Zagreb Weekend: the vibrant city and the Plitvice Lakes

After our welcome meeting, we'll dive straight into the pulsating heart of the city, starting with the lively and colourful Dolac Market, where we can soak up the authentic local atmosphere. We'll then move to the historic part, admiring the famous St. Mark's Church with its iconic mosaic roof. Our route will lead us to discover two unique places: the Museum of Broken Relationships, which tells stories of ended love and connections, and an underground gallery that once served as a bunker, offering a fascinating dive into the city's lesser-known past. In the afternoon, before dinner, you'll have the chance to choose how to continue your exploration. Those who wish can climb the Lotrščak Tower for breathtaking city views, while others can get lost in the charming alleys of the local district for a relaxing drink. In the evening, we'll head to Tkalčićeva Street for our welcome dinner.

On the second day, we'll hit the road in our cars, and drive through the changing scenery as we trade the bustling capital for the tranquility of karst forests and mountains. Once we reach the park, we can start to explore. We’ll pick the trail that calls to us most, winding through the park's 16 lakes, split into two sections: the Upper Lakes (Gornja Jezera) and the Lower Lakes (Donja Jezera). We'll stroll along the iconic wooden boardwalks stretching over the crystal-clear waters, weaving between intensely emerald and turquoise pools. We'll marvel at the majesty of countless waterfalls, including the biggest and most imposing, the Veliki Slap. We can hop on the electric boats connecting the lakes or take the scenic train to make the most of our time and soak in all the different viewpoints.

Before we leave this stunning natural area, if we still have some energy left, we could visit a site just a few kilometres from the national park. Near the park, we can take a short detour to visit the fascinating eljava Air Base, an abandoned underground air base, also known as "the bunker", and an abandoned military aircraft. It's a unique experience for history buffs and curious travellers. Afterwards, we'll meet up for the return trip to Zagreb.

After breakfast, our last day in Zagreb kicks off with a stroll through the "Lenuci Horseshoe", a series of eight interconnected squares and parks forming a U-shape. We'll admire the grandeur of the Croatian National Theatre and the Art Pavilion, two architectural gems in Neo-Baroque and Art Nouveau styles. It'll be a relaxing morning, surrounded by greenery and art.

Before we say goodbye, we'll decide whether to visit the Nikola Tesla Technical Museum, celebrating scientific innovation, or use our free time for some last-minute shopping and souvenir hunting before parting ways after this weekend in Croatia.