Luxury Tour and Travel Agency in Croatia
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Learn About Croatia
    • Terms, Conditions & Privacy Policy
  • Tours
    • Plan Your Custom Trip
    • Private Sailing & Boating Charters >
      • Overnight Sailing Charters (3+ Days)
      • Three Day Sailing from Dubrovnik
      • One Day Boating from Split
      • One Day Boating from Zadar
      • One Day Boating from Korcula
      • One Day Boating to Elaphite Islands from Dubrovnik
    • A Few Example Itineraries >
      • Classic Croatia Tour
      • The Adriatic Pearl Tour
      • Hiking & Cycling Tours >
        • Hiking and Cycling
        • 15 Day Hiking Tour
        • 8 Day Hiking Tour
    • Honeymoon Tours
  • Day Trips
    • Zagreb Day Trips >
      • 10 Day Trip Ideas From Zagreb
      • Plitvice Lakes & Rastoke Village
      • Zagreb Craft Beer Tour
      • Zagreb Region Wine Tour
      • Studio Cooking Class in Zagreb
    • Dubrovnik day trips >
      • Wine & Oyster Tasting
      • Elaphite Islands Boating Excursion
    • Transfers >
      • Airport Transfers
      • Destination Transfers
  • Contact
    • Book Today
    • Plan Your Custom Trip
  • Blog
    • Blog

A Reflection of Advent in Zagreb

1/7/2016

0 Comments

 
(post by Ivan)

What made Zagreb win the award for the Best European Destination for Advent?
Picture
With Advent behind us all now, vendors are surely rubbing their hands together (with how much money they made) and most of the citizens of Zagreb are still in awe of what a spectacle this year’s celebration turned out to be. I have to admit – this year, Advent in Zagreb was very special to me. (Partly because I was celebrating this season as a new father :)
Picture
When I headed to the city to explore this year’s Advent, my first mission was to find parking. Most of underground garages were completely full and it was a pain in the @$$ to find a spot, which is pretty uncommon for this otherwise quiet city. This is my only complaint. I suggest taking public transit!
Picture
Now, let’s talk Advent. As I was walking through the streets, the first thing what I noticed were the thousands of lights and the brightness of downtown as a whole. Sun sets at 4:30? No problem. Everything sparkled and was illuminated –  this year the city did an incredible job in the design and decor of the entire advent program. It was bright, but tasteful, not tacky.
Picture
What hit me next was the constant flowing river of people streaming down the streets. These same beautiful streets oozed with the scent of mulled wine, sausages, cinnamon and other delicacies. Guests were cozily squeezed together, trying to warm up around the decorated stands, while enjoying time with their friends and families.
Picture
There was a fullness in the air which is hard to describe, but easy to feel. In every corner I felt it. This advent, I got a deep feeling of pride for being a resident of this beautiful city. Not to say that past years lacked this same glitz and festive atmosphere, but finally this year, the city was wholly discovered by Europeans, and not just passed up like a leftover appetizer sitting on a platter for hours. Zagreb actually became the best destination in the old continent.
Picture
So what happened? Why did they discover us now? Why this year? Predictability. Before this year, Advent had been brilliant and very well visited in Zagreb, but the offer was always the same. Visitors knew how the city would be decorated, where they would go, what they would see. Basically, a large tent on the square with restaurants, and some stands in Bogovićeva and Gajeva. And that was Advent in a nutshell. Only a few years ago Advent began to expand and take residence in Zrinjevac Park, too.
Picture
Last year something changed again, and Advent had even more to offer. It spread through the city like wildfire with stands and wine offerings surrounding an even larger radius, yet still all within 10 minutes walking distance from the main square. Personally, I think that’s what changed this Advent’s popularity in Zagreb. Tourists loved that there was so much to offer, to see, and to do. Unlike other cities where Christmas fairs are concentrated in one place with the basics, Zagreb really stepped things up.
Picture
The huge outdoor skating rink that was built using a pathway system was definitely a hit, and setting it up at King Tomislav Square was smart. The Christmas fair in the European Square (just off the main square) was something else that the people of Zagreb loved. You could visit Advent 20 times and always find something new to see, to do and especially to eat.
Picture
Until recently, Advent’s gastronomy consisted of sausages, fritters and mulled wine. This year, so many flavors from around the world could be sampled – from Austrian germ dumplings to Dutch pancakes and Japanese sushi. However, traditional Zagreb dishes like a ham hock (buncek) or “sarma” were definitely among the most popular and like every year, I could not resist.
Picture
With this expanded, more diverse experience, Zagreb attracted and appealed to many more people than previous years, which surely contributed to its success. Zagreb stepped up its game and in my humble opinion, definitely deserved the title of Best Advent Destination in Europe. I wholeheartedly enjoyed this season – it surpassed my expectations and now I can’t wait to see what next year will bring.

​-Ivan

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Contact us today to start planning your custom-made Croatia tour!

      Join us for more info about Croatia!

    I'm in!

    Authors

    Picture

    Sarah Cosic

    As a Canadian in Croatia, Sarah aims to share her favourite things to see and do, in hopes of helping others enjoy and explore this beautiful country, 

    Picture

    Ivan Cosic

    Ivan is always searching for unique places and experiences to offer his guests and wants to share some of his findings through the blog. 

Payment methods
e: info@royalcroatiantours.com
p: +385 99 848 3225  / +385 99 848 3226

skype: royalcroatiantours
©2022 Royal Croatian Tours. All rights reserved.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture


Royal Croatian Tours - Travel Agency

ROYAL CROATIAN TOURS d.o.o. turistička agencija
Dominicev odvojak 36A, Zagreb
Croatia, 10360
 Upisan u registar Trgovačkog suda u Zagrebu pod brojem Tt-18/43098-4
​MBS: 081214700 | OIB: 49544599033
PDV br. HR49544599033 | Žiro račun(IBAN) HR18 2340 0091 1109 8222 7
Privredna banka Zagreb d.d. | Iznos temeljnog kapitala: 20 000,00 HRK
​uplaćen u cijelosti | Osnivač društva: Ivan Ćosić
Osoba ovlaštena za zastupanje: Ivan Ćosić
Licence Number
HR-AB-01-21011504946
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Learn About Croatia
    • Terms, Conditions & Privacy Policy
  • Tours
    • Plan Your Custom Trip
    • Private Sailing & Boating Charters >
      • Overnight Sailing Charters (3+ Days)
      • Three Day Sailing from Dubrovnik
      • One Day Boating from Split
      • One Day Boating from Zadar
      • One Day Boating from Korcula
      • One Day Boating to Elaphite Islands from Dubrovnik
    • A Few Example Itineraries >
      • Classic Croatia Tour
      • The Adriatic Pearl Tour
      • Hiking & Cycling Tours >
        • Hiking and Cycling
        • 15 Day Hiking Tour
        • 8 Day Hiking Tour
    • Honeymoon Tours
  • Day Trips
    • Zagreb Day Trips >
      • 10 Day Trip Ideas From Zagreb
      • Plitvice Lakes & Rastoke Village
      • Zagreb Craft Beer Tour
      • Zagreb Region Wine Tour
      • Studio Cooking Class in Zagreb
    • Dubrovnik day trips >
      • Wine & Oyster Tasting
      • Elaphite Islands Boating Excursion
    • Transfers >
      • Airport Transfers
      • Destination Transfers
  • Contact
    • Book Today
    • Plan Your Custom Trip
  • Blog
    • Blog