CENTRAL CROATIA

Central Croatia is Croatian region located in the very heart of Croatia.
All these areas are continental, hilly and mountainous areas, and differ very much from Slavonia or Coastal Croatian Areas in terms of landscape as well as climate. These areas of Croatia are popular destinations for visitors that are not very keen on beaches, but prefer breathtaking mountain views, walks and hikes, skiing in the winter as well as visiting numerous Baroque towns and palaces.

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Recommendation:
Go on a sightseeing tour of Zagreb and the surrounding area and if there is enough time head towards the region of Zagorje, a tame undulating region famous for its castles which are truly worth visiting. While you’re there taste some of the traditional specialties or Prigorje or even Zagorje cuisine, enjoy a glass of wine but do not skip dessert. The surrounding area of Zagreb offers you an interesting twist of tourist attractions and you can familiarize yourself with the area through castles and manors, through nature that changes with the seasons but is always rich and magnificent, or through the gastro offer which illustrates the riches of nature. Places like Vrbovec are indicative of the excellent gastro offer of this region while strolling through Zumberak will enable you to relax your eyes and your soul as they dive into the greenery and the peacefulness. source: Adriatica.net

Lika and Kordun are regions in the mountainous part of Croatia, whose regional centres are Gospić (Lika) and Slunj (Kordun). Both regions are very interesting and offer many opportunities for hunting, mountaineering and other sport activities. The climate is very pleasant in the summer in both regions. Since the summers are not too hot, the regions are appealing to all who rather wish to avoid Mediterranean summer heat.
In the winter they have popular ski destinations. Both regions are full of rivers and currents, picturesque valleys, lakes, caves and other natural beauties. All guests are welcome to stay in hotels, apartments or rural estates. source: Adriatica.net

The area of the town of Ogulin is one of the most attractive parts of mainland geographical Croatia due to its geographical position, natural beauties and well preserved environment.
Its buildings and cultural heritage are outstanding and represent great historical, spiritual and material values. The town of Ogulin is situated in the very centre of mainland Croatia, between Zagreb and Rijeka. It was founded in a large valley formed by two beautiful rivers: the Dobra and Zagorska Mrežnica. The administrative constitution of the town of Ogulin covers an area of 543,32 kms2, and has about 15 000 inhabitants according to the 2001 census.This is a kind of transitional micro-region neighbouring the larger regions of Croatia - Gorski Kotar, Lika, Kordun, and Gornje Pokuplje. The Ogulin-Modruš valley finishes towards the south where the Modruš hills pass into the second largest field of the area under Kapela – Plaščansko Polje. This comprises a completed geographical whole bordered on the western side by the mountain massif of Velika Kapela dominated by Klek (1181 m). Its eastern edges are bordered by the mounts of Krpel (511 m), Brezovica (565 m) and Hum (863 m). The valley then passes to the hilly area dominated by Klekinja (504 m) and Trojvrh (599 m). source: tz-grada-ogulina.hr

Karlovac developed around a fortified Renaissance town in the 16th century, between the rivers of Kupa and Korana. Only trenches remain of the fortresses, while some 10 beautiful and straight streets with valuable Baroque edifices and buildings and the main square are left from the old town. Particularly interesting are the Early Baroque Sv. Trojstvo church with a Franciscan Monastery, as well as the national pilgrimage site Sv. Josip. Other valuable buildings are the theater Zorin dom, City Museum, Music School, and the well-preserved Medieval fortress Dubovac, nowadays a hotel. Its attractive location on four rivers (Kupa, Korana, Mreznica and Dobra), as well as its favorable position on the main road connecting Zagreb to the Adriatic contribute to the development of tourism, particularly overnight tourism. Vrbanic Park and Marmont’s Plane Tree Alley are protected horticultural monuments, while Banski Moravci east of the city is a special biological reserve. General information City in the region of Pokuplje, where the rivers of Kupa, Mreznica, Korana and Dobra flow next to each other. The town is located 55 km southwest of Zagreb at the height of 112 m and has 59999 inhabitants. It is a cultural (theater, winter artists’ colony, Koran Sculpture Park), commercial and industrial center. The industry includes metalworking industry (gas and steam turbines, diesel motors, boilers, pumps and tools), chemical, textile, leather, wood and food processing industries (dairy, brewery), as well as a brickyard. It lies at the intersection of the main roads Zagreb-Karlovac (M11.01, E65, E71), Karlovac-Rijeka (M12, E65), Karlovac-Senj (M12.3), Karlovac-Zadar (M13.01, E71) as well as the railway sections Zagreb-Karlovac-Ostarije-Rijeka, that is, Split, Zadar and Sibenik. source: Generalturist

Slunj, an old town located in northwestern, continental Croatia, is the political and cultural center of the historic region of Kordun. It lies on the Slunjcica river close to the place where it flows into the Korana river, some 50 km from Karlovac that is the transit center on the main road Zagreb - Plitvice lakes - Zadar. Slunj has a lot to offer: rich cultural heritage, old fortified town dating back to 1323, extraordinary landscapes and Rastoke - a fairytale-like mill settlement in which 300 year old wooden houses have been completely renovated and are decorated with flowers and underbrush. If you are headed south or for Dalmatia, spend some time in Slunj and its surroundings, go rafting, rent kayaks or canoes and enjoy the rapids of Korana. Do not forget to taste fish and game specialties. source: Adriatica.net

Duga Resa, together with its surrounding area, is region of exceptional natural beauty situated in the near vicinity of Mount Vinica (321 m) and alongside the 62 kilometer - long River Mrežnica - a green and blue splendour of Croatia.
Visitors to Mount Vinica's Tušmer Promenade are able to take pleasant walks or cycle beside the river, or to stroll through the hillside meadows. The beautiful natural hues, the clean and clear waters (water temperature can reach 20°), travertine barriers, cascades, rapids and waterffals are equally attractive for bathers, anglers and for fans of river sports. The vineyards around Duga Resa are continuously being expanded, the intentation being to futher enrich the range of winars along the future Wine Road. Here, in this tranquil and serene litlle town, the opportunity presents itself for pleasant, restful break and to engage in a number of sporting and recreational activities. And you should not moss out on savouring the wholesome local specialities and other dishes prepared by our enterprising and commendable staff. source: TZ Duga Resa

Samobor is a city in Zagreb county, Croatia, population 36,206 (2001). It is located to the west of Zagreb, between the eastern slopes of Samoborsko gorje (Samobor hills, the eastern part of the Žumberak Mountains), in the Sava river valley. It is part of the Zagreb metropolitan area, and the County of Zagreb (Zagrebačka županija).
Samobor has existed as a free royal town since 1242 according to a document of endowment by King Bela IV. Its history and culture are rich and various. It is one of the earliest tourist resorts in the region, with the first tourist facilities dating back to 1810, oriented towards anglers, hunters and hikers. The town's beautiful surroundings and vicinity to the capital have been supporting this tourist tradition to the present day. Many famous Croats were born or lived in Samobor. Such notable personalities are: Ferdo Livadić Wiesner, piano composer and the writer of the most famous Croatian patriotic song (budnica), 'Još Hrvatska ni propala' ('Croatia hasn't perished yet'); A.G. Matoš, poet and writer, who abode in Samobor for only four years; and Milan Lang, reformer of education in Croatia and teacher in the Samobor school. In 1846, Samobor was paid a visit by the composer Franz Liszt, who at that time was visiting Zagreb during one of his numerous concert-tours. Liszt came to Samobor to see his friend, previously mentioned Ferdo Livadić.
One of the chief industries in Samobor is crystal cutting. Some of the best crystal in Europe comes from Samobor and is highly prized all over the world.

The city of Sisak is located southeast of Zagreb where the rivers of Odra and Kupa, and Kupa and Sava meet. Its geographical location and natural beauties influenced the development of the city. Because of this, Sisak became the center of one of the biggest counties in Croatia.
Not far from Sisak downstream, along the left bank of the river Sava Park of Nature "Lonjsko polje" is spread. In its major part it is inundated area of the river Sava with preserved wealth of various flora and fauna. The picturesqueness of the area is stressed by the villages located along the Sava and its backwater.
Lonjsko polje is famous for the autochthonous breed of hors and pig and also it is one of the biggest fish - spawning sites.
The uniqe and well - preserved architecture of wooden houses on which numerous stork nests are found, is another appealing sight. Due to a great number of storks, the village of Čigoć was declared the EUROPEAN VILLAGE OF STORKS.
Preserving archaeological researches have resulted in discovering a town complex of Roman Siscia. The quality of the finds has initiated the decision of archaeological presentation in situ. The main subject of the presentation of Roman architecture is the town rampart with an interior tower, defensive canal and part of a late roman instrumental building. The site is located at the intersection of the square in front of the parish church and the town park. source: Tourist Board of the City of Sisak

Zagreb, capital and largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It has an area of 641,355 km2 and 779 145 inhabitants (figures from 2001). Zagreb is the cultural, research, economic, political and administrative center of the Republic of Croatia. Furthermore, it is the seat of the Croatian parliament (Sabor) and the Croatian Government. The most important industrial branches are production of electrical machines and appliances, chemical, pharmaceutical and textile industry, food processing and beverage industry, as well as the tobacco industry. Zagreb is also an important international trade and business center, as well as the traffic center of Central and Eastern Europe. Zagreb is one of Croatia’s largest tourist centers, not only for transit, but also as a destination of many tourist groups. The city is the center of congress tourism, business events and fairs, not only of Croatia, but also of this part of Europe. Being an important European traffic center, it is connected by road, air, railway and bus to all major European cities and all larger towns and tourist destinations in Croatia. We recommend: Favorite souvenirs from Zagreb are known the world over and include: penkala (fountain pen) invented by Slavoljub Penkala from Zagreb over 80 years ago, and the cravat (tie) that was named after the Croatian cavaliers who, in the period from the Thirty Year War in the 17th century to the French Revolution, fought on European battlefields carrying their characteristic kerchiefs around their necks. Apart from that, you can get crystal, ceramics, and china artifacts, beautiful straw and wicker baskets, first class Croatian wines and other gastronomic products. Numerous restaurants in Zagreb serve specialties of local and international cuisine. Make sure to taste turkey, duck or goose with mlinci (traditional baked noodles), strukle (cooked pastry filled with cheese), cheese with cream and orehnjaca (walnut loaf). Seeing as Zagreb is near the sea, fresh seafood is available in seafood restaurants. The city has many fast food restaurants for fast food lovers. There are several sports and recreational centers in Zagreb.

source: Generalturist