The ups and downs of Zagreb

Advantages: Elegant architecture, plenty of green spaces, lots of museums, good food
Disadvantages: Not so good for people with mobility problems

...A couple of weeks ago, to celebrate the auspicious occasion of my mother's birthday, we took my parents to Zagreb for the day. Of course, we set out from Slovenia so it wasn't the enormous undertaking that sounds. The Croatian capital is well worth a stay of at least a couple of days, but it also makes an excellent day trip and is a viable destination from the holiday resorts of Croatian Istria, the coastal towns and other places in Slovenia, Venice and Trieste in northern Italy and the Plitvice Lakes in northern Croatia. I wouldn't recommend it as a day trip for people staying further south in Croatia as distances take longer to cover in this part of Europe. The train to Split (as far south as you can travel by train in Croatia) is an overnight one and you may have a few hours to kill before it departs, fortunately the station is...

fizzytom 22.07.2009 · Read review
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Review of Zagreb (Croatia)

Zagreb's colourful market

Advantages: Fascinating, colourful, might get to sample some Croatian foods, shop for a picnic
Disadvantages: Can't buy some things if you're in a hotel

...Dolac is Zagreb?s very colourful central fresh produce market. It is situated in the area just behind Trg Bana Jelacic and you can access it though a small lane where you see the flower market start. The market was opened in 1930, having been built on the site of a slum clearance; it was agreed by the city's bigwigs that the houses there were not a fitting sight for visitors to a capital city and so they were duly demolished. I was delighted to read that in his speech at the opening of the market, the mayor of Zagreb Dr. Stjepan Srkulj said "?During my visit to Holland this year, ladies and gentlemen, I can honestly say that I did not see a market that was as nice as this...? - and, you know, it is rather special. Beyond the flower market you can either climb the stone steps to the market proper or go into the main indoor section...

fizzytom 10.08.2009 · Read review
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Review of Dolac Market, Zagreb

The bustling heart of nineteenth century Zagreb

Advantages: Not hard to find, good craft market, useful transport hub, impressive buildings
Disadvantages: Expensive cafes, ugly advertising hoardings

...Zagreb?s main square "Trg Bana Jelacica" (a "trg" - pronounced "turg" - is a square, often a marketplace)is the vibrant heart of the Croatian capital and it?s a fine place in the Austro-Hungarian tradition, not dissimilar to squares you might find in cities like Vienna. It?s pretty hard to miss the square because it serves a number of functions; it?s a major hub for tram services, it is an ideal and convenient place to meet people, it contains a couple of important monuments and it?s close to a number of important and popular attractions, and it effectively forms the buffer between old town and nineteenth century Zagreb. Throw in that it is where you?ll find the main tourist information office and you can see why it?s almost impossible to miss. If you arrive in the square from the direction of the train station, do take care as you...

fizzytom 23.08.2009 · Read review
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Review of Jelacic Square (Trg bana), Zagreb

ZAGREB - little VIENNA

Advantages: pretty E. European city
Disadvantages: pretty similar to others on Balkan

...Zagreb is a capital of Croatia, an independent state of ex Yugoslavia, since 1991. Since that time, many things are different more-less because of the political system that aims joining Croatia to European Community, rather then staying in the community of a little Balkan ex Yugoslavian countries. Some ex Zagreb or ex Yugoslavian population are rather sarcastic while talking about Zagreb today, referring to Zagreb population as a "poor little Vienna's provincials". However, many ex Yugoslavs know perfectly well that Zagreb population has its own flair ever since early days of ex Yugoslavia, no matter of the recent Balkan civil war. As someone who considers herself as ex Yugoslavian, I do remember this Zagreb flair in 80s. For example, in 70s and 80s Zagreb Town publisher have been publishing the best comic book ever, (called Alan Ford...

barefoot777 13.02.2006 · Read review
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Review of Zagreb (Croatia)

Bog off to Zagreb

Advantages: great galleries, relatively undiscovered
Disadvantages: accommodation is pricy

...The title might sound less than complimentary, but there is a reason for this, namely that “Bog!” is an everyday Croatian term meaning “Hello!”. If you are worried that a lack of Croatian might be something that will deter you from visiting Zagreb, then a vague knowledge of German will stand you in very good stead. Speaking German I found that I was at least able to talk to people, even if only to exchange pleasantries. Zagreb, Croatia’s capital is a hidden gem, in fact much of Croatia is, with a lot of the tourists having been deterred from visiting the country since the war with Serbia. I first visited Croatia in February 1998, when Bosnia was still a no-go zone, and many people had wondered whether the war might spill over into Croatia again. People probably have visions of Zagreb being a ruined city...

Morgenhund 27.04.2001 · Read review
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Review of Zagreb (Croatia)

Mikina Klet - tasty food but over-priced

Advantages: Even considering the location it's quite expensive
Disadvantages: Very tasty food

...Curiously this rather attractive restaurant on one of Zagreb?s prettiest streets does not appear in any of the English language listings I?ve found online. Having risen early to make the train journey down to Zagreb from Maribor (Slovenia) our group of four fancied an early lunch stop and we spotted this place on Tkalciceva. Many of the buildings on this part of the street are quite old and quaint but it was the view through a little gateway into an outside seating area that persuaded us to try Restoran Mikina Klet. There are only a handful of tables outside which makes the patio rather cosy. There are lots of baskets of flowers and a trailing vine giving the impression that you are not in the city at all. The tables are wooden and the seats around the wall are one long continuous bench covered with cushions. Some patterned red table...

fizzytom 04.09.2009 (05.09.2009) · Read review
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Review of Mikina Klet Restaurant, Zagreb

Best Footie Game around

Advantages: Realistic and fun
Disadvantages: not all liscenses intact

...boasts an impressive amount of detail, it just doesn't compare to Pro Evo in the gameplay department. But, some people will still be hung up over that liscencing thing... sigh. Truth be told, most of if not all the player names are intact by now, as are many of the team names. As for the rest, once you figure out which one is which, it's not a problem any more. But, just in case you need a little help, i'm going to present a rundown of lisceneced clubs and teams in Pro Evo 2009... aren't I nice. Club teams Boca Juniors River Plate Anderlecht Club Brugge Standard Liège Internacional Dinamo Zagreb Slavia Prague Brøndby Copenhagen Liverpool Manchester United HJK Helsinki AEK Athens Olympiacos Panathinaikos Rosenborg Benfica Porto Sporting CP CFR Cluj Steaua Bucureşti Spartak Moscow...

SaveFerris 08.07.2009 · Read review
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Review of Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 (PS3)

The Curious Case of the Brilliant Bad Album

Advantages: Some cracking songs, a good mix of classic U2 and new ideas
Disadvantages: Bono's terrible lyrics

...producers might be able to steer U2 away from the safety zone they too often go back to and have the courage of their convictions. When U2 try something new it more often than not works and I am sure many bands would envy them the position of being able to really experiment. I find ?No line on the Horizon? a really frustrating album because it does have lots of flaws. However, stick all the tracks together and the overall result is fifty odd minutes of brilliance. Damn you Bono, every time I try to do you down you have an infuriating habit of disarming me! Thanks for reading ? I feel it only fair to mention I shall be putting your 0.whatever pence towards going to see U2 in Zagreb later in the summer! 1. No Line On The Horizon 2. Magnificent 3. Moment of Surrender 4. Unknown Caller 5. I?ll Go Crazy If I Don?t Go Crazy Tonight 6...

fizzytom 16.05.2009 · Read review
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Review of No Line On The Horizon - U2

Compact Guide to Croatia

Advantages: Compact size and waterproof cover
Disadvantages: Disjointed and hard to find information.

...size and easy to carry around at slightly smaller than 4x6 inches. The cover has an enchanting photograph of Dubrovnik and the predominant colour of the book cover is blue, in-keeping with all the Berlitz range. The cover has a plasticised finish which is really useful. It keeps the book neat as the cover isn?t prone to getting bent when knocking around in a rucksack, it also doesn?t get marks or stains from coming into contact with sun lotion bottles and the like! Inside the front and rear covers are fold out maps of the main cities (Zagreb, Dubrovnik and Split). I have found with some guides that these get easily ripped or otherwise damaged. With this little book they were made from the same plastic as the covers so they are hardwearing and easy to refer too. The general impression as you flick through the book is of lots of colour...

Meggysmum 15.10.2009 · Read review
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Review of Croatia Berlitz Pocket Guide

A Most Beloved City

Advantages: Austro-Hungarian beauty, cakes and chocolate and a lovely day's stroll
Disadvantages: Small with very little to do

...After dropping my sister off at Zagreb airport, my husband and I decided to take full advantage of our car hire and drive to Ljubljana. The journey was very quick - the roads are as good as anywhere else on the continent. Sadly, the portaloos at one of the rest stops were unbearable (think festival and multiply!). The city of Ljubljana is surprisingly small. (I'm not sure why I was surprised. The country is small...) Don't let this put you off! Prices are not bad - but we were coming from Bosnia and our perception is a little skewed... And since our visit, Slovenia joined the EU. However, I think prices had already started to increase by the time of our trip. Everyone is friendly and amazingly multi-lingual. The streets are pretty and it's very tourist aware. For music lovers, there's also a surprising array of concerts...

natsgrant 06.10.2005 · Read review
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Review of Ljubljana (Slovenia)