneven with all manner of debris strewn around and a touch is a must). (B)

Day 7: Fly back to the UK

Drive back to Zagreb and drop off car hire at the airport for flight back to the UK. (B)

Please note, prices listed are guide prices only and are based on 2 people sharing and don’t include any additional supplements. Holiday prices are fluid and dynamic and may be changed at a moment’s notice, prior to booking, at which point they are confirmed. Please call the team free on 0800 707 6229 for more departure dates available and a quote.