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 - 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)

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

Compact Guide to Croatia

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

...I am the sort of person who enjoys planning for their holiday. I love researching our destination and I devour as much information as I can before I go as I find that if I am knowledgeable about a place I enjoy myself much more. Embarking on a cruise last year was my idea of heaven as it gave me ample opportunity to research lots of different places. One of our ports of call was Dubrovnik and it soon became apparent that this would be a suitable destination for an independent sightseeing tour. I read quite a bit on the internet but decided that taking a guidebook with us was probably a wise move. My local bookshop only had one book covering Croatia so that?s how I came to purchase the Berlitz Pocket Guide at £4.99. Appearance First impressions of this guidebook were very positive. It is, as the name suggest, compact in...

Meggysmum 15.10.2009 · Read review
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Review of Croatia Berlitz Pocket Guide

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

Pula (croatia)

Advantages: a stupendous sea and an unique reception.
Disadvantages: perhaps the absence of sand-blasts to whom likes!

......

the-crazy-brother 27.07.2004 · Read review
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Review of Pula (Croatia)

Mikina Klet - tasty food but over-priced

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

...the odds but there were no surprises on the menu and this is pretty standard fare for the area. If you are on a budget I?d say give this place a miss; it?s good but not brilliant and you could pay a lot less for the same dishes if you don?t mind walking a little way further. I?d recommend this place if you don?t mind splashing out a little and if you are short of time. Total bill for four people for main courses and drinks was 481 KN (in August 2009 this equated to approximately £57.00) Tkalciceva 59 Zagreb, Croatia Tel - 48 19 853...

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

Pearl of the Adriatic

Advantages: Attractive, unique city
Disadvantages: Gets very busy in mid-summer.

...Dubrovnik, in Croatia, is sometimes referred to as the Pearl of the Adriatic. The most delightful way so come across this medieval city is by cruise ship across the Adriatic. An early morning vista of white walls and terracotta roofs in the morning sun is a sight that will not be forgotten by any lucky enough to witness it. I was entranced as I gazed out from our balcony as we passed the city to enter the port. Background This peaceful looking gem suffered terribly in the 1990s when an attack by the Yugoslav army laid siege to the city for over 6 months. The occupants were trapped within the medieval walls and bombarded by shelling from the hills overlooking the city. There was no electricity of communication in the city itself. It is difficult to imagine the extent of the damage that was done as there has been a great...

Meggysmum 25.10.2009 · Read review
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Review of Dubrovnik (Croatia)

Croatia's Jewel

Advantages: Scenery is amazing. Well maintained paths. Good strudel.
Disadvantages: Weather not typical for Croatia. Bus loads of tourists.

...Plitvice Lakes National Park is well worth a visit if you are traveling Croatia or this part of Europe. Said ?Plit-vich? as the Croatian language uses ?c? as ?ch? like Italian. Close to the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina, this park can be found at the heart of this odd shaped country ? it?s not in the north region near Zagreb, nor in the south near Dubrovnik, neither in the west near Pula or anywhere near the coast, but in the middle. There are buses here from the north and south on the Zagreb to Split route, but be warned, they are not the most reliable. We had to wave at a couple buses before one would actually stop for us. There are no trains near here but the roads are good. Why go there? The sheer color of the water is a reason to go here. All photos of this place show crystal clear Caribbean blue water, but then all...

jjqburch 04.05.2007 · Read review
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Review of Plitvice Lakes National Park, Plitvice Lakes National Park